HomeMy WebLinkAboutAAC 2014-01-23 minutes.pdfAgricultural Advisory Committee Minutes Page 1 of 6
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, January 23, 2014 at 7:00 pm.
______________________________________________________________________
________
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Candace Gordon Community at Large
Councillor Cheryl Ashlie Council Liaison, Maple Ridge
Chris Zabek Regional Agrologist, Ministry of Agriculture & Lands
Craig Speirs Haney Farmer’s Market
Kimberly Lauzon Community at Large
Lorraine Bates Agricultural Fair Board
Margaret Daskis Community at Large
Bill Hardy Community at Large
Georgina Rodriguez Agricultural Sector
Ian Brooks Community at Large
Stephanie James Equestrian Agricultural Sector
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT
Diana Hall Staff Liaison, Planning Department
Joanne Georgelin Committee Clerk
COMMITTEE MEMBERS REGRETS
Tony Pellet Agricultural Land Commission
Councillor Bob Masse Council Liaison, Maple Ridge
Al Kozak Agricultural Sector
Karoline deVries Economic Advisory Commission
1.Call to Order & Introductions
There being a quorum present, Chair Gordon called the meeting to order at 7:09 pm.
Introductions and welcome were made.
2.Adoption of the Agenda
R14-001 Motion was moved and seconded
That the Agenda dated January 23 , 201 4 be adopted with the following amendment :
Item 4.1 be deferred to a future date.
CARRIED
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3.Adoption of the Agricultural Advisory Committee Regular Meeting Minutes
R14-002 Motion was moved and seconded
That the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 24,2013 be adopted with the
following amendment:
Item 1: Stephanie James chaired the meeting.
Item 2: Remove the words “addition of ”.
CARRIED
4.Delegations & Presentations - Deferred
4.1 Tentative Perspectives of New Emerging Farmers- Attendees of
Richmond
Farm School.
5.Current & Unfinished Business
5.1 True North Fraser Program – staff report attached
Diana Hall reviewed the staff report regarding the True North Fraser
signage program which recently went before Council.
Councillor Ashlie commented on Council’s viewpoint regarding this report
which was sent back to the Committee for final review become returning to
Council again.
Ms. Hall informed members that Sandy Blue from Strategic Economic
Initiatives will be attending a future Council meeting to further explain how
the Invest North Fraser brand was developed.
R14-003 Motion was moved and seconded
That the Agricultural Advisory Committee accepts the staff report titled True
North Fraser Program and refer this document back to council.
CARRIED
Craig Speirs pointed out that private signs will roll out first with this
program and noted that Mission and Pitt Meadows are already onboard
with their online presence of the True North Fraser brand.
Diana Hall clarified that the True North Fraser brand trademark research is
a line item in this year’s budget for AAC.
5.2 Business Planning – 2014-2018
Diana hall reviewed the business plan for 2014-2018. Notable items in the
budget include:
o Implementation of the Agricultural Plan
o Bike Tour
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o Signage program
o Recruiting new members
o Agricultural land inventory
Please note: Committee members chose to discuss another topic at this time.
5.3 Recommended budget to be distributed
Diana Hall reviewed the recommended budget with the committee for
2014.
Kimberly Lauzon explained about the proposed 2014 bike tour item.
Diana Hall clarified that the signage program will not just include signs, but
will also be used for promotions regarding the True North Fraser brand.
Ms. Hall explained that the brand trademark item on the budget is an
estimate which has come from the District staff.
Craig Speirs suggested a re-launch of the True North Fraser brand could
be appropriate this year and suggested we host a regional agricultural
meeting to help with exposure of this brand. Candace Gordon suggested
this meeting could be part of the “committee development” item which
already has funds set aside for items such as this.
R14-004 Motion was moved and seconded
That the line item Golden Harvest be reduced to $4,000 from $5,000 with the $1,000
being relocated to the Grants line item.
CARRIED
R14-005 Motion was moved and seconded
That the 2014 AAC budget be adopted as presented with the exception of the above
noted motion regarding Golden Harvest.
CARRIED
5.4 Update from Strategic Economic Initiatives Department
Diane Hall discussed a recent email she received from Strategic Economic
Initiatives with the subject of the True North Fraser brand. Ms. Hall
explained that Sandy Blue, Manager of Strategic Economic Initiates
suggested the AAC cost share a “rack card” with them promoting the brand
and would go out in the tax notices. The AAC’s estimated share would be
$400. Further discussions with Strategic Economic Initiatives focused on a
recommended ‘meet and greet’ with the CHC committee and other
committees of council used to promote communications between
committees and to look at joint work. This could happen as early as March
2014.
R14-006 Motion was moved and seconded
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That the AAC agree to a networking meeting titled “intersections ”for March where
AAC would collaborate with the other committees of council for the sharing of
knowledge.
CARRIED
Please note: A subcommittee was struck including Kim Lauzon, Margaret Daskis,
and Craig Speirs to work on the networking conference as noted above.
5.5 Food Security (Regional Food Strategy Roundtable)
Margaret Daskis gave an update on the November 20th Regional Food
Strategy Roundtable she recently attended with Kim Lauzon.
5.6 Small Lot Farming workshop
Bill Hardy gave a brief overview of the recent Small Lot Farming workshop he
attended where attendance was well over the anticipated numbers.
Councillor Ashlie proposed the AAC write a letter to ask if we could be a location
for one of these workshops in the future.
6.Sub-committee Reports
6.1 Front Yard Food Garden Contest & Council Presentation
Stephanie James updated members regarding the Front Yard Food Garden
Contest and explained the awards were presented at a Council meeting this year instead
of at the Golden Harvest. It was well received.
6.2 Golden Harvest – nil
7.Correspondence
7.1 City of Salmon Arm letter to BC AAC’s.Core review –Agricultural Land
Commission
Candace Gordon reviewed this letter which Salmon Arm sent in support of the ALC.
Councillor Ashlie confirmed that Council received a copy of this letter as well.
R14-007 Motion was moved and seconded
That AAC adopt the recommendation as written to BC AAC by the City of Salmon
Arm and recommend that Council write a letter of support for the Agricultural Land
Commission.
CARRIED
8.Roundtable
Candace Gordon shared that the CBC was recently at the Billy Minor Ale House and
featured Mayor Daykin and Brian Underhill from the ALC who discussed the agriculture
land reserve.
Councillor Ashlie noted that Council had an application to put 5 acres into the land
reserve.
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Craig Speirs commented that February 17 is the Haney Farmers Market AGM and that
this year marks the 10th anniversary of the Farmers Market.
Stephanie James commented that she discovered recently that only licensed farmers
can purchase rodent control products.
Lorraine Bates gave an update on the Agricultural Fair Board and that this year the fair
will be celebrating two centennials.One will be the Pitt Meadows Centennial with a
display of agriculture from a Pitt Meadows perspective and the second is the 100th
anniversary of the 4H in BC. The fair will also be hosting the 4H alumni celebration.
Ian Brooks expressed his gratitude to be part of this committee and commented that the
Farmers Market is trying to set-up a seed exchange program this year.
Kim Lauzon reported that a request for a name for the Food Coop has recently happened
and that they are hoping to incorporate on March 4th.
Margaret Daskis reported that a gluten free expo is happening this weekend at the PNE,
and her facility is now a certified gluten free blending facility.Ms.Daskis also noted she
was contacted recently by a company in China is looking for blueberry growers that
would like to sign a 100 year agreement with them.
Chris Zabek commented that the Pacific Agriculture Show is coming up next week,
Thursday to Saturday.
9.Public Questions and Answers
Ken Knechtel, a local farmer posed the following questions to AAC:
Can farmers get a at cost rate for water?
Why are agricultural vehicles not exempted from tolls on the bridges?
Could farmers access the District owned liquid fueling stations (with their own
cards) due to the fact there is no where local for farm fuel.
Ken further suggested that,although the signage program is interesting,it may be a
good idea to ask farmers who would utilize it.He further commented there are several
drainage issues in Silver Valley.
The AAC reported that they will take these questions and comments into consideration
for discussion at a future meeting.
10.Next Meeting -Thursday, February 27, 2014
Agenda Deadline -Monday, February 12, 2014
11.Adjournment 9:10 pm
________________________________
Chair
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