Regular Meeting of Council

Minutes

Meeting #:

Date:

Tuesday, January 28, 2025

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
• Manager Planning Services & Local Economic Development, Chad Jeffery

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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

A closed meeting of Council was held at 5:00 pm in accordance with and as permitted with Section 239 (2) (c)(f) and (h) of the Municipal Act, 2001, which permit a meeting may be closed to the public if the following condition is satisfied:

c) A proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board;

f) Advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose; and

h) To discuss information explicitly supplied in confidence to the municipality or local board by Canada, a province or territory or a crown agency of any of them.

At this meeting, Council received an update on the status of proposed acquisitions of land and gave additional direction to administration on  a further proposed acquisition of land.

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 - December 10, 2024

2.

Public Council Meeting - December 10, 2024

3.

Special Council Meeting - December 10, 2024

4.

Special Council Meeting - January 14, 2025

• Motion: RCM - 01/25
  Moved by Councillor Tania Jobin
  Seconded by Deputy Mayor Joe Bachetti

  That the minutes of the December 10, 2024 Regular Council Meeting, Public Council Meeting and Special Council Meeting,​ and the minutes of the January 14, 2025 Special Council Meeting, as were delivered to the members, be adopted.

  Carried

I.

Supplementary Agenda Adoption

• Motion: RCM - 02/25
  Moved by Deputy Mayor Joe Bachetti
  Seconded by Councillor Brian Houston

  That the supplementary items added to the Regular Meeting agenda regarding the communication item from Carlo Cafueri dated January 28, 2025, be approved.

  Carried

J.

Consent Agenda Items

1.

LCS-2025-01 Private Property Towing Application for 12237 Riverside Drive

2.

FS-2025-03 Taxes Receivable December 2024

3.

PWES-2025-01 Spills and Emergency Remediation of Storm Infrastructure

• Motion: RCM - 03/25
  Moved by Councillor Alicia Higgison
  Seconded by Councillor Brian Houston

  That Reports LCS-2025-01 Private Property Towing Application for 12237 Riverside Drive, FS-2025-03 Taxes Receivable December 2024, PWES-2025-01 Spills and Emergency Remediation of Storm Infrastructure be received and that the respective recommendations noted in the reports be approved.

  Carried

K.

Delegations

There are no Delegations presented to Council.

L.

Communications

1.

For Information:

a.

Association of Municipalities of Ontario dated December 12, 2024

Re: Municipal Code of Conduct Legislation 

View here

b.

Essex Region Conservation Authority dated December 13, 2024

Re: Notice to municipalities on 2025 Draft Budget

c.

Town of Alymer dated January 9, 2025

Re: Oppose Provincial Legislation on Cycling Lanes

d.

Email from Carlo Cafueri dated January 28, 2025

Re: Tecumseh Hamlet Secondary Plan

• Motion: RCM - 04/25
  Moved by Councillor Brian Houston
  Seconded by Councillor Rick Tonial

  That Communications - For Information A through D as listed on the Tuesday, January 28, 2025 Regular Council Agenda, be received.

  Carried

2.

For Action:

Communications item D was moved for consideration to Agenda item O(c)  for further consideration with Report DS-2025-03.

M.

Update from County Council and Boards

Rural Ontario Municipal Association Conference 

Members of Council attended the ROMA conference from January 18 to January 20, 2025 and provided highlights including a delegation with the Ontario Minister of Infrastructure for grant funding for improvement projects at County Road 22 and Lesperance,  and County Road 22 and Manning Roads.  

N.

Committee Minutes

1.

Essex County OPP Detachment Board North Minutes - October 15, 2024, and November 4, 2024

• Motion: RCM - 05/25
  Moved by Councillor Brian Houston
  Seconded by Councillor Rick Tonial

  That the October 15, 2024, and November 4, 2024 minutes of the Essex County OPP Detachment Board North as were delivered to the members, be accepted.

  Carried

2.

Tecumseh Housing Advisory Panel -  December 11, 2024

• Motion: RCM - 06/25
  Moved by Councillor Alicia Higgison
  Seconded by Councillor Rick Tonial

  That the December 11, 2024 minutes of the Tecumseh Housing Advisory Panel as were delivered to the members, be accepted.

  Carried

3.

Town of Tecumseh Business Improvement Area dated December 17, 2024

• Motion: RCM - 07/25
  Moved by Councillor James Dorner
  Seconded by Councillor Brian Houston

  That the December 17, 2024 minutes of the Town of Tecumseh Business Improvement Area Board of Management as were delivered to the members, be accepted.

  Carried

O.

Reports

1.

Community Safety & Fire Services

a.

CS-2025-01 Report for the Fire Equipment 5 Year Capital Works Plan

• Motion: RCM - 08/25
  Moved by Councillor Rick Tonial
  Seconded by Councillor James Dorner

  That the 2025 Fire Equipment purchases as summarized in Attachment 1 to Report CS-2025-01 Fire Equipment Five Year Capital Works Plan 2025-2029, be approved;

  And that the equipment purchases outlined in Report CS-2025-01 be funded through the Lifecycle Fire Equipment Reserve.

  Carried

2.

Development Services

a.

DS-2025-01 Official Plan and Zoning By-Law Amendment West Side of Malden Road Maidstone Hamlet Scheduling of a Public Meeting

• Motion: RCM - 09/25
  Moved by Councillor Tania Jobin
  Seconded by Councillor Brian Houston

  That Report DS-2025-01, entitled “Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments 5881 Malden Road Scheduling of a Public Meeting,” be received;

  And that the scheduling of a public meeting on Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at 5:00 p.m., in accordance with the Planning Act, for Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment applications affecting a 1.3 hectare (3.2 acre) parcel of land situated on the west side of Malden Road, approximately 77 metres (252 feet) south of its intersection with North Talbot Road (5881 Malden Road), the purpose of which is to:

  1. introduce a site-specific policy that would permit the creation of five residential lots serviced with private on-site sanitary services for infill/rounding-out developments, where the lots will have frontage onto Malden Road; and
  2. re-zone the subject parcel from “Agricultural Zone (A-33)” to “Hamlet Residential Zone (RH)”

  be authorized.

  Carried

b.

DS-2025-02 Plan of Subdivision Approval - Request for Approval Extension Oldcastle Heights Residential Subdivision Council Support of Extension Request to County of Essex

• Motion: RCM - 10/25
  Moved by Councillor Alicia Higgison
  Seconded by Councillor Rick Tonial

  That Report DS-2025-02 entitled “Request for Extension of Draft Plan of Subdivision Approval Old Castle Heights Inc., County of Essex File 37-T-21004, Northeast Corner of 8th Concession/North Talbot Road”, be received;

  And that the request for a three-year extension to Draft Plan of Subdivision Approval for the application submitted by Old Castle Heights Inc. (County of Essex Application: 37-T-21004) for a subdivision consisting of 157 blocks/lots fronting new roads which accommodate 220 dwelling units comprising 132 detached units, 12 semi-detached units, 76 attached units and 10 blocks identified for buffer areas/passive open space/multi-purpose pathways, stormwater corridors and a stormwater pond on a 20.7 hectare (51.3 acre) parcel of land described as Part Lot 11, Concession 8 and situated on the northeast corner of the North Talbot Road/8th Concession Road intersection, be supported;

  And further that the County of Essex be advised of Council’s support of the three-year extension.

  Carried

c.

DS-2025-03 Tecumseh Hamlet Secondary Plan Results of Public Meeting, Administrative Comments and Final Recommendation

Communication item L (d) as moved for consideration with this Report was discussed but not actioned further.

• Motion: RCM - 11/25
  Moved by Councillor Rick Tonial
  Seconded by Councillor Alicia Higgison

  That Report DS-2025-03 entitled “Official Plan Amendment No. 5, Tecumseh Hamlet Secondary Plan, Results of Public Meeting and Final Recommendation” be received;

  And that a by-law having the effect of adopting Official Plan Amendment No. 5 incorporating the Tecumseh Hamlet Secondary Plan document and associated Schedules into the Official Plan and updating existing policies and mapping Schedules where necessary, be adopted;

  And further that Official Plan Amendment No. 5 be forwarded to the County of Essex for its review and approval in accordance with the Planning Act.

  Carried

3.

Public Works & Engineering Services

a.

PWES-2025-04 Sylvestre Sanitary Pump Station Generator

• Motion: RCM - 12/25
  Moved by Deputy Mayor Joe Bachetti
  Seconded by Councillor Brian Houston

  That Report PWES-2025-04 entitled “Sylvestre Sanitary Pump Station: Emergency Backup Generator” be received;

  And that funding allocations, reflecting a total budget requirement of $263,305 with an overall $123,305 increase to the original allocation, be approved and funded from the Wastewater Facilities Reserve Fund.

  Carried

b.

PWES-2025-05 Lesperance Road and Little River Boulevard Trails - Project Update

• Motion: RCM - 13/25
  Moved by Councillor Tania Jobin
  Seconded by Councillor Brian Houston

  That Report PWES-2025-05 entitled “Lesperance Road and Little River Boulevard Multi-Use Trails – Project Update” be received.

  Carried

P.

By-Laws

1.

By-Law 2025-002 Private Parking and Towing - 12237 Riverside Drive

Being a by-law to amend By-Law 2003-58, being a by-law to prohibit parking on private property without consent of the owner or occupant and to provide for the towing away of motor vehicles thereon.

2.

By-Law 2025-003 Amendment to By-Law 2024-097 Fees and Charges

Being a by-law to amend By-law 2024-097 being a by-law to prescribe a tariff of administrative fees and charges for the Town of Tecumseh for 2025.

3.

By-Law 2025-005 BIA Appointment

Being a by-law to amend By-Law No. 2023-015, a by-law to appoint directors to the Business Improvement Area for the term of Council 2022 - 2026.

4.

By-Law 2025-006 Tecumseh Accessibility Advisory Committee Appointment

Being a by-law to amend By-Law No. 2023-013, a by-law to appoint members to the Tecumseh Accessibility Advisory Committee for the term of Council 2022-2026.

5.

By-Law 2025-007 Appointment for AMPS Screening Officers By-law

Being a by-law for the appointment of screening officers and hearing officers to adjudicate reviews and appeals of administrative penalties.

6.

By-Law 2025-008 Zoning By-Law Amendment 1539 Shawnee

Being a by-law to amend By-law 1746, the Town’s Comprehensive Zoning By-law for those lands in the former Town of Tecumseh. (Planning File: D19 1539SHA – 1539 Shawnee Road).

7.

By-Law 2025-009 Official Plan Amendment Tecumseh Hamlet Secondary Plan

8.

By-Law 2025-010 Amending By-Law 2024-048 - Schedule H, I, J for AMPS  By-Law 2024-48

Being a by-law to amend By-Law 2024-048, a by-law to establish a comprehensive system of Administrative Monetary Penalties on the Town of Tecumseh.

9.

By-Law 2025-011 Amending By-Law to By-Law 2023-045 Fireworks

Being a by-law to amend By-Law 2023-45 being a by-law to regulate the sale and setting off of fireworks within the Town of Tecumseh for Administrative Monetary Penalties.

10.

By-Law 2025-012 Amending By-Law to By-Law 2023-045 Open Air Fire for AMPS

Being a by-law to amend By-Law 2021-50 being a by-law to prohibit and regulate open air fires within the Town of Tecumseh for Administrative Monetary Penalties.

11.

By-Law 2025-013 2025 Budget

Being a By-law authorizing the adoption of the estimates of all sums required (budget) for general municipal purposes for the Year 2025.

12.

By-Law 2025-014 11th Concession Drain (First and Second Readings)

Being a by-law to provide for the repair and improvements to the 11th Concession Drain.

13.

By-Law 2025-015 East McPherson  Drain (First and Second Readings)

Being a by-law to provide for the repair and improvements to the East McPherson Drain.

• Motion: RCM - 14/25
  Moved by Councillor Rick Tonial
  Seconded by Councillor Alicia Higgison

  ​That By-Law 2025-002 being a by-law to amend By-Law 2003-58, being a by-law to prohibit parking on private property without consent of the owner or occupant and to provide for the towing away of motor vehicles thereon;
  

  That By-Law 2025-003 being a by-law to amend By-Law 2024-097 being a by-law to prescribe a tariff of administrative fees and charges for the Town of Tecumseh for 2025;

  That By-Law 2025-005 being a by-law to amend By-Law 2023-015 a by-law to appoint directors to the Business Improvement Area for the term of Council 2022-2026;

  That By-Law 2025-006 being a by-law to amend By-Law 2023-013 a by-law to appoint members to the Tecumseh Accessibility Advisory Committee for the term of Council 2022-2026;

  That By-Law 2025-007 being a by-law for the appointment of screening officers and hearing officers to adjudicate reviews and appeals of administrative penalties;

  That By-Law 2025-008 being a by-law to amend By-law 1746, the Town’s Comprehensive Zoning By-law
  for those lands in the former Town of Tecumseh 1539 Shawnee Road;

  That By-Law 2025-009 being a by-law to to the Town of Tecumseh Official Plan - Amendment No. 5 - Tecumseh Hamlet Secondary Plan;

  That By-Law 2025-010 being a by-law to amend By-Law 2024-048, a by-law to establish a comprehensive system of Administrative Monetary Penalties for the Town of Tecumseh;

  That By-Law 2025-011 being a by-law to amend By-Law 2023-45 being a by-law to regulate the sale and setting off of fireworks within the Town of Tecumseh for Administrative Monetary Penalties;

  That By-Law 2025-012 being a by-law to amend By-Law 2021-50 being a by-law to prohibit and regulate open air fires within the Town of Tecumseh for Administrative Monetary Penalties;

  That By-Law 2025-013 being a By-law authorizing the adoption of the estimates of all sums required (budget) for general municipal purposes for the Year 2025;

  That By-Law 2025-014 being a by-law to provide for the repair and improvements to the 11th Concession Drain;

  That By-Law 2025-015 being a by-law to provide for the repair and improvements to the East McPherson Drain.

  Be given first and second reading.
  Carried
• Motion: RCM - 15/25
  Moved by Councillor James Dorner
  Seconded by Councillor Alicia Higgison

  That By-Law 2025-002 being a by-law to amend By-Law 2003-58, being a by-law to prohibit parking on private property without consent of the owner or occupant and to provide for the towing away of motor vehicles thereon;
  

  That By-Law 2025-003 being a by-law to amend By-Law 2024-097 being a by-law to prescribe a tariff of administrative fees and charges for the Town of Tecumseh for 2025;

  That By-Law 2025-005 being a by-law to amend By-Law 2023-015 a by-law to appoint directors to the Business Improvement Area for the term of Council 2022-2026;

  That By-Law 2025-006 being a by-law to amend By-Law 2023-013 a by-law to appoint members to the Tecumseh Accessibility Advisory Committee for the term of Council 2022-2026;

  That By-Law 2025-007 being a by-law for the appointment of screening officers and hearing officers to adjudicate reviews and appeals of administrative penalties;

  That By-Law 2025-008 being a by-law to amend By-law 1746, the Town’s Comprehensive Zoning By-law
  for those lands in the former Town of Tecumseh 1539 Shawnee Road;

  That By-Law 2025-009 being a by-law to to the Town of Tecumseh Official Plan - Amendment No. 5 - Tecumseh Hamlet Secondary Plan;

  That By-Law 2025-010 being a by-law to amend By-Law 2024-048, a by-law to establish a comprehensive system of Administrative Monetary Penalties on the Town of Tecumseh;

  That By-Law 2025-011 being a by-law to amend By-Law 2023-45 being a by-law to regulate the sale and setting off of fireworks within the Town of Tecumseh for Administrative Monetary Penalties;

  That By-Law 2025-012 being a by-law to amend By-Law 2021-50 being a by-law to prohibit and regulate open air fires within the Town of Tecumseh for Administrative Monetary Penalties;

  That By-Law 2025-013 being a By-law authorizing the adoption of the estimates of all sums required (budget) for general municipal purposes for the Year 2025.

  Be given third and final reading.

  Carried

Q.

Unfinished Business

1.

January 28, 2025

​The Members receive the Unfinished Business listing for Tuesday, January 28, 2025.

R.

New Business

Snow Plow Naming Campaign

The Director Technology & Client Services announces the contest winning names for the seven Town snow plows.  The lettering will be applied to the Town's snow plows shortly. 

Citizen Satisfaction Survey 

The Director Technology & Client Services advised that the Citizen Satisfaction Survey will be launched soon.  

Tecumseh BIA

A Member advised that Eddy Hammoud is the new chair elected for the Board. 

Notice on Telus Communication Tower - Public Consultation

A Member advised of the public consultation notice for Telus communication tower.  

 

• Motion: RCM - 16/25
  Moved by Deputy Mayor Joe Bachetti
  Seconded by Councillor Brian Houston

  That Administration, by the March 4, 2025 deadline, communicate and submit its comments relating to desired improvements to cell phone service in the Tecumseh area as part of Telus' public consultation regarding a proposed telecommunications tower at 13315 Sylvestre Drive.

  Carried

S.

Motions

1.

Confirmatory By-Law 2025-016

• Motion: RCM - 17/25
  Moved by Councillor Alicia Higgison
  Seconded by Councillor James Dorner

  That By-Law 2025-016 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the Tuesday, January 28, 2025, 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, February 11, 2025

7:00 pm Regular Council Meeting 

V.

Adjournment

• Motion: RCM - 18/25
  Moved by Councillor Brian Houston
  Seconded by Councillor Rick Tonial

  ​That there being no further business, the Tuesday, January 28, 2025 Regular Council be adjourned at 8:50 pm.

  Carried