The following is a brief summary of the matters that Council covered at the Regular Council Meeting held on July 6, 2026. 

These highlights are not official minutes of the meeting and are meant solely for the purpose of general communications. The approved minutes provide the only official record of Council Proceedings and decisions.  

Highlights

Public Presentations

2026 Ontario Senior of the Year Presentation

• The Ministry of Seniors and Accessibility has awarded Roger Langis as 2026 Senior of the Year in the Town of Essex in recognition of his outstanding contributions to our community. Roger has dedicated countless hours to serving the Essex community. He is an active volunteer with the Essex Steam & Gas Engine Museum and a proud member of the Red Knights Motorcycle Club. Over the years, he has also supported the Heritage Museum, taught firearm safety to youth through the Kingsville Sportsmen's Association, and remains active in his church community. The Mayor presented this award on behalf of the Town.

Medical Priority Dispatch System

• Chief Justin Lammers and District Chief Trevor Lee presented details on the Medical Priority Dispatch System on behalf of Essex-Windsor EMS. The delegations discussed the challenges with the current DPCI II System, key benefits of the Medical Priority Dispatch System, implementation timelines, and more. The program is expected to launch in September 2026.View the Medical Priority Dispatch System council presentation.

Reports from Administration

Affordable Housing Strategy

• Council received Development Services Report 2026-12 entitled Affordable Housing Strategy.
• View the Affordable Housing Strategy Presentation  which outlines the purpose of the affordable housing strategy, why it is needed, and key details of the Town of Essex affordable housing strategy. 
• Council supported the recommendation of the Affordable Housing Task Force and considered the Town of Essex Affordable Housing Strategy as the Town’s guiding framework for addressing housing affordability and increasing the supply of affordable housing within the municipality.
• Council directed Administration to consider the targets, objectives and action items identified in the Strategy in future municipal action, particularly the next Strategic Plan, subject to future budget approvals and Council direction.
• By-Law 2551, being a by-law to establish the Town of Essex Affordable Housing Subsidy Program, was read a first and a second time and provisionally adopted on July 6, 2026. The program is intended to provide financial grants to non-profit housing providers in accessing provincial and federal funding opportunities by offsetting the cost of professional studies and reports often required as part of grant applications.

Build Communities Stronger Fund 

• Council received Community Services Report 2026-09 entitled Build Communities Stronger Fund - Application
• Council approved submitting an application to the Build Communities Stronger Fund for up to $5.2 million to support the next phase of the $13 million total Essex Centre Sports Fields project, helping address the community's growing need for baseball and soccer facilities.
• If the application is unsuccessful, Council also approved moving forward with a scaled $4 million Phase 2 using existing Town funding sources, ensuring the project continues to progress, and directed Administration to return back to Council with opportunities to seek fundraising and sponsorship from community groups

Naturalization of South Talbot Multi-Use Trail

• Council received Community Services Report 2026-04 entitled Community Services Master Plan Update and Community Services Report 2026-12 entitled Naturalization of South Talbot Multi-Use Trail.
• The report outlines the environmental and financial impacts of maintaining the naturalized area along the South Talbot Road Multi-Use Trail, including six service level options ranging from continuing naturalization to increasing mowing and maintenance.
• Council directed Administration to continue with naturalization of this area and utilize funding of up to $5,000 from the Urban Centre Revitalization Budget for planting of seeds and plugs as part of the corridor’s annual maintenance.
• Council also directed Administration to write a letter to the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) to remove the thistles and other noxious weeds located on the portion of the property owned by the Province of Ontario along Highway 3.

Drainage Board – Terms of Reference Update

• Council received Legal and Legislative Services Report 2026-23 entitled Drainage Board – Terms of Reference Update
• View the updated Terms of Reference. 

14th Concession West Drain Bridge Replacement 

• Council received Legal and Legislative Services Report 2026-25 entitled 14th Concession West Drain, Bridge Replacement for Santo Farms Seed Company (600-05700)
• Council appointed three members of the Drainage Board to serve as the Court of Revision for the proposed 14th Concession West Drain bridge replacement project for Santo Farms Seed Company.
• Council provisionally adopted the required By-Law 2552 under the Drainage Act. 

Brousseau-Grondin Drain, Improvements to Sunpark Hidden Creek Residence

• Council received Legislative Services Report 2026-26 entitled Brousseau-Grondin Drain, Improvements to Sunpark Hidden Creek Residence.
• Three members of the drainage board were appointed to sit as members of the Court of Revision to be convened for the Brousseau-Grondin Drain, Improvements to Sunpark Hidden Creek Residence, Town of Essex, Project No. 2025-1754.

Council provisionally adopted the required By-Law 2553 under the Drainage Act.

Special Event Resource Team (SERT) Update

• Council received the Community Services Report 2026-11 entitled Special Event Resources Team (SERT) Update – July 2026
• View a full listing of the July 2026 Events.

Notices of Motion

•  Council directed Administration to prepare a report regarding the current zoning regulations governing the placement of pool equipment on residential properties, including the rationale for the existing setback requirements and any concerns or issues that have been identified through administration, residents, or recent applications
  
  
• Council directed Administration to prepare a report outlining the municipality's advertising, communications, and media expenditures over the past four years, with costs categorized by media type, including print advertising, digital advertising, social media promotion, radio, and other communications-related advertising.

For Presentation Only:

• Council brought forward a motion to direct Administration to retain a traffic engineering consultant to complete a comprehensive traffic study for Harrow, focusing on traffic flow, student walking and cycling routes, and opportunities to improve road safety. The consultant is expected to be procured in late 2026, with the completed study and recommendations presented to Council by the second quarter of 2027.

By-Laws

Provisionally Adopted

• By-Law 2550 being a By-Law to confirm the proceedings of the July 6, 2026, Regular Meeting of Council of the Corporation of the Town of Essex.
• By-Law 2543 being a By-Law to authorize the execution of a lease agreement between The Corporation of the Town of Essex and Parks Canada for office space at the Harrow and Colchester South Community Centre, located at 243 McAffee Street, Harrow.

Passed

• By-Law 2531 Being a By-Law to provide for the Argyle Beach Drainage System Improvements, Geographic Township of Colchester South, Town of Essex, County of Essex, Project No. D22-087 was read for a third and final reading. 
• By-Law 2532 being a By-Law to provide for the McLean Drain Maintenance Schedules of Assessment, Geographic Townships of Colchester South, Colchester North, Malden, and Anderdon, Town of Essex and Town of Amherstburg, County of Essex, Project No. D24-124.
• By-Law 2546 being a By-Law to confirm the proceedings of the June 15, 2026, Regular Meeting of Council of the Corporation of the Town of Essex.
• By-Law 2549 being a By-Law to authorize the execution of an Agreement between The Corporation of the Town of Essex and The Corporation of the County of Essex.