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Home My WebLink AboutAAC 2016-09-22 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, September 22, 2016 at 7:00 pm. COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT Jennifer Zickerman Margaret Daskis, Chair Bill Hardy Candace Gordon Ian Brooks Stephanie James, Vice-Chair Al Kozak Councillor Speirs STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT Siobhan Murphy Sunny Schiller Agricultural Sector Member at Large Member at Large Haney Farmers Market Society Member at Large Equestrian Agricultural Sector Agricultural Sector City of Maple Ridge Staff Liaison / Planning Department Committee Clerk Agricultural Fair Board Agricultural Land Commission REGRETS/ABSENTS Lorraine Bates Tony Pellet Chris Zabek Regional Agrologist, Ministry of Agriculture & Lands 1. CALL TO ORDER There being a quorum present the Chair called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm. 2. AGENDA ADOPTION R16-019 It was moved and seconded That the Agenda be amended to add Item 4.2 Update on ALR Exclusion Applications and be adopted as amended. CARRIED 3. MINUTE APPROVAL R16-020 It was moved and seconded That the Minutes of June 23, 2016 be approved. CARRIED AAC Minutes September 22, 2016 Page 2 of 3 4. NEW BUSINESS 4.1 Business Planning The Committee reviewed and provided input to the draft 2017 AAC Business Plan. Items discussed included the promotion of agri-tourism, food distribution, a grant program, Golden Harvest, the True North Fraser brand. Candace Gordon raised a question regarding a previous budget allocation during 2014 for Golden Ears Feast for $3,000. Payment issue and receipt need to be confirmed. Al Kozak, Jennifer Zickerman, Stephanie James, Margaret Daskis, and Ian Brooks volunteered to form a food distribution subcommittee. A food distribution needs analysis will be conducted. It was suggested that an application for funding be made to the Investment Agricultural Fund. 4.2 Update on ALR Exclusion Applications Stephanie James reported that an application to exclude two pieces of land from the Agricultural Land Reserve will soon be brought before Council at Committee of the Whole on October 3, 2016. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 5.1 Backyard Chickens The Staff Liaison reported a draft report on backyard chickens is in progress. 5.2 Metro Vancouver AAC Update The Chair reported the next meeting of the Metro Vancouver AAC will be held in October. The Chair reviewed the agenda for the 2016 Agriculture Water Forum, coming up on November 3. 5.3 Municipal Water Pricing No update. 5.4 Food Garden Contest The Staff Liaison reported on entries received for the Food Garden contest. Participants will be recognized at an upcoming Council meeting. 5.5 MR and PM AAC Joint meeting The Staff Liaison will invite the Pitt Meadows AAC to the October 27 meeting regular meeting. 5.6 Update on Ag Plan Prioritization by Council Stephanie James reported on the prioritization of the Agricultural Plan by Council over the summer. The Staff Liaison shared results of the review. AAC Minutes • September 22, 2016 Page 3 of 3 6. SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS 6.1 Golden Harvest 2016 Subcommittee Update Candace Gordon provided an update on Golden Harvest. Posters and tickets are now available. The Staff Liaison will provide the digital version of the poster to members. Some new restaurants have been invited and four schools are participating. Committee members were asked to help out with ticket sales and event clean up. The Staff Liaison will send invitations to Council and the School Board. It was decided to proceed with Item 6.3 prior to Item 6.2. 6.3 True North Fraser Subcommittee Jennifer Zickerman reviewed the "True North Fraser Agricultural Branding Program Acceptance and Usage Criteria" report prepared by the subcommittee. MC members provided input. It was suggested that Ms. Zickerman setup a dedicated meeting for the MC to review True North Fraser. 6.2 Education Subcommittee Al Kozak provided a review of the June educational event, which asked the question "How can we support the growth of agriculture in Maple Ridge?" Mr. Kozak outlined his vision for the work of the food distribution subcommittee. 7. CORRESPONDENCE Note: Chris Zabek left at 9:12 pm. 8. ROUNDTABLE Councillor Speirs reported that DEMO International is underway. 9. QUESTION PERIOD -Nil 10. ADJOURNMENT -9:15 pm Chair /ss