Port Moody will continue its membership in the Urban Development Institute (UDI).
The organization connects developers, industry professionals, First Nations, non-profit groups and local governments for educational programs about urban development as well as advocates for issues like the construction of more housing options, increased funding for the expansion of transit tied to the delivery of housing and fairer taxation on new homes.
But Coun. Haven Lurbiecki said Port Moody’s membership in the group could be a conflict of interest as many of the decisions made by the city directly impact developers that are also part of the group and vice versa.
“Our dues are going toward their lobbying activities while what they’re lobbying for could run counter to the best interests of the city,” she said.
Last September, council passed a resolution requesting further details about the city’s involvement with the group, including details of any meetings and a list of any city policies that may have been discussed at those meetings or altered because of discussions at meetings.
In a memo prepared in October for council’s governance and legislation committee, city manager Anna Mathewson said Port Moody’s membership in the UDI is primarily for the benefit of staff in the community development and engineering departments, although members from other departments also attend meetings on occasion depending on agenda topics.
Tuesday, Mathewson told the committee the sessions can be helpful.
“There is valuable information,” she said, adding there is also a newsletter and webinars that cover topics related to planning, building construction and architecture.
Mathewson said high-level discussions about industry trends in the region “are pretty general in nature.”
Port Moody’s manager of community development, Kate Zanon, said the city’s membership in UDI helps staff gain an understanding of what is happening in other municipalities.
“It is one of many, many sources providing feedback,” she said.
Port Moody’s membership in the UDI costs $750 annually.
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