April 11,2023

Notes on the Council Meeting held April 11,2023 – The meeting was called to order at 7:30.

Meeting was held in person at Whiteside Taylor and was also offered by videoconference. These notes are an overview. The meeting and agenda, in its entirety, can be found on the Town website.

 

Questions from the public

How liable is the Town concerning allegedly dangerous trees? Answer: If the tree is on public property, the Town is responsible. If it’s on private property, then the resident is responsible.

What can be done if neighbour requested a permit to take down tree and Town refuses? Answer: Contact Urban Planning

Will the Town cut down ash trees outside the prescribed dates? Answer: The regulation changed. Can cut down any time of year.

Is there a list of vulnerable senior citizens to contact in cases of emergency? Answer: The Town uses Code Red to notify citizens, which citizens can register to on the web site. Only Montreal Civil Security and the fire department to the list. The Town does not. One can also register /contact the Gillian Bennet of the Vcops who maintains a separate list.

 

SPVM Rep

No report, the Commander has been reassigned, and his replacement has not been confirmed.

 

Mayor’s Report

  • About 100 residents attended the World Café at AVH school.
  • Laughing Yoga attended by 25 people.
  • Farm animal exhibition also well attended March 25.
  • Ice storm emergency: a good job by Public Works, Rescue Squad, Vcops, and Curling Club emergency shelter. Citizen Deb Faller prepared a spaghetti dinner sponsored and paid for by the Citizens’ Association for 150 people at curling club.
  • Since curling club shelter is closing tonight, the library will open at 9:30 tomorrow to allow use of the WiFi until further notice.

 

 

Councillors’ Reports

Cllr Brown;

  • Rescue Squad had 112 calls and logged 410 man hours during the ice storm. They pumped out many flooded basements and cleared branches with a crew of 11.
  • Maxwell Residence and the Citizens on Patrol provided the Squad with coffee and sandwiches during the mission for which our sincere thanks.

 

Cllr Gruber

  • Thanks to Rescue Squad, Vcops, Citizens’ Association, and Public Works for emergency operation
  • Vcops contacted vulnerable people.
  • As the demolition meeting was interrupted by the blackout, a new date will be set asap.

 

 

Cllr Lowensteyn

  • Also expressed thanks to Public Works and volunteers
  • Thanks to Maxwell offering free meals to citizens during the blackout.
  • The upcoming Junior Council’s Games Night on April 28.

 

Cllr Bissada

  • Also expressed thanks to the same groups.
  • The May 17 Lunch and Learn will be focussed on reducing sodium

 

Director-General’s Report

No report as he was absent

 

Correspondence

Cllr Brown:

  • A letter concerning the negative impact on animals and pollution by fireworks. Needs to be discussed with the CA again before answering.
  • A brief on architectural harmonization with respect to the discussions at the World Café on the bylaws was presented. This will be submitted to the professionals.
  • A group letter with feedback from the World Café meeting was presented. Cllr Lowensteyn replied that the feedback was being considered and that a third World Café would be held in the future.
  • A group letter concerning light pollution comparing notes with other towns was presented. The brief will be submitted to the professionals.

 

Administration

  • Bylaw 1063-3 concerning dangerous animals was adopted.
  • The law firm Grey Casgrain s.e.n.c. was appointed to represent the Town along with other bilingual municipalities in the lawsuit led by Cote St. Luc  contesting certain  provisions of Law 96. The town will share in the costs.
  • The living accomodation of the Grey House was extended until June 30 by a majority vote. One vote against.

 

Finance

The monthly cash disbursements for March were approved.

 

Parks, Recreation and Environment

  • A contract to purchase additional modules for the Pump Track which includes a beginner section and a more advanced section was made.
  • Council authorized the Director General to sign contracts to pay the annual lease to Quebec government for using their property for the floating dock and fences.

 

  • As the threat from the emerald ash borer still exists, Council approved a partial extension for financial assistance to town citizens to Dec 31,2023 to a maximum $ 15,000.

 

Public Works and Town Infrastructure

Contracts for professional services have been awarded:

  • to finalize work on ditches on Lakeview and Sunny Acres south of Victor
  • to finalize work on ditches on Lakeview and Sunny Acres north of Victoria was awarded
  • for repairs on Lakeview and Sunny Acres north of Installation of sod required approval from Environment Ministry.
  • A pipe belonging to the agglo in the Industrial Park broke and had to be repaired.
  • $50K For patching the pavement on Lakeshore East
  • A 3-year contract was awarded to 92002427 QC.INC the only bidder for cleaning and mowing services of green spaces for $229,862.71.
  • $ 27,853 For archeological supervision as part of the expansion and restoration of town hall just in case relics are discovered that could stop the project.
  • Additional expenses of $ 53,494.80 for the repair of the facades to Fritz Community Center
  • The PRABAM work program was used for work on Fritz as required by law. It’s a grant program for small towns.
  • An agreement for the production of a work of art to coincide with the town hall work was authorized as this is a condition imposed by Quebec as a condition for their financial grant. Contingency fees of $250K were authorized for additional expenses for town hall work.

 

Town Planning

  • The renovation at 20756 Gay Cedars ran into unexpected complications. Council approved the recommendation of TPAC.
  • Council approved the TPAC recommendation for the Bertold Park revitalization project by majority vote. One vote against due to proposed location of toilet.

 

Citizen Services and Community Affairs

  • A grant in the amount of $ 12,250 was awarded to the BDAC for 2023.
  • A grant in the amount of $5000 was awarded to the Curling Club for its use as a town emergency center.
  • Under the Excellence Support Program, financial assistance was given: $100 to Natalia Chenier for hockey and $ 500 to Aurelie Moisan for 5 ski events.
  • Council agreed to support Keith Fyckes for 11 summer concerts for 2023 in the amount of $ 12,670.

 

Question Period

Derek Cowie asked why additional fees were paid to contractor for work on ditches on Lakeview. Answer; Unforeseen additional work needed to be performed and the contractor was not at fault.

Nancy Mersereau asked if permits had been given to authorize fireworks in town as there seems to be many instances of people setting them off. Answer: The Town does not issue permits to private citizens for fireworks

Regarding ash borer, has the town replaced all the downed trees in public areas? Answer: Considerable progress has been made but is not yet complete

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:25PM.