Public Security Agents In-House

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MUNICIPAL LIFE

Publication : 7 août 2021

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Press release Town of Mount-Royal

Unlike employees in other Town of Mount Royal departments, Public Security agents have until now been retained through renewable contracts with security agencies rather than being part of municipal staff. Starting this month, this will be a thing of the past as agents will join the ranks of other Town employees for the first time and enjoy the associated benefits. The latest contract expires on July 20, meaning the end of Public Security’s ties with GardaWorld.

The Town’s decision was driven by ongoing staff attraction and retention issues in recent years. The growth and increasing complexity of Public Security services required significant resources to train new agents at a time when the turnover rate of this position sat around 70% due to the general instability of the labour market and realities of the security industry. Given the ever-closing cost gap between outsourcing and managing staff internally, the Town of Mount Royal opted for a change of model.

This shift in hiring practices will allow Mount Royal Public Security to improve the stability of its teams and ensure its agents, officers and dispatchers can offer a more comprehensive service for garden city residents.

A new vegetable garden in TMR!

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MUNICIPAL LIFE

Publication : 15 juin 2021

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Public Affairs Town of Mount-Royal

PHOTO COURTOISIE VILLE DE MONT-ROYAL

On Friday, June 11, Mayor Philippe Roy and Councillor John Miller, who attended the school as a student, were invited to officially inaugurate the Carlyle School's student vegetable garden. The Mayor and Mr. Miller praised the enthusiasm and efforts of the students, their parents and the school staff. We are looking forward to a great harvest!

“Espace pour la vie near you” coming to Dakin Park

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MUNICIPAL LIFE

Publication : 15 juin 2021

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This summer, Espace pour la vie (Biodome, Insectarium, Botanical Garden, etc.) is reaching out to celebrate nature with citizens in the parks and other public spaces across the agglomeration. A team will be at Mount Royal’s Dakin Park from 11:00 to 15:00 on Saturday, June 26 and Sunday, June 27.

Dakin Park lends itself to this type of activity. Apart from its impressive living sculpture, made of Miyabe willow, the park has also been home to a pollinating insect hotel, as well as a butterfly garden. PHOTOS STATION MONT-ROYAL ARCHIVE

Throughout the summer, Espace pour la vie teams will be facilitating observation and exploration in people’s everyday natural environments which often go unnoticed. Like tour guides in an art gallery, science educators will encourage people to take a closer look at the life around them. The artworks featured in this open-air museum are plants, mammals, birds, insects, minerals, weather and night sky—a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with nature in these spaces brimming with life.

Having undergone various improvements in recent years, Dakin Park lends itself perfectly to this type of activity. Apart from its impressive living sculpture, made of Miyabe willow, the park has also been home to a pollinating insect hotel since 2018, as well as a butterfly garden, a flower bed planted with milkweed, verbena, echinacea and buddleia, where you can admire monarchs, painted ladies, mourning cloaks and hummingbird moths.

While young science enthusiasts take part in the “Espace pour la vie near you” activities, families can also enjoy the park’s water games, which are sure to delight the younger members of the household.

New playgrounds in Hamilton and Mohawk Park

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MUNICIPAL LIFE

Publication : 20 mai 2021

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Press release Town of Mount Royal

Families visiting Hamilton Park this summer will be delighted to find a stylish redesigned playground. The Town is modernizing and beautifying the playgrounds in its parks and other green spaces, with at least one park a year getting the treatment. In 2020, it was Décary Park’s turn to be upgraded.

Mayor Philippe Roy with councilor for district no. 1, Joseph Daoura, in the new play area at Hamilton Park. PHOTO STATION MONT-ROYAL

New water playground in Mohawk Park
The coming summer will also see Mohawk Park’s new water playground welcoming young Townies. The Town plans to have all the work done before the dog days arrive. A similar initiative gave the Dakin Park water playground a total makeover in 2019.

QUESTIONS FROM CITIZENS

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MUNICIPAL LIFE

Publication : 27 avril 2021

Par Michel Joanny-Furtin

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Six residents availed themselves of their right to question the Council of Elected Officials. Among them, Mr. Slutsky was concerned about the draft regulation on oil heaters and to what extent, according to him, it could affect citizens and especially seniors. Mayor Philippe Roy reassured him by saying that there was no draft by-law yet.

UA citizen is worried about the funding for the work of the Mount Royal fire station on Roosevelt Avenue. PHOTO STATION MONT-ROYAL

Romana Rogoshewska's question was addressed to Councilor Michelle Setlakwe who will be running for mayor of Mount Royal next fall, with a renewed team of Councilors apart from Jonathan Lang. The citizen was worried about the team's limited experience in municipal politics. Mayor Philippe Roy felt that this question was too political and could not be answered in a city council meeting.

A Sustainable Development Plan… to come
Ms. Bollé asked where and when will we see the City's 2021 Sustainable Development Plan (PDD). "The pandemic will have delayed our work on this next PDD 2021. The team is working hard and the presentation is scheduled for this summer. "

Ghislaine Pedneault was worried about the funding and why of the complete renovation of the Mount Royal fire station on Roosevelt Avenue. "It must be rebuilt for reasons of bringing up to standards and necessary modernization", explained Mayor Roy "In addition to meeting these new standards, it was necessary to ensure the safety of employees but also better working conditions in terms of heating, ventilation, space and technical equipment. And as agreed in the agreement between the Montreal Fire Department (SIM), they will pay their share of these renovations, ”he concluded.

Watch the Mont-Royal Municipal Council meeting on Monday, April 19.

Construction of the Community Centre: Both Bids Rejected

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MUNICIPAL LIFE

Publication : 20 avril 2021

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News release Town of Mount-Royal

Due to prices deemed too high, Mount Royal Town Council voted at today’s regular meeting to reject the two bids received for the construction of the Town’s sports and community centre. A public call for tenders had been posted on SEAO, the Quebec government’s electronic tendering system, in November. Both bids were opened on April 1.

PHOTO COURTESY

The bids were evaluated using weighted criteria, meaning there were two envelopes for each bid: one contained the firm’s technical offer and the other, opened only later, contained the firm’s financial offer. Bids were submitted by two firms, EBC and Magil Construction. Both easily met the technical evaluation criteria. However, both also came with a price tag ($88 million and $94 million respectively) that was significantly higher than the Town’s estimates.

“It was with disappointment that the councillors and I read the submitted proposals,” said mayor Philippe Roy. “But it was also unthinkable for us to accept bids that would nearly double the price of this community project. That is not how the Town manages the public funds entrusted to it by residents.”

The Town intends to revisit the project proposal and launch another call-for-tenders process. The high prices of the bids opened this spring are largely related to concrete work, metal structures, building mechanicals, finishing materials and the general conditions.

The plans called for three swimming pools (an eight-lane pool, a warmup/instruction pool and a recreational pool), a gymnasium, a jogging track, multipurpose rooms and administrative offices. The centre was also to have been geothermically heated and cooled and part of its roof was to be green. Demolition of the current Recreation Centre (at 60 Roosevelt Avenue) was part of the call for tenders.

It should be noted that the underground parking facility graciously donated to Townies by the Rossy Foundation is a separate project and is not affected by this decision.

EASTER HOLIDAY

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MUNICIPAL LIFE

Publication : 2 avril 2021

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Administrative offices, Town shops, recreation centre and Pierre Laporte Pool: closed from Friday, April 2, to Monday, April 5, inclusive.

PHOTO STATION MONT-ROYAL ARCHIVES

Arena: open on Saturday, April 3, only.

Library: closed on Saturday, April 3 and Sunday, April 4.

Our refuse collection will be carried out as usual.

In case of emergency during the Easter holiday weekend or outside business hours, please contact Mount Royal Public Security at 514-734-4666.

Rockland PPU : Invitation Extended to Residents on March 16

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MUNICIPAL LIFE

Publication : 25 février 2021

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News Release Town of Mount Royal

Following the multiform consultation on the Rockland Special Planning Program (PPU), which was extended a few times to gather feedback from as many residents as possible, the Town of Mount Royal plans to present its results live online on March 16.

In the center of the Rockland district, this commercial island regrouping a gas station, a dépanneur and a Tim Horton, now closed. PHOTO STATION MONT-ROYAL ARCHIVES

Residents showed a keen interest in the issues raised by the proposed development vision, as evidenced by the 160 written submissions sent to the Town Clerk. These contributions are a supplement to the questions and comments received during the Town’s chat consultation held on November 5 that attracted 575 unique participants.

“The contribution of residents to help develop a new vision for the Rockland area is invaluable. We thank everyone who took the time to participate in our consultation,” said Mayor Philippe Roy. “Raising concerns such as those of close neighbours of a planned development site is integral to the urban planning process. While some concerns seem to be based on misunderstanding, particularly regarding the perceived intention to reduce greenery in the area instead of increasing it, many of the points raised by residents gave us real food for thought. Concerns about traffic and building heights are prime examples.”

The Rockland sector PPU is structured around six main objectives: increasing green space in the sector, ensuring the site’s commercial sustainability, improving traffic flow, better integration of public transit and active transport, eliminating heat islands, and creating favourable conditions for the installation of a residence for retirees and seniors. The PPU’s purpose is to oversee any future transformation of the sector.

“We must try to imagine what the Rockland sector will become in the long term, 15 or 20 years from now, bearing in mind that traditional shopping centres are already being encouraged to rethink their business models,” the Mayor added. “We believe that residents will benefit from the Town’s proactive and collaborative approach to planning this area’s future. With their help, the initial vision proposed can only be improved. We will consider any insightful ideas shared with us.”

March. The Town Council also intends to commission a private firm to continue studying traffic in the Rockland sector by conducting a more in-depth analysis. This is a complex file, one the Town has already stated that it wishes to take its time on.

Town Centre: a bustling sector

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MUNICIPAL LIFE

Publication : 24 février 2021

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News Release Town of Mount Royal

Even though REM work is temporarily disrupting activities in the town centre, the municipality’s historical, civic and commercial hub, the “Lights up on downtown” campaign has promised to spread various initiatives throughout the sector to boost traffic despite the constraints.

PHOTO COURTESY

In 2020, as part of these initiatives, a building site fence was decorated with a temporary mural, We are Roses, produced in collaboration with MU and with financial contributions from CDPQ Infra. The Town’s contest to name the new public square was another initiative that helped keep the spotlight on this vital Mount Royal sector. Future initiatives will continue showcasing the arts, local business owners and local history, using the changing seasons to liven up the town centre.

New Town Centre Public Space: Station Square

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MUNICIPAL LIFE

Publication : 24 février 2021

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News Release abridged version Town of Mount Royal

Following the popular vote with over 750 participating residents, Station Square will be the new name for the public space under construction above the railway line between the Laird and Cornwall bridges. This submission won with 51% of the vote. In the Town’s fall 2020 contest, six residents submitted this suggestion and each won $250 to spend in local Mount Royal businesses, as per the contest rules. The Town Council would like to thank all participants and extend a heartfelt congratulations to Nadim Abou-Chacra, Louise Baillargeon, Yves Beaucage, Claudie Vigneault, Tarik Kadiri and Tony Terenzi on their victory.

PHOTO COURTESY

“We are thrilled with the result,” says Mayor Philippe Roy. “From all the selected proposals, Townies chose one honouring our local history. It couldn’t be a more fitting and charming name.”

Born of a railway initiative over a century ago, Mount Royal will develop its new public space a stone’s throw away from its historic railway station—now home to restaurant La Pizzaïolle—and near the new Réseau express métropolitain (REM) station, Ville-de-Mont-Royal.

REM construction of the platform supporting the new space is expected to be completed in December 2021. As early as summer, residents may be asked to provide feedback on the development of this additional public space so Station Square can be inaugurated in spring of 2022.

“We plan to conduct a consultation on development of the new public space to ensure there is consensus among the entire population. This will be a large, central space, extending over the railway trench and finally uniting the east and west halves of our garden city,” adds the mayor.

Other proposals submitted to the popular vote on the space’s name were The Bridges Garden (18% of the vote), The Star (10%), Union Square (8%), Frederick Todd Park (8%) and The Agora (4%). The voting ended on February 18.