HomeMy WebLinkAboutAAC 2021-02-25 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 February 25, 2021 at 7:01 pm
____________________________________________________________________________________
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Councillor Gordy Robson Council Liaison
Bill Hardy Member at Large
Carla Schiller Member at Large
Pascale Shaw Member at Large
Andrew Pozsar Member at Large
Lorraine Bates Agricultural Fair Board Representative
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, Planner 1
Sabina Chand Committee Clerk, Legal and Legislative Services
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT
Shannon Lambie Agriculture Land Commission (Non-voting member)
Mr. Adam Rieu, Staff Liaison chaired the meeting until the election of the chair.
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
R/2021-001
It was moved and seconded
That the agenda for the February 25, 2021 Agricultural Advisory Committee meeting be
approved as circulated.
CARRIED
3. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES
R/2021-002
It was moved and seconded
That the minutes of the November 26, 2020 Agricultural Advisory Committee meeting be
adopted as circulated.
CARRIED
4. DELEGATIONS - NIL
5. QUESTION PERIOD - NIL
mapleridge.ca
Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes
February 25, 2021
Page 2 of 3
6. NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
6.1 Chair and Vice Chair Selection
The Staff Liaison opened up the floor to nominations for Chair and Vice Chair of the Agricultural
Advisory Committee.
R/2021-003
It was moved and seconded
That Bill Hardy be elected as Chair of the Agricultural Advisory Committee for 2021.
CARRIED
R/2021-004
It was moved and seconded
That Carla Schiller be elected as Vice Chair of the Agricultural Advisory Committee for 2021.
CARRIED
6.2 Advisory Committee Overview
The Staff Liaison provided a PowerPoint presentation on the Agricultural Advisory Committee
orientation and highlighted the following: legislative procedures, role and function of advisory
committees, City meeting guidelines and 2021 deliverables.
6.3 2021 Meeting Schedule
The Committee discussed the number of annual meetings and agreed to keep the schedule as
is to stay productive on specific projects and make timely decisions.
6.4 Water Meter Rates Research Update
Carla Schiller provided a verbal update on water meter rates provided by Metro Vancouver and
concluded that most municipalities have regular rates and no reductions for farmers.
6.5 2021 Food Garden Contest
The Committee discussed creative ways to advertise and promote the 2021 Food Garden
Contest.
R/2021-005
It was moved and seconded
That the Agricultural Advisory Committee create a 2021 Food Garden Task Force including
Carla Schiller, Pascale Shaw, Bill Hardy, Melissa Maltais, Lorraine Bates, Councillor Robson
with the support of the Staff Liaison.
CARRIED
6.6 Community Garden Program
The Committee discussed best practices for establishing community gardens and how to locate
gardening opportunities. It was noted that the Staff Liaison will follow up with City Staff that
oversee the contact information on garden projects and provide an update at the next meeting.
Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes
February 25, 2021
Page 3 of 3
7. LIAISON UPDATES
7.1 Staff Liaison
The Staff Liaison provided a brief update on the following items:
• Farm property tax reduction noted in the Tax Rate Bylaw;
• Farm class rates were decreased;
• Land trust letter from Metro Vancouver identifying no immediate support is available;
• Maple Ridge food Hub update.
7.2 Council Liaison
Councillor Robson provided a brief update on the continued service provided by the Friends in
Need Food Bank during the pandemic.
8. TASK FORCE UPDATES
8.1 Promotion of Agriculture
No further update.
9. ROUNDTABLE
The Committee discussed an e-bulletin that was circulated via email to provide members with
a number of free educational opportunities:
https://agriservicebc.campayn.com/contact_list_form/signup/88410
10. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:58 p.m.
The next regular meeting of the Agricultural Advisory Committee will be held on
Wednesday, March 25, 2021 at 7:00 pm.
Bill Hardy, Chair
/sc