HomeMy WebLinkAboutAAC 2017-02-23 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, February 23, 2017 at 7:00 pm.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Al Kozak
Bill Hardy
Candace Gordon
Agricultural Sector
Member at Large
Haney Farmers Market Society
Chris Zabek
Councillor Speirs
Regional Agrologist, Ministry of Agriculture & Lands
City of Maple Ridge
Ian Brooks
Margaret Daskis, Chair
Stephanie James, Vice-Chair
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT
Siobhan Murphy
Sunny Schiller
REGRETS/ABSENTS
Jennifer Zickerman
Lorraine Bates
Tony Pellet
1. CALL TO ORDER
Member at Large
Member at Large
Equestrian Agricultural Sector
Staff Liaison / Planning Department
Committee Clerk
Agricultural Sector
Agricultural Fair Board
Agricultural Land Commission
There being a quorum present the Chair called the meeting to order at 7:06 pm.
2. 2017 CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR ELECTIONS
R17-001
It was moved and seconded
That Margaret Daskis be elected Chair of the Agricultural Advisory Committee for 2017.
CARRIED
R17-002
It was moved and seconded
That Stephanie James be elected Vice-Chair of the Agricultural Advisory Committee for 2017.
CARRIED
AAC Minutes
February 23, 2017
Page 2 of4
3. AGENDA ADOPTION
R17-003
It was moved and seconded
That the Agenda dated February 23, 2017 be amended to add Item 6.5 Exclusion Application
and be adopted.
CARRIED
4. MINUTE APPROVAL
R17-004
It was moved and seconded
That the Minutes of November 24, 2016 be approved.
CARRIED
5. DELEGATIONS -Nil
6. NEW & UNFINISHED BUSINESS
6.1 Backyard Chickens
The Staff Liaison shared that a report on Backyard Chickens has been prepared and
will go to Council at a future date.
6.2 Metro Vancouver MC Update
The Chair reported on the recent Metro Vancouver AAC meeting.
6.3 Farm Home Plate Regulations
The Committee discussed Farm Home Plate regulations in neighboring communities.
The Staff Liaison reported that Maple Ridge now has Farm Home Plate regulations in
place and thanked the Committee for their work on this project. The need for
regulations for non-ALR land was discussed.
6.4 Agricultural Development Permit Guidelines Update
The Staff Liaison reported that research to support the development of Agricultural
Development Permit Guidelines is currently underway.
6.5 Exclusion Application
The Staff Liaison reported an application to exclude a number of lots from the
Agricultural Land Reserve was recently received.
7. SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS
7.1 Golden Harvest Review Subcommittee Formation
The Chair outlined the work to be done by the Golden Harvest Review Subcommittee.
Candace Gordon, Margaret Daskis and the Staff Liaison offered to send out a survey
to the Committee to gather feedback.
Note: Bill Hardy entered at 7:41 pm.
AAC Minutes
February 23, 2017
Page 3 of4
7.2 Education Subcommittee
Al Kozak reported on the work of the Education subcommittee. Ideas for an
education session for the public were discussed.
7 .3 True North Fraser Subcommittee
Stephanie James provided an update on the work of the True North Fraser
subcommittee.
7.4 Food Distribution Subcommittee
The Staff Liaison reported on the status of the Request for Proposal and funding for
the project.
8. CORRESPONDENCE-Nil
9. ROUNDTABLE
Chris Zabek suggested the Committee consider inviting a delegation to make a presentation
on the Taxation Policy report.
Candace Gordon shared a report on agricultural activities she is working on for Golden Ears
Feast. The Committee suggested updates to the list.
Al Kozak reported on a land trust initiative being developed in BC. More information is
available at www.farmfolkcityfolk.ca/projects/foodlands-trust/ Mr. Kozak shared his
thoughts on proposed community facilities. Mr. Kozak suggested using social media and the
City website to recruit potential volunteers.
Bill Hardy shared information about the Agriculture Foundation. Mr. Hardy shared his
experiences with snow this year. Mr. Hardy is working on a labour information project.
Ian Brooks reported many downed trees on his property this year.
Councillor Speirs provided a report on the recent provincial announcement around additional
social services for Maple Ridge. There is a Seed Exchange coming up at the
Intergenerational Garden.
Stephanie James shared information on the private purchase of farm land.
Margaret Daskis reported on foreign investment in Canadian land and shared details of
some of her recent work.
The Staff Liaison recently attended a Taxation Policy meeting and will invite a delegation to
an upcoming meeting.
10. QUESTION PERIOD
Christian Crowley reported on recent meetings between Maple Ridge and Mission food hub
system stake holders.
AAC Minutes
February 23, 2017
Page 4 of4
11. ADJOURNMENT -9:01 pm
Chair
/ss