Regular Council Meeting Agenda

Tuesday, February 18, 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

5.

Declarations of Conflict of Interest

6.

Adoption of Published Agenda

6.1

Regular Council Meeting Agenda for February 18, 2025

• That the published agenda for the February 18, 2025 Regular Council Meeting be adopted as presented / amended.

7.

Adoption of Minutes

7.1

Regular Council Meeting Minutes for February 3, 2025

• That the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held February 3, 2025 be adopted as circulated.

7.2

Special Council Meeting Minutes for December 16, 2024

RE:  Zoning By-Law Amendment at 0 Maidstone Avenue West, Essex Centre

• That the minutes of the Special Council Meeting held December 16, 2024 be adopted as circulated.

8.

Public Presentations

8.1

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

The 2025 Community Heritage Preservation Award Winners:

• Heritage Colchester for their dedication to the preservation and restoration of the Colchester Schoolhouse.
• Heritage Essex for their dedication to the preservation and promotion of the history of the Essex Railway Station.
• Edward Milo Johnson for his dedication to the preservation and promotion of local black history and genealogy.
• The late Gerald Anthony Pouget for his dedication to the promotion and education of local history in his community and for the students of Harrow Highschool.

• 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 Heritage Colchester, Heritage Essex, Edward Milo Johnson, and the late Gerald Anthony Pouget, 2025 Community Preservation Award recipients

8.2

Maria Cabral

RE: Parking on Walnut Steet and Concerns with Semi Trucks

• That the delegation by Maria Cabral regarding parking on Walnut Street South be received.

8.3

Wendy Cunningham and Dawn Bezaire, Salute to our Veterans Banner Project

RE: Essex and Harrow Banner Project

• That the delegation by Wendy Cunningham and Dawn Bezaire regarding the Essex and Harrow Banner Projects be received;

  That Council approve/does not approve the draft of the Essex and Harrow banner per Policy Number 084 entitled Street Light Banner Policy; and

  That Council consider paying for the cost of the brackets for additional poles in the Streetscape from Maidstone Avenue to Fairview Avenue West and direct Administration to provide a report detailing where such costs can be allocated to.

8.4

Gianmarco Giglio, Director, Windsor Region GIP Paving Inc.

RE: Topsoil Application Project - 5080 County Road 11

• That the delegation by Gianmarco Giglio, Director, Windsor Region GIP Paving Inc., be received; and

  That Council approve/does not approve the requested permit to apply topsoil at 5080 Walker Road.

9.

Unfinished Business

10.

Reports from Administration

10.1

Planning-2025-02

RE: Request for Notice of Intention to Designate 18 Gordon Avenue (the Carnegie Library Building) and 87 Station Street (the Essex Railway Station)

Recommended Action:

• That Planning Report-2025-02 entitled Request for Notice of Intention to Designate 18 Gordon Avenue (the Carnegie Library Building) and 87 Station Street (the Essex Railway Station) prepared by Rita Jabbour, RPP, Manager, Planning Services dated February 18, 2025 be received; and

  That Council authorize the Notice of Intention to Designate for 18 Gordon Avenue and 87 Station Street in accordance with Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act.

10.2

Planning-2025-04

RE: Heritage Designation for 18 Talbot Street North (the former Bennigan’s and Imperial Bank of Canada Building)

Recommended Action:

• That Planning Report-2025-04 entitled Heritage Designation for 18 Talbot Street North (the former Bennigan’s and Imperial Bank of Canada Building) prepared by Rita Jabbour, RPP, Manager, Planning Services dated February 18, 2025, be received; and

  That By-Law 2421, being a By-Law to designate the property municipally known as 8 Talbot Street North (the former Imperial Bank of Canada Building), under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act as a property of cultural heritage value or interest, be read a first, second and third time and finally passed on February 18, 2025.

10.2.1

By-Law 2421

10.3

Corporate Services-2025-01

RE: Community Support Center Agreement

Recommended Action:

• That Corporate Services Report-2025-01 entitled Community Support Center Agreement prepared by Kate Giurissevich, CPA, CA, Director, Corporate Services/ Treasurer dated February 18, 2025 be received;

  That Council authorize Administration to enter into agreements with the Community Support Centre of Essex County for transportation services and for operations at the Senior Active Living Centre; and

  That Council authorize the post budget approval for a Community Partnership with Community Support Centre of Essex County in the amount of $29,000 to be funded as follows: $9,000 from the 2025 Community Partnership Fund and $20,000 from the 2024 Surplus of Council Donations Account.

10.4

Infrastructure Services-2025-01

RE: Active Transportation Fund (ATF) Application

Recommended Action:

• That Infrastructure Services Report-2025-01 entitled, Active Transportation Fund Application prepared by Kevin Girard dated February 18, 2025 be received; and

  That Council direct Administration to make an application to the Active Transportation Fund for the design and construction of the Maidstone Ave West Improvements as outlined herein.

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, Regular Council Meeting Minutes - January 15, 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 Town of Cobourg

RE: Municipal Restructuring Study

13.1.2

Peterborough County

RE: Proposed U.S. tariffs on Canadian Goods

13.1.3

The Corporation of the Town of Halton Hills

RE: Sovereignty of Canada

13.2

Correspondence to be considered for receipt and support

13.2.1

Co-An Park Committee

RE: Appointment of Co-An Park Committee Member

• That the application by Rachael Mills to be appointed to the Co-An Park Committee be received or received and supported.

13.2.2

Arts, Culture and Tourism Committee

RE: Resignation of Tracy Armstrong from the Arts, Culture and Tourism Committee

• That the resignation of Tracy Armstrong from the Arts, Culture and Tourism Committee be received; and

  That Council direct Administration to write a letter of appreciation and thanks for her commitment to the Arts, Culture and Tourism Committee.

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

Affordable Housing Task Force - November 6, 2024

14.2

Arts, Culture and Tourism - January 8, 2025

14.3

Santa's Village Committee Unapproved Minutes - January 15, 2025

15.

Financial

16.

New Business

17.

Notices of Motion

17.1

The following Notices of Motion were presented at the February 3, 2025 Regular Council Meeting and are being brought forward this evening for Council's consideration:

17.1.1

Councillor Verbeek

• Moved by Councillor Verbeek

  That Council direct Administration to provide a report on an amendment to By-Law 1605, being an agreement with Harrow Health Care to lease space in the McGregor Community Centre, to incorporate two hours of weekly programming times, at no charge, as part of the agreement.

17.1.2

Mayor Bondy

• Moved by Mayor Bondy

  That Council direct Administration to provide a high-level report on the condition and operational capacity of the Town’s sanitary treatment facilities.

17.1.3

Mayor Bondy

• Moved by Mayor Bondy

  That Council direct Administration to prepare a report on:

  1. The current winter control service levels for downtown core areas, including:

  • A detailed breakdown of the existing service standards.
  • Cost estimates and budget impacts associated with increasing the service levels.
  • The projected effect of these changes on the annual Public Works operating budget and tax base.

  2. An overview of the Winter Control By-Law, specifically:

  • Current responsibilities of businesses in relation to snow removal in front of their properties.
  • Any potential gaps or challenges associated with the enforcement of these responsibilities.

17.2

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

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.

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 2418

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

• That By-Law 2418 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the February 3, 2025, Regular Meeting of Council of the Corporation of the Town of Essex be read a third time and finally passed on February 18, 2025.

19.2

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

19.2.1

By-Law 2386

RE: Being a by-law to amend By-Law 2221 being a by-law to regulate and license dog kennels within the municipal boundaries of the Town of Essex

• That By-Law 2386 being a by-law to amend By-Law 2221 being a by-law to regulate and license dog kennels within the municipal boundaries of the Town of Essex be read a first, a second, and a third time and finally passed February 18, 2025.

19.3

By-Laws that require a first and second reading

19.3.1

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 first and second time and provisionally adopted on February 18, 2025.

20.

Adjournment

• That the meeting be adjourned at [TIME].

21.

Future Meetings

21.1

Monday, March 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.come/EssexOntario

21.2

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