CITY COUNCIL MEETING
AGENDA

Monday, October 30, 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  

---

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

2023 Point-in-Time Homeless Count: Key Findings and Messages (Information Report from October 16, 2023)

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.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council receive this report for information.

3.2

Responding to the Homelessness, Mental Health and Substance Use Crises: Proposed Two-Year Organizational Pilot Project and Implementation Strategy

a.

Presentation (On Table)

b.

Report (Circulated Separately)

The purpose of this report is threefold: (1) to provide background information and context on the three related crises of homelessness, mental health and substance use; (2) to document research and consultation to inform organizational responses to these crises; and (3) to outline and seek Council direction on a two-year organizational pilot project and implementation strategy to more effectively address these crises and to transition responsibility for them to the senior levels of government.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council approve the proposed two-year organizational pilot project and implementation strategy to address the three crises of homelessness, mental health and substance use as included in the Analysis section of this report;

  THAT Council direct staff to forward the funding request to the 2024 Budget deliberation process; and

  THAT Council approve the Next Steps as outlined in this report.

3.3

Canada Games Pool Tank Leak Causation Investigation Results

a.

Presentation

b.

Canada Games Pool Tank Leak Causation Investigation Results

To provide the results of the investigation into the causation of the Canada Games Pool Tank Leak.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council receive this report for information on the Canada Games Pool Tank Leak causation investigation results.

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

Budget 2024: Fees and Rates Review, Amendment Bylaws for Three Readings

The purpose of this report is to update the bylaws associated with the Budget 2024: Fees and Rates Review as approved in principle by Council on September 25, 2023.

• Recommendation:

  THAT the following Amendment Bylaws be given three readings:

  Attachment #1 - Engineering Services Fees and Rates Amendment Bylaw No.8423,

  2023

  Attachment #2 - Climate Action, Planning and Development Fees and Rates

  Amendment Bylaw No.8428, 2023

  Attachment #3 - Economic Development - Business License Amendment Bylaw

  No.8420, 2023

  Attachment #4 - Cultural Services Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw No.8430, 2023

  Attachment #5 - Anvil Theatre Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw No.8426, 2023

  Attachment #6 - New Westminster Fire Protection Amendment Bylaw No.8431, 2023

  Attachment #7 - Electrical Utility Fees and Rates Amendment Bylaw No.8432, 2023

4.2

Electric Vehicle Ready Requirements for New Non-Residential Buildings

To request Council endorsement, in principle, of the recommended EV Ready Requirements for new non-residential buildings as the basis for consultation with the development community.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council endorse, in principle, the recommended Electric Vehicle (EV) Ready Requirements for new non-residential buildings as outlined in this report; and

  THAT Council direct staff to engage with the development community on the proposed requirements as outlined in this report.

4.3

Report Back on Council Motion Regarding New Westminster Becoming a 15-Minute City

To report back on Council’s motion to prepare a plan for New Westminster to become a “15-minute city”.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council receive this report and confirm that staff should continue to incorporate 15-minute city principles into existing and upcoming planning and infrastructure work rather than create a standalone plan for becoming a 15-minute city.

4.4

Minutes for Adoption

a.

August 28, 2023 City Council Meeting (12:30 p.m.)

b.

August 28, 2023 Council Workshop

c.

August 28, 2023 City Council Meeting (6:00 p.m.)

d.

August 31, 2023 Special City Council Meeting

e.

September 5, 2023 Special City Council Meeting

5.

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

6.

SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY

6.1

Break (15 minutes)

7.

BYLAWS

7.1

Bylaws for readings

a.

Anvil Theatre Fees and Charges Amendments Bylaw No. 8426, 2023

A bylaw to set the 2024 Fees and Charges for Anvil Theatre.  This bylaw is on the agenda for THREE READINGS.

b.

Business License Amendment Bylaw (2024 Fee Schedule) No. 8420, 2023

A bylaw to set the 2024 Fees for Business Licenses.  This bylaw is on the agenda for THREE READINGS.

c.

Climate Action, Planning and Development Fees and Rates Bylaw No. 8428, 2023

A bylaw to set the 2024 Fees and Rates for the Climate Action, Planning and Development Department.  This bylaw is on the agenda for THREE READINGS.

d.

Cultural Services Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 8430, 2023

A bylaw to set the 2024 Fees and Charges for Cultural Services.  This bylaw is on the agenda for THREE READINGS.

e.

Electrical Utility 2024 Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 8432, 2023

A bylaw to set the 2024 Charges for the Electric Utility.  This bylaw is on the agenda for THREE READINGS.

f.

Engineering User Fees and Rates Amendment Bylaw No. 8423, 2023

A bylaw to set the 2024 Fees and Rates for the Engineering Department.  This bylaw is on the agenda for THREE READINGS.

g.

Fire Protection Amendment Bylaw No. 8431, 2023

A bylaw to set the 2024 Fees for New Westminster Fire and Rescue Services.  This bylaw is on the agenda for THREE READINGS.

7.2

Bylaws for adoption

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 ADOPTION.

8.

MOTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF COUNCIL

8.1

Motions for Discussion and Decision

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

9.1

ON TABLE Letter from School Board dated October 25, 2023 re Trustee Resignation and By-Election

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.