Council Connect: Highlights from the January 26, 2022 meeting of Council

 Tecumseh Town Council met electronically this evening to consider two reports funded by the province through the Municipal Modernization Program. Here are the highlights:

Special Meeting of Council

Implementation Plan Next Step in Strategy for Commercial Areas: A shared economic development strategy for Tecumseh’s commercial areas, including one that is shared with Lakeshore, is ready to be put into action. Council endorsed the plan after a presentation by consultant Nancy Johnston, of McSweeney & Associates, about the Shared Commercial Economic Development Strategy – a joint effort by the Town, Tecumseh Business Improvement Area and Municipality of Lakeshore. It encompasses the commercial areas surrounding: Manning Road and its intersections with Tecumseh Road and Amy Croft Drive; Tecumseh Road at and west of Lesperance Road; and Lesperance Road south of County Road 22. An analysis by McSweeney found retail sector employment in Tecumseh and Lakeshore increased by over 600 jobs between 2011 and 2021. The strategy report recommends that after the pandemic retailers will benefit from embracing the trend of selling in person and online, as well as transitioning stores to provide experience-focused shopping. The goals of the strategy revolve around three themes: collaborating and connecting; creating a destination; and branding, communication and marketing. Included in the latter are initiatives to improve the viability of the retail sector, which has been hit hard by the pandemic. During the development of the strategy 133 stakeholders were consulted through one-on-one interviews (27), an online survey that was open to the public (81) and a virtual business summit (25). The strategy report will be posted on the Town’s website. The next step is to develop an implementation plan in collaboration with Lakeshore, which will be brought to Council by administration in the future.

 Review Recommends Automated Payroll System: The Town should eliminate paper timesheets and move to an automated reporting system, says a review of Tecumseh’s payroll processing system endorsed by Council. Blackline Consulting partner Ian Shelley and senior consultant Graham Pressey presented Council with the results of their review. It recommends changes to eliminate paper and streamline the payroll processing system. The recommended changes include enhancing or replacing the Town’s current financial reporting software. The review also suggests adopting a bi-weekly pay period and shifting the responsibility for tracking benefits and entitlement from payroll staff to Human Resources. The Payroll Processing Review will be posted on the Town’s website and administration will report back to Council with an implementation plan.

 Next Regular Meeting: The next regular meeting of Council is February 8, 2022. The meeting is scheduled to be held electronically. The agenda and livestream will be available on the Town’s website. Follow the Town of Tecumseh on Facebook and Twitter for news and the latest information.