This week, Tecumseh Town Council begins at 5pm with a rescheduled meeting from September 8th concerning public comment on a proposed Housekeeping Zoning By-law Amendment to the Sandwich South Zoning By-law 85-18 pursuant to the provisions of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990.  The agenda can be found here.

Currently, there are three separate settlement areas in the Town’s Official Plan pertaining to lands within the former Sandwich South area, that collectively, identify areas where long-term urban uses are to be established. Within each of these three settlement areas, future development lands are either within a Hamlet Development Designation (requiring further study and Official Plan amendments to determine and identify the ultimate preferred urban land uses) or a specific urban land use designation (such as the Maidstone Hamlet Residential designation).

The proposed housekeeping amendment would have the effect of changing the zoning on these lands to a site-specific “Agricultural Zone (A)” that would permit all of the uses in the “Agricultural Zone (A)” with the exception of livestock intensive agricultural uses and greenhouses. In addition, it will continue to prohibit mushroom farms.

Delegations include:

1. Judy Robson dated August 24, 2020 Re: Response to Proposed Housekeeping Amendment to Sandwich South Zoning By-law 85-18
2. Peter Angermann, Resident
3. Mary and Joe Ondic, Residents
4. Perry Burford, Resident
5. Susanne Rau, Resident
6. Celeste O'Neil, Resident
7. Josette Eugeni, Resident

Communications include:

1. Notice of Public Meeting 
2. Tricia Mactier dated September 2, 2020
3. Felina Salas dated September 2, 2020
4. Carrie Deehan dated September 2, 2020
5. Perry Burford dated September 3, 2020
6. Jo-Ann Burford dated September 3, 2020
7. Larry and Susanne Rau dated September 2, 2020
8. Carl White dated September 2, 2020
9. John and Mara Conrad dated September 2, 2020
10. Mary Jobin dated September 2, 2020
11. Marlene Dupuis dated September 2, 2020
12. Andrew Sykes dated September 2, 2020
13. Andy and Rossana Colasanti dated September 8, 2020

At 7pm, regular business begins.  The agenda can be found here.

Communications - For Information includes: 
1. Town of Amaranth dated September 21, 2020 Re: Support of Long Term Care Facility Inspection.  Amaranth urges the Ontario Government to provide funding to increase the fulltime positions in place of casual and part time labour in long term care homes and requests the Ministry of Long-Term Care to enact regular inspections of all long-term care homes.

2. Town of Amaranth dated September 21, 2020 Re: Support for COVID-19 Funding.  Amaranth is requesting support of the Federal, Provincial and Regional Government to help municipalities assist their local social cultural, service clubs and children/youth minor sporting organizations with clear and definitive relief funding programs.

3. Town of Amherstburg dated September 21, 2020 Re: Request for Consideration of Amendments to Bill 108 - The Ontario Heritage Act.  Amherstburg strongly recommends that Schedule 11 of Bill 108 be amended to remove the powers provided to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal, retaining authority for hearing certain appeals by the Conservation Review Board; and strongly recommends that Schedule 11 of Bill 108 be amended to return the authority for final decisions to municipal council’s as the elected representative of the communities wherein the property and its features of cultural heritage value exist.

4. Town of Amherstburg dated September 21, 2020 Re: AODA Website Compliance Extension Request.  Amherstburg requests that the Province of Ontario extend the compliance deadline stated in Section 14(4) of O.Reg 191/11 to require designated public sector organizations to meet the compliance standards, by a minimum of one (1) year to at least January 1, 2022; AND, that the Province of Ontario consider providing funding support and training resources to meet these compliance standards.

5. Enbridge Gas Inc. dated September dated September 22, 2020 Re: 2019 Earnings Sharing and Disposition of Deferral & Variance Account Balances - Notice of Application.  Union Gas is requesting permission to add in a customer charge of $4.97 collected over three months, from January to March 2021.

6. Township of Muskoka Lakes dated September 23, 2020 Re: Amend Section 12 of the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation Act 1997.  Muskoka Lakes requests that the Province amend section 12 of the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation Act, 1997 to bill single and lower-tier governments directly pursuant the current formula prescribed in the legislation prior to the 2021 MPAC billing cycle, or alternatively to amend section 12 of the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation Act, 1997 to direct those upper-tier municipalities required to pay the prescribed amounts, to distribute the costs to the residents of lower-tier municipalities using the same formula currently prescribed in the legislation.

7. Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing dated September 18, 2020 Re: Parkland Dedication, Development Charges and the Community Benefits Charges Authority.  Minister Clark is proposing to prescribe a percentage of 4% for the Community Benefits Charges (CBC) authority that will be applied to land values to determine the maximum CBC for any particular residential development. The CBC could be used by local governments to fund capital costs of services that are needed due to higher density development and are not being recovered through other tools.

8. City of Windsor dated September 29, 2020 Re: Master Servicing Plan Public Information Centre.  Windsor is hosting a Virtual Public Information Centre from September 30th, 2020 - October 30th, 2020 at sandwichsouth.ca

9. Town of Wasaga Beach dated October 1, 2020 Re: Unauthorized Car Rally.  The Mayor of Wasaga Beach has crafted a letter to the Premier requesting an increase to various fines for non-compliance of vehicle related offences.

10. Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing dated October 1, 2020 Re: Safe Restart Agreement - Municipal Operating Funding (Phase 2).  Minister Clark advises of the availability of Phase 2 funding for municipalities that require additional support arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.

11. Ministry of Solicitor General - Office of the Fire Marshal dated October 6, 2020 Re: Communique 2020-18 Staffing Levels and Firefighter Safety.  The Fire Marshal advises that the decision to set, alter or adjust fire protection service levels in any municipality lies with the council of that municipality, in consideration of advice and guidance provided by the fire chief.

12.  Township of Asphodel Norwood dated October 7, 2020 Re: Cannabis Production.  The Township of Asphodel-Norwood requests a governing body in cannabis production that:
1. Takes a unified approach to land use planning restrictions;
2. Enforces the regulations under the Cannabis Act on behalf of the licencing agency and ensures local authorities are provided with notification of any licence issuance, amendment, suspension, reinstatement, or revocation within their region;
3. Communicates more readily with local governments; and
4. Provides local governments with more support.

13. St. Catherines dated October 7, 2020 Re: Development Approval Requirements for Landfills - Bill 197.  The City of St. Catharines calls upon the Government of Ontario to amend Bill 197, COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act, 2020, to eliminate the development approval requirement provisions from adjacent municipalities and that the ‘host’ municipality be empowered to render final approval for landfills within their jurisdiction.

Communications - Action Required

1. Honourable Sylvia Jones, Solicitor General, Minister Responsible for Anti-Racism dated October 2, 2020.  Administration recommends that the October 2, 2020 letter from the Honourable Sylvia Jones, Solicitor General, regarding anti-racism initiatives of the Ministry of the Solicitor General and the Anti-Racism Directorate, be referred to the Tecumseh Police Services Board.

Reports
1. Corporate Services & Clerk
a. CS-2020-30 Cat Intake Program Renewal Agreement.  Administration recommends that the Town of Tecumseh renew the Agreement with the Windsor Essex County Humane Society for the provision of cat intake services, at a cost to the Town of $25 for each cat concluding December 31, 2021.b.
b. CS-2020-31 Lakeshore-Tecumseh Inter-Municipal Committee Terms of Reference.  Administration recommends that the “Lakeshore-Tecumseh Inter-Municipal Committee Terms of Reference” be received, with Terms of Reference approved, with two (2) Members of Council appointed to the Lakeshore-Tecumseh Inter-Municipal Committee.  In addition the Town of Lakeshore would be notified of the Tecumseh members’ appointments to the Committee, and the Clerk shall be authorized to coordinate a meeting of the Committee with the Clerk for the Town of Lakeshore.
2. Parks & Recreation Services
a. PRS-2020-13 Cancellation of Christmas in Tecumseh Activities.  Administration recommends that Christmas in Tecumseh events be cancelled due to COVID-19.
3. Planning & Building Services
a. PBS-2020-34 D19 DESRO, Zoning By-law Amendment, 13375 Desro Drive.  Administration recommends the scheduling of a public meeting in accordance with the Planning Act, for the application submitted by Winds Holdings Inc. (Eleven Winds) to amend Sandwich South Zoning By-law 85-18 by rezoning a 0.22 hectare (0.54 acre) property situated on the south side of Desro Drive, approximately 100 metres (328 feet) east of its intersection with Sylvestre Drive (13375 Desro Drive), from “Industrial Zone (M1-10)” to a site-specific “Industrial Zone (M1-26)” in order to permit the addition of general or business offices and professional offices and establish site-specific parking requirements. 
4. Public Works & Environmental Services
a. PWES-2020-08 Amendments to the MMS and Significant Weather Event Policy.  Administration has adopted operational amendments to the Minimum Maintenance Standards for Municipal Highways, O.Reg. 239/02, and submits a Significant Weather Event Policy for approval.

Motions
1. County Road 34 Speed Reduction and School Zone.  Deputy Major Joe Bachetti proposes that Town Council petition Essex County to reduce the Speed Limit on County Road 34 through Maidstone to 50km/h in accordance with various standing policies.

For questions regarding these or other municipal matters, please contact me at (226) 773-1910 or [email protected]

This week, Tecumseh Town Council begins at 5pm with a meeting of the Policies and Priorities Committee.  The agenda can be found here.

1. CS-2020-23 Award Nominations.  Administration recommends that advertising begins to submit nominations and select recipients for the Dr. Henri Breault Community Excellence Award (Dr. Breault Award), Donald “Donny” Massender Memorial Volunteer Award (Donny Massender Award) and the Senior of the Year Award.  A new Youth of the Year Award is also proposed to be added.  Considerations for the awards are proposed for a Special Meeting of Council to be held on Tuesday, November 24, 2020, at 6:00 pm.

2. PWES-2020-08 Amendments to the MMS and Significant Weather Event Policy.  Administration has submitted housekeeping updates with respect to adherence to provincial minimum maintenance standards during periods of significant weather.

New Business includes setting direction for which Non-Profit Organization will receive proceeds from Essex Powerlines Corporation Paperless Billing Savings.

Regular business begins at 7pm.  The agenda can be found here.

This week at Tecumseh Town Council, business begins with a Public Meeting at 5pm.  The agenda can be found here.

The meeting will consider feedback from the community with respect to changing permitted uses under the “Agricultural Zone (A)” to exclude livestock intensive agricultural uses and greenhouses.  In addition, it will continue to prohibit mushroom farms.  Currently, greenhouses are allowed and one is currently under construction at 2085 Highway 3 which is proposed to house a Cannabis crop.

This week, Tecumseh Town Council begins at 5:30pm with the first public meeting to discuss a proposed rezoning at 3455 North Talbot Road (at Hennin).  The streaming link is at https://video.islive.ca/tecumseh/live.html

The property owner is requesting a land use change from  “Industrial Zone (M1)” to a site-specific “Business Park Zone (BP)”  in order to permit the addition of general/business offices, professional offices, union hall, restaurants, craft industries/specialty workshops and retail sales as permitted uses. In addition, the proposed site-specific BP Zone will establish site specific yard and lot requirements. The subject property is designated “Business Park” in the Sandwich South Official Plan.

The agenda can be found here.

At 6:30pm there is a second public meeting to discuss a proposed condominium on a vacant 1.08 hectare (2.68 acre) parcel of land situated at the northeast corner of the Tecumseh Road/Southfield Drive intersection at 11870 Tecumseh Road (the proposed Gateway Tower building in which the land use and site plan were previously approved for the site).  The agenda can be found here.

The proposed Draft Plan of Condominium includes:

• A total of 99 residential units;
• 132 parking spaces reserved for individual unit owners (104 uncovered and 29 covered) and 14 parking spaces reserved as visitor parking spaces;
• 57 storage areas located inside the building that are associated with the individual dwelling units; and
• 16 exclusive-use patio areas associated with 16 residential units located on the first floor of the proposed building.

Regular business begins at 7pm.  The agenda can be found here:

Communications incluide:

1. Enbridge Gas Inc. dated June 30, 2020 Re: 2020 Rates - Application and Evidence.  Enbridge is requesting a rate increase for all of its customers with the most significant increase being for former Union Gas customers including Tecumseh.  The proposed increase for our area is $8.91 annually.

2. Town of Lakeshore dated July 17, 2020 Re: Notice of Electronic (Virtual) Public Meeting to consider a cannabis production facility.  Lakeshore is proposing a land use change at 417 Jutras Drive South for a medical cannabis production facility.  The public meeting will be held on August 11th at 6pm.

3. Township of South Glengarry dated July 20, 2020 Re: Long Term Care Homes.  South Glengarry urges the Ontario government to provide funding to increase full-time positions in place of casual and part-time labour in long term care homes and requests that the Ministry of Long-term Care acts to regularly inspect all long term care homes, and sound infection control measures are put in place at all Ontario long term care homes.

4. Town of Gore Bay dated July 21, 2020 Re: Support of OPP Diversity Training.  Gore Bay supports the Town of Orangeville in its request for improvements to OPP Diversity Training and that although the OPP have Indicated they have a comprehensive diversity training program, there may not be the same resources available throughout the province detachments; and whereas there is public concern regarding the use of force, such as neck restraints, and oversight, they support efforts to encourage common training requirements to all members ofthe Ontario Provincial Police Force.

5. Town of Mono dated July 24, 2020 Re: Diversity Training Program for Municipal Police Services.  Mono endorses the Orangeville resolution and would like to see it extended to all municipal police forces.

6. Town of Gore Bay dated July 21, 2020 Re: Support of Universal Basic Income.  Gore Bay requests federal and provincial consideration of a Universal Basic Income program.

7. Town of Gore Bay dated July 31, 2020 Re: Support of The Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities for The Municipality of McDougall.  Gore Bay disagrees with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario recommendation to replace OPP Detachment Boards with Northern Ontario District Social Services Boards.

8. Town of Kingsville dated July 31, 2020 Re: Request for More Detailed Information and Data Regarding the Spread of COVID-19 in Essex County.  Kingsville advises that it has sent a letter to the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Board of Directors and Medical Officer of Health Dr. Wajid Ahmed, requesting more detailed information and data regarding the spread of COVID-19 (to a neighbourhood level consistent with other named jurisdictions).

9. Town of Amherstburg dated July 28, 2020 Re: Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program Grant.  Amherstburg supports a Town of Renfrew resolution requesting that Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program grant applications be fast tracked.

10. Town of Amherstburg dated July 28, 2020 Re: COVID-19 Financial Relief for Municipalities.  Amherstburg and Essex request that their MPP read aloud a letter in the Ontario Legislature seeking financial relief from the Province.

11. County of Essex dated July 29, 2020 Re: Support for Federal Assistance for People with Disabilities - COVID-19 Pandemic.  Essex County requests additional funding from the Federal government for certified holders of the Disability Tax Credit (DTC) to assist with the added financial burden that many people living with disabilities are facing during the COVID-19 Pandemic;

Communications - Action Required
1. Essex Region Conservation Authority dated July 31, 2020.  Town Council is being asked to consider endorsing the following individuals’ appointment to the Essex Region Source Protection Committee:

Albert Dionne, Town of Lakeshore, appointment date: September 10, 2020; expiration of appointment September 10, 2025;
Ian Wilson, City of Windsor, appointment date: September 10, 2020; expiration of appointment September 10, 2021;
Nelson Santos, Union Water Supply System, appointment date: September 10, 2020; expiration of appointment November 30 , 2022.

I have declared a conflict on this decision.

Reports
1. Chief Administrative Office
a. CAO-2020-06 Boundary Adjustment Agreement and the County Road 43 Class Environmental Assessment Study.  Administration reports that to be consistent with its 2003 agreement, Essex County had committed to realign Banwell Road with the 11th Concession Road to form a single continuous north-south roadway, with the County undertaking and implementing the Class EA study with construction completed within 5 years of EA completion.  The EA study was first completed in 2009.  The Lauzon Parkway/County Road 42 EA upgraded the intersection design to a roundabout, and a third EA for Banwell Road was completed in September 2016.  Essex County proposes to further delay detailed design to 2021 or 2022 which does not respect the legal agreement signed by Essex County.  The County does not propose to conform to the recommended solution approved in the CR43 ESR; the limits of the proposed detailed design accounts for only two-thirds of the CR43 ESR study area length, omitting that portion of CR43 from Shields to the CPR tracks; and the proposed timing of the design does not comply with the terms set forth in the Agreement, and there has been no commitment to date from the County on the timing for construction.  In addition, County Administration are not responding to efforts to resolve through Town Administration.

2. Corporate Services & Clerk
a. CS-2020-15 Golden Age Club Parkette.  Administration has received a request to acquire a portion of currently unused lands adjacent to the Golden Age Club.  Administration is not recommending acceptance of the offer.

b. CS-2020-25 Face Covering Policy for Visitors and Contractors.  Administration is recommending compulsory face coverings for all visitors and contractors to Town Facilities.

3. Financial Services
a. FS-2020-11 2021 Business Plan and Budget Timetable.  Administration recommends that the proposed 2021 Business Plan and Budget Timetable, as follows, be approved:

• Council consultation September 22, 2020
• Public engagement September 24 – October 16, 2020
• Table proposed business plan and budget December 8, 2020
• Council deliberations TBD January, 2021
• Council consideration and adoption January 26, 2021

b. FS-2020-14 Budget Variance Report - June 2020.  Administration projects a year-end deficit of $144,000 (Tax Supported $165,000 deficit and Rate Supported surplus of $21,000) as a result of adjustments resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and the flooding emergency.

4. Planning & Building Services
a. PBS-2020-26 Tecumseh Transit Service, 2020 6-month review.  Use of Transit service has been severely impacted by COVID-19 with a significant drop in ridership relative to 2019.  Total ridership has decreased by approximately 50% (or 7,080 riders) during the first 6 months of the year.
b. PBS-2020-28 Six Month Permit Report.  Administration reports that construction value was $7,950,095, which is down by $4,775,870 or 38 percent, and permit applications have declined by 17%.

For questions on these or other municipal matters, please contact me at 226-773-1910 or [email protected]

This week, Tecumseh Town Council begins at 7pm.  The link to watch the meeting will be able to be found here.  The full agenda can be found here.

Delegations this week will include:
1. Joyce Zuk, Executive Director of Family Services Windsor-Essex and Elizabeth Strutt-MacLeod, Coordinator/Professor, School of Community Studies, St. Clair College Re: Proposed One-Year Pilot Project with Community Meditation Windsor Essex and Tecumseh

2. Bill Marra, Vice President External Affairs and Executive Director of Changing Lives Together Foundation, Hôtel Dieu Grace Healthcare
Re: Cardiac Wellness and Pulmonary Rehab Satellite Facility

Communications - For Information
1. Town of Lakeshore dated June 4, 2020 Re: Reconsideration of Permanent Closing of Local Newspapers.  Lakeshore supports the recent Tecumseh motion asking Postmedia to reconsider the elimination of local print news service.

2. Town of Amherstburg dated June 26, 2020  Re: Permanent Closure of Weekly Newspapers Owned by Postmedia Network Inc.  Amherstburg supports the recent Tecumseh motion asking Postmedia to reconsider the elimination of local print news service.

3. Township of Lake of Bays dated June 17, 2020 Re: Letter of Support for High Speed Internet Connectivity in Rural Ontario.  Lake of Bays supports senior government investment in broadband internet to support offering of the service to rural communities.

4. Municipality of Mississippi Mills dated June 19, 2020.  Re: Support for Rural Broadband.  Mississippi Mills supports senior government investment in broadband internet to support offering of the service to rural communities.

5. Municipality of West Elgin dated June 26, 2020 Re: Affordable Access to Broadband.  West Elgin supports senior government investment in broadband internet to support offering of private service to persons of all economic backgrounds.

6. Town of Renfrew dated June 23, 2020 Re: COVID-19 Pandemic affect on Economic Development, Employment and Small Business in Ontario.  Renfrew requests that the Provincial Government be encouraged to quickly process the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program grants to assist in maintaining local economic activity.

7. Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing dated July 7, 2020.  Re: COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act.  The Province advises of its intent to pass the noted Act which:

- Enables municipal councils and local boards to meet electronically on a permanent basis and allow municipal councils to decide if they wish to have proxy voting for their members.

- Finalizes the community benefits charges framework, which will for the first time allow for these charges to be used to develop new libraries.

- Enhances the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing’s existing zoning order authority to provide more certainty when fast tracking the development of transit oriented communities.

- Makes it faster to update and harmonize the Building Code

- Permanently establishes the office of the Provincial Land and Development Facilitator to help solve complex land use issues. 

8. City of Sarnia dated June 24, 2020 Re: Long Term Care Homes in Ontario.  Sarnia calls on the Province to implement the following:

1. increasing hours for all part-time and casual labour
2. inspect privately operated long term care homes to ensure they are being properly run, and that funds are being used for the benefit of the residents and not the huge profitability of the operators, and
3. to end the neglect and unacceptable conditions being experienced, each day, by our vulnerable seniors.

9. CARP Windsor Essex Chapter 7 dated June 24, 2020 Re: COVID-19 and Long Term Care Homes.  CARP requests the participation of their Ottawa Chapter on the pending provincial Independent Commission regarding Long Term Care.

10. Town of Amherstburg dated June 25, 2020 Re: Spread of COVID-19 in our Farm Worker Population.  Amherstburg advises of support for portions of a recent resolution by Essex Town Council regarding addressing issues in the migrant worker community.  However, Amherstburg did not endorse the Essex request to impose manadatory COVID-19 testing on workers.

11.  Town of Essex dated July 3, 2020 Re: COVID-19 Financial Relief for Municipalities.  Essex requests that MPP Taras Natyshak read aloud in the legislature a request that the Ontario Government to provide immediate relief and/or financial support in order to assist with the additional financial burdens that Municipalities all across Ontario have had to bear and will continue to bear as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

12. Town of Amherstburg dated June 26, 2020 Re: Universal Basic Income.  Amherstburg supports the City of Kitchener request to have the Provincial and Federal governments collaborate with respect to introducing a universal basic income program for all residents.

13. Municipality of West Elgin dated June 26, 2020 Re: Universal Basic Income.  West Elgin supports the Grey Highlands request to have the Provincial and Federal governments collaborate with respect to introducing a universal basic income program for all residents.

14. Township of Puslinch dated July 7, 2020 Re: Aggregate Resource Properties.  Puslinch calls upon the Province to work with the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation to address the assessment issue so that aggregate resource properties are assessed for their industrial value.

15. Ontario Energy Board dated June 30, 2020 Re: Notice of Hearing and Procedural Order No. 1 - Enbridge Gas Inc. - Windsor Pipeline Replacement Project.  Essex County and Enbridge Gas are in a dispute regarding the construction of a 22.9 km segment of pipeline along County Road 46. The contested issues include the depth of cover of certain segments of the replacement pipeline and removal of certain segments of the existing pipeline in lieu of abandonment in place.  

16. County of Essex, dated June 24, 2020 Re: Notice of Decision regarding Official Plan Amendment No. 15 - 12300 County Road 42 - Bashi.  Essex County has approved to re-designate the subject 0.66 hectare (1.63 acre) parcel of land located on the northeast corner of the County Road 42/Lesperance intersection (12300 County Road 42) from “Neighbourhood Commercial” to “Medium Density Residential” and to introduce a new site-specific policy to facilitate the development of the lands for four, six-unit, three-storey dwellings and establish a total lot density of 36 units per hectare.

17. Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks dated July 8, 2020 Re: Environmental Assessment Modernization.  The Province advises of proposed updates to the Environmental Assessment process including the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment, and invites comment.

Committee Minutes include: 
1. Town on Tecumseh Business Improvement Area - May 13, 2020 and June 10, 2020This item has attachments.

Reports include:
1. Chief Administrative Officer
a. CAO-2020-03 2019 Strategic Plan Report.  Administration supplies a comprehensive summary of the strategic efforts made by the Town over the 2019 calendar year.

b. CAO-2020-04 Town Hall Reopening.  Administration advises of the intent to reopen Town Hall for services.  From July 20 forward, Town Hall and Arena Customer Service areas are proposed to be reopened to the public for in-person, drop-in traffic during the hours of 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday while Town Hall is proposed to be opened to the Public for scheduled in-person appointments, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday.  Limited in-person meetings in board rooms and offices would resume when safe physical distancing (2 metres) protocol can be observed.  On September 11, the Town would re-evaluate open hours for public in-person, drop-in traffic and the screening method.  Until September 30th, Town Hall staff occupancy would remain at approximately 50% to allow extra space for building renovation to be completed.

c. CAO-2020-05 Rural Economic Development Program Funding.  Tecumseh was successful in securing funds from the Province's Rural Economic Development program under the Economic Diversification and Competitiveness Stream to modernize and streamline the Building Department’s Permitting system through digitization.  The project will include digitizing files, providing opportunities for online applications and having hardware (iPads) for Town Inspectors to reduce the time it takes to process applications and permits. The project is expected to reduce red tape, better coordinate permit approvals and provide efficiencies in the entire permitting process.

2. Corporate Services & Clerk
a. CS-2020-19 Council Meetings 2021.  Administration recommends that Regular Council Meeting dates be cancelled on Tuesday, August 24, 2021 and Tuesday, December 28, 2021.  In addition, Town Hall would remain closed from Friday, December 24, 2021, until Monday, January 3, 2022.

b. CS-2020-22 Dog Control Services.  Administration recommends that the Agreement regarding dog control services with Phillip A. Byrne be renewed for an additional two years from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2022.

3. Financial Services
a. FS-2020-07 2019 Year-End Variance Report.  For the 2019 fiscal year, Administration is reporting a total surplus of $913,981.

4. Parks & Recreation Services
a. PRS-2020-17 Hôtel Dieu Grace Healthcare Letter of Intent Tecumseh Sportsplex Capital Contribution.  Administration recommends that Council authorize the execution of the Letter of Intent between Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare and The Town of Tecumseh to construct a Cardiac Wellness and Pulmonary Rehab Satellite Facility.  The facility would be paid for entirely by Hôtel Dieu Grace Healthcare and there would be an operational agreement.

5. Planning & Building Services
a. PBS-2020-21 D19 3455NTR, Zoning By-law Amendment, 3435 North Talbot Road.  Administration recommends the scheduling of a public meeting for the application submitted by 470698 Ontario Ltd. (Dalla Bona Construction) to rezone a 1.0 hectare (2.4 acre) property situated on the south side of North Talbot Road, approximately 40 metres (130 feet) east of its intersection with Hennin Drive (3455 North Talbot Road), from “Industrial Zone (M1)” to a site-specific “Business Park Zone (BP)” in order to permit the addition of general/business offices, professional offices, a union hall, restaurants, craft industries/specialty workshops and retail sales as permitted uses, and establish site-specific yard/lot requirements, be authorized, once Council formally approves the holding of virtual public meetings.

b. PBS-2020-22 Community Mediation Windsor-Essex, 1 Year Pilot Program with Town of Tecumseh.  Administration recommends that Council authorize entering into a One-Year Pilot Community Mediation Program with Community Mediation Windsor-Essex in order to assist Town residents in resolving neighbourhood conflicts/disagreements, and further that the use of Town facilities to host the mediation sessions at no cost to the users, be approved.

c. PBS-2020-23 Suspension of Sign By-law 2018-33 Regulations Governing Temporary Signs During COVID-19 Emergency.  Administration advises that through delegation of authority, a moratorium was enacted to waive provisions of By-law No. 2018-33 (“the Sign By-law”):
1. the requisite $50.00 permit application fee;
2. the display period time limits (i.e. one 60-day period or two 30-day periods); and
3. the three-sign maximum at any given time for a multiple-tenant property (i.e. a commercial plaza). 

d. PBS-2020-24 Housekeeping Amendment to limit Permitted uses on Agricultural zoned lands in Hamlet Development Designation.  Administration recommends the scheduling of a public meeting in accordance with The Planning Act, for a proposed housekeeping zoning by-law amendment to the Sandwich South Zoning By-law 85-18 to limit the permitted agricultural uses on lands zoned Agricultural Zone (A) within settlement areas as delineated in the Sandwich South Official Plan, be authorized, once Council formally approves the holding of virtual public meetings.

In addition I have put forward a motion for Administration to review warrants for enacting a Community Safety Zone at Arrowhead Park.

For questions on these or other municipal matters, please contact me at 226-773-1910 or [email protected]

This week, the public session of Town Council begins at 7pm.  The agenda can be found here.

Communications - For Information
1. Northumberland County dated May 20, 2020.  Re: Provincially Significant Wetlands Designation.  Northumberland supports the previously circulated resolution to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry to review its practices and procedures to include a requirement to provide supporting evidence to impacted municipalities when designating Provincially Significant Wetlands within their boundaries.

2. Township of Puslinch dated June 5, 2020.  Re: Farm Property Class Tax Programme.  Puslinch ensorses the previously circulated resolution from Mapleton for the Province of Ontario to review the Farm Property Class Tax Rate Programme in light of economic competitiveness concerns between rural and urban municipalities.

3. Town of Lakeshore dated June 1, 2020.  Re: Notice of Electronic (Virtual) Public Meeting regarding Zoning By-law Amendment Regarding the Production of Cannabis.  Lakeshore is hosting a virtual public meeting on June 23, 2020, beginning at 6:00 pm.  There will be a broadcast source at www.lakeshore.ca and opportunity to provide input electronically or by written correspondence, prior to a decision being made, regarding an amendment to Lakeshore Zoning By-law 2-2012, as amended (File: ZBA-5-2020), under Section 34 of the Planning Act, R.S.O.1990, c.P.13, concerning the entire Town of Lakeshore. In light of the recent implementation of the Cannabis Regulations SOR/2018-144 that are enabled by the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act., the Food and Drugs Act, and the Cannabis Act, it is prudent that the Town of Lakeshore Council consider necessary housekeeping changes to the Town of Lakeshore Zoning By-law, to reflect the current legislation.

4. Town of Lakeshore dated June 1, 2020.  Re: Notice of Electronic (Virtual) Public Meeting regarding Applications for Draft Plan of Condominium.  Lakeshore is hosting an electronic public meeting regarding 0 Amy Croft Drive on June 23rd, 2020 at 6pm, at www.lakeshore.ca.  The County of Essex (Approval Authority) has received 4 applications for Plans of Condominium (1 Vacant Land Condominium Application and 3 Standard Condominium Applications). The subject property was a former golf driving range. The applicant, Beachside Development Ltd. has applied for Condominium approval to permit 22 townhouses and two apartment buildings (58 units each), on a common element private road, as well as units or land to be set aside for future development.

5. Town of Fort Erie dated June 9, 2020 Re: Request Proclamation of March 17 as Essential Workers Day.  Fort Erie reports that it has endorsed the Brantford resolution to request a formal designation of March 17 to be Essential Workers Day to honour all of the essential workers who sacrificed so much during the COVID-19 pandemic.

6. Township of Plummer Additional dated June 11, 2020 Re: 911 Misdials.  Plummer endorses Tecumesh's efforts to have the Municipal, Federal, and Provincial governments and relevant associations be requested to lobby the telecommunications industry and smart phone manufacturers to develop a solution to 911 Misdials.

7. Municipality of Chatham-Kent dated June 11, 2020 Re: Support for the Province of Ontario's Commission on Long-Term Care.  Chatham-Kent supports the government's Long Term Care Commission and asks that it remain non-partisan, and be independent of owners and operators including municipal operators. They are asking for an impartial review of current best practices in both private and publicly operated homes, as well as requesting that the Commission be tasked with recommending best practice standards of care, and accountability protocols regarding documentation, peer reviews, and residenUfamily reviews.

8. Municipality of Chatham-Kent dated June 11, 2020.  Re: Letter of Support for Alzheimer Society.  Chatham-Kent Council supports the call to action with respect to psychological and emotional well-being of all Long-Term Care and Retirement Home residents, and to encourage the government to review and act on the recommendations provided.

9. Town of Bracebridge dated June 12, 2020.  Re: Support for the Establishment of a Municipal Financial Assistance Program.  Bracebridge supports the Federation of Canadian Municipalities report “Protecting Vital Municipal Services” on April 23, 2020 which included recommendations to the federal government to provide financial assistance for municipalities across the country and requests that both the Federal and Provincial Governments establish a municipal financial assistance program to offset the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

10. Town of Essex dated June 15, 2020.  Re: Post Media Closure of Local Community Newspapers.  Essex endorses the Tecumseh resolution showing support for maintaining local news coverage in Essex County.

11. Grey County dated June 16, 2020 Re: Broadband Access.  Grey County wishes to have the Province champion the implementation of broadband in the unserviced and under-serviced areas of Grey County

12. County of Essex dated June 15, 2020 Re: Notice of Decision OPA No. 42 Town of Tecumseh 11873 and 11917 Tecumseh Road.  Essex County approved the rezonings required for construction of a new apartment building at Tecumseh Road and Southfield Drive, with an additional conditoin for a Noise and Vibration Study.

13. Town of Essex dated June 17, 2020 Re: COVID-19 Financial Relief for Non-Profit and Community Service Clubs and Organizations.  Essex has requested that the Province to look into all possible ways of providing tax and/or other financial relief to our community non-profit and service clubs and organizations as a result of those organizations not being able to operate and be open as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

14. Town of Essex dated June 17, 2020.  Re: Spread of COVID-19 in our Farm Worker Population.  Essex requests urgent and emergency action to be taken by all levels of government in order to support all local farm workers, including migrant workers, as it relates to the COVID-19 pandemic; and that that the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, Ontario Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs come together immediately to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our farm worker population.

K. Communications - Action Required
1. Town of Tecumseh Memo to Council dated June 15, 2020 Re: Excessive Noise – Vehicular Exhaust Systems.  Administration recommends that the Essex County OPP Report dated June 4, 2020 regarding enforcement of noise complaints related to excessive noise from vehicular exhaust systems, be adopted by Council as recommend by the Tecumseh Police Services Board at their June 11, 2020 meeting.

Reports include:
1. Corporate Services & Clerk
a. CS-2020-17 Council Conferences for 2021.  Administration recommends that Members of Council be authorized to attend up to 3 of the noted conferences scheduled to be held in 2021, in accordance with the Town’s Travel Policy No. 14 and Professional Development Policy No. 73.

b. CS-2020-18 December Holiday Schedule 2021.  Administration recommends that the Tecumseh Town Hall Offices close for the 2021 December Holiday Season from Friday, December 24, 2021, through to and including Monday, January 3, 2022 where staff may choose to take non-holiday days as vacation, lieu time or unpaid leave.

c. CS-2020-21 COVID-19 Economic Recovery - Temporary Outdoor Patios.  Administration recommends that By-law No. 2020-48 being a by-law to adopt the Temporary Outdoor Patio Guidelines and authorize the Chief Building Official to inspect all temporary patios and require adjustments to the patio in order to address compliance with the Guidelines, be approved;
And further that in accordance with Regulation 719 under the Liquor Licence Act, the Council for The Corporation of the Town of Tecumseh support the extension of existing liquor licences to temporary patios on private property throughout the Town of Tecumseh for the duration of 2020, provided businesses comply with the Town of Tecumseh’s Temporary Outdoor Patio Guidelines;
And furthermore that in accordance with Regulation 719 under the Liquor Licence Act, the Council for The Corporation of the Town of Tecumseh support the extension of existing liquor licences to temporary patios on Town property for the duration of 2020, provided businesses comply with the Town of Tecumseh’s Temporary Outdoor Patio Guidelines and enter into an Encroachment Agreement, in form and content satisfactory to the Town’s Solicitor;
And furthermore over that the Mayor and the Clerk be authorized to execute an Encroachment Agreement with business owners requesting to encroach onto Town property for a Temporary Outdoor Patio.

2. Financial Services
a. FS-2020-10 Windsor-Essex Provincial Offences Act (POA) Annual Report 2019.  Administration reports that for the most recent year-ended 2019, the Program had a net surplus of approximately $1.9 million of which the Town of Tecumseh is entitled to $143,867, exceeding the Town’s 2019 budget of $120,000.

3. Parks & Recreation Services
a. PRS-2020-02 Lakewood Park Food and Beverage Concession Operation.  Administration recommends that the Town invite submissions through an RFP to operate a concession operation at Lakewood Park; and that a report be presented for Council’s consideration and approval on the recommended Lakewood Park concessionaire.

b. PRS-2020-16 Cancellation of Summer Recreation Programming.  Administration is recommending that as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that the summer recreation programs, including the Tecumseh Summer Day Camp and the Tecumseh Leisure Pool, be cancelled.

4. Public Works & Environmental Services
a. PWES-2020-27 Asphalt Paving Tender Award 2020.  Administration recommends that the low tender from Coco Paving Inc. in the amount of $900,500 plus HST, for the 2020 Asphalt Paving Tender, be approved and that the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to enter into a contract for the services with Coco Paving Inc. for the Asphalt Paving Tender in 2020 that includes:

1. Beachgrove Road – full extent
2. Pentilly Road – Beachgrove to cul de sac
3. St. Thomas Street – Centennial Dr. to Amberly Cres.
4. Papineau Court – full extent
5. Shields Street – Lesperance to St. Alphonse
6. Odessa Drive – full extent
7. Odessa Drive – cul-de-sac
8. Shawnee Road – Gouin St. to County Rd. 22
9. Wellwood Court – full extent
10. Thalthorpe Court – full extent

b. PWES-2020-28 Tar and Chip Tender Award 2020.  Administration recommends that the sole tender from Shepley Road Maintenance Ltd. in the amount of $180,687 plus non-rebatable HST, for the 2020 Tar and Chip Tender, be approved.

By-Laws for approval include By-Law 2020-47 being a by-law to authorize the execution of a Site Plan Control Agreement between The Corporation of the Town of Tecumseh and Gateway Tower Inc.

For questions on these or other municipal matters, please contact me at 226-773-1910 or [email protected]

This week, Tecumseh Town Council begins at 7pm following a closed session at 6pm.  The agenda can be found here.

The evening's delegation is Katie Stammler, Water Quality Scientist/Source Water Protection Project, Manager Essex Region Conservation Authority who will speak to the Drinking Water Source Protection Annual Progress Report

Communications - For Information includes:
1. Ontario Energy Board, dated May 8, 2020 Re: Enbridge Gas Inc. Application - Harmonized System Expansion Surcharge, Temporary Connection Surcharge and Hourly Allocation Factor.  Enbridge wishes to apply surcharge to new customers to recover the cost of expanding the system to them.  In addition it wishes to harmonize rates between Union Gas and Enbridge customers.

2. City of Brantford dated May 28, 2020 Re: Essential Workers Day.  Brantford requests that March 17th be designated as "Essential Workers Day" in Ontario and Canada.

3. Town of LaSalle dated May 29, 2020 Re: Postmedia Closure of Community Newspapers.  LaSalle has supported Tecumseh's request of Postmedia to reconsider their elimination of service delivery in Essex County.

4. Township of Puslinch dated June 3, 2020 Re: Conservation Authority Support.  Puslinch expresses support for allowing conservation authorities to engage in discretionary, non-mandatory programs.

Communications - Action Required

Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing dated June 4, 2020.  Administration recommends that Tecumseh Council support the request of The Honourable Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and other Ontario Municipalities calling for urgent federal action to provide immediate funding for reliable broadband access across Ontario;

And that a copy of Council’s resolution be sent to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry; Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister for Women and Gender Equality; Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, as well as the Local MPPs, area municipalities and AMO.

Committee Minutes

1. Police Services Board - May 14, 2020.  The Police Services Board is looking into low satisfaction rates in Ward 2 and into the matter of enforcement of modified exhaust systems on vehicles.  

Reports
1. Corporate Services & Clerk
a. CS-2020-16 Essex Power Corporation - Appointment of Proxyholder for Shareholder's 2020 Annual Meeting.  Administration recommends that Mayor Gary McNamara and alternate Mr. Tom Burton be appointed proxyholder for the Town of Tecumseh to cast its shareholder’s votes at Essex Power Corporation’s 2020 Shareholders’ Annual Meeting scheduled to be held on Wednesday, June 24, 2020.

Financial Services
a. FS-2020-08 2019 Annual Report on Investment and Cash Management.  Administration provides a performance report for various investments made of the Town's funds in order to grow the amount.  The return on investment is in line with other municipalities and good returns have been realized from recent introductions of the ONE investment program from AMO.

b. FS-2020-09 COVID-19 Financial Relief Measures Extended to July 31, 2020.  Administration requests that the amnesty for late fees and interest rates on unpaid taxes be waived until July 31st.

Parks & Recreation Services
a. PRS-2020-15 Cancellation of Summer Events.  Administration recommends the cancellation of various summer events:
Summer Concert Series
Canada Day Celebration
Outdoor Movie Nights
End of Summer Celebration

Planning & Building Services
a. PBS-2020-20 Public Consultation Process for Committee of Adjustment Applications During COVID-19.  Administration advises that Committee of Adjustment applications continue to be received and meetings will be convened shortly through electronic participation.

Public Works & Environmental Services
a. PWES-2020-25 Tecumseh Road Sanitary Sewer - Lesperance to Southfield - Project Update.  The Contractor has advised they intend to start construction in mid-July with works expected to be substantially complete in November 2020.
b. PWES-2020-26 Source Protection Annual Progress Report.The Drinking Water Source Protection Annual Progress Report is received by Town Council and provides status updates on several areas of vulnerability.
c. PWES-2020-19 Amend 2020-2024 PWES Five Year Capital Works Plan Manning Road Pump Station Pond Inlet Erosion Repair.  Administration recommends that the Manning Road Pump Station – Fish Pond Inlet Erosion Repair be added to the PWES 2020-2024 Public Works & Environmental Services Five Year Capital Works Plan and that the expenditure of $100,000 from the Storm Lifecycle Reserve be authorized to complete the Manning Road Pump Station – Fish Pond Inlet Erosion Repair in 2020.  The east bank has been failing in light of increased wave activity and water levels causing the current state of erosion.

For more information on these or other municipal matters, please contact me at (226) 773-1910 or [email protected]