CITY COUNCIL MEETING
AGENDA

Monday, February 26, 2024, Immediately following the Public Hearing that begins at 6:00 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.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

As circulated or as amended (urgent/time sensitive matters only)

3.

BYLAWS CONSIDERED AT THE PUBLIC HEARING

3.1

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 THIRD READING.

3.2

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 THIRD READING.

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

12 K de K Court Esplanade Boulevard Trees

This report is a follow-up to Council’s motion to meet with the members of the Dockside Strata at 12 K de K Court to seek a mutually acceptable resolution pertaining to the on-going maintenance of the esplanade boulevard trees fronting this strata property.

• Recommendation:

  THAT the Director of Parks and Recreation be authorized to execute the Letter of Understanding between the City and the Dockside Strata (NW2459) as included in Attachment “A“ to this report, and

  THAT the City further engage the Quayside Community Board regarding the overall management of trees in their neighbourhood.

4.2

Budget 2024: 2024 – 2028 Five-Year Financial Plan Bylaw

To request Council give three readings to the Five-Year Financial Plan Bylaw for the years 2024 - 2028.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council give three readings to the 2024 – 2028 Five-Year Financial Plan Bylaw No. 8442, 2024 as presented in Attachment 1 of this report.

a.

ON TABLE Memo: Budget 2024 and Five-Year Financial Plan Public Comments

4.3

Development Cost Charge Bylaw – Inflationary Amendment

The purpose of this report is to obtain Council’s approval to increase the Development Cost Charges by 4.3% to partially compensate for inflation and escalating construction costs.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council instruct staff to bring forward the Development Cost Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 8437, 2024 for three readings as presented in Attachment #1 of this report.

4.4

Grant Program Refinements

This report provides a summary of the grant program and recommends refinements that align with best practices in grants administration and improve benefit to the community.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council direct staff to discontinue the one-time small grants program and re-allocate the funding envelope of $13,000 to the City Services budget for the fall intake;

  THAT Council direct staff to investigate the development of a reserve fund for grants to support the sustainability of the program;

  THAT Council direct staff to provide a more comprehensive analysis of the grant program and provide recommendations for improvements at a future Council meeting.

4.5

Initiating process for updating the City’s corporate logo

Following a previous report from June 2023 that outlined a proposed process to consider a new corporate logo, this report seeks Council’s direction to initiate the project and outlines estimated timelines for the process.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council direct staff to initiate the previously-endorsed process to consider a new logo for the organization; and;

  THAT Council direct staff to provide updates to Council through the process, with the next update to focus on proposed plans for community-wide engagement.

4.6

Leave of Absence for Councillor McEvoy

The purpose of this report is for Council to approve a medical leave of absence for Councillor McEvoy as well as provide support to those internal advisory bodies and external organizations to which he has been appointed.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council approve a medical leave absence for Councillor McEvoy under Section 125 (7) of the Community Charter; and

  THAT Council appoint members to fulfill Councillor McEvoy’s duties as needed for the internal advisory bodies and external organizations to which he has been appointed, until such time as he is able to resume those duties.

4.7

Rezoning and Housing Agreement: 145-209 East Columbia Street – Bylaws for First, Second and Third Readings

This report provides Council with information on the development proposal for 145-209 East Columbia Street, and requests that Council consider the rezoning and Housing Agreement bylaws for First, Second, and Third Readings.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council consider Zoning Amendment Bylaw (145-209 East Columbia Street) No. 8429, 2024 for First, Second, and Third Readings.

  THAT Council consider Housing Agreement Bylaw (145-209 East Columbia Street) No. 8434, 2024 for First, Second, and Third Readings.

4.8

Minutes for Adoption

a.

November 20, 2023 Council Workshop

b.

November 20, 2023 Special City Council Meeting 11:30 a.m.

c.

November 20, 2023 Special City Council Meeting 1:00 p.m.

d.

November 27, 2023 City Council Meeting 1:00 p.m.

e.

November 27, 2023 Special Council Workshop

f.

November 27, 2023 Public Hearing

g.

November 27, 2023 City Council Meeting (following the Public Hearing)

h.

December 4, 2023 Council Workshop

i.

December 11, 2023 City Council Meeting 9:30 a.m.

j.

December 11, 2023 Council Workshop

k.

December 11, 2023 City Council Meeting 6:00 p.m.

l.

January 8, 2024 Council Workshop

m.

January 8, 2024 City Council Meeting

5.

SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY

5.1

Break (15 minutes)

6.

BYLAWS

6.1

Public Hearings not held

a.

Zoning Amendment Bylaw (145-209 East Columbia Street) No. 8429, 2024

To facilitate development of a 6-storey building with at-grade commercial, second-storey office use, and 99 secured market rental housing units. This bylaw is on the agenda for THREE READINGS.

Notice published February 16 and 22, 2024.

No Public Hearing held.

b.

Zoning Amendment Bylaw (Miscellaneous Amendments) No. 8436, 2024

To implement routine miscellaneous amendments which address inconsistencies, provide clarification, remove redundancy, correct administrative errors and provide updates. This bylaw is on the agenda for THREE READINGS.

Notice published on February 16 and 22, 2024.

No Public Hearing held.

6.2

Bylaws for readings

a.

Development Cost Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 8437, 2024

To make inflationary adjustments to the City’s Development Cost Charges. This bylaw is on the agenda for THREE READINGS.

b.

Five-Year Financial Plan (2024-2028) Bylaw No. 8442, 2024

To approve the City’s consolidated Financial Plan for 2024 through 2028. This bylaw is on the agenda for THREE READINGS.

c.

Housing Agreement Bylaw (145-209 East Columbia Street) No. 8434, 2024

A bylaw to secure 99 market rental housing units in a 6-storey mixed use-development. This bylaw is on the agenda for THREE READINGS.

6.3

Bylaws for adoption

a.

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 ADOPTION.

b.

Zoning Amendment Bylaw (810 Agnes Street) No. 8390, 2023 (updated May 12, 2023)

To facilitate the development of a 33 storey high-rise tower with 352 secured market rental housing units and a publicly accessible indoor community space and adjacent community park at 824 Agnes Street. This bylaw is on the agenda for ADOPTION.

c.

Housing Agreement (810 Agnes Street) Bylaw No 8389, 2023

A bylaw to secure 352 market rental housing units in a 33 storey high-rise tower development. This bylaw is on the agenda for ADOPTION.

7.

MOTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF COUNCIL

7.1

Motions for Discussion and Decision

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. 

a.

Circulated Separately: Crime and Safety Public Forum Summary Memo for Council

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.

7.2

Notices of Motion

a.

Supporting childcare development across the City

Submitted by Councillor Henderson

WHEREAS the City of New Westminster recognizes a shortage in childcare spaces across the region and is committed to supporting the development of additional local childcare spaces; and

WHEREAS the City will be updating current residential zoning bylaws as part of the work to reflect the Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing Provincial legislation; 

BE IT RESOLVED that staff explore opportunities to amend the City’s current zoning bylaws to increase the allowable maximum of childcare spaces in residential areas.

b.

Closing possible loopholes in BC's Elections Act as they pertain to municipal elections

Submitted by Councillors Fontaine and Minhas

Whereas to ensure a level playing field the Government of BC banned municipal candidates and elector organizations from accepting any direct financial donations from corporations, unions and non-for-profit entities; and

Whereas the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act continues to allow corporations, unions and not-for-profit entities to actively spend unlimited funds and reallocate internal resources to promote a particular municipal candidate and/or elector organization with their members or staff without any requirements for open and transparent public reporting

BE IT RESOLVED THAT a letter be drafted to the BC Minister of Municipal Affairs requesting that the following changes be made to the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act in time for the 2026 municipal election;

1. Any corporation, labour union or not-for-profit entity actively utilizing internal resources to promote an individual candidate or municipal elector organization within six months prior to the municipal election is required to publicly record and report to Elections BC the total funds expended;
2. Public reporting by the respective corporation, labour union or not-for-profit entity would include items such as the estimated use of staff time, overhead costs and marketing/promotion activities including those accessible to the broader public through social media;
3. A maximum of $500 of resources can be expended by a corporation, labour union or BC-based not-for-profit for the purposes of promoting municipal candidates or elector organizations in British Columbia with their members or staff during an election year;
4. Corporations, labour unions and not-for-profit entities are banned from pooling their resources so as to effectively increase the maximum limit they can utilize to promote and market a municipal candidate or an elector organization
5. Only BC-based corporations, labour unions and not-for-profit entities are permitted to undertake the election related activities listed above with all non-BC-based entities strictly prohibited from actively promoting a municipal candidate or elector organization

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT a copy of this motion be distributed to the Union of BC Municipalities and the Lower Mainland Local Government Association for their information

c.

Participating in the Provincial Electric Kick Scooter Pilot Program

Submitted by Councillor Campbell

Whereas Active Transportation and the safety of vulnerable road users are priorities for New Westminster; and

Whereas the Walkers Caucus, HUB New Westminster, and the New Westminster community have expressed concerns around user group conflict between pedestrians, cyclists, drivers and eMicromobility users as we work to build out our Active Transportation Network Plan; and

Whereas the City's E-Mobility strategy includes actions to incorporate eMicromobility into City planning and outreach and to advance supportive eMicromobility policy; and  

Whereas the Province of British Columbia has extended the Electric Kick Scooter Pilot Project for up to four more years and is inviting new communities to join the program with updated terms;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council direct staff to evaluate the opportunity for the City of New Westminster to join the Provincial Electric Kick Scooter Pilot Program, and report back to Council with a recommendation on participation.

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

11.1

Pattullo Bridge Replacement – Project Update

The purpose of this report is to provide Council with an update on the Pattullo Bridge Replacement project.

11.2

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.

11.3

ON TABLE Election_2024_Chief_Election_Officers_Report