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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAAC 2019-02-28 agenda.pdfCity of Maple Ridge AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE AGENDA Thursday, February 28, 2019 7:00 pm Blaney Room, Maple Ridge City Hall 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA 3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES – January 24, 2019 4. DELEGATIONS 5. QUESTION PERIOD 6. NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS 6.1. Metro Vancouver AAC Request for Representative 6.2. Incorporation of Agriculture on City of Maple Ridge Website 6.3. Prioritization of Agricultural Plan Action Items 7. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS 7.1. Education 7.2. Backyard Hens 7.3. Food Distribution 8. CORRESPONDENCE 8.1. Upcoming Events April 2, 2019 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Innovation in Emerging Cities The ACT Arts Centre Organizer: City of Maple Ridge April 4, 2019 7:00 pm Let’s Get Farming Maple Ridge City Hall, Council Chambers Organizer: Agricultural Advisory Committee April 13, 2019 10:00 am – 2:00 pm Earth Day Memorial Peace Park, Bandstand (11900 224 Street) Organizer: Ridge Meadows Recycling Society 9. ROUNDTABLE 10. ADJOURNMENT Next Meeting: March 28, 2019 Agenda Submission Deadline: March 14, 2019 QUESTION PERIOD Question Period provides the public with the opportunity to ask questions or make comments on subjects that are of concern to them. Each person will be given 2 minutes to speak. Up to ten minutes in total is allotted for Question Period. /aa City of Maple Ridge AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING The Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Agricultural Advisory Committee, held in the Blaney Room, at Maple Ridge Municipal Hall on January 24, 2019 at 7:03 pm. ____________________________________________________________________________________ COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT Councillor Gordy Robson City of Maple Ridge Councillor Ryan Svendsen City of Maple Ridge Bill Hardy, Chair Member at Large Al Kozak, Vice Chair Agricultural Sector Andrew Pozsar Member at Large Carla Schiller Agricultural Sector Chris Zabek Regional Agrologist, Ministry of Agriculture Ian Brooks Member at Large Lorraine Bates Agricultural Fair Board Pascale Shaw Agricultural Sector Ryan Murphy Agricultural Sector STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT Amanda Grochowich Staff Liaison / Planning Department Amanda Allen Committee Clerk ABSENT David Kaplan Member at Large Josef Hans Lara Economic Development Committee Representative Candace Gordon Haney Farmers Market Society Note: Councillor Ryan Svendsen chaired the meeting as the presiding member. 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA R/2019-001 It was moved and seconded That the January 24, 2019 Agricultural Advisory Committee agenda be approved as circulated. CARRIED 3. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES R/2019-002 It was moved and seconded That the minutes of the Maple Ridge Agricultural Advisory Committee meeting dated November 29, 2018 be adopted. CARRIED Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes January 24, 2019 Page 2 of 4 4. DELEGATIONS - Nil 5. NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS Note: Carla Schiller joined the meeting at 7:07 pm 5.1. 2019 Chair and Vice Chair Elections The staff liaison opened the floor to nominations for a Chair R/2019-003 It was moved and seconded That Bill Hardy be elected Chair of the Agricultural Advisory Committee for 2019. CARRIED The staff liaison opened the floor to nominations for a Vice Chair. R/2019-004 It was moved and seconded That Al Kozak be elected Vice Chair of the Agricultural Advisory Committee for 2019. CARRIED Note: Bill Hardy assumed the Chair. 5.2. 2019 Subcommittee Appointments The staff liaison provided a summary of the 2018 subcommittees and there was discussion on the formation of subcommittees for the 2019 term. R/2019-005 It was moved and seconded That a subcommittee be formed consisting of Andrew Poszar, Pascale Shaw, and Lorraine Bates to participate in the development of a Backyard Chicken program for the 2019 term. CARRIED R/2019-006 It was moved and seconded That a subcommittee be formed consisting of Al Kozak and Chris Zabek to organize educational events on food and agriculture for the 2019 term. CARRIED R/2019-007 It was moved and seconded That a subcommittee be formed consisting of Al Kozak, Ian Brooks, and Ryan Murphy to pursue the development of key components of a local food distribution system for the 2019 term. CARRIED Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes January 24, 2019 Page 3 of 4 R/2019-008 It was moved and seconded That a subcommittee be formed consisting of Pascale Shaw, Carla Schiller, and Ryan Murphy to organize and support the 2019 Food Garden Contest. CARRIED R/2019-009 It was moved and seconded That a subcommittee be formed consisting of Lorraine Bates to organize and support the 2019 Golden Harvest. CARRIED 5.3. Educational Event – Proposal Update Al Kozak summarized the education event proposal “Let’s Get Farming”. Mr. Kozak advised of the tentative commitment from Kent Mullinex and Kim Grout and outlined their potential speaking points. There was discussion on panel members and it was suggested that a speaker versed in farm trusts could provide interesting insights. Mr. Kozak reported on possible venue locations. The price of event admission and sponsorship opportunities were discussed. R/2019-010 It was moved and seconded That the proposal for an education event “Let’s Get Farming” in Spring 2019 be accepted and a maximum of $500.00 be approved for use by the organizing committee in the development of the event. CARRIED 5.4. Prioritization of Agricultural Plan Action Items The Chair reviewed the short list of agricultural plan action items. There was discussion on items to include as part of the 2019 work plan. The item will be included on the next agenda and members are to bring specific actions that fit under the four short list items. Members will consider the items and develop a work plan for Council review. 6. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS 6.1. Food Distribution The subcommittee will be meeting to develop a community capacity workshop. The Chair recently attended a Fraser Valley Farm Direct Marketing Association workshop where the Manager of the Vancouver Farmers Market Direct gave a presentation on the mobile food hub in Vancouver. An invitation will be extended to the Manger of the Vancouver Farmers Market Direct to appear as a delegation. Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes January 24, 2019 Page 4 of 4 6.2. True North Fraser The Chair reported on the identified next steps in the evaluation and analysis of the True North Fraser brand. 7. CORRESPONDENCE 7.1. Metro Vancouver 2019 Agriculture Awareness Grants The staff liaison reported Metro Vancouver is accepting applications from non-profit organizations for the 2019 Agriculture Awareness grants and encouraged members to promote the information. 8. QUESTION PERIOD - Nil 9. ROUNDTABLE The Metro Vancouver Agricultural Advisory Committee has invited Maple Ridge to nominate a representative to the committee. Council has requested that the Committee select from its membership a member to participate on the Metro Vancouver AAC. The invitation will be circulated to members and included as an item on the next meeting for discussion. AgriService BC webinar “What To Do When Your Birds Are Sick” is scheduled for February 13, 2019 at 2:00 pm. Members reported out on relevant local agricultural topics and activities. 10. ADJOURNMENT – 8:54 pm. Bill Hardy, Chair /aa & metrovancouver .. SERVICES AND SOLUTIONS FOR A LIVABLE REGION DEC O 7 2018 Mayor Mike Morden and Council City of Maple Ridge 11995 Haney Place Maple Ridge, BC V2X 6A9 VIA EMAIL: mmorden@mapleridge.ca Dear Mayor Morden and Council: Office of the Chair Tel. 604.432-6215 Fax 604.451-6614 File: CR-14-01-AGR Re: Nominations for Membership on Metro Vancouver's Agricultural Advisory Committee This letter is to invite you to nominate a member to sit on Metro Vancouver Regional District's (Metro Vancouver) Agricultural Advisory Committee {AAC) for a four-year term starting in 2019. Metro Vancouver has had an AAC since 1994 to provide advice and recommendations to the standing committee responsible for matters related to the protection of agricultural land and the viability of agriculture in the region. The AAC also serves as a regional forum for sharing information on local agriculture. Previous recommendations to the Metro Vancouver Board have contributed to the award of agricultural awareness grants and policy proposals to address non-farm use of agricultural land. The AAC also provides advice to staff on the potential implications of Metro Vancouver's activities and policy decisions for agriculture in the region. The AAC membership is drawn from nominations received from member jurisdictions, agricultural organizations and educational institutions. We are seeking individuals who are committed to supporting local farming and the future viability of the region's agricultural industry. The membership will represent a diversity of expertise and a range of agricultural commodities from both urban and rural areas of the region. The AAC Terms of Reference are attached. Please reply with your nomination and their contact information by Wednesday, February 20, 2019. If you have any questions, contact Theresa Duynstee, Senior Regional Planner by phone at 604-451-6024 or by email at theresa.duynstee@metrovancouver.org. Yours truly, C r-d, Ji / · / (, / 9h' ~ c.-10 "- SavDna I iwa I Chair, Metro Vancouver Board SD/NC/HM/td Encl: Agricultural Advisory Committee Terms of Reference (Doc 1127752443) 27655715 4730 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC, Canada VSH 0C6 I 604-432-6200 I metrovancouver.org Metro Vancouver Regional D istric t I Greater Vancouver Water District I Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District I Metro Vancouver Housing Corporation 27752443 Agricultural Advisory Committee Terms of Reference The Agricultural Advisory Committee (AAC) is a committee comprised of stakeholder representatives that provides advice and recommendations to the standing committee responsible for matters related to the protection of agricultural land and the viability of agriculture in the region (“Standing Committee”). Committee Responsibilities Within the context of the Board Strategic Plan, MVRD Board policies and Metro Vancouver 2040: Shaping Our Future, the AAC exists to raise, and provide insight on, important agricultural issues in the Metro Vancouver region. The AAC’s specific responsibilities include the following: • Agriculture in the Region – The AAC provides advice and recommendations to the Standing Committee on: − Actions to protect agricultural land and promote the viability of farming in the region; − Recipients for the Agricultural Awareness grants funded by Metro Vancouver; − Opportunities to raise awareness of the contributions made by agriculture to the sustainability of the region; and − Other matters related to agriculture that the Standing Committee refers to the ACC, or that AAC itself identifies. • Implications for Agriculture – The AAC identifies and provides advice to staff and the Standing Committee on the potential implications of Metro Vancouver’s service activities and policy decisions for agriculture in the region. • Information and Perspectives – The AAC serves as a forum for the exchange of technical information and policy perspectives on agricultural issues in the region. Committee Membership The membership is based on nominations from member municipalities, agricultural organizations and educational institutions and selected agencies. Initial appointments are made in the months following the regular local government general elections, and before the AAC’s inaugural meeting. The Chair of the MVRD Board appoints one MVRD Director to the AAC. One representative each from the British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and the Agricultural Land Commission may also be appointed. All three of these representatives are non-voting members, and do not form part of the quorum calculation. Apart from the one non-voting MVRD Director, local elected officials, including members of municipal councils, are not eligible to serve as members of the AAC. All members are appointed for a four-year term by the Chair of the Metro Vancouver Regional District (MVRD) Board except the MVRD Director, who is appointed annually. In the event that a member is ~ metrovancouver • SERVICES ANO SOLU T IONS FOR A LIVABLE REGION no longer able to participate, an alternate representative from the nominating organization can be appointed by the Chair of the MVRD Board for the remainder of the term. The AAC consists of a maximum of twenty (20) members who, as a collective, represent a diversity of agricultural producer groups, member municipalities, food-related organizations, agricultural educators and urban agriculture practitioners. Up to seventeen (17) members are voting members, and up to three (3) are non-voting members. Agricultural producers should comprise the majority of voting members of the Committee at all times. The members of the AAC elect a Committee Chair and Vice Chair at the first meeting of each calendar year. Committee Meetings The AAC meets four to five times per year. The regular location for meetings will be the Metro Vancouver’s Head Office, but one meeting a year can be held in an alternate location in the Lower Mainland. Meetings of the AAC are generally open to the public, unless there are confidential matters to be discussed in a meeting closed to the public. A quorum of 50% plus one of the voting members of the AAC membership is required to conduct AAC business. Each voting member of the AAC has one vote on each matter; a simple majority of votes decides every matter. A meeting room and minute taking services shall be provided by Metro Vancouver. Meeting minutes, which will be provided for each meeting, shall be forwarded to the Regional Planning Committee for information. Committee Management The AAC Chair, or in the absence of the Chair, the Vice Chair, is the chief spokesperson on matters of public interest within the AAC’s purview. If the AAC passes a resolution intended for the Standing Committee, the Agricultural Advisory Committee Chair or the MVRD Director appointed to the AAC will speak on behalf of the AAC to the Standing Committee. On technical matters or in cases where an initiative is still at the staff proposal level, the Director of Regional Planning is the appropriate spokesperson. Where necessary and practical, the AAC Chair, Standing Committee Chair and the Regional Planning Director confer to determine the most appropriate representative to speak. The Division Manager of Electoral Area A and Environment is the Committee Manager for the AAC. The Committee Manager or their delegate is responsible for coordinating agendas and serves as the principal point of contact for AAC members. Page 1 of 2 Memorandum _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ To: Agricultural Advisory Committee From: Bill Hardy, Chair Date: February 28, 2019 Subject: Prioritization of Agricultural Plan Action Items In November 2018 the former AAC reviewed the Agriculture Plan that was generated in 2009 and prioritized and reorganized the original 13 goals into four new more all-encompassing goals. Below is a summary of how we got to those four goals and some current or suggested actions. The challenge now is to review those goals and identify three to five strategic and actionable items that the committee can focus on during the next two to three years. These can be in addition to current activities e.g. Golden Harvest. These recommendations will then be forwarded to Council for information and/or approval as required. Please review the comments below (refer to the original table for clarification if required) so that you are able to come to the February 28th meeting prepared to accomplish this important task. Really there are only two focus areas to look at for this meeting, items two and three. Item one will be dealt with separately and it my belief that item four blends into items two and three. As you are reviewing these priorities please bear in mind that any suggestions must meet the ‘goal test’ of being both specific and doable. For example, saying ‘provide more public education about local farming to the general public’, does not meet the ‘goal test’ as it is not specific enough to be actionable. Saying that our goal is for the committee to have a booth at Country Fest with an awesome display and a professionally produced handout that encourages supporting the local farming community does. I am looking forward to the discussion at the meeting. We will be limited to roughly 30 minutes so please take some time to jot down a few goals before the meeting. If you feel there are goals within the original table that are not covered in the four priorities identified, please bring them forward, however, please do make sure that they meet the goal test. Prioritization of Agricultural Plan Action Items Short List November 29, 2018 AAC Meeting: 1. Explore the viability of developing an Agricultural Land Trust in the region; o Redeveloped from the original Goal 1– Increase Access to Underutilized Agricultural Land. It was felt that the original goal was outside the scope of influence of the committee. o It was suggested that a City owned land trust may be an effective long-term solution to help solve the issue of the affordability / profitability of farming. City owned land in the trust could be leased back to farmers at a more affordable rate. o Next step – Chair to research existing models and bring back a recommendation for the committee. o Status – not started. MAPLE RIDGE British Columbia Page 2 of 2 2. Explore Economic Development Opportunities for local agricultural producers; o Developed from original Goal 4 – Develop the Local Distribution and Marketing System and Goal 7 – Develop Local Food System Infrastructure Capacity. o Could be considered to touch on Goal 8 – Increase the Diversity of Agricultural Activity as more agricultural diversity may enhance economic development, although most of the original points in goal 8 are outside the scope of the committee. o Research has been completed on the development of a Maple Ridge based food hub. o We are reaching out to VFM – Farm Direct. o True North Fraser Brand development. 3. Further develop educational opportunities for farmers, land-owners and the general community; o Developed from original Goals 2 and 3 to improve the knowledge base of farmers and the general public. o Includes current activities with Golden Harvest and the Haney Farmers Market. o Develop further educational opportunities for farmers and the general public. May include resources posted on the Maple Ridge website. o Explore potential to provide opportunities for community gardening, allotment gardens, and urban demonstration plots. o Include educational elements aimed at reducing stress between farmers and their neighbours in an urban environment. 4. Further develop marketing opportunities of local agricultural products, producers, and opportunities. o Wrapped into the two items above?