Regular Council

Monday, May 12, 2025

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

2.

AGENDA ADDITIONS & DELETIONS

• Recommendation

  THAT the Agenda for the May 12, 2025 Regular Council meeting be approved.

3.

PRESENTATIONS & DELEGATIONS

3.1

Community Advisory Assembly Evaluation Results and Recommendations for the Future

a.

Presentation

b.

Report

This report shares the results of evaluation activities for the Community Advisory Assembly pilot project, and provides recommendations for the Assembly model moving forward.

• Recommendation
  1. THAT staff be directed to continue with the Assembly model, with several adjustments to the Assembly Terms of Reference as outlined in the report titled “Community Advisory Assembly Evaluation Results and Recommendations for the Future,” dated May 12, 2025 from the Director, Community Services.
  2. THAT staff proceed with the 6 next steps as outlined in the report titled “Community Advisory Assembly Evaluation Results and Recommendations for the Future,” dated May 12, 2025 from the Director, Community Services, to prepare for a new Assembly year starting in September 2025.
  3. THAT staff add $110K and an additional 0.5 FTE to the 2026 Budget process.

3.2

Mayor's Youth Climate Leadership Team 2025 Project Plan

a.

Presentation

b.

Report

To seek Council’s approval of the proposed 2025 Youth Climate Leadership Team project plan and budget.

• Recommendation
  1. THAT phase one and two of the 2025 Youth Climate Leadership Team project plan as attached to the report titled “Mayor’s Youth Climate Leadership Team 2025 Project Plan” dated May 12, 2025 from the Mayor’s Youth Climate Leadership Team, be approved.

  2. THAT up to $20,000 be approved from the Climate Action Reserve Fund to fund the implementation of the 2025 Youth Climate Leadership Team project plan.

3.3

Open Delegations

4.

CONSENT AGENDA

• Recommendation

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

4.1

2024 Filming Activity

The purpose of this report is to provide Council with the annual overview of filming activity and accomplishments for 2024 and to approve a minor change to the Filming Policies and Procedures document which specifies how the Filming Bylaw and Filming Fees are administered.

• Recommendation
  1. THAT the report titled “2024 Filming Activity,” dated May 12, 2025 from the Director, Community Services be received for information.

  2. THAT the City’s Filming Policies and Procedures be updated to include specific language related to cancellation notice by adding into section 4.5: “When City staff, liaisons, Police, Electrical, Fire, etc. are required by the filming coordinator and/or the production company; a) City staff, liaisons, Police, Electrical, Fire, etc. are appointed at a minimum four-hour callout. b) when not cancelled with a minimum of 24 hours advanced notice, production is responsible for a four-hour callout fee for City staff, liaisons, Police, Electrical, Fire, etc. at the noted service rate.”

4.2

Business Regulations and Licensing (Rental Units) Bylaw Cooling Amendments and Next Steps

This report: 1) presents bylaw amendments necessary to implement a requirement to allow cooling equipment in existing rental buildings, for Council’s consideration of first, second, and third readings; and 2) seeks Council endorsement for including the resource enhancement necessary to implement this and other tenant-related enforcement and life-safety work, in the 2026 Budget process for Council’s consideration.

• Recommendation
  1. THAT City of New Westminster Business Regulations and Licensing (Rental Units) Bylaw No. 6926, 2004, Amendment Bylaw No. 8525, 2025, City of New Westminster Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 7318, 2009, Amendment Bylaw No. 8526, 2025, and City of New Westminster Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 8077, 2019, Amendment Bylaw No. 8527, 2025 each be given first, second, and third readings.
  2. THAT an operating budget enhancement for three regular full-time positions to support tenant-related enforcement, support and life-safety work be included for consideration as part of the 2026 Budget process.

4.3

Easement Agreement for the Encroachment on the Lane Adjacent to 614 Fourth Avenue

This report is submitted for Council’s consideration to enter into an agreement with the property owner at 614 Fourth Avenue to allow a historical encroachment to support tree retention and a new encroachment in alignment with the historical encroachment that extends into a City Lane.

• Recommendation

  THAT an easement (the “Easement Agreement”) be granted to the Owners of 614 Fourth Avenue (the “Owner”) for a nominal amount, and on terms and conditions acceptable to the Manager of Legal Services, the Director of Engineering, and the Director of Planning and Development over a portion of Lane described as Facility ID: 540 within the City of New Westminster Road Network (the “City Lane”) to permit the encroachment thereon of a retaining wall and stair landing on the adjacent property at 614 Fourth Avenue, legally described as PID: 009-295-241 Lot 11 Plan NWP2620 (the “Property”), and to authorize the Manager of Legal Services to negotiate, conclude and execute an Easement Agreement on behalf of the City in accordance with the provisions in this report.

4.4

Licence Agreement with SOCAN and RE:SOUND

To seek authority to execute the License Agreement between the City of New Westminster and SOCAN and RE:SOUND to authorize Entandem Inc. as their agent to, among other things, invoice, collect and receive license fees payable by the City.

• Recommendation

  THAT the Director of Parks and Recration be authorized to execute licence agreements with SOCAN and RE:SOUND as appended to the May 12, 2025 staff report titled Licence Agreement with SOCAN and RE:SOUND.

4.5

New Westminster Grant Funding Summary from Bloomberg Philanthropies Youth Climate Action Fund Program

The purpose of this report is to summarize the use of funding from the Bloomberg Philanthropies Youth Climate Action Fund for youth engagement in climate action in New Westminster.

• Recommendation

  THAT the report titled “New Westminster Grant Funding Summary from Bloomberg Philanthropies Youth Climate Action Fund Program” dated May 12, 2025 from the Manager, Intergovernmental Relations and Community Relations, be received for information.

4.6

Proclamation: Apraxia Awareness Day, May 14, 2025

4.7

Proclamation: Hyack Multicultural Parade & Festival, May 24, 2025

4.8

Proclamation: Public Works Week, May 18-24, 2025

4.9

Proclamation: International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia, May 17, 2025

5.

CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA

6.

MOTIONS FOR DISCUSSION AND DECISION

6.1

Developing a more Open and Transparent Budget Accounting Methodology for City Operated Services, Programs, and Projects

Submitted by Councillor Fontaine

WHEREAS transparency in municipal spending is essential for maintaining public trust and accountability;

WHEREAS the full costs of city projects, including internal costs such as staff time, administrative overhead, and resource allocation, are not always clearly attributed or visible to the public;

WHEREAS providing a comprehensive breakdown of project costs will allow New Westminster citizens and business owners to better understand the true financial impact of municipal initiatives;

WHEREAS ensuring that all internal costs are properly accounted for will support informed decision-making by Council and enhance fiscal responsibility;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council direct staff to develop a methodology for attributing internal costs to projects, ensuring that all relevant expenditures—including staffing, administrative, and operational costs—are accounted for in project budgets and financial reporting;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the proposed methodology be designed to be transparent, practical, and written in plain language accessible to both Council and the public;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT staff report back to Council with a proposed framework and implementation plan within six months of this motion’s adoption;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the finalized methodology and project cost breakdowns be published on the City’s website in an accessible format.

6.2

Advocacy for Increased Investment in Public Transit

Submitted by Councillor Campbell

WHEREAS public transit is vital for the mobility, economy, and sustainability of New Westminster, providing residents with essential access to work, education, and services; and New Westminster’s Seven Bold Steps for Climate Action aims for 60% of all trips within the City to be by sustainable modes of transportation by 2030;

WHEREAS reliable investment is essential to maintaining and expanding transit services especially as TransLink faces a projected $600 million annual funding gap starting in 2026 and the City has received numerous urging elected officials to advocate against potential transit service reductions, which could result in significant service cuts impacting New Westminster residents;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Mayor, on behalf of New Westminster City Council, write to the provincial and federal government calling for the establishment of a permanent and stable funding source for public transit; and

THAT New Westminster City Council reaffirms its commitment to collaborating with regional and senior government partners to enhance public transit for all New Westminster residents.

7.

NOTICE OF MOTION

7.1

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.

8.

BYLAWS FOR ADOPTION

• Recommendation

  THAT the following bylaws be adopted:

8.1

Tax Rate Bylaw No. 8516, 2025

To set the 2025 Tax Rates.

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

8.2

Water Shortage Response Bylaw No. 6948, 2004, Amendment Bylaw No. 8521, 2025

To make a minor revision to Stage 3 Lawn Sprinkling Regulations.

Opposition at 1^st/2^nd/3^rd Readings - None

9.

NEW BUSINESS

10.

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

11.

ADJOURNMENT

• Recommendation

  THAT the meeting adjourn.

   

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