Regular Council

Monday, April 27, 2026

6:00 P.m. - 7:00 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 & LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

2.

AGENDA ADDITIONS & DELETIONS

• Recommendation

  THAT the Agenda for the April 27, 2026 Regular Council meeting be approved.

3.

DELEGATIONS

4.

CONSENT AGENDA

• Recommendation

  THAT Items No.4.1 through 4.11 be adopted by general consent.

4.1

Minutes

• Recommendation

  THAT the Minutes of the Regular Council meeting held on April 13, 2026 be adopted.

4.2

2026 Tax Rate Bylaw No. 8576, 2026

To seek Council’s approval for the City’s 2026 Tax Rates as presented in Attachment 1.

• Recommendation

  THAT 2026 Tax Rate Bylaw No. 8576, 2026 be introduced and given first, second and third readings.

4.3

Appointment of Financial Officer

To appoint Natalie Froehlich to fulfill the duties of the Financial Officer in accordance with section 149 of the Community Charter effective May 11, 2026.

• Recommendation

  THAT Natalie Froehlich be appointed as Financial Officer effective May 11, 2026 for the purposes of carrying out statutory duties prescribed in section 149 of the Community Charter.

4.4

Extension of Programs to Serve Isolated Seniors Funded by the United Way

1. To recommend, and seek Council’s continued 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
  1. THAT Council endorse the ongoing 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 titled “Extension of Programs to Serve Isolated Seniors Funded by the United Way of British Columbia” dated April 27, 2026; and
  2. THAT the Chief Administrative Officer and the Director of Parks and Recreation be authorized to enter into the 2026-2028 project funding agreements with the United Way of British Columbia substantially in the form as per Attachments 1, 2 and 3 to this report titled “Programs to Serve Isolated Seniors Funded by the United Way of British Columbia” dated April 27, 2026.

4.5

Procedural Information - Business Regulations and Licensing (Rental Units) Amendment Bylaw No. 8556

• Recommendation
  1. THAT second and third readings of Business Regulations & Licensing (Rental Units) Amendment Bylaw No. 8556, 2026 be rescinded;
  2. THAT the citation of Business Regulations & Licensing (Rental Units) Amendment Bylaw No. 8556, 2026 be amended and that Bylaw No. 8556 be cited for all purposes as Business Regulations and Licensing (Rental Units) Bylaw 6926, 2004, Amendment Bylaw No. 8556, 2026;
  3. THAT Business Regulations & Licensing (Rental Units) Amendment Bylaw No. 8556, 2026 be amended at Part 2(c) by striking the word “May” under Section 34(c) – Safe Indoor Temperature and replacing it with “April;”
  4. THAT Business Regulations & Licensing (Rental Units) Amendment Bylaw No. 8556, 2026 be amended at the reading record by striking “CONSULTED WITH THE REGIONAL HEALTH BOARD” and replacing it with “CONSULTED WITH THE MEDICAL HEALTH OFFICER.”
  5. THAT Business Regulations and Licensing (Rental Units) Bylaw 6926, 2004, Amendment Bylaw No. 8556, 2026 be given second reading as amended.
  6. THAT Business Regulations and Licensing (Rental Units) Bylaw 6926, 2004, Amendment Bylaw No. 8556, 2026 be given third reading.

4.6

Update to the 2026 General Local Elections Plan

To refine the 2026 General Local Elections voting place plan, reducing the number of voting locations on General Voting Day from 15 to 13.

• Recommendation

  That the proposed modification to the election program for the 2026 General Local Elections, as described in the report titled “Update to the 2026 General Local Elections Plan” dated April 27, 2026 from the Interim Corporate Officer, be endorsed.

4.7

Proclamation: Day of Mourning, April 28, 2026

4.8

Proclamation: Youth Week, May 1-7, 2026

4.9

Proclamation: Emergency Preparedness Week, May 3-9, 2026

4.10

Proclamation: Elizabeth Fry Week, May 4-9, 2026

4.11

Proclamation: Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month, May 2026

5.

CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA

6.

NOTICES OF MOTION

6.1

New West Schools and City of New Westminster Joint Working Group Terms of Reference

Submitted by Councillor Nakagawa

WHEREAS the New West Schools and City of New Westminster joint working group is a forum for collaboration on issues that impact the City, District, and community

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the working group Terms of Reference be amended to include three representatives from the School Board in alignment with the three representatives from the City. 

6.2

Consultation with Railway Association of Canada: 502 Twentieth Street

Submitted by Councillor Minhas

WHEREAS new information has been provided to Council by the Railway Association of Canada and several rail operators regarding the potential safety risks posed by the installation of a Tiny Home village adjacent to active rail lines; and

WHEREAS the railway companies indicate they were not adequately consulted prior to the approval of BC Housing's Tiny Home village; and

WHEREAS Council's top priority should be that we receive all critical information necessary to make decisions that may impact the safety of New Westminster residents - prior to a final decision being made

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council direct staff on an urgent basis to coordinate a public meeting within 30 days whereby we invite the Railway Association of Canada and other affected rail operators to present their concerns regarding safety issues pertaining to the installation of the new Tiny Home village in our West End. 

7.

NEW BUSINESS

8.

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

9.

ADJOURNMENT

• Recommendation

  THAT the meeting adjourn.

   

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