New Westminster is a step closer to finalizing its 2024 to 2028 five-year financial plan.
At the Feb. 5 meeting, council voted 4-2 to instruct staff to convert the draft 2024 to 2028 five-year financial plan into a bylaw and bring it forward for three readings of council. Council also supported a $180.4-million 2024 multi-year capital budget.
This year’s budget will result in a 7.7 per cent property tax rate increase.
Councillors Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas opposed the staff recommendation, while Mayor Patrick Johnstone and councillors Ruby Campbell, Tasha Henderson and Nadine Nakagawa voted in support.
“Coun. Minhas and I have consistently voted against the budget in terms of the 7.7 per cent proposed tax increase, and we're going to be consistent in our voting again this evening,” Fontaine said.
Coun. Jaimie McEvoy recently suffered a heart attack and is taking some time away from council duties.
Bye bye crane
A crane removal on New Westminster’s waterfront may create a little noise.
Council has approved an exemption to the construction noise bylaw so Bosa Development can remove the crane from the west tower of the Pier West development at 660 Quayside Dr.
“The work needs to be completed outside of permitted hours due to the crane pieces being long and heavy, making them challenging to transport during periods of heavy traffic flow,” said a report to council.
The report noted this work is weather-dependent and cannot be completed in high winds.
To ensure the work is completed, Bosa Development requested exemption to the construction noise bylaw for Saturday, March 2 and Saturday, March 9, between 7 and 9 a.m.
“There will be noise of trucks backing up to stage for the loading of crane equipment onto the transport trucks but overall the noise impact is expected to be minimal,” said the report.
Hume Park construction
Some construction will be taking place at the entrance to lower Hume Park as part of a Metro Vancouver project.
Council has granted Metro Vancouver with an exemption from the city’s construction noise bylaw. It will allow Metro Vancouver to do construction activity at the entrance to lower Hume Park at 660 East Columbia St.
TransLink is building an operations and maintenance centre at 225 North Rd. in Coquitlam, said a report to council.
“Construction of the centre requires relocation of 200 metres of Sapperton water main No. 2,” said the report. “This work requires a two-week isolation window (aka shutoff) of, and tie-in to, Sapperton water main No. 2.”
According to the report, Metro Vancouver is seeking to take advantage of the isolation window created by TransLink’s project to replace two “leaky butterfly valves” along the Sapperton water main that’s located at the entrance to Hume Park.
Council granted Metro Vancouver with an exemption to the city’s construction noise bylaw for several dates: Saturday, Feb. 24 from 6 to 10 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 25 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, March 2 from 6 to 10 pm.; and Sunday, March 3 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
“Noise disruption is expected,” said the staff report, adding that Metro Vancouver is implementing noise- mitigation measures. Notices will be sent to area residents and businesses.
“Vehicular access to Lower Hume Park will be temporarily affected but access will be maintained with flaggers and single-lane alternating traffic during construction work hours,” said the staff report. “Both lanes on East Columbia Street will be fully open to the public outside of construction work hours. Park access for pedestrians and cyclists will not be affected, nor will the use of park amenities.”
