A citywide toilet strategy and status updates on the city’s budget were among the topics covered at the Sept. 23 council meeting.
Here’s a rundown of some of the issues covered at this week’s meeting, which marked the return of Coun. Jaimie McEvoy, who had been on a medical leave of absence since February.
Financial reports
Council received a 2024 capital and operating quarterly performance report, which provided an update on the status of the city’s operating and capital budgets. The main report was accompanied by several related documents: the capital budget spent to date; major purchases made in the second quarter of 2024; and quarterly department operating memos from various departments.
Coun. Daniel Fontaine posed questions to staff about several items in the report, including funding related to tree replacement, Westminster Pier Park, Samson V Maritime Museum, and fire department staffing. Mayor Patrick Johnstone had questions about site works remaining to be done at təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre. (You’ll find stories about some of these items on the Record’s website, with others still in the works.)
Construction noise
Council approved an exemption to the city’s construction noise bylaw so a Metro Vancouver contractor can perform a preventative inspection of the sewer line on Columbia Street. The work will be done from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. for three consecutive nights between Tuesday, Oct. 1 and Thursday, Oct. 10, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and statutory holidays.
Because the sewer carries “extremely high sewage flows” during the daytime hours, this maintenance work must be done during times of low-flow levels – between midnight and 6 a.m. It also has to be done during dry weather as rain will cause high-flow levels.
McEvoy told council he’s planning to bring forward a motion related to construction noise. He’d like to see if the city can look at noise exemptions more comprehensively, rather than approving them on a patchwork basis. You can read about his concerns and this sewer project here.
Strategic plan update
Staff provided council with a quarterly status update on progress on implementation of council’s strategic priorities.
Council’s strategic priorities plan, approved in May 2023, focuses on: community belonging and connecting; homes and housing options; people-centred economy; safe movement of people; and asset management and infrastructure.
A staff report said the city has made “a significant amount of progress” on each of the priorities but has also encountered some “notable challenges” that have put achievement of council’s goals at risk.
“The most significant risks identified in the status reports relate to significant workload challenges, ongoing staff vacancies, labour shortages more generally – including for contractors and consultants – and with respect to the homes and housing options priority, the dynamic and demanding regulatory environment that has introduced a significant degree of additional work for planning and development department staff in particular,” said the report.
Staff recommended that status reports about the strategic priorities plan be done semi-annually, rather than quarterly.
Council voted 5-2 in support of providing updates to council on a semi-annual basis. Councillors Fontaine and Paul Minhas were opposed, with Fontaine explaining that he’d prefer those reports come to council annually.
Interim density bonus policy
New housing policies are impacting the way the City of New Westminster collects development contributions for infrastructure, services and amenities needed to support growth.
“These impacts are extensive, requiring significant staff and consultant resources to understand and implement,” said a staff report. “The province has provided an extension allowing the use of an interim approach, which provincial staff have suggested could end mid- to late-2025, after which municipalities need to use the new legislative tools, i.e. amenity cost charges (ACCs), development cost charges (DCCs), inclusionary housing and density bonus.”
At Monday’s meeting, council approved an interim density bonus policy and a revised interim development review framework.
Surrey project input
City of New Westminster staff recommended that council not support the City of Surrey’s application to change a Newton property’s land use designation from industrial to employment – but council wants more input before making a decision.
Surrey is seeking amendments to the Regional Growth Strategy, Metro 2050, in the Newton industrial area. It wants to change the regional land use designation of 1.3 hectares of land at 7880 128 St. from industrial to employment.
Council passed a motion to have someone from Surrey attend the next council meeting to provide more details about its proposal. You can read about council’s discussion here.
Citywide public toilet strategy
A plan to build a single freestanding public toilet has tanked – and the city is now embarking on a citywide public toilet strategy.
At its Sept. 23 meeting, council voted 5-2 in favour of directing staff to develop a citywide public toilet strategy. Mayor Patrick Johnstone and councillors Ruby Campbell, Tasha Henderson, Jaimie McEvoy, and Nadine Nakagawa voted in favour of the staff recommendation, while councillors Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas were opposed.
Fontaine said he’d prefer that the city give the additional signage a chance to take effect before investing up to $125,000 on a citywide public toilet strategy.
Nakagawa said there is a “huge need” for public washrooms and this work is “long overdue.” She said signage isn’t enough to address the community’s needs.
“Signs aren't enough, because if you don't have the mobility, or – let's just be honest – the bladder or bowel control to get to those washrooms, that does not help knowing that it was a couple hundred metres away and you couldn't get there in time.”
You can read about the city’s plans for a citywide public toilet strategy in this Record story.
Proclamations
At its Sept. 23 meeting, council approved two proclamations on behalf of the City of New Westminster:
- Rail Safety Week, held across Canada from Sept. 23 to 29, aims to support ongoing efforts to raise awareness, save lives and prevent injuries in communities, including New Westminster.
- Fire Prevention Week, being held from Oct. 6 to 12, aims to get citizens to participate in fire prevention activities at home, work and school and to support the many public safety activities and efforts of New Westminster Fire and Rescue Services. This year’s theme is Smoke Alarms: Make Them Work for You.
Delegations
Two New West residents addressed council during delegation period at the Sept. 23 meeting.
Elliot Rossiter expressed concern that a redevelopment plan for Columbia Square no longer includes units with below-market rents. He said the initial proposal for the site included below-market rental units, which better aligns with the council’s strategic priorities plan, as it emphasizes community belonging and homes for all.
Andrew Murray urged the City of New Westminster to join the Sue Big Oil class action lawsuit that will sue the oil industry for damages.
Bylaws
As part of the development of the 2025 budget, staff in all departments review user fees and rates annually. Council unanimously supported three readings of fees and charges bylaws for various city departments and services including: Anvil Theatre; climate action, planning and development fees; cultural services fees; electrical utility fees; engineering user fees and rates; and fire protection.
Council adopted the 2025 permissive property tax exemption bylaw which allows certain properties in New West to be exempted from property taxes. This includes places of worship, hospitals and those with charitable/philanthropic uses.
Council reports
- Coun. Nadine Nakagawa congratulated Coun. Tasha Henderson on being elected to the Union of BC Municipalities executive.
- Coun. Ruby Campbell noted at the 21st annual New West Cultural Crawl is taking place on Oct. 4 to 6 and features “a ton of different events. She also noted that the Downtown Residents Association is hosting a meeting on Oct. 2, where three members of the crisis response team will be sharing information about work being done by the crisis response team.
- Coun. Jaimie McEvoy said he’s “glad to be back” and grateful for the support he received from community members, city staff and his council colleagues during his medical leave of absence.
- Coun. Tasha Henderson a mentioned that a couple of events are taking place in New West on Monday, Oct. 30 – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
- Coun. Daniel Fontaine welcomed McEvoy back to council chambers. Fontaine, who is Metis, thanked Henderson for mentioning National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
- Mayor Patrick Johnstone announced that council had appointed Fontaine as the city’s representative to E-Comm, which means he will vote on the city’s behalf.
- Coun. Paul Minhas had no report.
