Regular Council Meeting Agenda

Monday, March 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 - March 3, 2025 4:00 PM
• Closed Council Meeting - March 3, 2025 5:00 PM

5.

Declarations of Conflict of Interest

6.

Adoption of Published Agenda

6.1

Regular Council Meeting Agenda for March 3, 2025

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

7.

Adoption of Minutes

7.1

Regular Council Meeting Minutes for February 18, 2025

• That the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held February 18, 2025 be adopted as circulated.

7.2

Special Council Meeting Minutes for January 20, 2025

RE: Committee of the Whole

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

8.

Public Presentations

8.1

Rodney Bouchard, General Manager and Chief Executive Officer, Union Water Supply System (UWSS)

RE: Union Water Supply System Presentation

• That the presentation by Rodney Bouchard, General Manager and Chief Executive Officer, Union Water Supply System (UWSS) be received.

8.2

Derek Roy, Manager of Supports overseeing Career Compass, and Tammy Dalgleish, Employment Specialist on the Career Campus, Community Living Essex County

RE: Community Living Essex County - Career Compass

• That the presentation by Derek Roy, Manager of Supports overseeing Career Compass, and Tammy Dalgleish, Employment Specialist on the Career Campus, Community Living Essex Community Living be received.

9.

Unfinished Business

10.

Reports from Administration

10.1

Fire and Rescue Services-2025-02

RE: Essex Fire and Rescue 2024 Annual Report

Recommended Action:

• That Fire and Rescue Services Report-2025-02 entitled Essex Fire and Rescue 2024 Annual Report prepared by Jason Pillon, Fire Chief, Fire and Rescue Services, dated March 3, 2025, be received for information.

10.2

Fire and Rescue Services-2025-03

RE: Grant Funding – The Ministry of the Solicitor General, Office of the Fire Marshal - Fire Protection Grant

Recommeded Action:

• That Fire and Rescue Services Report-2025-03 entitled Grant Funding – The Ministry of the Solicitor General, Office of the Fire Marshal - Fire Protection Grant, prepared by Jason Pillon, Fire Chief, Fire and Rescue Services, dated March 3, 2025, be received; and

  That Council approve the 2025 post budget approval for the Capital Project Firefighter Cancer Prevention Supplies in the amount of $24,691.35, to be fully funded from grant funding received from The Ministry of the Solicitor General, Office of the Fire Marshal which will further strengthen and improve the Essex Fire and Rescue Services cancer prevention measures.

10.3

Fire and Rescue Services-2025-04

RE: Cobalt Magnet (CM25) Nuclear Emergency Exercise

Recommended Action:

• That Fire and Rescue Services Report-2025-04 entitled Cobalt Magnet (CM25) Nuclear Emergency Exercise prepared by Jason Pillon, Fire Chief, Fire and Rescue Services, dated March 3, 2025, be received for information.

10.4

Parks and Facilities-2025-03

RE: Results of Request for Proposal – Design, Supply, and Install Playground Equipment for Co-An Park

Recommended Action:

• That Parks and Facilities Report-2025-03 entitled Results of Request for Proposal – Design, Supply, and Install Playground Equipment for Co-An prepared by Jake Morassut, Director, Community Services, dated March 3, 2025, be received; and

  That Council award the Request for Proposal to Design, Supply, and Install Playground Equipment for Co-An Park to New World Park Solutions Inc in the amount of $389,791.00 (including non-refundable tax), with 50% funded from the Town of Amherstburg.

10.5

Legal and Legislative Services-2025-01

RE: Greenhouse Light Abatement By-Law (2025)

Recommended Action:

• That Legal and Legislative Services Report-2025-01 entitled Greenhouse Light Abatement By-Law (2025) prepared by Joe Malandruccolo, Director, Legal and Legislative Services/Clerk, dated March 3, 2025, be received; and

  That By-Law 2211 being a by-law to require the abatement of interior greenhouse light emissions be read a first and a second time and provisionally adopted on March 3, 2025.

10.5.1

By-Law 2211

10.6

Operations-2025-01

RE: Erie Wellington Crosswalk

Recommended Action:

• That Operations Report-2025-01 entitled, Erie Wellington Crosswalk prepared by Norm Nussio, Manager, Operations and Drainage, dated March 3, 2025, be received for information.

10.7

Development Services-2025-01

RE: Noise By-Law Amendments

Recommended Action:

• That Development Services Report-2025-01 entitled Noise By-Law Amendments prepared by Lori Chadwick, Director, Development Services dated March 3, 2025 be received; and

  That By-Law 2242, being a by-law to repeal and replace By-Law 2038 to prohibit and regulate noise in the Town of Essex, be read a first and a second time and provisionally adopted on March 3, 2025.

10.7.1

By-Law 2242

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

Support Canadian Business and Consumers

13.1.1.1

Township of Uxbridge

RE: Implementation of Buy Canadian Policy

13.1.1.2

Eastern Ontario Warden's Caucus (EOWC)

RE: EOWC Support of Canadian and Ontario Governments’ Negotiations with the United States Government on Trade Tariffs

13.1.1.3

Township of Archipelago

RE: Support Canadian Business and Consumers

13.1.2

Town of Essex 2024 Water Reports

RE: 2024 Annual and Summary Water Reports

13.1.3

The City of Windsor

RE: Opioids Crisis and Homeless Encampments

13.1.4

Town of Goderich

RE: Wide Licensing Framework for Rideshare Companies

13.1.5

City of Woodstock

RE: Speeding, Distracted Driving, and Impaired Driving

13.2

Correspondence to be considered for receipt and support

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

Co-An Park Committee - December 11, 2024

14.2

Essex Centre Business Improvement Area (BIA) - January 15, 2025

14.3

Committee of Adjustment - January 21, 2025

14.4

Essex Festival Committee - January 29, 2025

14.5

Essex Municipal Heritage Committee - January 30, 2025

14.6

Finance Committee - February 18, 2025

Recommendation to Council:

FIN25-02-15
Moved By Mayor Bondy
Seconded By Councillor Garon

That the Finance Committee recommend that Council direct the Community Services staff meet with the Executive of the Essex Youth Centre to see what programs for youth were provided in 2024 and what programs are scheduled for 2025 to avoid duplication in programs.

Carried

15.

Financial

16.

New Business

17.

Notices of Motion

17.1

The following Notices of Motion were presented at the February 18, 2025 Regular Council Meeting and are being brought forward this evening for Council's consideration:

17.1.1

Mayor Bondy

• Moved by Mayor Bondy

  That Council direct Administration to review the amount of garbage containers in our downtown cores to be effective in keeping our community clean, this includes the addition of cigarette butt containers as well.

17.1.2

Mayor Bondy

• Moved by Mayor Bondy

  That the Council of the Town of Essex direct the Town’s Administration to request more information from the County of Essex regarding the proposed uploading of the management of phragmites to the County of Essex in advance of making a decision at the local level. Information such as scope, level of service and costs associated with the program would be helpful in determining next steps.

17.2

The following Notices of Motion are for presentment only and will be brought forward for Council's consideration at the March 17, 2025 Regular Council Meeting

17.2.1

Mayor Bondy

Moved by Mayor Bondy

That Council direct Administration to prepare a report identifying ways the Town can encourage Canadian purchasing, while still acting within applicable legislation, including an assessment of our current procurement by-law and potential revisions to achieve this.

17.2.2

Deputy Mayor Shepley

Moved by Deputy Mayor Shepley

Whereas the Essex Centre Streetscape project is now complete; and

Whereas it is essential to evaluate how the revised streetscape plan has affected traffic flow and to identify opportunities for improving signage to enhance traffic efficiency and pedestrian safety; the key goals of the project.

Be it resolved that Council direct Administration to prepare a report addressing the following traffic efficiency and pedestrian safety aspects of the project, as a thorough review of these aspects will help ensure that traffic flow remains efficient and pedestrian safety is optimized in alignment with the Streetscape project's objectives:

1. No Left Turn Restriction into Schinkel’s
• Provide the rationale for the existing restriction on left turns into Schinkel’s when traveling north on Talbot.
• Explore options for removing the restriction, including potential impacts and considerations.
2. No Left Turn Restriction onto Laird Avenue
• Provide the rationale for the newly implemented restriction on left turns onto Laird Avenue when traveling north on Talbot.
• Assess the feasibility of removing this restriction or introducing a time-based restriction, including potential impacts and considerations.
3. Feasibility of Flashing Indicators at Key Crosswalks
• Evaluate the potential for implementing flashing indicator functions at the two busiest crosswalks in Essex Centre:
• Talbot & Wilson
• Talbot & Laird Avenue
• Include legislative requirements, estimated costs, and necessary steps for implementing new crosswalk controls at these locations.

17.2.3

Councillor Matyi

Moved by Councillor Matyi

Whereas the Town of Essex recognizes high-speed internet access as a basic human right and essential for residents, businesses, and agriculture; and

Whereas due to the challenges of limited broadband in rural areas, particularly in Essex County, Council for the Town of Essex advocates for increased investment in rural broadband infrastructure; and

 Whereas Council for the Town of Essex urges that the procurement for these services prioritize Canadian-based companies and exclude foreign providers, ensuring security, job creation, and adherence to Canadian standards.

 Now therefore, that Council direct Administration to draft a letter to be signed by the Mayor of the Town and sent to the Ontario and Federal Governments, as well as local MPPs and MPs advocating for these priorities, highlighting the importance of equitable access to reliable internet and emphasizing that rural broadband is crucial for economic development, education, healthcare, and overall community well-being.

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 2420

RE: Being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the February 18, 2025, Regular Meeting of Council of the Corporation of the Town of Essex

• That By-Law 2420 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the February 18, 2025, Regular Meeting of Council of the Corporation of the Town of Essex be read a third time and finally passed on March 3, 2025.

19.2

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

19.2.1

By-Law 2424

RE: Being a by-law to authorize an amendment to a lease agreement between the Town of Essex and the Harrow Health Centre Incorporated for office space at the McGregor Community Centre located at 9571 Walker Road, McGregor, Ontario

• That By-Law 2424 being a by-law to authorize an amendment to a lease agreement between the Town of Essex and the Harrow Health Centre Incorporated for office space at the McGregor Community Centre located at 9571 Walker Road, McGregor, Ontario be read a first, a second and a third time and finally passed on March 3, 2025.

19.2.2

By-Law 2425

RE: Being a By-Law to amend By-Law 2404, being a by-law to provide for the dedication of parkland or the payment in lieu thereof for all development or redevelopment in the Town of Essex

• That By-Law 2425 being a By-Law to amend By-Law 2404, being a by-law to provide for the dedication of parkland or the payment in lieu thereof for all development or redevelopment in the Town of Essex be read a first, a second, and a third time and finally passed on March 3, 2025.

19.2.3

By-Law 2426

RE: Being a by-law to name the extension of the street Ducharme Lane on the Draft Plan of Subdivision for Part of Lots 1 and 2, Concession 12, and the section of the road from the 12th Concession to Ducharme Lane in the Geographic Township of Colchester in the Town of Essex

• That By-Law 2426 being a by-law to name the extension of the street “Ducharme Lane” on the Draft Plan of Subdivision for Part of Lots 1 and 2, Concession 12 and the section of the road from the 12th Concession to Ducharme Lane in the Geographic Township of Colchester in the Town of Essex be read a first, a second and a third time and finally passed on March 3, 2025.

19.3

By-Laws that require a first and second reading

19.3.1

By-Law 2423

RE: Being a By-Law to amend By-Law 384, being a by-law respecting fences to be erected within the municipal limits of the Town of Essex

• That By-Law 2423 being a by-law to amend By-Law 384, being a by-law respecting fences to be erected within the municipal limits of the Town of Essex be read a first and a second time and provisionally adopted on March 3, 2025.

19.3.2

By-Law 2427

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

• That By-Law 2427 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the March 3, 2025, Regular Meeting of Council of the Corporation of the Town of Essex be read a first, a second and provisionally adopted on March 3, 2025.

20.

Adjournment

• That the meeting be adjourned at [TIME].

21.

Future Meetings

21.1

Monday, March 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.come/EssexOntario

21.2

Monday, April 7, 2025, 6:00-9:00 PM, Regular Council Meeting

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