REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
AGENDA

Monday, October 07, 2024 at 6:00 P.m. - 7:00 P.m.

Meeting held in Council Chamber

Second Floor, 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.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

As circulated or as amended (urgent/time sensitive matters only)

3.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS FROM PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEETING

3.1

Metro 2050 Type 3 Amendment Application: City of Surrey (7880 128 Street)

To provide Council with staff’s analysis on the City of Surrey’s proposed amendments to the Regional Growth Strategy, Metro 2050, in the Newton Industrial area.

• Recommendation:
  1. THAT Metro Vancouver be advised of the City of New Westminster’s non-support for the City of Surrey’s application to change the regional land use designation of 7880 128 Street, from industrial to employment, as outlined in the staff report titled “Metro 2050 Type 3 Amendment Application: City of Surrey (7880 128 Street)” dated September 23, 2024 from the Director, Planning and Development.

  2. THAT staff be directed to send a letter to Metro Vancouver providing:
     1. Council’s resolution on Surrey’s amendment application;
     2. an extract of the Minutes of the September 23, 2024 Regular Council meeting; and
     3. a copy of the staff report titled Metro 2050 Type 3 Amendment Application: City of Surrey (7880 128 Street)” dated September 23, 2024 from the Director, Planning and Development.

4.

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.

4.1

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

The purpose of this report is to request Council grant an exemption to 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.

• Recommendation:

  THAT an exemption to All Roads Construction Ltd. from Construction Noise Bylaw No. 6063, 1992 from 8:00 PM to 7:00 AM for three nights between Wednesday, October 9, 2024 and Wednesday, October 30, 2024 excluding Saturdays, Sundays and Statutory holidays to complete surface lift paving at the Royal Columbian Hospital on 330 East Columbia Street, be granted.

4.2

Construction Noise Bylaw Exemption Request: 100 Braid Street (Wesgroup Contracting Ltd) – Crane Removal

The purpose of this report is to request that Council grant an exemption from Construction Noise Bylaw No. 6063, 1992 to Wesgroup Contracting Ltd. on Saturday, October 26, 2024 or in the case of extreme weather, on Sunday, October 27, 2024 to disassemble a construction tower crane at 100 Braid Street.

• Recommendation:

  THAT an exemption to Wesgroup Contracting Ltd. from Construction Noise Bylaw No. 6063, 1992 from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM on Saturday, October 26, 2024 and for contingency, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Sunday, October 27, 2024 to disassemble a construction tower crane at 100 Braid Street, be granted.

4.3

Expanding the Metro West Inter-Municipal Business Licence to Include Health Care Professionals and Services, and Annual Licence Fee Increase

To expand the Metro West inter-municipal business licence (IMBL) to include health care professionals and services, and update the annual licence fee.

• Recommendation:
  1. THAT the Inter-Municipal Business Licence Scheme Bylaw No. 8475, 2024 be considered for first, second and third readings; and
  2. THAT the Inter-Municipal Business Licence Agreement Bylaw No. 8487, 2024, be considered for first, second and third readings; and
  3. THAT the Inter-Municipal Business Licence Scheme Bylaw No. 8475 and Inter-Municipal Business Licence Agreement Bylaw No. 8487, 2024 be forwarded to an Opportunity to be Heard at the Regular Meeting of Council on November 4, 2024.

4.4

Guidelines and Decision-Making Matrix for Designating Municipally Significant Events

This report provides Council with proposed Municipally Significant Events guidelines and a decision-making matrix for designating special events as “municipally significant.”

• Recommendation:
  1. THAT the guidelines and decision-making matrix for designating Municipally Significant Events as outlined in the staff report titled “Guidelines and Decision-Making Matrix for Designating Municipally Significant Events” dated October 7, 2024 from the Acting Director, Community Services, be endorsed; and

      

  2. THAT the Licence Inspector be delegated authority to determine if an event meets the requirements for being designated a municipally significant event using the Guidelines and Decision-Making Matrix for Designating Municipally Significant Events.

4.5

Licence Agreement at 203 Pembina Street

The purpose of this report is to provide Council with information on the proposed Licence Agreement with the owners of 203 Pembina Street ( the “Owners”) for the temporary use of the City lands for the purpose of a sanitary sewer main bypass in respect of the existing sanitary sewer along the lane, and to seek Council approval to enter into a Licence Agreement with the Owners as explained in this report.

• Recommendation:

  THAT the Mayor and Corporate Officer be authorized to execute the Licence Agreement between the City and Prushothaman Palanichamy and Vijaya Deepthi Gopalabhatla, the Owners of 203 Pembina Street, included as Attachment 1 to the staff report titled “Licence Agreement at 203 Pembina Street” dated October 7, 2024 from the Director, Engineering.

4.6

Update Regarding Council Motion Re: Improving the Public’s Access to Trees during the City’s Biannual Tree Sale

The purpose of this report is to advise Council on the status of responding to Council’s April 22, 2024 resolution, regarding improving the public’s access to trees during the City’s biannual tree sale.

• Recommendation:

  THAT the staff report titled “Update Regarding Council Motion Re: Improving the Public’s Access to Trees during the City’s Biannual Tree Sale” dated October 7, 2024, be received for information.

4.7

Proclamation: World Food Day, October 16, 2024

4.8

Proclamation: Homelessness Action Week, October 12-18, 2024

4.9

Minutes for Adoption

a.

September 23, 2024 Regular Council Meeting

5.

ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA

6.

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

6.1

Metro Vancouver - North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant

Jerry W. Dobrovolny, Commissioner/Chief Administrative Officer, Cheryl Nelms, General Manager, Project Delivery, and Peter Navratil, General Manager, Liquid Waste Services, Metro Vancouver, to present on the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant.

a.

Presentation

6.2

Open Delegations

7.

BYLAWS

7.1

Bylaws for Readings

a.

Inter-municipal Business Licence Agreement Bylaw No. 8487, 2024

A Bylaw to enter into an agreement among the City of Burnaby, the City of Delta, the City New Westminster, the City of Richmond, the City of Surrey, and the City of Vancouver regarding an Inter-municipal Business Licence Scheme. This bylaw is on the agenda for first, second and third readings.

b.

Inter-municipal Business Licence Scheme Bylaw No. 8475, 2024

A Bylaw to enter into an Inter-municipal Business Licence Scheme. This bylaw is on the agenda for first, second and third readings.

7.2

Bylaws for Adoption

a.

Anvil Theatre Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 8209, 2020, Amendment Bylaw No. 8482, 2024

A bylaw to set the 2025 fees and charges for Anvil Theatre. This bylaw is on the agenda for adoption.

b.

Climate Action, Planning & Development Fees and Rates Bylaw No. 7683, 2014, Amendment Bylaw No. 8478, 2024

A bylaw to set the 2025 fees and rates for Planning & Development. This bylaw is on the agenda for adoption.

c.

Cultural Services Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 7875, 2016, Amendment Bylaw No. 8477, 2024

A bylaw to set the 2025 fees and charges for Cultural Services. This bylaw is on the agenda for adoption.

d.

Electrical Utility Bylaw No. 6502, 1998, Amendment Bylaw No. 8476, 2024

A bylaw to set the 2025 charges for the Electric Utility. This bylaw is on the agenda for adoption.

e.

Engineering User Fees and Rates Bylaw No. 7553, 2013, Amendment Bylaw No. 8472, 2024

A bylaw to set the 2025 fees and rates for Engineering Services. This bylaw is on the agenda for adoption.

f.

Fees Bylaw No. 6186, 1994, Amendment Bylaw No. 8479, 2024

A bylaw to update the Finance Fees Bylaw. This bylaw is on the agenda for adoption.

g.

Fire Protection Bylaw No. 6940, 2004, Amendment Bylaw No. 8481, 2024

A bylaw to set the 2025 fees for Fire and Rescue Services. This bylaw is on the agenda for adoption.

8.

MOTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF COUNCIL

8.1

Motions for Discussion and Decision

a.

Requesting an Inquiry Under Section 765 of the Local Government Act regarding Metro Vancouver

Submitted by Councillor Fontaine

1. WHEREAS the governance model at Metro Vancouver is over 50 years old and an independent review should be undertaken by the Province of BC; and
2. WHEREAS the Inspector of Municipalities of British Columbia has significant statutory powers including the ability to investigate any bylaw, order, decision, or action of the Greater Vancouver Regional District Board; and
3. WHEREAS to date the Province of BC has not agreed to undertake a governance review of Metro Vancouver;
4. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Mayor write a letter on behalf of Council to the Premier and request the Province of BC to immediately initiate an independent review of Metro Vancouver's governance structure.

b.

Supporting Increased Tourism in New Westminster through the Introduction of a New "Photographable" Sign on Pier West Park

Submitted by Councillor Minhas

1. WHEREAS Pier Park West is now reconnected to the eastern part of the Quayside boardwalk and provides a pleasurable place for locals and tourists to enjoy views of the Fraser River; and
2. WHEREAS a number of cities around the world have used enlarged signage in highly visible and photographable areas to attract visitor and help market their cities; and
3. WHEREAS we have the opportunity to install a large “New Westminster” sign on our waterfront with the backdrop including several bridges and the Fraser River;
4. BE IT RESOLVED THAT staff reach out to Tourism New Westminster and advise that Council would be supportive of installing of a large “New Westminster” sign on our waterfront as one additional method of attracting tourists to our city and downtown district.

c.

Supporting increasing Cycling, Tourism and Economic Activity through a Pilot "Cycling Sundays on Front Street"

Submitted by Councillor Fontaine

1. WHEREAS the Province of British Columbia has already closed Front Street for extended periods of time and redirected traffic to other routes throughout the City; and
2. WHEREAS there is currently no ability for cyclists to easily and safely ride their bikes from Pier Park West to the Brunette Fraser Regional Greenway in Sapperton; and
3. WHEREAS other cities across North America have successfully closed roadways on weekends to permit alternate modes of transportation such as cycling and pedestrians.
4. BE IT RESOLVED THAT staff report back on the feasibility and operational issues pertaining to the development of a pilot project that would:
   1. during daylight hours, close Front Street on Sundays from May to September 2025 to vehicular traffic; and
   2. during the period noted above, open up Front Street to cyclists, pedestrians and other forms active transportation while it is temporarily closed to vehicular traffic;
   3. seek interest from food trucks and other micro businesses who may want to set up on Front Street during the ‘Cycling Sunday’ closures.

d.

Seek Support from the BC Ministry of Transportation to Undertake a Feasibility Study to Expand the Crossing Capacity between Queensborough and Connaught Heights

Submitted by Councillor Minhas

1. WHEREAS the City of New Westminster is currently undertaking a community consultation around the 22nd Street SkyTrain station which could result in up to 30,000 new residents moving into the neighbourhood; and
2. WHEREAS the residents of Queensborough can often suffer quality of life issues pertaining to delays crossing the four-lane Queensborough bridge during peak periods and beyond; and
3. WHEREAS it will take a significant amount of time, planning and inter-governmental discussions to undertake a future replacement or expansion of the Queensborough Bridge
4. BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council direct staff to develop a consultation plan to determine the level of interest from our residents/businesses regarding prioritizing the future expansion or replacement of the Queensborough bridge; and
5. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT any expansion or replacement proposal should prioritize the movement of TransLink operated buses, cyclists, taxis, ride-share and pedestrians across the bridge; and
6. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Mayor write to the BC Ministry of Transportation to invite them to partner with the City during our Queensborough Bridge community consultation process.

e.

Sue Big Oil Class Action Lawsuit

Submitted by Councillor Henderson

a.

Correspondence dated September 27-30, 2024 (6 items received as of 2 pm, October 2, 2024)

b.

Motion:

1. WHEREAS the City of New Westminster manages, maintains and prepares municipal infrastructure to protect our residents from future heat waves, wildfires, flooding, and other climate impacts, thereby safeguarding the health and safety of our residents and their property and as a result faces massive costs due to climate change, which are expected to increase; and
2. WHEREAS fossil fuel companies were warned by their own scientists decades ago that the ongoing burning of fossil fuels would cause massive suffering and climate costs, and chose to lobby against action on climate change so that the industry could continue to earn on average over a trillion dollars in profit each year in recent years; and
3. WHEREAS it is unacceptable and creates a perverse incentive for irresponsible fossil fuel development that local governments and taxpayers bear the full extent of these climate costs whilst multinational fossil fuel companies take no financial responsibility for the harm caused by their products; and
4. WHEREAS over 20 local governments in the United States and around the world, including nine local governments in BC, have filed lawsuits to recover a share of their climate costs (e.g. for loss and damage, adaptation, and climate preparedness) from fossil fuel companies, and Canadian legal experts recommend that Canadian local governments do the same;
5. BE IT RESOLVED that staff report back on opportunity and cost for New Westminster to join the Sue Big Oil Class Action Lawsuit and present potential cost and staff resource needs as part of the draft 2025 Operating Budget; and
6. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the cost of joining the Sue Big Oil class action lawsuit be first assessed via the Climate Action Decision-Making Framework to determine the appropriate funding source.

8.2

Notices of Motion

a.

Increase Affordability by Temporarily Eliminating the New Westminster Developed Climate Action Levy on Electricity Bills in 2025

Submitted by Councillor Fontaine

1. WHEREAS according to a staff report dated April 20, 2020, the City’s Climate Action Levy imposed on New Westminster Utility “costs electrical customers approximately $15 per 1,000 KWH” ; and
2. WHEREAS in 2023 the temporary removal of the Climate Action Levy would have helped local residents and businesses deal with inflationary pressures by reducing their electrical costs by almost $2M; and
3. WHEREAS there is no clear evidence that imposing ‘made-in-New Westminster’ levies, taxes or fees on green energy generated by BC Hydro will reduce our carbon footprint; and
4. WHEREAS even the BC NDP government has now backed away from its support of the costly and unaffordable carbon tax currently imposed on consumer products;
5. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT staff incorporate into the City’s 2025 Operating Budget a temporary one-year elimination of the 3.5% Climate Action Levy imposed by the New Westminster Electrical Utility.

b.

Produce at least One 2025 Operating Budget Option that is Pegged at No More Than 4.5% for Property Taxes

Submitted by Councillor Minhas

1. WHEREAS Canada’s inflation rate is now 2%; and
2. WHEREAS property taxes have increased by almost 15% over the past two years and if this continued at the same pace property taxes could increase over 30% this term; and
3. WHEREAS countless property taxpayers in New Westminster are struggling under the weight of an increased cost of living;
4. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT staff be directed as part of the Budget 2025 process to develop at least one budget scenario for Council's consideration that incorporates a property tax increase of no more than 4.5%.

9.

NEW BUSINESS

10.

ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF COUNCIL

11.

ADJOURNMENT

 

 

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