For Immediate Release
Tuesday, August 8, 2023

Council Connect: Highlights from August 8, 2023, meetings of Council

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

Regular Meeting of Council

Town of Tecumseh Business Improvement Area Budget Presentation: Council received a report outlining the Tecumseh Business Improvement Area (BIA) new marketing strategy, a new logo, as well as long-term beautification goals, the need for an additional staff member to continue to grow and the budget for 2023. In order to act on marketing and beautification plans and projects over the coming year, the requested budget for the BIA of $270k represents an increase of 50 percent over 2022.  Council approved the budget. Details on the budget, marketing and beautification plans can be found at: tecumsehbia.com.

CRS-2023-14 Tecumseh Arena Flood Damage Assessment - Council received a report providing an update on the Tecumseh Arena flood damage assessment and repair status. Estimated replacement costs are $891,000, which are expected to be initially funded through the Arena Lifecycle Reserve, pending the outcome of an insurance claim for the damages. A recommended modelling assessment of the existing on-site storm water infrastructure is estimated to cost up to $30,000. Council approved the estimated costs and the Arena Lifecycle Reserve funding.

DS-2023-15 Adoption of the Tecumseh Housing Action Plan - Council received a report summarizing the Tecumseh Housing Action Plan (HAP). The Tecumseh HAP is a mandatory requirement for a community to be eligible for funding from the Federal Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) - a $4 billion fund that will allow local governments to fast-track the creation of new homes in Canada. Council approved the Tecumseh HAP, authorized Administration to submit a Housing Accelerator Fund application to the Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation and authorized the Chief Financial Officer and Director Development Services to sign such documents required to support the application.

DS-2023-16 2023 Six Month Building Services Permit Report - Council received a report summarizing the permits issued and permits closed for the first six months of 2023 and comparing the values for the same period of the previous year. Construction value was reported at $20,132,837 – up by 99 percent over the last year. The number of permits is down 52 units over last year for the first six months of the year. A total of 3 new single dwelling unit permits were issued and 5 additional residential units (ARU). In the first six months of 2023, 430 outstanding permits were closed. The Town is anticipating an increase in residential permits in the next six-month period, and an increase in non-residential permits in the last quarter of the year.

FS-2023-06 Taxes Receivable – June 2023 – Council received a report outlining the status of property taxes outstanding as of June 30, 2023, for the Town of Tecumseh. Despite the uncertainties posed by COVID-19 in the past few years, property tax collection remains strong; with 276 property owners in arrears. Approximately 34 percent of all properties in Tecumseh have successfully enrolled in the pre-authorized debit (PAP) plan – a 1 percent increase from 2022. Tecumseh continues to maintain a healthy balance between ensuring the timely collection of taxes and understanding the challenges faced by some of our property owners.

LCS-2023-23 Council Conferences for 2024 - Council received a report outlining the conferences requested to be attended by Members of Council in 2024. As per the Town’s Professional Development Policy No. 73, Members of Council may be authorized to attend up to three conferences per year, as well as workshops or seminars which have been approved by Council and are within the Department’s budget. The Town’s Travel Policy No. 14 provides certain allowances for travel, accommodation, and other related expenses for attending conferences, workshops, and/or seminars. Council authorized the requested conferences and approved attendance at 2024 workshops, webinars, and training opportunities for members of Council.

LCS-2023-26 Right of Access for Maintenance – The Building Department recently contacted the Municipal Clerk to inquire whether the Town had a by-law to permit a resident to access the property of their adjoining neighbour in order to be able to attend to the repair or maintenance of their own property. Section 132 of the Municipal Act, 2001, provides that a municipality may pass a by-law to authorize an owner or occupant of land to enter adjoining lands for the purpose of maintenance, making repairs, or alterations to any building, fence, and/or other structure on the land of the owner of occupant but only to the extent necessary to carry out such maintenance, repairs or alterations. Several municipalities have a by-law with respect to granting a right to access for property maintenance or construction, but Tecumseh does not currently have such a by-law in place. Council approved the report. Council considered By-law 2023-086 for first, second, and third readings and approved the new by-law.

PWES-2023-58 West Townline and Mooney Creek Drain, Emergency Replacement of Residential Access Bridge, 5285 County Road 19 – Tender Award: Council approved the tender for the West Townline and Mooney Creek Drain, Emergency Replacement of Residential Access Bridge in the amount of $749,970 excluding HST to be awarded to Sterling Ridge Infrastructure Inc. By-law 2023-087 was adopted, authorizing the Mayor and Clerk to execute the agreement.

Next Regular Meeting: The next regular meeting of Council is September 12, 2023. 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.