REGULAR COUNCIL MEETINGAGENDAMonday, October 21, 2024 at 6:00 P.m. - 7:00 P.m.Meeting held in Council ChamberSecond Floor, City HallWe 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.APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA As circulated or as amended (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.3.1Acting Mayor Appointments for November 2024 through October 2025 1.Regular 2024 Oct 21 Acting Mayor Appointments 2025 - 2024-585.pdf2.Att 1- Acting Mayor Appointments for November 2024 to October 2025 2025.pdfTo designate Councillors to undertake Acting Mayor duties on a rotating basis until the end of October 2025.Recommendation:THAT Acting Mayors for November 2024 through October 2025 be appointed as set out in the Schedule of Acting Mayors attached as Attachment 1 to the report “Acting Mayor Appointments for November 2024 through October 2025,” dated October 21, 2024.3.2Business Licence Bylaw No. 8473, 2024 for 1st, 2nd and 3rd Reading 1.Business Licence Bylaw 1st 2nd and 3rd Reading - Council Meeting October 21_ 2024 - 2024-581.pdf2.Att 1 Business License Bylaw No 8473 2024.pdf3.Att 2 Summary of Changes to Business License Bylaw.pdfThe purpose of this report is to provide Council with the proposed new Business Licence Bylaw and seek first, second and third readings of the Bylaw.Recommendation:THAT Business Licence Bylaw No. 8473, 2024 be considered for first, second and third readings; and THAT Business Licence Bylaw No. 8473, 2024 be forwarded to an Opportunity to be Heard at the Regular Meeting of Council on November 4, 2024.3.3Rezoning: 88 Tenth Street (Columbia Square) - Zoning Amendment Bylaw for Three Readings a.Correspondence dated October 13, 2024 (1 item received as of 2:00 p.m., October 16, 2024) 1.2024-10-13 Bill.pdfb.Report 1.Rezoning - 88 Tenth Street (Columbia Square) – Zoning Amendment Bylaw for Three Readings - 2024-580.pdf2.Attachment 1 - Site Characteristics.pdf3.Attachment 2 - Policy and Regulation Context.pdf4.Attachment 3 - Columbia Square Policy Statement.pdf5.Attachment 4 - Zoning Amendment Bylaw No 8485, 2024.pdf6.Attachment 5 - Initital Engineering Servicing Memo.pdf7.Attachment 6 - Consultation Feedback.pdf8.Attachment 7 - Adapted Application Review Process.pdfTo request Council consider Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 8485 for three readings and endorse the Columbia Square Policy Statement which would guide the creation of a Master Plan for a multi-phased development of a high-density, complete, mixed use, and transit-oriented community at 88 Tenth Street (Columbia Square).Recommendation: THAT Council consider Zoning Amendment Bylaw (Columbia Square) Bylaw No. 8485, 2024 for Three Readings. THAT Council endorse the Columbia Square Policy Statement as a basis for developing a Master Plan for 88 Tenth Street, to be completed prior to Council’s consideration of adoption of the Zoning Amendment Bylaw. 3.4Rezoning and Development Permit: 140 Sixth Street – Consideration of Additional Building Height 1.Rezoning and DP for 140 Sixth St - Council Report - 2024-579.pdf2.Att 1 - Background Information(1).pdfTo seek Council’s approval to advance a development proposal for 140 Sixth Street (Royal Towers), which may consider towers between 30 to 40 storeys in height, provided the proposal includes a supportable public benefit package and Tenant Assistance Plan.Recommendation:THAT Council direct staff to work with the applicant to advance a development proposal for 140 Sixth Street, which may consider towers between 30 to 40 storeys in height.3.5Rezoning and Special Development Permit: 65 First Street – Preliminary Report 1.Rezoning and SDP for 65 First St - Preliminary Report to Council - 2024-578.pdf2.Att 1 - Background Information.pdf3.Att 2 - Preliminary Project Statistics.pdf4.Att 3 - Preliminary Project Renderings.pdfTo seek Council’s approval to process the rezoning application for a high-density, mixed-tenure residential development at 65 First Street as outlined within this report.Recommendation:THAT Council direct staff to work with the applicant to prepare a plan of development for 65 First Street suitable for consideration of First, Second and Third Readings, as outlined in the “Application Review Process” section of this report.3.6Temporary Use Permit: 28, 32, 34 Sixth Street and 606 Clarkson Street (the Cliff Block Residence) – For Emergency Winter Shelter Use 1.TUP for Shelter Use at 34 Sixth Street - 2024-584.pdf2.Attachment 1 - Land Use Policy and Temporary Use Permits .pdf3.Attachment 2 - Evaluation Criteria for Temporary Use Permits .pdf4.Attachment 3 - Terms and Conditions.pdfThe purpose of this report is for Council to consider the issuance of a Temporary Use Permit for an emergency winter shelter use on the lower floor of the Cliff Block Residence located at 28, 32, 34 Sixth Street and 606 Clarkson Street, and to request Council waive the associated fee.Recommendation: THAT Council provide notice that it will consider the issuance of a Temporary Use Permit (TUP00033) for an emergency winter shelter use at 28, 32, 34 Sixth Street and 606 Clarkson Street (the Cliff Block Residence) as outlined in this report; and THAT Council waive the application fee for the Temporary Use Permit in the amount of $1,120.30, which would be reflected in a comparable decrease in projected 2024 planning permit revenues. 3.7Proclamation: World Polio Day, October 24, 2024 1.Proclamation - World Polio Day, Oct 24, 2024 - 2024-586.pdf4.OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO SPEAK TO COUNCIL – 7:00 PM 5.BYLAWS 5.1Public Hearing Prohibited a.Zoning Bylaw 6680, 2001, Amendment Bylaw (88 Tenth Street - Columbia Square) No. 8485, 2024 1.Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001, Amendment Bylaw (88 Tenth Street - Columbia Square) No. 8485, 2024 - 2024-587.pdfThis bylaw would rezone the subject property to a comprehensive development district which would allow, in conjunction with the creation of a master plan, a multi-phased development of a high-density, complete, mixed use, and transit-oriented community, which would include a variety of housing opportunities, office and retail uses, and community and public spaces. This bylaw is on the agenda for first, second and third readings.5.2Bylaws for Readings a.Business Licence Bylaw No. 8473, 2024 1.Business License Bylaw No. 8473 2024 - 2024-588.pdfA Bylaw to provide for the issuance of business licenses, to set and impose licence fees and to regulate certain businesses in the City of New Westminster. This bylaw is on the agenda for first, second and third readings.6.MOTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF COUNCIL 6.1Motions for Discussion and Decision a.Increase Affordability by Temporarily Eliminating the New Westminster Developed Climate Action Levy on Electricity Bills in 2025 Submitted by Councillor FontaineWHEREAS according to a staff report dated April 20, 2020, the City’s Climate Action Levy imposed on New Westminster Utility “costs electrical customers approximately $15 per 1,000 KWH” ; andWHEREAS in 2023 the temporary removal of the Climate Action Levy would have helped local residents and businesses deal with inflationary pressures by reducing their electrical costs by almost $2M; andWHEREAS there is no clear evidence that imposing ‘made-in-New Westminster’ levies, taxes or fees on green energy generated by BC Hydro will reduce our carbon footprint; andWHEREAS even the BC NDP government has now backed away from its support of the costly and unaffordable carbon tax currently imposed on consumer products;THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT staff incorporate into the City’s 2025 Operating Budget a temporary one-year elimination of the 3.5% Climate Action Levy imposed by the New Westminster Electrical Utility.b.Produce at least One 2025 Operating Budget Option that is Pegged at No More Than 4.5% for Property Taxes Submitted by Councillor MinhasWHEREAS Canada’s inflation rate is now 2%; andWHEREAS property taxes have increased by almost 15% over the past two years and if this continued at the same pace property taxes could increase over 30% this term; andWHEREAS countless property taxpayers in New Westminster are struggling under the weight of an increased cost of living;THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT staff be directed as part of the Budget 2025 process to develop at least one budget scenario for Council's consideration that incorporates a property tax increase of no more than 4.5%.6.2Notices of Motion a.Guide Dog Access Awareness Submitted by Councillor CampbellWHEREAS September is Guide Dog Access Awareness Month and is about educating people on proper guide dog etiquette, the rights of guide dog handlers and the legislation that protects them, and championing equal access for guide dog handlers.WHEREAS Canada’s provinces and territories, human rights legislation prohibits discriminating against a person with a disability who is working with a guide dog and despite the legislation, people partnered with guide dogs continue to encounter discrimination when they’re denied access to public places and services, such as stores, restaurants, hotels, and taxis.WHEREAS many of the barriers guide dog handlers face stem from a lack of awareness and refusing access to a guide dog team. BE IT RESOLVED THAT The City of New Westminster place Guide Dog Welcome decals the entrance of all any municipal buildings to raise awareness that guide dogs are legally allowed anywhere the public has access and provide City Staff with Guide Dog Etiquette information from the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That the City promote placement of Guide Dog Welcome decals at the entrance to New Westminster businesses/organizations and, in the promotion, provide information from Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) on where to obtain decals. b.Providing Equity in the Delivery of Energy Saving Programs for New West Electrical Utility Customers Submitted by Councillor FontaineWHEREAS New Westminster Electric Utility customers are not being treated in the same manner as BC Hydro customers when it comes to accessing a variety of program offerings; andWHEREAS New Westminster Electrical Utility customers are not currently eligible for the BC Hydro Solar Panel and Battery Storage program; andWHEREAS BC Hydro currently offers rebates up to $5,000 on eligible grid-connected solar panels and up to an additional $5,000 for battery storage systems to qualifying residential customers; andWHEREAS New Westminster Electrical Utility customers are not eligible to participate in BC Hydro’s demand response and peak saver programs THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT staff be directed to report back as to how the City could systematically provide better alignment regarding program offerings between BC Hydro and New Westminster Electrical Utility; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT staff be directed to report back on the cost and feasibility of establishing our own hydro solar panel and battery storage program and/or partner with BC Hydro to offer their program to New Westminster Electrical Utility customers 7.NEW BUSINESS 8.ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF COUNCIL 9.ADJOURNMENT *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.No Item Selected This item has no attachments.1.Proclamation - World Polio Day, Oct 24, 2024 - 2024-586.pdf1.Zoning Bylaw No. 6680, 2001, Amendment Bylaw (88 Tenth Street - Columbia Square) No. 8485, 2024 - 2024-587.pdf1.Business License Bylaw No. 8473 2024 - 2024-588.pdf1.Rezoning and SDP for 65 First St - Preliminary Report to Council - 2024-578.pdf2.Att 1 - Background Information.pdf3.Att 2 - Preliminary Project Statistics.pdf4.Att 3 - Preliminary Project Renderings.pdf1.Regular 2024 Oct 21 Acting Mayor Appointments 2025 - 2024-585.pdf2.Att 1- Acting Mayor Appointments for November 2024 to October 2025 2025.pdf1.Business Licence Bylaw 1st 2nd and 3rd Reading - Council Meeting October 21_ 2024 - 2024-581.pdf2.Att 1 Business License Bylaw No 8473 2024.pdf3.Att 2 Summary of Changes to Business License Bylaw.pdf1.Rezoning and DP for 140 Sixth St - Council Report - 2024-579.pdf2.Att 1 - Background Information(1).pdf1.Rezoning - 88 Tenth Street (Columbia Square) – Zoning Amendment Bylaw for Three Readings - 2024-580.pdf2.Attachment 1 - Site Characteristics.pdf3.Attachment 2 - Policy and Regulation Context.pdf4.Attachment 3 - Columbia Square Policy Statement.pdf5.Attachment 4 - Zoning Amendment Bylaw No 8485, 2024.pdf6.Attachment 5 - Initital Engineering Servicing Memo.pdf7.Attachment 6 - Consultation Feedback.pdf8.Attachment 7 - Adapted Application Review Process.pdf1.TUP for Shelter Use at 34 Sixth Street - 2024-584.pdf2.Attachment 1 - Land Use Policy and Temporary Use Permits .pdf3.Attachment 2 - Evaluation Criteria for Temporary Use Permits .pdf4.Attachment 3 - Terms and Conditions.pdf1.2024-10-13 Bill.pdf