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An evening of impassioned speeches about flooding stretched the July 7 council meeting to four hours, with three of those hours devoted to two question periods. About 100 citizens attended, with approximately 70 watching from an overflow room downstairs and a packed council chamber.

The meeting opened with Mayor John Belvedere discussing the city's response to the June 20 flooding, including infrastructure improvements and an assistance program to help residents make their homes more resilient. The program will provide financing for 50 per cent of eligible work, up to $5,000 per dwelling, and also provide advisory services through Écohabitation. The program, originally expected in the fall, was expedited because residents need the money as soon as possible.

The city also signed a six-year collective agreement with its blue-collar employees, running from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2029.

Council recognized Pointe-Claire resident Wendy Hunziker, who received the Lieutenant Governor’s Seniors' Medal for her community service.

General question period

The first question concerned the Sanivac contract. The mayor said a new truck would allow quicker interventions and that the city was gathering information from residents to determine priorities.

Winter overnight parking in Greenwich was another concern. The mayor said the Traffic Committee had discussed it twice, and residents should hear something within the next month. He acknowledged a solution might not be in place before winter but said there would be an answer.

Questions were raised about the proposed demolition of 106 Bord-du-Lac/Lakeshore Road, including provincial involvement, preservation of the property's character, and the loss of local history.

A resident complained about overflowing underground refuse containers at des Frênes and Mason avenues and people leaving garbage beside them.

The owner of the dépanneur in the Delmar strip mall asked council to require commercial space on the ground floor of future residential redevelopment. He noted that he had previously petitioned for this in the city's new planning program. Mayor Belvedere responded that mixed-use development was not part of the developer's proposal.

Flooding question period

Residents expressed appreciation for the city's quick mobilization to remove debris after the flood. There was also praise for the efficacy of the new berms on Saddlewood Ave., along with requests to ensure that the finishing touches on the retention basin at the Terra-Cotta “sponge park” are completed. Others spoke about damage to their homes, drainage and infrastructure concerns, potential effects on property values, and a suggestion that the assistance program assess individual need rather than providing the same $5,000 to every eligible household.

Former city councillor Brent Cowan expressed concern about the lack of progress on the city's emergency response plan, which still lacks detailed immediate actions for events such as flooding, despite three years of work. He also asked whether the Montreal agglomeration had been asked for assistance. The mayor indicated that it had not, while the city manager said the administration was gathering information to develop the plan further.

The value of beauty

Council then voted 6-1 to allocate $60,000 for permanent public art in Edgewater Park. Councillor Andrew Swidzinski (District 4) voted against it, saying his opposition was symbolic and emphasizing his belief that more money should go to higher-priority projects such as underground infrastructure.

A third property removed from the interim control by-law

The proposed Delmar strip mall redevelopment was approved 4-3. Councillors Mike Potvin (District 8, where the project is located), Bruno Tremblay (District 6), and Swidzinski opposed replacing the dépanneur and daycare with townhouses, arguing that the site should retain a commercial function. Tremblay and Swidzinski also opposed case-by-case redevelopment before the new planning program is completed. Swidzinski also noted that this was the third property removed from the interim control by-law.

A question of heritage at 106 Bord-du-Lac/Lakeshore

A neighbouring property owner questioned whether the minor exemption respected the strict conditions attached to the demolition authorization. The property owners said they had followed the Planning Advisory Committee's requirements throughout the 18-month approval process.

Council approved the minor exemption 4-3, with Councillors Ludovic Matthews (District 2), Tremblay, and Swidzinski opposed. Swidzinski also opposed the Site Planning and Architectural Integration Programme (SPAIP) plans, arguing they would not respect the neighbourhood's heritage character. The plans were approved 4-3, with the same three councillors voting against.