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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, June 23, 2016 at 7:00 pm.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Jennifer Zickerman
Margaret Daskis, Chair
Bill Hardy
Candace Gordon
Ian Brooks
Stephanie James, Vice-Chair
Chris Zabek
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT
Siobhan Murphy
Sunny Schiller
Lisa Grant
REGRETS/ABSENTS
Lorraine Bates
Councillor Speirs
Tony Pellet
Al Kozak
1. CALL TO ORDER
Agricultural Sector
Member at Large
Member at Large
Haney Farmers Market Society
Member at Large
Equestrian Agricultural Sector
Regional Agrologist, Ministry of Agriculture & Lands
Planner 2
Committee Clerk
Staff Liaison/ Planning Department
Agricultural Fair Board
City of Maple Ridge
Agricultural Land Commission
Agricultural Sector
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm. As quorum was not reached it was
decided to begin with the presentation.
Note: Candace Gordon and Ian Brooks entered at 7:03 pm.
3. PRESENTATIONS
Dave Speers, Recreation Coordinator -Community Gardens presentation
The Recreation Coordinator outlined the community gardens program managed by Parks and
Leisure Services and provided updates on existing community gardens.
Note: Bill Hardy entered at 7:17 pm. Quorum was reached at this time.
AAC Minutes
June 23, 2016
Page 2 of4
2. AGENDA AND MINUTE ADOPTION
R16-016
It was moved and seconded
That the Agenda be amended to add Item 3 Dave Speers -Presentation on Community
Gardens, add Item 4.1 ALR Exclusion Application, add Item 4.2 Community Gardens and be
adopted as amended.
CARRIED
R16-017
It was moved and seconded
That the Minutes of May 26, 2016 be adopted.
CARRIED
4. NEW BUSINESS
4.1 ALR Exclusion Application
An application to exclude local land from the ALR was discussed.
4.2 Community Gardens
Ways for the Committee to support community gardens were discussed. This issue
will be revisited at the September meeting.
5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
5.1 Backyard Chickens
The Planner 2 provided an update on the report on backyard chickens.
5.2 Metro Vancouver AAC Update
The Chair provided information on an ecological initiative being undertaken by the
Langley Agricultural Foundation. The Chair reported on discussions regarding port
regulations. BC Agriculture Week will be celebrated in September.
5.3 Municipal Water Pricing
The Chair reported Metro Vancouver will be reviewing water availability and quality at
the conference in November.
5.4 Food Garden Contest
The Planner 2 and Staff Liaison provided an update on the Food Garden Contest.
5.5 MR and PM AAC Joint meeting
An invitation has been extended to the Pitt Meadows Agricultural Advisory
Committee. It was suggested that the AAC host a joint meeting with the Maple Ridge
Environmental Advisory Committee when it is up and running.
AAC Minutes
June 23, 2016
Page 3 of4
5.6 Update on Ag Plan prioritization by Council
Th e Staff Liaison reported a Special Meeting of Council is scheduled for July St11,
2016 to review the Agricultural Plan. Results from the meeting will be communicated
to the AAC.
6. SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS
6.1 Golden Harvest 2016 Subcommittee Update
Candace Gordon provided an update on plans for the 2016 event.
Item 6.3 was dealt with prior to Item 6.2.
6.2 Education Subcommittee
The Chair reported the June 9th Sustainable Agriculture event was very successful.
6.3 True North Fraser Subcommittee
Jennifer Zickerman reported on a recent meeting with Lino Siracusa, Manager of
Economic Development. Documentation was provided regarding responsibilities and
actions related to the brand.
R16-018
It was moved ang __ seconded
That the True North Fraser subcommittee be authorized to work on Stage 1 action items over
the summer and to bring drafts of deliverables to the September meeting for discussion.
CARRIED
It was suggested that a subcommittee be struck to work on a draft plan for an
agricultural hub.
7. CORRESPONDENCE
8. ROUNDTABLE
Jennifer Zickerman reported on the food growers co-op.
Stephanie James reported on her crops.
Chris Zabek shared information on a Young Agrarian's initiative.
Bill Hardy reported he has recently begun working on a national landscape horticulture
apprenticeship program.
Ian Brooks discussed water availability.
Candace Gordon reported on the food coupon program at the Farmers Market and the food
asset inventory project.
Siobhan Murphy was thanked for her service to the Committee.
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AAC Minutes
June 23, 2016
Page 4 of4
9. QUESTION PERIOD -Nil
10. ADJOURNMENT -8:59 pm
Chair
/ss