by Sylene Argent
Harrow Streetscape earns Award of Excellence
The Economic Development Council of Ontario recognized the Town of Essex with a 2022 Award of Excellence for the Harrow Streetscape project, under the building initiatives category for municipalities with a population under 100,000.
Administration for the Town of Essex, Nelson Silveira, Manager of Economic Development, explained, went to Toronto at the beginning of February to receive the award.
Mayor Sherry Bondy thanked administration and Town staff for their work on, and support for, the Harrow Streetscape.
“It really put Harrow on the map,” she said.
Business Retention
and Expansion Survey results
Simon Webb, Manager of Economic and Policy Advisory for Deloitte LLP, presented the results of the Business Retention and Expansion Survey recently conducted with businesses throughout the municipality.
Nelson Silveira, Manager of Economic Development for the Town of Essex, explained this was a project the Town recently completed through the last Term of Council’s Strategic Master Plan. There are still some ongoing parts to it.
Webb said the survey is a quick, effective, and cost-efficient way to “take the pulse of your local business community and also see what trends are in the business community.”
Interviews were conducted as part of the process, primarily via telephone. They averaged around 10-minutes in length.
He noted a random sampling of 101 businesses was conducted. The total response rate was 32 percent, which he said was high in the market research industry.
The approach ensures the results have a high-level of accuracy, with a 9.9 percent margin of error at a 95 percent confidence level, and statistically represents the business community in the region, Webb claimed.
Over the past 12-months, 48 percent of businesses reported an increase in revenues, while 38 percent recorded a decrease.
Going through the survey results, Webb said over the next year, 59 percent of the businesses expect a higher revenue, while 33 percent are expecting a decrease.
Over the past 12 months, 25 percent noted its attitude about doing business in the town has been more positive, while 63 percent claimed to have remained the same, and 12 percent is more negative.
Over the past 12 months, 22 percent of businesses said the total number of employees increased, while 65 percent remained the same, and 13 percent decreased.
Thinking about the next 12 months, 29 percent of businesses expect the total number of employees to increase, while 69 percent predict that they will stay the same, and two percent believe it will decrease.
He said the Town of Essex scored a positive 0.53 percent in the Business Performance Forecast, which was created by combining the five performance questions. He said that is above average.
The net promoter score for Essex was 27 percent, as 89 percent of businesses interviewed noted they would either strongly or somewhat agree with the statement they would recommend the town to another business looking to expand or relocate.
When asked overall, how satisfied is the business with the Town of Essex as a place to own and operate a business, 50 percent were somewhat satisfied and 41 percent were very satisfied.
Priorities, based on the information gathered, the top three priorities include availability of adequate housing, availability of skilled labour, and affordability of commercial space for rent or lease.
Red flags discovered: 17 businesses considering relocating, downsizing, selling, or closing. This could include businesses whose lease expires in less than a year.
Green flags: 17 businesses considering expanding in the next two-years.
Next steps include follow up interviews. Once that is completed, a draft action plan will be completed, based on findings.
Councillor Katie McGuire-Blais asked if it could be differentiated how businesses from Harrow and Essex Centre responded, if one was more negative than the other.
Silveira explained the businesses surveyed were from all over the municipality, including McGregor and Colchester, and commercial and industrial. Webb said it is possible to determine how businesses in certain areas responded.
She also asked about the “red flag” businesses, and if there will be follow up to ensure they are getting what they need from the Town.
Silveira said they are currently finishing up the follow up interviews. That could include an expiring lease and helping them find a new space, if needed.
Councillor Joe Garon asked if the businesses surveyed offered services or sold products. Webb noted if the businesses proved permission to provide their contact, it can be identified which industry. He said they wanted to talk to varying types of industries.
He also asked how the businesses are selected. Webb said the directory is used and they are randomized for equal opportunity to be selected.
Council received the information.
Performance Securities for Pollard
Harrow Development reduced
Council approved the performance securities on file for the Pollard Harrow Development in Harrow be reduced to $100,000.
The Report to Council notes the Pollard Harrow Development is a 34-unit residential development located in the Harrow Primary Settlement area. The development was approved in 2019. All proposed dwellings have now been constructed and services have been installed. The development has not yet been assumed by the Town of Essex.
It adds performance securities in the amount of 50 percent of the value of the development are held to ensure due and proper performance of the works set out in the executed Development Agreement. The developer had provided cash in the amount of $269,625.25 prior to the construction of the required services.
Accordingly, securities in the amount of $169,625.25 will be returned to the developer. The Town will continue to hold back $100,000 to ensure all deficiencies are rectified. The remaining securities will be refunded when all outstanding works are completed and the Town completes its final inspection.
Release of Securities, assumption of
Jakana Subdivision approved
Council approved reducing the performance securities on file for the Jakana Residential Subdivision to $51,957. 60, and adopted By-Law Number 2226, to acquire and assume lands for the purpose of dedication as a public highway.
The Jakana Subdivision is a 61-unit residential development located in the Essex Centre Primary Settlement Area. The development was approved in 2006. All proposed dwellings have now been constructed and services have been installed. The development has not yet been assumed by the Town of Essex.
Performance securities in the amount of 50 percent of the value of the development are held to ensure due and proper performance of the works set out in the executed Development Agreement, the Report to Council notes. The developer had provided cash in the amount of $197,087.47 prior to the construction of the required services.
It adds the performance securities may be reduced to the extent of the value of the work remaining as certified by the municipal engineer. Accordingly, securities in the amount of $145,124.87 will be returned to the developer. The Town will continue to hold back $51,957.60 for the surface asphalt and sidewalks. The remaining securities will be refunded to the developer following the completion of the one-year maintenance period for the surface asphalt and sidewalks on October 6, 2023.
All roads, underground infrastructure, curbs and base asphalt may now be assumed by the Town through adoption of By-law 2226, it adds.
Development in January down 65%
compared to same month in 2022
Council received the Development Overview for the month of January. Total construction value for January 2023 – including all new and expanding commercial, industrial, institutional, and residential developments that required a building permit – was $5,092,100. This was down 65.5 percent compared to January 2022.
The average home sale price in January of 2023 in Wards 1 and 2 was $639,458, which was higher than the $521,020 recorded in January of 2022. The average home sale price in January of 2023 in Wards 3 and 4 was $486,000, which was significantly lower than the $769,500 recorded in January of 2022.
101 of 135 By-Law complaints from
July to December fell under Property Standards
Council received the Bi-Annual By-law Enforcement Report, which Mike Diemer, By-Law Enforcement Officer, prepared.
By-law Enforcement conducted investigations on residential, agricultural, and commercial properties, from the beginning of July to the end of December. There were 135 issues; of which 122 were based on complaints received from members of the public and/or Council members, and 13 issues were investigated proactively.
Of those 135 issues, 122 have been resolved and 13 remain actively investigated.
101 of the complaints fell under Property Standards By-law 936. Property Standards issues have a wide-range. The main offences consist of tall grass/weeds and debris on the exterior of properties, the Report to Council notes.
By-Laws for Kennel Licencing, and to regulate, license,
and control animals adopted provisionally with changes
Council provisionally adopted By-Law Number 1966, to regulate, license, and control animals; in addition to By-Law Number 2221, to regulate and license dog kennels within the municipal boundaries of the Town of Essex.
Acting Clerk, Shelley Brown, explained the changes to both By-Laws.
Regarding the Animal Control By-Law, staff consolidated changes made over the last few years, including reducing the tethering limit from 10-hours to four-hours per day, and that one tag is issued for the lifetime of the dog.
In addition, it added updated standards of care for outdoor dogs, which came into force as an amendment to Ontario Regulation 444/19 under the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act, 2019 (“PAWS”), on July 1, 2022. This Act sets the minimum standards for animal welfare in Ontario.
Brown said the province wanted definitions for livestock guardian dogs and herding dogs. The province wanted these two types of dogs exempt from the requirements to have the dog tag affixed to the dog’s collar at all times, due to safety concerns of the dog. In addition, the province wanted police working dogs and livestock guardian dogs exempt from the provisions relating to dangerous dog declarations, as they may be required to attack predatory animals, and in the case of police working dogs, humans, as part of their duties. There are provisions for excessive instances, she noted.
It also defined what “kept outdoors refers to,” and addresses standards of care for dogs kept outdoors. It also adds a definition for the Appeals Committee. In addition, it gives owners 30-days to appeal after a Notice to Muzzle is issued. It allows owners of a dangerous dog to make an appeal for the suspension of a Notice to Muzzle one-year after its issuance, if proof has been provided that the dog has been rehabilitated.
The provision relating to persistent barking will stay with the Noise By-Law.
Set fines have also been updated.
Kenneling Licensing is now a standalone By-Law. This new By-Law addresses four types of kennel licenses: boarding kennels, breeding kennels, recreational kennels, and dog daycares.
This By-Law lays out general requirements for the premises and standards of care, and the grounds for refusing to issue or renew a kennel. It also defines what is required to obtain each type of kennel licence.
She said there are currently 15 registered kennels in Essex. They will be grandfathered in, but will need to comply with the By-Law by the end of year.
Both By-Laws will return for final adoption at a future Council meeting.
Second opposition
letter to be sent to Kingsville re: proposed location
of cell tower on County Road 23
Council voted to send a second opposition letter to Kingsville regarding the proposed location of a cell tower on County Road 23.
CAO Doug Sweet noted in 2021, the previous Term of Essex Council sent a letter to Kingsville, opposing the location of a proposed telecommunications facility/cell tower on vacant land at the at the east-end of County Road 23. He said the location has since been moved a bit.
With Kingsville and Essex having new Councils, the recommendation is to send a similar letter.
Youth Council
member appointed
After turning to the community in search of new, non-voting Youth Council members, Council appointed Lauryn Smith and Colin Pyne as Youth Council Members for the 2022-2026 Term of Council.
CAO Doug Sweet said this is a great way to get youths involved. They will undergo training in the near future.
Notice of Motion: requesting taxation bodies reinstate legislation allowing a municipality to apply for and retain the surplus proceeds from a tax sale postponed
At the February 6, 2023 Regular Council Meeting, Mayor Sherry Bondy presented a Notice of Motion for the February 21 meeting, asking Council to consider directing Administration to send a letter to all relevant taxation bodies, including the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and the Ministry of Finance, urging them to reinstate previous legislation (Municipal Act s. 388.2) that permitted a Municipality to apply for and retain the surplus proceeds from a tax sale in their jurisdiction.
This matter was forwarded to the March 6 meeting.
Notices of Motion to
be considered at the March 6 meeting:
Councillor Joe Garon will ask Council to direct Administration to provide a report on safety measures for the corner of South Talbot Road and Victoria Avenue, which may include lighting and adding a four-Way Stop.
Councillor Rodney Hammond will ask Council to direct Administration to send a letter to MPAC, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, and any other relevant bodies, urging for them to investigate the tax classification of Short-Term Rental Units, and consider taxing them as commercially instead of residentially.