Part one of the Twitter coverage can be found here. Part two can be found here.

The ride-hailing discussion

To clarify, this is a bit of a logistical step, but there are three municipalities that want to become part of the current ride-hailing group in the region. To do that, they must have permission from the other 28 members.

No one came forward to speak on this topic during the public hearing. All but Coun. Jaimie McEvoy were in favour of moving on to the next steps.

The 422 Sixth St. discussion

The goal of this space is to provide up to 30 units for those who would need some moderate assistance for approximately a year: there will be up to 15 units per designated floor. Purpose Society (Purpose) already owns the building, which is valued at a little more than $8.1M.

In its report, city staff noted the individuals are in a stable place in their lives, adding the supportive housing would not be for those who are actively experiencing addiction, and that this style of housing was for those who would be able to commit to particular expectations, including:

• Being comfortable living in a communal environment

• Engaging with a variety of supports

• Signing a commitment to these and other expectations

As for who the residents would be, Purpose outlined the following vulnerable groups:

• Unhoused people or those at risk of becoming unhoused

• Indigenous Peoples

• Black Canadians,

• LGBTQ2S+

• Newcomers, especially refugees

• People living with developmental disabilities

• People with mental health or addition issues—though, as staff mentioned, they cannot actively be experiencing addiction

• People who are living with physical disabilities

• Racialized groups

• Seniors

• Veterans

• Young Adults

The units would be in an office-style space: the first two floors are already occupied, but the third and fourth floors are the spaces that would be converted. The housing would be for those who are low-income, have experienced, or are at risk of homelessness. They’ll also be able to access assistance for life-skills, like budgeting, meal preparation, counselling, and employment readiness.

There is a bit of a time crunch, according to staff, as there is senior level funding on the table: this project includes a commitment from CMHC to provide $5M over a 20-year period for this site, but this appears to be contingent on the rezoning of the area in question taking place by July 1. Mayor Patrick Johnstone noted this project would likely be talked about over the next two meetings.

Staff outlined information was shared with the public in the area, including via letter, and that there was an option to provide feedback on the project via Be Heard New West. Throughout the meeting, there were notes about continuing to provide feedback to mayor and council by emailing them or emailing [email protected].

Coun. Daniel Fontaine opened the questioning, asking whether Purpose had a track record of operating a space like this. Staff noted that Purpose had operated a shelter, but that they have not operated supportive housing like this in New Westminster.

During delegations, there were some comments by folks who said they lived in the area. The discussion ranged in comments from safety to the speed at which this project looked to be taking shape. Part of the motion included an ask that no public hearing be held—which is in accordance with the Local Government Act—but Coun. Fontaine wanted to see the “no public hearing be held” portion struck out.

Later in the meeting, and after much discussion, council voted—albeit not unanimously—to figure out what a public engagement opportunity would look like. Coun. Nadine Nakagawa said it would be a more dialogue-based opportunity and put forward a motion to see staff develop a process that would fit within the context of the project and discussion.

Delegations

There were a number of delegations at council, and on a variety of topics. There’s a list that starts here. Here are some of the key points from the various presentations.

• Joy St. John of Century House spoke about the importance of supporting Seniors Week, which is happening from June 5 to 11

• Arts New West (previously known as the Arts Council of New Westminster) talked about some of the things happening with the group, as well as the need to support local artists in all capacities

• A student representative from New West Secondary requested the city look into better funding May Day celebrations

• Three delegates who spoke against the 422 Sixth St. project

• One person who spoke in favour of the 422 Sixth St. project

Consent Agenda highlights

Rent Bank funding request

For those not familiar, the Rent Bank is an option for those who might need a loan so that they can pay their rent on time if money is tight. The aim of the Rent Bank is to prevent people from ending up unhoused.

In this motion, staff recommended in its report to council that it fund the administrative costs at $35,000 over a three-year period, which would run from Sept. 1, 2023, to Aug. 31, 2026.

Coun. Fontaine said that while he does support the Rent Bank, he believed that the province should be picking up more of the costs.

This motion to support the administrative costs went ahead.

The Douglas College development

For those who missed it, 808 Royal Ave. will include 368 beds and 11 storeys of academic space, like classrooms and labs. The project received most of its nearly $300M in funding from the provincial government., with Douglas College footing the rest of the bill.

Council gave staff the go-ahead to work with the applicant for the project to work on a plan of development, and to endorse in principle that no public hearing be held for the application, in accordance with the Local Government Act.

Motions from members of council

The 2024 police budget

Put forward by Coun. Nakagawa, the idea behind this is to have council, as a whole, write to the New West Police Board to request a talk about the 2024 police budget.

Coun. Fontaine said he wasn’t clear about the motivation of the motion, with Mayor Johnstone the chair of the police board.

This went ahead 5-2, with Couns. Fontaine and Minhas opposed.

Establishing a new planning policies, procedures, and processes working group

Put forward by Coun. Fontaine, the goal of this motion is to regularly review the effectiveness and efficiencies related to planning processes and procedures. As written in the agenda, the motion notes “there has been concerned expressed within our community that some of the processes, procedures, and policies related to the development of new housing are outdated and in need of reform.”

The working group would include:

• Two appointed city councillors as co-chairs

• The co-chairs would recommend the overall composition of the working group

• The group would have 120 days to put together a report to council that would discuss possible revisions, updates, or would give recommendations regarding the removal of any “unnecessary, costly, or ineffective planning by-laws, policies, procedures, and processes.”

This was not supported and was voted down 5-2: only Couns. Fontaine and Minhas voted in favour.

Supporting the victims of random and violent crimes in New West

This motion comes from Coun. Paul Minhas, and mainly involves concerns around safety in the city.

The ask is that a letter be written by the mayor—on behalf of council—to the federal justice minister, as well as BC’s premier and solicitor general, to reform the justice system.

The motion also asks for an “urgent meeting with the New Westminster Police Board to develop a joint strategy and determine what additional initiatives can be immediately implemented to ensure our streets remain safe from further violent crime.”

Coun. Nakagawa suggested severing the motion, which went ahead. The letter portion of the motion was voted down 5-2, with just Fontaine and Minhas supporting.

As for what happened to the two remaining items that were severed: the clerk reminded Mayor Johnstone that there needed to be a vote to extend the meeting past 10:30pm. The first vote saw Couns. McEvoy, Nakagawa, and Fontaine asking not to go any further.

As the second separate point was being discussed by Coun. Ruby Campbell, Mayor Johnstone called point of order, noting that for the council meeting to continue, two-thirds of council had to support the extension.

Another vote saw McEvoy, Minhas, and Fontaine voting against the extension, which brought the meeting to an abrupt end.

The next council meeting is scheduled for Monday June 12 at 6pm. There is currently a council workshop scheduled for 3pm on the same day.