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Home My WebLink AboutAAC 2015-11-26 minutes.pdfCity 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 Thursday, November 26, 2015 at 7:00 pm. COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT Margaret Daskis, Chair Stephanie James Al Kozak Ian Brooks Councillor Speirs Bill Hardy Jennifer Zickerman Candace Gordon Chris Zabek Councillor Duncan Tony Pellet STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT Siobhan Murphy Sunny Schiller Anne Marie Whittaker REGRETS/ABSENTS Lorraine Bates Kimberley Lauzon, Vice Chai r 1. CALL TO ORDER Community at Large Equestrian Agricultural Sector Agricultural Sector Member at Large City of Maple Ridge Member at Large Agricultural Sector Haney Farmers Market Regional Agrologist, Ministry of Agriculture & Lands City of Maple Ridge Agricultural Land Commission Staff Liaison/ Planner 2 Committee Clerk Community Planner 2 Agricultural Fair Board Member at Large There being a quorum present, the Chair called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm. Councillor Duncan entered the meeting at 7:05 pm. 2. AGENDA ADOPTION R15-019 It was moved and seconded That the Agenda be amended to add Items 5.3 Pelton land sale, 5.4 Tree Bylaw, 5.5 Vancouver Food Policy Update, 4.2 ALC Update and be adopted as amended. CARRIED AAC Minutes November 26, 2015 Page 2 of 5 3. MINUTE ADOPTION R15-020 It was moved and seconded That the Minutes of October 22, 2015 be corrected to show the date the Agricultural Plan update letter went to Workshop was October 19th and be approved. CARRIED 4. DELEGATIONS 4.1 Albion Flats Area Plan Relaunch -Anne Marie Whittaker, Planning Department Anne Marie Whittaker presented background information on the Albion Flats area plan. In March 2015 Council decided to revisit options identified in the 2010 design charrette process. The Planning Department is currently engaged in outreach and engagement, including an online questionnaire and stakeholder meetings. The plan will be brought back to the AAC in spring 2016. The Committee discussed the land involved in the plan. Councillor Duncan encouraged the committee to provide input. It was suggested that an Albion Flats sub-committee be struck in the new year. Ms. Whittaker requested that stakeholders identified by the committee be emailed to the Staff Liaison. It was suggested that the Albion Flats Area Plan be added to AAC agendas as a standing item during this process. Copies of the 2010 design charrette and the Albion Flats Area Plan presentation were requested. 4.2 Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) Update -Tony Pellet Tony Pellet provided some background information on the ALC's previous review of Albion Flats land. Mr. Pellet reported on the hiring of new ALC CEO Kim Grout and provided an update on recent changes to legislation and regulations that impact the ALC. Mr. Pellet answered questions from the Committee. Anne Marie Whittaker left the meeting at 7:54 pm. 5. NEW BUSINESS 5.1 Water Availability and Pricing Ian Brooks provided a copy of the Whonnock News that reported on concerns about salination and aquifer drainage as a result of the 600 ft. well drilled by Tantalus Labs. Mr. Brooks reported that Thornhill area residents already experience water shortages and have concerns about an industrial user in the area drawing from the aquifer. Councillors Speirs and Duncan clarified the role of the municipal government in authorizing Tantalus Labs to operate in the area. Chris Zabek reported that the drilling of wells is not currently regulated under the provincial Water Act however changes are expected when the new Water Sustainability Act comes into force in early 2016. Metro Vancouver will be holding a Water Sustainability forum in early January. The issue of water pricing was discussed. Bill Hardy related the difficulties his nursery business experienced during the water shortages last summer. Potential improvements to water restriction regulations were discussed. Mr. Brooks requested AAC Minutes November 26, 2015 Page 3 of5 R15-021 that the municipality review water management best practices. The Staff Liaison will review what how this issue is being handled by other municipalities and report back to the committee. It was suggested that the committee develop a position statement on water issues (including aquifer impacts, water quality, access to city water, agricultural water pricing, water sources). It was moved and seconded That the Staff Liaison and Chair draft a position statement regarding water issues in Maple Ridge for review by the MC which will be forwarded to appropriate authorities once finalized. CARRIED 5.2 Advisory Committee Task Force Update Councillor Speirs reviewed the proposed changes to the AAC. Budget changes will go into effect in 2017. The Committee provided feedback on the changes. 5.3 Pelton Land Sale 5.4 The Committee discussed the recent sale of land that used to be part of the Pelton Tree Nursey. Tree Bylaw Bill Hardy shared concerns about misunderstanding in the community regarding agricultural land regulations under the interim Tree Bylaw. The Staff Liaison will check with Rod Stott, Environmental Planner, regarding the agricultural land regulations. The Tree Bylaw was discussed. Chris Zabek clarified the provincial regulations for ALR land in regards to tree clearing. The Committee was encouraged to read the report (scheduled for the December 7th Committee of the Whole meeting) and to view meeting videos online to follow this issue. 5.5 Vancouver Food Policy Update Jennifer Zickerman reported on the Vancouver Urban Farming Society food strategy policy. The finalized policy will recommend municipal bylaw changes. Ms. Zickerman suggested the MC review the recommendations to see if they would be applicable to Maple Ridge. Ms. Zickerman will share the final report when it becomes available. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 6.1 Business Plan The Staff Liaison reported the Business Plan will be presented to Council during December 2015. 6.2 Backyard Chickens update The Staff Liaison and Chair have drafted a letter supporting Backyard Chickens which will go forward to Council for direction. Chris Zabek has provided information on the province's perspective on avian flu as it relates to backyard chickens. AAC Minutes November 26, 2015 Page 4 of5 6.3 Permanent Farmer's Market Al Kozak noted that the Haney Farmer's Market is the biggest community event in Maple Ridge and brings a large economic benefit to the City. Mr. Kozak suggested that the creation of a permanent farmer's market would attract visitors from around the Lower Mainland. Mr. Kozak provided an example of a Sunshine Coast municipality using crowd sourcing to raise funds for a permanent location for a farmer's market. The Haney Farmer's Market is currently working on a strategic plan. 7. SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS 7.1 Golden Harvest -Final Financial Accounting The Staff Liaison provided the final accounting spreadsheet for Golden Harvest 2015. $445 in profit was generated. Candace Gordon reminded the committee of a previously passed resolution that states that profits from AAC events (including Golden Harvest) will be used to support the Haney Farmer's Market and Country Fest. The Staff Liaison will confirm the surplus generated and will request cheques for the Haney Farmer's Market and Country Fest. A letter from the Chair will accompany the cheques. 7.2 Agricultural Plan -Table and Letter update The Staff Liaison reported the Council Agricultural Plan prioritization questionnaire is in progress. 7.3 Metro Vancouver Agricultural Advisory Committee (MVAAC) The Chair shared findings of a report on climate change impacts recently received by the MVAAC. The Chair will email the report to committee members. 8. CORRESPONDENCE 9. ROUNDTABLE Al Kozak recently attended the local Bee Keepers meeting. Local bee hive keepers have experienced heavy losses (approximately 50%) due to changes in seasonal weather patterns. Mr. Kozak personally lost one of his hives. Stephanie James reported positively on the municipal response to Japanese knotweed on municipal land this year. Councillor Duncan reported a request had been received for a member of the AAC to attend a Q&A event in support of a play called Seeds, which relates the story of a farmer opposing Monsanto. Councillor Duncan will share the contact info of the ACT organizer with all committee members and those interested can volunteer. (Candace Gordon clarified the organizers were seeking someone with knowledge of genetically modified organisms.) 10. QUESTION PERIOD -Nil ) AAC Minutes November 26, 2015 Page 5 of5 11. ADJOURNMENT It was moved and seconded That the meeting be adjourned at 9:26 pm. Chair /ss