For Immediate Release
Tuesday, July 25, 2023

Council Connect: Highlights from July 25, 2023, meetings of Council

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

Regular Meeting of Council

Declaring Intimate Partner Violence an Epidemic: The Town of Tecumseh passed a resolution to declare intimate partner violence as an epidemic and advocate for the systemic change that needs to occur in all of our communities to best protect those at risk. The goal is to raise awareness of this complex social health issue and the numerous factors that need to be considered to help keep women and children safe. For more information, visit the Violence Against Women Coordinating Committee Windsor-Essex webpage here.

DS-2023-14 Summary of Draft Tecumseh Housing Action Plan for Federal Housing Accelerator Fund Program: Council received a presentation on the Town’s draft Housing Action Plan, prepared by external consultants, Miller Silani.  Adoption of a Housing Action Plan prioritizes the Town's role in ensuring adequate housing supply and outlines steps to accelerate housing provision for the next three years and beyond. Additionally, an approved plan allows the Town to apply for funding under the federal Housing Accelerator Fund program. The finalized plan will be brought to the August 8, 2023, Council meeting for adoption, enabling the Town to make application to the federal program prior to the August 18^th deadline.

CAO-2023-06 Strategic Plan 2023-2026: Council adopted the corporate Strategic Plan for the term 2023-2026. It is available online and in-print. Administration was directed to incorporate the strategic priorities into objectives and plans as part of the Corporation’s work plans. Progress on the strategic priorities will be provided annually over the term of the plan.

CAO-PC-2023-02 Electronic Monitoring Policy: Council approved a new Electronic Monitoring Policy, which is required under Bill 88, Working for Workers Act, and its amendments to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) and the Occupational Health and Safety Act.  The policy sets out circumstances where employees can be monitored electronically and how the monitoring information may be used.

CAO-PC-2023-03 Council Remuneration Review: Council authorized the Director People and Culture to proceed with the Council Renumeration Review in conjunction with a compensation consultant, however, discontinued the past practice of involving a citizen-based committee. Upon receipt and approval of the final remuneration report by Council, a by-law will be presented to Council to reflect the recommended process for and final recommendations arising from the Council Remuneration Review.

CRS Five (5) Year Capital Works Plans Update: Council received a report providing a mid-year update to the Community & Recreation Services (CRS) Five (5) Year Capital Works Plans for 2023-2027. The Plan features 82 infrastructure upgrades, renovations, and improvements to Parks, the Tecumseh Arena, the Tecumseh Leisure Pool, and Municipal Buildings. Some of these capital works need to be deferred to permit advanced planning of the placement and servicing of the amenities prior to implementation. The capital project implementation planning work will focus on nine (9) projects in Town Centre, Lakewood, Southfield, McAuliffe, Lacasse, Chippewa and Rocheleau Parks as well as Maidstone Recreation Centre and a partnership project with L’Essor High School. CRS requested a deferral of $4,260,000 in 2023, with a potential for a further deferral of $2,000,000 in 2024 to be confirmed in the upcoming capital budget. Council approved the changes to the implementation of the Plans and the request for deferral.

PWES-2023-53 Gouin Drain Tender Award: Council approved the tender for the Gouin Drain in the amount of $393,120 excluding HST to be awarded to Mark G. Contracting Inc. By-law 2023-084 was adopted, authorizing the Mayor and Clerk to execute the agreement.

PWES-2023-54 Antaya Drain Tender Award: Council approved the tender for the Antaya Drain in the amount of $76,814 excluding HST to be awarded to Murray Mills Excavating & Trucking Ltd. By-law 2023-082 was adopted, authorizing the Mayor and Clerk to execute the agreement.

PWES-2023-55 Demonte Branch Drain Tender Award: Council approved the tender for the Demonte Branch Drain in the amount of $198,687 excluding HST to be awarded to Mark G. Contracting. By-law 2023-083 was adopted, authorizing the Mayor and Clerk to execute the agreement.

PWES-2023-056 West Townline and Mooney Creek Drain, Emergency Replacement of Residential Access Bridge, 5285 County Road 19: Council received a report prepared by Dillon Consulting Ltd.  outlining the need for the emergency replacement of a Residential Access Bridge located at 5285 County Road 19, as well as the repair and improvement of the West Townline and Mooney Creek Drain.  The estimated project costs for the access bridge will be $850,000. It is also anticipated that the landowner’s assessment will be $75,000, the County’s assessment will be $345,000, and the upstream landowners’ assessments will be $430,000. These costs and assessments will be finalized in the Drainage Report currently being prepared by Dillon and brought to Council for consideration at a future Public Council Meeting.

TCS-2023-03 Policy 118 Video Surveillance – Municipal Properties: Council adopted a Policy for video surveillance on municipal properties. The policy provides for the use of video surveillance systems in municipally owned or operated buildings and open spaces to deter and detect crime and anti-social behaviour such as theft, vandalism, and unauthorized entry.  The policy indicates how video surveillance technology will be used by the Town and how this information will be accessed, disseminated, and protected in a secure environment.

Next Regular Meeting: The next regular meeting of Council is August 8, 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.