CITY COUNCIL MEETING
AGENDA

Monday, March 13, 2023 at 6:00 P.m. - 8:00 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.

ISSUANCE OF PERMITS

3.1

Development Variance Permit DVP00708 for 231 Lawrence Street

a.

Copy of Notice

b.

Director of Climate Action, Planning and Development's report dated February 27, 2023

c.

Statement concerning the number of written submissions received, including On Table submissions (Acting Corporate Officer)

d.

Council Decision

THAT Council approve/reject issuance of Development Variance Permit DVP00708

4.

SPECIAL PRESENTATION

4.1

Year of Truth, 2023

a.

Presentation

b.

Report: A Year of Truth Proclamation and Presentation

Following up from the motion from February 13, 2023, this report accompanies a presentation to Council and proclamation related to A Year of Truth.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council receive the presentation regarding A Year of Truth.

  THAT Council direct Mayor Johnstone to proclaim March 2023 to March 2024 A Year of Truth.

c.

Proclamation: A Year of Truth, March 2023 - March 2024

5.

REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION AND ACTION

5.1

Extending School Zone Speed Limit Hours

To provide Council with initial information relating to the impacts that extending the school zone speed limit hours could have on road safety and City resources.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council receive this report for information.

5.2

Outdoor Pool Extended Season Aquatics Plan

The purpose of this report is to: present key findings from the 2022 outdoor pool season and 2023 outdoor pool public engagement survey results; and present the preliminary 2023 outdoor pools operating schedules.

• Recommendation:

  THAT this report be received for information.

5.3

Transition to Provision of Recycling Services by Recycle BC

To provide Council with information regarding some of the implications of transferring the City’s recycling program to Recycle BC.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council receive this report for information.

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

Air Quality Permit Application from Cedar Island Forest Products Ltd (CIFP) - Update

To provide Council with an update regarding an air quality permit application under consideration by Metro Vancouver, and to seek Council’s feedback to support staff in responding to Metro Vancouver’s invitation for comment.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council direct staff to share feedback received from Council to Metro Vancouver as part of the Environmental Protection Notice process.

6.2

Amendment to Extend License to Occupy BC Hydro Lands for Pollinator Meadow

To seek authority to execute the Amendment of the License Agreement between the City and BC Hydro and Power Authority for the temporary use of a portion of the BC Hydro property located at 2144, 2150 London Street; 2137, 2139 Dublin Street.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute the Amendment to extend the License to Occupy Agreement for the temporary use of a portion of BC Hydro property, substantially in the form inlcuded as Attachment “A“ of this report.

6.3

Extending Committee Appointments

To seek Council’s approval to continue to defer recruitment and extend committee appointments from the end of March 2023 to June 1 2023.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council direct staff to defer the 2023 recruitment process until June 2023 for all non-planning committees; and

  THAT Council extend all committee appointments that would expire at the end of March 2023 to June 1, 2023.

6.4

Notice of Motion Process

To bring before Council for approval a Notice of Motion Process Policy and corresponding amendment to the Council Procedure Bylaw.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council adopt the Notice of Motion Process Policy in Attachment 1 and give first, second and third reading to Council Procedure Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No. 8385, 2023 in Attachment 2.

6.5

Site-Wide Liquor Licensing Program for Special Events

This report outlines details of a proposed new Site-Wide Liquor Licensing Program for Special Events, and the associated guidelines event organizers must follow in order to participate in the program.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council directs staff to implement the Site-Wide Liquor Licensing Program using the proposed guidelines for Special Events;

  THAT Council direct staff to seek feedback from businesses on the proposed Site-Wide Liquor Licensing for Special Events.

• Recommendation:
  1. Council directs staff to implement the Site-Wide Liquor Licensing Program using the proposed guidelines for Special Events.
  2. Council directs staff to seek feedback from businesses on the proposed Site-Wide Liquor Licensing for Special Events.
  3. Council provide alternate direction.

6.6

Urban Reforestation and Biodiversity Enhancement Initiative Update and Proposed Tree Planting at City Hall

The purpose of this report is to share a summary of progress towards the Urban Reforestation and Biodiversity Enhancement Initiative (referred to as “URBEI”) and to seek approval to plant new trees on a portion of City Hall lands to help reach the URBEI tree planting target intended to accelerate the broader goals in the Urban Forest Management Strategy (2016) climate emergency response (Bold Step #6).

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council receive this progress update on the Urban Reforestation and Biodiversity Enhancement Initiative; and

  THAT Council approve planting of a full tree grove (Option A) on a portion of City Hall lands as outlined in this report.

6.7

Proclamation: World Tuberculosis (TB) Day, March 24, 2023

6.8

Proclamation: Purple Day for Epilepsy Awareness, March 26, 2023

6.9

Proclamation: Amyloidosis Awareness Month, March 2023

6.10

Minutes for Adoption

a.

January 9, 2023 City Council Meeting (1:00 p.m.)

b.

January 9, 2023 City Council Meeting (6:00 p.m.)

c.

January 18, 2023 Special City Council Meeting

d.

January 23, 2023 Special City Council Meeting

e.

January 25, 2023 Special City Council Meeting

f.

January 30, 2023 Special Council Workshop

g.

January 30, 2023 City Council Meeting (1:00 p.m.)

h.

January 30, 2023 City Council Meeting (following Public Hearing)

i.

February 3, 2023 Special City Council Meeting

j.

February 6, 2023 Special City Council Meeting

k.

February 13, 2023 City Council Meeting (1:00 p.m.)

l.

February 13, 2023 Council Workshop

m.

February 13, 2023 City Council Meeting (6:00 p.m.)

7.

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

8.

BYLAWS

8.1

Bylaws for readings

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 THREE READINGS.

8.2

Bylaws for adoption

a.

Housing Agreement (612 Seventh Avenue) Bylaw No. 8376 2023

To secure 327 market rental units and 10 below-market rental units at 612 Seventh Avenue for 60 years or the life of the building (whichever is longer).  This bylaw is on the agenda for ADOPTION.

9.

MOTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF COUNCIL

9.1

Notices of Motion

a.

Providing an Update on the City's Age-Friendly Community Strategy

Submitted by Councillor Fontaine

Whereas the City of New Westminster approved our Age-Friendly Community Strategy in 2017; and

Whereas there has been no major update regarding the status of this strategy; and

Whereas there has not been any significant additional capacity in terms of new assisted living, long-term care or independent seniors living residents since the introduction and approval of the strategy; and

Whereas it is critical if seniors are to age in place within our community there is additional capacity in long-term care, assisted living and independent living units

BE IT RESOLVED that staff report back to Council regarding the resources required and staffing implications pertaining to providing an update and status report regarding the Age-Friendly City Strategy; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Council prioritize the establishment of a 10-year target for the construction of new assisted living, independent living and long-term care residences within our City

b.

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

c.

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.

10.

NEW BUSINESS 

10.1

ON TABLE East Columbia at Brunette Intersection and Roadway Improvement Plans and Implications

To provide Council with information about East Columbia Street at Brunette Avenue, including background information, planning history, crash history, and the steps being taken to address design, safety, and operational concerns.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council direct staff to proceed with the next steps as outlined in this report.

10.2

ON TABLE Request to modify of the Call to Action on Creating more Equitable Municipalities motion forwarded to LMLGA and UBCM

To seek Council’s direction on changes to a motion regarding a Call to Action on Creating more Equitable Municipalities proposed for the Union of British Columbia Municipalities meeting in September 2023.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council support the proposed UBCM motion, approve co-sponsorship of the motion and direct staff to communicate this decision to LMLGA.

11.

ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF COUNCIL

12.

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.

13.

INFORMATION REPORTS - March 13, 2023

13.1

Province of British Columbia 2023 Budget Update (Circulated Separately)

On February 28, 2023 the Province of British Columbia tabled a budget for the upcoming fiscal year and a three year plan. This report outlines the funding commitments over the three year fiscal plan of interest to local governments.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council accept the following report for information.