Agenda - Essex County Council, Regular Meeting

Meeting #:

Date:

Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Time:

6:00 P.m. - 11:00 P.m.

Location:

Council Chambers, 2nd Floor

360 Fairview Avenue West

Essex, Ontario N8M 1Y6

https://video.isilive.ca/countyofessex/live.html

Accessible formats or communication supports are available upon request. Contact Clerk’s Office, [email protected], 519-776-6441 extension 1353

---

1.

Closed Meeting

A Special Closed Meeting of Council has been scheduled for 2:30PM.

A Closed Meeting has been scheduled for 5:00PM.

Public Reporting of the Closed Meetings is included as New Business item 14.1 of this Agenda.

2.

Moment of Reflection

3.

Singing of ‘O Canada’

4.

Land Acknowledgement Statement

We acknowledge the land on which the County of Essex is located is the traditional territory of the Three Fires Confederacy of First Nations, comprised of the Ojibway, Odawa and Potawatomie Peoples. 

We specifically recognize Caldwell First Nation and other First Nations which have provided significant historical and contemporary contributions to this region. 

We also value the contributions of all Original Peoples of Turtle Island, who have been living and working on this land from time immemorial.

5.

Recording of Attendance

6.

County Warden’s Welcome and Remarks

7.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest

8.

Adoption of Regular Meeting Minutes

Essex County Council, Regular Meeting minutes, dated February 4, 2026

• Recommendation:

  That the minutes of the February 4, 2026 Regular Meeting of Essex County Council be adopted as presented.

9.

Delegations and Presentations

There are no Delegations scheduled for February 18, 2026.

10.

Communications

10.1

Correspondence

• Recommendation:

  That the correspondence listed on the Regular Agenda for February 18, 2026, be received and any noted action approved. 

10.1.1

Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO)

• AMO Watchfile Newsletter
• AMO Policy Advocacy Updates
• AMO Education Workshops
• AMO Training Events
• Make Your Municipal Move Campaign - AMO 

10.1.2

Western Ontario Wardens' Caucus (WOWC)

WOWC News

10.2

Resolutions

There are no Resolutions for consideration for February 18, 2026

11.

Consent Agenda

• Recommendation:

  That the recommendations in the Administrative Reports listed as items 11.1 through 11.3, on the Consent Agenda for February 18, 2026, be approved and further that the Minutes listed as item 11.4 on the said Consent Agenda be received.

11.1

Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs Conference - 2027

Report number 2026-0218-EMS-R01-JL, Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs Conference - 2027, dated February 18, 2026, from Justin Lammers, Chief - Essex-Windsor Emergency Medical Services

11.2

2025 Statement of Councillors' Remuneration

Report number 2026-0218-FIN-R05-MR, 2025 Statement of Councillors' Remuneration, dated February 18, 2026, from Melissa Ryan, Director, Financial Services/Treasurer

11.3

Summary of Outstanding Matters - February 18, 2026

Report number 2026-0218-LLS-R11-KH, Summary of Outstanding Matters, dated February 18, 2026, from Katherine Hebert, County Clerk

11.4

Essex Windsor Solid Waste Authority (EWSWA)

Minutes of the Essex-Windsor Solid Waste Authority Board Meeting, dated December 2, 2025

12.

Reports and Questions

12.1

Proposed Revisions to Fees and Charges By-law for 2026

Report number 2026-0218-FIN-R06-MR, Proposed Revisions to Fees and Charges By-law for 2026, dated February 18, 2026, from Melissa Ryan, Director, Financial Services/Treasurer 

• Recommendation:

  That Essex County Council approve report number 2026-0218-FIN-R06-MR, Proposed Revisions to Fees and Charges By-law for 2026 and direct administration to charge the updated deposits and fees from the date of approval of the By-law.

12.2

Tender Summary – South Dales Drain Culvert Replacement on County Road 34 (C-34-454)

Report number 2026-0218-IPS-R02-KT, Tender Summary – South Dales Drain Culvert Replacement on County Road 34 (C-34-454), dated February 18, 2026, from Karyn Templin, Manager, Design and Construction

• Recommendation:

  That Essex County Council receive report number 2026-0218-IPS-R02-KT, Tender Summary – South Dales Drain Culvert Replacement on County Road 34 (C-34-454) and award the contract to Front Construction Industries Inc., as the lowest compliant bidder, for a total tender amount of $1,507,700, plus applicable taxes.

13.

Unfinished Business

14.

New Business

14.1

Public Reporting of Closed Meeting

14.2

Committee and Board Meeting Videos

At the February 4, 2026 Regular Meeting of Essex County Council, Councillor Bondy brought forward the following Notice of Motion:

• Recommendation:

  Whereas the County of Essex is a government working for the people and wishes to increase transparency and awareness of initiatives happening at the County level on Boards and committees; and,

  Whereas meeting times and locations are not always accessible to members of the public who may work, have transportation or child care challenges. 

  Now Therefore be it resolved that:

  County Council direct County Administration to request that boards and committees on which members of County Council serve, such as the Essex County Library, the Essex Windsor Solid Waste Authority, etc. consider recording and then posting meetings online so that members of the public can become more engaged and educated on issues important to them.  

15.

Adoption of By-Laws

• Recommendation:

  That By-laws 2026-04 through 2026-06, be given three readings, and having been read a first, second and third time, be finally passed and enacted. 

15.1

By-law Number 2026-04

Being a By-law to impose Fees and Charges by the Corporation of the County of Essex

15.2

By-law Number 2026-05

Being a By-law to Establish Tax Policy and Levy Property Taxes for the year 2026.

15.3

By-law Number 2026-06

Being a By-law to Confirm the Proceedings of the Council of the Corporation of the County of Essex for the Special, Closed, and Regular Meetings held February 18, 2026

16.

Notice of Motion

17.

Adjournment

• Recommendation: