Municipal Council: A Comedy Show with Tiny Houses, Lebanon, and Christmas Lights
Well, well, well, if it isn’t the municipal council meeting. November 4th came and went quicker than you can say “tiny houses,” and with a max of 45 points on the agenda, even a snail could have found it a leisurely stroll. I mean, when the most contentious debate revolves around a grant for Lebanon, you know you’re either in a council meeting or the world’s most boring charity gala.
The Tiny Houses of Robertsau
First up, we have the infamous “tiny houses” project, which sounds like something a leprechaun would whip up in a hurry. The City plans to shovel a whopping €480,000 into acquiring five to seven tiny houses to help homeless families. That’s right, folks: a sanctuary on a budget! I can already see the marketing slogan: “Tiny homes for tiny problems.” But it seems the opposition isn’t quite on board.
Concerns about the “collective toilets” outside have surfaced, which, let me tell you, would make a perfect scene for a horror movie entitled “The Disappearing Residents.” Imagine the debates: “Do we prefer community living or the public restroom from hell?” The vote ultimately squeaked through with 47 in favor, 6 against, and 8 abstentions—kind of like a dinner party where no one’s sure if they’re supposed to eat the casserole or just admire it.
Emergency Aid in Lebanon
Next, the council took a noble turn towards humanitarian aid for Lebanon. With €15,000 up for grabs, they decided to play Good Samaritan, which is commendable, if suspiciously well-timed. But lo and behold! Here come the amendments! The opposition wanted to moonwalk away from mentioning “Israeli attacks,” insisting on a vague “humanitarian crisis” horror movie title instead. Honestly, if “Nuance” were an Olympic sport, these folks would win gold.
But in a shocking twist—perhaps involving plot armor—the motion sailed through unanimously! Cue the fanfare: helping others was successful even amidst the drama. Who needs plot twists when you have public debates!
Rapport Social Unique
It wouldn’t be a municipal council without an annual report that sounds more like a “check-out my adulting” handbook. They reported an increase in pay and a decrease in absenteeism. Wow, I’m on the edge of my seat! However, the persistent gender pay gap?! Someone call HR—oh wait, someone already did, and they probably filed it under “too hard to deal with.”
Céline Geissmann made sure to point out the glaring disparities in gender representation, so rest assured the numbers will be circulating faster than gossip in a schoolyard. Meanwhile, Nicolas Matt decided this report was a case of “same old, same old.” The drama was practically Shakespearean—in council terms, of course.
Under the Roots, the Graves
As the night drew to a close, we moved to something near and dear to the heart of every council member: graves. It’s as if they said, “Let’s lighten the mood; how about an announcement about extending cemetery plots?” Nothing says festive like grave markers, right? But with a unanimous vote on the agenda, that was quite a grave yet uplifting conclusion… if my puns are starting to die, they aren’t, judging from this audience reaction!
Other Happenings
Adding a dash of chaos, the opposition threw in 16 additional agenda items. I mean, if you don’t want the council to be a boring meeting, just throw in some extra drama! The topics spanned from the mundane—like parking zones—to the utterly vital, like how to detect psychiatric issues among the vulnerable. You know you’ve reached peak bureaucracy when “let’s train volunteers” somehow morphs into “let’s not.”
The Section on Soraya Ouldji
Meanwhile, the saga of Soraya Ouldji continues. After losing her delegations, she found herself ousted from multiple representation missions. Talk about a political game of musical chairs! Honestly, it must have felt brutal for her. The opposition condemned her dismissal as “authoritarianism.” Because if there’s one thing councils are expert at, it’s turning the mundane into political theater.
Christmas Lights
Finally, in the spirit of the season—yes, we skipped Thanksgiving and went straight to Christmas—the council unanimously voted on a €320,000 budget for holiday lights. Because who doesn’t love a little superficial sparkle to hide the kind of wounds that don’t heal? The traders’ association must be happy, and I can already hear the holiday crooning: “All I want for Christmas is… the illusion of competence!”
So, did you catch the municipal council? Any thoughts on the astonishing debates from house sizes to humanitarian aid? Or will you just enjoy the light brings of Christmas as if they cost nothing at all? Let’s hear your thoughts!
The municipal council meeting held on November 4 saw a notably brief agenda compared to previous sessions. Among the key topics that sparked intense discussions were the allocation of a grant to Lebanon, the presentation of a comprehensive report on the administrative staff’s performance, and a proposal for the acquisition of “tiny houses” designated to provide accommodation for homeless individuals within the community.
Roni Gocer
Published on November 5, 2024 ·
Printed on November 5, 2024 at 3:37 p.m. ·
Modified on November 5, 2024 ·
5 minutes
With only 45 points on the agenda and few noteworthy deliberations, the municipal council of November 4 presented a calmer atmosphere than usual. However, significant topics – including budget cuts and emergency aid to Lebanon – reignited passions among council members. The plight of the local homeless population, particularly in the neighborhood of Robertsau, further fueled the intensity of the debates. In the latter part of the session, the opposition made full use of resolutions, current affairs questions, and interpellations to challenge the executive’s proposals.
The tiny houses of Robertsau
The most contentious issue on the agenda was undoubtedly the proposal regarding the construction of “tiny houses” in Robertsau. The city intends to purchase five to seven tiny houses on a parcel of land situated just beyond the beginning of rue de la Carpe-Haute, intending to offer shelter for homeless families. The total projected expenditure for this initiative is approximately €480,000.
While the opposition indicated that they do not fundamentally oppose the idea of housing homeless families in their neighborhood, they raised concerns about several aspects of the project: specifically, the high cost, the plan for collective outdoor toilets, and the lack of clarity regarding community input. Ultimately, the proposal was passed by a vote of 47 in favor, 6 against, with 8 members choosing to abstain.
Emergency aid in Lebanon
Another major topic addressed during the session was the proposal for a €15,000 financial contribution aimed at providing emergency assistance to Lebanon, distributed via two different associations: €7,500 allocated to the External Action Fund for local authorities and another €7,500 to United Cities France.
The necessity to support Lebanon is undeniable, particularly in light of the ongoing humanitarian crisis, with reports indicating escalating risks of food shortages and outbreaks of disease due to recent military actions by the Israeli army in the southern regions. The turmoil has resulted in the forced displacement of approximately 1.2 million Lebanese individuals, with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees documenting at least 2,467 fatalities and nearly 11,000 injuries.
In response, a collective amendment proposed by opposition groups sought to rephrase parts of the deliberation, recommending the removal of direct references to “Israeli attacks” in favor of a more generalized description of the circumstances as a “humanitarian crisis of great magnitude.” This proposal was dismissed, and the original deliberation was adopted unanimously.
Rapport social unique
In compliance with legal requirements, a unique social report was presented during the session, offering statistical insights regarding the municipal administration’s workforce and highlighting its social climate. Between the years 2022 and 2023, first deputy Syamak Agha Babaei emphasized improvements in employee remuneration, the narrowing gender pay gap, and reductions in absenteeism due to ordinary illnesses.
Céline Geissmann (PS) pointed out significant gender disparities within various occupational sectors: for instance, women make up 93% of employees in the medico-social branch and are 79% of administrative personnel, while men constitute 74% of those in technical roles and 71% in security positions. She highlighted a pay discrepancy, noting that male civil servants earn 4.29% more than female counterparts, with the gap increasing to 13.61% among contract workers.
Nicolas Matt (Together for the Republic) criticized the social report as merely a “copy and paste” of previous iterations, claiming that the data continues to reflect an ongoing sense of discontent among municipal staff.
Under the roots, the graves
The city has decided to implement a new measure beginning in 2025 at the West Cemetery, encompassing a sprawling 20-acre plot intended for burial grounds, with plans to extend similar initiatives to additional cemeteries across the area. The proposal received unanimous approval, garnering 59 votes in favor.
16 additional texts
Both the opposition and the majority capitalized on an agenda that lacked pressing items, introducing a total of 16 additional texts for consideration. Following previous debates, opposition councilor Rebecca Breitman advocated for training initiatives aimed at equipping agents who work with vulnerable populations, along with members of local associations and community volunteers, to identify signs of mental health issues. The deputy responsible for Health, Alexandre Feltz, countered by asserting that the House of Health is already addressing these needs. Despite the proposal’s merit, it was ultimately rejected.
Further motions were introduced addressing various issues, including the creation of designated parking areas around Orangerie Park, support for community radio stations facing funding cuts, and general opposition to the austerity measures instituted by Prime Minister Michel Barnier (LR), culminating in a comprehensive discussion of the session’s primary agenda items.
Territorial contract for the integration of refugees
The City of Strasbourg has officially signed a Territorial Contract aimed at enhancing the reception and integration of refugees in partnership with both the State and the Eurometropolis. This contract’s primary goal is to facilitate improved socio-professional support and training for newly arrived refugees. Additionally, refugees enrolled in the program will be guaranteed temporary accommodation during their transition. To fund this initiative, the City will receive a substantial grant amounting to €350,000.
Soraya Ouldji removed from her representations
In a notable political maneuver, Soraya Ouldji, the former deputy who had previously resigned from her early childhood responsibilities over the summer, has now been stripped of all her representative duties in various municipal bodies where she previously served on behalf of the City. This decision has drawn sharp criticism from opposition members, including socialist Anne Pernelle Richardot (PS), who condemned the action as “authoritarianism” and labeled it a humiliating sidelining of Ouldji. This development ignited an intense debate that necessitated an interruption of the ongoing session.
Christmas lights
In a lighter segment of the proceedings, the municipal council unanimously approved a proposal concerning Christmas decorations despite it being early in the fall season. The council sanctioned a generous allocation of €320,000 to fund the festive illuminations throughout the city center, managed by Vitrines de Strasbourg, the local traders’ association that oversees holiday decorations each year.
Did you follow the municipal council? Tell us in the comments what you learned from the discussions.
Cially established a territorial contract for the integration of refugees, reinforcing its commitment to supporting displaced individuals. This initiative focuses on facilitating their integration into the local community through various programs, including language classes, employment assistance, and access to social services.
The council’s discussions surrounding this contract highlighted the pressing need for proactive measures to support refugees amid rising challenges. Local representatives emphasized the importance of fostering a welcoming environment, engaging with diverse community stakeholders to ensure effective implementation.
While the proposal garnered broad support, some council members raised concerns about funding and resource allocation. The necessity for sustainable solutions was stressed, with advocates arguing that successful integration requires long-term commitment beyond immediate assistance.
As the meeting drew to a close, these discussions encapsulated the broader theme of balancing immediate action with sustainable practices in addressing social issues. The municipality’s various efforts, from addressing homelessness with tiny houses to supporting refugees, signal a growing awareness of the need for comprehensive social policies—an ongoing saga that continues to unfold within the community.
the recent municipal council meeting was a tapestry of essential discussions, ranging from local humanitarian aid to the administrative workforce’s dynamics. While disagreements surfaced and the opposition sought to amplify their perspectives, the council ultimately moved forward with multiple initiatives aimed at enhancing community welfare. Whether through lighting up the holiday season or confronting systemic inequalities, the session reflected a commitment to both present needs and future aspirations.
