We had a full slate of delegations, and a presentation of the City’s new logo (which I will write about later) to start off the meeting that had a relatively short agenda.
We started with the following items being moved On Consent:
2024 Annual Water Quality Monitoring
This is our annual reporting out on our water quality sampling program – part of the public health measures that assure a healthy and safe community. We have 15 sampling stations in the city across different parts of our water system, and we tested 1,171 samples in 2024, testing for everything from bacterial presence, chlorine levels, turbidity (“cloudiness”), various metals and other criteria, all based on Health Canada regulations and guidelines. Short news – we are testing every day, and our water always meets the standard for public safety.
Construction Noise Bylaw Exemption Request: 2126 Seventh Avenue (22nd Street SkyTrain Station)
Translink is wrapping up its work at 22nd Street Station, and need a construction noise variance to complete last screen installs during non-train-service hours. This work has been ongoing since 2023 and we have not received any noise complaints, as the crews do their best to limit disruption to the neighbourhood.
Surety Development Bond Pilot Program
This is way Inside Baseball, but when a developer starts a new housing project in the City, they are often required to give the City a pile of money for “security”. As they are expected to do some work to the benefit of the City during development (repairing or upgrading sidewalks adjacent to their property, for example), the city wants to guarantee that work gets done, even if the developer runs out of money, so we get the money or a Letter of Credit up front so no matter what happens, the taxpayer is kept whole. Not surprisingly, this increases the amount of money developers have to borrow or secure upfront, because the need to provide it before they turn a shovel, and that may mean years before they start making money on the properties, especially if they are building affordable or rental housing.
A Surety Bond is a different financial instrument that assures the City is kept hold, but does not hold as much up-front cost for the development community, helping things move forward faster. So we are going to try allowing these as an alternate to the Letter of Credit with a few conditions attached.
We then addressed these items that were Removed from Consent for discussion:
2025 Capital and Operating Quarterly Performance Report
This is our First Quarter update on how close we are tracking our budget, both operationally and in our capital program.
In the Capital side, our 5-year Capital budget is $243.6 Million, and we spent or committed about $61M (~25%) of that by the end of Q1 2025. Staff are making a $13.5Million adjustment to the capital plan: $11.6M of which is “carryforward” form last year (money we didn’t get spent on projects budgeted to be paid for last year), $1.1M that will be offset by savings of scope changes on ongoing projects, and $0.8M which will need to be moved forward from future year budgets. Note, this capital budget is inclusive of general capital fund projects (parks, roads, etc.) and Utility capital projects (water, sewer, electrical). This report also includes a long list of capital projects the city is undertaking, with short progress reports on the larger ones. That looks like a 9-page spreadsheet that details the current budget for all of the ~450 capital budget line items, what are on budget or not, what have not been started and what are completed. That’s transparency.
On the operating side, we are projecting to exceed our revenue expectation by about $3 Million, and our operating expenditure is trending a bit below expectation. This means we are on track for a significant surplus, but it is early in the budget year, so let’s not start counting those chickens just yet. We are still short some personnel (which saves us money but keeps us from getting some things done while increasing workplace strain) but also have some collective agreements coming up that will impact our operational costs.
Fourth Street Stairs Project Update and Public Realm Enhancements
The area under the parking ramp at the foot of Fourth Street has been the site of a significant blackberry infestation, and over the last couple of years, a temporary staircase installation to improve access to Front Street. Over the last couple of years (really, since the development of the Front Street Mews), there has been a design developed to improve this city-owned site, including replacing the temporary wood stairs with something more permanent, management of the invasive blackberries, improve drainage, and integration of some public realm improvements to make it a space you might actually want to go spend some time on a sunny day. Several workshops and design discussions went on, and comprehensive consultation with the Downtown BIA. It is hoped this space can become more actively programmed not unlike the pre-COVID “Fridays on Front Holiday Edition” that was a fund evening Christmas market under the shelter of the Parkade. Works is happening right now and will hopefully be done by the Fall (recognizing retaining walls, high slopes and drainage issues may complicate matters and make this a site where timelines may need to be treated as estimates).
Response to Council Motion Referred to the Utility Commission Titled: “Providing Equity in the Delivery of Energy savings Programs for New West Electrical Customers”
This is a response to a motion last year asking the Electrical Utility Commission to better align various incentive programs with those offered by BC Hydro (a motion that failed to recognize this work was already happening at the EUC). The EUC has in turn recommended to Council that an updated MOU with BC Hydro be developed to better clarify the Power Smart / Energy Save New West synergies, and to confirm the partnership approach available for the Solar/Battery incentive program being offered through BC Hydro to New West Electrical Customers.
The good news here is that the Solar/Battery program will be available to interested New West residents, as will the new peak saver and demand response program, once our AMI network is completed.
We then had some Motions from Council:
Encouraging the Province of BC to Urgently Provide Additional Mental Health Care Supports
Submitted by Councillor Fontaine
WHEREAS the Province of British Columbia has expressed a commitment to supporting individuals suffering from acute drug addiction and serious mental illness; and
WHEREAS mental health and addiction services in British Columbia remain chronically underfunded, despite growing public need; and
WHEREAS a lack of timely and appropriate access to mental health and addiction treatment can result in significant harm to individuals, families, and the broader community;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council recognize the urgent need to address the challenges faced by individuals experiencing acute drug addiction and serious mental illness, and continue to formally advocate for the Province of British Columbia to implement comprehensive, evidence based, and adequately funded systems of care that support safety, wellbeing, and long-term recovery;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Council call on the Province to define and prioritize the implementation ofsecure care measures including, where clinically appropriate and legally justified, involuntary treatment — for individuals whose condition poses a significant risk to themselves or others, a spectrum of publicly funded and culturally appropriate care options with clear safeguards to uphold individual rights, medical oversight,andaccountability, and that balance confidentiality with providing information to family members;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Council express concern that ongoing underinvestment by successive provincial governments has contributed directly to the widespread lack of access to critical mental health and addiction services across British Columbia;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Council urge the Province to take emergency-level action to address the provincial mental health and addiction crisis, including consideration of declaring a public health emergency or enacting an equivalent coordinated response to mobilize resources, improve system integration, and protect public safety;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Mayor, on behalf of Council, write to the Premier of British Columbia and relevant Ministers to communicate Council’s position and recommendations.
Note that the strike-through and italics above represent an amendment put forward by Councillor Nakagawa and supported by the majority of Council.
There was a robust discussion around this motion and amendment. I feel it was mostly redundant to work we are already doing at the City, especially as we have been doing active advocacy to the Province on the issue of the need for more health care funding in the areas of addictions and mental health, including motions supported in just the last few months which cover this same ground, and meeting personally with the Minister of Health. Indeed, we recently unveiled a two-phase advocacy plan in Council regarding health care and housing needs, and the mover of this motion has not always been supportive of this advocacy, so I’m glad to once again see a change of heart.
There was a challenge for me in the original motion about “prioritizing” involuntary care, and Council supported the “spectrum of care” as described in the amendment. In short the current involuntary mental health treatment program in BC already means 20,000 people are apprehended every year under the Mental Health Act. At the same time, we have inadequate resources for the voluntary care systems for those seeking help. I think that is where we need to “prioritize” our resources so people who want help can get it, reducing the chances of them ending up in a situation where they need to be incarcerated under the Mental Health Act. It simply shouldn’t take that long to get care – people shouldn’t need to become a danger to themselves or others to get care, and our priorities should not force that situation, in my opinion.
Again, happy to go along with Council’s wish here, though I note that we have already sent many letters to the Ministers and Premier reflecting this Council’s position on the issue, most recently following the February 24th motion linked to above. Meanwhile, Staff-to-staff collaboration has ramped up, and we are working with Fraser Health and BC housing on the Prevention, Support and Transition Services Plan and Supportive Housing and Wrap-Around Services Plan that this Council approved on February that outlined the short-and long term advocacy and partnership needs Identified by the City.
The advocacy doesn’t stop, nor does the work and collaboration.
Sikh Heritage Month
Submitted by Councillor Minhas
WHEREAS Sikh Heritage Month, celebrated each April, recognizes the long-standing contributions of Sikh Canadians, who have enriched Canada’s social, cultural, and economic life since their arrival in 1906; and
WHEREAS the values central to Sikhism—service, equality, and compassion—continue to inspire community involvement, leadership, and charitable efforts across New Westminster; and
WHEREAS the City of New Westminster is committed to celebrating and supporting the diverse cultural and faith communities that shape its civic identity and strengthen its inclusive, welcoming spirit;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council direct staff to add Sikh Heritage Month in April to the City of New Westminster’s official observances calendar;
AND FURTHER THAT the City of New Westminster acknowledge Sikh Heritage Month with an annual proclamation in line with other official City observances.
Council was quick to support this resolution, for all the right reasons.
Preserving and Enhancing Vibrant Streetscapes with Local Businesses
Submitted by Councillor Henderson
WHEREAS the current economic instability is applying financial pressure on small businesses across our communities; and
WHEREAS local governments have an opportunity to identify zoning, development, and other policies that may support affordability for businesses; and
WHEREAS the City will be updating the Economic Development Plan in 2025; and
WHEREAS the Province has greater jurisdictional power to decrease the economic pressures on small businesses through a variety of policy changes;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT staff explore the impacts of restricting extended health services as a permitted use at ground level through retail zoning updates; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT staff report back on opportunities to remove barriers for property owners interested in subdividing commercial units through zoning bylaws and building regulations; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT staff explore creating a commercial tenant relocation policy for small businesses (in BC, defined as businesses that have fewer than 50 employees) that could include principles like relocation support and/or first right of refusal at a comparable lease rate or with a reasonable increase; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City send a letter to the Minister of Finance and CC the Minister of Municipal Governments and Rural Communities, the Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs, and the Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation advocating that a Property Assessment Review be expedited; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City send a letter to the Minister of Finance and CC the Minister of Municipal Governments and Rural Communities, the Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs, and the Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation advocating for WorkBC programs offered to support the development of new businesses be extended to offer continued operational support to small businesses; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that given the economic instability small businesses are facing, that the City send a letter to the Minister of Finance and CC the Minister of Municipal Governments and Rural Communities, the Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs, and the Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation asking that the Province pilot a program to temporarily regulate commercial rent increases through a rent cap to ensure sustainability over this period of extreme instability and potential recession.
There were a few amendments to this motion as well, with a couple of clauses referred to the Arts, Culture, and Economic Development Advisory Committee, and a clause added asking Council to try to keep taxes for businesses as low as possible, which reflects our current practice (again, this blog is not an official record, and my notes were light here, so go to the minutes or the video to get the detail for yourself!).
Overall, this is a comprehensive list of actions and advocacy to better support a local and small business against some of the challenges they are facing in an uncertain and sometimes predatory commercial property market. There are some things the city can (probably?) do to put our finger on the scale of what types of businesses set up on your favorite commercial street, but other things will require Provincial intervention, and advocacy at UBCM is our next chance to take the case to those who hold the legislative strings. We continue to work with the BIAs. Chamber, and the new Sapperton Business Collective on this, and take our lead on areas of advocacy from the small businesses that you value in the community.
As I said above, the advocacy doesn’t stop, nor does the work and collaboration.