Tecumseh Council Connect - February 13, 2024

For Immediate Release
Tuesday, February 13, 2024

Council Connect: Highlights from February 13, 2024, meetings of Council

Regular Meeting of Council

OPP Detachment Board Regulation Description: The Ministry of the Solicitor General has collaborated with municipalities and First Nations to establish detachment board compositions for the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) in preparation for the Community Safety and Policing Act (CSPA) taking effect on April 1, 2024. On January 31, 2024, the Ministry released a description of the regulations governing OPP Detachment Board compositions for public review and feedback until February 13, 2024. Comments were compiled by Administration for Council's consideration and submission to the Solicitor General's office. You can review the recommendations here.

Wellness Campus Concept Development: Council approved the report to establish a portfolio of program and service offerings, operating budget scenarios and capital construction forecasts for a Wellness Campus, which may include things like a triple gymnasium, multi-purpose recreation program space and other elements. Administration recommended the development of a program and service plan and business case for the Wellness Campus to ready the Town for attracting private sector partners for the project, facilitating potential debt financing, and/or supporting a grant application should senior government funding become available. 

Fire Equipment Five-Year Capital Works Plan 2024-2028: Council approved the Fire Services five-year capital works plan, with capital expenditures in 2024 of $210,100 for firefighter protective gear, replacement of the SCBA cylinders,  five defibrillators and the purchase of two additional thermal imaging cameras. Outlook years include similar expenditures as well as radio equipment replacement.

Delduca Drive Sanitary Sewer Extension – Tender Award: Council approved the tender award for the Delduca Drive Sanitary Sewer Extension to J&J Lepera Infrastructures Inc for $4,747,000.00, excluding HST. The total tendered/projected cost is above the original $5,404,700 budget allocation by $435,600, which will be funded through various reserves.

Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund Phase 1: Scully- St. Mark’s Pump Station Replacement and Riverside Drive Reconstruction Project Award of Engineer of Record Services: Council authorized retaining Dillon Consulting Limited to offer Engineer of Record Services during construction, in addition to the prior contract awarded to the same company for Contract Administration and Contract Observation Services. The additional services will be managed on a time and material basis, up to a maximum amount of $179,500, excluding HST. Ensuring continuity in engineering consulting services is crucial for the successful and efficient completion of this large and high-profile project.

2024-2028 Public Works & Engineering Services (PWES) Five-Year Capital Works Plan: Council approved the PWES 5-year capital works plan. For 2024, the plan proposes 35 projects, representing $94.6M in budget allocation, of which $82.9M was previously allocated and $11.7M is newly requested. Most of these projects are on-going and approximately 14 are new projects. This capital works plan continues to promote fiscally responsible growth as a priority in accordance with Council’s direction. To view a full list of projects, review the report here.  

024-2028 TCS Capital Works Plan: Council approved the 5-year capital works plan for the Technology and Client Service department, with planned 2024 expenditures of $165,000. Regular planned expenditures include computer replacements, network upgrades, network security and video surveillance. Notable periodic expenditures include virtual server upgrades, new time and attendance software, and a new sound system at Lacasse Park to complement the Lacasse Park Grandstand project.  As technology continues to grow across the organization, these upgrades assist in keeping systems and infrastructure current, improving efficiency, and minimizing service disruption as well as facilitating continuous improvement. Annual funding levels for the TCS Lifecycle Workplan are set at $175,000 for 2024-2028 and are forecasted to support expenditures.

Non-Union and Council Economic Salary Adjustment 2024: Council approved an annual economic adjustment for 2024 of 2.0% for non-union employees and Council, effective January 1, 2024 in accordance with the Compensation and Salary Administration Policy No. 67. The Policy stipulates that an annual economic adjustment will be made upon approval by Council and reflected in the Wage Grid. The Wage Grid consists of fourteen classification levels, each with five salary steps, and is annually adjusted based on Council-approved economic changes.

Tecumseh Transit Service (TTS) 2023 Annual Status Report: Council approved the report that summarizes ridership and revenue figures for the Tecumseh Transit Service (TTS) throughout the 2023 calendar year. Following the conclusion of the on-demand pilot project in 2022, the TTS witnessed a rise in ridership upon the reintroduction of the fixed-route hybrid service. Challenges related to low ridership and revenue continue to exist in comparison to pre-COVID-19 levels.

Tecumseh Transit Service (TTS) Rural Transit Solutions Fund (RTSF) Contribution Agreement:  In 2022, the Town applied for funding from the Infrastructure Canada Rural Transit Solutions Fund (RTSF) and was approved to purchase two electric transit buses and a charging station, with the intent to replace existing gas-powered buses. Subsequent research revealed more cost-effective electric bus models, allowing the purchase of three buses with the same funding. In December 2023, the Town received approval for the Project Change Request, and a Contribution Agreement was sent for execution. By-law 2024-012 was given first, second and third reading and passed, and administration will undertake the Request for Proposals process to purchase and deliver three electric transit buses and two charging stations.  The outcome of the request for proposal will be reported back to Council.

2023 Year End Permit Report: Council received a report that summarizes the total permits issued for the year 2023 and compares the values of the same period of the previous year. The revenue generated from 2023 permit fees during the reported period amounts to $269,451, representing a shortfall of $669,412 compared to the budgeted figure of $938,863, marking a decrease of 70%. The shortfall in permit revenues will result in a net deficit for the Building Services operating budget however the Town's development prospects are promising, and it is expected that the deficit will be corrected in the near future. The decrease in permits can be attributed to overall global economic conditions and delays in major projects.

Taxes Receivable December 2023: Council received an annual report regarding the status of year-end tax arrears, which describes the status of the Town of Tecumseh’s property taxes outstanding as of December 31, 2023. Taxes receivable as a percentage of tax levy increased to 5.4% as of December 31, 2023, up from 4.5% in the previous year. While there has been a steady rise since 2021, the current rate remains within a healthy range.

Next Regular Meeting: The next regular meeting of Council is February 27, 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.