This week, Tecumseh Town Council will be meeting at 5pm to set the 2019 Business Plan and Budget.  The document and accompanying reports can be found here.

Administration is recommending a 2.7% tax levy increase net of growth on the Tecumseh portion of taxes (53% of the total residential tax bill) and represents an increase in the municipal tax bill of approximately $50 on a property assessed at $250,000 (the average assessed value of a home in Tecumseh).

The 2019 budget provides for:

• A $150,000 increase towards the New Infrastructure Levy (NIL).  This fund is intended to enhance existing municipal services.  As an example, new sidewalks could be constructed under this fund.  
• A $100,000 increase towards Lifecycle infrastructure replacement.
• $17.5 million capital expenditure program supported by an increase in Provincial OCIF grant of $377,000 ($700,000 to
  $1,077,000) and Federal Gas Tax grant funding of $1,127,500 (a decrease of $21,000 from 2018 level of $1,148,500).
• Service level enhancements in some areas, including:
  • Extended Parks and Recreation office hours to include evenings and weekends
  • Additional resources to maintain Parks facilities during extended operating hours
  • Additional Parks resources to improve department efficiency and effectiveness and to address health and safety issues
  • Additional Public Works resources by substituting one full-time labourer position for an existing part-time seasonal
    position
• $330,000 for known employee wage and benefit increases including:
  • $170,000 for negotiated wage and related benefit increases,
  • $60,000 for Bill 148 impact of increasing wages for certain part-time/seasonal employees,
  • $55,000 for impact of income tax changes affecting Council compensation, and\
  • $45,000 for employee retirement payouts.
• $330,000 increase to general operations including:
  • $92,000 estimated increase to contracted policing costs,
  • $80,000 increase in materials and supplies, largely impacted by fuel costs, and
  • $130,000 increase to professional services, largely due to various studies to be undertaken during 2019, much of
    which will be funded through reserves.

In addition, Administration is recommending that Town Council set a Public Meeting for Tuesday, January 29th at 7pm to solicit feedback regarding fluoridation of the Town's water supply.  Water is supplied by Windsor but under the Fluoridation Act as it supplies to both Tecumseh and LaSalle, at least one of the municipalities must agree to the change.  The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit has supplied an Oral Health study as a point of information on this subject.  The study can be found here.  Administration is not offering a proposed direction on this matter.

For information on these or other municipal matters, please contact me at 226-773-1910 or andrew@andrewdowie.ca

The first Town Council meeting of 2018 will begin at 5:15pm.

There will be a 45 minute presentation regarding cyber security on the most common computer hacks, and to provide awareness allowing users to protect themselves and the corporation.

At 6pm, a Special Meeting of Council will begin.  The agenda can be found here.  The following will be discussed:

• 2019 - 2022 Advisory and Statutory Committee Appointments
• 2019 - 2022 Board Appointments
  
• Council Compensation Review
  
• Award Nominations

The nominees for each of the proposed committee members and awardees can be found within the agenda.

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

Delegations include:

1. Nicole Dupuis, Director of Health Promotion, and Eric Nadalin, Manager of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention for the Windsor Essex County Health Unit Re: Municipal Considerations for Cannabis Retail
2. Mike Symons, OPP Re: Retail Cannabis Shops in Municipalities
3. Eleanor Groh, Vice Chair Tecumseh Police Service Board Re: 2019 Budget Presentation
4. Luc Gagnon, Director Financial Services & Treasurer, and Tom Kitsos, Deputy Treasurer & Tax Collector  Re: 2019 Proposed Business Plan and Budget

Communications - For Information

1. Windsor-Essex County Health Unit dated October 5, 2018 Re: Cannabis Resolution Recommendation.  The WECHU has supplied a proposed resolution for Council's consideration.
2. St. Clair College dated November 16, 2018 Re: Donation of a 1990 Spartan Pumper Firetruck to their Pre-Service Firefighting Program.  St. Clair College has sent a letter of thanks for the Town's donation of the 1990 Fire Truck.
3. Local Planning Appeal Tribunal - Environment and Land Tribunals dated November 27, 2018 Re: OMB Case No. PL160967 - Tecumseh, Del Duca Industrial Park Ltd., Nabbout Appeal and Burford Appeal.  The Tribunal has granted the Town's request to withhold its order for an additional 6 months to allow for time to continue with discussions between the Town and Friends of Oldcastle Development. 
4. Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing dated November 30, 2018 Re: Congratulations on Success of Municipal Elections.  Minister Steve Clark sends a letter of congratulations to Council for our election.
5. Greater Essex Catholic District School Broad dated November 30, 2018 Re: Cannabis Retail Stores Proximity to Schools.  The School Board is concerned with the minimum separation of 150m (500') from schools, believing it to be too low.
6. Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing dated December 6, 2018  Re: Streamlining Development Approvals.  The Province is seeking to increase opportunity for housing supply and mix, and improve efficiency of the process.

Reports include:

a. Corporate Services & Clerk

1. CS-2018-40 Civil Marriages and Licence Service Update.  Administration has supplied an update regarding this program detailing that the Town has issued 94 marriage licences and performed 13 civil wedding ceremonies.
2. CS-2018-41 2018 Council Orientation Overview.  Administration has summarized the results of the Council Orientation Session of November 19.  As a follow-up, further discussions are scheduled at the Strategic Planning and Priority Setting Session scheduled for Friday, January 25, 2019 at 9:00 am, as well as deliberations on the 2019 Budget at the Special Meeting of Council on Tuesday, January 15, 2019 at 5:00 pm.This item has attachments.  
3. CS-2018-42 Management and Non-Union Administrative Support Staff and Council Economic Salary Adjustment for 2019.  Administration is recommending that Non-Union staff be granted a 2% increase for 2019.
4. CS-2018-45 Dog Commissionaires,  Administration reports that the Dog Tag program was successful, increasing compliance and revenues to the Town from $20,452 in 2017 to $36,486 in 2018 (to date).
5. CS-2018-47 Cannabis Legalization.  Administration recommends that the Corporation of the Town of Tecumseh opt-out of hosting retail cannabis sales.

b.  Financial Services
1. FS-2018-19 2019 Fees and Charges.  Administration has proposed the schedule of fees and charges for 2019.  Fees and charges are raised annually to reflect the increase in CPI over the course of the year. The CPI increase for September 2018 over September 2017 is 2.2% (2017 over 2016 was 1.7%) based on the Ontario All Items Index.  Tax certificates increased from $64 to $70.  Public Works indemnities have been increased to $1,000 and $2,000.  In general, arena and pool / swimming rates have slightly increased.  

c.  Fire & Emergency Services
1. FIRE 2018-09 2019 Fire Five (5) Year Capital Projects Plan 2019 - 2023 Fire Equipment.  Fire is proposing to purchase 4 Swiss Phone pagers $3,000, 5 Firefighter helmets $2,250, 4 Leather boots $2,000, 5 Sets of firefighter bunker gear $13,000 and Vehicle extrication tools $45,000.

d. Parks & Recreation Services
1. PRS-2018-14 2019 - 2023 Arena and Pool Five (5) Year Capital Works Plan.  Administration is recommending approval for the following projects:

Arena

1. Building Environment Control System $ 45,000
2. Sportsplex Architect & Detailed Design $350,000
3. Replacement Spectator Safety Netting $18,000 
4. Replacement Inside Rink B Zamboni Room Garage Door $10,000
5. Inspection of Rink A Exterior Walls $5,000
6. Replacement Work Bay Garage Door $6,000

Pool

1. Tankless Water Heater for Showers $10,000
2. Ultraviolet Disinfection System $15,000
3. Pool Slide Structure Refurbishment $28,000
4. Rebuild Sand Filters $5,000

2. PRS-2018-21 2019 - 2023 Buildings Five (5) Year Capital Works Plan.  Administration is recommending approval for the following projects:

1. Parks Buildings upgrades (paint, block repair, fixtures) $ 15,000
2. Lakewood Pro Shop HVAC $17,000 
3. Fire Hall #1 garage floor $ 8,000
4. St Clair Beach CC fire alarm panel $ 3,000

3.  PRS-2018-23 2019-2023 Parks Five (5) Year Capital Works Plan.  Administration is recommending approval for the following projects:

Park Development

1. Various - Park Bench Replacement and Installation $ 15,000
2. Sports Fields Top Dressing Overseeding -- $ 15,000
3. Basketball Post Replacement - various parks --  $ 10,000
4. In Ground Garbage Containers -- $ 36,300
5. Install Manufactured Wood Chips under Play Sets -- $ 15,000
6. Annual Project Allocations TBD -- $ 10,000 
7. Lakewood North Boardwalk Replacement -- $ 40,000 
8. Green Acres Playset Replacement -- $100,000
9. McAuliffe Park - New Washroom Building -- $450,000 
10. Tecumseh Soccer Fields - Drainage Improvements -- $ 30,000
11. Lacasse Baseball Upgrades -- $ 30,000 
12. Green Acres Tennis Court Crack Sealing -- $ 10,000 
13. St Mary's Park - Walkway -- $ 10,000
14. Parks, Recreation & Trails Master Plan -- $ 45,000
15. Lakewood North - Historical Storyboard Installation -- $ 10,000
16. Park Sign Replacements - various parks -- $ 15,000
17. Drainage Improvements Weston Park -- $ 10,000

Reforestation

1. Tree Planting $ 40,000

e. Planning & Building Services

1. PBS-2018-23 1122 Lesperance Road, CIP Grant No. 3.  Administration recommends approval of a reimbursement of building permit fees for a facade replacement at 1122 Lesperance Road at Lachance Court for a total amount of $561.60.
2. PBS-2018-25 Summary of all CIP Grant Applications and Commercial Fee Moratorium.  Administration has supplied a summary report of all projects funded through the Tecumseh Road Mainstreet Community Improvement Program.

f.  Public Works & Environmental Services

1. PWES-2018-08 PWES 2019-2023 Capital Works Plan

Administration is recommending approval of the projects for the 2019 year, and the Capital Project List 2019-2023:

Sidewalk Projects
1. Sidewalk Repair Program - Various Locations $ - $ 69,000 

New Infrastructure

1. Riverside Drive Trail $ 850,000
2. CR11: Hwy401 to NTR (CWATS Multi-Use Trail) $ 434,600

Road Projects

1. Road Paving - Tar & Chip - $ 100,000
2. Road Paving - Asphalting - $ 1,100,000
3. Road Paving - Crack Sealing $ 100,000
4. Lesperance Road Bike Lane Pavement Markings - $ 110,000
5. Tecumseh Rd/Lacasse Blvd Intersection Improvements - $ 40,000
6. Tecumseh Road CIP - Streetscape Plan & Final Design - $ 1,422,640
7. South Talbot Road Reconstruction - $ 2,330,500
8. Sylvestre Drive Sanitary Sewer Extension - $ 94,000 
9. Scully & St. Mark'sStorm PS/Riverside Drive - $ 43,600
10. Cty Rd 46/Webster/Laval Sanitary Sewer Extension - $ 120,750 
11. Delduca Drive Sanitary Sewer - $ 92,450 
12. Road Needs Study $ - $ 63,000 - $ 63,000
13. Traffic Signal Controller Update - $ 150,000
14. Brighton Road Traffic Study - $ 32,000
15. Road Line Painter - $ 30,000
16. Expansion/Improvements PW Yard (North) - $ 30,000
17. Traffic Calming Guideline Study - $ 20,000

Bridge Projects

1. Culvert #46 (STR Reconstruction) - $ 410,500
2. Culvert #47 (STR Reconstruction) - $ 195,500
3. Bridge #1004 - Sullivan Creek at 12th Concession - $ 250,300
4. Bridge #1013 - Merrick Creek at 8th Concession - $ 250,300
5. Bridge #1014 - Townline Road Drain at 6th Concession - $ 250,300

Water Projects

1. Water & Wastewater Master Plan Update - $ 57,500
2. Tecumseh Road CIP - Streetscape Plan & Final Design - $ 50,250 
3. Hwy#3/County Road 11 Watermain Replacement - $ 134,600 
4. Water Audit and Water Balance - $ 15,000
5. Cty Rd 46/Webster Laval Sanitary Sewer Exten. - $ 80,400 
6. Delduca Drive Sanitary Sewer - $ 5,550 
7. CR42 & CR43 Advanced Engineering - $ 25,000

Water Facility Projects

1. Water Tower Internal Lining Replacement - $ 470,000

Wastewater Projects

1. Water & Wastewater Master Plan Update  - $ 57,500
2. Tecumseh Road CIP - Streetscape Plan & Final Design $ 63,500 
3. Sanitary Sewer Rehab. (I&I Removal) - Phase 3 - $ 3,000,000
4. CR11 (North) Sanitary Sewer Extension - $ 1,152,000
5. Sylvestre Drive Sanitary Sewer Extension $ 186,800
6. Manhole Restoration Program - $ 50,000
7. Cty Rd 46/Webster/Laval Sanitary Sewer Exten. - $ 166,700
8. Scully & St. Mark's Storm PS/Riverside Drive - $ 20,550
9. Delduca Drive Sanitary Sewer - $ 148,500
10. CR42 & CR43 Advanced Engineering - $ 16,000
11. Sanitary Sewer Model Update & Flow Monitioring - $ 250,000

Wastewater Facility Projects

1. Sanitary Pump and Meter Station Improvements $ - $ 32,500 

Stormwater Projects

1. Tecumseh Road CIP - Streetscape Plan & Final Design $ 68,310
2. Storm Drainage Master Plan $ 600,000
3. Oldcastle Storrm Drainage Master Plan - $ 330,000
4. Storm Pump Stations - 2019 Repairs - $ 268,000
5. Manhole Restoration Program - $ 50,000 
6. Cty Rd 46/Webster/Laval Sanitary Sewer Extension- $ 2,400
7. Scully & St. Marks Storm PS/Riverside Drive - $ 733,100
8. Delduca Drive Sanitary Sewer - $ 50,850
9. CR42 & CR43 Advanced Engineering - $ 9,000

2. PWES 2018-32 2019 Water and Wastewater Rates.  Administration recommends the following rate updates for 2019:

• (a) Metered water consumption charge with usage under 10,200 cubic meters per month at $1.1893 per cubic meter, or $5.4067 per 1,000 imperial gallons;
• (b) Metered water consumption charge with usage over 10,200 cubic meters per month at $0.8597 per cubic meter, or $3.9083 per 1,000 imperial gallons;
• (c) metered wastewater collection and treatment charges at $1.2336 per cubic meter, or $5.6081 per 1,000 imperial gallons;
• (d) wastewater collection and treatment charges for Bonduelle North America at $0.8224 per cubic meter, $3.7387 per 1,000 imperial gallons;
• (e) fixed charge for water and wastewater service connections at:
  • 5/8” & ¾” $15.04
  • 1” $26.08
  • 1.5” $51.21
  • 2” $76.29
  • 3” $128.09
  • 4” $206.76
  • 6” $367.67
• (f) flat rate water un-metered consumption charge at $46.60 per month;
• (g) flat rate un-metered wastewater collection and treatment charge at $47.80 per month;
• (h) meter connection charge at $535.00 per meter;
• (i) meter reconnection charge at $89.00 per meter;
• (j) hydrant rental at $89.00 per day;
• (k) Oasis Water Filling Station at $2.10 per cubic meter; and
• (l) Miscellaneous charge at $15.00.

For questions on these or other municipal matters, feel free to reach out at andrew@andrewdowie.ca or 226-773-1910

This week, Town Council begins at 6pm.  The agenda can be found here.

a. Manning Road Secondary Plan
Re: Verbal Report by the Director Planning & Building Services

b. Stormwater Master Plan
Re: Verbal Report from the Director Public Works & Environmental Services

c. McColl Avenue
Re: Verbal Report from the Director Corporate Services & Clerk

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

a. Corporate Services & Clerk
1. CS-2018-31 Taxi Cab Owner License Limitation.  Administration recommends that:

• The number of Taxi Cab Owner Licenses be maintained at a maximum of twelve (12) licenses; and
• The number of Accessible Taxi Cab Owner Licenses be maintained at a minimum of three (3) licenses; and
• The fees and fares set out in Schedule B of By-law No. 2003-85, would be amended, as follows:
  • $4.15 start
  • $2.31 first km
  • $39.60 / hour waiting.

2. CS-2018-35 Unattended Children and Pets in Vehicles during Hot Temperatures.  Administration has supplied a report detailing measures available to prevent heat exhaustion or hyperthermia deaths of unattended children and pets in
vehicles during extreme hot and cold temperatures, including Car Seat Technology, Rear Seat Reminder System in General Motors Vehicles, and After Market Devices.

3. CS-2018-39 Green Acres Optimist Park.  Administration recommends that Green Acres Optimist Park be renamed as “Optimist Park" based on a request from the Optimist Club of St. Clair Beach.

b.  Financial Services
1. FS-2018-17 Award General Insurance and Risk Management Services.  It is recommended that the proposal for the General Insurance & Risk Management Services contract in the amount of $295,428 plus PST be awarded and contracted to Frank Cowan Company Limited; and further that an allocation of $39,000 be made to the Insurance Reserve which provides funding for those years where we have an extraordinary number of deductible payments required.

2.  FS-2018-18 - Contract Renewal - Auditing Services.  It is recommended that the Town approve the contract renewal for KPMG LLP as the external auditors for the Town and BIA for the 2018 to 2022 fiscal years; and that a by-law be prepared appointing KPMG LLP as auditors in accordance with the original Request for Proposal – External Audit Services dated October 4, 2013 and their request for renewal letter dated August 2, 2018.

c. Planning & Building Services
1. PBS-2018-40 Zoning By-law Amendment, 5500 Sexton, D19 5500SE.  Administration recommends the scheduling of a public meeting, to be held on Tuesday, January 22, 2019, at 6:30 p.m., for the application submitted by 538073 Ontario Inc., to amend Sandwich South Zoning By-law 85-18 to rezone an approximate 19.4 hectare (48.0 acre) agricultural property situated on the east side of Sexton Side Road (5500 Sexton Side Road), approximately 325 metres south of its intersection with County Road 46, from “Agricultural Zone (A)” to a site specific “Agricultural Zone (A-28)” in order to:
i) prohibit the construction of a residential dwelling unit in accordance with Section 2.3.4.1 c) of the Provincial Policy Statement; and
ii) prohibit a livestock facility within the existing farm building, in accordance with the Minimum Distance Separation (MDS) Formula, be authorized.

2. PBS-2018-41 2018 Nine Month Permit Report.  Construction values in 2018 are down from 2017.  There was $22.39 Million in building activity this year, down from $33.09 Million in 2017.  392 dwelling units were constructed in 2018, down from 433 in 2017.  A total of 392 permits were issued in 2018, down from 600 in 2017.

3. PBS-2018-42 1122 Lesperance Road, CIP Grant No. 2.  Administration recommends that a Grant Application for the Tecumseh Road Main Street Community Improvement Plan Financial Incentive Program, for the property located at 1122 Lesperance Road (at Lachance - Azar Homes & Edward Jones Investments), be approved and deemed eligible for a Building Façade Improvement Grant in an amount of $15,000.00 towards the cost of the proposed building façade improvement works.

For questions on these or other municipal matters, feel free to contact me at andrew@andrewdowie.ca or 226-773-1910.

Tecumseh Town Council begins this week at 5pm with a Public Meeting to discuss a proposed driveway access to Home Hardware from Westlake Drive.  The matter was considered several years ago and was denied by Town Council at the time.  Owing to continuing difficult conditions with access to the property and turning movements the request is being made to reconsider that previous decision.  The agenda and accompanying report can be found here.

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

A special meeting of Council is being held on Tuesday October 30th at 5pm to discuss a Site Plan Control agreement for the Lakeview Montessori School located at Riverside Drive and St. Mark's.  The full agenda can be found here.

Administration is recommending that Council pass a by-law authorizing the execution of the “Lakeview School” site plan control
agreement, satisfactory in form to the Town’s Solicitor, which allows for a 948 square metre (10,208 square foot) addition to the Lakeview Montessori School, consisting of a 511 square metre (5,503 square foot) gymnasium addition and a 437 square metre
(4,705 square foot) school addition, along with associated parking, landscaping, outdoor playground areas and on-site services/works on 0.64 hectare (1.6 acre) parcel of land situated on the southeast corner of the Riverside Drive/St. Mark’s Road intersection (13797 Riverside Drive).

Work contemplated is as follows:

• The 511 square metre (5,503 square foot) gymnasium addition on the southerly portion of the property and a 437 square metre (4,705 square foot) school addition to the central/internal portion of the property;
• A new asphalted parking area on the southerly portion of the property abutting the proposed new gymnasium that will accommodate 10 vehicles and will include infrastructure to provide proper stormwater drainage. In total, 53 parking spaces (three of which are barrier-free spaces) will be provided on-site;
• Improvements to the existing northerly parking area that will result in improved on-site traffic movement;
• The southerly extension to the existing toddler drop-off lane on the east side of St. Mark’s Road. This improvement is being undertaken in accordance with the Traffic Impact Study that was prepared as part of the aforementioned planning approvals and in response to the traffic concerns on St. Mark’s Road that were identified through the past public consultation process;
• The installation of 12 bike racks (six near the northern school entrance and six near the future gymnasium entrance);
• The installation of planters, trellises and columnar trees along the westerly and southerly building façades of the gymnasium addition. This improvement is being undertaken to reduce the “massing” of the gymnasium and is in response to the
  design/façade concerns that were identified through the past public consultation process. 
• Future playground areas within the 700 square metre (7,534 square foot) area of land that was purchased from the abutting residential property located at 101 Arlington Boulevard. It should be noted that these areas are identified as future uses and the site plan requires that approval of an Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendment will be required prior to these uses being established. The required amendments will restrict the uses within this area solely to passive outdoor recreational uses.

For further information on these or other municipal matters please contact me at (226) 773-1910 or andrew@andrewdowie.ca

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

Items include:

1. CAO-2018-11 CAO Recruitment.  The Mayor, Deputy Mayor and a Community Representative will participate in a hiring committee.  Recruitment advertisements will placed in November, interviews held in December and a recommendation by the Hiring Committee in January to Council for consideration and approval. Allowing time for administrative logistics, the start date for the new CAO will be mid to late February 2019.
2. CS-2018-16 Health and Safety Policy No. 7 Annual Review.  Administration recommends that Health and Safety Policy No. 7, as reviewed for the year 2018, in accordance with Section 25(2)(j) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, be approved; And that Health and Safety Policy No. 7, be posted in all Municipal Buildings.
3. CS-2018-17 Violence and Harassment in the Workplace Policy No. 68 Annual Review.  Administration recommends that the Violence and Harassment in the Workplace Policy No. 68, as revised and appended to Report No. CS-2018-17, be approved;
   And that the approved Violence and Harassment in the Workplace Policy No. 68, be posted in all Municipal Buildings.  The Joint Health and Safety Committee members were not fully in favour of the proposed changes which involve third party reporting to Dunk and Associates for investigation.

A Public Meeting of Council begins at 6pm to discuss the East Townline Drain Report.  The agenda can be found here.  Administration recommends that the Drainage Report and Specifications for the East Townline Drain (St. Clair Outlet) as prepared by Mr. Mark Hernandez, P.Eng., of Dillon Consulting Ltd., dated September 7, 2018 be received; And that consideration be given to the first and second readings of a provisional by-law to adopt the Drainage Report;  And further that the Clerk give notice to all affected landowners of the Court of Revision to be held on Tuesday, November 27, 2018 at 5:00 pm in accordance with Section 46(1) of the Drainage Act subject to adoption of the provisional by-law.

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

For questions on these or other municipal matters, please contact me at (226) 773-1910 or andrew@andrewdowie.ca.

This week, Tecumseh Town Council begins with a Public Council Meeting at 5:30pm.  The agenda and corresponding reports can be found here.

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

This is the second public meeting to consider comments on a rezoning for the former Pud's Place Marina, a 1.3 hectare (3.2 acre) property located on the north side of Tecumseh Road, approximately 45 metres east of its intersection with Brighton Road (14328 and 14346 Tecumseh Road). This commercial property is proposed to be redesignated as "Medium Density Residential" that would allow for the construction of a five-storey condominium apartment building containing 65 units, an accessory marina and limited ground-floor commercial uses, along with associated on-site surface and underground parking.

The developer, Davide Petretta, will present the revised proposal. Various letters of correspondence will also be received relevant to the application.

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

Delegations include:
- Veronica Friesen, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 594, to speak to the agenda item for the Windsor Essex Community Foundation (WECF) Grant Application, and
- Jagmanjot Singh Deol and Bikramjeet Singh, who will be recognized for their life saving efforts

Communications for information include:

a. Community School Alliance dated August 13, 2018 who have supplied minutes regarding their Annual General Meeting
b. Minister of Finance dated August 14, 2018 Re: Preserving Canada's Heritage: the Foundation for Tomorrow. The Minister indicates that the government of Canada will not support a tax credit for the restoration and preservation of heritage properties.
c. Town of Lakeshore dated August 17, 2018 Re: Notice of Adoption OPA No. 13 - Amy Croft Secondary Plan. Lakeshore advises that is has approved the proposed Secondary Plan for the Amy Croft area.
d. Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services dated August 29, 2018 Re: Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act - 2017 Compliance Review. The Ministry has determined that the Town of Tecumseh is compliant with the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act.
e. Township of Selwyn dated August 15, 2018 Re: Provincial Agricultural Systems Mapping. Selwyn is opposed to provincial agricultural mapping changes and is soliciting support to have the system reviewed.

Reports include:

Chief Administrative Officer
1. CAO-2018-08 Royal Canadian Legion Branch 594 WECF Grant Application. The Legion is asking the Town to act as its intermediary in a Grant Application to the Windsor-Essex Community Foundation so that it can apply for funds to improve building accessibility. There is no cost to the Town.

Corporate Services & Clerk
1. CS-2018-23 2019 Council Conferences. This report details the various conferences that members of Council typically attend and their dates for the coming year. Administration is recommending pre-approval for participation in these conferences.

2. CS-2018-24 2019 December Holiday Schedule. Administration is recommending that the Tecumseh Town Hall Offices close for the 2019 December Holiday Season from Monday, December 23, 2019, through to and including Wednesday, January 1, 2020.

3. CS-2018-26 2018 Local Government Week. Administration is recommending that:
- That the Mayor proclaim the week of October 15 to 21, 2018, as Local Government Week (LGW) in the Town of Tecumseh (Town);
And that events and activities be planned for local elementary and secondary students to create awareness in local government and acknowledge its vital role and function in helping to shape the community;
And further that LGW activities and events be posted on the Town’s website, Tecumseh App and Social Media pages (Facebook and Twitter);
And furthermore that Local elementary and secondary schools be invited to participate in the planned events.

4. CS-2018-30 2019 Council Meeting Calendar. Administration is recommending that Council Meetings be cancelled in 2019 for Tuesday, January 8; Tuesday, June 11; Tuesday, August 27; and Tuesday, December 24.

5. CS-2018-33 Integrity Commissioner. Administration is recommending that Mr. Robert Swayze be appointed as the Integrity Commissioner for The Corporation of the Town of Tecumseh (Town) until December 31, 2019.

6. CS-2018-34 Snow and Leaf Angels Program. Administration recommends that the Snow & Leaf Angels Program (Program) continue for the 2018-2019 Fall/Winter season, and that Administration work with area service groups, schools, volunteer organizations and the Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) to recruit volunteers (Snow & Leaf Angels). Volunteer incentives would be funded from Administration (the expense of promotional items).

Financial Services
1. FS-2018-12 Taxes Receivable - June 2018. Administration reports that tax receivables at June 2018 totals $11.9 million of which $1.5 million is due from prior years, compared to $11.8 million and $1.3 million respectively at June 2017. Prior year receivables have been trending downward. The residential class accounts for 68% of total tax revenues and 74% of tax arrears. Commercial class properties account for 17% of total tax revenues and 13% of tax arrears and industrial properties account for 15% of tax revenues and 13% of arrears. Tax arrears per residential property have increased from last year at $5,231 in 2018 compared to $4,334 in 2017.

2. FS-2018-14 Water Bulk Supply Rate Memorandum of Agreement WUC. Administration recommends that the Mayor and Clerk execute the Memorandum of Agreement dated August 14th, 2018 between the Town of Tecumseh, Windsor Utilities Commission and the City of Windsor. There was dispute over the interpretation of the original agreement, and resolution was reached in which there is a financial impact to the average residential consumer water bill of $11.52 per year or a 4.1%
increase. The impact to our large consumer would also be 4.1% which amounts to approximately $13,000 per year.

Planning & Building Services
1. PBS-2018-28 2018 Tecumseh Transit Jan. to June 6 Month Review. Monthly ridership averages for the first six months of 2018 ranged from 77-97riders per day, with the average daily ridership a peak of 97 passengers per day occurring in the month of June. These figures represent similar ridership levels compared with the same period for 2017. The current 2018 monthly high was reached in June when a total of 2,511 passengers boarded the TTS. Overall, total ridership was up approximately 1.5% (or 199 riders) from January-June 2018 when compared against the same time period in 2017.

2. PBS-2018-29, CWATS, Proposed 2019 Projects. Administration recommends that the 2019 CWATS Project - Segment Tec-3:
Construction of Trail, East Side of Walker Road, From North Talbot Road to Highway 401 be completed:
i. The total estimated cost of the trail construction of $369,770, with Tecumseh’s share being $221,862 (60%) and the County’s share being $147,908 (40%). Funding from the Infrastructure Reserve (Attachment 3) for this project, is proposed to be increased from $224,580 to $260,760.

3. PBS-2018-30 2018 Six Month Permit Report. Construction value is down by $6,354,133 or 28.5 percent over last year. This is due in part to a decrease in new residential construction over the previous year and late spring construction
start which results in increased permit activity for the 3rd quarter.

Public Works & Environmental Services
1. PWES-2018-21 National Disaster Mitigation Program - Intake 5. Administration request Council approval to submit two Project Proposal Forms to the federal government (through the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing) for funding under
the National Disaster Mitigation Program (NDMP) for the Sanitary Sewer Collection System Rehabilitation Project Phase 3, and the Oldcastle Storm Drainage Master Plan.

For questions on these or other municipal matters, please contact me at (226) 773-1910 or andrew@andrewdowie.ca

This week, Town Council will convene at 5:30pm for a meeting of the Policies and Priorities Committee. The agenda for this meeting can be found here.

Communications include the Town of Lakeshore dated March 9, 2018 Re: Dog Pound Services.  Lakeshore is requesting input from Town Council regarding the vision for the Dog Pound including a possible rebranding. 

Reports include:

a. CS-2018-19 2018 Keeping of Urban Chickens.  Administration is requesting direction as to whether the raising of chickens ought to be regulated or prohibited within the urban limits of the Town.  The options presented are:

1. Amend the Animal Control By-law No. 1999-07 to prohibit the keeping of urban chickens in urban areas.
2. Prohibit urban chickens in residential areas and allow residents to make a request to Council for an exemption to permit hen coops based on guidelines and criteria to be established. 
3. Regulate the keeping of urban chickens through a permit or licensing program. If this option were preferred, Administration would develop a licensing model and regulations, including an annual permit fee and inspection. The fee would be adequate to cover staffing resources to administer, monitor and enforce the program. 

b. CS-2018-28 Council Post-Retirement Benefits.  A legal opinion has been received stating the Council must enact a separate by-law authorizing access to Post-Retirement Benefits after 16 years of service.  It cannot be addressed administratively.  The extension of benefits exists in several municipalities.  Administration is requesting direction on this item.

c. CS-2018-29 Noise By-law Amendment.  Council has asked to delegate authority for certain noise by-law exemptions.  It is recommended that the Director Parks & Recreation be authorized to grant a noise by-law exemption for special events held in compliance with the Outdoor Special Events Policy No. 85, which do not offer the sale and/or consumption of alcohol and are scheduled within the hours of 8:00am to 11:00 pm.

New Business includes a discussion of the Canada Revenue One-Third Tax Exemption elimination for municipal officials by the Federal Government.  This exemption supplied to Town Councillors a blanket tax credit to cover job-related costs such as mileage.

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

Delegations include Richard Zarour, President; Maria Giorlando, Vice President; Melanie Turner, Treasurer; Optimist Club of St. Clair Beach who will be reporting on Club activities.

Click this week's link here for the full agenda and reports.

The meeting will begin at 7pm with delegations: