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Amendments regarding wetlands and environmental protections
Several items pertaining to by-laws regarding wetlands, bodies of water, and associated protection areas were addressed at the council meeting on May 6, with council proposing notices that would amend existing by-laws to address a new regulatory framework, some of which may take precedence over existing municipal regulations.
Many of these measures aim to promote better governance of water and associated environments, as well as encompass the regional wetlands and water environments plan drawn up by the Agglomeration of Montreal. The amendments include a mapping of ecological components of interest, as well as wetlands and water bodies of ecological interest.
One of the main measures proposed concerns the obligation to create a wetland characterization study when a project is carried out on a property affected by the presence of a wetland or its protection area.
The city believes that “these environments contribute to the quality of life of residents while improving our resilience to climate change.” Several of these by-laws will be the subject of a public consultation in the coming weeks and notices will be posted on the city’s website.
Highlights of the 2024 financial report
Mayor Tim Thomas read a prepared statement regarding the city’s 2024 financial report. The City of Pointe-Claire ended the fiscal year with a surplus of 27.6 million dollars, over 30% of which was generated through property taxes, taxes which, according to Thomas, “come mainly from non-residential buildings, which were assessed at values higher than our estimates.”
In addition, proceeds from property transfers, interest, and other revenues helped to make up the rest of the surplus. Efficiencies of day-to-day operations and sound resource management of the city added to this, with an additional savings of 8.7 million dollars.
While the majority of the surplus will be allocated to refinancing and repaying long-term debt, a portion will be used to continue upgrading municipal buildings and carrying out infrastructure projects. Other projects include the preservation of the urban canopy, maintaining subsidy programs for residents, and ensuring that “sidewalks and public utilities remain in good condition for the next 50 years.”
Adoption of a 2nd draft resolution regarding Le Manoir
Council unanimously adopted the second draft resolution that would allow the extension of the building to improve its functionality and operations, including the construction of an accessory building to contain waste management bins.
A notice will be published on the city’s website, informing residents of the zones concerned and the conditions required for a register to be opened and a referendum to be held regarding any potential conversion project.