Laval City Hall Watch - November 23 2016
City Watch
Acquisition of lots for conservation purposes
The Executive Committee authorized the acquisition of two lots located on Rue Debussy, north of Boulevard des Mille-Îles in Laval’s district of Auteuil. The lots encompass an area greater than nine hundred square meters. This acquisition will cost city coffers an amount of $ 30,000 and will be disbursed as part of the city’s program of land acquisitions for conservation purposes.
The administration has developed a policy on the conservation and development of the natural habitats of Laval in order to preserve and enrich its unique natural heritage. This includes a network of; 250 km of interior waterways, wetlands including inter alia, marshes, swamps and ponds. Also many green areas including forests, woods, meadows and the preservation of an agricultural zone which covers 30% of the territory are also spaces targeted by this policy. Administrators add that developing an environment also involves managing it to make it accessible to the public.
Hartland-Monahan Arena Major Renovation
The City will shortly be issuing a call for tenders for a major renovation of the Hartland-Monahan arena. In light of the commitments that the administration has agreed to comply with under the Montreal Protocol to reduce greenhouse gases, Laval wants to replace existing operating HCFC R-22 refrigeration systems with greener alternatives.
The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is widely regarded as the world’s most successful environment protection agreement. It is the only treaty with universal ratification, with all 197 member countries of the United Nations having accepted legally-binding obligations to phase out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances. The Protocol sets out a mandatory timetable for the phase out of ozone-depleting substances including hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC), such as R22 by 2016.
Interior renovation work at the Bigras Community Center
The Executive Committee agreed to award the contract SP-28898 to the corporation “Construction Caruso Inc.” for the sum of $ 77,585.20 (excluding taxes) for interior renovation work at the Bigras Community Center.
Expanding the aqueduct network along Boulevard des Mille-Îles
Laval’s engineering service has prepared technical plans for the installation of an aqueduct network to service part of Boulevard des Mille-Îles and other waterfront lots in the Auteuil sector. This infrastructure development recognizes the demand of the local residents who want to be served by the municipal waterworks network.
The executive committee as a first step to realize this goal has authorized the laboratory firm Les Services EXP Inc. to carry out a geotechnical study, a preliminary environmental soil characterization and a phase 1 environmental site study for the installation of a water main pipeline network linking Boulevard des Mille-Îles and other lots in the Auteuil sector. The cost of these professional services is $19,358 taxes in.
Grant of $75,000 to the Regional Council for Culture
The Regional Council of Culture of Laval is recognized by the municipality as the official body responsible for overseeing cultural development in the region. The City is providing a grant of $ 75,000 to the Regional Council for Culture under the local and regional territorial development fund 2016 budget. Money for this grant comes in part from the now defunct CRÉ de Laval whose funds have been transferred to the newly created bureau for regional development and initiatives fund.
Financial assistance
A grant of $ 500 has been awarded to the organization l’Association des citoyens et amis du Vieux-Sainte-Rose (Association of Citizens and Friends of Old Sainte-Rose) to defray the cost of the manufacture and installation of a patrimonial plaque on a heritage house in Old (Vieux) Sainte-Rose.
In addition financial assistance in the form of a $300 grant has been approved for the organization Aide aux personnes âgées, défavorisées ou handicapées de Laval (Aid to the Elderly, Disadvantaged or Disabled in Laval) for their annual Christmas party which is to be held on December 22nd 2016.
Laval Christmas Market
The 6th edition of the Laval Christmas Market will take place once again at the Center de la nature park. Over sixty artisans await you under a heated tent to offer you quality products. Exhibitors will display and present for sale gourmet delights, jewelry, toys, fashion accessories, decorative accessories, local food and wine products, and crafts. There are even treats for four footed friends. Natural Christmas trees, Quebec balsam firs between 5 feet and 8 feet tall will be available for purchase at a cost of $35 to $45, depending on size.
The Arts Village will also be transformed to highlight the magic of Christmas for young and old alike.
Many activities are planned including horse-drawn carriage rides that show off the beauty of the park,
mini pine tree decoration workshop for children under 12 years of age, writing letters to Santa and movies. Even Santa Claus and the Star Fairy will be present at special time throughout the weekend to greet visitors and take pictures.
The event is scheduled for the weekend of December 9th to 11th, opening at 10:00 am each day but closing at different hours over the weekend. Consult Laval’s website for a complete listing of activities and schedules. Some activities may require reservations. Parking is $7.00 on site but free for holders of Laval’s Carte Advantage.
The 211 telephone service is now live
Laval’s new 211 telephone information and referral line dedicated to social and community services is now live. A first of its kind in the Montreal area aide is available in both English and French with multilingual assistance as well in 200 languages. Operators are available seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., year-round and through their data base with information on 300 organizations in the Laval and greater Montreal area provide residents with an unprecedented access to important community resources.
Diverse organizations dedicated to health and safety, psychosocial support, employment assistance and human rights are examples of the services 211 operators can refer callers to. The same information can be obtained online at the services website at https://www.211laval.ca
The City of Laval invested $305,000 in the five-year joint initiative with the Centre de Référence du Grand Montréal.
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