Neighbours should help neighbours with their bins

The City of Côte Saint-Luc is a leader is waste management.  It was the first in the region to begin a curbside organic waste puckup program, and nowadays has three seperate pick ups each week for brown bins, blue bins and garbage.

However, with an important senior population still living in their own homes, some may need a little extra help from neighbours due to mobility problems.  Senior citizen neighbours may need your help with their blue bin or brown bin.

“Some seniors find it difficult to maneuver their bin to the curb so I am asking younger neighbours to lend a helping hand,” said Councillor Glenn J. Nashen, the council member responsible for public safety. “You could help your neighbour roll the bin up the driveway, or even simpler, just let your neighbour put his or her recyclables or organic waste in your bin—if you have room. Seniors living alone may only have a small amount to place in the bins and can benefit from you having already placed your bin at the curb.”  In this way there is no bin for the senior resident to roll back in the cold and dark wintery nights.

Côte Saint-Luc has a long tradition of volunteerism. Councillor Nashen thinks civic-minded residents will be happy to help their neighbours.

“There probably aren’t a lot of people who need help as the new bins have wheels and are easier to move than the old blue boxes, which required that you bend and carry it in your arms,” Councillor Nashen said. “However, some might need a little extra help and I want to remind residents that neighbours helping neighbours is part of what makes Côte Saint-Luc so special.”

Côte Saint-Luc supports seniors through services such as the senior social clubs and the Daily Hello/Bonjour telephone service for seniors living alone. The city also keeps in mind the needs of seniors when designing crosswalks, buying books at the library or planning recreation activities.

Indeed, the Aquatic and Community Centre, now under construction on Parkhaven Avenue, will house most senior activities in the city.

Read it in The Suburban

Autumn message to my constituents in District 6

Image via Wikipedia

I have reported that the vision of the City’s Public Safety and Traffic Committee, which I lead, is to create a traffic-calmed and pedestrian-friendly community. We are achieving this objective as we have initiated more traffic-calming measures on the most problematic blocks. In the last few months we have installed bollards, flower planters, speed humps, middle-of-the-road pedestrian signs, raised crosswalks and cement crosswalks. As well, we have doubled the width of painted lines of crosswalks making them far more visible. We have also painted lines to “visually narrow” sections of Einstein and David Lewis, effectively slowing down traffic. Finally, speed on all side streets has been reduced from 50 km/h to 40 km/h.

I have worked closely with Charles Senekal, Manager of Urban Planning and Traffic Engineer, Jordy Reichson, Director of Public Safety, and our valued committee members to develop effective, pleasing solutions. I always search out new ideas in my travels and online. Safer cycling and a shuttle bus services are two priorities still in the works. All of these measures are creating a safer environment for pedestrians and motorists of all ages.

Planning of the new intergenerational centre and indoor pool is well underway and construction is just beginning. I want to reassure nearby residents that I have spoken out to ensure minimum impact in terms of parking, noise and lighting issues, and relocation and enhancement of the playground. Your concerns are my concerns. When all is done we will have an amazing centre just a short walk from your home.

Our volunteer Emergency Medical Services and Citizens on Patrol teams are always looking for new recruits. We provide training, valuable skills, camaraderie and a rewarding experience. Call City Hall for details or visit CoteSaintLuc.org.

I invite you to subscribe to local updates at www.GlennJ.Nashen.com.

To contact me, call 514-485-6945 or send an e-mail message to GJNashen@CoteSaintLuc.org or subscribe to updates at www.GlennJ.Nashen.com.

CSL shuttle launch

It’s not the space shuttle!  It’s the all-new CSL Golden Shuttle.

  

 

 

 

Golden Shuttle 262 takes to the road on November 2

 

 

Today the City of Cote Saint-Luc and the Montreal Transit Corporation launched a special shuttle aimed particularly at senior citizens.The bus line is numbered 262 – and the official title is the “Navette Or Côte Saint-Luc”.The service was launched in District 6 at the Caldwell Residences by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Société de transport de Montréal, Michel Labreque and Councillors Dida Berku, Allan Levine and myself.

I am particularly pleased to be officiating at the inauguration of this service, something that I have spoken a great deal about over the last few years in anticipation of this day.

Cote Saint-Luc places enormous importance in providing quality services to our senior population.  It is fitting that the first stop on the 262 route will be at our intergenerational and aquatic centre, now under construction.

The ability to remain active and mobile are key factors in maintaining a high quality of life and we hope that our seniors will take great advantage of this new service.

The route ia served by a minivan based on a schedule with 4 departures per direction between 9 am and 6 pm Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.  The route begins at the future site of the Cote Saint-Luc Aquatic and Community Centre, at Parkhaven and Mackle Roads (northern terminus), and zigzags past seniors residences, the library, city hall, the Cavendish Mall / CLSC, Cote Saint-Luc Shopping Centre, several condos and ends up at Carrefour Angrignon (southern terminus).

The round trip route has 32 stops (16 per direction) offering front door access to 1180 homes.  The journey takes 44 minutes in each direction. 

 

 

L-R: Charles Senekal, Manager, CSL Engineering, Beverly Akerman, President, CSL Senior Social Centre, Sidney Margles, President, CSL Senior Mens Club, Cllr. Michel Labreque, President, MTC/STM, Cllr. Dida Berku, Cllr. Allan Levine, Cllr. Glenn J. Nashen, Tanya Abramovitch, CSL City Manager

 

The shuttle service will begin November 2, 2010 and anyone can hop on with an Opus card or by paying the usual STM fare.

For the detailed route of the 262 from the STM website click here. For the 262 pamphlet click here. For the STM press release click here.

 Read it in the West End Times.



 

Public Information Session on intergenerational & aquatic centre

New date for Public Information Session on new multipurpose aquatic centre

The public information session on the Côte Saint-Luc Intergenerational and Aquatic centre previously scheduled for Monday, July 26, is now rescheduled to Monday, August 30, 2010.

Public Information Session on new multipurpose aquatic centre

New Date: Monday, August 30, 2010

Time: 7pm

Location: Côte Saint-Luc City Hall, 5801 Cavendish Blvd.

Council Chamber, 2nd floor

Spring message to residents of CSL District 6

français en bas

Spring is here, bringing more of us out for a nice walk – unfortunately, it also means more traffic on our streets. I lead the city’s Public Safety and Traffic committee which is made up of law enforcement and public safety professionals, local volunteer services and citizen representatives. We have a vision of a traffic-calmed and pedestrian-friendly community.

Having analysed traffic patterns on nearly every block in Cote Saint-Luc, we are initiating more traffic calming measures on the most problematic blocks. These include the installation of bollards (flexible, reflective poles to narrow the lane of traffic), flower planters, speed humps, and raised crosswalks and also the widening of sidewalks near corners. As well, we will double the width of painted lines and make crosswalks far more visible, some being constructed from cement. All of these measures are to create a safer environment for pedestrians of all ages.

The new $17 million Intergenerational and Aquatic Centre will be located in District 6, in the heart of the City, on Parkhaven Ave. This is very exciting news and will bring a fun and family oriented year-round facility to all. The City will be mindful to keep residential surroundings peaceful, as always. The announced closure of the Griffith-McConnel Residence after 49 years is of great concern and City Council is in contact with the property owner to ensure the integrity of the neighbourhood.

I am committed to finding bike-friendly initiatives in our area. The first priority is to make it safer to cycle through the underpasses. District 6 will soon have new benches at several bus stops. The City has proposed a shuttle service to the MTC. A parkette in honour of the Maimonides Geriatric Hospital 100th anniversary will be created on Mackle. These are just a few of the innovative and green ideas that I will work to implement in this mandate.

I am pleased to continue serving all my constituents, united in our attachment to our community. You may subscribe to local updates right from this page.

***

Le printemps est arrivé et le beau temps nous donne le goût de sortir faire une promenade — malheureusement, la circulation aussi se fait plus intense dans nos rues. Je dirige le comité sur la sécurité publique et la circulation, formé de professionnels du respect de la loi et de la sécurité publique, de services bénévoles locaux et de représentants des citoyens. Nous partageons la vision d’une communauté sécuritaire pour les piétons, où la circulation est modérée. Sur les tronçons de route les plus problématiques, nous instaurons davantage de mesures d’apaisement de la circulation; par exemple, avec l’installation de bollards, de pots de fleurs, de dos d’âne et de passages piétonniers surélevés, ainsi qu’avec des trottoirs plus larges à proximité des coins de rue.

De plus, nous projetons de doubler la largeur des lignes peintes et de rendre les passages piétonniers plus visibles; certains seront construits en ciment. Toutes ces mesures sont mises en place en vue de créer un environnement plus sécuritaire pour les piétons de tous âges.

Le nouveau centre aquatique multifonctionnel sera situé dans le district 6, au coeur de la ville, sur l’avenue Parkhaven. Il s’agit d’une excellente nouvelle pour tout le monde, car ce projet nous donnera des installations destinées aux familles et ouvertes à l’année. Comme toujours, la ville devra s’assurer de préserver la tranquillité du secteur résidentiel avoisinant.

Je m’engage à mettre en oeuvre des initiatives qui favorisent la pratique du vélo dans le secteur. La priorité est de sécuriser le passage des cyclistes dans les viaducs. Dans le district 6, de nouveaux bancs seront bientôt installés à plusieurs arrêts d’autobus. La ville a proposé un service de navette à la Société de transport de Montréal. Sur le ch. Mackle, un coin de verdure sera aménagé en l’honneur du 100e anniversaire du Centre gériatrique Maimonides. Ce ne sont là que quelques exemples d’idées novatrices et écologiques sur lesquelles j’ai l’intention de travailler au cours de ce mandat.

Je suis heureux de continuer à servir tous mes constituants, avec qui j’aime partager cet attachement à notre communauté. Inscrivez-vous à mon blogue pour recevoir les nouvelles locales.

Margles Innaugurated

Greeting the new President

I recently attended the installation breakfast of the Côte Saint-Luc Senior Men’s Club along with Mayor Anthony Housefather and a number of members of city council.  The Mayor “installed” the new executive committee of this dynamic, and civic-minded group of seniors, as well as its new President, Sidney Margles. 

“This is a city that all of you helped build. The Men’s Club helps make this an outstanding community,” the Mayor said. 

Outgoing President Ted Baker passed the top job on to Sidney, well-known for his distinguished career as a radio announcer for the former Standard Broadcasting Company. This included time at CJAD, where he gained notice for his coverage of the October Crisis in 1970. Sidney eventually moved on to become an executive for Standard. While living in Town of Mount Royal he served as a City Councillor there. His wife Merle was then executive assistant for many years for the late Sheila Finestone, Member of Parliament for the Mount Royal riding. 

Sidney was inaugurated into the Canadian Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2009. 

The Senior Men’s Club is a wonderful organization. Besides their weekly Thursday morning meetings with guest speakers, they organize many outings and excursions. Sidney said he is tired of seeing seniors sitting around the food court of the mall and has announced that on Tuesday afternoons a camera club will soon debut. And seniors who do not know how to operate a computer or the internet will benefit from a beginner’s course at the Côte Saint-Luc Public Library. The new centre will provide many more opportunities. 

Mayor Housefather formally installed Sidney and his board into office and stated with great pride that when the next president is appointed, this event will take place in our brand new Aquatic and Intergenerational Centre. As we plan for this exceptional facility, the Senior Men’s Club and the ladies Senior Social Club are being consulted every step of the way. This will be their new home, a significant upgrade from the quarters the city currently rents at the Côte Saint-Luc Shopping Centre. 

Other officers include Harold Moscovitch, Syd Birns, Michael Kutz, Irving Hazenoff, Edward Wolkove, Sid Barnett, Jacob Posel, Lionel Weinstein, Ruby Cobrin and Gerrick Segal. 

Best of luck to President Sidney Margles and the executive of the Cote Saint-Luc Senior Men’s Club.

Suburban Newspaper article

Walking with Israel

Even though we could not make it to the March to Jerusalem and Israeli Street Festival in Cote Saint-Luc this weekend we were excited to attend the Toronto UJA Walk with Israel and to see and hear the special guest of honour, Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Natanyahu and Mrs. Sarah Netanyahu at Toronto's Walk with Israel event at the CNE

The Prime Minister spoke with passion and energized the crowd of thousands on standing proud with the only democracy in the middle east, the State of Israel.  The crowd went wild as he thanked Canada and Prime Minister Stephen Harper for its unswerving support for Israel.  And Netanyahu told the crowd to be clear and focused on why we support Israel and stand against its enemies.  “Israel supports freedom and celebrates life while its enemies try to wipe out freedom and celebrates death,” he said.  He went on to show that the Jewish People are inextricably linked to the Land of Israel, to Jerusalem as its eternal capital.  “Israel will never, ever give up its power to defend itself,” the Prime Minister said to wild applaud.

We were honoured, as representatives of the City of Cote Saint-Luc, with one of the highest percentages of Jewish residents anywhere, to be seated alongside the Israeli Ambassador, Minister of the Diaspora, MPs, MPPs and Toronto City Councillors.

We also had the opportunity to chat with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Peter Kent.  We discussed Cote Saint-Luc and federal government issues and Councillor Ruth Kovac, responsible for the new Intergenerational and Aquatic Centre, invited Mr. Kent to come to the opening ceremonies.  “Be sure to bring a bathing suit,” I added to his chuckled surprise.

Councillors Dida Berku, Ruth Kovac and Glenn J. Nashen with Minister of State Peter Kent

The March with Israel began as thousands upon thousands poured out of the Canadian National Exhibition grounds onto the streets of Toronto’s beautiful Lakeshore district.  It was a beautiful day in celebration of a beautiful relationship between two incredible countries.

Residents invited to information meeting on Aquatic Centre

Trinity Avenue residents were called to a special meeting at City Hall this evening to discuss plans that will see the City begin building a new multipurpose aquatic and intergenerational centre on land next to the Parks and Recreation Department Building on Parkhaven Ave later this year.

Two-story building will house two indoor pools. It may also house our senior Senior’s Centre, and a library annex, which will give residents in the area more convenient access to many services including books, DVDs and other materials.

On February 19, 2010, the governments of Canada and Quebec announced a grant to the City of Côte Saint-Luc totaling up to more than $11.57 million, or equaling two-thirds of the cost of this a new building to house a multipurpose aquatic centre. With such funding, this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a much-anticipated modern building facility that will help attract young families to the area, while servicing our senior population better than ever.

In order to ensure good neighbourliness we contacted residents on Trinity Ave personally, to advise about the City’s plans and to ask for feedback. 

The City is still at a very preliminary stages. There are no architectural drawings yet and the details have yet to be worked out. However, as the project progresses, we will continue to update all residents on a soon-to-be created blog, through the media, and by mail.

Côte Saint-Luc multipurpose aquatic centre to be built on Parkhaven Ave

Côte Saint-Luc multipurpose aquatic centre likely to be on Parkhaven Ave.

Côte Saint-Luc, April 7, 2010 – The City of Côte Saint-Luc announced today that it is likely to build its new multipurpose aquatic centre on Parkhaven Ave. adjacent to the existing Parks and Recreation Building and gymnasium. The new building will be across the street from the former Wagar High School building.

“After a great deal of thought we determined that our preference is to build the new facility on Parkhaven Ave.,” Mayor Anthony Housefather said. “We reviewed many other options but decided that this location on city-owned land is the least costly and most practical option.

“One of our hoped-for side effects of this new aquatic centre is that the English Montreal School Board might be encouraged to re-open a public school at the former Wagar site that would house a sports swimming program, amongst other things. The next step is to hire a firm to project manage this building project and design plans for the space. We have gone to tender for this and are looking forward to the results.”

The city will soon launch a new blog giving residents frequent updates about the planning, construction and eventual grand opening of the new facility. More details about the blog will be announced in the coming days.

Feds, Quebec help CSL build intergenerational/aquatic centre

Feds, Quebec help CSL build intergenerational/aquatic centre

By Joel Goldenberg, The Suburban, Feb. 24, 2010

One of Côte St. Luc’s biggest hopes in the last several decades has been for a recreation centre with the city’s first publicly-run indoor pool and much needed space for its popular men’s and women’s seniors clubs.

Thanks to much hoped-for financial contributions from the federal and Quebec governments, this will become a reality. Senator Judith Seidman, Quebec Municipal Affairs Minister Laurent Lessard, D’Arcy McGee MNA Lawrence Bergman and Côte St. Luc Mayor Anthony Housefather announced Friday at Côte St. Luc city hall that the 5,456-square metre $17.3 million project will go ahead — Ottawa and Quebec will each contribute $5.78 million under the Communities Component of the Building Canada Fund-Quebec, while Côte St. Luc will provide the remaining third.

The centre, geared to seniors and children, will contain a 25-metre swimming pool, a wading pool, an indoor terrace next to the pools, portable bleachers for 200 people, multifunctional community halls, a physical fitness room and dance and warm up studios.

“In supporting this project, we are seeing to it that the population enjoys the high quality of life for which our country is famous,” Seidman said.

Lessard praised Bergman for his hard work in advocating for and working with Côte St. Luc for the last two years to help make the project a reality.

“We are leaving the municipality a legacy of quality infrastructure with which to face the challenges of the future… This is an excellent project for the community.”

“This is a historic day for Côte St. Luc,” said Bergman. “This project, for me, was born in a meeting with the mayor and several councillors, including Ruth Kovac, Allan Levine and Mike Cohen.” The three councillors were present at the press conference.

“Healthy and active seniors make for a good society,” he added, “and in this building, our seniors can devote so much of their time to maintaining their health, and keep themselves active — have somewhere to go and something to do… I’m so pleased to be part of this project.

“I perhaps excuse myself to Laurent for having called him so much,” the MNA joked. “I got his attention so much on this project — I really felt in my heart that this was something our community needs.”

Housefather had special thanks for all involved, especially Bergman.

“He’s really the person who has done so, so much for this community and city,” the mayor said, also citing Bergman’s help in saving the city’s Emergency Medical Services.

“We never could have built this centre on our own,” Housefather added. “We have no such indoor pool in the whole west end of Montreal. This incredible facility will allow us not only to serve the young families in Côte St. Luc… but all of our neighbours across the west end of Montreal. For that, we’re enormously thankful.”

Asked by reporters about the project schedule, Housefather said “we’re hoping to do this as quickly as possible. We’ll have to follow Quebec law — a contract over a certain size has to go to tender, for professional services and the construction, we have to adopt a loan by-law for Côte St. Luc’s third of the project.

“I’m very much hoping that we’ll be able to break ground by this fall.”

The mayor added that the centre will be in one of two possible locations.

“There wasn’t enough space next to the gym [at Mackle Road and Parkhaven] to do the building between the gym and the Griffith McConnell Residence. There are two locations in play. The first is Trudeau Park. That’s where it will go, unless the English Montreal School Board, which has been requested to sell us land next to [the former Wagar High School], agrees. They will be discussing this at their meeting of Feb. 24. If they sell us this land, and we do it in a very quick way, that’s where we would put it because it’s right across from our recreation department. Also, one of Côte St. Luc’s goals has been to return an English public high school to Côte St. Luc, and having that building next to an [potential] EMSB school would encourage them to put one back here and allow the students to make use of the centre. We’re very much hoping that happens.”

[CSL-TV] Message from the Mayor: intergenerational and aquatic centre / Message du maire: centre intergénérationnel et aquatique

Mayor Anthony Housefather discusses the project to build an aquatic and intergenerational centre in Côte Saint-Luc (February 22, 2010).

Le Maire Anthony Housefather commente le projet pour construire un centre intergénérationnel et aquatique dans la Ville de Côte-Saint-Luc  (22 février 2010).

http://vimeo.com/channels/csltv#9664725

Infrastructure cash making splash in Côte St. Luc

Infrastructure cash making splash in Côte St. Luc
 
 
The Gazette, February 19, 2010 3:02 PM 
  
 
MONTREAL – An infusion of $11.5 million in federal and provincial infrastructure money is allowing the city of Côte St. Luc to build an $16 million “intergenerational centre” that will boast two indoor pools and permanent digs for community services now scattered across the municipality.

“Every study shows that when your population reaches 28,000 residents, you need an indoor pool,” said Côte St. Luc Mayor Anthony Housefather. “We have a 50-metre outdoor pool, but not indoor pool.”

Once the project is completed, however, residents will have choice of taking a plunge in an indoor, 25-metre, 10-lane pool that can be used for races, synchronized swimming or water polo, or a 20-metre pool that can be used for swimming lessons.

“This is going to be great for our kids to have indoor swimming,” Housefather said. “This will be a permanent home for our seniors’ clubs now using rental facilities, a permanent house for our Legion branch and to improve our activity rooms for the recreation department.”

The two-storey, 5,450-square metre complex will be constructed on one of two sites being considered on Mackle Rd. near Parkhaven Ave., and the city hopes the project will be completed by next year.

The final price tag for the complex will be divided equally between the city, province and federal government.

  ***

Government Press Release:

Building Canada Fund — Quebec, Communities Component
Canada-Quebec investment of $11,571,880 for construction of an intergenerational/aquatic centre in Côte-Saint-Luc

Côte-Saint-Luc, Quebec, February 19, 2010 – Senator Judith Seidman, acting on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, today joined Laurent Lessard, Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy, and Lawrence S. Bergman, Member of the National Assembly for D’Arcy-McGee and Chair of the Government Caucus, in announcing that the City of Côte Saint Luc will receive $11,571,880 in joint government financial assistance under the Communities Component of the Building Canada Fund – Quebec for the construction of an intergenerational/aquatic centre.

The project involves the construction of an intergenerational/aquatic centre covering a total gross area of about 5,456 square metres in the City of Côte-Saint-Luc. This new complex will comprise a 25-metre swimming pool, a wading pool, an indoor terrace adjacent to the aquatic pools, portable bleachers for about 200 people, multifunctional community halls, a physical fitness room and dance and warm up studios.

The new complex will bring sport and recreational facilities under one roof and boast modern equipment tailored to contemporary indoor leisure and fitness activities as well as suite of activities for persons aged 55 and over. Students from nearby schools and residents from surrounding cities and boroughs will also be able to benefit from the activities and services on offer at the new centre.

“Côte-Saint-Luc’s construction of a new intergenerational/aquatic centre will serve the interests of its residents and businesses. In supporting this project, we are seeing to it that the population enjoys the high quality of life for which our country is famous. Indeed, the Government of Canada is committed to equipping every community with modern facilities and equipment to ensure citizens’ health and safety. The renewal of public infrastructure is part of a broad action plan that will enable us to thrive and prosper in a healthy environment,” stated Senator Judith Seidman.

“By participating in this project, the Government of Quebec is moving forward to ensure the province’s municipalities have infrastructure that meets their unique realities while fostering sustainable development. By injecting new capital into the Quebec Infrastructure Plan, our government is looking to accelerate the execution of numerous infrastructure projects throughout the province, like this one in Côte Saint Luc, in an effort to improve Quebecers’ well-being, create jobs and promote a high-performance economy. In this way, we are leaving the municipality a legacy of quality infrastructure with which to face the challenges of the future,” said Minister Laurent Lessard.

“Côte-Saint-Luc is the Island of Montréal’s third largest city and its population is growing faster than that of Quebec as a whole. It is important that the City have all the necessary infrastructure to meet the needs of its increasing number of residents,” added MNA Lawrence S. Bergman.

Completion of this project will necessitate an overall eligible investment of $17,357,821. The governments of Quebec and Canada will each contribute $5,785,940 toward the work, for a total of $11,571,880 in combined government funding, while the City of Côte Saint Luc will assume the remaining third, or $5,785,941, of the project’s costs.

The Communities Component of the Building Canada Fund – Quebec is a cost-sharing initiative aimed at funding infrastructure projects in communities with fewer than 100,000 inhabitants. These communities are thus able to use this assistance to improve infrastructure that is in major need of revitalization, including water treatment plants, water supply systems and cultural and sports centres.

For provinces, like Quebec, that have committed all of their funding under the Communities Component, the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan provides for up to $500 million in additional funding for projects that will be completed by March 31, 2011.

In Quebec, a joint federal-provincial contribution of $232 million will be used to fund 106 infrastructure projects.

The contribution from the Government of Canada has been awarded through Canada’s Economic Action Plan. To learn more about this plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

For further information on the Government of Quebec’s Quebec Infrastructure Plan, see www.infrastructures.gouv.qc.ca.

Aussi disponible en français : www.dec-ced.gc.ca.

 ***

News conference to announce funding from the governments of Canada and Quebec for an aquatic and intergenerational centre in Côte Saint-Luc (February 19, 2010).

Conférence de presse pour annoncé une importante aide financière des governements du Canada et Québec pour la construction d’un centre intergénérationnel et aquatique à Côte Saint-Luc (19 février 2010).

http://vimeo.com/channels/csltv#9671256

***

In my opinion:

This is HUGE news for our City.  I congratulate Mayor Housefather whose  steadfast leadership ensured the success of our application bid for this Multi-generational Aquatic Centre.  Also, MNA Lawrence Bergman must be thanked for his commitment and dedication to our community in this dossier and others, such as saving EMS.

I have advocated for a beach-like, fun waterpark area in this facility for young families who just want to have a great time splashing around in warm, shallow water.  Slides, fountains and play equipment is a great way to have fun during our long winters. 

Many of our residents have visited such waterparks at LaSalle’s Aquadome, and at hotels in Ottawa, Quebec City or even Lake George.

We must ensure that a section of this new CSL Multi-generational Aquatic Centre has a waterpark for the littlest CSLers too!

City of Côte Saint-Luc adopts its 2010 operating budget

City of Côte Saint-Luc adopts its 2010 operating budget

Côte Saint-Luc, January 28, 2010 – At its meeting of January 27, 2010, the Côte Saint-Luc city council adopted the operating budget of the City of Côte Saint-Luc for 2010.

Côte Saint-Luc council and administrative staff did extensive work to trim costs wherever possible and achieved a 0.7 percent decrease in the average residential property tax bill for the local portion of the bill controlled by the municipality. Unfortunately, despite the decrease in taxation for local spending, there was an overall increase of 4.9 percent in the average residential property tax bill because of the dramatic increase of 11.2 percent in the bill Côte Saint-Luc will be charged for island-wide services by the Montreal agglomeration council.

“We are proud that due to our careful planning and prudent fiscal management, residents will see a tax decrease on the local portion of the Côte Saint-Luc budget,” Mayor Housefather said. “Unfortunately the average residential property tax bill will rise 4.9 percent this year due to the dramatic increase in the cost of island-wide services. We opposed the Montreal budget that imposed these increases and continue to believe that in this recessionary environment, any increase in taxes beyond the cost of inflation is unacceptable and grossly unfair. We have done our utmost to mitigate the effect on our residents by our local cuts and are pleased that our average tax increase on a residential property is less than the average tax increase for an average property within the City of Montreal and most other neighbouring municipalities.”

Côte Saint-Luc is responsible for delivering local services, such as snow clearing, library and recreation services, road and sidewalk resurfacing, aqueduct repairs and much more. It is also responsible for delivering emergency medical services on its territory.

The island-wide Agglomeration of Montreal is funded by 16 municipalities—including Côte Saint-Luc—and is responsible for delivering island-wide and regional services such as public transit, fire services, police services, water treatment. Côte Saint-Luc collects property taxes on its territory and pays the Agglomeration of Montreal for island-wide services.

The 2010 Côte Saint-Luc budget totals $56.9 million representing $31.2 million for local services and $25.7 million to pay the Agglomeration of Montreal for island-wide services. While the cost of local Côte Saint-Luc services has increased by just 0.52 percent compared to 2009, the bill for island-wide Agglomeration services has increased by 11.2 percent.

“The tax bills were mailed this week and the first installment is due is March 1,” said Councillor Dida Berku, the council member responsible for finance issues. “The second installment is due May 31.”

Again this year, the Côte Saint-Luc city council and management team used a strict budget process used in the private sector. Instead of using historical budgets as a base and adding to it, a form of zero-based budgeting was used where every department function was reviewed comprehensively and all expenditures had to be justified. This budgeting process allows city council and the management team to allocate resources more efficiently as it is based on real needs and priorities, allows for better understanding of overall budgets, encourages managers to find cost effective ways to improve operations, and complements the city’s objectives of financial accountability.

Just as the operating budget allows short-term planning and control of current operating needs, the capital expenditures budget is a tool to aid long-term planning and control of long-range and capital needs, such as road and sidewalk replacement, sewer replacement and repairs, repairs to municipal buildings, upgrades and improvements to parks, pools and equipment, replacement and upgrade of municipal vehicles.

The city council also approved the three-year capital expenditures budget on December 16, 2009. The budget is $23.5 million in 2010, $6.9 million in 2011 and $6.7 million in 2012. The City of Côte Saint-Luc will continue to maximize the use of grants for capital expenditures such as the PRECO, the new Gas Tax and FCCQ grants available by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs. The Intergenerational/Aquatic Centre has been identified as a possible project for 2010 costing approximately $18 million. Côte Saint-Luc has submitted an application for funding of $11.5 million to Ministry of Municipal Affairs (MAMROT) to cover two-thirds of the cost of the project. The municipality is waiting for a positive reply from MAMROT before making a decision to proceed.

Tax Bill 2010 Compte de taxes (Compte de taxes, explication)