Well-trained by the numerous and repetitive New Year ceremonies that took place throughout January, the municipal councillors faced the traditional marathon of the first session of the year with good spirit.
It must be acknowledged that while the pace was “slow”, the atmosphere was “relaxed” and the exchanges between the majority and the opposition were conducted in a spirit of “fair play”.
It is true that since Christian Estrosi took the conductor’s baton and allowed his deputies more leeway in presenting the various dossiers, the proceedings have largely abandoned the air of a duel (the mayor against the opposition) in favor of simply opposing opinions. After all, in a democracy, there are a majority and an opposition… and the law of numbers!
The only exceptions were the clashes between Christian Estrosi and Guillaume Aral, who, since becoming involved in the Yellow Vests movement, has shown a somewhat “electric” attitude.
In terms of numbers, 151 deliberations were approved, 2 with opposing votes, and 43 with abstentions (source: session service).
Here are the most significant ones, even though it is difficult to summarize a session lasting more than 8 hours, with reporters of varying styles (examples to follow…: Philippe Pradal for the presentation method, Gaël Nofri for synthesis and clarity—tone of voice—of the presentation). Absit iniuira verbis!
Green framework and requalification of the South road of the Promenade des Anglais
The progressive commissioning of tram line 2, with the removal of 800 daily buses, will free up spaces along the east-west route (Pastorelli-Buffa). The Mayor of Nice confirmed the development of a green corridor in place of the bus’s dedicated site and a bike path along the Promenade. The financial contribution is 2.5 million euros including VAT.
“Will it be ready in time?” Patrick Allemand asked. “The important thing is to start,” replied Christian Estrosi. A bit of philosophy doesn’t hurt!
Renovation of Cours Saleya, Place Pierre Gautier, and the city of Parc
A plan, developed in consultation with the on-site economic actors, has been devised, with a cost of nearly 5 million. The goal is to rationalize this place, much-loved by visitors (and locals), and beautify it by removing its bazaar-like appearance. Moreover, reopening the Promenade (on the roofs) of the Promenade des Ponchettes is no longer on the agenda.
OGCN fee for occupying the Allianz Riviera
A nice welcome gift awaits the new governors of the football club, who, being unable to boast the credentials of Nissartitude, are viewed with suspicion. The annual fee (fixed part) that the club owes the city for using the Allianz Riviera (which offsets what the City pays Vinci under the PPP contract) goes from 1.8 to 2.8 million euros. This agreement, signed in “articulo mortis” by the resigning President Jean Pierre Rivère, appears to be quite the stink bomb…
FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019
“No free lunch”, as our Anglo-Saxon friends would say. Did you want to be a host city? That’s great, but you have to pay the bill. The 6 matches to be held in Nice will cost 1 million euros, to be paid to UEFA, the organizer, and Vinci, the concessionaire. But nothing is lost: the visibility and the economic benefits from supporters/tourists are to be registered in the income column.
Soft Mobility
Agreements with economic actors will fill voids and bring order to the new means of transportation that the municipality is strongly focusing on to reduce “wild west” style traffic and pollution problems.
In particular, the “bicycle carriers” (congratulations to the inventor of this term) were disorderly and …a swindle! The shared scooters, and soon, electric scooters are also part of this line, which will become increasingly used in the future.
Solidarity
Under this title fits a remarkable effort in the fight against poverty that adjutant madame Joëlle Martinaux presented with a passionate voice, citing the intervention sectors, primarily food and housing. A charter has been approved to better organize food distribution in collaboration with associations operating in coordination with the CCAS.
This organization must find a balance between the points of marauding and the residents’ reluctances to these places. The idea is to find suitable locations, probably in internal spaces.
This new organization made Patrick Allemand grind his teeth, who sees in it “under the guise of dignified and secure conditions […] the idea that we’ll bring the poor to places where they disturb the least”.
The voluntary commitment of Joëlle Martinaux should not be a sufficient pledge?
How difficult it is to do good…
Deliveries
The free parking hours for deliveries have been further tightened—until 12 hours, after which parking becomes payable—to favor the parking of non-commercial vehicles.
PLUm
The presentation of this document and its approval already took place in December in the Metropolitan Council (m indeed means metropolitan). The municipalities are being asked to give an opinion.
For Christian Tordo, Deputy Mayor of economy and urbanism: “This PLUm will allow greater economic development, which will create more wealth and thus allow for more redistribution!”
But how to prevent ecologist Decoupigny from revisiting the environmental issue (“there’s a lack of vision”) and socialist Cuturello from denouncing the insufficiency of social housing that promotes diversity?
Fortunately for him, Christian Estrosi was able to show two official documents from State services stating “a good balance between the consumption of spaces necessary for territorial development (in other words, building) and the preservation, potentially even reclaiming, of natural and agricultural spaces”.
On the other hand, good news for the socialist group who made it a banner: Christian Estrosi confirmed that a comparative study between the dedicated bus site and the tramway to serve the populations of Ariane, La Trinité and the Paillon valley is underway and that the technical conclusions will be the subject of political analysis and decision.
Additional subsidy to the local rugby club Stade Niçois
The case is well-known: Stade Niçois displayed a deficit of 99,000 euros at the end of last season. The financial watchdog (DNCG) of the FFR sanctioned the club with relegation to a lower series.
The club is heavily sponsored by Allianz and has a very profitable collaboration contract with the Scottish federation for player training.
Moreover, having been promoted to Federal 1, it is in a position to access the final phases for promotion to Pro2, which is the club’s strategic goal with the full support of the Nice municipality.
A bump in the road that doesn’t honor the management team but, in the end, is not very serious. To remedy it, it simply required reaching into the wallet, which was done.
An intervention by councillor Marc-André Domergue—former manager of the club during a period that went poorly—asking for an audit of the club’s management was poorly interpreted by sports deputy Gilles Veissiere—rapporteur of the deliberation—and especially by Christian Estrosi who wanted—very clumsily—to revoke the sporting past of the questioner in relation to his intervention. Frankly…
Festival Santé Jeunes Hôpital Hors les Murs
The creation of a Festival Santé Jeunes Hors les Murs thus responds to the demand of young Niçois expressed in the consultation Influence Ta Ville, in which more than 3,000 young people participated.
It will allow young people, aged 15 to 25, to have easier access to health screening, information, and prevention.
Olivier Guérin (health deputy): “Young Niçois placed health at the top of the list of topics they are most concerned about. By opting for a festive aspect, we want to show young people that public health issues are neither tedious nor burdensome.
Solidarity
Nice 2019 – The Film Odyssey Festival – Victorine Retrospective
The Victorine file resurfaced during the deliberations concerning its two planned events in 2019.
We received confirmation that Christian Estrosi is fully behind the revival of this historic site and that the renovation of the place to restore its original function (filming) might be supplemented by that of a Grand Museum of French Cinema.
Wait and see!
Riviera Business Africa
Always seeking visibility and attractiveness, Nice will host the Riviera Business Africa Forum, organized by the Choiseul Institute, particularly qualified to organize this initiative.
It involves an exchange with academics and economic and political decision-makers from African countries. Nice, a Euro-Mediterranean city, must have a policy towards southern countries.
In the coming weeks and months, the information will allow us to better evaluate and report on this interesting initiative.
Halle de la Gare du Sud
The expected launch day of this initiative for the end of 2018 was awaited but the silence cast doubts.
It is thanks to the insight and tenacity of opposition councillor (dvg) Dominique Boy-Mottard that we have a better understanding of the situation. Besides, when things don’t go as planned, it is normal to blur the cards a bit.
Finally, we know that the managing company (Banimmo) of this site had financial difficulties and therefore lacked the means to carry out the investment.
Beyond the contractual problems (unpaid rents, penalties), it “seems” that a solution has been found (true? not true?) and that the opening of the activity could happen in September.
Lack of clarity means that everything said must be taken as hypothetical.
