Should city mandate apartment building heat plans?

Continued from page 1 messaging and collaboration within the community. An air conditioner loan pilot program, an outdoor cooling strategy, and outreach (including direct contact with property managers) are among the city’s plans.

“The EMO will continue to monitor the forecasted weather and focus our efforts in finalizing our heat response updates for the summer season with internal city departments and outside agencies,” said a staff report to council. “The EMO will also continue to mobilize and pro- vide outreach to vulnerable populations, residents, faith-based and non-profit organizations and provide information on ways the community can become more resilient during an emergency”

Neighbours Helping Neighbours

During Emergency PreparednessWeek, which runs from May 7 to 13, the Emergency Management Office will be encouraging NewWest residents to reach out to their neighbours and friends to create an internal social network that can better support one another in an emergency or even in day-to-day life Two pop-up “get prepared” events will be held in NewWest: Friday, May 5: Queensborough Community Centre – 2:30 to 4 p m ; andTuesday, May 9: Royal City Centre – 9 a m to noon

Brad Davie, assistant deputy chief with New Westminster Fire and Rescue Services, said messages about extreme heat will be sent out to the general public, as well as targeted messages to people in high-risk buildings, in advance of extreme heat

In regards to the air con- ditioner loan program, Davie told council staff are working with Fraser Health to identify high-risk buildings that have the appropriate infrastructure to be part of that initiative

Through an outdoor cooling strategy, the city will provide information about places where residents can cool off, including indoor cooling centres, water stations, outdoor pools, misting stations, spray parks, and parks and natural areas with mature trees/forested areas that create cool shade.

A new “outdoor cooling map” will show where the city will install up to 15 temporary misting stations by June 30

MORE TO BE DONE?

Mayor Patrick Johnstone suggested the city may need to explore regulatory changes that would allow the city to be even more proactive about heat response.

Johnstone said multiunit residential buildings are required to have fire response plans, fire alarms and sprinklers, and the city has staff who verify those life-saving measures are in place and can respond to those types of emergencies.

He’d like to see heat response plans required in the same way.

“The heat dome demonstrated to us that heat events are a real risk to the lives of residents,” he said.

Johnstone said he’s unsure if the city has the tools right now to do that, or if it would require advocacy to senior governments to require every multi-unit building in the city to have a heat plan.

Council directed staff to look into what would be required to ensure that all mulit-unit buildings have a heat plan in place.

DON’T GO HUNGRY: SPRING DONATION DRIVE

The City is supporting a donation drive this spring for the Don’t Go Hungry Food Program. Every Saturday, this food hamper program serves 1,300 people in New Westminster and south Burnaby who can’t access weekday food programs due to work hours. Many of those accessing the program are new arrivals to Canada, and two-thirds are families, including over 400 children.

Donation bins will be available until May 31, 2023, at Anvil Centre and the Glenbrook and Queensborough Fire Halls. The following items are in high demand:

• Canned proteins: e.g. nut butters, canned meat (tuna, salmon, etc.), beans, and chili

• Chunky-style canned soup

• Children's snacks: e.g. applesauce, fruit cups, fruit gummies/bars, snack-size crackers or cookies, and granola bars

• Personal care products: e g toothpaste, shampoo/conditioner, feminine hygiene products, shaving cream and razors, toilet paper, diapers (especially size 5 and 6), deodorant, and soap

• Dish soap and laundry soap

For more information, visit newwestcity.ca/dgh-spring2023

Notice Of Disposition Of Land

Whereas the City Council of the Corporation of the City of New Westminster wishes to lease 4100 sq. m. (more or less) area of land, described as 710 Eighth Street, New Westminster, BC, and which land is not available to the public for acquisition; therefore, the Corporation of the City of New Westminster hereby gives notice subject to Section 26(3) and 94 of the Community Charter:

(a) The land is more particularly described as: Parcel Identifier: 014-891-620

Legal Description: THAT PORTION MARKED "MOODY SQUARE" PLAN 2620

(b) The City proposes to lease the above described property to: New Westminster Lawn Bowling Club

(c) The nature of the disposition: 1 year lease from February 28, 2023 to March 1, 2024

(d) The consideration for which the Purchaser shall pay to the city: The sum of $30 00

For more information concerning this lease, please contact:

Christy Mereigh, Manager, Strategic Projects 604-527-4502