CITY COUNCIL MEETING
AGENDA

Monday, January 09, 2023 at 6:00 P.m. - 8:00 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.

CHANGES TO THE AGENDA

Urgent/time sensitive matters only

3.

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.

3.1

Construction Noise Bylaw Exemption Request: 660 Quayside Drive (Bosa Development) – Construction Activity

To request that Council grant a noise exemption from the Construction Noise Bylaw to permit Bosa Development to deliver crane sections on Saturday, February 25, 2023 prior to morning traffic.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council grant a noise exemption from Construction Noise Bylaw No. 6063, 1992 to Bosa Development for construction activity occurring on Saturday February 25, 2023 between 7 AM to 9 AM

3.2

Construction Noise Bylaw Exemption Request: New Westminster Interceptor – Columbia Sewer Rehabilitation

To request that Council grant an exemption from the Construction Noise Bylaw for Metro Vancouver’s contractor, ORCC, to conduct sanitary vault entry on Columbia Street for sewer rehabilitation two nights per week between Monday to Thursday from January 09, 2023 to May 19, 2023, excluding Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights and Statutory Holidays.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council grant an exemption to Oscar Renda Contracting of Canada (ORCC) from Construction Noise Bylaw No. 6063, 1992 for two weekday nights between Monday to Thursday from January 09, 2023 to May 19, 2023, excluding Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights and Statutory Holidays, to conduct sanitary vault entry for sewer rehabilitation along the 800 Block to 100 Block of Columbia Street.

3.3

Council Appointments to Residents Associations (Circulated Separately)

To seek Council approval for the appointment of Council members to Resident Associations.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council appoint the Councillors as follows to the City’s Residents Associations:

  Connaught Heights	Councillor Fontaine
  West End	Councillor Minhas
  Moody Park	Councillor Nakagawa
  Glenbrooke North	Councillor McEvoy
  Massey Victory Heights	Councillor Fontaine
  Brow of the Hill	Councillor Campbell
  Queens Park	Councillor Henderson
  Victoria Hill Ginger Drive	Councillor Minhas
  Sapperton	Councillor McEvoy
  Quayside Community Board	Councillor Campbell
  Downtown	Councillor Henderson
  Queensborough	Councillor Nakagawa

3.4

Funding Submission to the Provincial Community Emergency Preparedness Fund for Emergency Support Services

Staff are seeking support to submit a grant application to the Province of British Columbia under the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund – Emergency Support Services requesting up to $20,000. Staff are seeking official authorization from Council to enter into a contract with the Provincial Government for the proposed project and a willingness to provide overall grant support.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council approve the funding submission to the Provincial Community Emergency Preparedness Fund - Emergency Support Services for up to $20,000 to upgrade and implement a digital reporting and registration; and

  THAT the Chief Administrative Officer and the Fire Chief be authorized to enter into a funding agreement with the Province of British Columbia.

3.5

Heritage Designation (109 Third Avenue) Bylaw No. 8381, 2023 for First and Second Readings

For Council to consider a heritage designation bylaw that would provide full legal heritage protection to 109 Third Avenue, a property in Queen’s Park, including specific building features that contribute to its heritage value.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council consider Heritage Designation (109 Third Avenue) Bylaw No. 8381, 2023 for First and Second Readings, and forward the Bylaw to a Public Hearing.

  THAT Council add 109 Third Avenue to the City’s Heritage Register following the adoption of Heritage Designation (109 Third Avenue) Bylaw No. 8381, 2023.

3.6

Proclamation - Day of Remembrance and Action on Islamophobia, January 29, 2023

3.7

Minutes for Adoption

a.

November 16, 2022 Special City Council Meeting

b.

November 23, 2022 Special City Council Meeting

c.

November 28, 2022 City Council Meeting (1:00 p.m.)

d.

November 28, 2022 Council Workshop

e.

November 28, 2022 City Council Meeting (6:00 p.m.)

4.

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

5.

BYLAWS

5.1

Bylaws for readings

a.

Heritage Designation (109 Third Avenue) Bylaw No. 8381, 2023

A bylaw to designate 109 Third Avenue as protected heritage property.  This bylaw is on the agenda for TWO READINGS.

A public hearing will be held for this bylaw.

6.

MOTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF COUNCIL

6.1

Motions for Discussion and Decision

a.

Reducing the cost and time related to the development of new housing in New Westminster

Submitted by Councillor Fontaine and Councillor Minhas

WHEREAS the City of New Westminster is regularly looking at ways to reduce building costs and speed up the permitting process; and

WHEREAS there is a demonstrated interest on the part of our city to reduce red tape as it pertains to new housing development; and

WHEREAS introducing 'pre-approved' housing designs has worked well for laneway housing developments for other cities; and

WHEREAS it is anticipated there would be a desired interest on the part of home builders to use a 'pre-approved' housing design; and

WHEREAS the development of 'pre-approved' housing designs would help to create more affordable housing; and

WHEREAS 'pre-approved' housing offers the opportunity for the City of New Westminster to reduce costs and increase capacity for future housing developments; and

WHEREAS the City of New Westminster can be a leader when it comes to the development of 'pre-approved' housing designs in our region

BE IT RESOLVED that staff report back to Council by April 30, 2023 with a plan for the City of New Westminster to develop up to 15 standardized and pre-approved housing designs for implementation by December 31, 2023

b.

Delaying the demolition of the Centennial Community Center and beginning to address our city-wide infrastructure deficit

Submitted by Councillor Minhas and Councillor Fontaine

WHEREAS the City of New Westminster is facing an 'infrastructure deficit' which can result in families, seniors and other residents having limited access to programs and services; and

WHEREAS the Centennial Community Center is used for numerous city programs and provides invaluable access to indoor recreation and meeting spaces; and

WHEREAS even with the opening of the new təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre our city continues to be challenged with an overall infrastructure deficit due to rapid population growth and a lack of net new capacity in sport and recreation infrastructure development in the last two decades; and

WHEREAS prematurely tearing down an older building and sending it to the landfill and recycle center is impactful to our environment; and

WHEREAS the Centennial Community Center is scheduled to be torn down and replaced by surface parking; and

WHEREAS the City of New Westminster has not yet begun the process of physical demolition at the Centennial Community Center; and

WHEREAS the City of New Westminster has full control over the amount of parking spaces required at any given site

BE IT RESOLVED that the demolition of the Centennial Community Center be temporarily delayed and the building continue to operate in its current form until an equivalent capacity for new recreational facilities and meeting space can be identified and/or constructed in our city; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that staff report back to Council on the financial implications on the city’s operating budget related to delaying the Centennial Community Center demolition

c.

Quantifying the downloading of costs from senior orders of government as it pertains to the City of New Westminster 2023 operating budget

Submitted by Councillor Fontaine and Councillor Minhas

WHEREAS it has been identified the City of New Westminster is facing unprecedented downloading from senior orders of government and it has taken on the financial burden of operating a number of programs and services as well as investing in capital infrastructure that would normally be funded by the provincial and federal governments; and

WHEREAS cities collect approximately only 10 cents of every tax dollar with the federal and provincial governments collecting the balance; and

WHEREAS the City of New Westminster relies heavily on business and residential property taxes to fund our operations and has limited capacity to raise additional funds; and

WHEREAS the City of New Westminster is facing serious inflationary pressures as it pertains to the development of its own 2023 operating and capital budgets; and

WHEREAS properly identifying and tracking downloaded costs will help in our advocacy to senior orders of government to obtain new funding sources

BE IT RESOLVED that staff report back to Council, as part of the 2023 Budget development process, with an itemized list of expenditures the City of New Westminster has incorporated into the draft operating and capital budgets which are typically considered outside of municipal jurisdiction and are not part of our 'core services'

d.

Supporting the need for a 'Snow Summit' in Metro Vancouver to review the impacts of recent climatic event

Submitted by Councillor Fontaine and Councillor Minhas

WHEREAS the Metro Vancouver region faced unprecedented gridlock after a snowstorm on Tuesday, November 29th, 2022; and

WHEREAS the snowstorm triggered gridlock on most of the provincial highways, onramps and offramps as well as most of the major bridges and tunnels including the Port Mann, Alex Fraser, Queensborough and George Massey Tunnel; and

WHEREAS this traffic gridlock may have been preventable; and

WHEREAS the snowstorm and traffic gridlock which ensued resulted in significant impacts to the lives of hundreds of thousands of Metro Vancouver commuters and businesses; and

WHEREAS other cities in G7 nations have learned to better cope with snow as it pertains to traffic movement; and

WHEREAS it is important after any major event similar to the Nov 29th snowstorm that it be analyzed and reviewed at a regional and provincial level; and

WHEREAS we live in an active seismic zone and must do everything possible to prepare for large-scale emergencies that could render our bridges and tunnels unfit for use for a period of weeks or months; and

WHEREAS it is incumbent upon our elected leaders to ensure the public receives a full report regarding our collective preparation and response to the November 29th storm

BE IT RESOLVED that Council request Mayor Johnstone, as our representative on Metro Vancouver,  introduce a motion requesting a 'Snow Summit' be held as soon as possible to review and analyze the circumstances which led to a record level of traffic gridlock in our region on Tuesday, November 29th; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Anvil Center be offered as a possible venue for this summit which should include, at a minimum, representatives from the Ministry of Transportation, Metro Vancouver, BC Ambulance, TransLink, ICBC, Mainland Contracting and senior officials from the various municipalities in our region that can speak on behalf of our first responders including fire and police

6.2

Notices of Motion

a.

Mitigating traffic and transportation issues and improving pedestrian safety on Ewen Avenue in Queensborough

Submitted by Councillor Minhas and Councillor Fontaine

Whereas it has been reported that citizens are concerned changes to the Ewen Avenue and Howes Street intersection are no longer providing for a free flow of non rush-hour traffic; and

Whereas there is a significant traffic and pedestrian issue identified at Ewen Avenue and Wood Street by the local community; and

Whereas it is important to encourage people to get out of their vehicles and support them safely using alternate modes of transportation that have less impact on the environment; and

Whereas vehicles that have to unnecessarily wait at a ‘no turn on red light’ after rush hour are unnecessarily burning fossil fuels; and

Whereas the City is committed to reducing our carbon footprint and achieving our goals as they pertain to climate change; and

Whereas the City is committed to listening to local community concerns when it comes to traffic and transportation issues

BE IT RESOLVED that staff provide a memo to Council regarding the opportunity to modify the current "no right turn on red" policy at Ewen Avenue and Howes Street so it only applies during peak rush hour traffic; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that as part of the Queensborough Transportation Plan, staff seek feedback from local residents and business regarding their interest in the installation of a new pedestrian-activated crossing at the corner of Wood Street and Ewen Avenue

b.

Increasing year-round usage of city park spaces through the installation of additional all-weather tracks as part of the capital plan

Submitted by Councillor Minhas and Councllor Fontaine

Whereas the citizens of Queensborough have indicated they believe they are underserved by the City of New Westminster when it comes to sports and recreation facilities; and

Whereas Queensborough is in a flood plain and a significant portion of the land is water saturated in the winter period thus rendering public spaces like Ryall Park as unusable due to the poor soil conditions; and

Whereas a significant number of seniors and elders living in the Queensborough community have indicated that the introduction of a well lit, all-weather track at Ryall Park would help to increase year-round physical activity and community building; and

Whereas the City of New Westminster is eligible to apply for matching grants to offset costs related to major infrastructure projects; and

Whereas the Queensborough neighbourhood is home to a casino which provides significant funds to our City's annual operating budget

BE IT RESOLVED that staff prioritize the sourcing of funds required to install an increased number of all-weather fields in New Westminster over the next five years; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that as part of the 2023 Budget process staff identify the funds necessary to undertake a planning and community consultation process to determine the feasibility of prioritizing an all-weather field at Ryall Park in Queensborough.

c.

Requesting an update from local MLAs regarding a 2020 election commitment to provide a free bus service to Queensborough students

Submitted by Councillor Fontaine and Councillor Minhas

Whereas Richmond-Queensborough MLA Aman Singh issued a press release in 2020 announcing that a re-elected NDP government would provide free, dedicated TransLink buses to take Queensborough students to and from New Westminster Secondary School (NWSS); and

Whereas a significant number of residents in Queensborough have expressed concerns over the impact to the quality of life for students who face lengthy commutes to and from the NWSS; and

Whereas the City of New Westminster continues to approve new developments in the Queensborough neighbourhood which places further pressure on an already burdened transit system; and

Whereas the current estimated surplus of the Provincial Government in this fiscal year is estimated at $5.7 billion; and

Whereas the parents of NWSS students are concerned this campaign commitment will not be fulfilled prior to the 2024 provincial election

 BE IT RESOLVED that Mayor Patrick Johnstone write to MLAs Aman Singh and Jennifer Whiteside to request a meeting be established with Councillors Tasha Henderson, Nadine Nakagawa and Daniel Fontaine (School Board Liaisons) regarding the status of the provincial government's 2020 campaign commitment to the parents and students of Queensborough for a free bus service to New West Secondary School

d.

Halting the City’s rebranding exercise as previously approved by Council in July 2022

Submitted by Councillor Fontaine and Councillor Minhas

Whereas the City of New Westminster is facing many challenges in attracting and retaining staff;

Whereas utilizing limited staff resources on an unnecessary rebranding exercise is not an efficient use of staff time; and

Whereas the City of New Westminster is facing significant budgetary challenges that could result in significant property and business tax increases this year; and

Whereas corporate rebranding exercises can be extremely costly and have the potential of returning little net benefit to taxpayers

BE IT RESOLVED that staff reduce the potential burden to residential and commercial taxpayers by ceasing work on any corporate-wide rebranding projects through to December 31st, 2024

e.

Clarifying Matters Related to Notice of Motion in the Council Procedure Bylaw

WHEREAS Section 124 (1) of the Community Charter states that “A council must, by bylaw, establish the general procedures to be followed by council and council committees in conducting their business.”; and

WHEREAS Section 124 (2) of the Community Charter – under subsection (a) – states that a council must, by bylaw, “establish rules of procedure for council meetings, including the manner by which resolutions may be passed and the manner by which bylaws may be adopted in accordance with Division 3 [Bylaw Procedures] of this Part.”; and

WHEREAS The City of New Westminster has a Procedure Bylaw (i.e., COUNCIL PROCEDURE BYLAW NO. 6910, 2004) which was duly enacted in accordance with the requirements of the Community Charter; and

WHEREAS Section 21 of the Council Procedure Bylaw No. 6910, 2004, under the heading “Notices of motion”, states that “Any member has the right to give notice to Council of a motion which that member intends to make at the next meeting of the Council. The City Clerk shall make note of the motion and place it on the next agenda. The City Clerk may request that the member provide the motion that is subject of the notice in writing.”; and

WHEREAS It is evident that the practice of the previous City Council, with respect to Member Motions, was for motions to appear on the Agenda for any given Council meeting which would then be routinely Moved and Seconded at the meeting, discussed/debated by Council, and then voted on at the same Council meeting. This practice would appear, on the surface, to be consistent with the wording and plain meaning of section 21 of the Council Procedure Bylaw despite the somewhat ambiguous wording of section 21 of the Bylaw;

WHEREAS The Agenda for the November 28, 2022, New Westminster Council Meeting included a number of Member Motions listed under Item “6. MOTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF COUNCIL” and “6.1 Notice of Motion.” In apparent contradiction to the observed practice of the previous City Council with respect to Notice of Motion and the previous Council’s apparent interpretation of the Council Procedure Bylaw, an additional note was appended to the Agenda text indicating that “The motions in this section will be introduced at this meeting. The motions will be placed on the December 12, 2022, Council agenda for discussion and decision.”; and

WHEREAS There is an apparent disconnect between the interpretation and application of section 21 of the Council Procedure Bylaw by the previous Council and the interpretation and application that is now being applied to the new Council elected in October 2022, even though there has not been any changes or amendments to the text or wording of section 21 of the Bylaw;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED

THAT Council direct staff to report back on the apparent discrepancy between how the Council Procedure Bylaw No. 6910, 2004 was and is being interpreted and applied in the present, notably at the November 28, 2022 Council meeting with respect to Notice of Motion, and how the Bylaw was interpreted and applied by previous Councils in order to clarify the situation and determine what the correct procedure is, and

FURTHER THAT staff report back at the February 13^th Council meeting with recommendations to improve Section 21 of the Council Procedures Bylaw 6910 to ensure it no longer lacks clarity and is less subject to interpretation;

f.

Investments in new pedestrian infrastructure to support the City’s active transportation network in Queensborough and reduce our carbon footprint

Submitted by Councillor Fontaine and Councillor Minhas

Whereas Queensborough residents have consistently indicated that a lack of sidewalk infrastructure is an issue for their community; and

Whereas joint 50/50 infrastructure programs are excellent way to help expand the opportunity and budget allocated for community infrastructure investments; and

Whereas a two-year pilot project program to install critical sidewalk infrastructure supports our active transportation goals and helps to support our elders; and

Whereas the City is committed to further reducing its carbon footprint and supporting the expansion of our network of sidewalks should be core to a robust and active transportation plan; and

Whereas a 2021 Government of Canada Active Transportation Fund will provide $400 million over five years to support the expansion and enhancement of active transportation infrastructure and a modal shift away from cars and toward active transportation; and

Whereas according to the Federal Government capital projects refer to new infrastructure construction, enhancement of existing infrastructure, and fixed design and safety features that encourage increased active transportation; and

Whereas eligible capital projects (according to the Federal Government) include building or enhancing infrastructure for active transportation, such as sidewalks

BE IT RESOLVED that staff incorporate into the 2023 Operating Budget a new two-year 50/50 matching grant Pedestrian Improvement Pilot Program that will support Queensborough residents who wish to accelerate the covering up of unsafe ditches with paved sidewalks that support non-fossil fuel based active transportation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that $300,000 from the Climate Action Reserve Fund be used to fund this pilot project over two years; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that staff seek out funds from the senior orders of government to offset or match the City's contribution to the pilot program

7.

NEW BUSINESS 

8.

ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF COUNCIL

9.

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.