The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutAAC 2014-03-27 minutes.pdfAgricultural Advisory Committee Minutes Page 1 of 5 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, March 27, 2014 at 7:00 pm. ______________________________________________________________________ ________ COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT Stephanie James, Chair Equestrian Agricultural Sector Al Kozak Agricultural Sector Margaret Daskis Community at Large Chris Zabek Regional Agrologist, Ministry of Agriculture & Lands Bill Hardy Community at Large Councillor Cheryl Ashlie Council Liaison, Maple Ridge Candace Gordon Community at Large Ian Brooks Community at Large Georgina Rodriguez Agricultural Sector STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT Diana Hall Staff Liaison, Planning Department Joanne Georgelin Committee Clerk COMMITTEE MEMBERS REGRETS Tony Pellet Agricultural Land Commission Lorraine Bates Agricultural Fair Board Craig Speirs Haney Farmer’s Market Kimberly Lauzon, Vice-chair Community at Large Councillor Bob Masse Council Liaison, Maple Ridge GUESTS Mike Pym Environmental Technician, District of Maple Ridge 1.Call to Order & Introductions There being a quorum present,Stephanie James called the meeting to order at 7:08 pm and introductions were made. 2.Adoption of the Agenda R14-011 Motion was moved and seconded That the Agenda dated March 27 , 201 4 be adopted with the following amendments; Add Item 5.10 Noxious Weed Policy Add Item 5.11 Hammond Area Plan Agricultural Advisory Committee Thursday, March 27, 2014 - Regular Meeting Minutes Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes Page 2 of 5 Move Item 5.1 before Item 5.6 CARRIED 3.Adoption of the Agricultural Advisory Committee Regular Meeting Minutes R14-012 Motion was moved and seconded That the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 27 , 201 4 be adopted . CARRIED 4.Delegations & Presentations 4.1 Mike Pym – Fill permitting process on agricultural land. Regional and municipal process Metro Vancouver Proposed Approach to Reduce Illegal Fill Deposition on Agricultural Lands, attached. Mike Pym gave a presentation on the recent findings from a review of soil deposits on the agricultural land reserves along with the challenges and opportunities in Maple Ridge.Mr.Pym explained how the Maple Ridge soil deposit bylaw,application process and enforcement process have been updated as a result of this review. 5.Current & Unfinished Business 5.1 True North Fraser Program - Update Diana Hall stated the True North Fraser brand has been solidified with Maple Ridge. Economic Development is formulating a True North Fraser Directory, once a farmer is listed on the directory they will be eligible for signage. Candace Gordon requested that Economic Development keep this committee updated on what their plans are for use of the brand. 5.2 Core Review – Agricultural Land Commission Update Chris Zabek spoke to the recent press release regarding the protection of agricultural land reserve – “Improvements to ALC Protect Farmland, Support Farmers”. 5.3 Ministry of Agriculture Inventory Public Event Diana Hall updated members on the Urban Food Forest &Our Agricultural Land Base event taking place on April 16 from 6:30-9:00 pm in the Maple Ridge Council Chambers.Presenters include Mark Lakeman to speak regarding food security & sustainability along with Chris Zabek to present the inventory report. Ms.Hall noted that 80%of underutilized farmland in the inventory report is in Maple Ridge, Langley and Surrey. 5.4 Update from Strategic Economic Initiatives Department Diana Hall reported that True North Fraser rack cards have been produced by Economic Development. Similar cards will be sent out to Maple Ridge residents in their tax notices. Additionally, Kwantlen Polytech will be attending an Education Forum put on by the Post-Secondary Education Task Force on April 30. Agricultural Advisory Committee Thursday, March 27, 2014 - Regular Meeting Minutes Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes Page 3 of 5 5.5 Kwantlen Proposal Update Diana Hall gave a brief background regarding the Kwantlen proposal which was supported by Council and this committee back in November of 2012. This proposal was felt to be a good fit for small lot agriculture and this committee made a commitment to grant $12,000 for this project. Candace Gordon suggested committee finances be determined first before we proceed with releasing the funds. It was also agreed at the next meeting to supply background information on this proposal so all committee members understand the history. 5.6 Backyard Chickens Please note item 5.6 came before item 5.1. Diana Hall referred members to a letter recently received regarding backyard chickens from Carolyn Campos. Ms. Hall stated that in Ms. Campos letter a recommendation to Council was made which states: “…to consider an amendment to Maple Ridge Zoning Bylaw No. 3510-1985 that would state: RS-3 One Family Rural Residential under 0.4 hectares shall be permitted 6 backyard chickens (excluding roosters) for personal use only.” Candace Gordon recommended a subcommittee struck to look at best practices and return with recommendations. R14-013 Motion was moved and seconded That staff be directed to do a preliminary report to Council inclusive of potential zones that Maple Ridge could consider for a backyard chicken bylaw. CARRIED 5.7 Metro Vancouver Community Sustainability Breakfast – Food Hubs Margaret Daskis reported that she attended the Community Sustainability Breakfast which was well attended with many individuals interested in food hubs. Sandy Blue and Lorie Graham were guest speakers who spoke to Invest North Fraser. It was suggested Ms. Blue share her presentation with committee members. Ms. Daskis commented she saw many Credit Unions in attendance and taking an active role in small farmers. Please note: committee members chose to discuss another topic at this time. 5.8 Packaging and Increased Fees for Farmers Agricultural Advisory Committee Thursday, March 27, 2014 - Regular Meeting Minutes Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes Page 4 of 5 Bill Hardy updated members on the significance to the agricultural and horticultural growers with the new packaging fees. Mr. Hardy stated a small nursery grower can expect to add $15,000 in additional fees this year which is unrecoverable. Mr. Hardy further stressed the significance this has on the agriculture sector because they are “price takers”, not “price setters” in the industry. R14-014 Motion was moved and seconded The Agriculture Committee is becoming aware of the negative impact of the regulations surrounding MMBC as they relate to agriculture's ability to remain competitive, thus impacting our local farmers And whereas; Other institutes, such as the Surrey Board of Trade are recognizing sector by sector impacts and has asked for consultation between the government and industry reps to mitigate such impacts . The Agriculture Advisory C ommittee requests Council to support the position of the Surrey Board of Trade o n a request that government work with business, inclusive of agriculture, to ensure the unintended consequences of the regulations be mitigated. CARRIED 5.9 Water Rates Diana Hall will circulate a prior report on water rates to committee members to formulate questions. Please send your questions to Ms. Hall. 5.10 Noxious Weed Strategy Stephanie James noted she has assisted with the Noxious Weed Strategy and the Parks department has hired a consultant who has drafted a strategy.Ms. James requested that this consultant present at next month’s meeting because there is a definite overlap with noxious weeks and farming. 5.11 Hammond Area Plan – deferred 6.Sub-committee Reports 6.1 Intersections Project Diana Hall reported the Intersections Project is coming together nicely with their final meeting happening March 28th.This event occurs on April 9 at The ACT from 6:30-8:30 pm. 6.2 Establishing Subcommittees to Achieve Committee Mandate Stephanie James suggested this committee needs 3 different subcommittee groups; Golden Harvest Urban Garden Contest True North Fraser Agricultural Advisory Committee Thursday, March 27, 2014 - Regular Meeting Minutes Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes Page 5 of 5 7.Correspondence 7.1 Envision Credit Union Email Diana Hall circulated a letter from Envision Credit Union which states we no longer have an EAC representative on the committee. 8.Roundtable Al Kozak brought in copies of Country Life newspaper to share with committee members. Mr. Kozak stated this newspaper gives a good snapshot of issues farmers are facing. Candace Gordon stated they have sent in nominations for Citizen of the Year. Ian Brooks commented he recently attended a convention of farmers markets and suggests Maple Ridge look at building a resource library which farmers/producers can connect with. 9.Public Questions and Answers 10.Next Meeting -Thursday, April 24, 2014 Agenda Deadline -Monday, April 9, 2014 11.Adjournment 9:22 pm ________________________________ Chair /jg