CITY COUNCIL MEETING
AGENDA

Monday, February 05, 2024 at 6:00 P.m. - 7:00 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.

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.

3.1

Construction Noise Bylaw Exemption Request: 660 Quayside Drive (Bosa Development)

The purpose of this report is to request Council grant an exemption from Construction Noise Bylaw No. 6063, 1992 to enable Bosa Development to remove the crane from the West Tower at the Pier West development at 660 Quayside Drive.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council grant an exemption to Bosa Development from Construction Noise Bylaw No. 6063, 1992 from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM on Saturday, March 2, 2024 and from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM on Saturday, March 9, 2024 for construction activity related to crane removal at 660 Quayside Drive.

3.2

Development Cost Charges Expenditure Bylaw No. 8437, 2024

The purpose of this report is to obtain Council’s approval of DCC Reserve Funds Expenditure Bylaw No 8437, 2024 authorizing expenditures from the City’s DCC Reserves.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Development Cost Charge Reserve (DCC) Funds Expenditure Bylaw No. 8437, 2024 (Attachment 1) to authorize a total expenditure of $3.20M from the DCC Reserves be given three readings.

3.3

Heritage Revitalization Agreement and Heritage Designation: 203 Pembina Street – Bylaws for First and Second Readings

To request that Council consider the bylaws to permit six townhouse units and protection and conservation of a heritage tree in Queensborough.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council consider Heritage Revitalization Agreement Bylaw (203 Pembina Street) No. 8425, 2024 and Heritage Designation Bylaw (203 Pembina Street) No. 8435, 2024 for First and Second Readings, and forward the Bylaws to a Public Hearing.

  THAT Council add the heritage tree located at 203 Pembina Street to the City’s Heritage Register following adoption of the Heritage Designation Bylaw No. 8435, 2024.

3.4

Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 8436 (Miscellaneous Zoning Bylaw Amendments) for Consideration

This report provides Council with information on a miscellaneous Zoning Amendment Bylaw, requests that the bylaw be considered, and that no Public Hearing be held following the circulation of notice in accordance with the Local Government Act.

• Recommendation:

  THAT the Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 8436, 2024 (Miscellaneous Zoning Bylaw Amendments) be considered and no Public Hearing held, in accordance with the Local Government Act. 

  THAT notification be circulated in accordance with the Local Government Act.

3.5

Budget 2024: Draft 2024 - 2028 Five Year Financial Plan (Circulated Separately)

To seek Council’s direction to convert the Draft 2024 – 2028 Five Year Financial Plan (the “Financial Plan”) into a Bylaw in accordance with section 165 of the Community Charter that incorporates the approved 2024 Electrical, Water, Sewer, Solid Waste rates increase and Property tax revenue increase and the proposed Operating and Capital Budgets. Members of the public will be invited to review and provide comments on the proposed Financial Plan on Be Heard New West.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council instruct staff to convert the Draft 2024 – 2028 Five-Year Financial Plan into a Bylaw and bring forward for three readings.

  THAT Council approve the $180.4M 2024 Multi-Year Capital Budget.

3.6

Construction Noise Bylaw Exemption Request: Metro Vancouver Valve Replacements (660 East Columbia Street) (Circulated Separately)

The purpose of this report is to request Council grant an exemption to Metro Vancouver from Construction Noise Bylaw No. 6063, 1992 to enable valve replacement on Sapperton Water Main No. 2 at the entrance to Lower Hume Park at 660 East Columbia Street.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council grant an exemption to Metro Vancouver from Construction Noise Bylaw No. 6063, 1992 from:

  • 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM Saturday February 24, 2024;
  • 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM Sunday February 25, 2024;
  • 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM Saturday March 2, 2024; and
  • 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM Sunday March 3, 2024

  to enable construction activity at the entrance of Lower Hume Park at 660 East Columbia Street.

3.7

Proclamation: Day of Remembrance and Action on Islamophobia, January 29, 2024

3.8

Proclamation: Heritage Week February 19-25, 2024

3.9

Minutes for Adoption

a.

October 30, 2023 Special Council Workshop

b.

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

c.

October 30, 2023 City Council Meeting (6:00 p.m.)

d.

November 6, 2023 City Council Meeting (1:00 p.m.)

e.

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

4.

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

5.

SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY

5.1

Break (15 minutes)

6.

BYLAWS

6.1

Bylaws for readings

a.

Heritage Revitalization Agreement Bylaw (203 Pembina Street) No. 8425, 2024

To enable construction of six townhouse units at 203 Pembina Street, with relaxations for townhouse use, density, height, and siting. This bylaw is on the agenda for TWO READINGS.

A public hearing will be held for this bylaw.

b.

Heritage Designation Bylaw (203 Pembina Street) No. 8435, 2024

To designate the northern red oak tree at 203 Pembina Street as a protected heritage asset. This bylaw is on the agenda for TWO READINGS.

A public hearing will be held for this bylaw.

c.

Development Cost Charge Reserve Funds Expenditure Bylaw No 8437, 2024

To authorize an expenditure of $3,197,793 from the City's Development Cost Charge Reserves for drainage, sanitary sewer, water, and transportation infrastructure and parkland development projects. This bylaw is on the agenda for THREE READINGS.

7.

MOTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF COUNCIL

7.1

Motions for Discussion and Decision

a.

Establishing delegation to visit Port Coquitlam to review best practices for limiting tax increases while increasing services

Submitted by Councillor Paul Minhas

Whereas the City of Port Coquitlam with a population of approximately 60,000 people has consistently registered some of lowest year-over-year property tax increases in Metro Vancouver over the last decade and beyond; and

Whereas the City of Port Coquitlam has proudly continued to expand core services for their residents and businesses including the recent addition of 57 free parking spaces in their downtown core; and

Whereas the City of New Westminster experienced a record high level of property tax in 2023

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Mayor request a meeting with elected officials and senior city staff from Port Coquitlam to explore if any of their best practices could be implemented locally with a goal of limiting future property taxes while enhancing service standards

b.

Increasing support in Budget 2024 to enhance the work done by our local resident associations

Submitted by Councillor Fontaine

Whereas our resident associations have a long history of engaging with City Hall and actively encouraging community participation and engagement; and

Whereas resident associations only receive $200 each to support the funding of their operations; and

Whereas the grants provided to resident associations have not been adjusted in recent memory and they are not tied to the rate of inflation; and

BE IT RESOLVED THAT staff be directed to increase the annual resident association budget by up to an additional $200 in the 2024 operational budget; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this additional increase in base grant funding be available upon written request of the resident association; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT resident associations with a bona fide and active membership base over 150 individuals on December 31st of the previous calendar year are further eligible to request an additional $200 in funding to support their operations

7.2

Notices of Motion

a.

An information report on a Crime and Safety Townhall Forum hosted by Councillors Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas

Submitted by Councillor Fontaine and Councillor Minhas

Whereas the issue of crime and public safety is of concern to the citizens and business owners of New Westminster; and

Whereas Councillors Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas hosted a community forum attended by over 120 individuals in November 2023; and 

Whereas Councillors Fontaine and Minhas committed to drafting a summary report and submitting it to Council and the Police Board via the Chair;

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council receive for information a summary report from Councillors Paul Minhas and Daniel Fontaine regarding a crime and safety forum they co-hosted in November 2023. 

b.

Allowing local governments to apply commercial rent controls

Submitted by Councillor Henderson

To be forwarded, if passed, to the Lower Mainland Local Government Association (LMLGA) for consideration at the 2024 LMLGA Conference and AGM

WHEREAS the Province of British Columbia regulates annual allowable residential rent increases through the Residential Tenancy Regulation, B.C. Reg. 477/2003, to protect lower income renters from housing insecurity; and 

WHEREAS there is currently no similar Provincial policy to protect small businesses or community-serving commercial tenants from unsustainable, unpredictable, and increasingly significant rent increases;

BE IT RESOLVED that the Province of British Columbia provide local governments with the legislative authority to enable special economic zones where commercial rent control and demo/renoviction policies could be applied to ensure predictability in commercial lease costs, so local small businesses and community-serving commercial tenants can continue to serve their communities.

c.

Additional funding for overdose prevention sites across municipalities

Submitted by Councillor Henderson and Councillor Nakagawa

To be forwarded, if passed, to the Lower Mainland Local Government Association (LMLGA) for consideration at the 2024 LMLGA Conference and AGM

WHEREAS the Province of British Columbia declared a drug toxicity public emergency in 2016, acknowledging the rapid increase in overdose deaths and the need to deploy the necessary harm reduction strategies with urgency to prevent additional deaths; and

WHEREAS over 13,000 people have died of toxic drugs since 2016 in communities across British Columbia, including at least 2,500 people in 2023, about two-thirds of which were from inhalation, yet only about 40% of supervised consumption and overdose prevention sites in British Columbia offer inhalation services;

BE IT RESOLVED that the Province of British Columbia increase funding for Health Authorities to augment existing and to open new supervised consumption and overdose prevention sites, including related inhalation services, across British Columbia and including municipalities which do not currently offer this service to residents.

d.

Eliminating Barriers to Public Home Care Services and Social Supports for Aging in Place and Public Long-Term Care

Submitted by Councillor Campbell

To be forwarded, if passed, to the Lower Mainland Local Government Association (LMLGA) for consideration at the 2024 LMLGA Conference and AGM

Whereas seniors, families and seniors organizations have been advocating to improve access to public home care services and supports to assist seniors to live at home, in their communities, longer and to delay or prevent premature admissions to public long-term care facilities; and

Whereas finances can become an impediment to access the required home care services such as housekeeping, more frequent bathing and meal preparation necessary to age in place, and  community programs that have been designed to try and meet seniors’ needs are unable to fulfil the increasing demand;

Therefore be it resolved that the Province eliminate financial and accessibility barriers by investing in more public home care services and social supports required to age in place, and by further investing in public long-term care to ensure seniors are well supported in the continuum of care.

e.

Creating a Ministry of Hospitality

Submitted by Councillor Campbell

To be forwarded, if passed, to the Lower Mainland Local Government Association (LMLGA) for consideration at the 2024 LMLGA Conference and AGM

Whereas British Columbia is home to over 15,000 restaurants and foodservice vendors that employ over 185,000 workers across the province, generate $18 billion in annual sales and play a key role in supporting BC workers, families, and vital industries such as agriculture, transportation, and tourism and are at the heart of every community in this province; and

Whereas the costs of food, supplies and transportation have substantially increased,  commercial property owners are passing commercial property taxes on to restaurant and food service tenants, many of whom continue to experience long-term impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic;

Therefore be it resolved the Province create a Ministry of Hospitality to support and engage restaurants, food service vendors and the hospitality sector generally by acting as advocates within government for policy development and reform. 

f.

E-Comm Governance Review

Submitted by Mayor Johnstone

Per resolution from NWPD that New Westminster Council forward the following resolution to the Lower Mainland LGA for consideration at the 2024 Conference

Whereas E-Comm has struggled to provide service levels that meet established standards or the expectations of the communities they serve, while the cost of E-Comm is increasing at an unsustainable rate, creating budget uncertainty for local Police and Fire services, and

Whereas the imminent introduction of next-Gen 911 will represent the single largest change in emergency communications delivery since the introduction of 911, with uncertain cost and operational impacts,

Therefore be it resolved the Provincial Government engage local governments in a comprehensive review of the governance structure and delivery model of 911 emergency call taking, related non-emergency call taking, and emergency dispatch services across BC with a goal to assure reliable, affordable, and sustainable services for all communities.

8.

NEW BUSINESS

9.

ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF COUNCIL

10.

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.

11.

INFORMATION REPORTS - February 5, 2024

11.1

Queensborough Transportation Plan – Update

To inform Council of the Round 2 Engagement results for the Queensborough Transportation Plan and remaining next steps to complete the plan.