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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAAC 2016-05-26 minutes.pdf) City 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, May 26, 2016 at 7:00 pm. COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESFNT Al Kozak Jennifer Zickerman Margaret Daskis, Chair Bill Hardy Candace Gordon Ian Brooks Stephanie James, Vice-Chair Councillor Speirs Agricultural Sector Agricultural Sector Member at Large Member at Large Haney Farmers Market Society Member at Large Equestrian Agricu ltural Sector City of Maple Ridge Chris Zabek Regional Agrologist, Ministry of Agriculture & Lands STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT Siobhan Murphy Sunny Schiller Lisa Grant REGRETS/ABSENTS Lorraine Bates Tony Pellet 1. CALL TO ORDER Staff Liaison / Planner 2 Committee Clerk Planning Agricultural Fair Board Agricultural Land Commission There being a quorum present the Cha ir called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm. 2. AGENDA ADOPTION R16-013 It was moved and seconded That the Agenda be amended to add Item 4.2 -Update on Meeting with select membe,~. of Council and the Executive regarding the Agricultural Plan and be adopted as amendec. CARRIED 3. MINUTE ADOPTION R16-014 It was moved and seconded That the Minutes of April 28, 2016 be adopted. CARRIED ) AAC Minutes May 26, 2016 Page 2 of3 4. NEW BUSINESS 4.1 Calendar of Events New item for the calendar: Metro Vancouver Water Symposium -Mid-November 2016. 4.2 Update on Meeting with select members of Council and the Executive regarding the Agricultural Plan The Chair reported on a meeting with Mayor Read, Councillor Speirs, the Director of Planning, the Chief Administrative Officer, the General Manager: Public Works and Development Services, and the AAC Staff Liaison to discuss the Agricultural Plan. A facilitator has been contacted to lead a plan review session with Council. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 5.1 Backyard Chickens The Staff Liaison will send a report regarding backyard chickens to an upcoming Council meeting. 5.2 Metro Vancouver AAC Update No update. 5.3 Municipal Water Pricing The Chair will request information on water pricing and availability from the Metro Vancouver AAC and from other participating municipalities. 5.4 Food Garden Contest The Staff Liaison reported the 2016 Food Garden contest is being publicized, with nominations open to the end of June. 5.5 MR and PM AAC Joint meeting The Staff Liaison has contacted Pitt Meadows staff to extend an invitation to the Pitt Meadows Agricultural Advisory Committee for a joint meeting during the summer. 5.6 True North Fraser Analysis & Recommendations Jennifer Zickerman reported on the recent analysis of the True North Fraser brand. R/2016-015 It was moved and seconded That the True North Fraser subcommittee be authorized to meet with Lino Siracusa, Manager of Economic Development to discuss the True North Fraser brand analysis and recommendations and provide an update back to the next AAC meeting. CARRIED ) AAC Minutes May 26, 2016 Page 3 of 3 6. SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS 6.1 Golden Harvest 2016 Subcommittee Candace Gordon thanked the Staff Liaison for publicizing the Golden Harvest Coordinator job description. Logistical details for the event were discussed. 6.2 Education Subcommittee Al Kozak reported on preparations for the June 9th educational event. 7. CORRESPONDENCE -Nil 8. ROUNDTABLE Ian Brooks -reported being grateful for the recent rainfall. Al Kozak -reported his crops and bees are doing well this year. Mr. Kozak suggested using DropBox to share AAC documents. Candace Gordon -is working on the food asset inventory. Margaret Daskis -shared that provincial funding is available to hire consultants to assist in achieving food safety certification. Jennifer Zickerman -reported the paper work to incorporate the Lower Mainland Herb Growers Cooperative is complete. Councillor Speirs -discussed uses of Agricultural Land Reserve land. Stephanie James -reported on her crops. Bill Hardy -reported on business at his garden centre. Nurseries and landscapers will be making a presentation to Metro Water in regards to water needs. 9. QUESTION PERIOD 10. ADJOURNMENT -9:01 pm Chair /ss