Council Connect - April 28, 2026

Council Connect: Highlights from April 28, 2026, meetings of Council

Policy and Priorities Committee

Personnel Policy Updates: Council received a report summarizing the results of a review of several personnel policies, including summaries of the policies that were revised largely to reflect legislative updates:

• Policy No. 46 – Provision of Valid Driver’s Licence
• Policy No. 54 – Hiring of Employees Policy
• Policy No. 81 – Employment Practices: Recruitment, Retention, Notification, etc.
• Policy No. 96 – Professional Appearance Policy
• Policy No. 112 – Flexible Work Arrangements Policy

Council received the report, approved the revisions, and delegated authority to the Director of People & Culture and Chief Administrative Officer to regularly review and, if applicable, revise these policies, with any significant amendments to be reported to Council for information.

Regular Meeting of Council

Essex Power Corporation: Council received a presentation from Joe Barile, Vice President of Regulatory and Corporate Affairs with Essex Power Corporation (EPC).  The presentation reviewed a proposal to advance the Essex Transmission Project (a strategic infrastructure initiative) through new transmission assets. Prior to acquiring shares in Essex Transmission GP Inc., Shareholder approval is required from the Towns of Tecumseh, LaSalle and Amherstburg and Municipality of Leamington.  Council approved EPC acquiring shares in Essex Transmission GP Inc. and any required related entity for the purposes of the Essex Transmission Project.

Essex Region Conservation Authority: Council received a presentation from Tim Byrne, CAO/Secretary-Treasurer of the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) regarding the proposed consolidation of conservation authorities.  The presentation included key issues that have been identified by ERCA including absence of meaningful consultation and consensus, lack of details on how local watershed Councils will operate and impacts to source protection plans and drinking water protection. See the full presentation. Council approved the recommendation from ERCA for Council to send a letter of support to the Province.

Draft New Zoning By-law: Council received a report summarizing feedback received during public consultation process for the Town’s proposed new Zoning By-law, and recommended changes for the next draft based on input collected. Topics raised during public consultation include recreational vehicle and trailer parking, short-term rentals, lodging houses, residential zoning standards, and lake sightline protections. The report requested Council to choose between two different approaches for regulating recreational vehicle and trailer parking in residential areas:

• Option 1 - Regulate the parking and storage of recreational vehicles/trailers by length and height
• Option 2 - Regulate the parking and storage of recreational vehicles/trailers by distance from a curb/sidewalk 

Council approved Option 2 and directed Administration to incorporate all recommended revisions into the second draft of the new Zoning By-law and authorized a second public meeting on May 26, 2026 at 7:00 pm to review updated draft changes and receive further public input. The updated draft Zoning By-law document (Version No. 2) will be placed on the Town’s website by early May of 2026 in advance of a second public meeting. Read the full report.

Amendment to the Community and Recreation Services 2026 Adopted Year Capital Works Plan and Budget: Council received a summary of the water intrusion incident that occurred at the Water Department Building located at 1189 Lacasse Boulevard in February 2026 and outlines the results of incident investigation, identifies the impacts on the affected areas, and describes the necessary corrective actions and costs. Council received the report, approved an amendment the Community and Recreation Services 2026 Adopted Year Capital Works Plan and Budget, and authorized Administration to allocate $100,000 from the Water Facilities Reserve to fund the restoration work and furniture replacement.
Tecumseh Accessibility Advisory Committee Appointment: Council received a report and accepted that Morgan Kool be appointed as a member of the Tecumseh Accessibility Advisory Committee for the term ending November 14, 2026, or until such time new members are appointed.

Ontario Energy Board: Generic Review of the Model Franchise Agreement for Natural Gas: Council received a report regarding the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) limited review of the standard Model Franchise Agreement used by municipalities and natural gas companies. Tecumseh recently renewed its 20year franchise agreement with Enbridge, however some sections—particularly those dealing with who pays for gas pipeline relocations raised concerns.  This issue is listed for review in the recent OEB Notice received by the Town and Council approved support for the review and for the Town of Tecumseh to participate formally as an intervenor, alongside other Essex County municipalities, so local interests can be represented. Council received and supported the report and directed Administration to apply as an intervenor in the OEB proceedings and to communicate the Town’s interest to the County of Essex in participating in the review process as part of a Municipal Group of Local municipalities.

2025 Traffic Signal Infrastructure Assessment: Council received a report with information about the completion of the assessment of the Town’s traffic signal infrastructure owned and maintained by the Town and a recommended replacement program. Additionally, the assessment identifies the intersections that currently meet AODA requirements, while also recommending upgrades to fulfill AODA requirements.

Integrated Food and Recreational Services for Lakewood Park North and South: Administration received interest from several parties across Essex County over Summer and Fall 2025 to expand concession services at Lakewood Park North and Lakewood Park South. One submission was received through the  Request for Proposal (No.165) process from Lakewood Park Hospitality Inc. which is co-owned by Joe Proeski, owner of Proya Estates and TOTO Café and Anita Cenic, Owner/Operator of Banquet Hall Club 9 Inc. Based off the submission and an interview, Administration is confident the applicant has the experience to deliver a good customer experience at Lakewood Park in support of food and recreational services.  A By-Law with the agreement will be brought to Council in May 2026 with an effective date of June 1, 2026. Council received the report.

Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act, 2026 Summary Report: Council received a report about an announcement the Province recently released proposing changes to various Acts by way of Bill 98: Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act, 2026. The report contains itemized summaries of the changes that may have an impact on the Town, including changes to planning processes, land development, municipal infrastructure, and the collection of municipal development charges. Administration recommended that this report be submitted to the Province through the Environmental Registry of Ontario as comments from the Town of Tecumseh on Bill 98. Council directed Administration to submit the report to the Province through the Environmental Registry of Ontario.

County of Essex County Road 46 and Town of Tecumseh Concession Roads 8 and 9 Environmental Assessment Study Completion: Council received a report regarding completion of the Environmental Assessment (EA) study for County Road 46 and Concession Roads 8 and 9. The study reviewed options to improve these roads and address future traffic growth south of Highway 401 and near the City of Windsor, while minimizing environmental and community impacts. A 30‑day public review period was held, where residents and agencies raised questions about utilities, cycling facilities, drainage, stormwater, and environmental protection, all of which were addressed in the final study. No requests were made for an additional environmental review, and the project will move forward to detailed design and future construction planning.

Environmental Spill on the Hurley Relief Drain & Branch: Council received a report that on March 26, 2026, while the Town was monitoring the Hurley Relief Branch Drain and Hurley Relief Drain, it was noted that there was an accumulation of an oily substance within the drain, prompting immediate action. Contaminants continue to enter the Drains and clean-up efforts are ongoing. It’s estimated that $40,000 has been spent on investigative and clean-up costs. Costs will be recovered from the offender(s) where they can be identified.

2026-2030 Public Works & Engineering Services Five-Year Capital Works Plan: Council received a report recommending that the 2026-2030 Public Works & Engineering Services Five Year Capital Works Plan be received and approved to form the basis for projects in future Mayor’s budgets for 2027-2030. The report contains details and in-progress updates for the 2026-2030 projects. Council received the report and approved the plan.

Draft Public Tree By-Law and Draft Tree Canopy and Vegetation Policy: Council received a report summarizing key matters of the Public Tree By-Law and the Tree Canopy and Vegetation Policy. The Draft Public Tree By-Law and Tree Canopy and Natural Vegetation Policy will be placed on the Town’s website by end of day April 29, 2026, for public review and comment. All comments must be received by May 8, 2026 at 4:00 pm.

Revision to the Levying By-Law 2025-095 for the 10th Concession Drain: Council received a report recommending an update to Schedule A (Revised Municipal Drain Maintenance Cost Summary) of the Municipal Drain Levying By-Law 2025-095. Two distinct works of maintenance were performed on the 10th Concession Drain, one east and one west of the 11th Concession Road (County Road 43). There should have been two distinct Schedules of Assessment utilized to assess each work. The Schedule of Assessments for both works of maintenance was the same and was specific to work on the east side of 11th Concession Road. The Schedule of Assessment for work performed west of the 11th Concession Road was updated appropriately to reflect the proper watershed in fairness to all landowners involved. This resulted in changes to landowner assessments within that watershed, including the Town. Council received the report, accepted the recommendation, and amended the By-Law.

LAS Sewer and Water Line Warranty Program Service Line Warranties of Canada Inc. Agreement Update: Council received a report regarding an agreement between the Town and Service Line Warranties of Canada Inc. (SLWC) set to end September 27, 2026. In the report, Administration recommended not to renew the agreement past the end date, highlighting compliance concerns with the Town’s procurement policy and by-law. Council approved the port and authorized Administration to issue an Expression of Interest for Water and Sewer Line Warranty Provider Programs in accordance with the Town’s Purchasing Policy and By-law. Council received the report, authorized Administration to provide notice to Service Line Warranties of Canada Inc., expressing the Town’s intention to not renew the agreement, and authorized Administration to issue an Expression of Interest for Water and Sewer Line Warranty Provider Programs.

Next Regular Meeting: The next regular meeting of Council is May 12, 2026. The agenda and livestream will be available on the Town’s website. Follow the Town of Tecumseh on Facebook for news and the latest information.

Media Contact:
Aaron Carder
acarder@tecumseh.ca
519.735.2184 ext 136