Notes on the Council Meeting held April 14th, 2026
Questions from the public (for issues not on the agenda)
Isabelle Fournier: the corner of Victoria and Churchill is dangerous (traffic and speeding), can the town consider a stop sign? Mayor Ektvedt indicated that council discusses and provides a mandate to the traffic committee who normally do a study before providing a recommendation. Councillor Thompson asked if it was Victoria street or Victoria Place and the problem is related to Victoria Place.
Ralph Alison: asked if council had considered the noise pollution that pickleball courts generate and a study well-known and documented mention that a minimum of 300-500 feet would be required to reduce the noise impact. Mayor Ektvedt indicated that no detailed plan including mitigation requirements had been looked at yet and only location had been examined. Mr Allison asked why this had not been looked at. Mayor Ektvedt responded that all locations were close to residences and therefore any location would require noise mitigation. Mr Allison reiterated that distance and noise were crucial factors to be considered. Mr Allison requested that research on these topics be done before proceeding.
Kevin McMullen: referred to his letter to council with 6 points including distance to residences, removal of trees and cedars, the local infrastructure is intense already and that there was no pure pickleball court in Kirkland Pointe-Claire and Beaconsfield. The petition that he started was gaining momentum and he requested that the decision be reconsidered.
Carlos Salomon: asked when his permit would be given for the demolition and construction for 23 Apple Hill. Answer: it was on the agenda.
Henry Ornawka: Question on using surplus to pay down loans. Mayor Ektvedt responded that council works by resolution and that a working committee reviews and makes recommendations that council would then approve or not. Second question: if plans and specifications had been done for the proposed pickleball courts. Mayor Ektvedt responded that professional services will develop these plans as the next step. Mr Ornawka suggested that the area be used to add another tennis court and that the eastern tennis court be used for the pickleball thus putting it further from residences.
Aria Campbell-Kelly: why was beach volleyball not included in the Bertold Park renovations? Mayor Ektvedt responded that this had not been part of the discussions or elements planned for the park and that beach volleyball had come from a proposal from Junior council, brought forward to council and then included in the PTI for this year. Ms. Campbell-Kelly voiced her concern about adding new installations when in her opinion existing ones were not always well maintained and several areas required major maintenance. Mayor Ektvedt responded that existing infrastructure was being maintained and that pickleball was not a high maintenance item (compared to e.g. tennis courts). Ms. Campbell-Kelly commented about the heavy machinery plowing through the Surrey Forest. Director General: the current work was buckthorn removal and after that the tree planting would start (no machinery) followed by a maintenance program in 2 years. Buckthorn cannot be totally eliminated however when trees grow, they will provide shade and take over. Ms. Campbell-Kelly pointed out that walking directly to the highway was a security issue.
Brian Manning: referring to a 2015 study which included an earth berm for Surrey (with trees) the question was raised why this was not considered since much of the vegetation had been removed. For the pickleball topic, the question was why a refrigerated ice-rink had not been also considered and why a grant had not been requested for this. Mayor Ektvedt responded that projects are voted by council based also on citizen requests and for grants to be made they need to be included in the PTI at budget time. The majority of council had voted for $400K for the pickleball and volleyball courts and thus a grant request was submitted (which may or may not be approved). The question was asked about the maintenance of the Grey House. Mayor Ektvedt responded that it was being maintained but that it was not livable and in very bad shape (not just recently but even when it was handed back to the town).
Isabelle Fournier: why was the current sports area behind the Red Barn not considered for the pickleball courts? Answer: this area was built with Government grant contribution which comes with conditions that you cannot destroy the investment.
Wilfred Classen for the pickleball courts, when will the construction start? DG: engineers first develop the plans including sound mitigation, response to grant request by year-end, verification if we can meet the bylaw of maximum 50 Decibels and if all positive, construction in spring 2027.
Aria Campbell-Kelly: why selection of Pickleball and volleyball and not ice-rink? Answer: volleyball was a junior council proposal and council votes by majority for the projects in the PTI. Very few have come forward for an ice rink proposal which is also quite costly and can be as much as $4M plus operating costs.
Henry Ornawka: with the war with Iran and oil prices going up, what is the impact on project costs and should we not put all on hold? DG: the approved projects with contracts protect the town against such increases. Future costs cannot be determined and instead of just putting all on hold, council will vote (approved or not) depending on the prices quoted for each one.
Cameron Tucker: Concerning the Junior council recommendation is action too late? Mayor Ektvedt; Jr council was related to volleyball and not pickleball. Decisions are not made on the spot but are discussed based on input and solutions are found.
SPVM Report None
Councillors’ Reports
Cllr Brown Rescue Squad Baie-D’Urfé: 453 total hours in March. 2 search and rescue training in Morgan Arboretum, various first-aid presence at events, 3 members participated in the search for the man who fell through the ice in Rivière des Prairies. VCOPs: 208 volunteer hours in March including returning a missing person to her home, ice storm help with generators etc.
Mayor’s Report None
Correspondence
Two letters were received Ross Catrell: why are speed bumps never considered in our town? Councillor Thompson: traffic issue areas are monitored for 10-14 days and depending on statistics, recommendations are made. In his opinion we do not have a speeding problem.
Linda Tait submitted a proposal for the implementation of a multi-functional sports facility in Fritz Park including pickleball, splashpad, ice-rink, building with canteen, washrooms etc. without touching the Grey house, although it is in very bad shape, not the original heritage building and very expensive to restore. Council responded that they read the proposal and do not support expanding this are as a recreational hub.
Administration
The bylaw for the Code of Ethics was adopted.
The continuation of the lawsuit (as a co-plaintive) contesting certain provisions of the Act respecting French as the official common language or Quebec was approved.
Finance
Total expenses for March of $483,309 was approved.
The bylaw 1121-1 concerning tariffs for 2026 was approved.
Parks Recreation and Environment
Appointment of Mika Hauser to the Environment Advisory Committee.
Participation of Hydro QC greening fund administered by Tree Canada contribution of $71,805.
Approval of calendar of events by the EAC for this year.
Public Security and Traffic – none
Public Works and Town Infrastructures
Cleaning and grass cutting approval of contract $76,620.
Bike path to Exo Train station Industrial Park $459,287 as per PTI. Note: HALF of this amount is subsidized by Montreal.
STM bus stop in Industrial sector: $381,729.
Laboratory services for bus stop monitoring $17,396.
Professional services for preparing tender for drainage in part of Oxford $56,814.
Street lie painting $25,568
Ramp for Gazebo in Fritz Park $12,229 includes 10% contingency.
Note: Surplus is replenished each year and pays for part of these projects.
Patio Tennis club repair: $10,335 ($11,269 maximum with 10% contingency).
Additional expense for Industrial Park bus stop (following MTQ modifications for security reasons): $9,939.
Additional expense for hedge replacement: $5,247.
Approval of submission of grant application for PRACIM.
Town Planning
Following the TPAC reviews (SPAIP) of the following addresses, council approved all submissions. For details, please view the council meeting video on the website.
20095 Lakeshore (new building after demolition submission and approval). Note Councillor Chartrand recused herself from a vote due to conflict of interest.
41 Linden (new building after demolition submission and approval).
23 Apple Hill (new building after demolition submission and approval).
8 Sunny Acres (second level over garage renovation).
Bank of hours by UMQ professional services for Urban Planning approved. $24,871 bank of hours with a maximum of 30K. The mayor thanked DG for taking this on and his commitment to supporting the team.
Citizen Services and Community Affairs
Contract for 11 summer concerts approved for $15,100.
Shakespeare in the park a Winters Tale $3,449
Excellence Support Program
Max Chantler – Water polo Eastern Finals for the National Competitive League 300 $
Jasmine Cyr Ontario Championship – Cheer, National level 300 $
Jasmine Cyr Cheer Provincial Championship 300 $
Sophie Lu Tennis Provincial Championship (CHAMP QC) 300 $
Leif Peschlow Provincial Mogul Qualification 300 $
Leif Peschlow Provincial Moguls 300 $
Leif Peschlow Canada Cup – National Competition – moguls 300 $
Leif Peschlow Quebec Championship – moguls 300 $
Mayor Ektvedt recused herself from any votes (for the record)
Donation for the passing of Dominic Ryan – Lakeshore hospital $150 with condolences to Janet Ryan and family.
Question Period (for items on the agenda) – none
The meeting was adjourned.