Staff Report (Parks & Recreation) - Goldstream Farmers Market Society – 2017-2019 Agreement

2nd Floor · 877 Goldstream Avenue · Langford, BC Canada · V9B 2X8
T · 250-478-7882 F · 250-478-7864

Date:

December 5, 2016

Department:

Parks & Recreation

Subject:

Goldstream Farmers Market Society– 2017-2019 Agreement

Background

The Goldstream Farmers Market Society (previously known as the Luxton Station Market Society), has been operating in Langford since 2010. The Market started out on Bryn Maur Avenue and relocated to Veterans Memorial Park in 2014. The current agreement expired in October of 2016 and the recently elected board has expressed their wish to continue their association with the City of Langford. A new agreement taking into account last year’s addition of the sales of alcohol would form a part of the agreement.

Commentary

In 2016, a request was made to add the sales of alcohol to the Market. In a report to Council on April 4, 2016, Council approved (Attachment A) 1) two liquor vendors on a temporary basis for the purpose of tasting and selling one bottle only of locally bottled wine, cider or mead at the park for one season; and 2) that Councillor Lillian Szpak was asked to meet with representatives of the Market and Langford liquor store vendors at the end of the 2016 season to determine the effect and financial implications to the liquor store vendors in Langford.

On November 23, 2016, a meeting with Councillor Szpak, representatives of the Market Society, the Langford Liquor store vendors and city staff, concluded that the temporary trial proved very successful and had no detrimental impacts on the store vendors or community at large. Regular inspections of the area involved at the park were undertaken every 15 minutes to ensure compliance with the directions given and that there were no interactions with children or underage persons.

The liquor store vendors felt that the introduction of the vendors actually enhanced their exposure and that of local producers; they supported the inclusion of the liquor sales at the Goldstream Market in a new agreement with the City. As well, the Market operates under the same regulations as the liquor store vendors so it was determined that there was not an unfair advantage being given to the Market vendors.

The Market would like to add the inclusion of the sale of two (2) bottles per vendor in a new agreement versus last year’s one (1) bottle per vendor. They will retain the existing 2 alcohol vendors per Market opening; the Market rotates these vendors so as to enhance the variety and exposure of the various local producers. The liquor store vendors were in agreement with the changes as proposed.

Financial Implications

None.

Legal Implications

None.

Options

That Council:

Direct staff to develop a new agreement for the 2017-2019 seasons including the sales of alcohol as requested;

Or,

Direct staff to develop a new agreement for the 2017-2019 seasons that does not include the sales of alcohol as requested;

Or,

Direct staff to develop a new agreement for the 2017-2019 seasons but maintain the current sales of one (1) bottle per vendor;

Or,

Decline to grant a new agreement at this time.

Respectfully Submitted,

Submitted by:
Mike Leskiw, Parks and Recreation Manager

Concurrence:
Matthew Baldwin, MCIP, RPP Director of Planning

Concurrence:
Lorne Fletcher, Manager of Community Safety and Municipal Enforcement

Concurrence:
Michelle Mahovlich, P.Eng, P.Geo, Director of Engineering

Concurrence:
Steve Ternent, Director of Finance

Concurrence:
Jim Bowden, Chief Administrative Officer

ML/sel

Key facts