Council Connect- December 9, 2025

For Immediate Release
Tuesday, December 9, 2025

Council Connect: Highlights from December 9, 2025, meetings of Council

Special Council Meeting

Strategic Priorities Background Report - 2023-2025 Year to Date: Council received a report and saw a presentation that highlights the accomplishments and milestones achieved by Administration for each Strategic Priority and Focus Area of the 2023-2026 corporate Strategic Plan to date in this term of Council, as well as an overview of ongoing plans and projects for 2026. Council approved the report and confirmed the current direction outlined for the Strategic Priority actions and projects.  The full report can be found here.

Artificial Intelligence Policy, Change Management Policy and Cloud Policy: Council received a report summarizing three new proposed policies recommended after several Information Technology service delivery reviews:  Artificial Intelligence Policy #137, Cloud Computing Policy #138, and Information Systems Change Management Policy #139. These new policies define and regulate the use of Artificial Intelligence at the Town, establish governance, security, and compliance standards for adopting cloud-based technologies, and set up a formal approval and documented change management process for the Town’s IT resources. Council approved the three new policies.

Public Council Meeting

Zoning By-law Amendment, 13231-13233 Riverside Drive: Council heard public comment on the Zoning By-law Amendment Application for a parcel of land situated on the south side of Riverside Drive, west of the Grace Road intersection (13231-13233 Riverside Drive). The proposed amendment is to rezone this land from Residential Zone 1 (R1) to a site-specific Residential Zone 1 (R1-11), to permit the construction of a two-storey, semi-detached dwelling, each containing two Additional Residential Units. The required site-specific zone provisions relate to minimum lot area, lot frontage and interior side yard, and the location of entrances for Additional Residential Units.  A report will be prepared summarizing concerns raised, along with a final recommendation on the application for Council’s review and consideration at a future meeting.

Regular Meeting of Council

Local Government Week winners were recognized and congratulated by Council.  Thank you to everyone who provided a submission for this year’s contest!

·         1st Place Essay Contest Winner - Marina Fossian

·         2nd Place Essay Contest Winner – Aayansh Dhungana

·        Artwork Contest Winner - Grace Boghean

The Town of Tecumseh Business Improvement Area 2026 Proposed Budget: Council received a proposed 2026 budget from the Tecumseh BIA.  The 2026 BIA Proposed Budget identifies a levy of $340,000, which is an increase of $40,000 over the 2025 BIA levy. Primary 2026 goals and initiatives include: mainstreet beautification, enhance the Tecumseh Dollars program, strengthen marketing and promotion, increase engagement & tourism, increase business recruitment & retention, and strengthen stakeholder partnerships & communication. The 2026 BIA Proposed Budget was approved by the BIA Board and submitted to Town Council for consideration as part of the 2026 Town budget deliberations. Council approved the 2026 BIA budget.

Hydro One, Windsor Lakeshore Power Line Project: Council saw a presentation regarding the overview of the Windsor Lakeshore Power Line Project—a new double-circuit 230 kV transmission line from Lakeshore to Windsor and 230 kV switchyard in Windsor. The presentation identified the possible routes for the transmission line that factored in technical, socio-economic, and natural environment constraints and the Class Environmental Assessment process for selecting the preferred route.  This project will add approximately 510 megawatts of power to the region when it comes into service in 2032. Hydro One has issued letters to potentially impacted landowners with details of the project and once consultations have concluded, a report will be brought forward to a future Council meeting.

Oldcastle Hamlet Special Planning Study: Land Use Report and Preferred Land Use Scenario Scheduling of a Public Meeting: Council received a report providing an update on the status of the Oldcastle Hamlet Planning Study and saw a presentation on the Final Land Use Report prepared by WSP, which includes a preferred land use plan. In the report, Administration recommended that Council authorize the scheduling of a Public Meeting on February 10, 2026, for an associated Official Plan amendment incorporating the findings and recommendations of the Special Planning Study, in accordance with the Planning Act. Council received the report and authorized Administration to schedule the Public Meeting.

Town of Tecumseh Energy and Climate Action Update:  Council endorsed the Town’s updated Energy Conservation and Demand Management (ECDM) Plan to meet Ontario requirements for public agencies to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Since 2018, the Town has lowered its energy use by making changes like installing LED lights, upgrading heating and cooling systems, and adding electric vehicle charging stations. Future plans include adding solar panels to some buildings, studying ways to utilize wasted heat energy, and installing Level 3 EV charging stations. The Town also plans to conduct a Climate Risk Assessment that will identify buildings and assets most at risk from climate hazards, which will inform a Climate Adaptation Plan.  The full report can be found here.

Urban Forestry and Naturalization Master Plan Status Update: Council received an update regarding the Urban Forestry and Naturalization Master Plan (UFNMP), which focuses on strategies to enhance and protect the Town’s urban forest over the next 20 years. Ten key focus areas have been identified including inventory management, monitoring & maintenance standards, tree protection, municipal policies & By-laws, and community education & partnerships.  In developing the plan, consultations have occurred with local conservation experts, Caldwell First Nation, Chippewa of the Thames First Nation, and members of the public (Public Information Centre -June 25, 2025).  Additional consultations will occur once an initial draft of the UFNMP is available and it is anticipated that the final plan will be provided to Council for consideration in early Q2, 2026.

Zoning By - Law Amendment to Agricultural Zone for an Additional Residential Unit (Stand - Alone) 10440 County Road 34 Scheduling of a Public Meeting: Council received a report recommending the scheduling of a public meeting to consider a Zoning By-law amendment for a 1.64-hectare property at 10440 County Road 34. The amendment seeks to rezone the land from Agricultural Zone (A) to a site-specific Agricultural Zone (A-43) to permit a stand-alone Additional Residential Unit (ARU) near the existing dwelling. In accordance with the Planning Act, a public meeting is scheduled for January 13, 2026, providing opportunity for input before a Zoning By-law amendment is brought forward to Council for approval.

Electric Vehicle Charging Station Fees: Council received a report recommending new user fees for the EV Charging Station program after a use analysis and comparative review of other municipalities was completed. These fees would be used to offset the utility costs of delivering the program and to promote user courtesy and allow more users access to the program. An Hourly Charge Fee of $2.00 per hour until full charged followed by a 30-minute grace period and afterward an Hourly Idle Fee of $5.00 per hour to prevent “overstay” is proposed. Fees would take effect starting January 15, 2026, to allow time for signage installation. Council approved the report which recommended the inclusion of Electric Vehicle Charging Station Fees as part of the 2026 Administrative Fees & Charges By-law.

Tecumseh Transit Service (TTS) Transit Delivery and Maintenance Services Selection of Preferred Proponent: Council received a report recommending that FirstCanada ULC be selected as the preferred proponent to provide Transit Delivery and Maintenance Services for the period of January 2, 2026, to December 31, 2030. The Town received two responses to a Request for Proposals (RFP) on September 23, 2025, and proposals were evaluated by Administration based on established criteria. It was determined that FirstCanada ULC is the preferred respondent. The Current Service Delivery Model will be the form of service for the duration of the contract, providing for one bus on a fixed-route from Monday to Friday and one bus using on-demand service on Saturday.  Council approved the report and adopted a by-law authorizing the execution of a service agreement with FirstCanada ULC.

Administrative Fees and Charges for 2026: Council approved an annual adjustment of fees and charges based on the previous year’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase.  For August 2025, the CPI increase over August 2024 was 1.7%, with fees and charges updated accordingly. As part of the review, Administration assesses circumstances where an adjustment not equal to CPI may be appropriate, including where fees have not changed for several years, current fee does not fully recover municipal costs, new services have been introduced, and market rates dictate an adjustment. Updated Administrative Fees and Charges are available to view here.

Amendments to the Sign By-Law: Council received a report regarding amendments to the Sign By-law, recommending the repeal of the current Sign By-Law and replacement with a new by-law (2025-118). The update aims to clarify definitions, streamline exemption and variance processes, and consolidate rules for billboard signs while maintaining restrictions on unsafe or unlawful signage. The amendments introduce clearer enforcement measures, including the option of issuing Administrative Monetary Penalties (AMPS) for By-law infractions.  The proposed changes also address illuminated signs, portable sign regulations, and expand permitted advertising to include businesses and events within Windsor and Essex County.  Council approved the report and By-law 2025-118 was given first, second and third reading.

Water and Wastewater Rates for 2026: Council received a report outlining the proposed 2026 rate increases for water and wastewater services. The Town purchases bulk water from the City of Windsor (City) and wastewater treatment at both the Little River Pollution Control Plant and Lou Romano Water Reclamation Plant under two separate agreements. Wastewater treatment rates are calculated by the City based on the prior year actual operating and capital costs of each plant on a per volume basis. The recommended water and wastewater rates for 2026 are 3 percent and 5 percent respectively, to ensure full cost recovery for services, as well as lifecycle replacement of capital infrastructure. The impact of the rate increases to a homeowner using 240 cubic meters of water would be an increase of $46.63 annually or 4% over last year’s rate. Increases were also recommended for the Oasis Water Filling Station ($0.13/cubic meter) as well as flat rates for unmetered services. By-law 2025-113 was given first, second and third reading to adopt the water and wastewater rates for 2026.

Request to Amend Municipal Drainage Assessment Schedules for Improvements, (Section 78) Projects- Second Levy: Council approved a report requesting By-law amendments to authorize the collection of drainage assessments to recover costs that varied from the assessment schedule for the following projects: 11th Concession Drain Branch Improvements, East McPherson Drain (Al-Farra Bridge) Improvements, 4th Concession Drain Improvements, and the preparation of the Cyr Drain & Extension Varied Assessment Schedule.

January 13^th, 2026 Council Meeting: Council passed a motion approving the Council meeting on January 13th to begin at 4pm to accommodate presentation of the 2026 Budget.

Next Meeting: The next meeting of Council is a Special Council Meeting on December 16, 2025 regarding the Draft New Zoning By-law.  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.