Regular Council

Monday, October 06, 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 & LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

2.

AGENDA ADDITIONS & DELETIONS

• Recommendation

  THAT the Agenda for the October 6, 2025 Regular Council meeting be approved.

3.

DELEGATIONS

3.1

Delegations

4.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

4.1

Sustainable Housing for Seniors Experiencing Homelessness

Submitted by Councillor Henderson

WHEREAS the number of seniors who are homeless has increased five times over the last 10 years, with the most recent Point-In-Time Homelessness Count suggesting that the percentage of people experiencing homelessness who are seniors could be up to 30%; and

WHEREAS the SHINE program has proven to be an effective and essential solution for seniors experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness by assisting over 6,300 seniors in 2024 in various communities across BC, including New Westminster, to find supports and permanent housing; and

WHEREAS sustainable, long-term funding is necessary for the SHINE program to continue operating in the 12 current municipalities and is necessary to expand the program to additional communities; and

WHEREAS members of City Council who attend the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) convention often meet with members of the Provincial Cabinet;

BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor, on behalf of Council, send a letter of support for sustainable funding for the SHINE program to the Minister of Health and the Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that where appropriate, Mayor and Council share their support for the SHINE program in meetings with Provincial Ministers at the UBCM Convention in September 2025.

5.

CONSENT AGENDA

• Recommendation

  THAT Items No. 5.1 through 5.11 be adopted by general consent.

5.1

2025 Council Remuneration Policy Review

The purpose of this report is twofold:

1. Present the findings and recommendations from the formal review of the Council Remuneration Policy conducted by Western Compensation and Benefits Consultants (WCBC); and
2. Seek Council’s approval to the amended Policy as presented in Attachment 2 based on these recommendations.

    

• Recommendation
  1. THAT the recommendations from Western Compensation & Benefits Consultants, as outlined in the report titled “2025 Council Remuneration Policy Review” dated October 6, 2025 from the Director, Human Resources, be endorsed.
  2. THAT the Council Remuneration Policy be revised as presented in Attachment 2 of the report titled “2025 Council Remuneration Policy Review” dated October 6, 2025 from the Director, Human Resources.

5.2

Active Transportation Network Plan Year 2: London Street and Eighth/Ninth/Tenth Street Routes

To share the process staff have been using for public engagement for the Active Transportation Network Plan and a summary of input received during the public engagement process in June 2025 for Active Transportation Network Plan Year 2, Phase 1 routes, and to request Council endorsement of the Next Steps outlined in this report.

• Recommendation
  1. THAT the Engagement Summary for Active Transportation Network Plan Year 2: London Street, included as Attachment 1 and Eighth/Ninth/Tenth Street Routes (Attachment 2) from August 2025 be received for information; and

  2. THAT Next Steps, as outlined in the report titled “Active Transportation Network Plan Year 2: London Street and Eighth/Ninth/Tenth Street Routes,” dated October 6, 2025 from the Director, Engineering, be approved.

5.3

Fenton Streetscape Project – Sole Sourcing of Eagle Valley Excavating

The purpose of this report is to provide Council with an update on the Fenton Street Streetscape Project, including a summary of the request for a purchasing exemption to sole source the services of Eagle Valley Excavating for the replacement of culverts in the 300 block of Fenton Street. This work is intended to improve drainage and address ongoing flooding concerns before the rainy season.

• Recommendation

  THAT a competitive purchasing exemption sole source in the amount of $551,932.62 to Eagle Valley Excavating Inc., as presented in the staff report titled “Fenton Street Streetscape Project – Sole Sourcing of Eagle Valley Excavating” dated October 6, 2025 from the Director, Engineering and Deputy CAO and Director, Finance, be approved.

5.4

Licence of Occupation of a Portion of Brunette Avenue with BC Transportation and Financing Authority for Construction and Use of a Pedestrian Bridge Connection to Sapperton Station

To seek Council authorization to enter into a licence of occupation agreement with BC Transportation Financing Authority (BCTFA) to enable construction and use of a portion of Brunette Avenue for a new above-grade bridge connection structure with support columns extending to street level on the west side of Brunette Avenue providing public access to Sapperton Station.

• Recommendation

  THAT the Mayor and Corporate Officer, on behalf of the City of New Westminster, be authorized to execute the Licence of Occupation Agreement for a portion of Brunette Avenue for the construction and use of a pedestrian bridge connection structure between the City of New Westminster and the BC Transportation Financing Authority as provided in Attachment 1 to the report titled “Licence of Occupation of a Portion of Brunette Avenue with BC Transportation Financing Authority for Construction and Use of a Pedestrian Bridge Connection to Sapperton Station” from the Director, Engineering and Deputy CAO, dated October 6, 2025.

5.5

Metro Vancouver Liquid Waste Management Plan - Follow-Up from March 17, 2025 Open Workshop

To respond to the motion from council at the March 17, 2025 workshop motion “THAT the request to approve the Liquid Waste Management Plan be referred to the Regular Council meeting of Monday, October 6, 2025, or until such a time that Metro Vancouver has provided the public with a truly independent, thorough, and adequate response to massive and unexplained cost overruns at the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant”.

• Recommendation

  That the report titled “Metro Vancouver Liquid Waste Management Plan - Follow-up from March 17, 2025 Open Workshop” from the Director, Engineering and Deputy CAO, be received for information.

5.6

Provincial Electric Kick Scooter Pilot Program

To report back to Council on the risks and opportunities associated with joining the Provincial Electric Kick Scooter Pilot Program, and to seek Council’s endorsement to not join the Pilot Program at this time.

• Recommendation

  THAT the City of New Westminster not opt in to the Provincial Electric Kick Scooter Pilot Program, as outlined in the report titled “Provincial Electric Kick Scooter Pilot Program”, dated October 6, 2025 from the Director, Engineering Services and Deputy CAO.

5.7

Response to Council Motion on Community Grants Program

This report provides Council with additional context and information related to the overall Community Grants program budget, in alignment with Council direction received on August 25, 2025 to include a 50% increase in grant funding in the 2026 Budget process.

• Recommendation
  1. THAT $1,467,675 be approved to be allocated as the total budget for the 2026 City of New Westminster Community Grant program, in order to confirm the total funding envelope in time for grant application adjudication and awarding which will take place in fall 2025.
  2. THAT staff be directed to include an additional $489,225 for Community Grants funding in the 2026 budget, bringing the total Community Grants budget to $1,467,675, to be funded from property tax revenue.

5.8

Temporary Licence Agreement with MRSL (New Westminster) Nominee Ltd. for Construction of Dike Shoreline Rehabilitation at 350 Gifford Street

To seek Council authorization to enter into a temporary licence agreement with MRSL (New Westminster) Nominee Ltd to enable construction of the dike shoreline rehabilitation project.

• Recommendation

  THAT the Mayor and Corporate Officer be authorized to execute the Temporary Licence Agreement for the construction of dike shoreline rehabilitation at 350 Gifford Street between the City of New Westminster and MRSL (New Westminster) Nominee Ltd. as provided in Attachment 1 to the staff report titled “Temporary Licence Agreement with MRSL (New Westminster) Nominee Ltd. for Construction of Dike Shoreline Rehabilitation at 350 Gifford Street” from the Director, Engineering and Deputy CAO, dated October 6, 2025.

5.9

Proclamation: World Food Day, October 16, 2025

5.10

Proclamation: KidSport Powered by Sport BC Week, October 5-11, 2025

5.11

Proclamation: Homelessness Action Week, October 11-18, 2025

6.

CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA

7.

MOTIONS FOR DISCUSSION AND DECISION

7.1

Community Policing Office in Queensborough

Submitted by Councillor Campbell

WHEREAS Queensborough community members have expressed interest in having a community policing office in the Queensborough neighbourhood;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of New Westminster requests that the New Westminster Police Board consider and work with the city to plan a satellite station in Queensborough.

8.

NEW BUSINESS

9.

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

10.

ADJOURNMENT

• Recommendation

  THAT the meeting adjourn.

   

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