Tecumseh Council Connect - May 13, 2025

For Immediate Release
Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island - Municipal Accommodation Tax Program: Gordon Orr, C.E.O of TWEPI, Jason Toner, V.P Marketing and Communications of TWEPI, and Scott Wilkins, TWEPI Board Member presented an overview on the Municipal Accommodation Tax Program to Tecumseh Council. The presentation overviewed Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) purpose and benefits for the Town of Tecumseh.

Request to Levy Municipal Drain Maintenance (S.74) Costs: Council received the report that overviewsmaintenance completed on several Town municipal drains, (listedhere in the report attachment) , and is seeking to levy these costs to the affected lands and roads, as required by the Drainge Act. ​ Grants from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA) may help offset costs for eligible farm properties, but these grants are not guaranteed. ​ The total cost to the Town for its portion of the maintenance is $20,898.18, which will be paid using the Municipal Drain Lifecycle Reserve. ​

Request to Amend Municipal Drain Assessment Schedules for Improvement (S.78) Projects: Council received the report that discusses amendments to municipal drain assessment schedules for improvement projects under Section 78 of the Drainage Act. Council approved the amendments to four drainage by-laws to reflect actual project costs incurred during construction. ​ These projects include improvements to the Antaya Drain, Hurley Relief Branch Drain, Branch of the South Talbot & Holden Outlet Drain (Meo Bridge), and South Talbot Road Drain East and 12th Line Drain. While some projects exceeded initial cost estimates due to unforeseen conditions, others were completed under budget. The Town will recover costs from affected landowners based on updated assessment schedules, with grant funding applied where eligible. ​ The Town’s portion of the costs, totaling $143,612.88, will be paid using the Municipal Drain Lifecycle Reserve. ​​

Environmental Spill on the Hurley Relief Drain and Branch: On April 10, 2025, the Town of Tecumseh discovered an oily substance spill in the Hurley Relief Drain and Branch. ​ Town staff acted quickly to contain the spill, notify the Spills Action Centre (SAC), and begin cleanup efforts. ​ Actions included alerting the City of Windsor (which is downstream), investigating the source, cleaning affected areas, and installing oil-absorbing booms. The Town followed its emergency procurement policy to address the spill without competitive bidding, as immediate action was required to prevent further environmental damage. ​ The cleanup costs, estimated at $33,000, are being funded through the Town’s Storm Lifecycle Reserve, with efforts ongoing to identify the source and recover costs. ​

Sport Operating Agreements: The Town of Tecumseh is finalizing Operating Agreements with various sports organizations that use its fields and facilities. ​ These agreements, lasting between five and seven years, aim to ensure fair financial contributions based on a new value exchange model that considers volunteer hours, park usage, and infrastructure investments. This replaces the old per-player fee system.​ The agreements also recognize the groups' contributions, such as field maintenance, equipment supply, and infrastructure upgrades like splash pads and batting cages. ​ Organizations like Tecumseh Minor Baseball, Tecumseh Recreational Soccer Club, and Windsor Wildcats will pay fees ranging from $2,000 to $10,500 annually starting in 2026. ​

Fairplay Woods – Ontario Conservation Accelerator Letter of Understanding: The Town of Tecumseh is considering a partnership with the Ontario Conservation Accelerator to develop a conservation and recreational use plan for Fairplay Woods, a 51.2-hectare Carolinian Forest designated as part of the Natural Heritage System. ​ The plan aims to enhance conservation efforts, restore Town-owned agricultural land to natural cover, and create a new natural park with trails, amenities, and educational opportunities.​ The Ontario Conservation Accelerator will fund and lead the planning phase, which includes community engagement, conservation and restoration plans, and site design. ​ Implementation will involve trail building, signage, habitat protection, and restoration, with potential funding support from the Accelerator. ​To proceed, the Town must secure an easement agreement for site access and ensure public access is addressed. ​ There will be a report back to Council for approval of the Letter of Understanding and easement agreement before moving forward. ​

South Port Sailing Club Request for Financial Assistance to Dredge Pike Creek: The Town of Tecumseh received a request from the South Port Sailing Club (SPSC) for financial assistance to dredge Pike Creek, which connects the club to Lake St. Clair. ​ The SPSC highlighted issues such as low water levels affecting boat access and potential damage to vessels, and they estimate dredging to cost $48,750 plus HST. ​ They referenced a 1992 partnership with the Village of St. Clair Beach for similar dredging work, but records show that the Village held the Club’s own funds for dredging in escrow and assisted with an application for senior government funding to offset dredging costs. Accordingly, no taxpayer funds were used to support the dredging in 1992. Tecumseh has not provided financial support for dredging since amalgamation in 1999.​ The section of Pike Creek requiring dredging is located entirely within the Municipality of Lakeshore, not Tecumseh. ​ Lakeshore has historically denied similar requests from private organizations.​ The SPSC has relied on fundraising for past dredging efforts and has not approached Lakeshore for financial assistance this time. ​Council denied the request, and suggested the SPSC seek support from higher government agencies like Canadian Border Services or the Coast Guard, as Pike Creek serves as a port of entry. ​

Lesperance Road Right Turn Lane and Traffic Signals at County Road 22 – Project Update: The Lesperance Road Right Turn Lane and Traffic Signals project at County Road 22 was initially planned for construction in 2025. Due to concerns about traffic congestion and disruptions caused by overlapping major road projects in the Tecumseh Hamlet area, this project has been postponed to 2027.​ These projects include improvements to County Road 42, Banwell Road, County Road 19, and the Tecumseh Hamlet trunk water and sanitary sewer installations. ​The Lesperance project involves adding a northbound right turn lane, replacing a watermain, upgrading traffic signals, and improving street lighting and pedestrian access. ​Other ongoing projects, such as the Lesperance Road Multi-Use Pathway, will continue as planned with minimal traffic impact. ​Council received the report.

Strong Mayor Power Updates: Mayor Gary McNamara took steps to formally delegate certain powers granted to him under Ontario’s “Strong Mayor” legislation back to both the CAO and Tecumseh Council.

Under two signed orders:

1. The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) was given the authority to continue overseeing the Town’s staffing and organizational structure.
2. Council was entrusted with several key responsibilities, including appointing or dismissing the CAO, forming or dissolving committees of Council, assigning responsibilities to those committees, and selecting committee and board chairs.

National Accessibility Week: Join us on Monday, May 26 at 10:00 a.m. for a flag raising ceremony in front of Town Hall in recognition of National AccessAbility Week. Observed annually beginning the last Sunday in May, National AccessAbility Week is a time to celebrate the contributions of persons with disabilities and to promote efforts that foster greater accessibility and inclusion in our communities.

Next Regular Meeting: The next regular meeting of Council is May 27, 2025.The agenda and livestream will be available on the Town’s website. Follow the Town of Tecumseh on FacebookandXfor news and the latest information.