Editor’s note: as always, this is a summary of the highlights. We’ve got the full recap via Twitter here. If you choose to go the Twitter thread route, we highly recommend enjoying with a cup of coffee, tea, or a snack…it’s a little long.

311 Ash St. gets tabled

For the uninitiated: 311 Ash St. would include an 11-space parking reduction to add five more residential units and four parking spaces with two storage rooms. This building already has 29 residential units.

At the previous meeting Coun. Ruby Campbell said she was hesitant to support the project—a sentiment she reiterated again—with concerns about trees kicking off her line of questioning, namely due to the loss of shade. Additionally, she thanked residents at the building for sending in letters to discuss their experiences at the Brow of the Hill building.

“Some of the letters that we read said that water pressure is not enough, that there’s other issues in terms of building maintenance,” explained Campbell, “and so, should the permit go ahead, and the five additional units be added, what does the owner plan to do, if anything, to repair the rest of the building?”

Like Campbell, Coun. Tasha Henderson noted that this project is in the same neighbourhood where 28 people in New West died during the heat dome.

“For me, this has been a really challenging item to walk through. Recognizing that we are in the housing crisis, and that we need more rental units … my gut is to want to support this, but also trees are a really important part of our Climate Resiliency Plan, and I am equally as concerned of these really mature trees … these buildings are notoriously hot.”

With too many questions around the project that needed more answers from the applicant, council ultimately opted to table this.

Mayor Patrick Johnstone and Coun. Nadine Nakagawa, who live nearby, recused themselves from the discussions and the vote.

When is təməsew̓txʷ opening?

It’s a question we at The Anchor get quite often, so those who have been waiting for an update on the opening of təməsew̓txʷ—drum roll, please…🥁

The anticipated timeline for the soft opening of the new centre is Family Day weekend—Feb. 18, 2024. The so-called “grand opening” will be in March, and full operations are anticipated for April.

During discussion, Coun. Daniel Fontaine asked about the project going over budget, with staff confirming the cost had gone up by about $8 million—the project had started out at $106 million and is now at $114 million. When Fontaine asked whether the city would be able to keep it around the $114 million mark, staff said there was a contingency fund tied to the project of $2 million that could cover anything else should it come up.

Fontaine also wanted to know why there didn’t seem to be knowledge of the issues with the land on which təməsew̓txʷ is being built—land that also belongs to the city. Staff said they did anticipate the issues, but those issues were worse than they thought they’d be, citing discoveries like tree stumps and car parts in the ground.

Additionally, Johnstone plugged that job postings had gone up for the centre—so if you’re looking for work, might want to check out the embedded tweet below.

Delegation highlights

The New West Chamber of Commerce, represented by Angie Whitfield and Rich Patterson, voiced support for Campbell’s motion related to a vacant property tax. The idea would be to send the resolution to the Lower Mainland Local Government Association (LGA) conference for consideration.

The tax takes a page out of the 0.5% speculation and vacancy tax related to residential properties in BC—the yearly tax is based on how owners use residential properties in areas impacted in by the housing crisis.

“We see this tax, as I’m sure you all do, as another tool that we can utilize to deter land speculation and ensure that these spaces are used to their potential,” said Whitfield.

Patterson, who owns PBJ Merch Co., added that he personally thinks this is a necessary move.

“Really, it’s just an opportunity we’re missing. Not just us, but new Canadians, new business owners, to have this space available, the capacity to make our community better than it is today,” explained Patterson.

On a separate issue, a delegation spoke out on their disappointment in a motion by Couns. Fontaine and Paul Minhas, which, if it goes ahead, means council would have to fill out an annual form declaring its carbon footprint. Fontaine later noted that the form was voluntary, but the presenters said that it was the wrong kind of action on a problem that needed policy changes.

“Imagine visiting a city where their wide tree-lined walkways and few cars that are limited to 30 km/h…free electric transportation, lots of public places to gather, lots of community gardens … you wouldn’t ask a council member about a carbon footprint. You’d want to know how city council members created such a beautiful place,” said delegate Jennifer Nathan.

Resident Larry Church spoke again about the bike lanes along 6th Street and 8th Avenue, but also took issue with something he said he heard Henderson say at the last meeting.

“Coun. Henderson made some condemning statements regarding the Centennial Community Centre,” said Church, who then proceeded to list off the names of other various city buildings, and what appeared to be the dates they were either built or opened.

Before the group went into motions, there was a request by New West Families for some emergency funding to relocate from Qayqayt Elementary to a new space in the Quayside area.

The not-for-profit will be receiving $6,300 from the city to help cover some of the expenses incurred with the move happening quickly.

Motion time!

Improving our economy by better connecting Douglas College students, faculty, and staff with our business districts

This motion, brought forward by Couns. Fontaine and Minhas, includes a “study and stay” campaign. Fontaine explained that he often sees students coming to Douglas for classes, but then leaving the city quickly afterwards.

While Henderson thought this was a great idea to take to the Economic Development committee, Henderson wanted to know why Minhas—who sits on that committee—hadn’t already done this, and whether it needed a motion. In response, Minhas said that he initially wasn’t sure if he was in a conflict of interest regarding this issue; Minhas owns Judge Begbie’s Tavern along Columbia Street. He said he’d be more than happy to address this with the committee. Fontaine added that his understanding was that the committee’s work plans were driven by council, hence the motion.

This motion went ahead with unanimous support.

Extension of speed zone enforcement hours

Henderson’s motion builds on a call that came from the District Parent and Advisory Council that could see a change in the current school zone times posted through the city.

Fontaine said it was an issue worth exploring, but pointed out that he couldn’t support the wording of the motion as presented.

Henderson accepted a friendly amendment from Fontaine, with the motion changed to: that council direct staff to bring a report back to council for approval on how to extend the speed zone enforcement hours including a discussion on the length of the extension; potential impacts to neighbourhoods, transit, enforcement; plus any budget implications and other concerns arising.

All but the mayor were in favour of the amendment. Nonetheless, Henderson’s motion went ahead.

Call to action on creating more equitable municipalities

The goal of Nakagawa’s motion was to eventually get senior levels of government, through the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) to come up with resources and policy direction to help dismantle systemic inequality in communities.

This went ahead without opposition.

Providing openness and transparency regarding the personal carbon footprint of elected officials

This motion by Fontaine and Minhas would have meant a voluntary form in which council members would annually declare their estimated carbon footprint.

Nakagawa noted she was very supportive of the earlier delegation’s comments, and while she felt comfortable declaring her carbon footprint, the ability of others to do the same did not offer allyship.

“I live in a tiny place and I don’t have a car … but I do know that this puts other people in a more difficult position, because they might not be able-bodied. They might not be able to walk everywhere, cycle everywhere … I think that policy trumps individual action,” explained Nakagawa.

Coun. Jaimie McEvoy told the room that he was dealing with a number of walking-related struggles, including spinal arthritis, adding that not everyone has a choice about some of the things they need to do to live their lives.

“We have to be aware of potential ableism and those kinds of potential considerations,” said McEvoy.

Mayor Johnstone said the motion would send the wrong message regarding climate action and cited public policy researcher Seth Klein in his point.

“I think it was Seth Klein who actually wrote a good piece on this one time talking about [how] societal change can’t happen like this through shame. The problem that all environmental activists have had—I’ve been an environmental activist for all my life—the challenge is we always have that question: what have you done? What are you sacrificing? How do you live your life?’”

In response, Fontaine asked for a retraction of some of Johnstone’s comments.

“I would just request, perhaps, your worship, that you implied somehow that the motion was intended to shame members of council. Your words, not mine. I would prefer, your worship, if you could retract that particular word as that is a fairly strong word to use around this motion that councillors brought forward to this council. You don’t know what my intent was and you’re implying somehow that I was doing this to shame the rest of council, which is not my intent.”

“I agree that I used the word,” replied Johnstone. “That was not the implication I was making.”

This motion was defeated with Nakagawa, Campbell, Henderson, McEvoy, and Johnstone opposing.

Improving and strengthening open communication between all elected officials in New Westminster

This motion from Fontaine and Minhas, asked for a New West Caucus to take place this year. It would include invites for New Westminster-based politicians at all levels of government—this went ahead unopposed.

Temporarily eliminating block party street occupancy permit fees to encourage increased neighbourhood connectivity

The motion from Fontaine and Minhas looked to eliminate the $39 permit fee for block parties. Fontaine noted that about $1,500 to $2,000 was collected by the city from these fees.

Campbell said that, based on email correspondence, staff hadn’t mentioned there being a financial barrier involving the $39, while Fontaine said his understanding was that there was no survey done to confirm that information—Fontaine’s point was confirmed by the director of engineering, Lisa Leblanc.

Nakagawa felt the motion was trying to solve the wrong problem—however, she, Fontaine, Minhas, Henderson, and McEvoy ultimately supported it.

Bringing Equity to Traffic Enforcement

This motion comes to us courtesy of the mayor, with Johnstone adding he took inspiration from a Saanich motion—also from its mayor—though it didn’t have a seconder and ultimately didn’t go ahead.

The aim would be to get traffic fines to be proportional to the level of income a person makes—but this was a motion that, in going ahead, would again be sent to UBCM.

Fontaine felt that if this were to work, the fine for those who were wealthy would have to be so astronomically high that it truly impacted them. He also suggested the model be tested locally.

This motion went ahead with Fontaine and Minhas opposed.

Vacant property tax on commercial properties

Campbell took a moment to acknowledge former councillor Mary Trentadue and the current mayor for similar work they did on this.

The motion was carried unanimously.

Bits and bobs

• Look out for a train whistle cessation-related update around the end of March.

• If you haven’t had a chance to buy your tickets to Shrek: the Musical, you might want to do that. It’s been two weeks since two of the cast members made a presentation to council—and the show will run starting March 1! (Last week they talked to The Anchor about why their production is going to be awesome.)

• The discussion regarding notices of motion did not come up again at the council meeting—but there was a discussion of it on Monday afternoon because of the evening council meeting. You can take a look at where it ended up, here.

The next council meeting is scheduled for March 13 at 6pm.