CITY COUNCIL MEETING
AGENDA

Monday, April 22, 2024, Immediately following the Parcel Tax Roll Review Panel that begins at 6:00 p.m.

Meeting held electronically and open to public attendance

Council Chamber, City Hall

We recognize and respect that New Westminster is on the unceded and unsurrendered land of the Halkomelem speaking peoples. We acknowledge that colonialism has made invisible their histories and connections to the land. As a City, we are learning and building relationships with the people whose lands we are on.

 

LIVE WEBCAST: Please note City Council Meetings, Public Hearings, Council Workshops and some Special City Council Meetings are streamed online and are accessible through the City’s website at http://www.newwestcity.ca/council  

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1.

CALL TO ORDER AND LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The Mayor will open the meeting and provide a land acknowledgement.

2.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

As circulated or as amended (urgent/time sensitive matters only)

3.

MINUTE OF SILENCE

3.1

Honouring the Day of Mourning for Workers Killed and Injured on the Job, April 28, 2024

4.

CONSENT AGENDA

If Council decides, all the recommendations in the reports on the Consent Agenda can be approved in one motion, without discussion. If Council wishes to discuss a report, that report is removed from the Consent Agenda. A report may be removed in order to discuss it, because someone wants to vote against the report’s recommendation, or because someone has a conflict of interest with the report. Any reports not removed from the Consent Agenda are passed without discussion.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council adopt the recommendations for items # on consent.

4.1

2024 Tax Rate Bylaw No. 8445, 2024

To seek Council’s approval of the City’s 2024 Tax Rates Bylaw as presented in Attachment 1.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council give three readings to the Tax Rates Bylaw No. 8445, 2024 as presented in Attachment 1 of this report.

4.2

Community Advisory Assembly Terms of Reference and Membership Update

To provide updates about the Community Advisory Assembly pilot project, including the Assembly members’ endorsement of the draft Terms of Reference and the appointment of three new members following one previous member stepping down and two selected applicants failing to attend the first few Assembly meetings.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council formally adopt the Terms of Reference for the Community Advisory Assembly, as endorsed by Assembly members and unchanged from the Draft Terms of Reference that were endorsed by Council on August 28, 2023.

  THAT Council approve the appointment of three new members to the Assembly, to replace previous members who stepped down or did not attend.

4.3

Construction Noise Bylaw Exemption Request: 81 Braid Street (Braid Street SkyTrain Station)

The purpose of this report is to request Council grant an exemption from Construction Noise Bylaw No. 6063, 1992 to TransLink to enable the maintenance, modification, and reinstallation of walkways in preparation for the activation of longer trains to accommodate more ridership at the Braid SkyTrain Station.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council grant an exemption from Construction Noise Bylaw No. 6063, 1992 to TransLink from Wednesday May 1, 2024 to Sunday August 31, 2025 from 12:00 AM to 6:00 AM, weekdays and including weekends for a maximum of five days per week, including some Sundays and excluding all Statutory Holidays, to install new maintenace walkways, demolish and restore original maintenance walkways, and make operational equipment modifications to the Braid SkyTrain Station at 81 Braid Street.

4.4

Council Code of Conduct Amendment Bylaw No. 8457, 2024

The purpose of this report is to propose an amendment to the Code of Conduct Bylaw No. 8408, 2023 to change the vote requirement for the appointment of an Ethics Commissioner.

• Recommendation:

  That Council consider Bylaw No. 8457, 2024 being a bylaw to amend the Code of Conduct Bylaw No. 8408, 2023 for First, Second and Third Readings.

4.5

Riparian Areas Protection Amendment Bylaw No. 8413, 2024

To request that Council gives three readings to the following bylaws: Riparian Areas Protection Amendment Bylaw No. 8413, 2024, as presented in Attachment 1 of this report; Bylaw Notice Enforcement Amendment Bylaw No. 8421, 2024, as presented in Attachment 2 of this report; and Municipal Ticket Information Amendment Bylaw No. 8422, 2024, as presented in Attachment 3 of this report These amendments are intended to: align the City’s current bylaws with the revised Provincial Riparian Areas Protection Regulation (RAPR) and add an enforcement provision for situations in which voluntary compliance is not obtained.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council gives three readings to the Riparian Areas Protection Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 8413, 2024, as presented in Attachment 1 of this report.

  THAT Council gives three readings to the Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 8421, 2024, as presented in Attachment 2 of this report.

  THAT Council gives three readings to the Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 8422, 2024, as presented in Attachment 3 of this report.

4.6

Zoning Amendment and Housing Agreement (51 Elliot Street) - Bylaws for First, Second and Third Readings (Circulated Separately)

This report provides Council with information on the development proposal for 51 Elliot Street, and requests that Council consider the Zoning Amendment and Housing Agreement bylaws for First, Second, and Third Readings.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council consider Zoning Amendment Bylaw (51 Elliot Street) No. 8446, 2024 for First, Second and Third Readings.

  THAT Council consider Housing Agreement Bylaw (51 Elliot Street) No. 8447, 2024 to secure seven below-market and six non-market rental residential units for First, Second and Third Readings.

  THAT Council, should the Housing Agreement Bylaw No. 8447, 2024 be adopted, direct the Mayor and Corporate Officer to execute the Housing Agreement.

4.7

Zoning Bylaw Text Amendment: 408 East Columbia Street – Bylaw for Three Readings

To provide Council with information on the proposal at 408 East Columbia Street and to request that Council consider the proposed by-law for Three Readings.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council consider Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 8451, 2024 For First, Second, and Third Readings.

4.8

Minutes for Adoption

a.

April 8, 2024 City Council Meeting (1:00 p.m.)

b.

April 8, 2024 Council Workshop

c.

April 8, 2024 City Council Meeting (6:00 p.m.)

4.9

Proclamation: Day of Mourning, April 28, 2024

4.10

Proclamation: Red Dress Day, May 5, 2024

4.11

Proclamation: Prevention of Violence Against Women Week, April 14-20, 2024

4.12

Proclamation: Youth Week, May 1-7, 2024

4.13

Proclamation: Parkinson's Awareness Month, April 2024

5.

OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO SPEAK TO COUNCIL – 7:00 PM

6.

SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY

6.1

Break (15 minutes)

7.

BYLAWS

7.1

Public Hearing not held

a.

Zoning Amendment Bylaw (51 Elliot Street) No. 8446, 2024

To amend the Zoning Bylaw to facilitate development 37 storey residential building with 287 residential units, 13 inclusionary rental housing units and a childcare facility.  This bylaw is on the agenda for THREE READINGS.

Notice published April 12 and April 18, 2024

No Public Hearing held.

b.

Zoning Amendment Bylaw (408 East Columbia Street) No. 8451, 2024

To amend the zoning bylaw to permit a dental clinic at 408 East Columbia Street.  This bylaw is on the agenda for THREE READINGS.

Notice published April 12 and April 18, 2024

No Public Hearing held.

7.2

Bylaws for readings

a.

Tax Rates Bylaw 8445, 2024

To set the tax rates for 2024. This bylaw is on the agenda for THREE READINGS.

b.

Code of Conduct for Council Members Amendment Bylaw No. 8457, 2024

To change the vote required to appoint an Ethics Commissioner. This bylaw is on the agenda for THREE READINGS.

c.

Riparian Areas Protection Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No 8413, 2024

To align the City’s current Riparian Areas Protection Bylaw with the revised Provincial Riparian Areas Protection Regulation (RAPR). This bylaw is on the agenda for THREE READINGS.

d.

Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No 8421, 2024

To add enforcement and penalties provisions for situations in which voluntary compliance to the Riparian Areas Protection Bylaw is not obtained. This bylaw is on the agenda for THREE READINGS.

e.

Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No 8422, 2024

To add enforcement and penalties provisions for situations in which voluntary compliance to the Riparian Areas Protection Bylaw is not obtained. This bylaw is on the agenda for THREE READINGS.

f.

Housing Agreement Bylaw (51 Elliot Street) No. 8447, 2024 (Circulated Separately)

To authorize the City to enter into a housing agreement to secure 13 inclusionary rental housing units.  This bylaw is on the agenda for THREE READINGS.

8.

MOTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF COUNCIL

8.1

Motions for Discussion and Decision

a.

2026 FIFA World Cup

Submitted by Mayor Johnstone

Whereas the FIFA World Cup is the most widely viewed and followed single sporting event in the world, and for the first time ever Vancouver will be a host city for seven games in the 2026 event; and

Whereas association football is a truly international sport, with 48 nations from 6 continents participating in the 2026 World Cup, and represents a unique opportunity for a community like New Westminster with its rich diversity of cultures and nations of origin to bring community together and celebrate our diversity through sport and cultural exchange; and

Whereas there are economic and other barriers to direct participation in FIFA events related with the World Cup for many members of the New Westminster community; and

Whereas New Westminster Council has identified Community Connecting and Belonging as a Strategic Priority, including community-building activities that bring the diverse community together for shared events and experiences;

Therefore Be It Resolved that Staff report back to Council with opportunities to activate public spaces across New Westminster, to apply for external funding, and engage local cultural, youth, sports, and business organizations for free and low-barrier public gathering, public viewing, and community celebration to coincide with the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

b.

Improving the public's access to trees during the City's bi-annual tree sale

Submitted by Councillor Fontaine

 Whereas the City has a goal of a 27% canopy coverage within New Westminster by 2030; and

Whereas by partnering with residents, the City aims to reach its goal of planting 3,300 trees on private land, and a further 8,500 on public land by 2030; and

Whereas the total trees available for purchase as part of our bi-annual tree sale regularly falls well short of demand from local residents

BE IT RESOLVED THAT staff be directed to assess whether the Climate Action Reserve Fund decision-making framework can support the purchase of up to an additional 3000 trees over the next three years (2025-2027) to be sold as part of the City’s bi-annual tree sale

9.

NEW BUSINESS

9.1

ON TABLE Programs to Serve Isolated Seniors Funded by the United Way British Columbia

1. To recommend, and seek Council’s endorsement for the implementation of three United Way of British Columbia funded program initiatives intended to address isolation and social determinants of health factors impacting vulnerable seniors in New Westminster. 2. To seek authority to enter into a project funding agreement with the United Way of British Columbia for the delivery of the above initiatives.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council endorse the implementation of the City’s Social Meals, Community Connector and Volunteer Coordination initiatives to be funded by the United Way of British Columbia as described in this report; and

  THAT the Chief Administrative Officer and the Director of Parks and Recreation be authorized to enter into the project funding agreement with the United Way of British Columbia substantially in the form as per Attachment 2 and subject to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor.

9.2

ON TABLE New Westminster Grant Funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies Youth Climate Action Fund Program

The purpose of this report is to announce $206,000 ($150,000 USD) of funding from the Bloomberg Philanthropies Youth Climate Action Fund for youth engagement in climate action and summarize the New Westminster Program.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council accept this report for information announcing $206,000 ($150,000 USD) from the Bloomberg Philanthropies Youth Climate Action Fund for New Westminster Youth Climate Action initiatives.

9.3

ON TABLE Notice of Motion: Supporting increased openness and transparency at City Hall

Submitted by Councillor Fontaine and Councillor Minhas

Whereas openness and transparency are the cornerstones of any functioning democracy; and

Whereas Mayor and Council are required to conduct some of the City’s business in-camera as per the Community Charter; and

Whereas once a decision made in-camera is no longer considered confidential it should be considered best practice to release the minutes of that discussion and/or decision to the public.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council commit to publicly releasing all in-camera minutes on the City's website as soon as practicable and once a decision or discussion is no longer required to be secured as confidential

9.4

ON TABLE Notice of Motion: Appointment of new Chair of the Arts Culture and Economic Development Advisory Committee

Submitted by Councillor Minhas

Whereas it is important for the Chair of the Arts Culture and Economic Development Advisory Committee (ACEDAC) to openly and regularly support the growth of for-profit enterprises in New Westminster; and

Whereas the Chair of ACEDAC should treat both for-profit and non-profit entities equitably when it comes to our development of new policies and strategies

Whereas it is important for inclusiveness and the proper functioning of Council business that appointments to our various committees be done on an equitable basis ensuring that all members of Council are provided with an equal opportunity to serve the community

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council recommend to the Mayor that Councillor Daniel Fontaine be appointed as the new Chair for the Arts, Culture and Economic Development Committee

10.

ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF COUNCIL

11.

END OF THE MEETING

 

 

*Some personal information is collected and archived by the City of New Westminster under Section 26(g)(ii) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and for the purpose of the City’s ongoing commitment to open and transparent government. If you have any questions about the collection of personal information please contact Legislative Services, 511 Royal Avenue, New Westminster, V3L 1H9, 604-527-4523.

12.

INFORMATION REPORTS

12.1

Train Whistle Cessation – 2024 – Q1 Update

To provide Council with an update on the progress of train whistle cessation in the City of New Westminster.