Chris Bryan

This 5-year financial plan for Burnaby supports the community's growth while maintaining affordable tax rates. It reflects council's priorities, focusing on fostering resiliency, strengthening organizational excellence, shaping communities, connecting people, and acting on climate for a greener future. The plan details an operating budget of $854.5 million for essential services and outlines a $1.7 billion 5-year capital plan, including investments in major community projects and a growth infrastructure investment levy, all aimed at ensuring continued service delivery and infrastructure for current and future generations.

This document provides an update on the City of Burnaby's ongoing investments in new community facilities. Key projects highlighted include the Burnaby Lake Recreation Center, Cameron Recreation Center and Library, and the Shadu Center. These developments, funded through development funding and city reserves, are part of a broader strategy to enhance spaces, services, and amenities, ensuring Burnaby remains a desirable place for its community to thrive and grow for generations to come.

The discussion focused on homelessness and community safety in Burnaby, particularly concerning the added pressures during colder months on shelters, outreach teams, and first responders. Key topics included debunking the myth that homelessness and crime are directly linked, emphasizing that vulnerability often drives desperation-related offenses, and highlighting the violence directed against unsheltered individuals. The conversation detailed the extensive coordination efforts by the Society to End Homelessness in Burnaby (SEHB), including running a resource center with various service providers, mobile shower units, and the success in establishing several hundred shelter and transitional housing spaces over the past seven years. There was also a proposal for alternative funding models, suggesting diverting funds allocated for new temporary shelter space towards securing housing with wraparound services based on a percentage of net income, promoting dignity and self-sufficiency.

The City of Burnaby's 2026-2030 Financial Plan outlines a commitment to building a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable city through continued investment and fiscal responsibility. The plan is guided by four strategic priorities: strengthening organizational excellence, fostering resiliency for all residents, acting on climate for a greener future, and shaping communities and connecting people. Key focus areas include ensuring long-term financial sustainability, enhancing climate and emergency preparedness, expanding affordable housing options, modernizing infrastructure, and promoting economic vitality, all while balancing affordability for residents with the delivery of high-quality services.

The Municipal Council meeting addressed several matters including granting a leave of absence to Councillor Seifner. Key discussions involved a request for rezoning from "Two Family Dwelling" to "Multiple Family Dwelling" for a specific lot, which was referred to a future meeting after the petitioner's absence was noted. A petition from property owners protesting the proposed development of a major North-South arterial road near Deer Lake was read, and a discussion was scheduled for the following day. Correspondence received included an expression of appreciation for a Halloween grant, a request regarding parking restrictions near commercial driveways, and information concerning vacant beds at Woodlands School, leading to the appointment of a committee to investigate the situation. The Council also dealt with reports from the Traffic and Traffic Safety Committee, approving recommendations on parking prohibitions, speed restrictions, bus zone configurations on Hastings Street, and installing traffic barriers at an intersection. Furthermore, estimates of work for the Board of Works, Water Works Division, and Garbage Collection Division were approved, as were expenditures by the Parks Board and the Municipal Treasurer's Statement. The Council also approved particulars for a property sale, the replacement of street lighting on Hastings Street with mercury-vapour installations, and recommendations to address flooding and drainage issues near a park and school area. Finally, the Council reconsidered and finally adopted 'Burnaby Town Planning By-law 1948, Amendment By-law No. 10, 1958' and proceeded with the three readings of 'Burnaby Road Acquisition and Dedication By-law No. 6, 1958'. An extension was granted to Metropolitan Television Limited regarding the repurchase option date for certain lands.