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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAAC 2019-05-23 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 May 23, 2019 at 7:05 pm. ____________________________________________________________________________________ COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT Councillor Gordy Robson City of Maple Ridge Councillor Ryan Svendsen City of Maple Ridge Bill Hardy, Chair Member at Large Al Kozak, Vice Chair Agricultural Sector Andrew Pozsar Member at Large Carla Schiller Agricultural Sector Ian Brooks Member at Large Michelle Franklin Member at Large Pascale Shaw Agricultural Sector Ryan Murphy 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 Lorraine Bates Agricultural Fair Board 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA R/2019-021 It was moved and seconded That the May 23, 2019 Agricultural Advisory Committee agenda be approved as circulated. CARRIED 3. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES R/2019-022 It was moved and seconded That the minutes of the Maple Ridge Agricultural Advisory Committee meeting dated April 25, 2019 be adopted. CARRIED 4. DELEGATIONS – Nil Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes May 23, 2019 Page 2 of 3 5. QUESTION PERIOD Mary Robson provided information on the Friends In Need Food Bank perishable food recovery program. Ms. Robson advised that operations in the downtown facility should be completed by 2:00pm daily and discussion is underway with Vancouver Farmers Markets Direct for possible afternoon use of the facility. Ms. Robson answered questions from the committee. Note: Councillor Robson left the meeting at 7:17 pm and did not return. 6. NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS 6.1. Farm Stand Directional Signage There was discussion on advertising farm food sales and how Booth in a Box could help map farm stands. The Chair and Ryan Murphy will meet with staff to further discuss next steps on communicating AAC support for a farm stand directional signage program. 6.2. Golden Harvest The staff liaison advised that Golden Harvest 2019 has been cancelled and the subcommittee is working to reimagine the program for 2020. Members were invited to join the subcommittee discussions on the new Golden Harvest format. 6.3. Prioritization of Agricultural Plan Action Items The Chair reported Booth in the Box work is underway and results of Metro Vancouver Agriculture Awareness grant application should be forthcoming. The Chair has identified a resource that could easily be adapted to fit a Maple Ridge Community Garden tool kit. 6.4. Backyard Chickens The staff liaison provided a high level overview of the program direction and advised a report will proceed to Council in June. There was discussion on the setbacks, lot size, and programs and models in other municipalities. R/2019-023 It was moved and seconded That the Agricultural Advisory Committee support the proposed direction of the backyard hen program for residential areas in Maple Ridge, ideally incorporating a smaller lot size similar to the City of North Vancouver and City of Surrey. CARRIED Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes May 23, 2019 Page 3 of 3 7. SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS 7.1. Food Garden Contest The staff liaison reported several applications have been submitted and that the entry deadline is June 30, 2019. Members were encouraged to spread news of the contest and there was discussion to include community gardens as part of the 2020 Food Garden contest. 8. CORRESPONDENCE - Nil 9. ROUNDTABLE Members received verbal reports on local agricultural topics and activities and expressed interest in participating in a Farm Tour. 10. ADJOURNMENT – 8:31 pm. “Original signed by B. Hardy” Bill Hardy, Chair /aa