Notes on the Council Meeting held May 12th, 2026
Questions from the public (for issues not on the agenda)
Frank Di Maglio: question concerning the paving and issues on the Caron private road (not owned by the municipality). Mr Di Maglio stated that the road needed repairs, and suggested various options like coming to an agreement, taking the town to court, paving it himself and sending the town the bill. Mayor Ektvedt responded that the town had met with citizens to propose options that met municipal and safety requirements (legally mandatory) but was not accepted by the citizens during that meeting. The mayor indicated that it would be discussed again with council. Note: this is a privately owned road and does not belong to the town.
Valerie Jarabek: who lives on Caron added her comments on the state of the road. Mayor Ektvedt indicated that the road was privately owned and that the Unions working for the various municipal services can refuse to service this road if it does not meet certain requirements. Ms. Jarabek also added that the dog park needed cleaning up for example stumps from cut trees etc.
Aria Campbell-Kelly raised the problem of the neighbor who has been “under construction” for 7 years, the work never completed, the house is now for sale for a price that no one will buy given its state, how long will the town continue to issue permits (renewals) for work that does not progress or is not finished? Mayor Ektvedt responded that the town cannot force an owner to finish the work however the DG indicated that with the new bylaws there are tools such as monetary guarantees and the maintenance bylaw that can be applied. Ms. Campbell-Kelly also indicated that they have dumped debris into the street and the forest opposite.
Ross Catrell: why does the town not use speed bumps to address speeding. Councillor Thompson responded that studies were done (25 to date) and has confirmed that Baie-D’Urfé does not have a speeding problem. Mayor Ektvedt added that the data collected is available to the public if requested. Aria Campbell-Kelly added that on Surrey where there are speed indicators, people drive at around 75kms per hour and a lot are speeding.
Henry Ornawka: how much is the Town’s surplus? Mayor Ektvedt responded that it was $25.3M and that in the June News and Views there would be a full report on all finances. Note: for financial information please refer to the June Mayor’s report. For his other questions it was pointed out that a working committee had been formed that would propose policies on financial decisions for the future. It was also mentioned that PTI figures were estimates and that details in terms of timeline, scope and numbers are developed when the project starts. Question: How long has the town had an Urban Planning department? Response since the demerger (2004) like all other municipalities it is an important function for all things related to Urban Planning, like constructions, renovations, permits, inspections, planning, participation in urban planning-related committees etc. [Note from the website: “The role of the Town Planning Department is to plan, manage and control land development. Its responsibilities include applying by-laws related to town planning, nuisances and parking, as well as issuing construction permits and authorization certificates. By-laws provide a structure for development, increased safety and better quality of life for all citizens. These regulations are designed for the public interest in order to promote optimal harmony within the Town limits”].
SPVM Report None
Councillors’ Reports
Cllr Brown Public Safety report: meeting of the Emergency Measures committee for the emergency measures plan, Red Barn inventory etc. Simulation of an activity as in 2025. Rescue Squad/ Sauvetage Baie-D’Urfé: 185 volunteer hours. This year is the 20th anniversary and they will hold an open house on 31 May at Public Works.
Mayor’s Report
The mayor mentioned the departure of Marie-Helene Brunet (Town Clerk) and thanked her for the 3 years of great contribution to the town. The mayor also thanked Julie MacDowell and her team for the submission of the financial information and confirmed by auditor’s report. The mayor covered some of the financial figures that will be part of the June News and Views and will not be repeated in these notes. Council has formed a financial working group to go over policies for surplus management and recommendations for their use, as well as policies on benchmarks to maintain a specific surplus in case we have emergencies in our town. In our PTI many of the projects have been funded by the surplus instead of taxing or loans. Please refer to the mayor’s report for June.
Correspondence
10 letters were received on the pickleball location. The key items were summarized for each letter. Most letters covered points relating to the known impact of the noise level when the courts are too close to residences. Scientific data was included in terms of the impacts beyond just decibels which created a reduction of usage and one’s property, lowering property values and quality of life, and impacting health. Suggestions included reviewing other locations, including Industrial Park or indoor court options. Councillor Lowensteyn responded that no decision had yet been made and that the town would consider the input as well as the results of the acoustic study that was to be performed.
Email from Ms. Bracci regarding the Montreal decision to stop the mobile hazardous waste collection. The consequences are that tons of hazardous waste will go to landfill. It is unlikely and not ecological to have thousands of cars having to drive to Eco-centres to deposit the hazardous waste. Can the town organize a collection and then bring it to the eco-centre for citizens? Mayor Ektvedt responded that Public Works staff were legally not allowed to go to Eco-centres for citizens nor transport hazardous waste. The mayor has and will continue to address this with the Agglomeration however it bears little weight if not supported by citizens. Citizens are invited to write to the Agglomeration with their displeasure. The city of Montreal saves $500K which is a drop in the bucket relative to their total budget with a huge impact on all citizens and the environment.
Email from Alan Mew: Canada Post has announced that it will stop home-delivery which will impact elderly with mobility issues. He asked that the town have discussions to maintain our services. Councillor Brown responded that municipalities have no say in the matter as this is a Crown Corporation, therefore citizens can contact their MP or Canada Post. Also, the demographics mentioned were those of 2021 and decisions will be made on the 2026 demographics which have changed. Canada Post currently provides home-delivery services for citizens with mobility problems.
Administration
Authorization for contract without establishment in Quebec (Code Red). The company is part of Gardaworld and has our data and the expertise required to provide this service.
Support to John Abbott for the request for assistance to the Ministry of Education.
Financial contribution for the 20th anniversary of the Rescue Squad $1500.
Compensation adjustment in response to operational requirement (absence or vacancy of 2 positions in Urban Planning and Town Clerk in view of additional workload during this period).
Finance
Total expenses for April $337,335.
Concordance and short-term resolution on a loan by bonds of the amount of 3,550,000a to be carried out on May 29 2026. Approved.
Parks Recreation and Environment
Designation of the Divisional Manager environment and Environmental technicians as the competent authority for the enforcement of the Pesticide bylaw 1106.
Renewal of collection of recyclable materials 2026 approved.
Public Security and Traffic – none
Public Works and Town Infrastructures
Approval for professional services for technical and architecture evaluation of the town’s buildings $6,020 (includes contingency fee of 10%).
Asphalt patching services Lakeshore east. $50,000 maximum.
Sound proof Red Barn contract $12,161 with 10% contingency.
Renovation entry of Whiteside Taylor $165,966 (includes 15% contingency).
Professional Services for preventive maintenance water network for 2027 and 2028; $55,389 and $47,795 respectively.
Additional expenses for bike path between Clark-Graham and EXO station for contingency from approved total of $459,287, additional $65,170 maximum (contingency).
Additional expenses for bus stop Industrial Park $40K maximum for contingency.
Participation in de-icing salt purchasing program Montreal Island group. Approved.
Professional services for an acoustic study prior to the construction of 4 new pickleball courts. $8,824 Atelier 7Hz.
Surrey West pathway resurfacing $96,998 (includes 10% contingency).
Town Planning
17 April TPAC meeting minutes tabled.
52 Maxwell adding a floor to the garage, extension. $280K construction value. Approved.
7 Lakeview expansion second floor in the rear side not visible in the front, modification of the rear façade. Value of renovation $80K. Councillor Chartrand did not vote due to conflict of interest. Approved.
204 Victoria replacement of wood cladding by acrylic insulated cladding, first floor primarily, no modification of brick portion. $5K guarantee. New light fixtures not authorized as it does not meet the Dark Sky protection set out in bylaw 1113.
9 Lakeview inground pool in the rear yard with safety enclosure and paving, landscaping plans and condition upon full tree protection and a financial guarantee equivalent to $50K. Tree protection as per documented standards before and during construction until all work is completed. This includes rigid fencing clearly delineating the root system of trees to be protected, including protective mulch during the preparation implementation of the site management plan limiting soil compaction.
Citizen Services and Community Affairs
Excellence Support Program
Sarah Grenier Canadian Ringette Championship Ottawa, Ontario 300 $
Zihan Peng Badminton 2026 Gatineau Invitation, Gatineau, Québec 300 $
Zihan Peng Badminton 2026 Thetford Mines Invitation Thetford Mines, Québec 300 $
Evandra Zlobec World cup DOBRO – artistic gymnastics Osijek, Croatia 300 $
Question Period (for items on the agenda)
Derek Cowie inquired about a response to his March letter regarding 7 Lakeview and the need to submit the renovations to TPAC. Mayor Ektvedt indicated that the Urban Planning had indicated that it needed to be submitted to TPAC. It was approved during this meeting.
Ralph Allison: asked to be informed of the process and timeline in choosing the placement for the pickleball courts. Mayor Ektvedt indicated that it was premature since the first step was the acoustic study that had to be based on a specific location. Mr. Allison asked if a feasibility study would not normally have been better to review the locations and the criteria as per the known science and impact on residents based on locations. He added that all the lawsuits and research results on this topic should have been taken into consideration. Mayor Ektvedt indicated that in order to do an acoustic study a specific location had to be used and that all citizens were important (including those wanting the pickleball courts). DG added that the company doing the acoustic study (Atelier 7Hz) were very professional and were the same ones that did the study for the berm. Sound would be measured for 3 days (including existing sound). Mitigation options would be proposed if feasible.
Farzad Shodjai had a question and suggestion on communications namely Question Period. He indicated that Mayor was always very generous with the allocated time and opportunities compared to other cities like Beaconsfield. Dorval and Senneville who had bylaws on how to conduct question period; namely this was “question period” and not period for arguments. He suggested combining question period with correspondence and limiting the time and that council be more in control of these periods.
Lindsay Spier commented that the sound study done for the berm was during Covid which did not provide a current appreciation of the highway noise and that this was worse since the growth was cleared in the Surrey area. She suggested another sound study be done. Response: the sound study had indicated that the MTQ would not provide any assistance due to the results and their criteria for funding, the costs at the time were over $5M which the town would have to bear on its own for marginal benefits. Also, the study showed that only 6 houses actually benefit of the big investment. The mayor added that it was up to council to determine if they wished to re-open the closed berm study which was not likely given the information and costs.
Phan Ngoc Huyen and Emmanuel Chedeville: given the immediate vicinity to the proposed pickleball location, they highlighted again the huge impact it would have on their quality of life, health, property value and more. It was highlighted that one could also not compare the past pickleball noise and profile when played more slowly by older people for pleasure and the increasing competitive athletic young players, whose very fast and intensive play only increased the noise that was not just loud but repetitive and affecting people’s health. The question to council was “if you lived 30 meters from 4 pickleball courts and had to put up with this all day long would you approve this location? “They highlighted the difference between theoretical and practical aspects of this question. They also reiterated that it was not just a matter of decibels but also all the other factors highlighted in the letters. She mentioned that she would send a list of criteria to the town for the company to take into consideration. Mayor Ektvedt requested that everyone wait for the results of the acoustic study and that if it was not acceptable, it would be reconsidered.
Henry Ornawka: were other locations considered? Answer: for 10 years pickleball has been played in Picardy and the Red Barn.
Emmanuel Chedeville: the main measure that should be considered is for pickleball courts to be at least 300 feet from any house. There are no locations where residences are that far from a court space other than possibly Fritz Farm. Has the Industrial Park or other locations respecting the 300 feet limit been considered? The mayor thanked him for his question.
The meeting was adjourned.