Better signage, more voting booths and improved technologies – those are some of the items voters would like to see in future civic elections.
Council has received a report from city clerk Jan Gibson about the 2014 local election, in response to a request for an update about issues related to voting machines, rejected ballots, how voters with English as a Second Language were able to access voter assistance and election staffing.
According to the report, 14 per cent of the election official positions were filled by staff who were multilingual. They spoke languages including Punjabi, Hindi, Swahili, Tagalog, Urdu, Gujarat-Achi, Ukrainian, Russian, Mandarin, Japanese, French, Spanish, German and Dutch.
Following the election, the city’s election office sought feedback from election officials and the public about the election and received feedback from 38 individuals. Some voters reported being “in and out” of polling stations with no lengthy lineups; some expressed frustration with longer lineups at locations that had a higher turnout and suggested improvements such as more staff; some identified the need for better signage inside polling stations and better signage for locations with elevator access; some were surprised they didn’t get voting information in the mail; and others would like the city to improve election technologies and set up more voting booths at each location.
Utility rates on the rise
Royal City residents will be shelling out a bit more money for utilities in 2016.
New Westminster city council is set to hike to the city’s utilities for the coming year: electrical – four per cent; water – 5.5 per cent; sewer – 7.5 per cent; and solid waste – one per cent. Council has directed staff to prepare the necessary bylaws to amend the city’s utility rates for 2016.
“Staff has completed the city’s draft 2016 to 2020 financial plan for the utility funds. The plan incorporates the operating and capital budgets for each of the utilities,” states a report to council. “The plan reflects adjustments in utility user rates necessary to maintain and operate the utilities over the next five years.”
New West continues red-tape reduction program
An inter-municipal business licence program seems to be a hit, but the city is seeking input before extending it indefinitely.
New Westminster piloted an inter-municipal business licence program in partnership with Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey, Vancouver and Delta, which allows mobile businesses related to the construction industry to buy one business license, in addition to their resident business license, to operate in all six cities. The program, which is set to operate until Dec. 31, 2015, seeks was to promote a friendlier business environment and improve economic development by reducing costs and administration for construction-related businesses.
According to staff, the program has received positive feedback from the business community and continued to show steady growth. Anyone wishing to comment on the program can write or email the city by Friday, Nov. 27 or attend a public hearing on Monday, Nov. 30 at 5:45 p.m. in council chamber at city hall.
Cat hotel approved
Twelfth Street is going to the dogs – and the cats.
Council has approved zoning bylaw that would allow animal boarding to be permitted at 800 12th St. The Burnaby-New Westminster Animal Hospital is seeking to relocate its operation from Burnaby to yhr West End location in New West, where it will establish a veterinary clinic, a pet-related retail store and a cat hotel that could board up to 12 cats.
