CITY COUNCIL MEETING
AGENDA

Monday, January 22, 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.

REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION  AND ACTION

3.1

Member Selection for the Community Advisory Assembly (Information report brought forward from January 8, 2024)

To release the Closed resolutions appointing 36 members to the new Community Advisory Assembly pilot for a one-year term ending January 31, 2025, and share information with the community about the Assembly selection process and demographic profile.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council receive this report for information.

3.2

Outcomes from Attending the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP28) (Information report brought forward from January 8, 2024)

The purpose of this report is to provide Council with a summary of the learnings and outcomes, which will be applied to the Climate Action work portfolio, from having attended the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (UNCCC) in Dubai, also known as COP28. This report provides a cross-section of the experience, but is not an exhaustive narrative of the breadth of collaboration, connection and learnings coming out of having attended this event.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council receive this report for information.

3.3

Train Whistle Cessation – 2023 - Q4 Update (Information report brought forward from January 8, 2024)

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.

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

Addictions Treatment and Supportive Recovery Residences: Proposed Conditions Related to Rezonings and Temporary Use Permits

The purpose of this report is threefold: (1) to provide background information on the need for addictions treatment and supportive recovery residences; (2) to outline the current situation in New Westminster; and (3) to propose criteria related to Rezoning and Temporary Use Permit applications which balance the need to facilitate these types of programs while addressing community concerns related to them.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council endorse the proposed conditions for addictions treatment and supportive recovery residences in situations requiring a Rezoning or a Temporary Use Permit, as included in the Proposed Conditions section of this report

4.2

Child Care Facility Lease Agreement at 65 E. Sixth Ave

To provide Council with information on the proposed Lease Agreement with the YMCA BC for the use of space at the təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre (TACC) located at 65 E. Sixth Avenue.

• Recommendation:

  THAT subject to completion of required public notification processes, the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized to execute the attached Lease Agreement, substantially in the form included as Attachment “1“, between the City and the YMCA BC for a child care facility within the təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre.

4.3

Construction Noise Bylaw Exemption: 651 Carnarvon Street (Provincial Courthouse)

The purpose of this report is to request an exemption from the Construction Noise Bylaw No. 6063, 1992 from Thursday February 1, 2024 to Friday January 31, 2025 to enable Signia Construction Ltd to make repairs, renovations, and upgrades to the Provincial Courthouse. Granting an exemption will allow Signia Construction to complete work already started in this regard.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council grant a noise exemption to Signia Construction Ltd from Construction Noise Bylaw No. 6063, 1992 from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM Monday through Friday and alternate Sundays from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM from Thursday February 1, 2024 to Friday January 31, 2025 at the Provincial Courthouse located at 651 Carnaron Street for the purposes of re-roofing, adding insulation and cladding, upgrading mechanical and electrical systems, glazing, and landscaping.

4.4

E-Bike Share Implementation Plan

To seek Council's endorsement of the implementation plan for an e-bike share system in New Westminster and Council's direction to proceed with the procurement of an e-bike share system operator as per the implementation plan.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council endorse the implementation plan for an e-bike share system, as presented in Attachment #2 to this report.

  THAT Council direct staff to initiate the procurement of an e-bike share operator, as outlined in the implementation plan.

  THAT Council direct staff to report back to Council on the recommended e-bike share operator.

4.5

Financial Statements Audit Planning Report for Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2023

To seek Council’s approval of the audit planning report from the City’s external auditors for the year ended December 31, 2023.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council appoint KPMG, LLP as the City’s external auditors.

  THAT Council approve the annual audit planning report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.

4.6

Food Security Update and Funding Request

The purpose of this report is threefold: (1) to update Council on a possible new location for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society’s weekly food distribution program in New Westminster; (2) to request one-time financial support for two food security programs with emergent needs; and (3) to provide an update on the Don’t Go Hungry Program and other organizations operating food security programs in New Westminster.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council direct staff to allocate $30,000 from the Affordable Housing Fund for the purpose of retrofitting the City-owned Annex at 302 Royal Avenue to accommodate the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society’s weekly food distribution program.

  THAT Council allocate $4,160 to support the continuation of the St. Barnabas - Shiloh Fifth Avenue and Hope Omid food security programs in 2024.

  THAT Council direct staff to continue discussions with the Don’t Go Hungry Food Program, and other organizations operating food security programs in New Westminster, to explore opportunities for collaboration, including developing a case for support to realize donor, foundation and senior government funding.

4.7

Funding Submission to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) Regional Community to Community Program 2023/2024

The purpose of this report is to request support for a grant submission for up to $10,000 to the UBCM Regional Community to Community Program 2023/24 to engage local First Nations.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council authorize the submission of a funding application under the UBCM Regional Community to Community Program 2023/2024 as described in this report; and

  THAT the Chief Administrative Officer and the Corporate Officer be authorized to enter into a funding agreement with the Province of British Columbia.

4.8

Report back to Council on September 11, 2023 motion regarding Samson V oil spill

The purpose of this report is to respond to Council’s September 11, 2023 motion regarding the June 20, 2023 Samson V oil spill, and to advise Council that the cleanup and remediation of the spill has been concluded.

• Recommendation:

  THAT council receive this report for information and consider the matter of the Samson V oil spill concluded.

4.9

Correspondence dated January 9, 2024 from Lower Mainland Local Government Association re 2024 Call for Nominations for Executive

4.10

Minutes for Adoption

a.

October 16, 2023 City Council Meeting (11:00 a.m.)

b.

October 16, 2023 Council Workshop

c.

October 16, 2023 City Council Meeting (6:00 p.m.)

d.

October 23, 2023 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.

MOTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF COUNCIL

7.1

Motions for Discussion and Decision

a.

Request for a full accounting and report back to Council regarding trip to Dubai, United Arab Emirates by Mayor Johnstone

Submitted by Councillor Fontaine

Whereas the Mayor and staff recently attended an international conference in Dubai, United Arab Emirates; and

Whereas Council was not provided advance notification of the Mayor’s participation in this conference; and

Whereas significant costs such as airfare, hotel, meals were paid for in whole or in part by a third-party organization, C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group Inc., funded by a number of major international corporations and foundations;

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Mayor provide a report to Council regarding the details pertaining to his recent business trip to Dubai, UAE; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the report include the following information:

• Detailed breakdown of the financial costs pertaining to the trip including items such as meals, flights, hotel accommodation, ground transportation etc…
• Detailed summary of what the 3rd party funder offered the Mayor’s Office by way of free trips to Dubai for either himself, City staff or any members of his family
• A day-by-day itinerary of all meetings and events attended by the Mayor while in Dubai
• Estimated carbon footprint of attending the Dubai conference in-person rather than virtually
• Summary of the direct benefits to the City of New Westminster of the Mayor’s office delegation to Dubai

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the City’s new Ethics Commissioner be requested to conduct a workshop with Council regarding the Community Charter Act with a particular emphasis on section 105 pertaining to the restrictions imposed on municipal officials by the Province of BC regarding the acceptance of gifts

7.2

Notices of Motion

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

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 - January 22, 2024

11.1

22nd Street Station Area Bold Vision: Ideas Gathering

To update Council on 22nd Street SkyTrain Station Area visioning, including reporting back on the first round of community engagement, and the launch of the regenerate ideals challenge.

11.2

Project Update – West End Sewer Separation and Watermain Rehabilitation

To provide Council with an update, and further insights into the unique works and undertakings of the West End Sewer Separation and Watermain Rehabilitation project.