Regular Council Meeting Agenda

Monday, October 20, 2025 at 6:00 P.m. - 9:00 P.m.

Location: Essex Municipal Building, 33 Talbot Street South

​Accessible formats or communication supports are available upon request. Please contact the Clerk’s Office at [email protected] or 519-776-7336 extension 1100 or 1101.

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1.

Call to Order

2.

Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that this land is the traditional territory of the Three Fires Confederacy of First Nations (comprised of the Ojibway, the Odawa, and the Potawatomi Peoples), and of the Huron-Wendat Peoples. We value the significant historical and contemporary contributions of local and regional First Nations and all of the Original Peoples of Turtle Island who have been living and working on the land from time immemorial.

3.

National Anthem

4.

Closed Meeting Report

• Closed Council Meeting - October 20, 2025

5.

Declarations of Conflict of Interest

6.

Adoption of Published Agenda

6.1

Regular Council Meeting Agenda for October 20, 2025

• That the published agenda for the October 20, 2025 Regular Council Meeting be adopted as presented / amended.

7.

Adoption of Minutes

7.1

Regular Council Meeting Minutes for October 6, 2025

• That the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held October 6, 2025 be adopted as circulated.

8.

Public Presentations

8.1

Heather Crewe, Chair, Education and Outreach, Bicentennial Branch, United Empire Loyalists Association of Canada

RE: Request for Approval to Install Plaques Marking Burial Sites of Loyalists

• That the delegation by Heather Crewe, Chair, Education and Outreach, Bicentennial Branch, United Empire Loyalists Association of Canada regarding the installation of plaques marking Loyalist burial sites be received; and

  That Council approve/deny the request to install plaques marking burial sites of Loyalists.

8.2

Rob Duncan, Owner and Operator, Canadel Harrow Store

RE: 10-minute parking on King Street, Harrow

• That the delegation by Rob Duncan, Owner and Operator, Canadel Harrow regarding the 10-minute parking on King Street be received.

9.

Unfinished Business

10.

Reports from Administration

10.1

Legal and Legislative Services-2025-20

RE: 2026 Municipal and School Board Election Voting Method

Recommended Action:

• That Legal and Legislative Services Report-2025-20 entitled 2026 Municipal and School Board Election Voting Method prepared by Joseph Malandruccolo, Director, Legal and Legislative Services/Clerk dated October 20, 2025 be received;

  That the method of voting for the 2026 Municipal and School Board Election be conducted with the use of online voting technology; and

  That Council direct Administration to conduct the 2026 Municipal and School Board Election in the Town of Essex through the use of online voting technology employing either Option One: Hybrid using Online Voting Platform with In-Person Voting Only and return with the necessary By-law;

  OR

  That Council direct Administration to conduct the 2026 Municipal and School Board Election referred to as Option Two: Fully Online Voting with Voter Assistance Centres and return with the necessary By-Law.

10.2

Operations-2025-11

RE: Winter Control on Sidewalks in the Downtown Cores

Recommended Action:

• That Operations Report-2025-11 entitled Winter Control on Sidewalks in the Downtown Cores prepared Norman Nussio, Manager, Operations and Drainage dated October 20, 2025, be received for information.

10.3

Information Technology-2025-03

RE: Results of Request for Proposal – Council Chambers Design, Supply and Install Audio-Visual Equipment

Recommended Action:

• That Information Technology Report-2025-03 entitled Results of Request for Proposal – Council Chambers Design, Supply and Install Audio-Visual Equipment prepared by Jack Barron dated October 22, 2025 be received; and

  That Council award the Council Chambers Design, Supply and Install Audio-Visual Equipment (RFP-GG-25-001) to Matrix Video Communications Corporation in the amount of $127,188.81, including non-refundable Harmonized Sales Tax (NRHST).

10.4

 Verbal Report by Kevin Girard, Director, Infrastructure Services

RE: Accident Rates at the corner of County Road 11 and Concession Road 11

Recommended Action:

• That the verbal report by Kevin Girard, Director, Infrastructure Services regarding accident rates at the corner of County Road 11 and Concession Road 11, be received for information.

10.5

Office of the CAO-2025-08

RE: 2026 Conference Listing

Recommended Action:

• That CAO Report-2025-08 entitled 2026 Conference Listing prepared by Kate Giurissevich, Chief Administrative Officer dated October 20, 2025, be received for information.

10.6

Legal and Legislative Services-2025-24

RE: Sale of 36 Queen Street and a portion of 25 Queen Street

Recommended Action:

• That Legal and Legislative Services Report-2025-24 entitled Sale of 36 Queen Street and a portion of 25 Queen Street be received;

  That Council confirm the authority provided in Closed session to enter into a binding agreement of purchase and sale of 36 Queen Street, Harrow, and a portion of 25 Queen Street, Harrow; and

  That By-Law 2489 being a by-law for the disposition of surplus lands (36 Queen Street and a Portion of 25 Queen Street, Harrow) by the Corporation of the Town of Essex be read a first, a second and a third time and finally passed on October 20, 2025.

10.6.1

By-Law 2489

10.7

Development Services-2025-07

RE: County of Essex Development Charges

Recommended Action:

• That Development Services Report-2025-07 entitled County of Essex Development Charges prepared by Lori Chadwick, Director, Development Services dated October 20, 2025 be received for information.

10.8

Corporate Services-2025-02

RE: Skeates Drain Septic System Installation Assistance Loan Program

Recommended Action:

• That Corporate Services Report-2025-02 entitled Skeates Drain Septic System Installation Assistance Loan Program prepared by Kate Rowe dated October 20, 2025 be received;

  That Council direct Administration to move forward with finalizing the Skeates Drain Septic System Installation Assistance Loan Program using the structure identified in the report; and

  That By-Law 2488, Being a By-Law to Authorize the Town of Essex Septic System Installation Assistance Loan Program and the undertaking of septic system installation on private residential property as Local improvements, be read a first, a second, and a third time and finally passed on October 20, 2025.

10.8.1

By-Law 2488

10.9

Parks and Facilities-2025-08

RE: Overnight Parking at Facilities

Recommended Action:

• That Parks and Facilities Report-2025-08, entitled Overnight Parking at Facilities, prepared by Jake Morassut, Director, Community Services dated October 20, 2025, be received; and

  That Council direct Administration to implement a process for overnight parking at the Essex Centre Sports Complex and the Harrow and Colchester South Community Centre, which includes a permitting process, the addition of signage to the parking lots, and the addition of the regulations as part of the future revised Parking By-Law.

11.

Reports from Youth Members

12.

County Council Update

13.

Correspondence

13.1

Correspondence to be received

• That all of the correspondence listed in Agenda Item 13.1 be received, and, where indicated, to further share such information with the community using suitable methods of communication.

13.1.1

Halton Region

RE: Public Safety Requirements to Protect Our Communities

13.1.2

Township of Edwardsburgh Cardinal

RE: Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF)

13.1.3

Essex-Windsor Solid Waste Authority

RE: Regular Board Meeting Minutes - July 9, 2025

13.2

Correspondence to be considered for receipt and support

13.2.1

Unifor Local 444 LGBTQ Committee

RE: Flag Request from Unifor Local 444 LGBTQ Committee for Transgender Day of Remembrance - November 16, 2025

• That the request from Unifor Local 444 LGBTQ Committee for their flag to be flown at Town Hall on November 16, 2025, in support of Transgender Day of Remembrance in the Town of Essex be received or received and supported.

14.

Committee Meeting Minutes

• That the Committee Meeting minutes listed in Agenda Item 14, together with any recommendations to Council noted therein, be received, approved and adopted as circulated.

14.1

Personnel Committee - September 2, 2025

Recommendation to Council:

PC-25-05
Moved By Deputy Mayor Shepley, Vice Chair
Seconded By Councillor Garon

That the Personnel Committee recommend to Council the adoption of the Recruitment Policy as presented in HR Report 2025-05 by resolution at the next regular Council meeting.

Carried

14.2

Arts, Culture and Tourism - September 10, 2025

15.

Financial

16.

New Business

17.

Notices of Motion

17.1

The following Notices of Motion were presented at the October 6, 2025 Regular Council Meeting and are being brought forth this evening for Council's consideration:

17.1.1

Mayor Bondy

• Moved by Mayor Bondy

  That Council direct Administration to provide a report detailing the state of Municipal Drains bounded by County Road 50 from Erie Road to County Road 41 in the Town of Essex and that such report include the number of drains, capacity of drains, and whether or not Council has any ability to implement drainage works without a petition from residents.

17.1.2

Mayor Bondy

• Moved by Mayor Bondy

  That Council direct Administration to provide a debriefing report on the flooding that occurred in Harrow on September 24, 2025. This report should include updates on actions or initiatives that the Town is doing to help address this flooding. 

17.2

The following Notices of Motion are for presentment only and will be brought forward for Council's consideration at the November 3, 2025 Regular Council Meeting:

17.2.1

Councillor Matyi

Moved By: Councillor Matyi

Whereas new residential and subdivision growth is occurring across the Town of Essex — including in Harrow, McGregor, Colchester, and surrounding rural areas — at times on land that has historically provided drainage outlets for neighbouring farms, older subdivisions, and existing residential properties; and

Whereas changes to grading, filling, or the installation of new stormwater systems may require that longstanding drainage routes be altered or re-routed to accommodate development; and

Whereas it is important that new development respect existing landowners and preserve established drainage systems to prevent avoidable conflicts and property damage.

Therefore, be it resolved that:

1. Council direct Administration to prepare a report describing how new development projects are assessed for drainage impacts:

• Existing surface and subsurface drainage outlets are preserved, rerouted, or replaced to a proper legal outlet;
• Engineering submissions demonstrate that drainage from neighbouring properties will continue to flow safely and without obstruction; and
• Appropriate easements or drainage blocks are secured as part of subdivision or site plan approvals.

2. That the report include, if necessary, recommendations on policy or process updates—such as changes to the Town’s Development Standards Manual, Official Plan policies, or subdivision conditions—to make these protections a consistent requirement for all new developments town-wide.

17.2.2

Councillor McGuire-Blais

Moved By: Councillor McGuire-Blais

Whereas, at its August 13, 2025, meeting, the Essex Centre Business Improvement Area passed a motion providing direction to Councillor McGuire-Blais to request that Town Council commission an on-street parking report.

Now therefore, that Council direct administration to prepare a report to evaluate existing and potential time limitations for on-street parking within the Essex Centre downtown core that includes community feedback from Essex residents and businesses. 

18.

Reports and Announcements from Council Members

19.

By-Laws

19.1

By-Laws that require a third and final reading

19.1.1

By-Law 2484

RE: Being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the October 6, 2025, Regular Meeting of Council of the Corporation of the Town of Essex

• That By-Law 2484 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the October 6, 2025, Regular Meeting of Council of the Corporation of the Town of Essex be read a third time and finally passed on October 20, 2025.

19.1.2

By-Law 2475

RE: Being a By-Law to provide that Part Lot Control shall not apply to certain lands within Registered Plan 12M-478

• That By-Law 2475 being a By-Law to provide that Part Lot Control shall not apply to certain lands within Registered Plan 12M-478 be read a third time and finally passed on October 20, 2025.

19.2

By-Laws that require a first, second, third and final reading

19.3

By-Laws that require a first and second reading

19.3.1

By-Law 2487

RE: Being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the October 20, 2025, Regular Meeting of Council of the Corporation of the Town of Essex

• That By-Law 2487 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the October 20, 2025, Regular Meeting of Council of the Corporation of the Town of Essex be read a first and a second time and provisionally adopted on October 20, 2025.

20.

Adjournment

• That the meeting be adjourned at [TIME].

21.

Future Meetings

21.1

Monday, November 3, 2025 6:00 - 9:00 PM, Regular Council Meeting

Location: 33 Talbot Street South, Essex, ON N8M 1A8
Livestream available at https://www.youtube.com/EssexOntario

21.2

Monday, November 17, 2025 6:00 - 9:00 PM, Regular Council Meeting

Location: 33 Talbot Street South, Essex, ON N8M 1A8
Livestream available at https://www.youtube.com/EssexOntario