Click here to view the original article

Three appointments to PCVRU

The February 3rd meeting announced the new appointments to the Pointe-Claire Volunteer Rescue Unit (PCVRU). Now in its 75th year, the PCVRU elected Marianna Ferraiuolo as its first female director, Peter Cotroneo as assistant director, Bruno Demmerle as captain, and the creation of the position of communications officer, with Rian McDonald filling the new role. Described by Mayor Belvedere as “the best-kept secret in Pointe-Claire,” he lauded the services the PCVRU provides to the community and the city’s plans to recognize its contributions.

City manager’s report

Responding to three questions from the January 13 meeting, interim city manager Gilles Girouard read off his report. In response to the question of how much was spent from 2022 to 2025 on external lawyers for disputes and grievances between the city and its employees, including on matters such as collective bargaining agreements, the amount totalled $496,324. The second response to the question regarding the cost of the renovations and upgrades to the Public Works building was that it was initially budgeted at $24,518,482.22 with a final cost of $25,614,125.18. This constitutes a 4.47 per cent variation, falling below a normal variation of 5 to 10 per cent. The final response was about the results of the BC2 consultation process, and, with no consultations currently in progress, Girouard recommended consulting the city’s website.

Question period

In what would be another short question period, questions were presented about Pointe-Claire’s 2026 budget, with hopes expressed that a deal could be made with Montreal’s new administration regarding the amount being sent to the Agglomeration.

A resident asked about the plans for the recently vacated Future Electronics building, expressing concerns that any construction would eliminate the open, treed property.

An employee of Wild Willy’s on Donegani asked for a follow-up about safety concerns at Wild Willy’s on Donegani, pertaining to the fencing and truck placement. The mayor said the Traffic Committee would be looking at potential short-term solutions until Donegani could be revamped.

A resident asked about the options being chosen to mitigate flooding issues on Saddlewood and Glanlynn and requested to be consulted on options being considered. Gilles Girouard, Interim City Manager, said that a meeting in March would discuss the project, which has gone to tender and includes a large retention basin at the Belmont soccer field, a berm on Terra Cotta Ave., a smaller retention basin on lower Belmont, and redirecting the water to the soccer field on Belmont from Terra Cotta Park.

A resident requested a public consultation about changing the by-laws to allow for Tempos (temporary car shelters) in Pointe-Claire.

Windmill

Councillor Andrew Swidzinski (District 4 – Cedar Park Heights) addressed council prior to a vote regarding an application to the ministère de la Culture et des Communication for financial assistance within the framework of the Programme d'entente en patrimoine (PEP). This resolution will provide $640,000 under a new government program in addition to the city’s existing financial commitment for the restoration of the windmill.

Swidzinski reviewed the history of the project, emphasizing two points before voting, first stating the complexity of the situation and second, expressing concerns about history repeating with this resolution, and requesting that by-laws be modified so that the Pointe-Claire Heritage Preservation Society receives phased funding so the project can move forward. Swidzinski also clarified that he resigned as president of the heritage group at the request of Mayor Belvedere and not due to a conflict of interest.