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State of the City getting underway at Starlight Casino in #NewWest #NewWestminster. Former city councillor @marytrentadue emceeing. 
For those who have been following the city's strategic plan, none of what he's going to cover off is not really a surprise.
Says if other cities had done what New West had done previously when it comes to housing, the region wouldn't be in a housing crisis.
Says if other cities had done what New West had done previously when it comes to housing, the region wouldn't be in a housing crisis.
That being said, Mayor Johnstone says it's time to look forward on the housing point.
Transit/transportation, according to Mayor Johnstone, is no longer necessarily the city's number one priority...though it is "in his heart."
Transit/transportation, according to Mayor Johnstone, is no longer necessarily the city's number one priority...though it is "in his heart."
Makes mention of the infrastructure upgrades, what he calls the "unsexy stuff." (Sewer upgrades, sidewalks, etc.)
Also talking about the investment in arts and culture, the idea of the "people-first" economy.
Also talking about the investment in arts and culture, the idea of the "people-first" economy.
As for why climate action is not a pillar in the strategic plan, Mayor Johnstone says it's part of the city's lens; that everything they do works within the 2030 and 2050 climate goals.
"A city is like building a plane while you're flying" is the segway into some of the other issues the city has been working on. Says that the city's finances in the context of COVID (i.e. its peak) was "touch and go" at one point.
Says most capital projects so far appear to be on budget & mostly on time.
Mayor Johnstone says the city is down about 15% in staff. Says he can't compete with other cities...something that actually keeps him up at night because the city simply doesn't have the staff to do it.
Mayor Johnstone says the city is down about 15% in staff. Says he can't compete with other cities...something that actually keeps him up at night because the city simply doesn't have the staff to do it.
Mayor Johnstone hopes people will reach out to folks at the city & to council if they need help. Wants to leave folks with this question: "what can you do to help the city, and what can we (The City of New Westminster/staff/council/etc.) do to help?
That's it for his remarks.
That's it for his remarks.
We are going to Q&A now. It's giving...well here you go.
First question (in jest): when is the city getting an official rock? Makes reference to some kind of 'Boulder on the Brow [of the Hill].' The joke: Johnstone is a geologist.
First question (in jest): when is the city getting an official rock? Makes reference to some kind of 'Boulder on the Brow [of the Hill].' The joke: Johnstone is a geologist.
How are you supporting small businesses? Points to groups like New West Chamber, some of the data gathering being done at the city.
Permit times: will you do what Vancouver has planned to do? (Reduce wait times) A: "I haven't seen the numbers on that."
Permit times: will you do what Vancouver has planned to do? (Reduce wait times) A: "I haven't seen the numbers on that."
Short answer is "yes," nothing that there is a complication with about 139 related permits in the city. Cites heritage as another challenge, and that that can sometimes slow things down.
On some of the priorities: "frankly your single family permit might be slowed down," because the priority is to get more people into housing, says Mayor Johnstone.
Question about the city's heritage + balancing reconciliation. Mayor Johnstone says the problem with the question is that it draws a false dichotomy. The two are not battling one another.
Johnstone underscores that they're not competing against each other, and that both need attention. Says one has spent time getting more attention than the other.
After going through the archives in New West, etc., there will be a report that is forthcoming (date TBD, they're sharing it with host Nations to figure out how to come forward with the info) and Mayor Johnstone says that conversation "will not be good."
A question about the land acknowledgement and the "Halkomelem speaking peoples." Mayor Johnstone says there are other nations who think/feel/say that this land is part of their history as well. (Note: Johnstone says he does not speak for the other nations on this, he is...
...trying to answer the question.) Johnstone says one of the things being looked at in the "Year of Truth" is the land acknowledgement. With other nations coming to the city and seeking acknowledgement, along with the archaic institutions that deliberately erased First Nations...
...Peoples from history.
Question about bike lanes. Mayor says he likes them and that they make everyone safer if they are built well.
One of the tables has some folks shaking their head no.
Question about bike lanes. Mayor says he likes them and that they make everyone safer if they are built well.
One of the tables has some folks shaking their head no.
Running out of time. Last question: why do you like New West?
"I've met so many people in this community...people doing great stuff." Appreciates the passion people in this city have...well, for the city.
Apparently we were going to get a soccer team?
"I've met so many people in this community...people doing great stuff." Appreciates the passion people in this city have...well, for the city.
Apparently we were going to get a soccer team?
Key word being WERE. Said this whole soccer thing resulted in a lawn sign war. Some folks had lawn signs that called for the soccer team, and some wanted a baseball team. Says if a city is going to be passionate about stuff like that, then it's a cool city.
I'm going to end it here. The discussion has wrapped up. Thanks for joining me! There will be a brief recap in tomorrow's newsletter.
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