CITY COUNCIL MEETING
AGENDA

Monday, December 11, 2023 at 6:00 P.m. - 8:00 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

2024 Council Appointments to Internal Advisory Bodies of Council and External Organizations

The appointment of Council members as Chairs and Council representatives to Advisory Bodies of Council and External Organizations is conducted annually at the end of the year for the following year.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council reappoint for 2024 Council members to the Advisory Bodies of Council and External Organizations as set out in this report dated December 11, 2023, and titled “2024 Council Appointments to Internal Advisory Bodies of Council and External Organizations”.

3.2

Authorization of LTSA Document Signing of Corporate Officer

The purpose of this report is to provide for the efficient operation of the Legislative Services Department and the City by designating the Corporate Officer with the authority to sign land title documents.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council authorize Peter DeJong, as Corporate Officer, to sign Land Title documents on behalf of the Corporation of the City of New Westminster effective December 15, 2023.

3.3

Fire Department Strategic Plan (Circulated Separately)

The purpose of this report is to present the 2023 – 2026 New Westminster Fire and Rescue Services Strategic Plan for adoption.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council adopt the 2023 – 2026 New Wesminster Fire and Rescue Services (NWFRS) Strategic Plan

3.4

Multilingual Services for Energy Save New West: Outcomes and 2024 Initiatives

The purpose of this report is to provide Council with an update on the Empower Me program, which delivers multilingual services to support Energy Save New West. The update includes program impacts since its initiation in 2021, and describes the 2024 initiatives that support: • Bold Step 3: Carbon Free Homes and Buildings, • Bold Step 4: Pollution Free Vehicles, • Bold Step 5: Carbon Free Energy and • Advancement of climate equity.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council direct staff to operationalize the feedback received in the 2023 Empower Me program year, as outlined in the Next Steps section of this report.

3.5

2023 Capital and Operating Quarterly Performance Report (Circulated Separately)

To provide quarterly updates to Council on the Operating and Capital Budget and Major Project/Program Spending performance and to seek Council’s approval of the proposed 2023 Capital Budget Adjustment and Revised 2023 Capital Budget: (1) Adjust for net budget increases of $0.9M; and (2) Approve the Proposed Revised 2023 Multi-Year Capital budget of $180.4M.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council approve the 2023 quarterly capital budget adjustments as outlined in Table 1-1 of this report.

3.6

Renewal of Uptown New Westminster Business Improvement Area - Results from Notification of Affected Property Owners

To provide Council with the results of the notification of affected property owners of local service tax, Uptown New Westminster Business Improvement Area Bylaw No. 8424, 2023, prior to consideration of adoption of the bylaw.

• Recommendation:

  THAT the Corporate Officer’s report dated December 11, 2023, regarding the results from the notification of property owners affected by renewal of the Uptown New Westminster Business Improvement Area be received for information.

  THAT Council approve the Uptown New Westminster Business Improvement Area Bylaw No. 8424, 2023 for adoption.

3.7

Rezoning (408 East Columbia Street) – Preliminary Report

To seek Council’s approval to process the rezoning application for a proposed dental clinic at 408 East Columbia Street as outlined within this report.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council direct staff to work with the applicant to prepare a Zoning Amendment Bylaw for the subject property suitable for consideration of First, Second, and Third Readings, as outlined in the “Application Review Process” section of this report.

3.8

Temporary Amendment to the Vehicle Procurement Process

To obtain approval for staff to proceed with procuring vehicles of $100,000.00 or less without obtaining three quotes or without undergoing a competitive procurement process, as specified in the City’s Procurement Policy. The temporary process would be in place for a period of two years, at which time staff would re-evaluate the industry conditions, update Council, and seek an extension of the exemption as warranted.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council approve a temporary amendment to the Procurement Policy to allow for the direct purchase of vehicles and operating equipment up to a value of $100,000,for a period of two years.

3.9

 Construction Noise Bylaw Exemption Request: 2126 Seventh Avenue (22nd Street SkyTrain Station) (Circulated Separately)

To request that Council grant an exemption from the Construction Noise Bylaw No. 6063, 1992 to enable the modification the infrastructure of the 22nd Street SkyTrain Station to increase egress from the station.

• Recommendation:

  THAT Council grant a noise exemption to Translink contractor, Smith Bros. & Wilson (SBW), from Construction Noise Bylaw No. 6063, 1992 from 10 PM to 7 AM from Monday, December 11, 2023 to Monday, April 1, 2024 excluding Sundays and statutory holidays and the period between Sunday, December 24, 2023 and Tuesday, January 2, 2024 inclusive, to modify the 22^nd Street SkyTrain infrastructure to increase egress from the station.

3.10

Minutes for Adoption

a.

December 9, 2022 Special City Council Meeting

b.

June 30, 2023 Special City Council Meeting

c.

September 14, 2023 Special City Council Meeting

d.

September 25, 2023 City Council Meeting (1:00 p.m.)

e.

September 25, 2023 Special Council Workshop

f.

September 25, 2023 Public Hearing

g.

September 25, 2023 City Council Meeting (following the Public Hearing)

h.

October 5, 2023 Special City Council Meeting

i.

October 10, 2023 Special City Council Meeting

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 adoption

a.

Building Amendment Bylaw No. 8433, 2023

To establish new Energy Step Code and Zero Carbon Step Code requirements beginning January 1 of 2024, 2025 and 2027.  This bylaw is on the agenda for ADOPTION.

b.

Electrical Utility Amendment Bylaw No. 8441, 2023

To set the 2024 rates for the Electrical Utility. This bylaw is on the agenda for ADOPTION.

c.

Engineering User Fees and Rates Amendment Bylaw No. 8440, 2023

To set the 2024 rates for the Sewer, Solid Waste, and Water Utilities.  This bylaw is on the agenda for ADOPTION.

d.

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 ADOPTION.

e.

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 ADOPTION.

f.

Parks Reserve Fund Bylaw No. 8939, 2023

To create a new Parks Reserve Fund to ensure transparency in financial reporting of the Pier Park Fire insurance settlement offer.  This bylaw is on the agenda for ADOPTION.

g.

Revenue Anticipation Borrowing Amendment Bylaw No. 8438, 2023

To provide the authority to temporarily borrow as required up to $3 million in 2024.  This bylaw is on the agenda for ADOPTION.

h.

Uptown Business Improvement Area Bylaw No. 8424, 2023

A bylaw for a five-year renewal term for the Uptown Business Improvement Area. This bylaw is on the agenda for ADOPTION.

i.

Zoning Amendment Bylaw (808 Royal Avenue) No. 8416, 2023

To rezone the subject site to a site-specific Comprehensive Development District to permit a 20-storey academic and student housing building.  This bylaw is on the agenda for ADOPTION.

7.

MOTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF COUNCIL

7.1

Motions for Discussion and Decision

a.

Improving affordability for New West residents by temporarily eliminating the 3.5% Climate Action Levy on electrical rates

Submitted by Councillor Fontaine

WHEREAS 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” ; and

WHEREAS 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 approximately $1.9 million; and

WHEREAS 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

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT staff incorporate into the City’s 2024 Operating Budget a temporary one-year elimination of the 3.5% Climate Action Levy imposed by the New Westminster Electrical Utility

b.

Creating safer streets for everyone with intersection safety cameras

Submitted by Councillor Henderson

WHEREAS the City of New Westminster adopted “Safe Movement of People” as a strategic priority for 2022-2026 and has committed to advance a ‘Vision Zero’ mindset across the city which aims to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries; and

WHEREAS the Government of BC’s Road Safety BC website states that:

1. “Most crashes in British Columbia happen at intersections. To reduce injuries and save lives, B.C. installs intersection safety cameras—sometimes called red light cameras—at intersections where crashes occur frequently. Warning signs let drivers know the intersection has cameras. ”
2. “The cameras are proven to be effective at reducing side-impact, head-on and pedestrian crashes, and are located where red light running and high speed cause serious crashes.”; and

WHEREAS the City of New Westminster has been working towards improving road safety through a variety of initiatives and infrastructure improvements, limited by capital budget funding and staff resources while the use of speed and red light cameras can be quickly implemented; and

WHEREAS secondary benefits would include directing the revenue from these cameras toward road safety initiatives across the community and complementing the work of traditional police enforcement, enabling police officers to focus on other critical and time-sensitive tasks;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that New Westminster City Council direct the Mayor to write a letter to the Provincial Government to request that the Provincial Government install additional speed and red light intersection safety cameras in the City of New Westminster, prioritizing:

• Intersections with a high rate of crashes that resulted in injuries or fatalities as identified in the 2023 New Westminster Intersection Safety Study; and
• Intersections near schools with a high rate of crashes that resulted in injuries or fatalities.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the letter request that the Provincial Government allow BC local governments to install speed and red light cameras at their own cost and collect fines and that the Provincial Government provide all revenue from additional speed and red light cameras to municipalities as grants to be invested in implementing local road safety improvements.

c.

Direct election of Metro Vancouver representatives

Submitted by Councillor Fontaine

WHEREAS the population of our region was approximately 930,000 in 1967 when Metro Vancouver was first incorporated, however our population is now over 2.6 million people; and

WHEREAS the annual budget for Metro Vancouver is now estimated to be $2.6 billion dollars; and

WHEREAS the residents of our region are currently unable to directly elect the representatives who govern and oversee the Metro Vancouver budget; and

WHEREAS it is important to regularly review the governance structure of organizations such as the Metro Vancouver Regional District to ensure they meet the needs of ratepayers;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council support the concept that voters in our region should be asked by way of a ballot question during the 2026 municipal election whether they want to have the opportunity to directly elect their Metro Vancouver representatives; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Council writes a letter to the Minister of Municipal Affairs requesting they undertake a public consultation regarding a governance review of Metro Vancouver with the goal of establishing an appropriate ballot question to be included in the 2026 municipal election.

7.2

Notices of Motion

a.

Calling for a Ceasefire in Gaza

Submitted by Councillor Nakagawa

WHEREAS human rights groups such as Save the Children, Doctors Without Borders and the United Nations have cited growing atrocities in Israel and Gaza including the deaths of many civilians, including children; and

WHEREAS the City of New Westminster condemns the rising incidences of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia in our communities; and

WHEREAS the City of New Westminster stands up strongly for human rights everywhere

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City of New Westminster write a letter to the Prime Minister urging the Canadian government to immediately:

• Call for a ceasefire
• Support unrestricted access to humanitarian aid
• Secure the release of all hostages.

8.

NEW BUSINESS

8.1

MOTION to cancel the December 18, 2023 Workshop meeting

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

Parks & Recreation Comprehensive Plan Update- Contract Award (Circulated Separately)

This purpose of this report is to inform City Council and the broader community that a preferred proponent has been selected and the process to update the Parks & Recreation Comprehensive Plan (“PRCP”) will launch in early 2024.

11.2

Pattullo Bridget Replacement Project - Upcoming Traffic Impacts (Circulated Separately)

The purpose of this report is to provide Council with an update of upcoming traffic impacts due to the ongoing work on the Pattullo Bridge Replacement project.

11.3

Report on Options to Support Cohousing

To provide Council with the results of a study on municipal options to support co-housing as previously requested.