For Immediate Release
Tuesday, February 14, 2023

Council Connect: Highlights from February 14, 2023, meetings of Council

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

Public Meeting of Council

Request to Consider Engineer’s Report – Demonte Branch Drain: Council received a summary of the Drainage report, which provides for the cleanout of accumulated silt and debris, replacement of existing bridges and enclosures, future replacement specifications for remaining bridges and enclosures, and installation of cable concrete liner. Administration recommended adopting the drainage report and all affected landowners will be notified of the Court of Revision to be held on March 14, 2023, at 6:30 pm.

Request to Consider Engineer’s Report – Gouin Drain: Council received a summary of the background and other information in relation to the Drainage Report. The report provides detailed information of the existing conditions based on the Engineer’s examination as well as recommendations for the repair and improvement of the drain. The report also provides for the cleanout of accumulated silt and debris, replacement of existing bridges and enclosures and future replacement specifications for remaining bridges and enclosures. Administration recommended adopting the drainage report and all affected landowners will be notified of the Court of Revision to be held on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at 5:30 pm.

Special Meeting of Council

Shoreline Management Plan Town of Tecumseh Coastal Flood Risk Assessment Report: Council received The Shoreline Management plan - Town of Tecumseh Coastal Flood Risk Assessment Report. The report assessed the existing and future coastal flood risks and provides conceptual approaches to shoreline management and flood control along the Lake St. Clair shoreline. The study also investigated the potential influence of climate change on future coastal hazards due to changes in lake levels, storms, rainfall and ice cover. Further, updated floodplain mapping was generated, along with conceptual adaptation options to address the coastal hazards. The ultimate goal of the study is to increase the resiliency of the Town of Tecumseh to coastal hazards through the development of potential short-term and long-term solutions.

Regular Meeting of Council

Non-Union and Council Economic Salary Adjustment 2023: In accordance with the Compensation and Salary Administration Policy, the annual economic adjustment for 2023 of 2.0% was approved by Council, effective January 1, 2023. The policy provides the framework for the annual compensation to be paid to the Management and Non-union Administrative Staff. The annual economic adjustment to the remuneration of Members of Council was approved with the Mayor at 2.0%, Deputy Mayor at 0.5% and Councillors at 1.0%, in accordance with By-law No. 2019-62, as amended.

Cada Library Renovation – Final Concept Design: The Cada Library Renovation Final Concept Design was approved by Council.  Archon Architects Incorporated was retained by the Town as the architect and prime consultant for the Cada Library Renovation Project to produce a concept design, which includes an interior renovation plan that improves efficiencies and creates greater functionality of the overall space. The final design has been vetted by the Essex County Chief Librarian and staff, stakeholders and the public and has been well-received. It is intended that the renovation will move forward later this year.

Taxes Receivable December 2022: Council received an annual report regarding the status of year-end tax arrears, which describes the status of the Town of Tecumseh’s property taxes outstanding as of December 31, 2022. Overall, property tax collection continues to remain strong despite the uncertainty posed by COVID-19 and taxes receivable as a percentage of tax levy increased slightly to 4.7% as of December 2022 (up from 4.5% in 2021).

Procedural By-Law Sub-Committee: Council received the recommendation to strike an Ad-hoc Sub-Committee of Council for the purpose or mandate of providing a review of the Town’s current Procedural By-Law 2022-013. Further, Council approved the appointment of (3) three of its members to this committee to carry out the mandate of this Sub-Committee in consultation with the Clerk. The members are: Mayor Gary McNamara, Councillor Tania Jobin and Councillor Alicia Higgison.

Court of Revision Appointment - 4th Concession Drain: Council appointed Councillor Tania Jobin to the Town of Lasalle Court of Revision (scheduled to convene and sit on March 23, 2023 at 4 p.m. in LaSalle Council Chambers) to hear any appeals on the assessment from the Drainage Report in relation to improvements for the 4th Concession Drain.

Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund Phase 1: Scully-St. Mark’s Pump Station Preselection and Prepurchase of Backup Generator Request for Quotations Results: It is the Town’s practice to outfit all storm water pump stations with emergency backup generators to ensure each pump station is operational during power outages and/or hydro shortages. Two quotations were received on January 12, 2023 and Administration recommended that no bid be accepted at this time. In recent discussions with the Town’s Consultants, suppliers have since indicated that the lead time for the delivery of the backup generator will be in line with the construction schedule and therefore procuring a backup generator at this time is not critical, as originally anticipated. Council approved the report.

Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund 2020 Intake Phase 2: P.J. Cecile Storm Pump Station Replacement Project Award of Engineering Consulting Services: Council awarded the Engineering Consulting Services for the P.J. Cecile Storm Pump Station Replacement Project in the amount $1,157,400 excluding HST to Stantec Consulting Ltd. The P.J. Cecile Storm Pump Station Improvements project consists of the construction of a new pump station over the footprint of the existing structure with increased capacity (approximately 8-times more capacity) and a larger inlet to the pump station and outlet piping to Lake St. Clair.

County Road 46 Speed Reduction at the County Road 19 Intersection: A motion was brought forward by Councillor Tania Jobin requesting a change to the speed limit on County Road 46 from 80 km/hr to 60 km/hr, from County Road 46 at the intersection of County Road 19 (Manning Road). The motion and background will be sent to the Clerk of the Municipality of Lakeshore for Council’s support and endorsement and thereafter to the Clerk for the County of Essex requesting they be placed on the next regular meeting of County Council’s Agenda for consideration.

Next Regular Meeting: The next regular meeting of Council is February 28, 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.