Council highlights from July 2

During the public question period, two residents mentioned how unpleasant it had become living at 1225 Alexis-Nihon. The side of their building is located on Thimens Boulevard right next to the office of a business. “There are a lot of cars going in and out, but not only that,” said a lady who came to represent the apartment tenants. “There’s also a lot of dust and dirt that end up on our balconies because of their trucks.”

Councillor Maurice Cohen said he was already aware of the situation and even talked to the business owner. The mayor offered to send an inspector, but according to the resident, an inspector was already sent but not during “rush hour”. Mr. Desousa then suggested scheduling another visit with the inspector at a time where the situation is worst.

Another resident of the apartment building complained to the council about the noise and the trash near the grocery store nearby.

Two citizens warned the mayor that they were completely against the idea of having tool booths installed on the Island’s bridges. Mr. DeSousa told them that the City didn’t take a decision yet regarding that matter. However, he mentioned that it will be necessary to get funds to finance the other projects involving public transport.

Another borough resident brought to the council’s attention that Grou Park, which is intended mainly for young children, has fences on only three of its four sides. The mayor guaranteed that the council will look into it.

Finally, a New St-Laurent resident living near Chemin-de-Bois-Franc Road told the council he feels that the tranquility of the neighbourhood might be in danger. He fears that some of the dead ends might turn into transit roads. Since 2004, more than a few demands have been filled out with the municipal service department regarding opening up dead ends. But for Mr. DeSousa, no decision can me made before the transport plan is adopted, which should be later this fall.

The council authorized the launch of priority activities for the construction of the new Saint-Laurent library, which should be completed by June 2012.

The Ouimet parking near Décarie Boulevard should soon be made available to citizens and people with a special pass. The mayor said that this should address the need for more parking spaces near the popular l boulevard, but there’s still some paperwork to do before the parking becomes officially managed by the borough.

Council approved the protocol agreements between the borough, the école Polytechnique de Montréal and the Centre des technologies de l'eau at cégep de Saint-Laurent regarding their participation in the pilot project for the elimination of lead conduit. “The idea is to put our strengths together regarding this issue,” said borough director Serge Lamontagne.

It was announced before, but now it’s official: there will be no more junk food served at the Raymond-Bourque arena snack bar or in the vending machines. Much like the school board, the borough wanted to go the healthy route. “There won’t be anymore poutine?” asked Mayor DeSousa. “Not even sodas,” answered Mr. Lamontagne.

A contract worth over $60,000 was awarded to Sac au Sol inc. for the purchase of paper bags for the collection of dead leaves in the fall and for the collection of green waste that will be offered from September 1 to October 10. It will be the first time that such a project takes place in the borough.

The amounts of $13,475 and $30,275 were respectively given to Maison des jeunes and the Comité logement Saint-Laurent for the execution of their respective projects at Place Benoit. Councillor Patricia Bittar indicated that the urban revitalization program is going nicely. Apartments were renovated and tenants were even able to move in on July 1st.

$5,000 was awarded to the Humanochat organization for the program to capture, transport, sterilize, vaccinate, and tattoo stray cats.

(Translated by Pascal LeBlanc)