Upcoming Monday Council Meeting – a little bit wet, a little bit exotic
Posted by Cheryl McLachlan on November 3, 2008
The upcoming Monday night Council meeting has only a short agenda of only 88 pages. Alot of the meeting will be taken up by presentations about the 40,000th Trolley passenger, the new Goudy Library branch and City Centre Park. Interestingly, a contract expected to cost $5,800 a year, but with the possibility of costing the City of Langford more, is recommended to be awarded for the care and maintenance of the plants and water features at Mini-Golf at City Centre Park to the only company that bid on the job. Evidently Langford’s mini-golf is truly a unique experience of rare and exotically planted landscaping with multiple water features. The report from Langford City staff recommends to Langford Council to approve the proposed contract.
Staff Report
Subject: Selection of Contractor to maintain mini-golf landscape
Background
On September 2nd, 2008, Council gave approval for staff to complete the lease and operating agreement with Family Fun Park Ltd. for the mini-golf and water park facility. In this agreement, The City will be maintaining the plant material and irrigation.
Commentary
The selection of a contractor to maintain the specialized plant material at the mini golf facility is of paramount importance. To add to the special character of this facility, exotic species had been planted that will require special care and attention. Several maintenance contractors had been contacted and site visits conducted. Only 1 contractor submitted a proposal – Horizon Nurseries. Horizon Nurseries has a proven track record of horticultural experience and will be providing 5 hours per week during the summer and 2 hours per week in the winter to maintain and monitor the plant material, water feature and irrigation at the mini-golf facility.
Financial Implications
The hourly rate for these services is $32.00 and is fair and reasonable. The total value on a
yearly basis for the contract is approximately $5,800.
Legal Implications There are no legal implications.
Recommendations:
That Council:
1. Give approval for signing the enclosed landscape service contract dated October 10
Contract:
The City of Langford and Horizon Nurseries Inc. agree to the terms contained in this document as per outline below:
Estimated time: 2 hours per week in the winter (Nov.-Mar.) Each hour charged at $32.00
5 hours per week in the summer (April – October) Each hour charged at $32.00
Scope of work included in the schedule noted above:
Minor pruning, removal of dead leaves and branches
Minor repairs to pond area, such as restoring small areas of stone
Monitor and maintain UV filter
Monitor pond
Monitor all Irrigation and adjust as necessary
Overwinter Canna tubers
Monitor 4 baskets and 7 entrance planters
Weeding of surface aggregate and planters
Startup and testing of irrigation system
Report problems to designated staff person
Scope of work not included in the schedule noted above . The following items will be billed as
extra work if done by Horizon Nurseries Inc. at the request of the City of Langford.
Work considered as extras will be billed at a rate of $32.00 per hour
Hard surface cleanup of garbage or plant debris including aggregate
Winterizing of irrigation system
Planting of annuals
Planting of 7 small planters at entrance
Wrap bases of tender plants if necessary
Plant fertilization
Major repairs of irrigation system (such as replacement of solenoids or repair of broken pipes)
Options to be considered as extras:
Price of 18″ Hanging baskets $75.00- pansy in winter, impatiens in summer
Price includes delivery, hanging & removal.
Only 1 Bylaw will be considered, adoption of a bylaw rezoning a lot from single-family residential to attached housing, followed by the obligatory ‘IN CAMERA’ RESOLUTION.
- email the moderator – Cheryl McLachlan -
Heather Scott said
No kidding they recommend it be approved. Is it not normal to give the council the option of either approval or disapproval? Here the only option is approval. I wonder what costs $5800 for one small area of plants.
Jes said
Just wanted to say that Horizon is a good outfit and the contract looks par for the course. However the decision by The City to use borderline-hardy, high maintenance plant material for mini-golf is certainly debatable.
Joe the Gardner said
Personally I like being on the side which agrees that “The glass is half full” instead of
“Half Empty”
Ronaldo said
The “recommendation” from staff was approval. The “options” available to Council is either to award the contract as recommended or not. These options go without saying. What the $5,800 contract relates to is self-expanitory in the staff report.
Net said
Interested to know how the council meeting went? Does anyone have anything to comment on?
Teresa Ackroyd said
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=9b6eaf60-9f35-4c07-ad6a-004e218df9d2
If I may post the above link (don’t know how to hyperlink it here, you may have to copy and paste to your browser tab) to today’s Times Colonist.
I am saddened by this exchange. It is petty, childish and shortsighted. I think it behooves Mr. Young to act in a more dignified manner in council, especially as it illustrates exactly the perception some people have of mayor and council being belligerent steamrollers who listen to no point of view but their own and that of their chosen friends. I don’t think this outburst won the present council any converts for the status quo.
Jes said
Typical imperious attitude. What is he afraid of? Accountability perhaps?
TJ said
Opinions are like belly buttons — everyone has one. I have been at both Planning and Zoning meetings plus regular council for the past 7 (yes, 7) years. This past year has been very interesting. I respect that everyone has a voice and has every right to exercise his or her right to speak. This council and mayor have been very, very patient with many, many speakers. I have seen them verbally attacked, comments about them personally, comments about their personal business, their personal lives, that are completely inappropriate and I can honestly tell anyone who would listen that I do not have the patience that this council and mayor have shown on many occasions. The council and Mayor have a job to do — run Langford. From their long list of accomplishments they are doing just that. We have gone from a run down, have not, municipality to one that is nationally recognized. We may not all agree on everything but at least give recognition to a job well done by council and mayor.
As for comments like…”some people have of mayor and council being belligerent steamrollers…” I don’t believe this is positive or conducive or even remotely accurate. His mayorship had a point. If you have a problem with how the minutes are recorded simply go to city hall and have them corrected. How do you think the staff member felt when he or she read what was printed about her? or him?….its simple respect.
As for “i don’t think this outburst won the present councial any converts for the status quo.” Actually I have a tonne of respect for his Mayorship. More now than ever. Mayor Young finally had enough of watching his council and staff being negatively attacked. He has a point, if you have an issue with council, mayor or whatever there have been many, many, many opportunities to speak at council meetings.
I have never met a more diligent, proud or hardworking Mayor or council. They actually “give a crap” about their community and the citizens of Langford. It saddens me to have people who tear things apart instead of building a community.
Spencer Road User said
I had the opportunity to read the TC article today. It appears that present mayor and council have not learned anything of decorum from their past mistakes. To berate and belittle a man in the public meeting arena is akin to the public stoning or town square hanging. Most definitely undiplomatic, especially just as they are asking the citizens to put them back in office. I was always brought up to believe that those who live in glass houses should not be the first to cast a stone. They all have their secrets that I presume they wish to keep private, but, you know, sometimes you can only push so many buttons.
I have not contributed to this blog for quite some time but have continued to be a reader. There are those puppets posting that have obviously been sent in to be “the goons”. You are unable and/or incapable of an intelligent or logical debate. If you absolutely dislike and disagree with EVERYTHING you read posted here – change the channel. It is unhealthily to be of that state of mind all the time – your heart will thank you – your other option is to keep it up and have a heart attack or stroke. Your call!
Ronaldo said
I beleive the mayor is to be commended for standing up for Langford staff. They don’t deserve to be subjected to false statements only designed for one’s own political gains. As the Mayor clearly stated, feel free to take shots at him, but leave the staff, who do an exceptional job, alone. The respect the Mayor has for the staff and his passion to do well for Langford was very evident Monday night.
Pat said
The verbal reprimand on Monday night was very deserving, and long overdue. I too have watched as the Mayor, Council and staff were regularly attacked by this candidate over the past year and found it refreshing to see the shoe finally on the other foot. What was most interesting was the revelation of another illegal dwelling by a candidate, one that has been criticizing the council and Mayor for the past year over certain bylaws and developments. I would like to know if this candidate was going to continue to break our city bylaws or do the right thing and conform. I find the whole thing hypocritical and underhanded and if this candidate has any integrity he should apologize to the citizens of Langford and withdraw from the election.
Teresa Ackroyd said
Mr. Young may for all I know be the most urbane and polite person in private, his mayorship has seen some very innovative and some very questionable changes in Langford. Monday’s meeting featured some deserved recognition for jobs well done, but it was completely sidetracked. When I see the reports of this kind of behaviour all our advances are for naught. These public reports are what people remember when they think of Langford, the Surrey of Victoria, and our mayor acting like a man who cannot use decorum or control his anger in the face of opposition. The next election may see one or several new council members; no one right now knows who will win, and it bodes ill for the mayor to act in this manner.
TJ said
Mr/Ms Spencer Road Interchange…”goons….”You are unable and or incapable of an intelligent or logical debate…”. Where’s the moderator? Maybe you can help this person with the “big words”. I resent being called a “goon” or having my intelligence questioned because I have a different opinion. I thought this website was about differences of opinions. If you don’t agree…fine.. I respect that but to resort to name calling and insults…. not very mature.
The verbal reprimand Monday night was months overdue. I respect Mr. Hurdle and his opinions but at the same time you have to respect a Mayor who stands up for his staff, council and the citizens of Langford. Having a strong, fearless leader helps your team. That’s what we are is a team. I’d rather play on Stew Young’s team than against him!!! We need strong, visionary leadership. We have a strong, vibrant, growing municipality thanks to (all the citizens) but also in large part to a strong Mayor and council. Langfords mentality isn’t we can’t …it’s let’s figure it out. If there’s a way to accomplish building a strong municipality Stew and council will find it. Some ideas are borrowed …I believe the trolleys are from Disney…what a great idea. Buy the trolley’s (with developers money) and provide a free service to the citizens of Langford. Positive People….Positive.
As for Langford being the Surrey of Victoria… that’s just sad and wrong. Having spent some time in Surrey I couldn’t send my kids in to that washrooms alone and was dismayed to find blue lights in all of the washrooms (for those of you who don’t know…blue lights makes it difficult for junkies to shoot up…hides the veins.) Langford isn’t like Surrey,, not even close…the fact that you would think that saddens me. I strongly feel Langford is a great place for jobs, kids, families and community spirit. I’m proud of Langford and what this council and mayor have accomplished in just a few short years. I’m all for Langford. Comments like that aren’t positive, accurate or even remotely helpful. I feel bad that Teresa feels that way… I don’t see the similarity.
I’d like to say thank you to the moderator,,, I know this can’t be easy. Opinions are strong…
Lenny said
Should mr. Hurdle get in, it will be most amusing to see these two trying to ‘get along’ at council meetings!
Cheryl McLachlan said
What happened is the moderator felt personally verbally attacked, and is not feeling as magnaimous towards some people. It was at the last council meeting, a public event where I was referred to by a person speaking during public participation, as, “those negative people that are here tonight,” among other comments. Do not get me wrong, I am used to, sadly, being berated by Mayor Stew Young, that’s old hat, been there, done that on several issues. What was different was being referred to by another member of the audience who only knew who I was because I have chosen in the past to speak before Langford Council on several occasions. And who, I hope, figured out, I moderator Inside Langford. It was the audacity of a person who has, I believe, commented here, emailed me personally, all the while going to great lengths to hide their identity from everyone here, including me, to then take the liberty of commenting about me in a public forum. I am not running for public office. I was offended, though not surprised. I have tried to carefully moderate this blog fairly, but some of those that purport to support the current Council are still complaining. No matter how the rules are adjusted to maintain a positive discourse I feel they have pushed the limits and broken the spirit, and sometimes the letter, of the rules. As a result I am just going do what a lot of other news and opinion blogs do – moderate the comments however is necessary to maintain decorum. I keep going back to the idea, with friends like some of those that comment here extolling the virtues of the current councillors, who needs to campaign against them, their supporters are making them look bad by association. That is not to say that all those commenting in favour of some or all of the current councillors look bad, there have been, and much appreciated, intelligent, well-thought out comments that I personally do not agree with but I certainly think deserve to be read and considered. If we all could just break out of this paradigm that there is “us” and “them,” that there are only two sides, in this municipal election in Langford, in the issues facing our community, and the solutions we are seeking. But alas, it seems it is not happening yet. And yes, as was pointed out, it will certainly be some interesting council meetings when the mayor and maybe some incumbents have to work with some new councillors.
Shelly said
Those who love everything our present mayor & council have done might ponder why the incumbent councilors have cast so few opposing votes to rezonings and development variance permits over the years. They call it consensus and “working together so well as a team” (Winnie Sifert); we think it borders on collusion and a lack of consideration for alternative viewpoints. Neighbourhood after neigbourhood has fought city hall over developments; why are the concerns expressed nearly always ignored.
Marie said
Hello. As the moderator, I would like to know what you base your selection criteria on. I know many who have written to you and they have not had their comments posted. I realize that offensive language may need to be edited out. There is no reason that free speech and flow of thoughts should be censored.
Teresa Ackroyd said
If my post was read correctly, people would see I said, the PUBLIC PERCEPTION of Langford has often been as the Surrey of Victoria. I have lived here for almost 17 years, and have no intention of moving. My kids are being raised right here. I am not ashamed of being a citizen of Langford.
Over and over again in my posts I have stated, I am not anti-everything this council has done to move this city in their chosen direction. I have issues with the processes employed to enact their vision, and I have issues with some of the decisions made. I am not anti-developer, and am not a full-on tree hugger, but I would like very much to see more balance and respect paid to the opposing visions of this city moving forward.
If having these differences of opinion and trying to express them is “not helpful”, then how does one go about making themselves heard?
Teresa Ackroyd said
I pose a question: If you had no prior knowledge of the persons involved, dropped into a council meeting while visiting another town just for fun, and witnessed this behaviour by the mayor, would you be so forbearing? Or would you think the behaviour was unprofessional and unbecoming to the chamber and public?
It has been pointed out that running for public office, and possibly winning a seat, puts the candidate in a position to be held above the general standard of behaviour. I would say Mr. Young has had quite a few years to get used to this high expectation of decorum.
Ronaldo said
I posted a comment (below) on the topic of the All-Candidates meeting October 29, 2008 and yet your website states that my comment is still awaiting moderation. I would hope that the only sensoring being done is to ensure appropriate commentary and not to protect the interests of certain Council hopefuls who would rather not see my opinion posted. I have heard from others who have reported that not all of their comments have been posted as well. I can only hope that in my case it was an oversight? Maybe I will have better luck this time.
After attending last night’s all-candidates meeting, my decision on whom I will be supporting on November 15th was made a whole lot clearer. I was very impressed by ALL of the incumbents. They were very well-spoken, well-informed and demonstrated that they are very much in touch with the needs of the community. I must admit that the incumbents do have the advantage of having impressive past council experience, but it is this experience I suggest, that will continue to benefit our community. They are very passionate and proud of our City and have many more projects to complete. Even the rest of the Council hopefuls had no choice but to acknowledge the many improvements seen in Langford and confirmed how much they too enjoy living here. To hear the extensive list of accomplishments made by the current Mayor and Council, all having been done with a 1% tax increase over a 15 year period, is truly remarkable. It’s this type of forward thinking that gives me comfort, at a local level, moving forward in uncertain times. In order to ensure diversity on council, I have never been a supporter of “slates”. Yet a “slate” of four candidates is exactly what was announced by Michael Mortimer, with an expressed interest in changing the way things are done around the council table. I was pleased to hear from each of the incumbents that while they acknowledge there is a great deal of team work between council, staff, committees and volunteers, each were running again on their own and standing on their own records and beliefs. I can only hope that others will learn about how hard the current Mayor and Council are working for the people that they represent. I, for one, will be doing my part to ensure that the people are informed.
Heather Scott said
I was surprised to just read a comment from someone who claims to have regularly attended council meetings and frequently seen Mr. Hurdle attack the council and staff.
I remember the opposite charge being thrown against him by another person several weeks ago when aother person said they regularly attend council meetings, always see Mr. Hurdle there, & that Mr. Hurdle rarely speaks up or seems to have anything to say at these meetings.
I think we can all agree that it’s impossible that both these allegations are correct. :) One of these charges is not correct, if not both.
Yevgeny Zamyatin said
Being a part of the cult of personality driven current council is very easy. All you have to know how to do is say yes to every development proposal that comes your way and do whatever the mayor says. It’s no suprise this clique has so many shills in their employ given the amount of money involved.
Cheryl McLachlan said
A correction to a comment attributed to Michael Mortimore: ‘a “slate” of four candidates is exactly what was announced by Michael Mortimer,’ is factually *incorrect* and I was being far too nice in approving the comment. Check out the coverage in the Wed. Nov. 5th, Goldstream Gazette that corectly labelled the group as a team. The Gazette article, Opposition takes aim at Langford council, by Edward Hill notes, “The opposition team — Steven Hurdle, Michael Mortimore, Herman Surkis and Vern Trew, allied with Ryan Hinton.” A slate is when candidates all subscribe to the same platform and are expected to vote the same. A team is simply a group of people who cooperate to achieve the same over arching goal, and have very different roles and skills and ideas to contribute. Afterall, if there is a slate, if we use the standard definition, voting as a block and espousing the same platform, the only slate running in the current election would be the incumbent councillors, as they appear to have voted unanimously at every council meeting in their last term, except one, and are running on the same platform. So, if people are going to throw the term “‘slate” around, let’s make sure it lands in the correct place.
Steven Hurdle said
I have been quiet on Inside Langford during the election campaign to date, but I feel it’s important to address a recent comment in this thread that is factually inaccurate. And while I see the moderator has commented on this already, I would like to take the opportunity as a member of the team in question to add a few important points.
A few comments back, it was alleged that Michael Mortimore announced a “slate” of candidates at the recent all-candidates meeting. This is a misquote. Mr. Mortimore announced a “team” of candidates, a word that should not be offensive to supporters of the current council as they and their supporters often refer to the current council as a team. If a group is a team, is it not better to be upfront and honest about it rather than hide behind a veneer that suggests one is not? That gives you the opportunity to inform the public about what the team collectively stands for, and what it does not stand for, something that is hard to do when the existence of a team is not officially acknowledged.
A slate is generally considered to be a group that is expected to act like a voting block if elected. The team Mr. Mortimore and I are members of supports democratic renewal, greater accountability, and listening to the public with a greater commitment than Langford voters have yet experienced. Once those changes are in place, the differences between us would become more evident. That’s OK though, if you’re consulting the public, truly listening to that consultation, acting as the public directs, following due process, and doing your darndest to increase public participation in government, then your personal differences become less relevant. And make no mistake, there are differences between team members (how could there not be when you have a retired psychotherapist, a former Green Party candidate, a retail store manager, and a member of the local construction community on a team together!). But we respect each other and will work towards common goals together, and announcing the team allows us to articulate both what those common goals are, and what we individually stand for above and beyond those common goals.
Another reason for creating the team became evident with the mailout that recently hit people’s mailboxes. It allowed us to save resources by having one pamphlet for the four of us, and allowed us to work together in getting important voter information out to the public (which was the focus of our pamphlet, since it didn’t have partisan information on the front or back). I think people prefer that over what happened today, when half-a-dozen separate pieces of political mail arrived separately in many mailboxes.
As a professed supporter of diversity on council, I would submit to you that the voting record does not suggest that we have diversity at present, with only one public vote in the last six years having been observed to not be unanimous. If there have been others, there is no voting record to demonstrate it since at present votes cast against a bylaw or motion that passes are not recorded.
TJ said
Helpful…get on a couple of committees. Come to meetings, go to the Library opening, go check out City Centre park. Have a look around Langford. Some of the “neighbourhoods that are being destroyed…” are actually having their infastructures revamped. The neighbourhoods are getting sewers, sidewalks, drainage. Some (not all, granted) but some of the homes coming down and not wanting to insult anyone on Peatt Rd but some of those houses were waaaayyyy past their prime. I’ve been in a couple over the years and they look like a huge biology experiment gone horribly wrong. All the infastructure that is being upgraded is due to the developers paying the bills. Entire neighbourhoods are being upgraded.
Another example is the new look along Sooke Rd (by the Glen Lake Inn). For those who haven’t seen it — it’s really an improvement. It’ll be pedestrian friendly with a light at Happy Valley so the kids are safer getting across. With Sooke’s population exploding this corridor has been extremely busy— again paid for by the developers.
Some of the change has been positive. One really important thing to remember is that if we gave everyone a project to do– it would be done differently. Everyone is different so therefore, the results will be different. I’m not sure there is a right or wrong — just differences and we have to respect that.
As for “if you had no prior knowledge…” Whatever the situation is you can always say that. That’s what a picture is – just a snapshot in time. I also find it hard to believe that any person would show up to one council meeting and base any kind of definitive decision on it. For every story there is a story behind it. Hopefully, people would attend more than one meeting. I always hope that people will understand that there are strong opinions, people feel passionate about their community, their home.We have to respect their opinions even if we don’t agree.
Lenny said
Edward Hill’s editorial, “Opposition takes aim at Langford Council”, states:
““Councillors try to paint themselves as green and sustainable, but nobody in the room believes that,” Mortimore said to a crowd, where many, in fact, do believe it. “We have to mange the environment and growth in a much more serious way … we are not green in the real sense of the word.””
Here Ed diverts from an otherwise balanced article to show his bias towards the challengers, when he states ‘…where many, in fact, do believe it’.
This is making a statement against a quote from one of the candidates, which he has no right to do in an article that was supposed to be just reporting the event. Did he survey the audience to see if he could find people with this view? No, of course not. Yet he makes this grandious sweeping statement against mr. Hurdle’s statement.
This demonstrates the clear bias the Goldstream Gazette has towards any thought of ‘change’ coming to our council.
Teresa Ackroyd said
This entire debate these past weeks has been about people’s differences and their right to have their opinions aired, and their responsibility to listen meaningfully to others. I think there has been real ‘conversation’ happening here, and am glad the venue is available to all. I hope all posters here and silent readers will express their opinion, in casting their votes on Nov. 15.
I for one have quite enjoyed this website for the exchanges made, I have heard some reasonable arguments and some entrenched bias, and have welcomed the chance to express my own perceptions and prejudices. Like 95% of the population, I am guilty of the sin of sloth and have not been actively involved in local politics, ever, so it has been illuminating to realise just how much time some of our citizens do contribute to running the whole thing (aside from paid staff and council – I mean volunteers). Thank you all, and thank you those who have been persistent in speaking out when they feel a certain lack of meaningful consultation or respect paid to their concerns.
There are those who are happy with the tradeoffs deemed necessary to fulfill the mayor and council’s team vision (I try to be polite and patient with the Saturday traffic in and out of my neighbourhood, after all Costco et al did pay for my sewer upgrade, I just leave the house REALLY EARLY and don’t come home until late), and there are those who are very unhappy, feeling even in physical and financial danger due to the huge projects ongoing. They all deserve to have meaningful dialogue with the people who make these decisions.
Again, it comes down to not everyone wanting things all bright and shiny and cooky-cutter cute. Maybe the people in the ‘less desirable’ homes have no where else to buy (or rent) and really want their 10 square feet of flowers between them and their neighbours just left alone. I absolutely resent the streetlight on my road, it shines in no-ones house nearly as directly or brightly as in my own, but the neighbours all said yes, so I went along with it.
If it means a tax increase to pay for improvements, because a few fewer subdivisions will be rubber-stamped, I have no problem with that. If I could stop the Spencer road interchange and save Skirt Mountain from being obliterated by strip-mine housing, because that is how it will all be paid for, I would.
Herman Surkis said
I also have been reluctant to post due to campaining. However, and yes I will name someone, sort of…TJ (wish I knew your real name) I can totally respect your tone in the comment. We could agree to disagree in the future and likely find common ground. If facts are used to make a point, then not only will you find me listening, but also open to changing my mind.
Even if I were to disagree with what is being said, I wish more would comment like TJ.
RS said
I was so thankfull to receive the pamplet in my mailbox the other day I have been so disapointed with the present council and the develope it dosen’t matter the cost to our wetlands and enviroment if it’s good for Langfords pocket book all in favor say I it will be good to be listened too for a change
Hopefully since no one will challange Mayor Young we can change the council and save some of the green space for our kids it’s not that I am not for developement but it needs to be sustained and at this present rate it can’t be
please get out and VOTE
Pat said
I can only imagine what a difference it would make if we all took our energy and directed it toward making our community a better place.