Notes of the Council meeting 8 April 2025. For the full content please view the video accessible on the town website.
These notes are an overview. The meeting and agenda, in its entirety, can be found on the Town website.
Questions from the public: none
SPVM Report
Commandant Goyette summarized the activities for the month of March. There was 1 stolen car. There was an incident with adolescents approaching kids but it turned out to be a prank. There were 5 speeding tickets. There will be 8 bike patrols in town this summer. There was an information session at the Maxwell Residence regarding “grandparents’ scams”. Councillor Thompson asked why the number of speeding tickets were a third less than 2024 and the total half of 2024. Were people driving better or was there less surveillance? Answer: he did not have the specific numbers in front of him but would send them to him. He assured the town that there was surveillance around the clock.
Reports on Town Activities
Councillor Bissada: Lunch and Learn was postponed due to health reasons of the organizer. Senior Rendez-vous was organized for the 10th April. An announcement would be made of an event organized by PRAC (a Fun Family Day) on the 1st July.
Councillor Lowensteyn: A special Karaoke night was organized by Junior Council on the 25th April. The Environment Advisory Committee organized an event with Jardin Buzz on the 10th April about rewilding your garden and seed distribution and an event on the 27th April at the Whiteside Taylor combined with a Buy-Nothing “garage sale” donation and exchange event.
Councillor Brown: Sauvetage Baie-D’Urfé worked 450 person-hours in March. They participated in a missing person search in Saint-Jérôme, first aid-presence on Allan’s Hill Park, a Morgan Arboretum rescue simulation with Pointe-Claire volunteers, public safety presence for the Saint-Patrick’s day parade in Montreal, 2 basement flood assistance cases and first-aid presence at the SADB bed-race.
Mayor Ektvedt: The bylaw reform has progressed over the last 2 years, with various presentations and is at a point of receiving input prior to the public consultation. Given the number of responses, it was deemed better to postpone the public consultation announced for April and to re-schedule it to the 31st May at AVH. It is anticipated that if all goes according to plan that they may be approved during the 9 June council meeting. For Easter Oana Silaghi has organized a chocolate hop for kids as well as an annual craft session. Usually, a good 25-30 kids participate. This is done in conjunction with the Spring Hop organized by the town.
Minutes: the minutes of the last council meetings were approved.
Correspondence:
- Email regarding student parking in the Somerset, Lakeshore, Westchester areas (by John Abbott students). Councillor Thompson: The problem that was prevalent in the Oxford, Saint-Andrews and Cambridge areas has moved east. A bylaw amendment to be tabled today will address this problem.
- François Gilbert (15 Magnolia) letter tabled representing « all citizens on Magnolia and Balsam”. Mayor Ektvedt explained that a formal letter representing a number of citizens needs to include the name and address of the person sending it and the list of people who the person is representing. Given the private nature of some of the information, the Director General will respond in writing to the letter. Topics include: (a) will similar surveys be done across the town? (b) the estimated cost of the work for all houses is over $1M, will the town compensate them? (c) will the town do a feasibility study regarding a sewage alternative across the town. Mayor Ekvedt indicated that some of these questions had been addressed publicly at the last council meeting.
Administration
Rental and installation of seasonal setup for the Town Hall: $66K for the years 2025-2026-2027. Councillor Lowensteyn voted against it due to the high cost and less expensive alternatives. Approved by majority. Other items were approved: authorization for councillor to participate in a conference, modification of the salary list for Assistant clerk legal to Document and Legal management technician (white collar list).
Appointment of Michel Larue as Director Urban Planning as Division Manager Urban Planning is leaving. Starting 14 April.
Notice of Motion submitted for bylaw amendment 911-31 (addressing the parking issues in specific streets by John Abbott students).
Finance
Expenses for the month: $593,302.
Parks Recreation and Environment – none
Public Works and Town Infrastructures
De-icing salt group purchase approved. Cleaning and inspecting storm drain on Lakeshore Road $81.4K. Plumber member of CMMTQ to inspect water meters in the Industrial Park $25.8K.
Awarding of the sloped roof replacement for Whitside Taylor $85K total $93,589 including contingency. Voted against: Councillor Chartrand: the existing roof is a shingle roof; this option was rejected due to cost reasons. A membrane roof is proposed that would be rejected based on SPAIP if this were a private citizen request and cost would not be a criterion for SPAIP. The town needs to lead by example. Councillor Lowensteyn: voted against. Approved by majority (3 yes and 2 no).
Contingency for the drainage Surrey Street phase 1: maximum $250K
Town Planning
- Request for building permit (SPAIP) relating to a building construction in the Industrial Park. Approved pending conditions including a $1M deposit.
- Request for SPAIP relating to a building permit application to modify the façade of the building Whiteside Taylor. TPAC did not approve this request. Councillor Brown proposed not to approve the TPAC recommendation (therefore to approve the request). Councillor Lowensteyn voted against this motion given that there were other options to address the leaky roof that were more in line with the architecture guidelines in SPAIP. Councillor Chartrand also voted against this motion. The motion was approved by majority (3/2).
- Request for Minor Exemption for 706 Westchester. “The nature and effects of the minor exemption (2024-0384) are to authorize a principal building with a total height of 9.29 meters. However, according to table 4.11 of the Zoning by-law 875, the maximum height of a principal building located in RA zone is 9 meters.”
The owner explained that it was the construction company who was responsible. The town litigated against her and she litigated against the construction company. She indicated that the town had known about this problem.
TPAC after analysing the case recommended that the minor exemption not be approved.
Council advised that the non-conformity was known by the current owner at the time of purchase and decided to purchase anyway. The plans of the land-surveyor had been modified (falsified) by a non-identified person, the case was in front of the courts. This was a disturbing factor and based on the LAU sections 145.2-145 this cannot be considered as a minor exemption. Given the complexity of the legal issues and facts, the legal case should run its full course and be determined by the Judge. The minor exemption was not approved.
Citizens Services and Community affairs
- Summer concert budget approved $14,090 (Keith Fykes)
- Excellence support program $800 ($200 each): Sophie Lu, tennis (2), Leif Peschlow, Acro Ski Circuit, Evandra Zlobec, Artistic Gymnastic.
- Donation in memory of Charles Coulomb $150 for Nova.
Second question period:
Adrian Popa Rosu 31 Magnolia: comment about septic systems, roots (including some from Beaconsfield neighbors) invading underground infrastructure, reference to certain municipalities like Mascouche who provide “Eco-prêts” (loans) for such big investments.
Director General: regarding septic tanks, depending on the results of the investigation of each property, those who results in level (C) non-conformity require replacement to be done within one year, due to the impact on the environment (by law).
Mayor Ektvedt: as far as a town guaranteeing large loans for the entire town, it could impact the town’s finances and borrowing capabilities (credit margin) that are required elsewhere. A loan must be paid back by the owner and is not a town-wide expense.
Closing of the meeting – The meeting was adjourned.