Tecumseh Council Connect - December 10, 2024

For Immediate Release
Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Council Connect: Highlights from December 10, 2024, meetings of Council

Special Council Meeting

Expanding Housing Options and Improving Affordability - Housing Accelerator Fund Initiative 1 - Council Orientation: Council met in open session to receive a presentation outlining opportunities for expanding housing choices in the Town, and to gain an understanding of Provincial and local policy requirements.  Case studies and options were reviewed regarding abroad range of housing types as part implementing Initiative 1 of the Housing Action Plan.  No decisions were taken. The presentation can be found here.

Public Council Meeting

Zoning By-Law Amendment, 1539 Shawnee Road:  Council heard public comment on the Zoning By-law Amendment Application for a property situated on the west side of Shawnee Road, south of the intersection with Brouilette Court (1539 Shawnee Road).  The proposed amendment is to rezone this property from "Residential Zone 2 (R2)" to a site-specific Residential Zone 1 (R2-27), permitting a one-story semi-detached dwelling and establish site specific lot provisions. 

Regular Meeting of Council

Local Government Week winners were recognized and congratulated by Council.  Thank you to everyone who provided a submission for this year’s contest!

·      1st Place Essay Contest Winner - Lucia Li

·      2nd Place Essay Contest Winner - Melanie Ruhungo

·      Artwork Contest Winner - Mia DiCocco

Recognition of Service: Christopher Hales received a recognition of service from Council as a member of the Essex County OPP Detachment Board – North and Former Chair of the Tecumseh Police Services Board.

Tecumseh Business Improvement Area (BIA) Board of Management - 2025 Operating Budget: Council received a report and presentation from the Tecumseh BIA regarding the 2025 operating budget. The 2025 BIA Proposed Budget was approved by the Board and submitted to Town Council for consideration as part of the 2025 Town budget deliberations. The 2025 BIA Proposed Budget identifies a levy of $300,000, which is an increase of $65,000 over the 2024 BIA levy. Primary 2025 initiatives relate to marketing, beautification, Tecumseh Dollars program and operational improvements.

Essex County OPP Detachment Board North- 2025 Operating Budget: Council received a presentation regarding the 2025 Operating Budget for the Essex County OPP Detachment Board North to be considered as part of 2025 Town budget deliberations. The Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019 (CSPA) and associated regulations are now in effect. Detachment Boards (DBs) provide civilian input into OPP policing in their communities. The proposed operating budget is divided equally between the OPP Detachment Board North municipalities (Essex, Lakeshore & Tecumseh), with the Town’s allocation proposed to be $38,650.67.

2025 Draft Business Plan & Operating Budget: The CAO, Director Financial Services and Deputy Treasurer & Manager Revenue presented Administration’s Proposed 2025 Operating Budget. The 2025 Proposed Budget provides for the delivery of municipal programs and services, maintaining the high standard of services our residents are accustomed to.

The 2025 proposed budget supports continuation of growth-related initiatives, development of community amenities and facilities, accessible programs and services, citizen outreach and internal service improvements. The proposed budget presented to Council calls for a municipal tax rate increase of 5.46%.  The full presentation can be found here.

Public engagement is encouraged through the Town’s Placespeak platform from December 11th through to January 7, 2024. The complete 2025 Proposed Budget document will be posted to the Town’s website by end of day Wednesday December 11th, 2024. Council will deliberate the proposed budget at a Special Council Meeting on January 14, 2025 at 4 p.m.

Expanding Housing Choices and Improving Affordability Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) Initiative 5 – Scheduling of Public Meeting to Amend Tecumseh Road Main Street CIP:  Council received a report recommending additional lands be added to the Mainstreet CIP area to create greater opportunities for housing choices in proximity to the downtown core, incentivized by preceding grant programs.  The proposed lands to be added total 21 acres comprising 92 properties.  The Planning Act establishes that Council shall have at least one public meeting prior to amendments that have the effect of adding grant funding programs to a CIP or expanding a CIP Area. Council authorized the scheduling of a public meeting in the first quarter of 2025.

Expanding Housing Choices and Improving Affordability, Housing Accelerator Fund: Initiative 6 - Additional Residential Unit (ARU) Guideline, Initiative 7 – Elimination of Building Permit Fees for ARUs: Council received an update on the Housing Accelerator Fund for expanding housing choices and improving affordability in Tecumseh. Initiative 6 involved a new, user-friendly ARU guideline that: provides simple illustrations and information on how to add an ARU to a residential property and answers common FAQs. Initiative 7 proposes to eliminate building permit fees for ARUs for a 3-year period, which is believed it will assist in facilitating the construction of additional ARUs in the Town. Council approved the report.

New Parkland Dedication or Payment-In-Lieu By-law:  Council received the report and adopted the Parkland Dedication or Payment-In-Lieu By-law (2024-108).  The By-law establishes parkland dedication or payment of cash-in-lieu rates for residential and non-residential development and will be an important tool for the Town to acquire adequate parkland and secure the required funds for additional identified parks. The proposed Parkland Dedication By-law establishes how the Town collects fees and acquires land in a manner that is consistent with Provincial legislation. The full report, including fees and rates can be found here.

Alarm Registration and False Alarm Fees: Tecumseh homeowners and businesses can register their security and fire alarms each year for a fee.  The proposed alarm registration fee for 2025 is $35.00. Council deliberated options outlined in the report regarding the proposed fee structure change for false alarm calls to Police Services and direction was provided to Administration on the preferred option, being to increase the fees to $375 per occurrence after two calls for registered premises and $375 per occurrence for non-registered premises.  The fee structure for responding to false alarm calls by the OPP was established by the Tecumseh Police Services Board nearly 24 years ago and has been in place unchanged since then. Adjustments to the fee structure outlined in the report will enhance cost recovery for false alarm calls.

Old Castle Heights Residential Subdivision: Council received a report recommending approval for the placing of services on maintenance and the release of building permits for Phase 1 of the Old Castle Heights Subdivision. In November of 2024, the Owner’s consulting engineer notified the Town that all the required works/services for Phase 1 of the subdivision were completed in accordance with the approved Development Agreement.  A final walkthrough with Town Administration was also conducted and no significant deficiencies were identified.  By-law 2024-101 was adopted by Council, having the effect of removing Blocks 1-6 and Blocks 71-89 on Plan 12M-709 from the provisions of part lot control under Section 50(5) of the Planning Act. The By-law will be forwarded to the County of Essex consideration and final approval, in accordance the Planning Act. 

Dog Licensing and Control By-Law Exemption: Council received a report and recommendation for an Owner’s appeal of the Dangerous Dog designation to be heard by written submission provided to Council by the relevant parties within timelines and terms specified by Administration.  Scheduling Special Council meetings to hear appeals within 21 days presents logistical challenges, therefore granting an exemption and providing the alternative of a written submission was recommended and approved.  A follow-up report containing the Owner’s written submission, along with reports from the Animal Control Officer and By-law Enforcement will be provided to Council for consideration at a meeting in early 2025.

2024 Asset Management Plan Update (Version 4) Final Adoption: The Ontario Regulation (O.Reg.) 588/17 requires that asset management plans and the strategic asset management policy be approved by a Council resolution. The Asset Management Plan Version 4 spans a 10-year period and integrates the state of infrastructure, current service levels, asset management strategies, risk assessment, future demands, emerging challenges, and a financial overview of all municipal infrastructure assets. Council adopted the plan.

Sewer Use By-Law Amendment: Council received the report outlining the updates for the Sewer Use by-law, including enhanced language, clear definitions, stronger provisions related to enforcement. These changes are essential to ensuring the Town can effectively safeguard our sewer systems and address any instances of non-compliance as they occur. By-Law 2024-104 was adopted.

Request for Repair and Improvement to the Grondin Drain Appointment of Drainage Engineer: Council received a report regarding the Grondin Drain and appointed Oliver Moir, P.Eng., of Dillon Consulting Limited as Drainage Engineer to make an examination of the Drain. The Drain is located on the east side of County Road 43 with its upper limit located at County Road 46 which then flows northerly to its outlet into the Gzowski Drain. Dillon Consulting Limited will produce a report for the Drain that will include drawings, construction schedule, and future maintenance provisions for review.

Source Protection Plan, Part IV Enforcement Transfer Agreement 2025: Since 2015, the Town has partnered with the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) to jointly enforce and manage responsibilities under Part IV of the Clean Water Act, 2006. The Clean Water Act, 2006 enables communities to protect their drinking water sources through the preparation of collaborative, locally developed, science-based Source Protection Plans. The current three-year amended agreement with ERCA expires on December 31^st, 2024. Beginning in 2025, the Agreement commences on the 1st day of January and renews annually on January 1st thereafter.  The estimated annual cost of $2,670 will be funded from the Water Operations Budget. By-law No. 2024-111 was given first, second, third and final readings.

Administrative Fees and Charges 2025: Council approved an annual adjustment of fees and charges based on the previous year’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase.  For August 2024, the CPI increase over August 2023 is 2.1%, and fees and charges will generally be updated accordingly. You can view all of the changes here.

Tecumseh Transit Service (TTS) Execution of Purchase Agreement Three Accessible Electric Transit Buses and Associated Charging Infrastructure: Council recently awarded the tender to purchase three Karsan e-Jest electric transit buses and two Express 250 Smart DC Fast Charging stations to Damera Bus Sales Canada Corp. In addition to the buses, the following specifications have been added to the proposal: bike racks for a total cost of $10,704.81, branding and outfitting of the buses with Tecumseh branding for a cost range of $3,500-$6,500 per bus and improved warranty on each bus. The final total cost for the buses and charging stations, inclusive of these specifications, is in the order of $1.3M plus HST. With the secured grant of $1.08M from the federal Rural Transit Sustainability Fund, the Town’s maximum commitment is estimated at $232,788.  Council approved the report and authorized the agreement.

Next Regular Meeting: The next regular meeting of Council is January 28, 2025. 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.