Regular Council Meeting Agenda

Tuesday, February 17, 2026 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 - February 17, 2026 4:00 PM

5.

Declarations of Conflict of Interest

6.

Adoption of Published Agenda

6.1

Regular Council Meeting Agenda for February 17, 2026

• That the published agenda for the February 17, 2026 Regular Council Meeting be adopted as presented / amended.

7.

Adoption of Minutes

7.1

Regular Council Meeting Minutes for February 2, 2026

• That the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held February 2, 2026 be adopted as circulated.

8.

Public Presentations

8.1

Garry Rossi, ENWIN Utilities Ltd. (10 minutes)

RE: Recommended Action

• That the delegation by Garry Rossi on behalf of ENWIN Utilities Ltd. be received.

8.2

Rita Jabbour, Manager, Planning Services on behalf of the Essex Municipal Heritage Committee

The 2026 Youth and Community Heritage Preservation Award Winners:

• Cylias Chevalier (Youth Award) for his dedication to the Essex County Steam and Gas Engine Museum
• The Essex County Black Historical Research Society for their dedication to the preservation and promotion of the African-Canadian History of the Windsor-Essex County Area
• The Late Edith Woodbridge for her dedication to the promotion, preservation, and education of our local history

• That the presentation made by Rita Jabbour, Manager, Planning Services on behalf of the Essex Municipal Heritage Committee be received; and

  That Council extends their congratulations to Cylias Chevalier, The Essex County Black Historical Research Society, and the Late Edith Woodbridge, 2026 Youth and Community Preservation Award recipients.

9.

Unfinished Business

10.

Reports from Administration

10.1

Environmental Services-2026-01

RE: Lakeshore Fringe Area Sanitary Study Report

Recommended Action:

• That Environmental Services Report 2026-01 entitled Lakeshore Fringe Area Sanitary Study Report prepared by Rob Mackie, Manager, Environmental Services dated March 3, 2026 be received.

10.2

Operations-2026-01

RE: Christmas Streetlight Decorations in Downtown Cores

Recommended Action:

• That Operations Report 2026-01 entitled Christmas Streetlight Decorations in Downtown Cores prepared by Norm Nussio Manager of Operations & Drainage dated February 17, 2026 be received; and

  That Council direct administration to remove the old-style Christmas decorations from Essex Centre until the replacement of streetlight infrastructure is completed in future phases of the Essex Centre Streetscape.

10.3

Drainage-2026-04

RE: Appointment of an Engineer under Section 78 of the Drainage Act for the North Rear Road Drain

Recommended Action:

• That Drainage Report 2026-04 entitled Appointment of an Engineer under Section 78 of the Drainage Act for the North Rear Road Drain prepared by Lindsay Dean, Drainage Superintendent dated February 17, 2026 be received; and

  That Council appoint Dillon Consulting Limited under Section 78 of the Drainage Act to install a crossing in the North Rear Road Drain.

10.4

Office of the CAO-2026-02

RE: 2026 ROMA Delegation Summary

Recommended Action:

• That Office of the CAO Report 2026-02 entitled 2026 ROMA Delegation Summary prepared by Kate Giurissevich, CPA, CA, Chief Administrative Officer dated February 17, 2025 be received.

10.5

Community Services-2026-01

RE: Green Leaf Park Design

Recommended Action:

• That Community Services Report 2026-01 entitled Green Leaf Park Design prepared by Jake Morassut, Director, Community Services dated February 16, 2026 be received.

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

Municipality of Markstay Warren

RE: Concerns Regarding the Closure of the LifeLabs Laboratory in Greater Sudbury

13.1.2

City of Peterborough

RE: Sustainable Funding for Police Services Request

13.1.3

The Corporation of the County of Prince Edward

RE: Bill 21, Protect Our Food Act, 2025

13.1.4

Essex-Windsor Solid Waste Authority

RE: Green Bin Program Promotion and Education

13.2

Correspondence to be considered for receipt and support

13.2.1

Windsor Essex Child/Youth Advocacy Centre (WECYAC)

RE: Victims and Survivors of Crime Week May 10 to 16, 2026

• That the correspondence from Windsor Essex Child/Youth Advocacy Centre (WECYAC) asking Council to consider proclaiming Victims and Survivors of Crime Week in the Town of Essex be received and supported; and

  That Council proclaim May 10 to 16, 2026 as Victims and Survivors of Crime Week in the Town of Essex by adopting the following resolution:

  Whereas, crime affects not only the immediate victims, witnesses, and survivors, but also deeply impacts their families and the broader community;

  Whereas, child and youth victims, witnesses, and survivors of crime and their families deserve empathy, meaningful support, and dedicated resources to assist in their recovery journey;

  Whereas, the Windsor Essex Child/Youth Advocacy Centre (WECYAC) provides essential services including navigation, referrals, ongoing support, monitoring, advocacy, and specialized intervention for children, youth, and families impacted by crime or violence, promoting justice and healing; and

  Whereas, Victims and Survivors of Crime Week offers an opportunity to recognize WECYAC's essential contributions, increase community awareness, and emphasize the importance of supporting victims, witnesses, and survivors.

  Therefore, I, Sherry Bondy, Mayor of the Town of Essex, on behalf of the Town Council and community at large do hereby proclaim May 10 to 16, 2026 as Victims and Survivors of Crime Week in the Town of Essex.

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

Finance Committee - November 17, 2025

14.2

Committee of Adjustment - November 18, 2025

14.3

Essex Festival Committee - June 26, 2025

14.4

Arts, Culture and Tourism - December 10, 2025

15.

Financial

16.

New Business

17.

Notices of Motion

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 2507

RE: Being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the February 2, 2026, Regular Meeting of Council of the Corporation of the Town of Essex

• That By-Law 2507 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the February 2, 2026, Regular Meeting of Council of the Corporation of the Town of Essex be read a third time and finally passed on February 17, 2026.

19.2

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

19.2.1

By-Law 2511

RE: Being a by-law to authorize the execution of a lease agreement between the Town of Essex and Quinlan Inc. for leasing vacant land for the purposes of farming

• That By-Law 2511 being a by-law to authorize the execution of a lease agreement between the Town of Essex and Quinlan Inc. for leasing vacant land for the purpose of farming be read a first time, a second time and a third time and finally passed on February 17, 2026.

19.2.2

By-Law 2509

RE: Being a by-law to authorize the execution of a Lease Agreement Extension between the Corporation of the Town of Essex and Suncor Energy Products Partnership for the Operation of recreational activity located at 64 King Street West, Harrow, Ontario.

• That By-Law 2509 being a by-law to authorize the execution of a Lease Agreement Extension between the Corporation of the Town of Essex and Suncor Energy Products Partnership for the Operation of recreational activity located at 64 King Street West, Harrow, Ontario be read a first time, a second time and a third time and finally passed on February 17, 2026.

19.3

By-Laws that require a first and second reading

19.3.1

By-Law 2508

RE: Being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the February 17, 2026, Regular Meeting of Council of the Corporation of the Town of Essex

• That By-Law 2508 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the February 17, 2026, Regular Meeting of Council of the Corporation of the Town of Essex be read a first time and a second time and provisionally adopted on February 17, 2026.

20.

Adjournment

• That the meeting be adjourned at [TIME].

21.

Future Meetings

21.1

Monday, March 2, 2026 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, March 16, 2026 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