Regular Meeting of Council

Minutes

Meeting #:

Date:

Tuesday, September 24, 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, Tania Jobin
• Councillor, Rick Tonial

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
• Deputy Clerk - Clerks Services & Policy Advisor, Christina Hebert
• Manager Facilities & Energy Management, Daniel Wolicki

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A.

Roll Call

B.

Order

The Mayor calls the meeting to order at 7:25 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 - September 10, 2024

• Motion: RCM - 219/24
  Moved by Councillor Rick Tonial
  Seconded by Councillor Alicia Higgison

  That the September 10, 2024 minutes of the Regular Council Meeting, as were delivered to the members, be adopted.

  Carried

I.

Supplementary Agenda Adoption

• Motion: RCM - 220/24
  Moved by Councillor Brian Houston
  Seconded by Councillor Tania Jobin

  That the supplementary items added to the Regular Meeting agenda regarding report CRS-2024-22 Amendment to the Community and Recreation Services 2024 One year Capital Works Plan, Arena Restoration, be approved.

  Carried

J.

Consent Agenda Items

There are no Consent Agenda items.

K.

Delegations

1.

Business Improvement Area Operating Budget for 2024

Re: Leo Demarce, Chair, and Laura Carcelen, Vice Chair, BIA Board of Management

The Board of Management Chair highlights the BIA initiatives for the year including the artistic murals, Christmas decor at the BIA parkette, ongoing beautification with planters in the area.  The Vice-Chair outlines the social media and marketing initiatives which most of the BIA's budget is allocated to in support of the BIA businesses.

The Mayor opens the floor to Members for questions.  

In response to an inquiry raised on the zero percent increase on the budget,  the BIA Chair advised that not all the funds were expended in 2023 and were transferred to this year for initiatives.  He explains that there will be an proposed increase for the 2025 operating budget, which will be presented at the next Annual General Meeting for the BIA in November.  

a.

FS-2024-17 Business Improvement Area Proposed Budget

• Motion: RCM - 221/24
  Moved by Councillor Brian Houston
  Seconded by Councillor James Dorner

  That Council Report FS-2024-17 2024 Business Improvement Area Proposed Budget be received;

  And that the 2024 Business Improvement Area (BIA) Proposed Budget, as reported to Council at the September 10, 2024 Regular Council Meeting by the BIA Chair requiring a levy of $235,000, and as included within this report as Attachment 1, be approved;

  And further that By-law 2024-079 be considered for first, second, third and final readings to authorize the Mayor and Clerk to approve By-law 2024-079 to levy a special charge of the Business Improvement Area and to provide for its collection for the year 2024.

  Carried

L.

Communications

1.

For Information:

a.

Baseball Canada dated September 5, 2024

Re: Thank you Letter - Hosting Men's Baseball Championship 

• Motion: RCM - 222/24
  Moved by Councillor Brian Houston
  Seconded by Councillor Alicia Higgison

  That Communications - For Information 1 as listed on the Tuesday, September 24, 2024 Regular Council Agenda, be received.

  Carried

2.

For Action:

a.

Congress for New Urbanism 2025 Conference

Re: Approval for Council Member to attend Conference

View here for conference details

• Motion: RCM - 223/24
  Moved by Councillor Alicia Higgison
  Seconded by Councillor Tania Jobin

  That the Mayor and Members of Council be authorized to attend the Congress for New Urbanism 2025 Conference held June 11 to 14, 2025, in accordance with the Town’s Professional Development Policy and subject to funding in the 2025 Budget.

  Carried

M.

Update from County Council and Boards

County of Essex Council

The Mayor advised to the Members the outcome of the Speed Reduction at County Road 46 and County Road 19 Notice of Motion submitted by the Deputy Mayor and that County Administration will bring a report/policy forward with recommendations on speed limits on County roads.   

N.

Committee Minutes

1.

Town of Tecumseh Business Improvement Area Minutes - September 17, 2024 and August 20, 2024

• Motion: RCM - 224/24
  Moved by Councillor Alicia Higgison
  Seconded by Councillor Brian Houston

  That the September 17, 2024 and August 20, 2024 minutes of the BIA Board of Management Meetings as were delivered to the members, be accepted;

  And that Heba Al Faouri's application to join the Board be endorsed for appointment by the Town;

  And further that By-Law 2024-081 be considered for first, second, third and final readings.  

  Carried

O.

Reports

1.

Chief Administrative Officer - People & Culture

a.

CAO-2024-07 Strategic Priorities 2023 Report Out

• Motion: RCM - 225/24
  Moved by Deputy Mayor Joe Bachetti
  Seconded by Councillor Rick Tonial

  That Report CAO-2024-07 entitled “Strategic Priorities 2023 Report Out” be received.

  Carried

2.

Community & Recreation Services

a.

CRS-2024-22 Amendment to the Community and Recreation Services One Year Capital Works Plan - Arena Restoration

Supplementary Item

• Motion: RCM - 226/24
  Moved by Deputy Mayor Joe Bachetti
  Seconded by Councillor Brian Houston

  That Report CRS-2024-22 Amendment to the Community & Recreation Services 2024 One (1) Year Capital Works Plan – Arena Restoration, be received;

  And that the proposed work of the Arena’s exterior building envelope as described in Report CRS-2024-22 be added to the Community and Recreation Services 2024 One (1) Year Capital Works Plan, Arena Restoration Project;

  And further that the Arena Restoration Project budget be increased by up to $338,000 (before HST) and be funded from the Infrastructure Reserve as outlined in Report CRS-2024-22;

  And furthermore, that the awarding for the interior and exterior work as described in Report CRS-2024-22, be authorized to proceed as a single source negotiation;

  And furthermore, that an upset limit of $138,000 for completion of the interior work and an upset limit of $200,000 for completion of the exterior work be added to the original tender award of $2,541,618 (before HST) to TCI Titan Contracting Inc for a revised award total of $2,879,618.

  Carried

3.

Public Works & Engineering Services

a.

PWES-2024-49 Boulevard Maintenance By-Law Amendment

• Motion: RCM - 227/24
  Moved by Councillor Rick Tonial
  Seconded by Councillor Alicia Higgison

  That Report PWES-2024-49 Boulevard Maintenance By-Law be received;

  And that Attachment 1 of Report PWES-2024-49 outlining the proposed updates to the boulevard maintenance be approved;

  And further that Boulevard Maintenance By-Law 2024-078 be considered for first, second, third and final readings;

  And furthermore, that By-Law 2016-05 Boulevard Maintenance be repealed.

  Carried

4.

Technology & Client Services

a.

TCS-2024-04 Regional IT Mutual Aid Agreement

• Motion: RCM - 228/24
  Moved by Councillor Rick Tonial
  Seconded by Councillor James Dorner

  That Report TCS-2024-04 entitled “Regional IT Mutual Aid Agreement” be received;

  And that By-Law 2024-080 be considered for the first, second, third and final reading to authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute the Regional IT Mutual Aid Agreement.

  Carried

P.

By-Laws

1.

By-Law 2024-078 Boulevard Maintenance

Being a by-law to regulate the maintenance, occupancy, use of, and other matters pertaining to boulevards under the jurisdiction of the Town of Tecumseh.

2.

By-Law 2024-079 BIA Tax Rate for 2024

Being a by-law to levy a special charge of the Business Improvement Area and to provide for its collection for the year 2024.

3.

By-Law 2024-080 Regional IT Mutual Aid Agreement

Being a by-law to authorize the execution of an Agreement between City of Windsor and the County of Essex and all municipalities in the County of Essex for an Emergency Mutual Aid Assistance with Information Technology Services

4.

By-Law 2024-081 BIA Board Appointment

Being a by-law to amend By-Law 2023-015 to appoint directors to the Board of Management for the Business Improvement Area for the term of Council 2022-2026.

• Motion: RCM - 229/24
  Moved by Councillor Alicia Higgison
  Seconded by Councillor Rick Tonial

  ​That By-Law 2024-078 being a by-law to regulate the maintenance, occupancy, use of, and other matters pertaining to boulevards under the jurisdiction of the Town of Tecumseh;

  That By-Law 2024-079 being a by-law to levy a special charge of the Business Improvement Area and to provide for its collection for the year 2024;  

  That By-Law 2024-080 being a by-law to authorize the execution of a Regional Mutual Aid Agreement between the Corporation of the Town of Tecumseh, the City of Windsor, Municipality of Chatham-Kent, the County of Essex and all of the other seven lower tier municipalities within the County of Essex for an Emergency Mutual Aid Assistance with Information Technology Services;

  That By-Law 2024-081 being a by-law to amend By-Law 2023-015 to appoint directors to the Board of Management for the Business Improvement Area for the term of Council 2022-2026.

  Be given first and second reading.
  Carried
• Motion: RCM - 230/24
  Moved by Councillor Brian Houston
  Seconded by Councillor James Dorner

  ​That By-Law 2024-078 being a by-law to regulate the maintenance, occupancy, use of, and other matters pertaining to boulevards under the jurisdiction of the Town of Tecumseh;

  That By-Law 2024-079 being a by-law to levy a special charge of the Business Improvement Area
  and to provide for its collection for the year 2024;  

  That By-Law 2024-080 being a by-law to authorize the execution of a Regional Mutual Aid Agreement between the Corporation of the Town of Tecumseh, the City of Windsor, Municipality of Chatham-Kent, the County of Essex and all of the other seven lower tier municipalities within the County of Essex for an Emergency Mutual Aid Assistance with Information Technology Services;

  That By-Law 2024-081 being a by-law to amend By-Law 2023-015 to appoint directors to the Board of Management for the Business Improvement Area for the term of Council 2022-2026.

  Be given third and final reading.

  Carried

Q.

Unfinished Business

1.

September 24, 2024

​The Members receive the Unfinished Business listing for Tuesday, September 24, 2024.

R.

New Business

Police Clearances for Residents

A Member requested that Administration speak with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) regarding the timelines for police record checks for residents as the timing to receive a clearance is impacting volunteer and employment opportunities.

Speed Signs in School Safety Zones

Members inquired on when the speed signs will be erected again on Arbour Street and Tecumseh Road from Regent to Brighton school zones.  The Director Public Works & Engineering Services advises that Administration have been meeting with area schools regarding the school safety zone review process and collecting speed and pedestrian data in these areas.  It is anticipated that the School Safety Zone and speed limits signs will be erected in a few weeks once all the data is collected.

Cell Phone and Internet Connectivity

A Member explains that there are concerns with wi-fi reception issues and cell phone calls being dropped in the Tecumseh Hamlet area since the Next Star battery plant being built. It is requested that Administration contact Telus Communications on the technical issues in this area.  

CP Rail

A Member raised concerns on the traffic delays with CP Rail trains blocking traffic at Manning Road, Lesperance Road and Banwell Road.  It is requested that Administration contact CP Rail to be able to provide a response on this matter. 

S.

Motions

1.

Confirmatory By-Law 2024-082

• Motion: RCM - 231/24
  Moved by Councillor Tania Jobin
  Seconded by Councillor Alicia Higgison

  That By-Law 2024-082 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the Tuesday, September 24, 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 October 8, 2024

4:30 pm Policies & Priorities Committee Meeting

5:30 pm Public Council Meeting - Petretta MRSPA Lands

7:00 pm Regular Council Meeting

V.

Adjournment

• Motion: RCM - 232/24
  Moved by Councillor Rick Tonial
  Seconded by Councillor James Dorner

  ​That there being no further business, the Tuesday, September 24, 2024 meeting of the Regular Council be adjourned at  8:34 pm.

  Carried