Laval City Hall Watch: June 25 2016

Early opening of outdoor swimming pools, wading pools and water games

To cool off during the summer the city provides public wading pools, water parks and swimming pools in numerous Laval parks. This year some pools have opened earlier than the school year end. The preseason schedule of activities began from the 18^th  and till the 23^rd of June will operate at the following parks; swimming pools and wading pools of  Du Moulin, Saint Vincent, Saint-Claude, Pius X, Couvrette, Roi-du-Nord and Willows will operate on Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 am to 8:00 pm as well as Mondays to Fridays from 3:00pm to 8:00 pm.

Water games facilities were also opened from the 13th of June and till the 26^th the St. Vincent, Gabriel Pelletier, Rosaire-Gauthier, Saint-Claude, des Coccinelles, Champfleury, Marc-Aurèle-Fortin and Paradis are available every day from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

After that date all parks are open and the summer schedule is in force

Construction Work continues in Samson and Saint-François arenas

Major renovations are ongoing at the Samson and St. Francis ice rinks. The long awaited refurbishments are expected to be completed by December 2016. To ensure that local sports associations and the general public are not deprived of ice time during this period, an amount of $ 200,000 has been budgeted for 2016. The money will allow for the rental of eight hundred hours of ice time in private and adjacent municipal arenas in order to compensate for lost hours resulting from the temporary closure of the two Laval arenas.

In another related matter the executive committee has approved the issuance of a grant of $ 45,000 to the Hockey Laval sport association to help fund the renting of ice time at Guimond Sports Complex for the 2015-2016 season. The administration is reassuring local sport authorities that all inconveniences are temporary in nature as the scheduled opening of the Place Bell complex in the fall of 2017 will add two new rinks in Laval’s inventory greatly improving access to ice time in Laval.

The remarkable trees of Laval

The Executive Committee agreed to provide funding of $ 15,000 to the Regional Environmental Council of Laval for the printing and publication of the book “Remarkable Trees of Laval”. The publication marks the 20th anniversary of the organization and the 12th Canadian Conference on urban forest. Laval is host of the 2016 conference which lasts four days. More than three hundred participants are expected to attend. Foresters, urban planners, policy makers and specialists in the environment arriving from across Canada will take part in training workshops.

Discussions will center on the benefits and features of urban forests, new strategies and promote techniques aimed at preserving and managing the urban forests in our country.

The Regional Council of the Environment (CRE) of Laval was founded in January 1996 by citizens and environmental organizations in the region. Its mission is to improve the quality of the environment and promote sustainable development.

Renaming a park

The Executive Committee has approved a motion to put forth a recommendation to the city council to change the name of the ‘Roi-du-Nord’ (King of the North) park in St. Rose to that of Raymond Millar Park. This approval followed a endorsement received from the Urban Planning Advisory Committee. .

Virginie Dufour, councillor of Sainte-Rose tabled a petition signed by 615 Lavallers supporting this request at the April 5^th regular city council meeting. According to councillor Dufour support for this name change is unanimous in the neighborhood.
It was Jean Roberge president of Football Laval who had initiated the request for the name change a few years ago. However upon the recent death of Raymond Millar this past January the efforts were renewed with great community support. Many residents of St. Rose felt the need to honor the memory of one of their community’s great volunteers. The Club Fabrose, Wolves of Curé-Antoine-Labelle and the Laval North Shore Vikings all supported the effort citing that it would be a fitting gesture to highlight the 50th anniversary of Laval North Vikings.

Raymond Millar was involved at some time or another in almost all sport and leisure associations of Sainte-Rose. His fifty five years of services began in 1961. From 1986 to 1994 he was Vice President of Football Laval and Vice President of the Vikings of Laval-Nord from 1995 to 2016.

Above ground pools in areas of mobile homes

The Executive Committee has approved a motion to be brought before the city council for the adoption of the bylaw L-2001-3662 draft regulation that amends the City’s Bylaw L-2000 to allow the installation of above ground pools in residential areas made up of mobile homes RM, RM-1 RM-3. This recommendation will be tabled for city council approval in a subsequent council meeting.

Grants awarded to local associations

The following is a list of grants approved by the executive in support of various associations organizing activities and services in local neighborhoods. Autism Society and TED received $3000 to help operate a summer camp program in 2016. The Laval School Board Foundation received a sum of $3000 and the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board Foundation was given a sum of $1500 to help support the organization of friendly sports matches between students and elected officials of the City of Laval as part of their staying in school initiatives.

The Special Olympics Québec Activity received $2500 to defray costs of their “The course of Heroes” activity held at Laval’s nature park Centre de la Nature. An amount of $1500 was given to the Opération Enfant Soleil / Fund Marie-Soleil Tougas fund raising effort and $1000 to Cycling Tour of Laval police whose efforts support children’s needs.

Also an amount of $1000 was allocated to the Volunteer Association of the residential and palliative care center Rose-de-Lima for their March for Dignity campaign.

More than half a million dollars approved for cultural organizations

The City of Laval approves financial grants each year to various cultural organizations of Laval which allows for their research, development and implementation of their activities. The administration views these nonprofit associations as important partners for delivering much appreciated services to the community at large. According to an executive spokesperson these organizations provide cultural offerings that contribute to the vitality and advancement of Laval culture.

The list of organizations receiving grants approved by the executive committee totaling $ 546 500 include: Arts et spectacles de Laval for $33,000; Bluff Productions $40,000; Centre d’archives de Laval $50,000; Chœur de Laval $12,000; Corporation de la Salle André-Mathieu

$140,000; Harpagon Théâtre $15,000; La Centrale des artistes $25,000; Lis avec moi $25,000;

Productions le P’tit monde $10,000; Rencontre Théâtre Ados $40,000; Réseau Arthist

$30,000; Réseau des organismes culturels et des artistes lavallois $15,000; Société des arts visuels de Laval $40,000; Société d’histoire et de généalogie de l’île Jésus $20,000; Société littéraire de Laval $40,000; Théâtre incliné $23,000 and Théâtre du P’tit Loup $8,500.

Laval city watch June 11 2016

Revised permit rules for construction renovation projects below $ 5,000

 The administration has addressed the delay time in its issuing of construction certificates by changing the criteria of building projects requiring permits. They will not require contractors/citizens to obtain permits for minor structure projects and renovations. Starting in June 2016 for buildings of one to three dwellings some projects whose value is less than $ 5,000 will not require a permit or approval from the Urban Planning Department. This change simplifies procedures for the execution of minor works.

As a result it is expected that this change will free up man power to process requests quicker thus improving the approval times for permits of jobs in excess of $ 5,000 or more. As there are technical criteria and exceptions to every general policy citizens/contractors are encouraged to check with the City of Laval before beginning any projects to check whether or not they need to obtain a permit.

Grant of $ 150,000 to fete the 30^th anniversary of the Laval Symphony Orchestra

To promote the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Laval Symphony Orchestra (LSO) and its special programming this year the Executive Committee have granted a subsidy of $ 150,000 for this year’s operational budget. The added financial support will allow the LSO to expand this season’s repertoire.

In addition to its customary programming and performances the orchestra will now also schedule some lectures before performances, open rehearsals to the public and plan events in the classroom. Special accommodation will be offered at centers for seniors and the Laval Symphony Orchestra will offer three free performances in parks and or on the river banks of Laval this summer.

The city has been a major partner of the Orchestra as close to 95% of Laval citizens have benefited in some way from their productions. Raynald Adams, Councillor for Renaud and member of the executive committee declared, “the orchestra is cherished by Laval residents and it is the vision of the City of Laval to promote it within and beyond our borders.”

Inaugural ‘OSE’ event celebrate entrepreneurship in Laval

On May 5^th 2016 the City of Laval organized the inaugural celebration of entrepreneurship in Laval the ‘OSE 2016’.  This new occasion was conceived to promote entrepreneurship by providing a forum to highlight local achievements. In order to stimulate the entrepreneurial spirit of the four hundred participants OSE Laval provided a rich program of diverse activities.

Participants had access to experienced mentors in private meetings/lectures, access to 40 information booths at the Salon des Entrepreneurs exhibits as well as numerous open innovations in business workshops. Highlighting the lecture series was the head chef Jean-François Plante of L’Aromate Restaurant, Laval entrepreneur Annie Racicot of Inspiration Pilates and Osteopathy and the former dragon, François Lambert of Boostmi Capital and Impulse.

The event concluded with an evening gala at which the Laval winners of the 18^th edition of regional economic development awards, the ‘Defi OSEntreprendre’ were presented. There are 16 winners, 10 in the Business Creation division and most importantly 6 of the Student Entrepreneurship division which involves students as young as the elementary school level. The winners will represent Laval in the provincial gala the Grand Prix Desjardins held later this year.

To provide participants with quality workshops and conferences the city of Laval contributed a sum of $ 50,000 to the Corporation of the Salle André-Mathieu whose team was responsible for the coordination of the technical services, rentals, as well as programming of the event.  “OSE Laval 2016, this is an event that reaffirms our belief that Laval is a breeding ground for business,” stated David De Cotis, vice president of the Executive Committee responsible for economic development.

Program of Laval’s outdoor pools of 2016 tabled

The Executive Committee had approved the program for its outdoor pools, authorizing the organization of various aquatic activities this summer in the 20 municipal pools and 8 wading water parks. The program also tabled the management needs and budgets required for human resources required to operate the pools and registration activities.

Traditionally municipal pool openings coincide with the onset of the school summer break in time for the St. Jean Baptiste weekend. An exception this year is that there will be a preseason opening of the newly renovated Saint-Vincent-de-Paul pool on June 13^th 2016.  “The extension of opening hours and generous activities planned at the various pools promises an eventful summer for Laval families,” declared member of the executive David De Cotis. Laval residents can refer to the exact programming schedule of their regional outdoor pools and wading pools at the local municipal sport and leisure offices, (Bureau Municipale de Loisirs et sports- BMLs).

Support for persons 65 and older

 The administration will continue its subvention program for residents of Laval aged 65 and older (formerly the water tax rebate). Residents who meet the eligibility requirements of Regulation L-12221 can apply for a subsidy of $100 per household occupied by at least one person aged 65 whether tenant or owner or $200 if at least one person aged 65 and over receives the guaranteed income supplement paid by the Government of Canada’s old age security act.

In order to make the City of Laval increasingly inclusive, members of the executive committee relaxed the regulation to grant a subsidy to support people aged 65 and over. Now the addition of “spouse” in the definition aged over 65 years has made the payment of the subsidy to a household as long as one of the occupants whether they are the owner or renter on record, is aged at least 65 years.

To qualify for the grant, citizens must be aged 65 or over and resident in the territory of the City as of May 1^st 2016. They can be renters or homeowners of a located in Laval that they use as a primary residence. They must complete the grant application form provided for this purpose and provide all required documents. Pre-filled forms were mailed May 17^th 2016 to people who have received the grant in 2015.

For people making a first application, a downloadable version of the form is available on the city website. Residents who were eligible and did not receive a pre-application form and first time applicants can call 450 978-5700.

While on the subject of support for Laval’s elderly, seniors are reminded that public transport provided by the local transport agency (STL) is free for Laval seniors aged 65 and over as of May 1^st 2014. Laval’s senior residents can ride on the Laval bus network for free as long as they procure an OPUS card which can be purchased for the price of $15 in cash. This pass is available at the two AMT metropolitan ticket offices located in Laval (Cartier and Montmorency Terminus). You must provide a valid Identification card (with proof of age) and a proof of residency (copy of property tax bill, rental lease or hydro bill is generally acceptable).

Benefactors of this aide are reminded that this free pass is not valid in train and metro stations in Laval. The OPUS card that must be purchased is valid for a period of 7 years.