Highlights of the City Council meeting of October 7, 2024

The City Council met on October 7, 2024 for its monthly public meeting. Substitute Mayor Claude Ferguson opened the meeting by speaking on several topics of interest:

• Underlining of the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
• Thanks to the Maxi grocery store for its donation of 350 flower bulbs
• Thanks to the Société d'horticulture de Saint-Lambert for planting the bulbs.
• Future initiatives of the Communauté économique de Saint-Lambert
• Follow-up on city hall renovation and reconstruction project
• Upcoming changes to waste collection and information session on November 7
• Halloween activities and closure of Elm Street from October 23 to 29
• Filing of the new 2025-2027 property assessment roll
• Sixth edition of the Rentrée culturelle de Saint-Lambert

The following is a summary of the main issues discussed and orientations adopted.

1. Collection and transportation of recyclable material containers

The City has adopted the latest in a series of new contracts required to comply with new Quebec guidelines, namely that for the collection and transportation of recyclable material containers.

As of January 1, 2025, Quebec towns and cities will be obliged to comply with new government requirements concerning the collection of residual materials. This means major changes for Saint-Lambert, in terms of collection sectors, frequency and schedules.

Full details of the new measures will be communicated to you in the fall. Residents will receive by mail a complete collection calendar including all the new measures.

2. Adoption of requests for minor exemptions for urban development projects

In addition to approving a significant number of applications for residential conversion permits, the Council endorsed the recommendations of the Comité consultatif en urbanisme (CCU) to allow the realization of two major redevelopment projects in areas around the heart of the Village and the train station, namely on the former Dare factory site and on the Covimex and Boutin garage - formerly Asbestonos - sites. The requests were for minor exemptions to certain urban planning bylaws, so that the new constructions would fit in with Saint-Lambert's distinctive setting, while maintaining reminders of its history.

Council is sensitive to the impacts that any changes may have on citizens living near these projects, and will continue to work to develop the necessary improvements to limit or even eliminate some of the negative impacts of development. At the same time, the Council can only be favourable to all project proposals insofar as the CCU confirms its agreement with the orientations established in its new urban plan. It should be remembered that the orientations of this new urban plan have been the subject of numerous public consultations for over four years, and have been approved by the people of Saint-Lambert and their representatives.

The Council believes that redeveloping these sectors will enrich our community, vitalize the heart of our downtown core and take advantage of existing infrastructures to improve our financial position for years to come, which will in turn enable us to further improve our services to citizens.

3. Application for financial assistance under the Programme d'infrastructures municipales d'eau (PRIMEAU) - volet 2

In 2025, the Ville de Saint-Lambert will undertake several major and critical infrastructure renovation projects, including the rehabilitation of Hickson Avenue, Union Boulevard and portions of Osborne Street, Prince-Arthur Street and Queen Boulevard, as well as D'Isère Avenue and de Namur Street.

The Ville de Saint-Lambert will submit an application for financial assistance and has adopted the necessary resolutions to qualify for the Programme d'infrastructures municipales d'eau (PRIMEAU) - volet 2. This government program is designed to support municipalities in the renewal of drinking water and sewer pipes.

4. New school corridor on Cartier Street

With the expansion of the Rabeau school bringing an increase in the number of students, the Council wishes to introduce a school corridor on Cartier Street to ensure the safety of children and families on their way to school or daycare. The main reason for this decision is that Cartier Street is very narrow, and has no sidewalk to protect pedestrians with a dedicated space.

The development is intended as a pilot project to test new, more aesthetically pleasing demarcation tools.The project involves:

• installation of signs indicating the hours of use of this corridor, from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, on both sides of the street;
• addition of a white line demarcating the corridor on the pavement, along with pictograms;
• installation of light, aesthetic bumpers along the demarcation line of the new corridor.

5. Acquisition of a multi-purpose tractor

The City has acquired a new multifunctional tractor at a cost of $149,267. More modern and versatile, the new tractor will replace outdated equipment. Offering the possibility of adding functions over time and according to need, this machine has great potential and will maximize its use. Thanks to its versatility, it can be used both in summer for park maintenance and in winter for snow removal. This is a fine addition to the municipal equipment fleet, which will undoubtedly help to maintain the level of service expected by residents.

Couldn't make it?

You can listen to the regular meeting on our YouTube channel. The full agenda and related documentation can also be consulted at any time.