Notes on the Council Meeting held June 11th, 2024 – The meeting was called to order at 19h30.
These notes are an overview. The meeting and agenda, in its entirety, can be found on the Town website.
The agenda was adopted as presented.
Questions from the public (for issues not on the agenda)
- Aria Campbell-Kelly, 720 Surrey – trespassers on her property and project next door. Mayor Ekvedt advised to, during working hours, call Urban Planning. Cmdt. Sauvé (SPVM – PDQ1) said to call 911 and report.
- Farzhad Shodjai, 209 Oakridge – Why has one of the pavé-uni pedestrian crossings at the top of Morgan been replaced with asphalt? DG Bouchard replied that the asphalt was installed as a quick solution for pedestrian safety and further repairs are forthcoming.
- Adrian Popa Rasu, 31 Magnolia – 1. Would the Town consider furnishing or subsidising rain barrels to help conserve water? Mayor Ekvedt will investigate the suggestion. 2. The charging stations at Whiteside Taylor take a long time to charge vehicles. Mayor Ekvedt explained that these chargers are primarily for use by locals and not as quick-charge stations for travellers. The two to be installed at Town Hall will be the same type.
- Marcel Ménard, 120 Bedford – Is there a procedure to compel demolition of abandoned buildings? Mayor Ekvedt replied that this question required clarification and requested that Mr. Ménard contact Urban Planning and request a meeting.
- Frans Lecluse, 42 St. Andrew’s – Why is the Town requesting modifications to septic-tank covers? It has never previously been an issue. Mayor Ekvedt replied that septic systems are provincially regulated, and the Town is trying to bring awareness and conformity. There are fines in place.
- Nicole Corrado, 130 St. Andrew’s, Beaconsfield – Please ban rodenticides inside and outside. Mayor Ekvedt replied that the Town has limits and cannot go inside private residences. Another level of government could legislate this.
SPVM Report – Commandant Sauvé
Activities in the period of May 14th through June 11th included several speed-control operations, on the TransCanada service road and Morgan in the industrial sector and in front of the Whiteside-Taylor Centre. A number of tickets were issued. The bicycle patrol officers visited Alexander von Humboldt and Dorset schools and escorted Dorset’s 6th graders on local roads. Twelve citizens from the PDQ1 district attended “Coffee with a Cop” on May 14th and had their questions answered. Crime in Baie-D’Urfé was quiet again; there was one theft from a vehicle, one break-and enter in a commercial place. As always, the PDQ1 station may be reached by calling 514-280-0101 or by e-mail at pdq1@spvm.qc.ca. The SPVM website may be consulted for statistics, etc. ( https://spvm.qc.ca/en/Fiches/Categories).
Councillors’ Reports
Cllr Brown presented a report on Rescue Squad activities (488 hours in May).The Squad participated in training at the Morgan Arboretum, provided first-aid support at the LBPSB and Dorset School fun runs, a missing-person search in Brownsburg-Chatham and provided first-aid support at two LBPSB sporting events.
Cllr Gruber presented a report for the VCOPs activity – 180 hours of patrol time in May, 43.5 hours of traffic control for the Dorset fun run and at the hazardous-waste drop-off site. The Coast Guard Auxiliary unit’s season is in full swing with a full-time schedule on weekends and 24/7 emergency availability. Training Officer Tony Evans received Presidential recognition for his work with the 6 new Coast Guard Auxiliary units being set up, particularly in Nunavik.
Cllr Lowensteyn Thanks for Karin Gebert and Jim Fyles for their presentations on edible weeds and local trees. The Junior Council will have a table at the Baie-D’Urfé Day barbecue and will host a family sports day event on Sunday, June 16th as well as their regular monthly meeting and games night.
Cllr Bissada Had the pleasure of attending a vegetarian lunch at the Temple Dao En. June 19th is the last Lunch & Learn event until September. Dr. Maureen Rose of McGill is retiring from this event and great thanks were offered to her for all the knowledge she has shared.
Director-General’s Report
Hydro will be installing the upgraded connection, including new transformers, to Town Hall the week of June 16th and the construction work should be finished by the second week of July. The Town should take ownership of the building in July after inspections are completed. The parking will not be ready as the archaeological findings have dictated changes in the configuration and a new tender for the work will be issued. The work should be completed by year-end. The roadworks on Lakeview and Sunny Acres between Surrey and Victoria will start the week of June 16th.
Correspondence
Residents (Linda Dubeau/Brian Penning and Inteaz Alli) wrote regarding the pesticide bylaw, one concerning the apparent lack of enforcement of the existing bylaw and the other requesting a review of the existing bylaw in view of balancing the risks of pests and pesticides. Cllr Lowensteyn advised that the Environment Advisory Committee had reviewed the bylaw and made recommendations to be discussed by council. Alan Mew wrote questioning the new rules regarding the covers of septic tanks. Cllr Brown explained that provincial laws dictated that covers must be accessible and maintenance contracts are excepted for primary systems but the owners must assume responsibility. Guido Socher wrote requesting that the Town no longer have fluoride added to the potable water supply. Mayor Ekvedt explained that the Town does not handle water treatment. DG Bouchard is to ask the City of Montreal for their long-term plans and suggested that Mr. Socher ask the Agglomeration Committee at their June 20th meeting. He has also contacted the cities of Pointe-Claire and Dorval for their opinions. Wine Mansfield wrote about construction noise on statutory holidays and requested clarification on the nuisance bylaw, perhaps a notice board could be posted with the highlights. Mayor Ekvedt replied that this suggestion will be added to the bylaw reform.
Administration
The members of the Traffic and Road Safety Advisory Committee were approved for a new 2-year term.
Finance
The list of immovables for sale for non-payment of municipal taxes was tabled.
Parks, Recreation and Environment
The grant program to assist with the costs of felling privately-owned ash trees has been extended to December 2024.
Public Works and Town Infrastructure
Due to the modifications required by the archaeological findings at Town Hall, a contract was awarded for the design of the new parking and patio installation at Town Hall.
Town Planning
Three recommendations of the Town Planning Advisory Committee for minor exemptions were accepted – 20666 and 20793 Lakeshore, and 18970 TransCanada. As well, SPAIP approval was given for an extension to the residence at 20666 Lakeshore.
Citizen Services and Community Affairs
A total of $600 was awarded to three young residents of the Town for their participation in higher-level competitions of gymnastics, volleyball and curling.
Question Period (for items on the agenda)
Guido Socher, 50 Linden, cited a study that the addition of fluoride to drinking water was no longer the recommended protocol and how can we have it removed from our water supply. Mayor Ekvedt advised again that potable water was supplied by the City of Montreal and that the Town must submit a request to them for any changes. Director-General Bouchard advised that he has already reached out to the towns served by the Pointe-Claire water treatment plant for their views on the subject. Janet Ryan, 105 St. Andrew’s, stated that she is in favour of continued fluoridation of our water and asked if there was a valid reason to change. Mayor Ekvedt advised that the Town was re-visiting the decision made at the time of the demerger in view of new information.