Regular Council Meeting Agenda

Monday, November 03, 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 - November 3, 2025 

5.

Declarations of Conflict of Interest

6.

Adoption of Published Agenda

6.1

Regular Council Meeting Agenda for November 3, 2025

• That the published agenda for the November 3, 2025 Regular Council Meeting be adopted as presented / amended.

7.

Adoption of Minutes

7.1

Regular Council Meeting Minutes for October 20, 2025

• That the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held October 20, 2025 be adopted as circulated.

8.

Public Presentations

8.1

Verbal Report by Councillor Matyi

RE: Water Quality Open House

• That the verbal report by Councillor Matyi regarding the Water Quality Open House be received.

9.

Unfinished Business

10.

Reports from Administration

10.1

Legal and Legislative Services-2025-23

RE: Taxicab Licensing

Recommended Action:

• That Legal and Legislative Services Report-2025-23 entitled, Taxicab Licensing prepared by Cory Simard, Manager, Legal, Licensing & Enforcement dated November 3, 2025, be received; and

  That By-Law 2486, being a By-Law to amend By-Law 1052 being a By-Law to provide for licensing, regulating and governing of taxicabs and taxicab drivers in the Town of Essex effective from December 1, 2025 to December 31, 2026, be read for a first and second time and provisionally adopted on November 3, 2025.

10.1.1

By-Law 2486

10.2

Recreation and Culture-2025-03

RE: 2025 Update on Recreation and Culture Programs

Recommended Action:

• That Recreation and Culture Report-2025-03 entitled Update on Recreation and Culture programming, prepared by Zak Kolasa, Acting Assistant Manager, Programs dated November 3, 2025, be received for information.

10.3

Finance and Business Services-2025-06

RE: Heritage Groups

Recommended Action:

• That Finance and Business Services Report-2025-06, entitled Heritage Groups prepared by Ann Marie Unis, dated November 3, 2025, be received for information.

10.4

Office of the CAO-2025-07

RE: Organizational Review Update

Recommended Action:

• That Office of the CAO Report-2025-07 entitled Annual Status Update to the 2024 Organizational Review prepared by Kate Giurissevich, CPA, CA, Chief Administrative Officer dated November 3, 2025 be received for information.

10.5

Legal and Legislative Services-2025-21

RE: Integrity Commissioner Services 2025 Proposal

Recommended Action:

• That Legal and Legislative Services Report-2025-01 entitled Results of Request for Proposal – Integrity Commissioner Services prepared by Joe Malandruccolo, Director, Legal and Legislative Services/Clerk dated November 3, 2025, be received;

  That Council accept the resignation of Bruce Elman as Integrity Commissioner for the Town of Essex, effective November 30, 2025;

  That Council approve the appointment of Suzanne Craig, operating as SC Consulting, as Integrity Commissioner for the Town of Essex, effective December 1, 2025, through to November 30, 2027, with two options to extend for an additional two years each; and  

  That Council direct the Clerk to do such things and execute such documents required to give effect to the foregoing.

10.6

Drainage-2025-09

RE: Acceptance of Tender Langlois Arner Drain

Recommended Action:

• That Drainage Report-2025-09 entitled Results of Request for Tender- Langlois-Arner Drainage System prepared by Lindsay Dean, Drainage Superintendent dated November 3, 2025 be received; and

  That Council award Request for Tender- Langlois-Arner Drainage System to Major Construction 2010 Ltd. in the amount of $616,614.72 including non-refundable Harmonized Sales Tax.

10.7

Drainage-2025-10

RE: Appointment of Engineer for Philip Ferris Drain

Recommended Action:

• That Drainage Report-2025-10 entitled Appointment of an Engineer under Section 78 of the Drainage Act for the Philip Ferris Drain prepared by Lindsay Dean, Drainage Superintendent dated November 3, 2025 be received; and

  That Council appoint N.J. Peralta Engineering Ltd. under Section 78 of the Drainage Act for the Philip Ferris Drain.

10.8

Drainage-2025-11

RE: Appointment of Engineer to Banks Drain

Recommended Action:

• That Drainage Report 2025-11 entitled Appointment of an Engineer under Section 78 and 76 of the Drainage Act for the Banks Drain prepared by Lindsay Dean, Drainage Superintendent dated November 3, 2025 be received; and

  That Council appoint RC Spencer Associates Inc. under Section 78 and 76 of the Drainage Act to review the Banks Drain in conjunction with their current appointment for the Sinasac Drain.

10.9

Operations-2025-03

RE: Results of Request for Tender-Supply of Bulk Winter Salt

Recommended Action:

• That Operations Report-2025-03 entitled Results of Request for Tender-Supply of Bulk Winter Salt prepared by Norm Nussio, Manager, Operations and Drainage dated November 3, 2025, be received;

  That Council Award Results of Request for Tender-Supply of Bulk Winter Salt to Windsor Salt Ltd. in the estimated amount of $496,200.00 including non-refundable HST; and

  That Council authorize over expenditures incurred for 2025-2026 Winter Control to be funded from the Contingency Reserve for Winter Control.

10.10

Operations-2025-12

RE: Results of Request for Quotation - Sidewalk Winter Control Essex, Harrow and Colchester Centres

Recommended Action:

• That Operations Report-2025-12 entitled Results of Request for Quotation-Sidewalk Winter Control Essex, Harrow and Colchester Centres prepared by Norm Nussio Manager of Operations and Drainage dated November 3, 2025, be received;

  That Council award Results of Request for Quotation-Sidewalk Winter Control Essex, Harrow and Colchester Centres to Landscape Effects Group in the estimated amount of $135,000.00 per year including non-refundable taxes with an option to extend another 2 years; and

  That Council authorize excess expenditures incurred over the 2025-2026 Winter Control budgets to be funded from contingency reserve for Winter Control.

11.

Reports from Youth Members

12.

County Council Update

• That the County of Essex, Regular Meeting minutes listed in Agenda Item 12, be received.

12.1

County of Essex Council Meeting Minutes - September 17, 2025

12.2

County of Essex Council Meeting Minutes - October 1, 2025

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

The Corporation of The Township of Stone Mills

RE: Advocacy for Funds to Effectively Manage the Emerald Ash Borer Infestation

13.1.2

The Town of Plympton-Wyoming

RE: Conservation Fee Freeze

13.1.3

Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury

RE: Removing HST/GST from New Homes to Support Housing Affordability

13.2

Correspondence to be considered for receipt and support

13.2.1

Windsor-Essex County Health Unit

RE: Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week 

• Whereas, antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines, making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness, and death. Antimicrobial resistance harms our health, food systems, environment and economies; and,  

  Whereas, the range of antibiotic use varies from 403 per 1000 to 755 per 1000 residents across Ontario. Windsor-Essex County (WEC) leads the highest prescribing at 755 prescriptions per 1000 residents in comparison to the provincial average of 535 per 1000 residents; and,  

  Whereas, antimicrobial resistance is recognized as one of the most urgent public health challenges of our time. If current antibiotic use continues, it is estimated that by 2050 approximately 10 million people worldwide could die annually from infections caused by resistant organisms. In 2021, bacterial drug-resistant infections were associated with an estimated 4.71 million deaths globally, of which 1.14 million deaths were directly attributable to bacterial antimicrobial resistance; and,

  Whereas, without decisive global action, up to 39 million deaths could be directly attributable to bacterial antimicrobial resistance between 2025 and 2050 – equivalent to three deaths every minute; and

  Whereas, World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week, observed annually from November 18-24, aims to increase both public and professional awareness of antimicrobial resistance. The campaign promotes best practices across healthcare settings to prevent the spread of drug-resistant infections and to preserve the effectiveness of antimicrobials for future generations; and,

  Whereas, this November, the Town of Essex proudly joins the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) in raising awareness of antimicrobial resistance and promoting the responsible use of antimicrobials among healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the public; and,  

  Therefore: I, Sherry Bondy, Mayor of the Town of Essex, do hereby proclaim November 18, 2025 – November 24, 2025, “Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week” in the Town of Essex.  

13.2.2

Essex Region Conservation Authority

RE: Essex Region Source Protection Committee

• That the correspondence from Essex Region Conservation Authority regarding the Essex Region Source Protection Committee be received; and 

  That Council endorse the appointment of Taryn Azzopardi, City of Windsor to the Essex Region Source Protection Authority as a regular member with an expected appointment date of February 12, 2026 for a term of 5 years.

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

Committee of Adjustment - September 16, 2025

14.2

Essex Centre Business Improvement Area - September 17, 2025

14.3

Santa's Village - September 18, 2025

15.

Financial

16.

New Business

17.

Notices of Motion

17.1

The following Notices of Motion were presented at the October 20, 2025 Regular Council Meeting and are being brought forth this evening for Council's consideration:

17.1.1

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.

17.1.2

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 and Harrow downtown cores that includes community feedback from Essex residents and businesses. 

17.2

The following Notice of Motion is for presentment only and will be brought forward for Council's consideration at the November 17, 2025 Regular Council Meeting:

17.2.1

Mayor Bondy

Moved By: Mayor Bondy

That Town of Essex Council direct Administration to investigate options for an affordable housing subsidy program to help non-profits who supply Affordable Residential Units in our community to use the subsidy to leverage grants dollars and that such program be included in the 2026 Town of Essex budget document for deliberation.

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 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 third time and finally passed on November 3, 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 2484

RE: Use of Vote Counting Equipment and Advance Voting Dates for the 2026 Town of Essex Municipal Election

• That By-Law 2484 be read a first and a second time and provisionally adopted on November 3, 2025.

19.3.2

By-Law 2492

RE: Being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the November 3, 2025, Regular Meeting of Council of the Corporation of the Town of Essex

• That By-Law 2492 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the November 3, 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 November 3, 2025.

20.

Adjournment

• That the meeting be adjourned at [TIME].

21.

Future Meetings

21.1

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

21.2

Monday, November 24, 2025 4:00 - 7:00 PM, Regular Council Meeting

RE: 2026 Budget Walkthrough

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

21.3

Monday, December 1, 2025 4:30 - 6:00 PM, Special Council Meeting

RE: Industrial Community Improvement Plan (CIP) Study

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

21.4

Monday, December 1, 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