HomeMy WebLinkAboutAAC 2018-11-29 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 November 29, 2018, 2018 at 7:01 pm.
____________________________________________________________________________________
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Councillor Gordy Robson City of Maple Ridge
Councillor Ryan Svendsen City of Maple Ridge
Margaret Daskis, Chair Member at Large
Al Kozak Agricultural Sector
Bill Hardy Member at Large
Ryan Murphy Agricultural Sector
Stephanie James, Vice-Chair Agricultural Sector
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT
Amanda Grochowich Staff Liaison / Planning Department
Amanda Allen Committee Clerk
ABSENT
Candace Gordon Haney Farmers Market Society
Chris Zabek Regional Agrologist, Ministry of Agriculture
David Kaplan Member at Large
Ian Brooks Member at Large
Josef Hans Lara Economic Development Committee Representative
Lorraine Bates Agricultural Fair Board
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
R/2018-038
It was moved and seconded
That the November 29, 2018 Agricultural Advisory Committee agenda be approved as
circulated.
CARRIED
3. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES
R/2018-039
It was moved and seconded
That the minutes of the Maple Ridge Agricultural Advisory Committee meeting dated October
25, 2018 be adopted.
CARRIED
Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes
November 29, 2018
Page 2 of 3
4. DELEGATIONS - Nil
5. NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
5.1. Introductions
The Chair introduced Councillor Robson and Councillor Svendsen as the new Council Liaisons
for the 2019 term. Committee members provided a brief introduction of themselves to the
new Council Liaisons.
5.2. Young Agrarian Land Matching – follow up
Following up on the Young Agrarian funding request dated August 31, 2018, the staff liaison
sought direction in order to prepare an appropriate response. There was discussion on the
funding request.
R/2018-040
It was moved and seconded
That the Agricultural Advisory Committee acknowledge receipt of the Young Agrarian’s
request and a response will be composed summarizing meeting comments for AAC review.
CARRIED
5.3. Prioritization of Agricultural Plan Action Items
As identified in the Committee’s 2019 Business Plan, the Committee must identify and
prioritize action items for 2019. Referencing the action items originally described in the
2009 Agricultural Plan and the 2016 Council Facilitated Session, the Committee established
a working list of possible action items. The list will be circulated via email and included for
further discussion at a future Committee meeting.
6. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
6.1. Education
Al Kozak provided an update on a possible educational seminar, anticipated for the Spring of
2019. There was discussion on potential dates, venues and additional complementary
organizations were identified with which to connect for partnership opportunities in the
development of the seminar. Mr. Kozak will compose and include for review the seminar
proposal on the next agenda. In the interim, members were invited to provide any further
comments and ideas via email.
6.2. Food Distribution
The staff liaison advised that a report on the proposed Maple Ridge Food Hub was presented
to Council at the November 27, 2018 Council Workshop meeting. At that meeting, Council
directed the Committee to explore options to build community capacity for a food hub in
Maple Ridge.
Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes
November 29, 2018
Page 3 of 3
6.3. True North Fraser
Stephanie James provided a summary of the True North Fraser brand and reported that the
subcommittee is looking into the feasibility of signage on roadsides and private property. The
subcommittee has drafted a survey for distribution to the Haney Farmers Market to
determine interest in the True North Fraser brand and results will be reported at a future
meeting.
7. CORRESPONDENCE - Nil
8. QUESTION PERIOD
Al Pozsar spoke to the importance of agricultural buffers and the educational component of
the Agricultural Plan.
9. ROUNDTABLE
Stephanie James shared appreciation and enjoyment from her eight years of volunteering
with the Committee. Ms. James thanked Margaret Daskis for her dedication to the
Committee throughout the years and her efforts at the Metro Vancouver AAC.
Al Kozak reported on the filming currently underway on his farm.
Councillor Robson shared appreciation from Council to the members and their contributions
to the Committee.
Bill Hardy reported he will be travelling to Ottawa with a delegation from the Canadian
Nursery Landscape Association for meetings with several Ministries.
Ryan Murphy reported on current Christmas tree harvesting at the farm.
Margaret Daskis advised she will be attending her final Metro Vancouver AAC meeting on
November 30, 2018 and encouraged a representative from Maple Ridge be nominated
should an invite again be extended to the City of Maple Ridge.
Amanda Grochowich reported that the Bill 52 - Agricultural Land Commission Amendment Act
recently received Royal ascent. Ms. Grochowich anticipates the summary report on the
community consultation on a possible backyard hen programme will soon proceed to
Council.
10. ADJOURNMENT – 9:21 pm.
“Original signed by Bill Hardy” for
M. Daskis, Chair
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