Regular Council

Monday, April 07, 2025

6:00 P.m. - 7:00 P.m.

Multipurpose Room 1 & Zoom

Queensborough Community Centre, 920 Ewen Avenue

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.

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

2.

AGENDA ADDITIONS & DELETIONS

• Recommendation

  THAT the Agenda for the April 7, 2025 Regular Council meeting be approved.

3.

PRESENTATION & DELEGATIONS

3.1

Minute of Silence in recognition of the Day of Mourning for Workers Killed and Injured on the Job

3.2

Day of Mourning for Workers Killed and Injured on the Job

Presented by John Hooker, New Westminster & District Labour Council

3.3

Delegations

4.

CONSENT AGENDA

• Recommendation

  THAT Items No. ___ through ___ be adopted by general consent.

4.1

Special Council Minutes - March 3, 2025

• Recommendation

  THAT the Minutes of the Special meeting held on March 3, 2025 be adopted as circulated.

4.2

Regular Council Minutes - March 24, 2025

• Recommendation

  THAT the Minutes of the Regular Council meeting held on March 24, 2025 be adopted as circulated.

4.3

10-year Anvil Review Recommendations Update

This report provides Council with an update on the 10-year Anvil Review Recommendations as well as details on next steps for the New Media Gallery.

• Recommendation
  1. THAT the report titled “10-year Anvil Review Recommendations Update” from the Director, Community Services dated April 7, 2025, be received for information.
  2. THAT the next steps for the new media exhibition space at Anvil Centre, as outlined in the report titled “10-year Anvil Review Recommendations Update” from the Director, Community Services dated April 7, 2025 be endorsed.

4.4

Construction Noise Bylaw Exemption Request: 330 East Columbia Street (Royal Columbian Hospital Redevelopment Project)

The purpose of this report is to request an exemption from Construction Noise Bylaw No. 6063, 1992 to All Roads Construction Ltd to enable surface lift paving along the 300 block of East Columbia Street between Keary Street and Sherbrooke Street as part of the Royal Columbian Hospital redevelopment project.

• Recommendation

  THAT an exemption from Construction Noise Bylaw No. 6063, 1992 to All Roads Construction Ltd. from 8:00 PM to 7:00 AM for four nights between Tuesday, April 8, 2025 and Wednesday, April 30, 2025 (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays) at the 300 block East Columbia Street be approved.

4.5

Next Generation 911 Base Funding Grant Application to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities

To recommend that the submission for funding to UBCM to fund activities that support the Next Generation 9-1-1 Upgrade Project be approved.

• Recommendation
  1. THAT the submission of an application for funding to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities for $100,000 in base funding to further the Next Generation 9-1-1 Upgrade Project be approved.
  2. THAT the Chief Administrative Officer and the Director, Finance be authorized to enter into an agreement with the Province of British Columbia.

4.6

Zoning Amendment and Housing Agreement (65 First Street): Bylaws for First, Second and Third Readings

The report provides Council with information on the development proposal for 65 First Street, and requests that Council consider the Zoning Amendment and Housing Agreement bylaws for first, second, third readings.

• Recommendation
  1. THAT Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001, Amendment Bylaw (65 First Street) No. 8503, 2025 be introduced and given first, second and third readings.
  2. THAT Housing Agreement Bylaw (65 First Street) No. 8504, 2025, to secure 30 below-market rental residential units, be introduced and given first, second and third readings.
  3. THAT, should Housing Agreement Bylaw (65 First Street) No. 8504, 2025 be adopted, the Mayor and Corporate Officer be authorized to execute the Housing Agreement.

4.7

Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001, Miscellaneous Amendments Bylaw No. 8495, 2025

Report presented to Regular Council on March 24, 2025. Notice published March 28, 2025 and April 3, 2025.

a.

Bylaw No. 8495, 2025

To implement routine amendments which address inconsistencies, provide clarification, correct administrative errors and provide updates. 

• Recommendation

  THAT Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001, Miscellaneous Amendments Bylaw No. 8495, 2025 be given first, second and third readings.

b.

March 24, 2025 Report: Zoning Amendment (Miscellaneous Zoning Bylaw Amendments) No. 8495, 2025 - For Consideration

4.8

Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001, Storage Amendments Bylaw No. 8518, 2025 & Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001, Multiple Unit Residential Storage Requirements Amendments Bylaw No. 8519, 2025

Report presented to Regular Council on March 24, 2025. Notice published March 28, 2025 and April 3, 2025.

a.

Bylaw No. 8518, 2025

To remove mini-storage as permitted uses within the Light Industrial Districts (M-1), Light Industrial Mixed Use Districts (M-5) and Commercial Industrial Districts (CM-1). 

• Recommendation

  THAT Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001, Storage Amendments Bylaw No. 8518, 2025 be given first, second and third readings.

b.

Bylaw No. 8519, 2025

To require the provision of personal storage space for residents in multiple unit residential buildings.

• Recommendation

  THAT Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001, Multiple Unit Residential Storage Requirements Amendments Bylaw No. 8519, 2025 be given first, second and third readings.

c.

March 24, 2025 Report: Zoning Amendment to Remove Mini-storage Use from M-1, M-5 and CM-1 Industrial Districts, and to Require Storage in Multi-family Residential Districts

4.9

Proclamation: Green Shirt Day, April 7, 2025

4.10

Proclamation: Religious Neutrality Day, April 15, 2025

4.11

Proclamation: Day of Mourning for Workers Killed and Injured on the Job, April 28, 2025

5.

CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA

6.

MOTION FOR DISCUSSION AND DECISION

6.1

Inventory of Municipal Arts and Culture Indoor and Outdoor Spaces

Submitted by Councillor Campbell

a.

One piece of correspondence received March 31, 2025

b.

Motion

WHEREAS the arts and culture sector plays a crucial role in contributing to New Westminster’s local economy, promoting New Westminster’s tourism, and enriching community belonging and connections; and

WHEREAS it is important for the arts and cultural sector to have a comprehensive and centralized inventory of the availability and condition of indoor and outdoor spaces dedicated to arts and culture in the community;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT staff prepare an inventory of all municipal indoor and outdoor spaces within the city that are suitable for arts and cultural use, including but not limited to: Public spaces utilized for arts events, performances, exhibitions, and installations; indoor venues such as galleries, theaters, performance halls, studios, and creative spaces; outdoor venues such as public plazas, parks, and other open-air venues used for arts programming as well as an any available data on capacity, site amenities, accessibility descriptions and types of arts programming possible in these spaces.

7.

NOTICES OF MOTION

7.1

Securing Small Business Rebate Funding Renewal

Submitted by Councillor Campbell

WHEREAS in fall of 2023, the Province of British Columbia launched the Securing Small Business Rebate program to provide small businesses with up to $2,000 for eligible commercial property crime and vandalism repairs or up to $1,000 to implement eligible preventative measures; and

WHEREAS the Securing Small Business Rebate program is now closed and the New Westminster Chamber and the Downtown Business Improvement Association have expressed interest for the Province to renew program funding to support the local business community;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Mayor, on behalf of Council, send a letter to the Honourable Diana Gibson, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, with a copy to all New Westminster Members of the Legislative Assembly, asking that the Securing Small Business Rebate program funding be renewed.

7.2

Conducting a Review of the City's Community and Neighbourhood Consultation and Notification Processes

Submitted by Councillor Fontaine

WHEREAS it is important that the City of New Westminster effectively consult and advise local residents and businesses regarding any significant changes or initiatives that may impact their immediate neighbourhood; and

WHEREAS wherever possible the City should properly apprise local residents and businesses if they will be directly impacted by a City initiative or infrastructure upgrade;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City conduct an independent review regarding the City’s current consultation and public notification process to ensure it currently meets or exceeds recognized best practices for cities of a similar size; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT staff explore the option to establish an enhanced public notification and consultation process for infrastructure projects and initiatives which are deemed by Council as ‘signature’ or materially  ‘significant.’

7.3

Removing the 3.5% Climate Action Levy from the 2026 Electricity Bills as part of the Budget Development Process

Submitted by Councillor Minhas

WHEREAS the City of New Westminster has a unique “Climate Action Levy” of 3.5% which applies to all electricity bills for local residents and businesses; 

WHEREAS both the federal and provincial governments have now abandoned their failed consumer carbon tax experiment with the aim of leaving more money in the pockets of hard working citizens; 

WHEREAS charging New Westminster electricity consumers a special 3.5% levy on green energy can serve to decrease the level of affordability in our city;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT staff be directed to permanently eliminate the 3.5% Climate Action Levy as part of the 2026 budget, which will be presented to Council for review and approval.

8.

NEW BUSINESS

9.

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

10.

ADJOURNMENT

• Recommendation

  THAT the meeting adjourn.

   

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