Regular Council

Monday, May 26, 2025

Immediately following the Public Hearing that begins at 6:00 p.m.

Council Chamber, Second Floor & Zoom

New Westminster City Hall, 511 Royal 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 May 26, 2025 Regular Council meeting be approved.

3.

BYLAWS CONSIDERED AT PUBLIC HEARING

3.1

Heritage Revitalization Agreement Bylaw (318 Sixth Avenue) No. 8509, 2025

To restore the existing 1912 Knott House, and permit subdivision of the existing lot and construction of a new single detached dwelling with a secondary suite.

• Recommendation

  THAT Heritage Revitalization Agreement Bylaw (318 Sixth Avenue) No. 8509, 2025 be given third reading.

3.2

Heritage Designation Bylaw (318 Sixth Avenue) No. 8510, 2025

To ensure long-term protection of the heritage house at 318 Sixth Avenue.

• Recommendation

  THAT Heritage Designation Bylaw (318 Sixth Avenue) No. 8510, 2025 be given third reading.

4.

CONSENT AGENDA

• Recommendation

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

4.1

Minutes - May 5, 2025

• Recommendation

  THAT the Minutes of the Regular Council meeting held on May 5, 2025 be adopted as circulated.

4.2

Minutes - May 12, 2025

• Recommendation

  THAT the minutes of the Regular Council meeting held on May 12, 2025 be adopted as circulated.

4.3

Community Grants Program Update and Updated Terms of Reference for Grants Advisory Committees

This report provides Council with an update about continued phased refinements to the Community Grants program, including updated Grants Policy and Grants Application Guidelines, and seeks approval of updated Terms of Reference for the three Community Grants Advisory Committees.

• Recommendation
  1. THAT the report titled “Community Grants Program Update and Updated Terms of Reference for Grants Advisory Committees,” dated May 26, 2025 from the Director, Community Services be received for information;

  2. THAT the City’s Grants Policy as specified in Attachment A of the report titled “Community Grants Program Update and Updated Terms of Reference for Grants Advisory Committees,” dated May 26, 2025 from the Director, Community Services be approved;

  3. THAT the City’s three Grant Committees Terms of Reference be updated as specified in Attachments C, D, and E of the report titled “Community Grants Program Update and Updated Terms of Reference for Grants Advisory Committees,” dated May 26, 2025 from the Director, Community Services be approved.

4.4

Construction Noise Bylaw Exemption Request: 330 Columbia Street - Royal Columbian Hospital Redevelopment Project

The purpose of this report is to request that Council grant an noise exemption from the Construction Noise Bylaw to EllisDon Design Build, allowing them to complete the exterior cladding work that commenced on June 1, 2024, at the Royal Columbian Hospital site located at 330 East Columbia Street, New Westminster.

• Recommendation

  THAT Council grant a noise exemption to EllisDon Design Build from Construction Noise Bylaw No. 6063, 1992 from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM on Saturdays starting Saturday June 7, 2025 through to Saturday September 27, 2025 (excluding Saturdays that occur during statutory long weekends) to complete exterior cladding work at Royal Columbian Hospital site at 330 East Columbia Street, New Westminster.

4.5

Response to Council Motion: School Streets Pilot Program

To report back to Council on the logistical, transportation, and financial requirements to introduce a School Streets Pilot Program to provide a car-free block beside a school that is otherwise open for walking, biking, and rolling during pick-up and drop-off times for a one-month period in the 2025/26 school year.

• Recommendation

  THAT the School Streets Pilot Program not be pursued due to significant unbudgeted costs and impacts on high-priority work plans, as outlined in the report titled “Response to Council Motion: “School Streets Pilot Program” dated May 26, 2025.

4.6

Response to Council Motion: School Zone Time Limits

To report back to Council on the time limits for 30-km/h school zone speed limits in New Westminster.

• Recommendation

  THAT the school zone enforcement hours for New Westminster schools be aligned with Burnaby’s schedule, operating between 7:00 AM and 10:00 PM on school days, as outlined in the report titled “Response to Council Motion: School Zone Time Limits” dated May 26, 2025.

4.7

Temporary Use Permit: 40 Begbie Street – Health Contact Centre

The purpose of this report is to request that Council provide notice that it will consider the issuance of a Temporary Use Permit (TUP00038) for overdose prevention services at the Health Contact Centre at 40 Begbie Street, and to also request that Council waive the applicable fee.

• Recommendation
  1. THAT notice be provided that Council will consider the issuance of a Temporary Use Permit (TUP00038) for overdose prevention services at the Health Contact Centre at 40 Begbie Street for a maximum of 18 months, or until an interim mobile overdose prevention service is operational, whichever is less time.

  2. THAT the application fee be waived for the Temporary Use Permit in the amount of $1,153.00, which would be reflected in a comparable decrease in projected 2025 planning permit revenues.

4.8

Proclamation: Menstrual Health Day, May 28, 2025

4.9

Proclamation: Deafblind Awareness Month, June 2025

5.

CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA

6.

MOTIONS FOR DISCUSSION AND DECISION

6.1

Remove US Flag from Queen's Park Arena and Replace it with City of New Westminster Flag

Submitted by Councillor Fontaine

WHEREAS there are few if any formal occasions that require the American flag to be prominently displayed at Queen's Park Arena;

BE IT RESOLVED THAT staff be directed to permanently remove and replace the American flag with the City of New Westminster flag at Queen's Park Arena; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT staff be authorized to temporarily reinstall the American flag if it is required to be displayed for official protocol purposes in relation to an event held at this facility.

7.

NOTICES OF MOTION

7.1

Encouraging the Province of BC to Urgently Provide Additional Mental Health Care Supports

Submitted by Councillor Fontaine

WHEREAS the Province of British Columbia has expressed a commitment to supporting individuals suffering from acute drug addiction and serious mental illness; and

WHEREAS mental health and addiction services in British Columbia remain chronically underfunded, despite growing public need; and

WHEREAS a lack of timely and appropriate access to mental health and addiction treatment can result in significant harm to individuals, families, and the broader community;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council recognize the urgent need to address the challenges faced by individuals experiencing acute drug addiction and serious mental illness, and formally advocate for the Province of British Columbia to implement comprehensive, evidence-based, and adequately funded systems of care that support safety, well-being, and long-term recovery;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Council call on the Province to define and prioritize the implementation of secure care measures — including, where clinically appropriate and legally justified, involuntary treatment — for individuals whose condition poses a significant risk to themselves or others, with clear safeguards to uphold individual rights, medical oversight, and accountability;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Council express concern that ongoing underinvestment by successive provincial governments has contributed directly to the widespread lack of access to critical mental health and addiction services across British Columbia;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Council urge the Province to take emergency-level action to address the provincial mental health and addiction crisis, including consideration of declaring a public health emergency or enacting an equivalent coordinated response to mobilize resources, improve system integration, and protect public safety;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Mayor, on behalf of Council, write to the Premier of British Columbia and relevant Ministers to communicate Council’s position and recommendations.

7.2

Sikh Heritage Month

Submitted by Councillor Minhas

WHEREAS Sikh Heritage Month, celebrated each April, recognizes the long-standing contributions of Sikh Canadians, who have enriched Canada’s social, cultural, and economic life since their arrival in 1906; and

WHEREAS the values central to Sikhism—service, equality, and compassion—continue to inspire community involvement, leadership, and charitable efforts across New Westminster; and

WHEREAS the City of New Westminster is committed to celebrating and supporting the diverse cultural and faith communities that shape its civic identity and strengthen its inclusive, welcoming spirit;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOVLED THAT Council direct staff to add Sikh Heritage Month in April to the City of New Westminster’s official observances calendar;

AND FURTHER THAT the City of New Westminster acknowledge Sikh Heritage Month with an annual proclamation in line with other official City observances.

7.3

Preserving and Enhancing Vibrant Streetscapes with Local Businesses

Submitted by Councillor Henderson

WHEREAS the current economic instability is applying financial pressure on small businesses across our communities; and

WHEREAS local governments have an opportunity to identify zoning, development, and other policies that may support affordability for businesses; and

WHEREAS the City will be updating the Economic Development Plan in 2025; and

WHEREAS the Province has greater jurisdictional power to decrease the economic pressures on small businesses through a variety of policy changes;

BE IT RESOLVED THAT staff explore the impacts of restricting extended health services as a permitted use at ground level through retail zoning updates; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT staff report back on opportunities to remove barriers for property owners interested in subdividing commercial units through zoning bylaws and building regulations; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT staff explore creating a commercial tenant relocation policy for small businesses (in BC, defined as businesses that have fewer than 50 employees) that could include principles like relocation support and/or first right of refusal at a comparable lease rate or with a reasonable increase; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City send a letter to the Minister of Finance and CC the Minister of Municipal Governments and Rural Communities, the Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs, and the Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation advocating that a Property Assessment Review be expedited; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City send a letter to the Minister of Finance and CC the Minister of Municipal Governments and Rural Communities, the Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs, and the Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation advocating for WorkBC programs offered to support the development of new businesses be extended to offer continued operational support to small businesses; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that given the economic instability small businesses are facing, that the City send a letter to the Minister of Finance and CC the Minister of Municipal Governments and Rural Communities, the Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs, and the Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation asking that the Province pilot a program to temporarily regulate commercial rent increases through a rent cap to ensure sustainability over this period of extreme instability and potential recession.

8.

BYLAWS FOR ADOPTION

• Recommendation

  THAT the following bylaw be adopted:

8.1

Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001, Storage Amendments Bylaw No. 8518, 2025

To remove mini-storage as permitted uses within the Light Industrial Districts (M-1) (except for 1084 Tanaka Court), Light Industrial Mixed Use Districts (M-5) (except for 1013, 1017 and 1019 Royal Avenue), and Commercial Industrial Districts (CM-1).

Opposition at 1^st/2^nd/3^rd Readings – Cllr. Fontaine, Cllr. McEvoy and Cllr. Minhas

9.

NEW BUSINESS

10.

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

11.

ADJOURNMENT

• Recommendation

  THAT the meeting adjourn.

   

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