Council Connect - October 20, 2026

Council Connect: Highlights from October 20, 2026, meetings of Council

Regular Meeting of Council

Health and Safety Policy Annual Review: Council received a report regarding a review of the Town’s Health and Safety Policy. Administration had no recommended changes to the Policy for 2026. Council received the report, approved the Policy, and directed Administration to post the latest version of the policy in all Municipal Buildings.

Private Property Towing Application for 12105 Tecumseh Road East: The Town has received an Application from the property owner at 12105 Tecumseh Road East, where the RE/MAXCARE office is located, to give the authority to the property owner to remove a vehicle which has been parked or left on their property without their consent as provided by By-Law 2026-058, being a by-law to prohibit parking on private property without the consent of the owner or occupant. Council received the report and approved the application.

Provincial Financial Indicator Review: Council received a report highlighting the Town’s financial performance based on the level of risk of the 7 financial indicator measures defined by the province. Based on the Town’s 2024 Financial Information Return and Audited Financial Statements, the Town of Tecumseh scores a LOW level of risk for all 7 financial indicators and outperforms the medians and averages of comparable municipalities in all categories except that of Asset Consumption Ratio. Overall, the financial indicators reflect a healthy financial position and low level of risk at a point in time. Council received the report.

Request to Refer Drainage Report Back to the Engineer for the Klondyke and Klondyke Overflow Drain: Council received a report recommending the Engineer’s Report be referred back to the Engineer to allow it to be updated to capture the constructed condition of the Klondyke Drain. Town staff confirmed that the site conditions did not match what was detailed within the Engineer’s Report, and it was determined this was because of unforeseen utility conflicts and the presence of private connections into a portion of the Klondyke Drain slated for abandonment. Council received the report and referred the Engineer’s Report back to the Engineer for reconsideration.

Essex County OPP Detachment Board – North Annual Report: Council saw a presentation from Superintendent Mark Loucas of the Essex County OPP Detachment, accompanied by Detachment Board – North Chair, Paul Sweet. Supt. Loucas summarized crime, traffic enforcement, and community well-being statistics in the detachment area from the past year. The presentation also provided the final update and results of the 2023-2025 Essex County Detachment Action Plan.

Financial Services – Service Delivery Review Consultant Report and Recommendations: Council received a report of the results of a service delivery review and was presented the final report completed by WSCS Consulting Inc. The final report proposes a 5-year implementation plan that is expected to modernize and improve the efficiency of the Town’s financial operations. Council received the report, endorsed the recommendations and implementation of the Consultant’s Report, and referred recommendations of the report that have budgetary implications to the 2027 and future annual budget processes for Council’s consideration.

Arena Roof Restoration Project: Council received a report regarding a proposed amendment to a lease agreement between the Town and Essex Powerlines Corporation to accommodate restorations to the roof at the Tecumseh Arena. Based on an assessment of solar generation revenue and the terms of the agreement, the Town is responsible for paying up to $36,000 to Essex Powerlines Corporation, representing 50% of lost revenue during roof restorations. Council received the report and authorized a funding arrangement of a one-time lump-sum to Essex Powerlines Corporation from the existing project budget, which was underspent.

E-Bikes and E-Scooters: Council received a report overviewing current municipal and provincial laws, By-Laws, and regulations pertaining to the use of e-scooters and e-bikes. In the report, Administration recommended that a By-Law be prepared to restrict the use of all modes of motorized transportation on sidewalks and multi-use paths and trails and that the Parks By-Law be amended to restrict their use, consistent with that for highway use of these devices. Council received the report and directed Administration to prepare a By-Law for Off-Road traffic and to prepare the proposed amendments to the Parks By-Law to regulate the use of E-Scooters and E-Bikes within the Town of Tecumseh.

County Wide Active Transportation System (CWATS) and Municipal Partnership Program (MPP) – Tecumseh 2027 Proposed Projects: Council received a report summarizing proposals for new 2027 CWATS projects and 2027 Municipal Partnership Program projects. Proposed projects include a new multi-use trail and bike lanes on County Road 42, multi-use trail extension on County Road 19, Bike Camp for Children, Senior Bike and Bites Program Event, Bike Valets at Town events, and new Bike Racks at St. Clair Beach Community Centre, Southfield Park, and Maidstone Recreation Centre. Council received the report, endorsed the projects with financial considerations to be referred to the Town’s 2027 Budget, and directed Administration to submit the CWATS application to the CWATS Implementation Committee for its consideration.

Infrastructure Ontario Borrowing 2026: Council received a report outlining Administration’s comments on, and recommendation regarding, the issuance of long-term debt of $12,091,944 to fund three recently completed Town capital projects:

•    Scully/St. Mark’s Storm Pump Station and Riverside Drive Storm Trunk Sewer
•    CR 46 Webster and Laval Sanitary Sewer Extension, and
•    DelDuca Drive Sanitary Sewer Extension

Council received the report and passed a By-Law to approve financing of the construction and improvement costs for the listed capital projects.

Municipal Accommodation Tax Implementation: Council received a report summarizing Administration’s recommendations and Council’s decisions to implement a Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) in Tecumseh. Council elected to implement the MAT to hotels only back on August 12, 2025. This report provides an update from Administration that recommends a 4% Municipal Accommodation Tax, applicable to hotels only, effective January 1, 2027. 50% of the MAT collected will be placed in a new Town Tourism reserve and the other 50% will go to Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island (TWEPI) to promote tourism in the community. A policy for the use of the Town’s share of proceeds will be developed for Council’s consideration. Council received the report, directed Administration to prepare a By-Law to establish at MAT for the next regular council meeting, approved the rate of 4.0% for hotels only, nominated TWEPI to be the Town’s designated tourism entity, authorized the establishment of a Town Tourism Reserve, and directed Administration to establish a policy for acceptable uses of the Town’s share of the MAT.

Hayes Avenue and Lakewood Crescent Speed Limit Reduction: Council received a report of the results of speed surveys conducted between 2021 to 2026 on Hayes Avenue and Lakewood Crescent. This review was completed in response to a Council motion, considering residents' concerns about motor vehicle safety on the two streets. The data does not indicate a systematic speeding issue, but instead it suggests that the speed limit may not correlate to the prevailing roadway conditions. As a result, Administration recommended reducing the speed limit along the full length of the two roadways be reduced from 50 km/h to 40 km/h. Council received the report and passed a by-law amending the Traffic and Parking By-law to reduce the speed limit on the two streets.

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