HomeMy WebLinkAboutAAC 2019-04-25 minutes.pdfCity of Maple Ridge
AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
The Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Agricultural Advisory Committee, held in the Blaney Room,
at Maple Ridge Municipal Hall on April 25, 2019 at 7:03 pm.
____________________________________________________________________________________
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Councillor Gordy Robson City of Maple Ridge
Bill Hardy, Chair Member at Large
Al Kozak, Vice Chair Agricultural Sector
Andrew Pozsar Member at Large
Candace Gordon Haney Farmers Market Society
Carla Schiller Agricultural Sector
Chris Zabek Regional Agrologist, Ministry of Agriculture
Ian Brooks Member at Large
Lorraine Bates Agricultural Fair Board
Michelle Franklin Member at Large
Ryan Murphy Agricultural Sector
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT
Amanda Grochowich Staff Liaison / Planning Department
Amanda Allen Committee Clerk
ABSENT
Councillor Ryan Svendsen City of Maple Ridge
Pascale Shaw Agricultural Sector
Note: Councillor Svendsen was not in attendance.
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
R/2019-017
It was moved and seconded
That the April 25, 2019 Agricultural Advisory Committee agenda be approved as circulated.
CARRIED
3. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES
R/2019-018
It was moved and seconded
That the minutes of the Maple Ridge Agricultural Advisory Committee meeting dated March
28, 2019 be adopted.
CARRIED
Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes
April 25, 2019
Page 2 of 4
4. DELEGATIONS
4.1. Let’s Get Farming Maple Ridge
Andrew Poszar
Mr. Poszar gave a PowerPoint presentation sharing his experience while visiting a Fraser
Valley poultry hatchery and the methods practiced at the hatchery. Mr. Poszar provided the
following information:
Methods practiced at the hatchery
Study of nine cities of maximum allowable coverage on ALR land
Purpose of study: which is most farm friendly in Lower Mainland
Recommendations: education of City staff and public and changing bylaws to
welcome farming
Food Hub
There was discussion on the presentation and it was requested that an edited version of the
presentation be shared with City of Maple Ridge staff.
R/2019-019
It was moved and seconded
That the April 25, 2019 Let’s Get Farming Maple Ridge presentation be forwarded to City of
Maple Ridge staff for comment on the history of low maximum lot coverage for properties
located in the Agricultural Land Reserve.
CARRIED
5. QUESTION PERIOD - Nil
6. NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
6.1. Bill 15 – 2019 Agricultural Land Commission Amendment Act - discussion
The Chair summarized some earlier apprehension about Bill 15 and provided an update on
the latest commentary and discussion around the intention of Bill 15.
6.2. Vancouver Farmers Markets Direct – follow up discussion
Councillor Robson provided an update on the Friends in Need Food Bank perishable food
recovery program. Al Kozak will follow up with the Friends in Need Food Bank Executive
Director and the Vancouver Farmers Markets Direct Manager. There was interest in
extending an invitation to the Food Bank and Vancouver Farmers Markets Direct to present
their model at a future meeting. There was discussion on next steps and logistics of a Food
Hub operation.
6.3. Incorporation of agriculture on City of Maple Ridge website – follow up
Al Kozak gave a PowerPoint presentation providing the following information:
Purpose of website
Farm directory
Consolidate information resources
Links to municipal/provincial websites
Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes
April 25, 2019
Page 3 of 4
Connecting farms to buyers and buyers to farms
Costs to establish new website
Review of CMR website
recommendations
Mr. Kozak will bring back specific recommendations at a future meeting and will work with
the municipal website developers to suggest improvements for the existing website.
6.4. Prioritization of agricultural plan action items
The Chair provided an update on the status of the Booth in a Box grant application through
Metro Vancouver.
6.5. Golden Harvest 2019
The staff liaison summarized the Golden Harvest event. There was discussion on whether to
hold the event in 2019 and potential sponsorship involvement with local organizations and
agencies. The Golden Harvest subcommittee will schedule a meeting to discuss the event
and report back at the next meeting.
6.6. Workshop and Event Updates
6.6.1. Metro Vancouver AAC
The Metro Vancouver AAC meeting minutes will be circulated as part of the next agenda.
6.6.2. Agricultural Land Use Planning in the Lower Mainland Policy Forum
Chris Zabek summarized the forum hosted by Metro Vancouver and UNBC.
7. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
7.1. Backyard Chickens
The staff liaison advised a best practices report is in development for Council review. There
was discussion on how other municipalities are handling backyard chickens.
7.2. Education
7.2.1. Let’s Get Farming summary
Al Kozak provided a summary and highlights of the Let’s Get Farming event with speakers Dr.
Wallapak Polasub, Kim Grout and Chris Zabek. There was discussion on agricultural millrates
in Maple Ridge and neighbouring communities.
R/2019-020
It was moved and seconded
That the AAC direct the staff liaison to provide a community comparison on agricultural
millrates and extend an invitation to the Finance Department to present at a future AAC
meeting.
CARRIED
Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes
April 25, 2019
Page 4 of 4
7.2.2. Booth in a Box – update - Nil
7.3. Food Garden Contest
The Staff liaison reported on the launch of the contest.
8. CORRESPONDENCE
8.1. Upcoming Events
May 11, 2019
9:00 am – 2:00 pm
May 11, 2019
3:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Haney Farmers Market – Opening Day
Memorial Peace Park, (11900 224 Street)
Organizer: Haney Farmers Market Society
Design Workshop Sneak Peek
Glenwood Elementary (21410 Glenwood Avenue)
Organizer: City of Maple Ridge
May 16, 2019
5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
North East Albion Open House
Samuel Robertson Technical (10445 245 Street)
Organizer: City of Maple Ridge
9. ROUNDTABLE
Members received verbal reports on local agricultural topics and activities.
10. ADJOURNMENT – 9:07 pm.
“Original signed by Bill Hardy”
Bill Hardy, Chair
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