$38.5 million budget surplus

During Laval city council’s regular monthly meeting held on Nov. 1, Mayor Gilles Vaillancourt tabled his report on the city’s financial situation for the year 2010.
Once again this year, the noted U.S. credit rating company, Standard & Poor's, gave Laval its AA rating with a stable outlook.
“This is the best credit rating accorded to municipalities anywhere in Quebec,” said Vaillancourt. “A senior advisor at Standard & Poor's told me that he considered Laval to be a model city. In his own words, Laval is the best planned city in Canada.”
The report on the city’s financial situation mentions a $38.5 million budget surplus, as well as planned investments of $338.5 million in 2010, mostly for the construction and renovation of infrastructure on the territory. As well, the members of council approved the disbursement of $3.5 million in financial assistance to Space Camp Canada, which should allow it to renew its commitment at the Cosmodôme.
According to the financial information, the 2010 budget will be followed. The general orientations for 2011 will concern the ongoing struggle to protect the environment as well as eco-responsible management, urban planning, the renewal of some run-down sectors, and the renewal of some infrastructures in Laval.
“Of the nine big cities of more than 100,000 inhabitants, Laval is the only one to have adopted an infrastructure renewal program all the while lowering its debt,” said the mayor. He predicts that the per capita debt will continue to go down during the upcoming financial period.

Open mike for residents
The president of the assembly, Francine Légaré, was much more tolerant than has normally been her habit during the residents’ question period, allowing them to speak openly about the reasons for their presence before they had to ask a question. Even Robert Bordeleau, who had been censured during previous meetings, got a chance to make an extended statement. “I will allow you a brief preamble, but it cannot be political in nature, nor accusing,” said Légaré. Bordeleau asked how many hours per week a member of the executive-committee puts in, considering how much time they spend on personal matters. As an example, he cited the case of city councillor and executive-committee vice-president Basile Angelopoulos.
“This approach shows a lack of understanding of the nature of the work of a municipal councillor,” Angelopoulos responded. “A municipal councillor is at the service of the citizens, and should be available for them depending on their needs, regardless of the time or the number of hours needed. For me, this is no longer work, but a privilege accorded by the citizens. More than 80 per cent of them thought that I could be useful to them during a third mandate.”
“The salaries of council members are determined by law, and the City of Laval doesn’t pay the maximum allowed by law,” added Vaillancourt. “Also, we are one of the rare city councils to have reduced its payroll. I think it is impossible to pay a politician what he is worth. Living the life of a politician is not simple, and the fact that some who envy my job are looking at the salary disappoints me.”
Harold Lelièvre, who came to the meeting wondering if Laval would be getting its own modern aquatic centre up to the standards of swimming competitions, was very disappointed at having to pay additional costs for the privilege of using aquatic facilities in St-Eustache.
“We have established a partnership with the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board, which would allow the construction of quality sports infrastructures,” said Vaillancourt. “If you so wish, speak with your MNA to get this project moving and locate the $13 million dollars that are missing to complete it. From our side, we are the only partner who have kept some money aside for the realization of this infrastructure project.”

Tempos up earlier
To a question from Mr. Milas, who thinks that the installation of Tempo winter shelters should be allowed earlier because of cold weather that sets in during this time, Councillor Angelopoulos answered favorably.
“We have decided to review this regulation in view of numerous complaints received like this one,” he said. “Our second thoughts on the issue are leading us to consider a rule by which the installation of tubular structures would be allowed sooner, maybe on Oct. 15, while the installation of canvas would be allowed on Nov. 1. On the other hand, we will be very strict seeing that these rules are obeyed.”

No shale gas exploration in Laval
François Lagarde was concerned about the possibility that mining prospectors might start surveying the ground beneath Laval looking for shale gas. “Two exploration permits have been issued for the island of Laval, to two different companies,” he said.
The mayor was reassuring, insisting that the two companies had made it known that there was no potential for such exploration in Laval.

A sick tree
Maria Isabelle George, a resident of rue des Patriotes in Sainte-Rose, reported an aggravating situation to the council. In front of her home is a 100-year-old tree, which was given to her by the city some time back at the same time as the city ceded some land to her. The roots of the tree were damaged by municipal employees during the repair of sidewalks. The tree was sick at the time the land was ceded and so it must be cut down in view of its poor state. Mrs. George is wondering who’s going to pay for the fee to cut it down. The mayor, who seemed very understanding of the situation, said he would think carefully about the situation before coming to a decision.