Regular Meeting of Council

Minutes

Meeting #:

Date:

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Time:

7:00 P.m. - 10:00 P.m.

Location:

Tecumseh Town Hall - Council Chambers

917 Lesperance Road

Tecumseh, Ontario N8N 1W9

Present:

• Mayor, Gary McNamara
• Deputy Mayor, Joe Bachetti
• Councillor, James Dorner
• Councillor, Alicia Higgison
• Councillor, Brian Houston
• Councillor, Rick Tonial

Absent:

• Councillor, Tania Jobin

Also Present:

• Chief Administrative Officer, Margaret Misek-Evans
• Director Legislative Services & Clerk, Robert Auger
• Director Public Works & Engineering Services, Phil Bartnik
• Director Community Safety & Fire Chief, Wade Bondy
• Director People & Culture, Michelle Drouillard
• Director Technology & Client Services, Shaun Fuerth
• Director Community & Recreation Services, Beth Gignac
• Director Development Services, Brian Hillman
• Director Financial Services & Chief Financial Officer, Tom Kitsos
• Deputy Clerk & Manager Legislative Services, Jennifer Alexander
• Manager Planning Services & Local Economic Development, Chad Jeffery
• Project Manager, Joseph Lappalainen
• Financial Analyst Revenue, Nick Meloche

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A.

Roll Call

B.

Order

The Mayor calls the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.

C.

Report Out of Closed Meeting

There was no closed meeting scheduled.

D.

Moment of Silence

The Members of Council and Administration observe a Moment of Silence.

E.

National Anthem

The Members of Council and Administration observe the National Anthem of O Canada.

F.

Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that we are on land and surrounded by water, originally inhabited by Indigenous Peoples who have travelled this area since time immemorial. This territory is within the lands honoured by the Wampum Treaties; agreements between the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, Lenni Lenape and allied Nations to peacefully share and care for the resources around the Great Lakes. Specifically, we would like to acknowledge the presence of the Three Fires Confederacy Ojibwe, Odawa, Potawatomi and Huron/Wendat Peoples. We are dedicated to honouring Indigenous history and culture while remaining committed to moving forward respectfully with all First Nations, Inuit and Métis.

G.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest

There is no pecuniary interest declared by a Member of Council.

H.

Minutes

1.

Regular Council Meeting - November 12, 2024

• Motion: RCM - 271/24
  Moved by Councillor Alicia Higgison
  Seconded by Councillor Rick Tonial

  That the November 12, 2024 minutes of the Regular Council Meeting as were delivered to the members, be adopted.

  Carried

I.

Supplementary Agenda Adoption

There are no supplementary agenda items.

J.

Consent Agenda Items

1.

CAO-PC-2024-10 Health & Safety Policy No. 7

2.

CRS-2024-25 2024 Pathway to Potential Funding Agreement 2024

• Motion: RCM - 272/24
  Moved by Deputy Mayor Joe Bachetti
  Seconded by Councillor Brian Houston

  That Reports CAO-2024-10 Health & Safety Policy No. 7 and CRS-2024-25 Pathway to Potential Funding Agreement 2024 be received and that the respective recommendations noted is the reports be approved.
  

  Carried

K.

Delegations

1.

Town Recognition of Alicia Ristic,  Owner,  Art Galia

The Members of Council express gratitude to Alicia Ristic in her efforts to restore and preserve the Town's art collection. 

2.

Town Recognition of Linda Morais, Wrestler, Team Canada

The Members of Council congratulate to Linda Morais, Wrestler, her achievements to the sport of wrestling and representing the Town of Tecumseh on the world stage. 

3.

Asset Management Plan Update 

Re: Director Public Works & Engineering Services, Phil Bartnik; Director Financial Service & Chief Financial Officer, Tom Kitsos , Project Technician, Joe Lappalainen, Financial Services Supervisor, Nick Meloche

Joe Lappalainen, Project Manager, and Nick Meloche, Financial Services Supervisor presents the Asset Management Plan Update Version 4 as appended on the agenda.  The presentation highlights the state of local infrastructure, current levels of service, and options available to maintain the current level of service and the risks associated.  

a.

PWES-2024-59 2024 Asset Management Plan Update Version 4

• Motion: RCM - 273/24
  Moved by Councillor Alicia Higgison
  Seconded by Councillor Rick Tonial

  That Report PWES-2024-59 Asset Management Plan Update -Version 4 be received;

  And that, following a review period, Administration bring forward a report to Council on December 10, 2024 recommending the adoption of the updated Asset Management Plan -Version 4.

  Carried

L.

Communications

1.

For Information:

a.

Municipality of Wawa dated November 19, 2024

Re: Resume the Assessment Cycle 

• Motion: RCM - 274/24
  Moved by Councillor Brian Houston
  Seconded by Councillor James Dorner

  That Communications for Information 1 as listed on the Tuesday, November 26, 2024 Regular Council, be received.

  Carried

2.

For Action:

There are no Communication-Action items presented to Council.

M.

Update from County Council and Boards

Essex County Council

2025 County Council budget is this Thursday for Budget deliberation

Tecumseh Business Improvement Area 

A Member advised that the Tecumseh BIA will be having their annual general meeting on Thursday, December 5, 2024. 

N.

Committee Minutes

1.

Tecumseh Housing Advisory Panel - August 28, 2024

• That the August 28, 2024 minutes of the Tecumseh Housing Advisory Panel as were delivered to the members, be adopted.

  Carried

O.

Reports

1.

Development Services

a.

DS-2024-37 Tecumseh Transit Service (TTS) One Year Extension of Transit Delivery and Maintenance Services Agreement with First Canada ULC

• Motion: RCM - 276/24
  Moved by Deputy Mayor Joe Bachetti
  Seconded by Councillor Rick Tonial

  That Report DS-2024-37 entitled “Tecumseh Transit Service (TTS) One-Year Extension of Transit Delivery and Maintenance Services Agreement with First Canada ULC” be received;

  And that a By-law authorizing the execution of an Amending Agreement to the existing Transit Delivery and Maintenance Services Agreement between the Town of Tecumseh and First Canada ULC, which facilitates a one-year extension to the existing contract for the period January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025, in accordance with DS-2024-37, be considered for first, second, third and final reading.

  Carried

b.

DS-2024-38 Tecumseh Transit Service- Purchase of Three Accessible Electric Transit Buses and Associated Charging Infrastructure - Awarding of Tender

• Motion: RCM - 277/24
  Moved by Councillor Rick Tonial
  Seconded by Councillor Alicia Higgison

  That Report DS-2024-38 entitled “Tecumseh Transit Service, Purchase of Three Accessible Electric Transit Buses and Associated Charging Infrastructure – Awarding of Tender,” be received;

  And that the tender to purchase three Karsan e-Jest electric transit buses and two Express 250 Smart DC Fast Charging stations in the proposed amount of $1,282,583 plus HST be awarded to Damera Bus Sales Canada Corp. subject to the successful negotiation of a purchasing agreement.

  Carried

c.

DS-2024-39 Deferred Town Contribution to ERCA Land Acquisition Program: Clean Water - Green Spaces Program

• Motion: RCM - 278/24
  Moved by Councillor Brian Houston
  Seconded by Councillor Alicia Higgison

  That Report DS-2024-39 titled “Deferred Town Contribution to ERCA Land Acquisition Program: Clean Water-Green Spaces Program” be received;

  And that direction be given to Administration to engage with ERCA to evaluate its new Land Acquisition Program, and to review alternatives for ecological stewardship or similar programs with a report to Council prior to deliberations for the 2026 operating budget;

  And further that Council defer the Town’s 2025 estimated contribution of $50,115 to ERCA’s Land Acquisition Program;

  And further that the deferred commitments for both 2024 and 2025 be transferred to a designated Reserve.

  Carried

2.

Public Works & Engineering Services

a.

PWES-2024-54 Urban Forestry and Naturalization Master Plan - Award of Consulting Services

• Motion: RCM - 279/24
  Moved by Councillor Brian Houston
  Seconded by Councillor Alicia Higgison

  That Report PWES-2024-54 Urban Forestry and Naturalization Management Plan be received;

  And that Council award the Consulting Services for the Urban Forestry and Naturalization Management Plan in the amount of $197,696.50 excluding HST to Dillon Consulting Ltd.;

  And further that By-Law 2024-102 be considered for first, second, third and final reading, to authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute and agreement, satisfactory in form to the Town’s solicitor, with Dillon Consulting Ltd.;

  And further that project funding allocations, reflecting a total budget requirement of $272,408 with a $72,408 increase to the original allocation be approved as follows:

  • Infrastructure Reserve – increase from $200,000 to $272,408.
  Carried

b.

PWES-2024-55 Intact Municipal Climate Resiliency Grants Program, Tecumseh Tree Planting

• Motion: RCM - 280/24
  Moved by Deputy Mayor Joe Bachetti
  Seconded by Councillor Alicia Higgison

  That Report PWES-2024-55 Intact Municipal Resiliency Grants Program, Tecumseh Tree Planting Program, be received;

  And that Administration be authorized to submit an application to Intact for funding under the Municipal Climate Resiliency Grants Program for Tecumseh’s Tree Planting Program;

  And further that the Director Financial Services & Chief Financial Officer and Director Public Works & Engineering Services be authorized to sign any required documents necessary to complete the application and the subsequent documentation for the Municipal Climate Resiliency Grants Program.

  Carried

c.

PWES-2024-56 Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund CHIF Fall 2024 Intake

• Motion: RCM - 281/24
  Moved by Councillor Brian Houston
  Seconded by Councillor Rick Tonial

  That Report PWES-2024-56 Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund, Direct Delivery Stream – Tecumseh Hamlet Gouin Stormwater Management Facility, be received;

  And that Administration be authorized to submit an application to the federal government for funding under the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund for a future commitment to the Tecumseh Hamlet Gouin Stormwater Management Facility;

  And further that the Director Financial Services & Chief Financial Officer and the Director Public Works & Engineering Services be authorized to sign any required documents necessary to complete the application and the subsequent documentation for the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund.

  Carried

d.

PWES-2024-57 Backflow Prevention By-law

• Motion: RCM - 282/24
  Moved by Councillor Brian Houston
  Seconded by Councillor James Dorner

  That Report PWES-2024-57 Backflow Prevention By-Law be received;

  And that Backflow Prevention By-Law 2024-099 be considered for first, second, third and final readings;

  And further that By-Law 2001-68 Backflow Prevention be repealed.

  Carried

e.

PWES-2024-58 Water and Wastewater Rates for 2025

• Motion: RCM - 283/24
  Moved by Councillor Brian Houston
  Seconded by Councillor Alicia Higgison

  That Report PWES-2024-58 Water and Wastewater Rates for 2025, be received;

  And that By-law 2024-100 be considered for first, second, third and final reading, to adopt the water and wastewater rates for 2025, based on the recommendation of the 2023 Town of Tecumseh Water and Wastewater Rate Study.

  Carried

P.

By-Laws

1.

By-Law 2024-091 Transit Agreement - First Canada ULC

Being a by-law to authorize the execution of an amendment to the Agreement between The Corporation of the Town of Tecumseh and First Canada ULC for transit delivery and maintenance services

2.

By-Law 2024-098 Pathways to Potential – City of Windsor

Being a By-Law to authorize the execution of a Service Agreement between The Corporation of the Town of Tecumseh and the City of Windsor to administer funds for the Pathway to Potential Program for the year 2024

3.

By-Law 2024-099 Backflow Prevention By-Law

Being a By-Law to regulate cross-contaminations and backflow prevention in private plumbing systems to protect the Town of Tecumseh’s Water Supply system from contamination

4.

By-Law 2024-100 Water and Wastewater Rates for 2025 - First and Second Readings

Being a by-law to establish the water and wastewater rates for the year 2025

5.

By-Law 2024-102 Tender Award for Consulting Services - Urban Forestry and Naturalization Plan

Being a by-law to authorize the execution of an Agreement between The Corporation of the Town of Tecumseh and Dillon Consulting Ltd for the Consulting Services for the Urban Forestry and Naturalization Management Plan

• Motion: RCM - 285/24
  Moved by Councillor Rick Tonial
  Seconded by Councillor James Dorner

  ​That By-Law 2024-091 being a by-law to authorize the execution of an amending agreement to the Agreement between The Corporation of the Town of Tecumseh and First Canada ULC for transit delivery and maintenance services;

  That By-Law 2024-098 being a by-law to authorize the execution of a Service Agreement between The Corporation of the Town of Tecumseh and the City of Windsor to administer the funds for the Pathway to Potential Program for the year 2024;

  That By-Law 2024-099 being a by-law to regulate cross-contamination and backflow prevention in private plumbing systems to protect the Town of Tecumseh Water Supply system for contamination;

  That By-Law 2024-100 being a by-law to establish the water and wastewater rates for the year 2025

  That By-Law 2024-102 being a by-law to authorize the execution of an agreement between The Corporation of the Town of Tecumseh and Dillon Consulting Limited for the Consulting Services for the Urban Forestry and Naturalization Management Plan.

  Be given first and second reading.
  Carried
• Motion: RCM - 286/24
  Moved by Councillor Brian Houston
  Seconded by Councillor Alicia Higgison

  ​That By-Law 2024-091 being a by-law to authorize the execution of an amending agreement to the Agreement between The Corporation of the Town of Tecumseh and First Canada ULC for transit delivery and maintenance services;

  That By-Law 2024-098 being a by-law to authorize the execution of a Service Agreement between The Corporation of the Town of Tecumseh and the City of Windsor to administer the funds for the Pathway to Potential Program for the year 2024;

  That By-Law 2024-099 being a by-law to regulate cross-contamination and backflow prevention in private plumbing systems to protect the Town of Tecumseh Water Supply system for contamination;

  That By-Law 2024-102 being a by-law to authorize the execution of an agreement between The Corporation of the Town of Tecumseh and Dillon Consulting Limited for the Consulting Services for the Urban Forestry and Naturalization Management Plan.

  Be given third and final reading.

  Carried

Q.

Unfinished Business

1.

November 26, 2024

R.

New Business

Leaf Pick Up 

A Member comments that the milder temperatures in the fall and leaves are not falling until later in the year.  It requested that Administration review the 2025 Leaf Pick up schedule to consider for a later end date for this service in the community.   

S.

Motions

1.

Town Award Recipient Pins

This motion is brought forward by Councillor Rick Tonial. 

*The motion is withdrawn at the mover's request.

2.

Confirmatory By-Law 2024-103

• Motion: RCM - 287/24
  Moved by Councillor Rick Tonial
  Seconded by Councillor Brian Houston

  That By-Law 2024-103 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the Tuesday, November 26, 2024, regular meeting of the Council of The Corporation of the Town of Tecumseh be given first, second, third and final reading.

  Carried

T.

Notices of Motion

There are no Notices of Motion presented to Council.

U.

Next Meeting

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

4:00 pm Special Council Meeting - Housing Accelerator Fund -  Initiative No. 1

5:30 pm Public Council Meeting - Zoning By-Law Amendment - 1539 Shawnee Road 

6:00 pm In Camera Personnel Meeting

7:00 pm Regular Council Meeting

V.

Adjournment

• Motion: RCM - 288/24
  Moved by Councillor James Dorner
  Seconded by Councillor Brian Houston

  ​That there being no further business, the Tuesday, November 26, 2024 meeting of the Regular Council be adjourned at  8:33  pm.

  Carried