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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAAC 2013-05-23 minutes.pdf) / District 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 the Maple Ridge Municipal Hall , 11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, British Columbia, on Thursday, May 23, 2013 at 7:00 pm. COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT Candace Gordon , Chair Stephanie James, Vice chair Bill Hardy Chris Zabek Councillor Bob Masse Craig Speirs Kimberly Lauzon Margaret Daskis STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT Diana Hall Joanne Georgelin COMMITTEE MEMBERS REGRETS Councillor Cheryl Ashlie Tony Pellet Lorraine Bates Community at Large Equestrian Agricultural Sector Community at Large Regional Agrologist, Ministry of Agriculture & Lands Council Liaison, Maple Ridge Haney Farmer's Market Community at Large Community at Large Staff Liaison, Planning Department Committee Clerk Council Liaison, Maple Ridge Agricultural Land Commission Agricultural Fair Board There being no quorum at 7:08 pm the committee decided to discuss item 5 until quorum was achieved. 1. Call to Order & Introductions There being a quorum present, Chair Gordon called the meeting to order at 7:31 pm. 2. Adoption of the Agenda R13-012 Motion was moved and seconded That the Agenda dated May 23, 2013 be adopted CARRIED Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes Pagel of5 Agricultural Advisory Committee Thursday, May 23, 2013 -Regular Meeting Minutes -Draft ") R13-013 3. Adoption of the Agricultural Advisory Committee Regular Meeting Minutes Motion was moved and seconded ) That the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 28, 2013 of the Agricultural Advisory Committee be adopted. Please note the committee returned to item 5 at this time. 4. Delegations & Presentations -Nil 5. Current and Unfinished Business 5.1 6th Biennial AAC Ministry Workshop Discussion Items from Minutes Massey Tunnel replacement: Richmond AAC support CARRIED Stephanie James shared with the committee an overview of Richmond's support for the Massey Tunnel replacement and its potential impact on loss of agricultural land. Tipping fees -deferred Please note Craig Speirs entered the meeting at 7:12pm. The committee being involved in petitions to reclassify land from the ALR Stephanie James reported that Surrey currently has a bylaw in place which gives their agriculture committee the power to look at all applications for land removal and have final say on land removals. Additionally in Surrey a bylaw is in place which states that when 1 acre is removed from the land reserve, 2 equally farm able acres must be put back into the land reserve. Margaret Daskis shared that Metro Vancouver is looking at this 2 for 1 policy as well. Edge planning Diana Hall reported that the municipal OCP has the following requirements in place: 2 -6 Maple Ridge supports and maintains the Urban Area Boundary recognizing the role that it has on limiting urban expansion, preserving community character, reducing land speculation within the Agricultural Land Reserve and protecting the agricultural land base, and in providing for the efficient delivery of services. Adjustments to the Urban Area Boundary: a) will only be supported if the District has an adopted Agricultural Plan; b) will be considered in cooperation with the Agricultural Land Commission and the Greater Vancouver Regional District; and c) will only be conducted during a Comprehensive Official Community Plan review, or Council directed Comprehensive Urban Area Boundary review, and applications considered outside of either review are considered premature. Bylaw enforcement of misused land in Surrey Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes Page2 of5 Agricultural Advisory Committee Thursday, May 23, 2013 -Regular Meeting Minutes -Draft Diana Hall reported that the District has been pursuing a few notable cases and has an active bylaw enforcement team working with the Agriculture Land Commission to investigate properties. Candace Gordon indicated that fall would be an appropriate time for a presentation from Bylaws. Please note the committee returned to items 1, 2 and 3 at this time before continuing with the remaining items in item 5. R13-014 Water rebates for farmland Stephanie James gave an overview of water rebate issue from the Ministry's workshop discussion. Bob Masse reported that water metering is on the matrix for council discussion in June. Motion was moved and seconded That Diana Hall will write a report to council for June 17, 2013 on the access and cost related issues of water resources for the farming community. 5.2 CARRIED Building awareness of agricultural issues Candace Gordon reported that she felt the lecture series completed by this committee has been a good attempt to educate the public on agriculture issues and that building awareness of agricultural issues is also in our work plan. Farm signage Candace Gorden reported that a suggestion was made to use our new logo brand (True North Fraser) on signage to identify agriculture activities in our community which in turn would work to raise the level of awareness of agriculture in our community. Kwantlen underutilized agricultural land study -Stephanie & Kimberly Stephanie James gave a summary of Kwantlen's underutilized agricultural land study currently completed for Surrey. Ms. James noted that Surrey has recently passed various legislations to do with agriculture including; a sustainable policy, urban and rural economic strategies, an agriculture plan bylaw, tree protection bylaw and water bylaws. Chris Zabek commented that the Ministry has looked at this document and has reservations on the statistics within the study. Committee members had a discussion about agriculture properties in production and not in production in our community. 5.3 Reg Ens talk discussion Committee members agreed this was an excellent discussion and interesting information shared during the Reg Ens discussion. Action item: Craig Speirs will distribute his notes from this presentation to the committee. Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes Page 3 of5 ) Agricultural Advisory Committee Thursday, May 23, 2013 -Regular Meeting Minutes -Draft 5.4 Metro Vancouver Odour Bylaw Update Diana Hall reported that an odour bylaw was proposed at Metro Vancouver but not adopted. Stephanie James shared that there is provincial legislation in place covering farm odours stating that "reasonable odour" is ok. 5.5 Farm Tour Discussion -What do we want to see? Pe/tons, Cheese Works, Urban beekeeping, value added? Candace Gordon proposed a farm tour for committee members. Action item: Diana Hall will make arrangements for the farm tour on June 27th beginning at 5:00 pm. 6. New Business -Nil 7. Sub-Committee Reports 7.1 Aprons 7.2 Candace Gordon presented the new aprons with the True North Fraser brand. Ms. Gordon and reported the Haney Farmers Market is using the new brand at the market in signage to identify local farmers/producers. Golden Ears Cheeseworks Long Table Dinner Candace Gordon reported that August 11 is the Long Table Dinner, a fund raiser for the Friends in Need Food Bank. Tickets are available at the Farmers Market or Cheeseworks .. 7.3 Blue Grass Festival Candace Gordon reported the Blue Grass Festival will be located in Maple Ridge this year after 25 years in Chilliwack. She reported that the Festival is using the True North Fraser brand without permission. 7.4 Front Yard Food Garden Contest Candace Gordon reported the information for the Front Yard Food Garden Contest is out to the public and has already generated a newspaper article. Bill Hardy agreed to have an employee judge this contest. Action item: Diana Hall to send the Front Yard Food Garden Contest information to the school district. 7.5 Golden Harvest Candace Gordon reported that Golden Harvest is currently seeking a coordinator for the event and an ad will be posted online starting Friday, May 24. Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes Page4 of5 Agricultural Advisory Committee Thursday, May 23, 2013 -Regular Meeting Minutes -Draft 8. Correspondence-NIL Please note Chris Zabek left the meeting at 9:00 pm. Chair /jg 9. Roundtable Craig Speirs reported the Haney Farmers Market opened on May 4th and has had 2 very successful markets. Candace Gordon reported that the market recently had a Food Revolution Day which included a "What Real Food Means to You" kids contest with 53 entries. Margaret Daskis reported she has been in touch with a person interested in developing the hub and is already in the food producing industry. Bob Masse also commented he knows of 2 other groups looking at the hub. Kimberly Lauzon reported the Food Co-op is moving along and hoping to participate in the Pitt Meadows Day parade. Ms. Lauzon let committee members know of a fundraiser coming up for the Food Co-op at the Billy Minor Pub, in addition they are planning a family picnic day. Ms. Lauzon is working to populate the steering committee and a feasibility study is planned for September. Ms. Lauzon further reported that May 25 is a Neighbourhood Building Seminar at the Pitt Meadows Seniors Centre. Stephanie James reported the SPCA has come up with a draft of new standards for care of horses in the Province. Candace Gordon welcomed the new committee clerk, Joanne Georgelin to the committee. 10. Public Questions and Answers-Nil 11. 12. Next Meeting - Agenda Deadline - Adjournment Thursday, June 27, 2013 (Farm tour) Thursday, June 13, 2013 9:18pm Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes Page 5 of5