Council Meeting Summary: June 15, 2026

The following is a brief summary of the matters that Council covered at the Regular Council Meeting held on June 15, 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

Development Charge Reduction Program Submission

• Council received Report 2026-06 entitled Development Charge Reduction Program Submission, outlining criteria of the Development Charge Reduction Program along with Administration's recommendations.
• Council authorized the CAO and/or Treasurer to apply to the Development Charge Reduction Program.
• Council endorsed a reduction of residential development charges of 50% for a minimum three-year period, subject to successful funding approval.

Downtown Vacancy Report 2026

• Council received for information Economic-Development Report 2026-06 entitled Downtown Vacancy Study 2026, providing an update on commercial vacancy rates in downtown Essex Centre and Harrow.
• Essex Centre has a vacancy rate of 4.19%, which is a decrease from 4.76% recorded in 2024.
• Harrow has a vacancy rate of 2.13%, which is a decrease from 5.05% recorded in 2024.
• View the vacant properties in both Essex Centre and Harrow.

Potential Impacts on Buy Ontario Act

• Council received for information Finance and Business Services Report 2026-05, entitled Potential Impacts of the Buy Ontario Act, providing a summary of the Buy Ontario Act and the potential impacts, compliance requirements, and implementation measures necessary to ensure the Town's procurement practices align with the legislation.
•  View the Buy Ontario Act public presentation.

 Annual County-Wide Active Transportation System (CWATS) Update

• Council received the CWATS Annual Report presentation highlighting the 2025 completed projects, 2026 current projects, 2026 completed and planned projects, and 2027 planned projects.

Maidstone-Talbot Intersection Improvement Tender

• Council received Capital Works and Asset Management- Report 2026-08 entitled Maidstone-Talbot Intersection Improvement Tender. Improvements include improved right turn lanes, new left hand turn lanes, the start of the future multi-use pathways, new traffic signals, new watermain, improved streetlighting, new storm sewers, new concrete sidewalk, and new asphalt.
• Council awarded the construction of the Maidstone-Talbot Intersection Improvement (RFT-ID-26-006) to D’Amore Construction (2000) Ltd. in the amount of $3,402,282.31, including non-refundable Harmonized Sales Tax.
• Council approved the contract administration and onsite inspection, including as-built drawings and end of maintenance inspections services to RC Spencer Associates in the amount of $152,640.00, including non-refundable Harmonized Sales Tax in accordance with the completed request under Section 22 of the Town of Essex Procurement By-Law 2437.
• Council approved the additional funding of $803,003.31 including non-refundable Harmonized Sales Tax above the approved 2026 Capital budget of $3,000,000.

Nottingham Safety Review

• Council received Operations Report 2026-05 entitled Nottingham Safety Review prepared by Norm Nussio Manager of Operations and Drainage. The report highlights Administration’s approach to reviewing safety concerns raised regarding Nottingham Drive in Colchester.

2025 Treasurer’s Statement on Development Charges and Parkland

• Council received Corporate Services Report 2026-02 entitled 2025 Treasurer’s Statement on Development Charges and Parkland . The Report provides an annual financial statement reporting on the status and transactions relating to the development charges reserve fund for the previous year as well as financial statement including opening and closing balances relating to cash-in-lieu of parkland monies.
• View the Annual Treasurers Statements.

Community Services Master Plan Update

• The Parks and Facilities Report 2026-04 entitled Community Services Master Plan Update was presented, providing an update on the Community Services Master Plan, as approved by Council in December 2023.
• View the status of the Master Plan objectives scheduled across the 2024 to 2034 timeline.
• The motion to receive the report was deferred until the meeting of July 6, 2026 and will be accompanied by a report on naturalization service levels.

Declaration and Disposition of Surplus Property for Gesto Office at 2610 County Road 12

• Council received Office of the CAO Report 2026-05 entitled Declaration and Disposition of Surplus Property for the Gesto Office, seeking Council approval to declare the municipally owned lands as surplus and to dispose of such.
• Council declared the former Gesto Office property at 2610 County Road 12 surplus to municipal needs and approved its sale at fair market value. This action supports the final phase of the Town Hall Expansion and Consolidation Project, which will see Gesto Office staff relocated to the expanded Town Hall facility.
• Administration was authorized to list the property for sale and negotiate a future Agreement of Purchase and Sale, subject to Council approval of the final terms.
• Sale proceeds will be used to help fund the Town Hall Expansion Project and reduce associated project financing costs.

Skeates Drain Abandonment

• Council appointed three members of the Drainage Board to serve on a Court of Revision for the proposed Skeates Drain Abandonment project in Colchester South.
• Council also provisionally adopted the by-law required to proceed with the abandonment process. The Court of Revision will be scheduled at a later date to hear any appeals related to assessments contained within the engineer’s report.

By-Laws

Provisionally Adopted

• By-Law 2547 being a By-Law for the declaration and disposition of surplus lands known as the “Town of Essex Gesto Office” at 2610 County Road 12 (the “Property”) by the Corporation of the Town of Essex was read a first time and a second time and provisionally adopted on June 15, 2026.
• By-Law 2548 being a By-Law to provide for the Skeates Drain Abandonment, Geographic Township of Colchester South in the Town of Essex, County of Essex, Project No. D26-036, was read a first time and a second time and provisionally adopted on June 15, 2026

Passed

• By-Law 2537 being a By-Law to Provide Part Lot Control Exemption (PLCE) for certain lands within Registered Plan 12M-558 was read a third time and finally passed on June 15, 2026
• By-Law 2544 being a By-Law to confirm that proceedings of the June 1, 2026, regular Meeting of Council of the Corporation of the Town of Essex was read a third time and finally passed on June 15, 2026.
• By-Law 2541 being a by-law to Amend By-Law Number 1037 The Comprehensive Zoning By-law for the Town of Essex for the Lands Municipally known as 80 County Road 50 was read a third time and finally passed on June 15, 2026

Notice of Motion

For presentment only.

NOM #1: ZBA Report- Pool Equipment Setbacks

That Council direct 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. Administration should consider including the following in such report:

1. A review of the current regulations and their purpose;
2. Information regarding any requests, complaints, or concerns received related to the existing setback requirements;
3. An overview of the Minor Variance process as it relates to pool equipment setbacks and the frequency of related applications, if available; and
4. A comparison of setback requirements in neighbouring or comparable municipalities.

NOM #2: Media Report

That Council direct 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. Administration should consider including the following in such report:

1. A breakdown of annual expenditures by category;
2. Identification of the primary publications, platforms, and vendors utilized;
3. An explanation of any significant changes or trends in advertising and communications spending, including shifts between media types;
4. A summary of any changes in advertising or communications strategies or practices during this period; and
5. Information on how advertising effectiveness, public reach, and engagement are evaluated; and

That Council direct Administration to present such report prior to the delivery of the 2027 Draft Budget to assist Council in its review of communications priorities and related budget allocations.