City of / Ville de Cote Saint Luc, Quebec, Canada :::: Côte St. Luc, Quebec, Canada -

Côte Saint-Luc Public Works Week receives top prize

CSL Communications — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:46:39 -0400

(left to right) Peter Kay, Chief Executive Officer CPWA; Ian Vaughan, Outgoing President CPWA; David Tordjman, Director of Public Works and Urban Planning, City of Côte Saint-Luc; Stan Siu, Director CPWA and Chairperson of the Public Works Week Contest; Jean Perrault, Mayor of Sherbrooke, Quebec and President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities; Mitchell Brownstein, Councillor responsible for public works, City of Côte Saint-Luc

The association representing public works professionals in Canada awarded the City of Côte Saint-Luc the top prize in its 2008 National Public Works Week Awards.

The Canadian Public Works Association (CPWA) awarded the top prize to Côte Saint-Luc among cities with a population of 50,000 or fewer. The results were announced at the CPWA Luncheon at the American Public Works Association Congress in New Orleans on August 18.

“We are thrilled that our Public Works Week activities were ranked number one this year,” said Councillor Mitchell Brownstein, the council member responsible for public works issues. “We put a lot of work into organizing events for kids to entertain and inform them about how our public works people improve the quality of every day life in Côte Saint-Luc.”

Public Works Week in Côte Saint-Luc included several days of activities. The Director of Public Works, David Tordjman, spoke at the Eleanor London Côte Saint-Luc Public Library on May 21. Students from grade 3 of Hebrew Academy toured the Côte Saint-Luc public works facilities to learn about recycling on May 22. They also planted flowers and took part in a relay race to put the correct items in a blue box, a brown bin or a garbage can. Finally, the week culminated with the Public Works Carnival on May 25 and included inflatable games, arts and crafts, an eco-information booth, a household hazardous waste and electronic waste disposal area and much more.

“A lot of people helped make this event a success, but I want to thank Public Works Director David Tordjman and the Coordinator of Administrative Services Beatrice Newman,” Mayor Anthony Housefather said. “Beatrice, in particular, made an incredible contribution and helped make Public Works Week an award-winning event. I also want to recognize the outstanding work done every day by our Public Works Department staff.”

Sponsoring a bench: Yitzhak Rabin Park

CSL Communications — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 14:07:12 -0400

The owner of the Shell station at 5650 Westminister Ave. in Côte St. Luc, Raffi Abikian, sits on a refurbished bench with mechanic Zareh Haciartinian (right) as councillors Allan J. Levine and Mike Cohen look on.

The bench, located at Yitzak Rabin Park across from the Shell station, was refurbished and a plaque was added honouring the memory of Kris Demircigil, Abikian's late father-in-law and business partner, who passed away in January 2007.

Councillor Cohen, who is responsible for the sponsorship portfolio, said there have been a number of requests by people wishing to dedicate a city bench in the memory of a loved one. People can learn more by calling 514-485-6800.

>> Sponsor the restoration of a bench

Resident’s Guide to the City of Côte Saint-Luc Bylaws

CSL Communications — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 10:16:39 -0400

The purpose of the Resident’s Guide to the City of Côte Saint-Luc Bylaws is to provide a summary or extracts of common bylaws. Bylaws are codes and regulations adopted by and governing matters within the purview of municipalities, such as parking, noise, zoning, and construction.

Please note that this Resident’s Guide is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute an interpretation of city bylaws. Only the actual text of the bylaw is authoritative and these bylaws are available at the City Hall Archives (5801 Cavendish Blvd.).

Parking

Parking rules are set by Côte Saint-Luc bylaws and the Quebec Highway Safety Code. To avoid a fine, please read parking signs carefully before parking your vehicle. Here are some situations where you cannot park a vehicle:

On any street overnight between 3am and 6am without a Long-Term Overnight
Parking Permit or temporary authorization from the Public Security Department
Where signs prohibit you from parking at all times
Where temporary signs prohibit you to do so for operations such as street cleaning or snow removal
In an emergency lane
In a handicap zone when unauthorized to do so

You cannot park a trailer, truck anywhere in Côte Saint-Luc except for loading or unloading purposes. In addition to the Côte Saint-Luc bylaws, the Quebec Highway Safety Code states you may not:

Park on your driveway while leaving a portion of your vehicle encroaching on city property such as the sidewalk
Block access to a public or private driveway
Leave you vehicle unattended with its doors unlocked
Park less than five meters from a fire hydrant
Park more than 30 cm (about one foot) from the curb of a sidewalk
Leave a child under age seven unattended in a vehicle

Bicycle and skating helmets

When riding a bicycle, or skating using in-line skates or roller blades, on any street, sidewalk, lane or any public place in Côte Saint-Luc, people of all ages must wear an approved helmet.

Barbecues

For apartments and condos: Use of an ‘open flame’ barbecue on a balcony is generally not permitted given that the smoke coming from the barbecue may create a nuisance to your neighbours. Also, you cannot transport a propane tank in an elevator and you are obligated to have a minimum of seven feet (7’) between the barbecue and any openings such as a door or window.

For single-family and semi-detached dwellings, townhouses and duplex: Use of a barbecue in the yard or ground floor balcony/sundeck is generally permitted, provided the barbecue rests on a non-flammable surface and that the smoke does not create a nuisance. You are obligated to have a minimum of seven feet (7’) between the barbecue and any openings such as a door or window.

Items on the street or sidewalk

You cannot place objects on the street or on the public sidewalk without the permission of Côte Saint-Luc. This includes objects such as basketball nets and hockey nets.

Private swimming pools

The building inspector (or representative) must have free access to inspect the maintenance and operation of a swimming pool at all times.

Operation
Swimming pools must have a rope of an easily visible color to separate the deep end from the shallow end.

Fence

Swimming pools must be surrounded by a fence, or other solid structure, not less than six feet high and the elements of the fence must not be separated by a space wider than four inches. The door to the fenced off area around a swimming pool must have a self-closing and self-locking device that is capable of keeping the door securely closed. This locking device should be located out of the reach of children.

Semi-private and public swimming pools

The Quebec Public Buildings Safety Act requires public swimming pools and semi-private ones—such as the ones in multi-family dwellings—to be equipped with the following:

An electrically insulated or non-conducting reaching pole at least 3.6 meters (about 12 feet) long
Two safety buoys that can be either a ring type or a torpedo type
A spine board designed for a person who has suffered spinal injury
A first aid kit
A blanket

In addition, semi-private and public swimming pools must have the following:

Safety rules posted in English and French
A rope of an easily visible color to separate the deep end from the shallow end
A portable oxygen tank with a pocket mask within accessibility of the pool area, which must be verified to be in good working order by a qualified technician at periodic intervals
A phone within the swimming pool area for use only to call for help in case of emergencies, and instructions on how to call for help
A breakable glass container (with an attachable device to break open the glass) containing a key to an interior door giving access to the pool area

Dogs

License

All dog owners must ensure that their dog has an annual license, payable on the first day of May each year. The annual license fee for each dog that is neutered or spayed is $15. The annual license fee for each dog that is not neutered or spayed is $30.

Vaccination
The owner of a dog has to show proof that the dog was vaccinated against rabies before the owner can be issued an annual dog license.

Public places
All dogs must be kept on a leash throughout the year when in a public place. Dogs are generally not allowed in public parks and playgrounds. The custodian of a dog must clean up every public or private ground soiled by feces of a dog. Dogs are not allowed on private grounds expect with the consent of the owner.

Garbage collection

Pickup times
Garbage collection hours are between 8am and 9pm on Tuesdays and Fridays or Mondays and Thursdays. You cannot place garbage receptacles or plastic bags outside any building more than three (3) hours before the scheduled collection hour of 8am.

Placement of garbage bins and bags
You must place garbage outside the front of the premises as close to the front sidewalk as possible but not on the sidewalk or street.

You must place garbage in a metal or plastic receptacle, tightly covered, having a maximum capacity of 125 liters (4.4 cubic feet) and a maximum weight of 45 kilograms (100 pounds) when filled. You may not fill each garbage container more than 76.2 millimeters (3 inches) from its top rim.

Plastic garbage bags may be used for placing garbage outside instead of in a receptacle providing each bag is closed firmly.

Amount and types of garbage
You may not put more than a total of six (6) receptacles or plastic bags outside a building for collection. Waste paper must be tied firmly into bundles or rolls and left close to the garbage receptacles. Branches must be tied into bundles not exceeding one third (1/3) of a cubic yard.

You must remove the cover or door from any box, refrigerator, trunk, or container before leaving it for garbage collection.

Construction Hours

You may not carry out any works in connection with the construction, re-construction, alteration or repairing of any building or structure, at any place in the city, between 9pm and 9am on Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays, or between 9pm and 7am on all other days, unless you have permission from the city granted under special circumstances.

Permits

You must obtain a permit for the following (non-exhaustive) list of items:
Fences
Swimming pools
Construction of a new balcony
Construction/re-doing of a driveway
Renovations/general modifications
New windows
New façade
Roof

The application for these permits should be submitted approximately one week before the work is to start. Once the work is started, it must be completed within three months—however, if it is not completed within three months, you can apply for a new permit. If are unsure whether you need a permit call City Hall (5801 Cavendish Blvd.) at 514-485-6800.

Parks

You are not allowed to be in a city park past 11pm where signs prohibit you to you from being there.

Noise

You cannot make loud noises such as excessively honking your horn, blaring loud music or using any other sound reproduction device to do so.

Handouts

You cannot distribute circulars, advertisements, leaflets or other printed matters on the sidewalks, streets, and in private homes, between 9pm and 7am.

Home distribution of flyers

You cannot deposit circulars, advertisements, leaflets or other printed matters on the sidewalks, streets, lanes, or elsewhere than in a mail box of a private home or of a multiple dwellings building.

Messy property

The owner of land, whether built or not, may not allow branches, bushes and long weeds to grow thereon, or to leave scrap iron, rubbish, refuse, paper or empty bottles or materials or any objects that might be a hazard to health and safety.

Dangerous items

You cannot tolerate on your land, shallow areas gathering stagnant water, open ditches, large boulders, mounds of earth or any conditions that may cause directly or indirectly bodily harm to any person or persons.

Raising animals

You cannot keep live farm animals or fowl on your land.

Feeding animals

You cannot feed pigeons, squirrels and other wild animals or poultry.

Street vendors

All street vendors require a license from the municipality prior to carrying out their tasks.

Smoking

The Quebec Tobacco Act prohibits you from smoking within a nine-meter (about 30 feet) radius of a premises used for community or recreational activities.

Collection of Recyclable Materials

CSL Communications. — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 11:18:41 -0400

Côte Saint-Luc collects curbside recycling on Tuesday starting at 7am. Please place your items in your recycling bin (blue box).

If you never received a blue box or if you are a new resident, you can get a free one from the Public Works office (7001 Mackle Rd.) on Monday to Thursday from 8:30am to 3:30pm, or Fridays from 8:30am to 3pm.

If your blue box gets stolen, broken or lost, we will replace it free of charge. Any subsequent replacement or additional blue box will cost $10.

The selective collection of recyclable materials service applies to single family homes and to buildings with eight (8) apartments, or less.

Recycling bins (blue boxes) are free for residents (one box per residence).

Residents who wish to get a blue box are invited to come to the Public Works department (7001 Mackle Rd.), during office hours.

Schedule

Holiday Schedule

7001 Mackle Rd.

8:30am to 3:30pm
(Friday 8:30am to 3pm)

Same schedule

What we recycle

Fiber

Newspapers

Flyers and magazines
Paper (even with staples) and envelopes (even with windows)
Cereal, frozen food, laundry detergent, shoe and other boxes
Cardboard boxes (flattened and tied up)
Cardboard tubes and rolls
File folders
Paper bags
Books
Telephone books

Glass

Bottles and jars of all shapes and colours (no need to remove labels)

Metal / aluminium

Tin cans
Covers and lids
Hangers
Aluminium cans
Clean aluminium pie plates and foil

Plastic

Hard plastic: Bottles from any sort of liquid, including
shampoo and laundry detergent, yoghurt, margarine,
shortening and other similar containers, covers, lids, milk
and juice containers and all other rigid multi-layer
packaging from liquids
Soft plastic: Grocery and other shopping bags, dry cleaning
bags, bread and pastry bags (grease-free), clean food
storage bags, plastic wrappers (from milk, paper towels,
etc.)

What we don't recycle

Table scraps and putrescible materials
Fiber

Soiled or greasy paper or cardboard
Wax paper
Stickers
Wallpaper
photographic paper
Foil gift wrap
Padded envelopes
Composite products (binders, etc.)
Diapers

Glass

Drinking glasses
Windows and mirrors
Incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs
Porcelain and ceramics
Pyrex
Broken and unbroken dishes

Metal/Aluminium

Paint, solvent or pesticide containers
Spray cans, etc.,
Metal hardware
Pipes
Nails
Screws
Pots
Pans
Muffin tins
Electronic and large household appliances
Small household appliances
Toys
Tools and other products made from mixed materials

Plastic

Hard – All number “6” plastics (polystyrene), paint, motor oil or other similar containers, tooth paste tubes and pumps, rubber items (hoses, boots), toys, tools and other products made from mixed materials
Soft – Soiled plastic film, cereal or cracker bags (waxed), chip bags (greasy), stretch wrap (from pâté, meat, cheese, etc.), pool covers, awnings, etc.

Recycling Bells

Recycling bells are available to residents in the following two locations

Behind Cavendish Mall (close to Kildare Road, next to the community gardens)
On the corner of Westminster and Baily (above the overpass).

Moving Ecologically

Click here for additional information (PDF Document)

Daily Hello Bonjour program

CSL Communications — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 12:57:51 -0400

What is the Daily Hello Bonjour Program?

A program to maintain daily contact with seniors who live alone to ensure their well being.

How does it work?

Every morning from Monday to Friday, a volunteer will call you to see that everything is fine. You can also choose to call in yourself. If you cannot be reached, a series of phone calls will be made to a pre-established list of contacts (such as the building concierge, relatives or friends) who can confirm for us your well being.

Will it cost you anything?

No, this program is absolutely free for all Côte Saint-Luc residents.

Why enrol in this program?

The purpose of this program is to ensure the safety of seniors living alone in our community. It is an extra security net to ensure your well-being.

If you have any questions or would like to register, please call 514-485-6819.

Minister of Education visits Merton School

CSL Communications — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:33:41 -0400

Quebec Minister of Education Michelle Courchesne visited Merton School in Côte Saint-Luc on Monday, March 31, 2008.

Steven Erdelyi, Dida Berku, Anthony Housefather, Mike Cohen, Minister Michelle Courchesne, Lawrence Bergman, Principal Raizel Candib (Photo credit: Martin Barry)

Angela Mancini, Syd Wise, Anthony Housefather

Volunteer Citizens On Patrol (vCOP)

CSL Communications — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 15:13:56 -0400

The City of Côte Saint-Luc is looking for more recruits to expand its successful Volunteer Citizens on Patrol program.
For more information about the program, contact the vCOP team at 514-485-6800 or vcop@cotesaintluc.org.

* * *

The Côte Saint-Luc Volunteer Citizens on Patrol (vCOP) program is an innovative approach to community safety and security.

Working in collaboration with Côte Saint-Luc Public Security, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and the Montreal Police Department, the vCOP members patrol the city, observing and reporting any suspicious activities or problems. vCOP members are not law enforcement personnel; instead, they act as the "eyes and ears" for our emergency services.

Visible on the streets and in parks, and at many special events throughout the year, the vCOP patrols helps deter crime and assist people in need.

A first in Quebec

Côte Saint-Luc is the first city in Quebec to implement such an innovative vCOP program, which is already established in communities throughout much of Western Canada and the United States.

The volunteers contribute to the well-being of the community and act as a highly-visible deterrent to crime. They also assist residents and visitors by informing them about city services and municipal by-laws. vCOP members patrol in marked vehicles as well as on bicycles and on foot.

How to volunteer

Candidates must be at least 18 years old, in good health and residing, working or having a vested interest in Côte Saint-Luc. Since some patrol activities can be physically demanding, volunteers must be be in very good physical condition. They must also pass a security check, have good interpersonal and communications skills, possess a positive attitude and be able to work in a team environment. In addition, they must adhere to the vCOP code of conduct and participate in training sessions.

Patrollers will be required to commit to a minimum of six hours of patrolling each month.

Note: There is a one-time membership fee of $75, which is used to defray the costs of uniforms and accessories. Your cheque, payable to the City of Côte Saint-Luc, must accompany the completed application form (below).

Download and complete the application form (PDF)

Volunteer training manual

All vCOP members with the Côte Saint-Luc volunteer Citizens on Patrol program will follow basic training which includes:

Observation and effective patrolling skills
Shift procedures
Personal safety
Crime prevention
First aid and defibrillation

Volunteer training

All vCOP members follow a training program spanning seven sessions which covers:

Observation and effective patrolling skills
Incident response protocols
Personal safety
Municipal by-laws
Crime prevention
First aid, CPR and AED (automatic external defibrillation)

The training is provided by volunteers as well as local law enforcement, EMS and fire department representatives, where possible.

For more information about the program, contact the vCOP team at 514-485-6800 or vcop@cotesaintluc.org. The vCOP training manual is available below:

Download the vCOP training manual

We are grateful to our valued corporate sponsors who have helped to make the program a reality. To find out how you may assist Côte Saint-Luc Volunteer Citizens on Patrol through sponsorship or donation please contact us at vcop@cotesaintluc.org.

vCOP sponsored
by

Claireview Leasing

Toyota Montréal-Nord

Cote Saint-Luc Car Wash

And other generous members of the
community

Street maintenance request form

CSL Communications — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 12:37:05 -0500

Our goal is to repair potholes as soon as weather allows it. Use this form to report non-emergency problems such as pot holes, minor street repairs, malfunctioning traffic signals, and damaged street signs.

Brief presented to the Transport and Environment Commission (Feb. 2008)

CSL Communications — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 21:29:21 -0500

Public Works Director David Tordjman, Councillor Mitchell Brownstein, Councillor Steven Erdelyi and Waste, Environment and Safety Technician Oriana Familiar in front of the Quebec legislature.

Councillors Steven Erdelyi and Mitchell Brownstein presented a brief was on February 6, 2008 at 3:15pm to the Transport and Environment Commission of the National Assembly of Quebec studying ecological waste management issues

The brief provides background information about how the City of Côte Saint-Luc implemented its organic waste collection program, and provide recommendations for the Government of Quebec. We hope that our waste diversion program can become a model for cities throughout Quebec.

>> View the brief (PDF, 82 KB)

>> View the annex (PDF, 17 MB)

>> View the presentation video

>> Read the presentation transcript (draft)

Côte Saint-Luc budget 2008

CSL Communications — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 16:57:54 -0500

The Côte Saint-Luc City Council on December 18, 2007 adopted its 2008 local municipal budget of $30.05 million, while keeping the average residential property tax increase below the rate of inflation.

The budget provides for minimal property tax increases for the average residential taxpayer, with the average increase being below the rate of inflation. The owner of a single-family home whose property valuation increased at the average rate of 36 percent will pay 1.69 percent more in local property taxes than he or she did in 2007. Other individual tax accounts may be lower or higher, depending on the variation of their assessment in the four-year property valuation assessment roll, which increased the valuation of some properties more than others.

The council and management team implemented a strict budgetary process used in the private sector. Instead of using last year’s budget as a base and adding to it, a form of zero-based budgeting was used where every department function was reviewed comprehensively and all expenditures had to be justified.

To help minimize the impact of property valuation increases greater than the Côte Saint-Luc average of 36 percent, the City of Côte Saint-Luc has reduced the tax rate (also called the “mill rate”) on all properties, and staggered the valuation increases over four years.

The City of Côte Saint-Luc has merged its two water taxes into one special reserve fund. The taxes raised will be used to pay engineering consulting firm Dessau Inc. for the maintenance and improvement of the Côte Saint-Luc water infrastructure, to buy water from the City of Montreal and to pay down the debt owed to the City of Montreal for the purchase the water distribution network in the territory of Côte Saint-Luc. Similar to municipal taxes, the water tax is also based on the taxable valuation of residential and non-residential properties.

The City of Côte Saint-Luc kept increases in operating expenses to a minimum by trimming the budgets of all departments in a way that will not affect the services residents expect. This was achieved by a judicious review of all expenses and finding new and less costly ways to achieve excellent services to residents.

The largest increase in expenses is related to the ongoing rise in energy costs, including fuel and electricity. During the course of the 2008 fiscal year, the City of Côte Saint-Luc will investigate ways to be more energy efficient and ultimately save money in this area in future years.

The recycling budget has also been increased to fulfill the city’s commitment to have recycling in all apartment buildings and condominiums in 2008. In addition, due to the successful implementation of organic waste collection in 2007, a budget was created to extend the program to all single family homes in 2008.

The water infrastructure budget has also risen slightly because Côte Saint-Luc has once again identified water testing and infrastructure improvements as a priority.

Capital expenditures budget
Just as the expense budget allows short-term planning and control of current operating needs, the capital expenditures budget is a tool to aid long-term planning and control of long-range and capital needs, such as:

Road and sidewalk replacement
Sewer replacement and repairs
Repairs to municipal buildings
Upgrades and improvements to parks, pools and equipment
Upgrades to the ambulance fleet of Côte Saint-Luc Emergency Medical Services and purchase of defibrillators
Replacement and upgrade of municipal vehicles and technology equipment

The three-year capital expenditures budget is $5.61 million in 2008, $12.98 million in 2009 and $5.68 million in 2010. The City of Côte Saint-Luc will continue to maximize the use of grants that are available for capital expenditures such as the Gas Tax Fund, F.I.M.R. and sports/recreation grants from the Ministry of Education, Leisure and Sports.

About the tax bills
Residents of the City of Côte Saint-Luc will receive two municipal tax bills in January 2008—one from the City of Côte Saint-Luc and another from the island-wide Montreal Agglomeration Council. The City of Côte Saint-Luc municipal tax bill is due in two installments: March 3 and June 2, 2008.

The City of Côte Saint-Luc tax bill pays for the Eleanor London Côte Saint-Luc Public Library, parks and recreation activities, road repairs, garbage collection, recycling, organic waste collection and other local services. The island-wide tax bill pays for Montreal island services such as police, fire prevention and public transit.

>> View a detailed overview of the budget (PDF)