HomeMy WebLinkAboutAAC 2020-11-26 minutes.pdf City of Maple Ridge
Agricultural Advisory Committee
MEETING MINUTES
The Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Agricultural Advisory Committee,
held via Zoom teleconference on November 26, 2020 at 7:05 pm
____________________________________________________________________________________
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Councillor Gordy Robson Council Liaison
Bill Hardy, Chair Member at Large
Carla Schiller, Vice Chair Member at Large
Pascale Shaw Member at Large
Melissa Maltais Fraser North Farmers Market Society Representative
Angela Boss B.C. Ministry of Agriculture (Non-voting member)
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT
Adam Rieu Staff Liaison/Community Planning
Erin Mark Clerk 3
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT
Andrew Pozsar Member at Large
Lorraine Bates Agricultural Fair Board Representative
Shannon Lambie Agriculture Land Commission (Non-voting member)
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
R/2020-027
It was moved and seconded
That the agenda for the November 26, 2020 Agricultural Advisory Committee meeting be
approved as circulated.
CARRIED
3. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES
R/2020-028
It was moved and seconded
That the minutes of the October 22, 2020 Agricultural Advisory Committee meeting be adopted
as circulated.
CARRIED
4. DELEGATIONS - Nil
5. QUESTION PERIOD - Nil
Note: Pascale Shaw joined the meeting at 7:10 pm due to technical difficulties.
mapleridge.ca
Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes
November 26, 2020
Page 2 of 3
6. NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
6.1. Water Meter Rates Research Update
Carla Schiller shared that she enquired about farm water meter rates at a recent Metro
Vancouver AAC meeting and that she will report back to the Committee after she receives a
response from Metro Vancouver staff.
6.2. 2021 Meeting Schedule
The Committee reviewed the proposed 2021 Meeting Schedule.
R/2020-029
It was moved and seconded
That the 2021 Agricultural Advisory Committee meeting schedule be adopted as presented.
CARRIED
6.3. Community Gardens
The Chair introduced the Brampton Community Garden Program and advised that further
discussion on this item would occur during Item 8.1.
7. LIAISON UPDATES
7.1 Staff Liaison
The Staff Liaison provided an update on the City’s response to COVID-19 including City Hall
being reopened to the public during regular business hours. Committee of Council meetings
will continue virtually until further notice.
The Staff Liaison shared that the ALC exclusion process has been recently updated.
7.2 Council Liaison
Councillor Robson announced that Councillor Duncan will be the primary Council Liaison for the
Committee starting in January 2021 and thanked the Committee for their work.
Councillor Robson enquired about the planned reduction of City of Maple Ridge farm tax rates.
The Staff Liaison will provide an update at an upcoming meeting.
8. SUBCOMMITTEE & TASK FORCE UPDATES
8.1 Food Garden Contest 2020
Carla Schiller provided an update on the selection of the Food Garden Contest winning entries.
The Committee discussed options for an expanded community garden backyard program
similar to the Brampton Garden Program. The Task Force will explore options and partnership
opportunities and report back to the Committee.
Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes
November 26, 2020
Page 3 of 3
8.2 Education
It was noted that Michelle Franklin has resigned from the Committee as of November 23,
2020, due to a conflict of interest.
Angela Boss offered to help source speakers and schedule events and noted that the Ministry
of Agriculture has a number of best practices resources and suggested the Committee
complete a needs assessment for the community.
8.3 Promotion of Agriculture
The Staff Liaison provided an update on the City’s corporate logo requirements for the Booth in
a Box project. Committee members discussed the history of the project and the need to
complete the project quickly. The Staff Liaison will follow-up with the City’s communication
department and report back to the Committee.
9. ROUNDTABLE
Members provided updates on local agricultural topics and activities.
10. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:23 p.m.
The next regular meeting of the Agricultural Advisory Committee will be held on
Wednesday, February 25, 2021 at 7:00 pm.
Bill Hardy, Chair
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