Mitchell Brownstein

Vision 2000 & Beyond

A Blueprint for the Future of Cote Saint-Luc

May 5, 1997

Dear Members of City Council and Residents of Cote Saint Luc:

Below you will find “VISION 2000 AND BEYOND” a blueprint for the future of the City of Cote Saint Luc. In preparing for the 21st century, the City of Cote Saint-Luc must respond to the changing needs of our community. In order to ensure our continued growth and proactive evolution, we must respond to the changing demographic needs and expectations of our residents and evolving technology.

Our participation in Quebec and Canadian society and our understanding of the manner in which our nation & province has evolved must be reflected in our City’s future plans. Vision 2000 and Beyond offers ideas and strategies to improve the overall quality of life the City offers to its residents. Our five to ten year plan will encompass issues surrounding security, environment, infrastructure, finance, technology, leisure recreation and health…

We are presenting this proposal publicly in an effort to involve the residents of the City in the creation of our plan through a public survey. The residents of the City must be involved from the outset to insure that one of our primary objectives, namely increased customer service is attained. This blueprint is an effort which we feel the Members of City Council and the residents of Cote St-Luc can build upon to create a strategy that shall ensure our bright future.

We therefore request that the City of Cote St-Luc support our strong commitment to Vision 2000 and Beyond and establish a committee in order to bring this objective to fruition and ensure the continued vitality of our City.

Councillor Glenn J. Nashen

Councillor Mitchell Brownstein

Councillor Richard Schwartz

Vision 2000 & Beyond

Blueprint for the Future of Cote Saint-Luc

by

Councillor Mitchell Brownstein (District 7)

Councillor Glenn J. Nashen (District 6)

Councillor Richard Schwartz (District 4)

May 5, 1997

1 Politics & Management

2 Health & Welfare

3 Respecting the Environment

4 Infrastructure

5 Municipal Finance

6 Working Towards the Future

Vision 2000 & Beyond

Blueprint for the Future of Cote Saint-Luc

1 Politics & Management

Progressive, Open and Democratic

• Need for consensus on City Council toward a comprehensive 5-10 year plan
• Encouragement of creativity, new ideas and suggestions from all levels: residents, administration, employees and volunteers
• Invitation to departmental managers to actively participate in City Council meetings on rotational basis (Fire/Security Director should attend every meeting)
• Major Departmental Reviews: development of ongoing process of strategic reviews of all facets of City Departments (customer service, financial and budgetary reviews, etc…)
• Standardized complaint recording by all departments to be included in monthly reports to Council
• Portfolio responsibility to Members of Council
• Informative Welcome brochure for new residents, developers, media
• National Unity: continuation of our support of Canada and the Federal Government regarding any attempt toward the secession of Quebec

2 Health & Welfare

Strategies to Improve Security, Recreation and Leisure Services

• Greater security through promotion of Neighbourhood Watch, possibly managed by Public Security Department
• Strict enforcement of handicap parking restrictions. (ie. legislate parking spaces to be painted solid blue with white handicap symbol for unmistakable recognition)
• Increase public awareness and development of fundraising strategy for Volunteer Emergency Medical Services
• Greater promotion of Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and First-Aid training to the public
• Promotion and recognition of Paramedics
• Honouring of our volunteers on an annual basis
• More festivals, events and concerts and greater promotion for community participation
• More services geared toward senior population: mobile library service for house-bound, promotion of MUCTC transportation for handicapped and increased recreation services to seniors
• More services to attract young families
• Development of integrated recreational paths: plan for walking, cycling and cross-country ski paths
• Implementation of dog run

3 Respecting the Environment

Preserving Nature for Future Generations

• Preservation of Meadowbrook as green space: protection from future residential, commercial or industrial development
• Development of comprehensive green space plan for the entire City
• Greater promotion of recycling and introduction of composting
• Continued monitoring to ensure minimal noise disturbance and air pollution from rail yards

4 Infrastructure

Concepts and projects to upgrade City Property

• Modernization and standardization of City signs on roads and municipal buildings
• Kildare extension: Action on Kildare to Jean Talon and Royalmount project
• Redesign Cavendish / Fleet intersection: traffic patterns and congestion have changed considerably in the last three decades, and our major intersections and traffic corridors must reflect these changes
• Synchronization of traffic lights on major thoroughfares
• CP land rezoning: work to rezone land currently occupied by CP Rail (St. Lawrence and Hudson Railway) for mixed residential, commercial, light industrial and green space designations to ensure future strategic development of our City and financial security of our taxpayers
• Installation of visually appealing traffic “chokers” (ie. flower or tree pots) where necessary to slow down vehicles without need for stop signs
• Recreation Complex: public consultation in order to determine level of desire for major infrastructure
• Expansion of Public Library basement to handle increased demand for municipal meeting rooms, storage space for new books, etc.
• Open and inviting City Hall architecture and design

5 Municipal Finance

Strategic Planning for Tomorrow’s Demands

• More out-sourcing of municipal services to private sector
• Development of new sources of revenue: corporate sponsorship, private donations, advertising (ie. street benches, parks, etc.) and strategic alliances with private industry
• Inter-municipal agreements: increase contact and discussion with neighbouring municipalities about mutual concerns, issues and services

6 Working Towards the Future

Suggestions on Modernization and Increasing Customer Service

• New City logo/image and municipal colours for new vehicles to reflect a modern, progressive municipality
• Upgrading of telephone technology in City Hall to improve call handling and customer service
• Dissemination of information on the City and its services through the creation of an interactive web site on the Internet and through a cable access channel
• Development of public relations strategies in order to provide maximum information to citizens