For Immediate Release
Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Council Connect: Highlights from March 19, 2024, meeting of Council

Regular Meeting of Council

Ontario Naloxone Program-Community Partnership: Council received a report recommending a partnership with the Ontario Naloxone Program (ONP) to deploy Naloxone kits on fire apparatus and implement a two (2)-year pilot program at various Town facilities. Naloxone is a safe and effective medication used to treat an opioid overdose, helping to combat the effects and lead to better patient outcomes. There are no additional costs associated with training staff and the total anticipated costs for the two (2)-year pilot program is approximately $1,200.  Council approved the report and authorized the Fire Chief to sign a service agreement with the Windsor Essex County Health Unit identifying the Town as an ONP Community Partner.

Corporate Records and Information Management-Implementation: Council received and approved the recommended implementation framework for Corporate Records and Information Management that resulted from a review by Imerge Consulting in February 2023 (LCS-2023-03).  The three (3) year implementation plan to improve efficiencies, maintain compliance and manage the life cycle of Town records focuses on five key strategic areas: Information Governance, Information Management Corporate Practices, Storage & Security, Information Management Technology and Communication & Training. Year 1 implementation costs include a Records Management Coordinator position that was approved during 2024 budget deliberations.  

OPP Detachment Board Appointments: Council received a report recommending Mayor Gary McNamara be appointed to represent Town of Tecumseh Council on the new Essex County OPP Detachment Board-North (effective April 1, 2024), as well as options regarding appointments of a local community representative and an at-large community representative. Each of the three municipalities represented by the new Board (Town of Tecumseh, Municipality of Lakeshore and Town of Essex) must make two appointments: a Council representative and a local community representative. The three municipal Councils must concur on one at-large representative. For this term, the at-large representative will be rotated annually between the three municipalities, beginning with Tecumseh for the balance of 2024. Council made the following appointments to the Detachment Board for the remainder of this term of office:

• Council representative: Mayor Gary McNamara
• Community representative: Paul Sweet
• At-Large representative (2024 only): Christopher Hales

The at-large representative will need to be confirmed by the Town of Essex and the Municipality of Lakeshore. More details about the New Essex County OPP Detachment Board and proposed appointment options can be found here.

OPP Detachment Board Administration: Council received a report recommending Administration of the Essex County OPP Detachment Board-North be undertaken by the Town of Tecumseh on a fee for service basis, including overhead expenses incurred by the host municipality such as administrative support, financial support services, agenda and records management, technology support and facility services.  The recommendations include provisions for retaining Board Administrative Support, proposed compensation for Board members, and arrangements for municipal support and financial administration. All recommendations are subject to concurrence by each Council.  The same Board administrative considerations will be presented to the Councils for Lakeshore and Essex in early April.  Council supported the report recommendations.

Zoning By-law Amendment -259 Kensington Boulevard Scheduling of a Public Meeting: Council approved the recommendation to schedule a public meeting on Tuesday April 9^th at 6pm in accordance with the Planning Act to seek public input regarding a zoning by-law amendment application submitted for a parcel of land situated on the west side of Kensington Boulevard, approximately 122 metres (400 feet) south of its intersection with Burlington Street.  The application seeks to amend Zoning By-law 2065 to facilitate construction of a two storey, semi-detached dwelling.  The full report can be found here.

Appointment of an Integrity Commissioner: Council approved the appointment of Michael Maynard (ADR Chambers Inc.) as the Integrity Commissioner for the Corporation of the Town of Tecumseh for a four (4) year period commencing on March 25^th, 2024, in accordance with Municipal Act requirements.  A request for proposal pertaining to Integrity Commissioner Services was posted on the Town’s Bids and Tenders portal from February 1-22, 2024.  Four proposals were received, which did not include a submission from the current appointed Integrity Commissioner. Submissions were reviewed based requirements to understand the scope of work, qualifications, relevant experience, and pricing. $13,000 was allocated and approved as part of 2024 Budget deliberations to cover costs associated with Integrity Commissioner Services.

Next Regular Meeting: The next regular meeting of Council is March 26, 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.