For Immediate Release
Tuesday, August 12, 2025

Council Connect: Highlights from August 12, 2025, meetings of Council

Public Meeting of Council

Zoning By-Law Amendment 2575 Manning Road Proposed Commercial Plaza and Hotel: Council heard public comment on a Zoning By-law Amendment application for a 2.62 hectare (6.47 acre) parcel of land situated on the northwest corner of the Manning Road and County Road 42 intersection (2575 Manning Road) proposing the establishment of a hotel, eating establishments and an office. Administration will bring a report back to Council overviewing the public feedback and any potential changes to the application based on public feedback.  

Regular Meeting of Council

2025 Six Month Building Services Permit Report: Council received a report summarizing the permits issued for the first six months of 2025 (January to June) and comparing the values of the same period of the previous year. Construction value was reported at $164,205,115, which is up by $96,503,780 or a 142% increase compared to this time last year. This increase is largely due to the two Fuze apartments, totalling 332 dwelling units and located in the Manning Road Secondary Plan area. You can find more information here.

December Holiday Schedule 2025: Council received a report that identifies the Town’s 2026 December Holiday Schedule in order to permit the Essex-Windsor Solid Waste Authority (EWSWA) to include all holidays and the dates on which the Town Hall will be closed in the 2026 Collection Calendar. Tecumseh Town Hall Offices will be closed for the 2026 December Holiday Season from December 24 to January 2, 2027. Council approved the report.

Council Meetings in 2026:  Council received a report identifying 2026 Regular Council Meeting dates that will be cancelled.  The report outlines conflicts of Council Meetings with other municipal business, events, and activities and offers suggested resolutions to the noted conflicts. The dates are:

·       July 14, 2026

·       August 25, 2026

·       October 26, 2026

·       December 22, 2026

Council Conferences in 2025:   Council received a report outlining authorized 2026 conferences, workshops, webinars, and training opportunities for Members of Council in accordance with the Town’s Professional Development Policy and subject to funding in the 2026 Budget.  More information can be found here.  

2025 Traffic Calming Improvements Tender Award: Council awarded the 2025 Traffic Calming Improvements tender to GIP Paving Inc. for $107,402 (excluding HST), including the addition of three speed cushions on Arlington Boulevard. ​ This project, part of the Town's ongoing efforts to address speeding concerns, will be funded with an additional $9,292 from the Roads Lifecycle Reserve, bringing the total budget to $109,292. ​ The inclusion of Arlington Boulevard addresses increased traffic due to detours from the construction of stormwater management pump stations and infrastructure on Riverside Drive. ​

Non-Union and Council Economic Salary Adjustment 2025:  Council received a report recommending a 3.0% annual economic salary adjustment for 2025 for both Non-Union Management and Administrative Staff and Elected Officials, effective January 1, 2025. The adjustment aligns with the Compensation and Salary Administration Policy No. ​ 67 and By-law No. ​ 2006-84, considering factors like CPI, OMERS increases, and municipal comparators. ​ The adjustment exceeds the 2% allocation in the 2025 budget, with the $51,000 shortfall to be funded from the Town’s Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve. ​ Council approved the report.

Implementation of Municipal Accommodation Tax: Council received a report discussing the implementation of a Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) in Tecumseh, to support tourism development. ​Council was asked to choose between two options: applying the tax to hotels only (Option A) or to both hotels and select short-term rentals (Option B). ​ Option A minimizes costs but limits revenue, while Option B increases revenue but requires additional resources for compliance and licensing. The MAT revenue would be split equally between the Town and Tourism Windsor-Essex Pelee Island (TWEPI), with the Town's share supporting local tourism initiatives. ​ Council moved forward with Option A, applying the MAT to hotels only.

2026 Business Plan and Budget Timeline with Strong Mayor Powers Legislative Framework: Council received the report outlining the revised 2026 Business Plan and Budget timeline for the Town of Tecumseh, reflecting changes under the Strong Mayor, Building Homes Act, 2022. ​ Effective May 1, 2025, the Strong Mayor powers grant the Mayor authority to prepare and table the proposed budget, with new legislative timelines for Council amendments, Mayoral vetoes, and Council overrides. The revised process shifts the budget tabling to January and final adoption to March, compared to the previous December-January cycle. ​ Key changes include the Mayor's involvement in reviewing and editing both operating and capital budgets before finalization. ​The intent of these changes is to align municipal budgets with provincial priorities, such as building housing and supporting infrastructure. ​ Despite the adjustments, the process maintains opportunities for Council and public input while preserving the Town’s traditional budget development structure. ​Council approved the timetable set out in the report.

Strong Mayor Powers Regulations and Administrative Procedures and Requirements: Council received the report that outlines the implementation of Strong Mayor Powers in the Town of Tecumseh, effective May 1, 2025, under legislative changes from Bill 3 and Bill 39. ​It details the Mayor's expanded authority in legislative, budgetary, and administrative matters, including vetoing by-laws, appointing or dismissing the CAO, and reorganizing the municipal structure. ​Processes for approving, vetoing by-laws, and preparing budgets are established to ensure accountability and transparency, with written documentation required for all decisions. ​ The report recommends revising the Town’s Procedural By-Law to align with the Strong Mayor Powers framework and highlights consultations with relevant organizations. Council approved the Strong Mayor Powers Framework outlined in the report, and authorized the revision of the Procedural Bylaw to reflect the Strong Mayor legislation.

Review and Analysis of School Safety Zones Final Report and Recommendations:  The Town of Tecumseh and WSP Canada Inc. reviewed safety around 12 local schools as part of School Safety Zone Policy 125. The study involved site visits, traffic analysis, and consultations with school principals to identify safety concerns like speeding, parking issues, and pedestrian crossings. Recommended improvements include new signs, pavement markings, lighting upgrades, pedestrian crossovers, and traffic calming measures. The total estimated cost is about $1.42 million, with $100,000 already approved for design work and the remaining $1.32 million to be considered in the 2026 budget. The Town will coordinate with schools and the County of Essex, especially where schools are on County roads, to set priorities and timelines. Construction is expected to be scheduled mainly during summer breaks to limit disruption for students and families. Council adopted the report and School Safety Zone improvements will be referred to the 2026 capital budget deliberations. 

Amendment to the 2025-2029 PWES Capital Works Plan Westlake Drive Reconstruction and Extension (Lesperance to Sylvestre): The Town of Tecumseh is proposing to reconstruct and extend Westlake Drive from Lesperance Road to Sylvestre Drive to support new development in the Manning Road Secondary Plan Area and improve traffic flow. The project would create a three-lane road, with two westbound lanes and one eastbound lane, and connect to the CR22 eastbound off-ramp as part of future County road improvements. The County of Essex and the Town will share the costs, with the Town’s portion estimated at $1.075 million. The County has already set aside funds, and the Town is being asked to approve its share so that design can begin and the work can be included in Petretta’s subdivision construction tender. Detailed design and tendering are expected to be completed by early 2026, with construction starting in spring 2026. A future report will confirm the final cost-sharing agreement between all parties. Council received the report and approved the funding source for the Town’s share of anticipated expenditures for the extension of Westlake Drive.

Notice of Motion – Sidewalk Gap Analysis:  Deputy Mayor Bachetti brought forward a motion for Council to consider directing Administration to prepare a future public works report on a consulting project to conduct a sidewalk gap analysis, focusing on safe school routes, and outline the process and how to implement project findings. The PWES report will be brought forward as part of the annual PWES Capital Works Plan for the 2026 budget process.

Next Regular Meeting: The next regular meeting of Council is September 9, 2025.  The agenda and livestream will be available on the Town’s website. Follow the Town of Tecumseh on Facebook and Instagram for news and the latest information.