For Immediate Release

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Council Connect: Highlights from March 26, 2024, meetings of Council

Regular Meeting of Council

Weston Park Storyboard: The Sandwich South Historical Society (SSHS) submitted a request to recognize the history of Weston Park through a storyboard, serving as a tribute to the Weston Family for their significant contributions in creating a social centre for the community at the park. Council reviewed the agreement between the Town and SSHS to permit the installation of the Weston Park Storyboard in accordance with the provisions of the agreement. Council approved the report and authorized the agreement.

Statement of Remuneration and Expenses Paid in 2023: Council received a report summarizing the remuneration and expenses paid to Council and local boards in 2023 as the Municipal Act 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 25, Section 284 sets out. You can view the full report here.

Senior Active Living Centre – Operating Agreement:  Council received an Operating Agreement with the Community Support Centre of Essex to operate Tecumseh’s Senior Active Living Centre for a one-year period, commencing May 1, 2024. Additionally, a Memorandum of Understanding was provided to Council confirming the mutual understanding that card activities will be called “Golden Age Cards” with day-to-day card game operations lead by members of the Golden Age Club until January 1, 2025.  Council approved the Operations Contract Award, and Memorandum of Understanding.  

Recreation Services 2024 One (1) Year Capital Works Plan Arena Restoration: The Tecumseh Arena & Recreation Complex is scheduled for a comprehensive interior renewal such as installing new flooring, renovating the front lobby, and upgrading washrooms. These renovations aim to enhance both the visual appeal and functionality of the spaces, while also addressing damage caused by a flooding incident in 2023. Council received the report and authorized additional budget in the amount of $600,000 for the reconfiguration of the Lobby Staircase and upgrades to the 2nd Level Program Room.

Tender Award- Maidstone Recreation Centre New Outdoor Washroom Facility: Council authorized the Maidstone Recreation Centre New Outdoor Washroom Facility tender agreement in the amount of $514,000 (excluding HST) be awarded to Greenlight General Contracting Inc. The project's total cost is anticipated to fall within the approved budget allocation, needing less than anticipated financial support from the Town's Infrastructure Reserve.

CRS Four Year Capital Works Plan Update: Council received the Capital project report for 2025-2028 outlining prioritized renovations, asset replacement and repair, and new infrastructure developments including the Southfield Park splash pad, washrooms and multi-use court and perimeter trail, Maidstone Recreation Centre Upgrades, various play structure upgrades and more. Funding from the Lifecycle Reserves is designated for asset replacement and repair initiatives, while the Infrastructure Reserve typically finances new development projects or enhancements. Council approved the report.

Payroll/Human Resource Information System Process Review – Tender Award: Council awarded the tender for the Human Resource Information System (HRIS), Payroll and Time & Attendance software solution to Ceridian Canadian Limited in the amount of $245,000, including implementation and first year costs.  Human Resource (HR) and payroll process reviews undertaken from 2020-2022 by third-party consultants recommended solutions to automate and integrate payroll, time & attendance and HR data/transactions, moving away from current manual and stand-alone processes. These recommendations lead to the procurement process resulting in the software solution presented to Council. A list of past reports and findings can be found here.

Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund Tecumseh Hamlet Northwest Trunk Water & Wastewater Infrastructure Project: The Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund (HEWSF) is an application-based funding program for projects that improve and construct core water infrastructure across Ontario that will support new housing. Each municipality can nominate one project for provincial funding, covering up to 73% of the costs, with a maximum limit of $35 million. The municipality is responsible for funding the remaining 27% of eligible project costs., Administration recommended Phase 1 and 2 of the Tecumseh Hamlet Secondary Planning Area Northwest Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Project be submitted for the application. Council authorized Administration to apply for the HEWSF funding program.

Notice of Motion – Federal Housing Accelerator Fund (Amended): Deputy Mayor Bachetti brought forward a motion for Council’s consideration with respect to the Housing Accelerator Fund Grant, which resolved that Council hold special public information centres in advance of any statutory public meetings under the Planning Act for the purposes of providing the opportunity to publicly discuss and receive public feedback and further information or clarification regarding the matter of allowing four housing units as-of- right in the Town of Tecumseh.  Council passed the motion.

Next Regular Meeting: The next regular meeting of Council is April 9, 2024. The meeting is scheduled to be held electronically. The agenda and livestream will be available on the Town’s website. Follow the Town of Tecumseh on Facebook and X for news and the latest information.