CITY COUNCIL MEETING
AGENDA

Monday, September 25, 2023, Immediately following the Public Hearing 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.

CHANGES TO THE AGENDA

Urgent/time sensitive matters only

3.

BYLAWS CONSIDERED AT THE PUBLIC HEARING

3.1

Official Community Plan Amendment (909-915 Twelfth Street) Bylaw No. 8399, 2023

To extend the land use designation and Development Permit Area for a portion of City lane right-of-way proposed to be sold and consolidated with the subject site.  This bylaw is on the agenda for THIRD READING.

3.2

Zoning Amendment (909-915 Twelfth Street) Bylaw No. 8400, 2023

To rezone the subject site to a site-specific Comprehensive Development zone to permit a 40 unit multi-unit residential development.  This bylaw is on the agenda for THIRD READING.

3.3

Road Closure, Dedication Removal, and Disposition (909-915 Twelfth Street) Bylaw No. 8401, 2023

To authorize the sale and closure of a 96.9 square metre unused portion of City lane right-of-way. This bylaw is on the agenda for THIRD READING.

4.

ISSUANCE OF PERMITS

4.1

Development Variance Permit DVP00701 for 311 Ash Street

a.

Notification

b.

Director of Climate Action, Planning and Development's report dated September 11, 2023

c.

Statement concerning the number of written submissions received, including On Table submissions (City Clerk)

a.

Index

b.

Written submissions

d.

Council Decision

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council approve/reject issuance of TYPE Permit NUMBER

5.

REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION AND ACTION

5.1

2023 New Westminster Intersection Safety Study (Information Report brought forward from September 11, 2023)

An information report to provide Council with the Intersection Network Screening Road Safety Review, completed in August 2023.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council receive this report for information.

6.

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.

6.1

Budget 2024: Fees and Rates Review

To seek Council’s approval in principle for the proposed changes to the fees and rates bylaws to accommodate the changes recommended by staff in their review of user fees and rates; and provide direction to staff on changes to the related bylaws.

• Recommendation:

  That Council approves in principle the proposed changes in fees and rates; and

  That Council direct staff to prepare the necessary amendment bylaws.

6.2

Decriminalization – Update to the exemptions to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act

The purpose of this report is to provide Council with an update regarding the changes to the subsection 56(1) exemption of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act became effective September 18, 2023.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council accept this report as an update.

6.3

Massey Theatre Working Group

The purpose of this report is to obtain Council’s approval of the Terms of Reference for the Massey Theatre Working Group, and confirm two (2) Council appointments to serve as Working Group members.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council approve the Terms of Reference for the Massey Theatre Working Group as outlined in this report; and

  
  THAT Council appoint two (2) Councillors to serve on the Massey Theatre Working Group.

6.4

Permissive Property Tax: Exempt Properties - Review of Application Result

To seek Council’s approval of the 2023 Permissive Tax Exemption applications to be considered in the 2024 Permissive Property Tax Exemption Bylaw. The permissive exemption is for the 2024 year.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council approve the proposed Taxation Exemption list and forward the Permissive Tax Exemption Bylaw No. 8419, 2023 (Attachment A) for three readings.

6.5

Response to February 6, 2023 Special City Council Motion for Utilities Commission Open Minutes Extracts regarding the Advance Metering Infrastructure Project

To respond to a Council motion requesting minutes extracts of the Utility Commission regarding the Advanced Metering Infrastructure project.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council receive this report for information.

6.6

Rezoning Application for Duplex: 902 First Street – Comprehensive Report

This report provides Council with information on the development proposal for 902 First Street, and requests that the rezoning application be considered, and that no Public Hearing be held following circulation of notice in accordance with the Local Government Act.

• Recommendation:

  THAT the application to rezone 902 First Street be considered and no Public Hearing held, in accordance with the Local Government Act.

  THAT notification be circulated in accordance with the Local Government Act.

6.7

Update on Council Motion Regarding the Chinatown Community Stewards Program

The purpose of this report it threefold: (1) to seek Council direction to conduct further research on the Chinatown Community Stewards Program; (2) to identify the similarities with and implications for the New Westminster “I’s on the Street” Program; and (3) to inform Council of work program impacts should the City explore a similar initiative.

• Recommendation:

  That Council direct staff to pause other projects in the Community Planning work program to conduct further research on the Chinatown Community Stewards Program, including its implications for the New Westminster “I’s on the Street“ Program, and that staff report back the findings to Council.

6.8

Proclamation: Farhan Lalji Day

6.9

Proclamation: United Way BC Day, September 26, 2023

6.10

Proclamation: National Seniors Day, October 1, 2023

6.11

Proclamation: Wrongful Conviction Day, October 2, 2023

6.12

Proclamation: KidSport Powered by Sport BC Week, October 1-7, 2023

6.13

Proclamation: Homelessness Action Week, October 7-14, 2023

7.

BYLAWS

7.1

Public Hearings not held

a.

Zoning Amendment (376 Keary Street) Bylaw No. 8404, 2023

A bylaw to rezone the property from Single Detached Residential Districts (RS-1) to Comprehensive Development District (376 Keary St) (CD-102).  This bylaw is on the agenda for THREE READINGS.

Application considered by Council on August 28, 2023, notice published on September 15 and September 21, 2023.

No Public Hearing held.

a.

Notification

b.

Bylaw No. 8404, 2023

b.

Zoning Amendment (808 Royal Avenue) Bylaw No. 8416, 2023

To rezone the subject site to a site-specific Comprehensive Development District to permit a 20-storey academic and student housing building.  This bylaw is on the agenda for THREE READINGS.

Application considered by Council on September 11, 2023, notice published on September 15 and September 21, 2023.

No Public Hearing held.

a.

Notification

b.

Bylaw No. 8416, 2023

7.2

Bylaws for readings

a.

Permissive Tax Exemption Bylaw No. 8419, 2023

Certain properties within New Westminster such as places of worship, hospitals, and those with charitable/ philanthropic uses are eligible for an exemption from property taxes. This bylaw lists the properties exempted in 2024. This bylaw is on the agenda for THREE READINGS.

7.3

Bylaws for adoption

a.

Housing Agreement (311 Ash Street) Bylaw No. 8382, 2023

A bylaw to enter into a housing agreement under Section 483 of the Local Government Act, which will add five units of new secured market rental housing to an existing market rental building.  This bylaw is on the agenda for ADOPTION.

8.

MOTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF COUNCIL

8.1

Motions for Discussion and Decision

a.

Implementing speed limits for motorized vehicles operating on sidewalks to improve pedestrian safety

Submitted by Councillor Fontaine

WHEREAS the City of New Westminster has been lowering speed limits on roadways to help increase public safety and reduce injuries; and

WHEREAS these speed limits do not apply on sidewalks and pedestrian safety is a top priority for the City of New Westminster; and

WHEREAS non-insured electric motorized scooters and other similar modes of transportation using our sidewalks can reach high speeds; and

WHEREAS an impact between a pedestrian and high speed motorized mode of transportation can cause severe injuries; 

BE IT RESOLVED THAT staff report back to Council regarding the operational and budget considerations pertaining to the implementation of a by-law that would impose speed limits on our sidewalks to help reduce the risk of pedestrian injuries

b.

Increasing trust and accountability for civic officials in New Westminster

Submitted by Councillor Minhas

WHEREAS public trust in elected civic officials is a fundamental consideration in our local government system and is reflected by the key principles of integrity, accountability, leadership, respect, and openness found in City Council's Code of Conduct; and

WHEREAS improper use of social media has the potential to erode public trust in elected civic officials; and

WHEREAS these considerations are reflected in Council's Code of Conduct through the key principles and their applicability to the use of social media by Council Officials in relation to City of New Westminster related matters;

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council call upon all elected officials to engender public trust by abiding to such key principles; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the City's Chief Electoral Officer report back to Council on the City's state of readiness for and budget impacts pertaining to a possible school trustee byelection.

9.

NEW BUSINESS 

9.1

Extension of the Terms of Reference of Economic Development Advisory Committee

The purpose of this report is to request the extension of the Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC), as it currently stands, until January 31, 2024. Staff require a resolution by Council to further extend both the Terms of Reference (TOR) and the appointments of EDAC members beyond September 30, 2023, when the TOR and appointments are set to expire.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council extend the current Terms of Reference and member appointments of the Economic Development Advisory Committee to January 31, 2024.

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 - September 25, 2023

12.1

Local Government Climate Action Program and 2022 Corporate Greenhouse Gas Emissions Update

To purpose of this report is to provide Council with the City’s submission to the Local Government Climate Action Program (LGCAP) and to provide an update on the City’s 2022 corporate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory.

12.2

Train Whistle Cessation – Q3 Update

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