CITY COUNCIL MEETING
AGENDA

Monday, November 06, 2023 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

Anvil Centre Engagement Objectives

This report outlines the goals and objectives for community engagement on the Anvil Centre’s role and perception in the community, along with context and framing to support delivery of the engagement.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council endorse the Engagement Objectives outlined in this report; and

  THAT Council endorse the Next Steps for engagement as outlined in this report.

3.2

Appointment of Director of Finance/Chief Financial Officer

This report recommends that Council appoint Shehzad Somji as the City of New Westminster’s Director of Finance, effective December 1, 2023.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council appoint Shehzad Somji to be the City of New Westminster Director of Finance, with the responsibility of financial administration set out in Section 149 of the Community Charter, and the responsibilities set out in section 2(c) of the Officers Establishment and Indemnity Bylaw No. 7175, 2007 and section 8 of the Delegation Bylaw No. 7176, 2015, effective December 1, 2023.

3.3

Approval of Growing Communities Fund Reserve Fund Bylaw No. 8415, 2023

To seek Council’s approval of the Growing Communities Fund Reserve Fund Bylaw.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council give three readings to the Growing Communities Fund Reserve Fund Bylaw No. 8415, 2023.

3.4

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

To request that Council grant an exemption from the Construction Noise Bylaw No. 6063, 1992 to Bosa Developments on November 18, 2023 and November 25, 2023. This is to remove the crane and concrete pump placing components from the West Tower. The crane pieces are long and heavy making them challenging to transport during periods of heavier traffic flow, therefore an earlier start is advisable.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council grant a Construction Noise exemption to Bosa Developments from Construction Noise Bylaw No. 6063, 1992 for Saturday, November 18, 2023 from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM and for Saturday, November 25, 2023 from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM for construction-related activity at 660 Quayside Drive related to concrete pump dismantling and crane removal.

3.5

Heritage Revitalization Agreement and Heritage Designation: 441 Fader Street – Bylaws for First and Second Readings

To request Council consider the bylaws which would permit a new infill house and facilitate protection and conservation of an existing 1930 heritage house, and to obtain Council approval for the strata conversion of the heritage house.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council consider Heritage Revitalization Agreement (441 Fader Street) Bylaw No. 8406, 2023 and Heritage Designation Bylaw (441 Fader Street) No. 8407, 2023 for First and Second Readings, and forward the Bylaws to a Public Hearing.

  THAT Council add the building currently located at 441 Fader Street to the City’s Heritage Register following the adoption of Heritage Designation Bylaw No. 8407, 2023.

  THAT Council approve the proposed strata plan for 441 Fader Street and authorize the Approving Officer to sign the strata plans, subject to the completion of required steps outlined in this report, following the adoption of Heritage Revitalization Agreement (441 Fader Street) Bylaw No. 8406, 2023 and Heritage Designation Bylaw (441 Fader Street) No. 8407, 2023.

3.6

Housing Agreement Bylaw No. 8389, 2023 (810 Agnes St) – Bylaw for Three Readings

To request that Council consider Housing Agreement Bylaw No. 8389, 2023 to authorize the City to enter into a Housing Agreement with the property owner requiring all 352 residential units at 810 Agnes St be secured as rental housing for 60 years or the life of the building, whichever is longer.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council consider Housing Agreement Bylaw No. 8389, 2023 for First, Second and Third Readings; and

  THAT Council, should the Housing Agreement Bylaw No. 8389, 2023 be adopted, direct the Mayor and Corporate Officer to execute the Housing Agreement and No-Stratification Covenant.

3.7

Motion Response: Increasing Access to Fresh Drinking Water for Local Residents and Their Pets

The purpose of this report is to respond to the September 11th, 2023 council motion on "Increasing access to fresh drinking water for local residents and their pets". This report provides information and implications associated with temporary fire hydrant adaptations and recommends a path forward for assessing the need for improved access to drinking water in the public realm.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council receives this report as a response to the motion to report back to Council regarding the cost and operational requirements of installing temporary water fountains connected to a fire hydrant in time for summer 2024;

  THAT Council direct staff to undertake a fresh drinking water study in 2024 and report back to Council on the implications of implementing additional permanent drinking water stations across the City.

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 (441 Fader Street) Bylaw No. 8406, 2023

To allow the construction of an infill house with a suite behind an existing heritage house in the lower Sapperton neighbourhood. This bylaw is on the agenda for TWO READINGS.

b.

Heritage Designation (441 Fader Street) Bylaw No. 8407, 2023

To designate the principal building at 441 Fader Street as a protected heritage building. This bylaw is on the agenda for TWO READINGS.

c.

Growing Communities Fund Reserve Fund Bylaw No. 8415, 2023

A bylaw to create a reserve fund to segregate the Growing Communities Fund proceeds provided by the Provincial government from other existing reserve funds. This bylaw is on the agenda for THREE READINGS.

d.

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 THREE READINGS.

6.2

Bylaws for adoption

a.

Anvil Theatre Fees and Charges Amendments Bylaw No. 8426, 2023

A bylaw to set the 2024 Fees and Charges for Anvil Theatre.  This bylaw is on the agenda for ADOPTION.

b.

Business License Amendment Bylaw (2024 Fee Schedule) No. 8420, 2023

A bylaw to set the 2024 Fees for Business Licenses.  This bylaw is on the agenda for ADOPTION.

c.

Climate Action, Planning and Development Fees and Rates Amendment Bylaw No. 8428, 2023

A bylaw to set the 2024 Fees and Rates for the Climate Action, Planning and Development Department.  This bylaw is on the agenda for ADOPTION.

d.

Cultural Services Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 8430, 2023

A bylaw to set the 2024 Fees and Charges for Cultural Services.  This bylaw is on the agenda for ADOPTION.

e.

Electrical Utility 2024 Charges Amendment Bylaw No. 8432, 2023

A bylaw to set the 2024 Charges for the Electric Utility.  This bylaw is on the agenda for ADOPTION.

f.

Engineering User Fees and Rates Amendment Bylaw No. 8423, 2023

A bylaw to set the 2024 Fees and Rates for the Engineering Department.  This bylaw is on the agenda for ADOPTION.

g.

Fire Protection Amendment Bylaw No. 8431, 2023

A bylaw to set the 2024 Fees for New Westminster Fire and Rescue Services.  This bylaw is on the agenda for ADOPTION.

7.

MOTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF COUNCIL

7.1

Notices of Motion

a.

Providing equitable funding to cities with municipal police forces impacted by the Surrey Police Service transition

Submitted by Councillor Fontaine

Whereas the Province of BC has committed up to $150M to the City of Surrey to cover part of the transition costs related to the transition from the RCMP to the Surrey Police Service; and

Whereas the City of New Westminster and other jurisdictions with their own municipal police force have been impacted by the Surrey police transition as it pertains to the recruitment and retention of staff;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council request a memo from the NWPD Chief regarding the current and anticipated future impacts of the Surrey Police Service transition on our NWPD staffing retention and recruitment strategies; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Mayor be asked to write a letter to the Solicitor General asking the Province of BC to provide additional funding to municipal police forces that have been or may be impacted by the Surrey Police Service transition.

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 - November 6, 2023

11.1

Report Back on Motion Regarding Speed Limits for Motorized Devices Operating on Sidewalks

To report back on Council’s motion regarding speed limits for motorized devices operating on sidewalks.