CITY COUNCIL MEETING
AGENDA

Monday, October 16, 2023 at 6:00 P.m. - 9:00 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.

REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION  AND ACTION

3.1

Train Whistle Cessation – Q3 Update

To provide Council with an update on the progress of train whistle cessation in the City of New Westminster.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council receive this report for information.

3.2

Correspondence dated September 18, 2023 regarding Burnaby New Westminster Task Force on Sexually Exploited and At-Risk Youth - Invitation for Council member to join the Task Force

a.

Requested Resolution: THAT _______________ be appointed to sit on the Burnaby New Westminster Task Force on Sexually Exploited and At-Risk Youth

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

Amendments to 2023 Schedule and Proposed 2024 Schedule of Council Meetings

To request Council approval of changes to the 2023 Schedule and approval of the 2024 Schedule of Council Meetings.

• Recommendation:

  That Council approve the amendments to the 2023 Schedule of Council Meetings as set out in Attachment 1 and approve the 2024 Schedule of Council Meetings as set out in Attachment 2 of this report.

4.2

Arts, Culture and Economic Development Advisory Committee – Draft Terms of Reference

This report and attachment provides Council with the Terms of Reference for the Arts, Culture and Economic Development Advisory Committee and seeks endorsement to proceed with recruitement and scheduling of the committee.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council endorse the draft Terms of Reference for the Arts, Culture and Economic Development Advisory Committee; and

  THAT Council direct staff to proceed with recruitment for the committee.

4.3

Construction Noise Bylaw Exemption Request: 1031 Quebec Street, New Westminster – Metro Vancouver Annacis Water Supply Tunnel, Fraser River Crossing (the “Project”)

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

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council hereby grants an exemption to Metro Vancouver contractor Traylor Aecon General Partnership (TAGP) from Construction Noise Bylaw No. 6063, 1992, from October 16, 2023 to December 21, 2023, and from March 1, 2024 to May 31, 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”).

4.4

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

To request Council grant an exemption to Translink from Construction Noise Bylaw No. 6063, 1992 to enable the maintenance, modification, and reinstallation 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 October 31, 2023 to February 28, 2024 including Saturdays and intermittent Sundays, but excluding Statutory Holidays, to demolish and restore original walkways, install new maintenace walkways, and make operational equipment modifications to the New Westminster SkyTrain station.

4.5

Response to February 6, 2023 Special City Council Motion for Utilities Commission Open Minutes Extracts regarding the Advance Metering Infrastructure Project

To respond to a Council motion requesting minutes extracts of the Utility Commission regarding the Advanced Metering Infrastructure project.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council receive this report for information.

4.6

Support for TransLink’s Bus Rapid Transit Action Plan

To seek Council’s endorsement in principle of TransLink’s Bus Rapid Transit Action Plan.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council supports in principle TransLink’s Bus Rapid Transit Action Plan to advance the provision of fast, reliable, high-quality rapid transit along the Marine Drive/Way corridor from 22nd Street SkyTrain Station to Marine Drive Canada Line Station, and in other priority regional corridors that could reduce regional traffic passing through New Westminster.

  THAT Council direct staff to work with TransLink and coordinate with adjacent municipalities towards the planning, design, and implementation of Bus Rapid Transit within New Westminster.

  THAT Council ask the Mayors‘ Council to prioritize the Marine Drive/Way corridor as a priority BRT project, along with other BRT corridors that reduce regional traffic passing through New Westminster.

4.7

Update on Council Motion Regarding “The Right Person, the Right Time, The Right Place”

The purpose of this report is fourfold: (1) to provide an update on the Council motion regarding the report entitled “The Right Person, the Right Time, the Right Place;” (2) to document past and current City initiatives related to the report’s cited municipal recommendations; (3) to seek Council direction to consult with the Century House Association on senior government advocacy initiatives; and (4) to report back on possible next steps and potential financial and staff work program implications.

• Recommendation:

  That Council direct staff to reach out to the Century House Association to share information related aging in place in New Westminster and to inform the latter of engagement opportunties related to policy, planning and development processes.

  That Council direct staff to consult with the Century House Association on senior government advocacy with a focus on New Westminster and to report back on specific initiatives and potential financial and staff work progam implications.

4.8

Uptown Business Association Business Improvement Association Renewal: 2024 – 2028

To initiate the renewal of the Uptown Business Improvement Area under the initiative plan as defined in the Community Charter.

• Recommendation:

  THAT renewal of the Uptown Business Improvement Area by Council initiative, at the request of the Uptown Business Association, be commenced;

  THAT Uptown Business Improvement Area Bylaw No. 8424, 2023 be forwarded for Council’s consideration of three readings; and

  THAT staff be directed to proceed with the notice requirements under the Community Charter.

4.9

Westminster Pier Park Fire Site – Next Steps

The purpose of this report is threefold: firstly, to provide information on the settlement of the Westminster Pier Park (referred to as “WPP”) insurance claim; secondly, to provide the City’s commitment and next steps for advancing our relationships with First Nations by way of this project; and thirdly, to outline the City’s commitment to community engagement and communication regarding the future of the site.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council receive this report for information; and

  THAT Council direct staff to proceed with Next Steps as outlined in this report.

4.10

Proclamation: World Polio Day, October 24, 2023

5.

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

5.1

Peer Assisted Care Team (PACT) Program Update - Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division

5.2

Open Delegations

6.

SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY

6.1

Break (15 minutes)

7.

BYLAWS

7.1

Public Hearings not held

a.

Zoning Amendment Bylaw (902 First Street) No. 8418, 2023

A bylaw to rezone 902 First Street to allow construction of a duplex. This bylaw is consistent with the Official Community Plan. This bylaw is on the agenda for THREE READINGS.

Application considered by Council on September 25, 2023, notice published on October 6 and 12, 2023.

No Public Hearing held.

a.

Notification

b.

Bylaw No. 8418, 2023

7.2

Bylaws for readings

a.

Uptown Business Improvement Area Bylaw No. 8424, 2023

A bylaw for a five-year renewal term for the Uptown Business Improvement Area. This bylaw is on the agenda for THREE READINGS.

7.3

Bylaws for adoption

a.

Permissive Tax Exemption Bylaw No. 8419, 2023

Certain properties within New Westminster such as places of worship, hospitals, and those with charitable/ philanthropic uses are eligible for an exemption from property taxes.  This bylaw lists the properties exempted in 2024.  This bylaw is on the agenda for ADOPTION.

b.

Zoning Amendment Bylaw (376 Keary Street) No. 8404, 2023

A bylaw to rezone the property from Single Detached Residential Districts (RS-1) to Comprehensive Development District (376 Keary Street) (CD-102). This bylaw is on the agenda for ADOPTION.

8.

MOTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF COUNCIL

8.1

Notices of Motion

a.

Amending the City's separation allowance policy to eliminate possibility of 'double dipping' by former Mayors and Councillors

WHEREAS the City of New Westminster compensation package for elected officials includes the payment of a separation allowance upon completion of their term(s) in office equivalent to ten percent of their highest annual remuneration for each year of service commencing after December 1st, 2008 (with a twelve year cap); and

WHEREAS there is no impediment for Council members to receive a separation allowance from New Westminster taxpayers even if they transition successfully into new employment within a short period of time; and

WHEREAS the intent of the separation allowance ought to be limited to bridging the employment gap after a member has ceased to serve on Council; 

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council request legal counsel to draft an amendment to the Council Remuneration Policy such that the separation allowance be set up as a salary continuance for a maximum of 12 months that can be terminated upon a former Council member becoming gainfully employed full-time within the first year after ceasing to serve on Council, rather than as a lump sum payment at the time of separation.

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 - October 16, 2023

12.1

2023 Outdoor Pool Operations Highlights and 2024 Outdoor Pool Season Operating Plan

This report provides a summary of the 2023 outdoor pool operations, introduces plans for the 2024 outdoor pool operating season, and highlights the interdependencies that exist between the operation of the outdoor pools and aquatic services at təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre.

12.2

2023 Point-in-Time Homeless Count: Key Findings and Messages

The purpose of this report is to share key findings from the document entitled “2023 Homeless Count in Greater Vancouver” and a separate dataset which provided more specific information on those enumerated as part of the count in New Westminster.

12.3

Community Grant Program: 2023 Highlights (Circulated Separately)

To inform Council about the 2023 grant program.