Regular Council Meeting Agenda

Monday, April 07, 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 - April 7, 2025 4:00 PM

5.

Declarations of Conflict of Interest

6.

Adoption of Published Agenda

6.1

Regular Council Meeting Agenda for April 7, 2025

• That the published agenda for the April 7, 2025 Regular Council Meeting be adopted as presented / amended.

7.

Adoption of Minutes

7.1

Regular Council Meeting Minutes for March 17, 2025

• That the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting held March 17, 2025 be adopted as circulated.

8.

Public Presentations

8.1

Bruce Elman, Integrity Commissioner, Annual Report 2024

RE: Integrity Commissioner Annual Report for 2024

• That the presentation by Bruce Elman, Integrity Commissioner regarding the Integrity Commissioner Annual Report for 2024 be received.

9.

Unfinished Business

10.

Reports from Administration

10.1

Development Services-2025-05

RE: CWATS Annual Report

Recommended Action:

• That Development Services Report-2025-05 entitled CWATS Annual Report prepared by Lori Chadwick, Director, Development Services and David McBeth, Manager, Capital Works and Asset Management dated April 7, 2025 be received for information.

10.2

Fire and Rescue Services-2025-05

RE: Essex Fire Station 3: Proposed Land for New Station 3

Recommended Action:

• That Fire and Rescue Services Report-2025-05 entitled Essex Fire Station 3: Proposed Land for New Station 3 prepared by Jason Pillon, Fire Chief, Fire and Rescue Services, dated April 7, 2025, be received; and

  That Council approve the Harrow Soccer Complex as the site for the new Fire Station 3 in Harrow and approve moving forward with the architectural design for the location at 2215 Roseborough Road.

10.3

Fire and Rescue Services-2025-06

RE: Request for Funds for Essex Fire Station 1: Parking Lot Repairs

Recommended Action:

• That Fire and Rescue Services Report-2025-06 entitled Request for Funds for Essex Fire Station 1: Parking Lot Repairs prepared by Jacey Brockman, Deputy Fire Chief, Fire and Rescue Services, dated April 7,2025 be received; and

  That Council approve the post budget approval, in the amount of $17,197.44, to replace a portion of the front parking lot at Fire Station 1, to be funded 100% from the Town’s Asset Management Plan Reserve.

10.4

Finance and Business Services-2025-05

RE: Threats and Potential Impacts on US Tariffs

Recommended Action:

• That Finance and Business Services Report-2025-05 entitled Treats and Potential Impacts on US Tariffs prepared by Jackson Tang, Assistant Manager, Business Services dated April 07, 2025, be received;

  That Council directs Administration to prioritize the purchase of goods and services from Canadian manufacturers and suppliers whenever possible to support local businesses and Canadian economy; and

  That Council directs Administration to revise the procurement threshold limits and authorizations under Section 9.00 – Procurement Methods, Table II, and Table III, of By-Law No. 2129.

10.5

Economic Development-2025-03

RE: Corporate Grant Funding Update

Recommended Action:

• That Economic Development Report-2025-03 entitled Corporate Grant Funding Update prepared by RaeAnn Schroeder, Analyst, Economic Development and Business Relations, dated April 7, 2025, be received for information.

10.6

Planning-2025-08

RE: Heritage Designation for 18 Gordon Avenue (the Carnegie Library Building) and 87 Station Street (the Essex Railway Station)

Recommended Action:

• That Planning Report-2025-08 entitled Heritage Designation for 18 Gordon Avenue (the Carnegie Library Building) and 87 Station Street (the Essex Railway Station) and prepared by Rita Jabbour, RPP, Manager, Planning Services dated April 7, 2025 be received; and

  That the following By-Laws, being By-Laws to designate certain properties within the Town of Essex under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act as properties of cultural heritage value or interest, be read a first, a second and third time and finally passed on April 7, 2025:

  1. By-Law Number 2431, being a By-Law to designate the property municipally known as 87 Station Street, Essex Centre (Essex Railway Station).
  2. By-Law Number 2432, being a By-Law to designate the property municipally known as 18 Gordon Avenue, Essex Centre (Essex Carnegie Library).

10.6.1

By-Law 2431

10.6.2

By-Law 2432

10.7

Finance and Business Services-2025-03

RE: Acceptance of Surety Bonds Policy

Recommended Action:

• That Finance and Business Services Report-2025-03 entitled Acceptance of Surety Bonds prepared by Kate Giurissevich, CPA, CA, Director, Corporate Services/ Treasurer dated April 7, 2025 be received; and

  That Council approve the attached Acceptance of Surety Bonds Policy.

10.8

Drainage-2025-02

RE: Results of Request for Tender- Walker Drain

Recommended Action:

• That Drainage Report-2025-02 entitled Results of Request for Tender- Walker Drain prepared by Lindsay Dean, Drainage Superintendent dated April 7, 2025, be received; and

  That Council award Request for Tender- Walker Drain to Mark G. Contracting Inc. in the amount of $460,524.55 including non-refundable Harmonized Sales Tax.

10.9

Legal and Legislative Services-2025-03

RE: Increase in Funds for Spay and Neuter Voucher Program

Recommended Action:

• That Legal and Legislative Services Report-2025-03 entitled Reallocation of Funds for Spay and Neuter Voucher Program prepared by Shelley Brown, Deputy Clerk, Legislative Services, dated April 7, 2025 be received; and

  That Council approve an additional 50 vouchers for feral cats and 2 vouchers for dogs and cats of low-income families be approved with the expense totaling $10,400 being funded from the Animal Control Reserve.

10.10

Planning-2025-05

RE: Part Lot Control Exemption (PLCE) for Certain Lands within the 80 Maidstone Avenue West Subdivision

Recommended Action:

• That Planning Report-2025-05 entitled Part Lot Control Exemption (PLCE) for Certain Lands within the 80 Maidstone Avenue West Subdivision prepared by Ian Rawlings, Junior Planner, Planning Services, dated April 7, 2025, be received; and

  That By-Law Number 2430, being a By-Law to provide Part Lot Control Exemption (PLCE) for certain lands within Registered Plan 12M-712, be read a first, a second, and a third time and finally passed on April 07, 2025.

10.10.1

By-Law 2430

10.11

Community Services-2025-01

RE: Corporate Tree Inventory and Assessment Update

Recommended Action:

• That Community Services Report-2025-01 entitled, Corporate Tree Inventory and Assessment Update prepared by Jake Morassut, Director, Community Services dated April 7, 2025, be received;

  That Council approve a post budget approval in the amount of $45,234.60 for the capital project Development of a Tree Nursery to be funded from a $30,000 grant from Enbridge Gas and $15,234.60 from the Green Fund Reserve;

  That Council approve reallocating the remaining funds of $26,784.60 from the capital project entitled Corporate Tree Inventory and Assessment (CS-24-0013) to be used for removal of trees that are deemed unsafe; and

  That Council approve amendments to Schedule A of By-Law 2205, being an approved tree listing for the Town of Essex owned properties.

10.12

Community Services-2025-02

RE: Special Events Resource Team (SERT) – April 2025

Recommended Action:

• That Community Services Report-2024-02 entitled Special Event Resources Team (SERT) – April 2025 prepared by Jake Morassut, Director, Community Services, dated April 7, 2025, be received for information.

10.13

Office of the CAO-2025-04

RE: Summary of Outstanding Council Reports

Recommended Action:

• That CAO Report-2025-04 entitled Summary of Outstanding Council Reports prepared by Doug Sweet, Chief Administrative Officer dated April 7, 2025, be received for information.

10.14

Office of the CAO-2025-05

RE: Flooding Mitigation Initiatives and Plans

Recommended Action:

• That CAO Report-2025-05 entitled Flooding Mitigation Initiatives and Plans prepared by Doug Sweet, Chief Administrative Officer dated April 7, 2025, be received for information.

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 - March 5, 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

Support Canadian Business and Consumers

13.1.1.1

Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (WOWC)

RE: Response to Tariffs and International Trade

13.1.1.2

Bruce County

RE: Enabling a Municipal Response to Tariffs

13.1.2

County of Essex

RE: Fresh Water Protection and Agreements

13.1.3

Town of Brandford West Gwillimbury

RE: Landlord Tenant Reforms

13.1.4

Windsor- Essex Student Transportation Services (WESTS)

RE: Response to Relocating Bus Stops in the Town of Essex

13.2

Correspondence to be considered for receipt and support

13.2.1

Essex Festival Committee

RE: Resignation 

• That the resignation of Leighanne Nichol from the Essex Festival Committee be received; and

  That Council direct Administration to write a letter of appreciation and thanks for her commitment to the Essex Festival Committee.

13.2.2

Windsor Essex Child/Youth Advocacy Centre (WECYAC)

RE: Victims and Survivors of Crime Week - May 11 until May 17, 2025

• That the correspondence from the 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 or received and supported; and if supported;
  

  That Council proclaim May 11 to May 17, 2025, 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 but also deeply impacts their families and the broader community;

  Whereas, child and youth victims 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 survivors.

  Now Therefore, I, Mayor Bondy, on behalf of Council, do hereby proclaim May 11 to May 17, 2025 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

Committee of Adjustment - February 19, 2025

14.2

Essex Centre Business Improvement Area (BIA) - February 19, 2025

14.3

Essex Festival Committee - February 20, 2025

14.4

Essex Municipal Heritage Committee - February 27 2025

Recommendation to Council:

EMHC25-02-12
Moved By Richard Kokovai - Vice-Chair
Seconded By Laurie Kowtiuk

That the Committee recommend to Council that they direct Administration to investigate the property located at 146 Adelaide Street in Harrow for the possibility of Designation.

Carried

15.

Financial

15.1

Financial Indicator Review

RE: 2023 Financial Information Return

• That the Financial Indicator Review based on the 2023 Financial Information Return be received for information.

16.

New Business

17.

Notices of Motion

17.1

The following Notice of Motion was presented at the March 17, 2025 Regular Council Meeting and is being brought forward this evening for Council's consideration:

17.1.1

Mayor Bondy

• Moved by Mayor Bondy

  That Essex Council direct Administration to prepare a report on the feasibility of redirecting unspent funding from the Colchester and County Road 50 Community Improvement Plan (CIP) program including information on potential improvements to existing programs and/or introduction of new programs, and budget impacts.

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 2433

RE: Being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the March 17, 2025, Regular Meeting of Council of the Corporation of the Town of Essex

• That By-Law 2433 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the March 17, 2025, Regular Meeting of Council of the Corporation of the Town of Essex be read a third time and finally passed on March 17, 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 2436

RE: Being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the April 7, 2025, Regular Meeting of Council of the Corporation of the Town of Essex

• That By-Law 2436 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the April 7, 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 April 7, 2025.

20.

Adjournment

• That the meeting be adjourned at [TIME].

21.

Future Meetings

21.1

Monday, April 14, 2025, 5:00-7:00 PM, Special Council Meeting

RE: Committee of the Whole

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

21.2

Tuesday, April 22, 2025, 5:00-6:00 PM, Special Council Meeting

RE: 2024 Asset Management Plan 

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

21.3

Tuesday, April 22, 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