Council Connect- September 15, 2026

For Immediate Release
Tuesday, September 15, 2026

Regular Council Meeting

Delegation

Essex-Windsor Emergency Medical Services

County of Essex-Medical Priority Dispatch System: Council heard a presentation from Essex-Windsor Emergency Medical Services Chief Justin Lammers regarding the County of Essex Medical Priority Dispatch System (MPDS) and its role in supporting emergency response services throughout the region. Council received the presentation.

Budget Variance Report – June 2026: Council received the June 2026 Budget Variance Report, which provides a mid-year financial update on the Town’s tax-supported and rate-supported operating and capital budgets. Administration is projecting a $195,267 surplus in tax-supported services and a $686,830 surplus in rate-supported services. Key drivers of tax support projected surplus include lower than expected Project Management costs and staff vacancies, lower than anticipated disbursements for the Tecumseh Mainstreet CIP and lower than budgeted insurance premiums. Projected rate support surplus was mainly impacted by lower than anticipated sanitary treatment costs at the Little River Treatment Plant along with lower than budgeted treatment volumes at Little River and Lou Romano treatment plants, as well as lower than anticipated participation in the backwater valve subsidy program. The report also includes a Capital/Lifecycle analysis providing status of approved projects and comparison of approved funding to current activity.  The full report can be found here.

South and Central Bulk Plan for Electricity Summary Report: Council received a report outlining the Independent Electricity System Operator’s (IESO) South and Central Bulk Plan, which assesses electricity demand and transmission infrastructure needs across Southern and Central Ontario over the next 10 to 20 years. The Plan identifies both short-term transmission system improvements and longer-term infrastructure investments required to support population growth, economic development, and increasing electricity demand. The Town of Tecumseh is located within the study area and will continue to monitor the Plan, participate in IESO engagement opportunities, and provide updates to Council as additional information becomes available.

Final Revisions to the New Comprehensive Zoning By-Law: Council considered the Town's new Comprehensive Zoning By-Law 2026-050 for a third and final reading. Following Council direction on August 11, 2026, Administration revised the proposed By-Law to: remove semi-detached and duplex dwellings as permitted uses in Residential One (R1) zones within existing, developed neighbourhoods; create site-specific R1 zones in greenfield areas, including the Manning Road Secondary Plan Area, where semi-detached and duplex dwellings will continue to be permitted in site specific R1 zones; re-introduced site specific zones to recognize existing neighbourhoods that already contain or permit semi-detached dwellings; and update zoning maps to reflect the revisions. Council adopted the By-Law which represents the completion of the Town’s zoning by-law review process and establishes a single, updated zoning framework for the Town.   The three legacy zoning by-laws from the former Town of Tecumseh, Village of St. Clair Beach, and Township of Sandwich South were repealed.  The full report can be found here.

University of Windsor Memorandum of Understanding (MOU): Council received a report recommending a MOU between the Town and the University of Windsor to strengthen collaboration between the two organizations.  The overarching goal is to create specific opportunities to collaborate on joint projects by connecting the Town with the University’s faculty, students, facilities, and external research funding opportunities. The focus for the first year will be on Experiential Learning through the co-op job placement program.  Associated funding requirements will be referred to the 2027 operating budget. October 1, 2026, is the date tentatively set for a formal MOU signing ceremony at Tecumseh Town Hall. Council approved the report and adopted the associated By-Law authorizing execution of the MOU.

Tecumseh Transit Six-Month Update: Council received a report providing an overview of the Tecumseh Transit Service's ridership and revenue for the first six months of 2026. The report noted that ridership decreased by approximately 9% compared to the same period in 2025, while revenue increased by approximately 15%. Tecumseh Mall, local commercial areas and L'Essor High School continued to be the most popular transit stops, and the highest transit demand occurred during the late morning and afternoon periods. The report also outlined a potential transit service model that would involve Transit Windsor providing a direct route along Tecumseh Road between Windsor and Lakeshore, affording expanded transit service within Tecumseh to be explored. Council authorized Administration to request a cost estimate from Transit Windsor for that proposed service extension, with a future Council report outlining service options, financial considerations and potential funding opportunities to follow.  

Digital Billboard Signs on County Roads: Council received a report regarding proposed amendments to the Town's Sign By-law to permit digital billboard signs in designated areas along County Roads 19, 42, and 46. The report noted that approximately six months of experience with a digital billboard sign along County Road 11 resulted in no complaints or reported incidents. Based on this experience, Administration recommended permitting digital billboard signs along the identified portions of County Roads 19, 42 46, subject to the existing Sign By-law regulations and will monitor the effects to ensure they are not resulting in adverse impacts.   Council adopted the amended By-Law.

Rural Ontario Development (ROD) Funding Application, Tecumseh Economic Development Strategy, and Town’s Response to Current Economic Challenges:  The Town received approval for provincial ROD funding on August 25, 2026 with $50,000 allocated towards costs to prepare an Economic Development Strategy.  The Strategy will provide action items related to economic investment and resilience, as well as lay a path for the Town to streamline processes, reduce red-tape, and leverage strengths like location, regional partnerships, data and technology and community improvement plans.  In response to current economic challenges and associated tariffs, the Town has initiated more immediate measures that include working closely with the Windsor Essex Chamber of Commerce (Chamber) and specifically the Economic and Trade Task Force, as well as Invest Windsor Essex on joint priorities, establishing a dedicated resource page on the Town’s website with links to provincial and federal programs, and continued promotion of the Chamber’s Tariff Impact Survey.  Council received the report.

Wellwood Drain Engineer's Report Amendment: Council received a report providing amendments to the Wellwood Drain Engineer's Report and the associated drainage By-law. The amendments reflect updated engineering information based on circumstances encountered during construction and associated assessment details for affected properties. Council approved the amendments and adopted the By-law.

2026 Tar and Chip Program Updated Scope: Council received a report recommending updates to the Town's 2026 Tar and Chip Program, which supports the ongoing maintenance and preservation of municipal road infrastructure. A pre-construction site walk-through identified required works on Holden Road that were not originally included in the 2026 program, resulting in an adjustment to the planned repairs to include asphalt edge stripping and full surface tar and chip restoration whilst deferring planned improvements to Sexton Sideroad. The planned repairs remain within the approved budget.  Council approved the updated scope of the program.

Cyr Pond and Baillargeon Pond – County of Essex Tender Update:  Council received a report regarding the tender results for the Cyr and Baillargeon Stormwater Ponds which are components of the East Townline Drain and the Manning Road Secondary Plan Area.  The County advised that J&J Lepera Infrastructure Inc. (Lepera) is the preferred proponent with a bid of $8,384,000.  County Administration approved the amount in accordance with their purchasing policy and financing will be proportionate to the Cost Sharing Agreement between the Town, County and Trinity Gardens.

Speed Reduction on Hayes Avenue and Lakewood Crescent: Council considered a motion requesting Administration to conduct a review of traffic speeds on Hayes Avenue and Lakewood Crescent, with consideration being given to reducing the speed limit from 50 km/h to 40 km/h based on the findings of the review. Council approved the motion.

Electric Bikes and Scooters: Council considered a motion requesting Administration to provide a report with an update on local and provincial by-laws and regulations pertaining to e-bikes and e-scooters, including those not yet adopted. Council approved the motion.

Next Regular Meeting: The next regular meeting of Council is September 29, 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:

Amanda Circelli

acircelli@tecumseh.ca

519.735.2184 ext 134