For Immediate Release
Tuesday, September 12, 2023

Council Connect: Highlights from September 12, 2023, meetings of Council

Tecumseh Town Council met this evening, and here are the highlights:

Public Council Meetings

Request to Reconsider Engineer’s Report – Shuttleworth Drain: Council approved Report PWES-2023-63 that reconsidered the drainage report for the Shuttleworth Drain. There were additional discussions between the Drainage Engineer and the landowners (5480 North Talbot Road and 5520 North Talbot Road), who have since provided their written approval via email to proceed with standard access culverts. The matter now proceeds to the Court of Revision on October 10, 2023, with notice to be given to all affected landowners.

Regular Meeting of Council

IESO Market Participant for the Tecumseh Arena and Manning Road Storm Pump Station Generators: Council approved the report outlining the discontinuing of the two generators within the IESO Operating Reserve Market through an agreement with Genset Resource Management Inc. (GenSet). The Agreement expired in 2012 and does not contain an ‘auto-renew’ clause. Additionally, through discussions with Essex Energy Corporation (EEC), there is a program called IESO Capacity Auction. EEC has presented the Town with an agreement to utilize the Arena and Manning Road Storm Pump Station generators for the IESO Capacity Auction with revenues split 50/50 between EEC and the Town. Revenues are anticipated to be in the order of $100,000 per year. By-law 2023-93 was adopted, authorizing the Mayor and Clerk to execute the agreement.

Regional Waste Management Initiative - Project Update & Endorsement of County By-law 2023-40: Council approved County of Essex By-law 2023-40 transferring all power of the lower-tier municipalities with respect to the collection and delivery of waste to the County of Essex. The by-law starts the process to upload the service to the County. To complete the process, the majority of Essex County municipalities representing the majority of the population must consent to uploading the service. The initial transfer of authority for waste collection affords maintaining municipal service levels as outlined in existing contracts for a time. The County will work toward a future ‘standardized’ residential service level.  There will eventually be financial implications that will depend on the funding model that is ultimately agreed to and implemented.

Hobie World Fishing Championships 2024: The International Hobie Fishing Association is interested in hosting its next iteration of The Hobie World Fishing Championships in the Tecumseh area. Pending a successful event experience, Tecumseh would become one of the global locations, meaning this event could be hosted every 4-6 years, supporting the Town’s interest in growing local tourism. Council approved the report to give consideration and grant relief from the Outdoor Special Events Policy to the International Hobie Fishing Association. The event would take place at Lakewood Park North and Lakewood Park South from Tuesday, June 25, 2024 – Sunday, June 30, 2024.

2024 Pre Budget Council Consultation: Council received a presentation from Finance seeking input to  the 2024 Budget.  The 2024 pre-budget exercise calls for a municipal levy increase of approximately 5.15%, 0.80% higher, however in-line with, the 4.35% which had been forecasted during the 2023 budget process.  Drivers for the increase to the municipal levy include continued investment to the Town’s Lifecycle/Capital Reserves to support Council’s adopted five-year capital plans that will support investment in major infrastructure projects, such as stormwater management enhancements through the replacement of the Scully/St. Mark’s and PJ Cecile pump stations, wastewater service extensions in the Oldcastle area that will improve the existing services and support growth (CR46/Webster/Laval phase and DelDuca phase), Lesperance Road trail from Cty rd 22 to Cty rd 42, water, wastewater and stormwater servicing in the Tecumseh Hamlet area in support of significant development lands and significant investment in recreation amenities including washrooms at Lakewood Park north, Maidstone Rec centre and Southfield Park, splash pad/features in Lakewood Park North and Southfield Park, Southfield park perimeter trail, Cada Library renovations and facility expansion to Fire Hall #1, many of which projects are supported by committed grant funding.  Also contributing to the levy increase is the final phase of the Town’s Organization Review implementation plan, investment in infrastructure maintenance programs and inflationary increases. The 2024 pre-budget meeting allows for Council to provide additional direction to Administration to be used towards development of the proposed budget that will be delivered on November 28. 

Crossing Guards Lunch Hour Service: Due to the new system of a balanced day schedule in local schools that eliminated the traditional ‘lunch hour’, People & Culture (P&C), in conjunction with the current crossing guards, identified a need to monitor the number of students regularly utilizing the lunch hour crossing service. It was reported that the number of students crossing was extremely low, and it was mainly older children who needed less assistance. It was determined that this service is no longer required and it was recommended that the lunch hour crossing service be discontinued. Council approved the report.

COVID-19 Vaccination Policy Suspension: In 2021, Council approved the current vaccination policy. The policy remained in effect as originally approved and has not been revised since 2021. In March 2022, the Province of Ontario removed all mandates regarding COVID-19, and organizations such as the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit and the World Health Organization mirrored. Tecumseh was the only remaining Municipality within the County of Essex (including the County) to have an active COVID-19 Vaccination Policy. Council approved the report to suspend the COVID-19 vaccination policy.

December Holiday Schedule 2024: Council received a report to close Tecumseh Town Hall Offices for the 2024 December Holiday Season from Tuesday, December 24th through to and including Wednesday, January 1, 2025. The closure will be posted on the website, social media, and in the EWSWA Collection Calendar. Council approved the report.

Healthy Aging Strategy: Council approved the 2023-2026 Strategic Plan: A Community for Everyone, which identifies one of the Strategic Priorities as “Community Health and Inclusion.” A goal within this priority area is to “Enhance public spaces to make the Town accessible to everyone.” With Tecumseh's older adult population projected to be the fastest-growing demographic in the next decade, a Healthy Aging Strategy is essential to understanding and meeting the unique needs of older residents and improving outcomes across various domains, including outdoor spaces, transportation, housing, social participation, and community support services. Council approved the development of a Healthy Aging Strategy.

2022 Year End Budget Variance: Council received a report identifying 2022 year-end budget variances and recommendations for surplus transfers to specified reserve funds. Town departments continuously monitor financial results and revise forecasts accordingly to ensure budget allocations and strategies are aligned.   A tax supported surplus in the amount of $1,224, 508 is primarily attributed to investment income and grant revenue.  The rate supported surplus totalling $714,803 was driven by User Fees, Permits and Charges resulting from greater than anticipated non-residential water consumption, as well as staff vacancies.  Council approved the recommendations for 2022 surplus transfers to itemized Reserve Funds. 

Request for Noise By-Law Exemption – Tabouli by Eddy’s: Council approved the report for Tabouli by Eddy’s (“Tabouli”) to be granted an exemption from the Town’s Noise By- Law for outdoor music entertainment on Saturday, September 23 between 9 and 11:30 pm.

Request to Levy 2022 Municipal Drain Maintenance Costs: Council approved the report outlining the authorization from the Chief Financial Officer to recover costs incurred during the maintenance of specific Municipal Drains following the provisions of Section 61(1) of the Drainage Act. The Town has already completed maintenance and applied for a grant, making the costs now eligible to be collected from the affected lands and road authorities, including the Town's share. The total cost of drain maintenance for 2022 was $12,113.49, with the Town's portion being $1,697.30, funded from the Municipal Drain Lifecycle Reserve.

Amendment to the 2023-2027 PWES Capital Works Plan Public Works and Transportation North Building Improvements Project Update: Council approved an update for the Public Works and Transportation North Building Improvements Project due to insufficient electrical service within the building to accommodate the renovation and the future for EV charging stations. The updated project estimate of $800,000 (an increase of $200,000) includes the expanded scope of work. It is anticipated that the next steps for the project will be to complete the detailed design and tendering in Late 2023, with construction commencing in early 2024.

Tecumseh Road Sidewalk Rehabilitation – Tender Award: Council approved the tender for Tecumseh Road Sidewalk Rehabilitation in the amount of $214,458 excluding HST be awarded to Amico Infrastructures Inc. By-law 2023-90 was adopted, authorizing the Mayor and Clerk to execute the agreement.

Discontinuation of the Drainage Act Process, Section 40 - Cunningham Drain, Brown Enclosure Extension: Council received a recommendation that the notice of filing for the drainage engineers report under Section 40 of the Drainage Act be given by the Clerk to the landowner at 12305 County Road 34.   The notice pertains to discontinuation of the Drainage Act process for the Cunningham Drain, Brown enclosure extension.   The landowner provided notice that they did not want to proceed with the project for the requested drain enclosure due to project and engineering costs. Council approved the report.

Next Regular Meeting: The next regular meeting of Council is September 26, 2023. 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.