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Home My WebLink AboutAAC 2013-02-28 minutes.pdfJ 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, February 28, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT Councillor Bob Masse Councillor Cheryl Ashlie Candace Gordon Margaret Daskis Stephanie James Craig Speirs Kimberly Lauzon Bill Hardy Lorraine Bates Chris Zabek STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT Diana Hall Christina Stewart Guests Steve Wynnyk Tom Hemminger COMMITTEE MEMBERS REGRETS Tony Pellet 1. Call to Order & Introductions Council Liaison, Maple Ridge Council Liaison, Maple Ridge Community at Large Community at Large Equestrian Agricultural Sector Haney Farmer's Market Community at Large Community at Large Agricultural Fair Board Regional Agrologist, Ministry of Agriculture & Lands Staff Liaison, Planning Department Committee Clerk Agricultural Land Commission Please note that Candace Gordon assumed the role of Chair at this meeting. There being a quorum present, Candace Gordon called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Introductions were made. 1.1 Appointment of the Chair & Vice-Chair -Deferred Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes Page 1 of5 _J Agricultural Advisory Committee Thursday, February 28, 2013 -Regular Meeting Minutes 2. Adoption of the Agenda R13-001 3. R13-002 Motion was moved and seconded That the Agenda dated February 28, 2013 be adopted with the following addition: • Item 5.6 Sixth Biennial AAC workshop -March 13, 2013 Minutes of the Agricultural Advisory Committee Regular Meeting Motion was moved and seconded CARRIED That the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Agricultural Advisory Committee of November 28, 2012 be adopted. CARRIED 4. Delegations & Presentations -Nil 5. Current and Unfinished Business 5.1 Welcome new members and getting to know one another 5.2 Medical Marijuana Bylaw update Diana Hall provided an update on the proposed Medical Marijuana Bylaw highlighting some of the restrictions of the draft Bylaw. This Bylaw will be presented to Council on Monday, March 4, 2013 5.3 Kwantlen Polytechnic University Proposal -A Food System Design and Implementation Plan for Southwest British Columbia Diana Hall informed the Committee that Kwantlen Polytechnic University has sent an invoice for funding but has not met all the restrictions established by the Committees resolution. Therefore, Ms. Hall is still in contact with the University and has not released any of the funding for the project. Action Item: Diana Hall to provide the Committee with information on the "Turning Fallow Agricultural Land into Productive land again" study being done in Surrey. 5.4 Review the Work plan Highlights -2013 Deliverables Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes Page2 of5 Agricultural Advisory Committee Thursday, February 28, 2013 -Regular Meeting Minutes R13-003 Diana Hall circulated and reviewed the Work Plan Highlights -2013 Del iverables from the District of Maple Ridge Agricultural Advisory Committee Addendum 2013 - 2017 starting on page two. Chris Zabek informed the Committee that the Agriculture Inventory mapping report is still being drafted for Pitt Meadows but will be ready shortly. The Maple Ridge report will be ready in late spring, early summer. The Committee discussed how the AAC Committee has supported various projects in the past including: • Provide funding for the speakers at the Agricultural fair. • Purchase gifts from the Haney Farmers Market • Agricultural recognition Awards • Front yard food garden awards Action item: Diana Hall to investigate the Agricultural award presented by the Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows Chamber of Commerce. Margaret Daskis informed the Committee that Metro Vancouver has just completed a research study to develop an Agricultural Water Demand Model assessing the present and future water demands in the lower mainland up to the year 2050. The report includes soil quality assessment and agricultural water demands. The Committee was interested in viewing this report. Motion was moved and seconded That a SulrCommittee consisting of Stephanie James, Margaret Daskis, and Diana Hall be formed to assemble a proposed 2013 AAC Committee Budget. CARRIED 5.5 March 7 Agricultural Brand Launch Diana Hall announced that the Committee is invited to the Agricultural Brand Launch event. She advised that the event is funded by the District of Maple Ridge implementation fund. 5.6 2013 Sixth Biennial AAC workshop -March 13, 2013 Diana Hall advised the Committee that she is looking for three representatives from the Committee to attend the Sixth Biennial AAC workshop on Wednesday, March 13, 2013 from 9:00 am to 4:00pm. Kim Lauzon, Stephanie James, and Councillor Cheryl Ashlie (two alternates Craig Speirs and Candace Gordon) will attend the Sixth Biennial AAC Workshop on March 13, 2013. 6. New Business Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes Page 3 of5 -. . Agricultural Advisory Committee Thursday, February 28, 2013 -Regular Meeting Minutes 6.1 2013 Meeting Schedule Diana Hall reviewed the 2013 Meeting Schedule with the Committee. The Committee suggested touring a farm or two in July 2013. Action Item: The date of the next meeting is to be added to the end of each agenda. 7. Sub-Committee Reports 7.1 Golden Harvest Event -review of event and budget - Candace Gordon advised to the Committee that a sub committee must be formed for this years' upcoming Golden Harvest event that will take place October 18, 2013. Kim Lauzon, Stephanie James and Candace Gordon agreed to be part of a sub- committee to organize the 2013 Golden Harvest event. 8. Correspondence 8.1 Agricultural Brand material 9. Roundtable Councillor Cheryl Ashlie -suggested an Agricultural Fair representative report back to council with about the loss of funding for the Agricultural Fair. This could be on the next agenda. Councillor Bob Masse -reported he is pleased to see good things happening with the Agricultural Branding launch, the Haney Farmers Market and the Agricultural Fair. Candace Gordon -reported several AAC Committee members from last year have not returned to the Committee this year and recommended sending letters of Thank You and a small gift to them for their service. The Committee decided the gift will be from Haney Farmers Market products. Action Item: Diana Hall to bring Thank You cards for the former Committee members that served last year to the next meeting. Margaret Daskis -reported the Agriculture Awareness Brand increased funding this year and the application deadline is coming up. Ms. Daskis encouraged agricultural groups to combine efforts to qualify for this grant. Stephanie James -reported the Langley AAC Committee is setting up a group to address the propane issue for horse farms and collect data on it. Golden Ears Park Management had a meeting to get input from the public regarding plans to manage the animals and maintain the park. Many groups came and provided feedback. Craig Speirs -reported the Haney Farmers Market is looking forward to the new season and applications went out February 15, 2013. Last year, the money per attendee went up. Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes Page 4 of5 _J Agricultural Advisory Committee Thursday, February 28, 2013 -Regular Meeting Minutes Kimberly Lauzon -reported that she is having marketing analysis done for a potential local Food Co-op store in Maple Ridge. Bill Hardy -reported he is happy to be a new member of the Committee. Lorraine Bates -reported she has been applying for grants for the Maple Ridge Agricultural Fair. The fair has been getting Provincial attention and won another award from BC fairs association. One of the key factors to its success is having free admission. Last year the Agricultural Fair had almost as many 4H groups as the PNE. Chris Zabek -nil Diana Hall -advised that a local garden shop is giving a talk on prepping gardens for maximum vegetable yields. 10. Public Questions and Answers 11. 12. /cs Tom Hemminger -reported he will think about applying to be a member of the AAC Committee. Steve Wynnyk -reported his cattle farm is doing well partly due to the current low price of Barley. Next Meeting -Thursday, March 28, 2013 7:00 p.m. Blaney Room, Maple Ridge Municipal Hall Agenda Deadline -Wednesday, March 13, 2013 Adjournment -9:14pm Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes Page 5 of5