CITY COUNCIL MEETING
AGENDA

Monday, March 27, 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

Heritage Revitalization Agreement (802 and 806 Eighth Street and 809 Eighth Avenue) Bylaw No. 8379, 2023

To relocate the 1929 Sincock House and construct 17 residential units in three new townhouse buildings.  This bylaw is on the agenda for THIRD READING.

3.2

Heritage Designation (802 and 806 Eighth Street and 809 Eighth Avenue) Bylaw No. 8380, 2023

To designate the 1929 house currently located at 806 Eighth Street as a protected heritage property.  This bylaw is on the agenda for THIRD READING.

4.

REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION AND ACTION

4.1

Budget 2023: Draft 2023 - 2027 Financial Plan

a.

Presentation (On Table)

b.

Report: Budget 2023: Draft 2023 - 2027 Financial Plan

To seek Council’s direction to convert the Draft Consolidated 2023 to 2027 Financial Plan (the “Financial Plan”) into a Bylaw in accordance with Section 165 of the Community Charter that incorporates the approved 2023 Water, Sewer, Solid Waste and Electrical rates, the proposed Property Tax Revenue Rate Increase of 6.4% and the 2023 Capital Budget of $173.2M. Members of the public are invited to review and provide written comments on the Financial Plan. It is necessary for the City to adopt a Financial Plan prior to adopting a tax rate bylaw.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council instruct staff to convert the Draft Consolidated 2023 to 2027 Financial Plan into a Bylaw reflecting a property tax revenue increase of 6.4% for 2023 and a 2023 Capital Budget of $173.2M and bring forward for three readings.

5.

SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY - 8:00 PM

5.1

Break (15 minutes)

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

Construction Noise Bylaw Exemption Request: 1031 Quebec Street, New Westminster – Metro Vancouver Annacis Water Supply Tunnel, Fraser River Crossing

To request that Council grant an exemption from the Construction Noise Bylaw for Metro Vancouver’s contractor TAGP to construct the Project, involving installing a new water main, which will increase the reliability of clean water supply to Surrey and other municipalities in the Lower Mainland.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council grant an exemption to Metro Vancouver contractor Traylor Aecon General Partnership (TAGP) from Construction Noise Bylaw No. 6063, 1992, from May 01, 2023 to September 30, 2023, and from January 01, 2024 to February 28, 2024 on week days from 8 PM to 11 PM and Saturdays from 7 AM to 9 AM and 6 PM to 9 PM, excluding Sundays and Statutory Holidays, to construct the Annacis Water Supply Tunnel, Fraser River Crossing (the “Project”).

6.2

Construction Noise Bylaw Exemption Request: 22nd Street SkyTrain Station - Amending Report

To request that Council grant an exemption to TransLink from Construction Noise Bylaw No. 6063, 1992 to enable the specialized installation of a new maintenance walkway and a steel emergency egress stairway. The modifications will allow the platform to accommodate longer trains in anticipation of increased ridership. TransLink is asking for consideration to work intermittent Sundays and to extend the term of the Noise Relaxation to January 31, 2024 which is an amendment to their original request in February 2023.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council grant a noise exemption to Translink from Construction Noise Bylaw No. 6063, 1992 from 10 PM to 7 AM starting March 1st, 2023, to January 31st, 2024 including Saturdays and intermittent Sundays, but excluding Statutory Holidays, to modify the 22nd Street Skytrain infrastructure to prepare for longer trains.

6.3

Construction Noise Bylaw Exemption Request: Columbia Street at 8th Street (New Westminster SkyTrain Station)

To request that Council grant an exemption to TransLink from Construction Noise Bylaw No. 6063, 1992 to enable the modification and reinstallation or maintenance of walkways in preparation for the activation of longer trains to accommodate more ridership.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council grant a noise exemption to TransLink from Construction Noise Bylaw No. 6063, 1992 from 10 PM to 7 AM starting May 1st, 2023, to October 31st, 2023 including Saturdays and intermittent Sundays, but excluding Statutory Holidays, to install new maintenace walkways, demolish and restore original walkways and make operational equipment modifications to the New Westminster SkyTrain station.

6.4

Engineering User Fees and Rates Bylaw Amendment for Three Readings – Bylaw 8386, 2023

To bring forward an amendment to the Engineering Fees and Rates Bylaw to temporarily suspend Street Occupancy Permit fees for block parties.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council give three readings to Bylaw No. 8386, 2023 as presented in Attachment #1 of this report.

6.5

Official Community Plan Amendment and Rezoning: 102/104 Eighth Avenue and 728 First Street – Bylaws for First and Second Reading

To request that Council consider Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 8374, 2023 for First and Second Readings and Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 8375, 2023 for First and Second Readings, and forward the bylaws to a Public Hearing, to enable a 10-unit infill townhouse proposal.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council consider Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 8374, 2023 for First Reading;

  THAT Council consider Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 8374, 2023 in conjunction with the City’s Capital Expenditure Program as contained in the Five Year Financial Plan and the Region’s Solid Waste Management Plan and Liquid Waste Management Plan, and which are deemed to be consistent with said program and plan in accordance with Section 477(3)(a) of the Local Government Act;

  THAT Council consider Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 8374, 2023 for Second Reading and forward the bylaw to a Public Hearing; and,

  THAT Council consider Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 8375, 2023 for First and Second Readings and forward the bylaw to a Public Hearing.

6.6

Rezoning and Special Development Permit (809 - 811 Carnarvon Street and 60 – 70 Eighth Street) – Preliminary Report

To provide preliminary information on a development proposal for 809 – 811 Carnarvon Street and 60 – 70 Eighth Street; to outline the application review process for endorsement; and to direct staff to work with the applicant towards a suitable plan of development.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council direct staff to work with the applicant to prepare plan of development for the subject properties suitable for consideration of First and Second Readings.

  THAT Council direct staff to proceed with processing the proposed rezoning of the subject properties as outlined in the “Application Review Process” section of this report.

  THAT no Public Hearing be held for this application in accordance with the Local Government Act.

6.7

Minutes for Adoption

a.

February 27, 2023 Special Council Workshop

b.

February 27, 2023 City Council Meeting (3:00 p.m.)

c.

February 27, 2023 City Council Meeting (6:00 p.m.)

d.

March 6, 2023 Special Council Workshop

e.

March 9, 2023 Special City Council Meeting

7.

BYLAWS

7.1

Bylaws for readings

a.

Official Community Plan Amendment (102-104 Eighth Ave and 728 First St) Bylaw No. 8374, 2023

To amend the land use designation and Development Permit Area for the subject site to permit a 10-unit townhouse development.  This bylaw is on the agenda for TWO READINGS.

A public hearing will be held for this bylaw.

b.

Zoning Amendment Bylaw (102-104 Eighth Avenue and 728 First Street) No. 8375, 2023

To rezone the subject site to a site-specific Comprehensive Development District to permit a townhouse development.  This bylaw is on the agenda for TWO READINGS.

A public hearing will be held for this bylaw.

c.

Engineering User Fees and Rates Amendment Bylaw No. 8386, 2023

To amend the Engineering Fees and Rates Bylaw to temporarily suspend Street Occupancy Permit fees for block parties.  This bylaw is on the agenda for THREE READINGS.

7.2

Bylaws for adoption

a.

Council Procedure Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 8385, 2023

To define a mechanism to handle Notices of Motion being placed on the agenda.  This bylaw is on the agenda for ADOPTION.

a.

Copy of Notice

8.

MOTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF COUNCIL

8.1

Motions for Discussion and Decision

a.

Ensuring the timely removal and replacement of dead and/or dying trees on city property

Submitted by Councillor Fontaine

Whereas it is a core function of our City to maintain a healthy stock of trees on public property and to have dead trees removed in a timely manner; and

Whereas a number of sidewalks, boulevards and areas in the public realm have dead or dying trees that have been there for at least one year; and

Whereas the City is committed to keeping all of our publicly-owned trees healthy and free of disease and/or vandalism; and

Whereas the City may be planting a significant number of new trees as part of our capital plan

BE IT RESOLVED that staff report back regarding the resources required and staffing implications to conduct an audit of how many dead or dying trees are on city sidewalks, boulevards and adjacent to arterials that require replacement; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the report incorporate the estimated costs associated with the removal of all dead and/or dying trees on city-owned land and have them replanted prior to the April 2024; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that upon approval of this resolution any tree on city-owned property which must be cut down to a stump will be removed and replanted within a 12 month period

b.

Supporting Single Mothers' Alliance Transit for Teens Campaign

Submitted by Councillor Fontaine

Whereas for low-income youth whose families may not have access to a vehicle and the means to provide transit passes, and youth facing marginalization, transit access is a survival lifeline to access shelter, school, support services, health care, and food security; and

Whereas the cost of ensuring at-risk youth can access the essential programs and services funded to support youth outcomes in BC is downloaded onto non-profits that often struggle to ‘remove the access barrier’ of lack of access to transit; and

Whereas youth-in-need may miss the lifesaving supports available in BC due to mobility poverty and lack of access to transit is an avoidable travesty solved with free transit up to age 18; and

Whereas the City of New Westminster is committed to supporting our youth as well as issues which address equity, diversity and inclusivity

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City of New Westminster endorse the Single Mothers’ Alliance Transit for Teens Campaign; and in doing so, the Mayor write a letter to the Mayors' Council on Regional Transportation, the board of directors of BC Transit, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change Strategy, the Office of the Premier, the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, the Ministry of Education and Child Care, the Minister of State for Infrastructure and Transit, the Ministry of Children and Family Development, and the Select Standing Committee on Children and Youth to work with the provincial government to finalize and secure funding, and develop a plan that will provide free public transit for teens aged 13 to 18 in B.C.

8.2

Notices of Motion

a.

Parks and Recreation registration process

Submitted by Councillor Henderson

WHEREAS the City of New Westminster is committed to increasing equity and accessibility in the City’s policies and programs; and

WHEREAS there is a consistent demand for affordable, high-quality programming recreation programming throughout the City;

WHEREAS the City’s Parks and Recreation current registration process presents a number of challenges to registrants including the time of registration, access to a credit card, access to technology, the reliability of registration software, waitlist management, and others;

BE IT RESOLVED that Council direct staff to explore opportunities to improve the equity and accessibility of the Parks and Recreation registration process and report back to Council with options to address the current challenges.

b.

Preserving, protecting and enhancing the Samson V museum for future generations

Submitted by Councillor Fontaine

Whereas the Samson V museum is currently shrink wrapped on New Westminster’s waterfront and has undergone major repairs over the past several years due to damage incurred as a result of a pesky pigeon problem; and

Whereas the draft 5-year capital plan calls for significantly more tax dollars be invested in repairing and maintaining this civic museum which will continue to be severely impacted by outdoor weather conditions; and

Whereas this important part of our history deserves to be respected, kept in pristine condition and fully accessible to tourists, local citizens and students;

BE IT RESOLVED THAT staff report back on the costs, potential sources of funding and operational impacts associated with temporarily placing the Samson V in dry dock to repair and restore the vessel for public viewing; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that staff report back on options to find a permanent indoor home for the Samson V adjacent to or on our waterfront as part of a possible pier expansion and/or long-term tourism strategy; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that staff consult with the Fraser River Discovery Center and other key stakeholders and report back regarding the opportunity and costs associated with undertaking a pilot program that would permit short-term pleasure craft usage at the moorage vacated by the Samson V

c.

Hearing from the communities regarding their priorities for the new Growing Communities Fund

Submitted by Councillor Minhas

Whereas the Government of British Columbia has provided the City of New Westminster with almost $16M as part of their Growing Communities Fund; and

Whereas these are not funds that were considered as part of our 2023 operating budget or 5-year capital plan and will need to be invested in the near term on key city priorities; and

Whereas Council has an opportunity to engage with our citizens and listen to their feedback regarding what they think our priorities should be for this new investment

BE IT RESOLVED that Council hold a special open meeting at City Hall at the earliest opportunity to obtain feedback from the public regarding what the priorities should be for the Growing Communities Funding; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that staff develop an online survey opportunity for the public to provide their feedback regarding what priority areas Council should consider as part of the Growing Communities Funding   

9.

NEW BUSINESS 

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 - March 27, 2023

12.1

Scholarship Training Employment Program (S.T.E.P.)

To inform Council on a new recruitment initiative for aquatic services that reduces barriers for potential aquatic employee candidates.

• Recommendation:

  THAT this report be received for information