The election campaign is over, so it is now time for our NEW Township of Langley Municipal Council to put their money where their mouth is. My observation of their first council business meeting sent a strong message that they are doing just that, what a refreshing start!
Their published agenda was long and it contained many items that will be of serious public interest dealing with many of the “Contract with Langley” election commitments and promises. The most relevant and obvious observation, beyond the issues that they dealt with, was the decorum among members of council, the attitude of all members of council that were present towards each other, and in a couple of cases to disagree without being disagreeable.
It was interesting that Councillor Kim Richter was absent from the first regular meeting and yet attended the evenings Public Hearing. No reason was given?
The benefits of having a majority on council were clearly on display, however with that majority comes a very real responsibility on the part of the meeting chair, Mayor Eric Woodward. The meeting was very well chaired displaying a humble willingness to ensure they were not going to be overpowering but were inclusive for comment by all members as well as through a well laid out series of “Notices of Motions”. A special shout out to independent Councillors Margaret Kunst and Michael Pratt for their professional participation expressing their views in what might seem to be a challenging new environment. This meeting shows it can work well. All in all it was a great start; the first meeting of a four-year term and “Contract with Langley”!
I have no problem saying, which I have done recently; the campaign put together by the Contract with Langley team was the best I have seen in over 40 years of being involved in politics. They clearly laid out the issues; they laid out their platform, all the while incorporating their plan of how they were going to pay for their promises. Their presentation was extensive with simple but well put together graphics in signage, print, extensive social media messaging including numerous videos, partnership / endorsement support of community sport groups plus numerous community town hall events. The underlying key feature of everything they were promising, was their need to elect a majority of their team to be able to deliver on their promised platform. They now have their majority, they now have their mandate – now it is time for them to deliver, and it is up to them.
Elections are often treated with a healthy dose of skepticism by the general public in terms of delivering on election promises. Aside from the normal agenda items for 1st and 2nd readings, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd readings, 3rd readings and correspondence items, the following is an abbreviated recap of some key steps this council took in their first meeting to obviously meet the expectations they set through the promises they made. It speaks volumes to their commitment to deliver:
Notice of Motion from Councillor Rindt regarding the Agricultural Land Reserve: Of significant importance was a Notice of Motion on the 93 acre Bucci Developments property at the corner of 64th / Mufford and 208th, serving notice that the Township of Langley WILL NOT support any exclusion application to the ALC of this property. It is “contrary to the public interest due to the quality, location, and Council’s preference to retain agricultural land within the Township of Langley”. This was unanimously supported. NOTE: This property is part of the historical Hudsons Bay Farm that the B.C. Liberal Government, through TransLink in 2009, attempted to run the Mufford Crescent Diversion through the middle of, diverting all traffic over to the corner of 216th and 64th. While it took an extensive two year fight against all of the major players including our Council, our Community Minority Report to the ALC finally won out when I was the Mayor.
Notice of Motion from Mayor Woodward for the Reconsideration of the Conwest Gloucester Application: Primary goal is for the reconsideration and further discussion regarding the Community Amenity Contributions (CACs) for the benefit of the Township of Langley. Majority supported, Councillor Kunst opposed.
Notice of Motion from Mayor Woodward for the Reconsideration of the Qualico Mitchell Williams LLP Application Development Permit No. 101029: Primary goal is for the reconsideration and further discussion surrounding density, road networks and Community Amenity Contributions (CACs) for the benefit of the Township of Langley. Majority supported, Councillor Kunst opposed.
Notice of Motion from Mayor Woodward for the Reconsideration of the Qualico Mitchell Williams LLP Application Development Permit No. 101027 and 101213: Primary goal is for the reconsideration and further discussion surrounding density, road networks and Community Amenity Contributions (CACs) for the benefit of the Township of Langley. Majority supported, Councillor Kunst opposed.
Notice of Motion from Mayor Woodward for a Community Amenity Contributions Policy Update: A very detailed explanation to staff directing staff to prepare an update to Council’s CAC policy based on the detailed explanation outlined. Included was a priority list of the community amenities to be included. This was unanimously supported.
Notice of Motion from Mayor Woodward – Direction to staff for NEW Community and Planning Priorities: A very detailed request to staff for CAC update, complete review and update of neighborhood plans within Willoughby, consolidation of Greenway amenity policies, complete Booth, Rinn and Fernridge neighborhood plans, complete and update Williams Neighborhood Plan, complete and update Smith Neighborhood Plan, and disband the Willowbrook Planning Team to provide a wider spectrum of public input. This was unanimously supported.
Notice of Motion from Mayor Woodward for Willoughby Arterial Road Community Amenity Program (WARCAP) Consolidation with Road DCCs: A direction to staff dealing with a process to update DCC charges and the consolidation of such to advance the need for the promised update to Willoughby Arterial Road improvements. (Example 208th and 80th among others) This was unanimously supported.
Notice of Motion from Councillors Pratt and vanPopta regarding a Final resolution of North Langley Water Issues: A detailed motion directing staff to report back to council a process to cease the use of well water in Fort Langley and implement the service of Metro Vancouver water to this area as soon as possible. This was unanimously supported.
Notice of Motion from Councillor Baillie to add 40 full time firefighters 2023 – 2028: Due to the extensive growth within the Township of Langley and the current understaffing of full time firefighters staff are directed to incorporate the costs of 40 full time firefighters spread over a 5 year time span. This was unanimously supported.
Notice of Motion from Mayor Woodward requesting review of Salmon River Uplands Rural Community Plan: That Council considers any residential subdivision in the Salmon River Uplands area to be contrary to the public interest if subdivided under current minimum parcel sizes and before Council addresses minimum parcel sizes in relation to the review. This was unanimously supported.
Notice of Motion from Mayor Woodward for the initiation of Priority Project Works with initial Preparations: That staff initiate the planning for 1) a NEW Indoor Pool and Community Center within Yorkson Community Park in Willoughby 2) A NEW Soccer Campus within Smith Neighborhood Plan in Willoughby and 3) A NEW Ice and Dry Floor recreation facility at the Langley Events Center in Willoughby. This was unanimously supported.
Notice of Motion from Councillor vanPopta for Council Consideration of project 08-26-0225 (45 Story Vesta Tower) at 80th and 200th Street: In a very detailed notice of motion and reasons for it that Council advise staff to communicate with Vesta Properties in writing that they will not consider (they will deny) the planned 45 story high-rise at this location directing them to complete their previously approved planned community consisting of low rise condominiums and townhouses. This was unanimously supported.
Full Disclosure, I fully support the foregoing initiatives however while I understand the sentiment I totally disagree with the following Notice of Motion and explain why. I am sure many will disagree with my conclusion but think about someone new wanting to run?
Notice of Motion from Councillor Baillie – Election signs to be restricted to Private Property: Direction to staff to bring forward an amendment to the Election and Political Signs by-law prohibiting any and all election signage on Township property.
Editorial opinion – As a political activist, candidate, elected and campaign manager for over 45 years, municipal, provincial and federal, I hate election signs with a passion and more than anyone, however democracy has a price and comes at a cost. It is increasingly difficult for non-incumbents to raise their profile during an election campaign. We are now running elections every 4 years, less frequent elections bring less opportunity to raise community profile. Many will remember our elections were every 2 years. Our new campaign financing laws place further restrictions on anyone interested in running. Three weeks of looking at unsightly election signs, every 4 years is a small price to pay for our democratic process. I would also suggest it is somewhat a conflict-of-interest for an elected Municipal Council to place restrictions on future candidates vying for their jobs. I remember a comment made about damage and theft as a problem – I know that problem better than anyone, it is a fact of life and it is still no excuse to impose these restrictions on future candidates. I would hope that Council will reconsider this move or at the very least have staff prepare a report on election signage policies of surrounding municipalities.
Summary
As is clearly identified in their first agenda, this Council appears to not only want to change how things are done but are determined to move quickly in their efforts, I applaud them for that. It strikes me that this is only the start of implementing the changes the Township of Langley has been looking for, for over two decades. They have to use their majority wisely and if my experience on a Council as part of a slate means anything, there will be conflicts and disagreements – that is healthy. Again you can disagree without being disagreeable!
As I see it, while this is only the first meeting, a lot of hope lies with the residents of the Township of Langley that we are entering a new age that is not controlled by back room lobbyists. It is a great move forward. I will be reporting on the activity and progress of this council on a regular basis over the next four years.
RG
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