HomeMy WebLinkAboutAAC 2021-04-22 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 April 22, 2021 at 7:12 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
Lorraine Bates Agricultural Fair Board Representative
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT
Adam Rieu Staff Liaison, Planner 1
Sabina Chand Committee Clerk, Legal and Legislative Services
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT
Melissa Maltais Fraser North Farmers Market Society Representative
Andrew Pozsar Member at Large
Angela Boss B.C. Ministry of Agriculture (Non-voting member)
Shannon Lambie Agriculture Land Commission (Non-voting member)
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
R/2021-006
It was moved and seconded
That the agenda for the April 22, 2021 Agricultural Advisory Committee meeting be approved as
circulated.
CARRIED
3. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES
R/2021-007
It was moved and seconded
That the minutes of the February 25, 2021 Agricultural Advisory Committee meeting be adopted
as circulated.
CARRIED
4. DELEGATIONS - NIL
5. QUESTION PERIOD – NIL
6. NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
mapleridge.ca
Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes
April 22, 2021
Page 2 of 3
6.1 Anti-Discrimination Policy
The Anti-Discrimination HR policy applies to all employees and volunteers working for the City
of Maple Ridge and is to be reviewed and acknowledged by the Committee.
6.2 Respectful Workplace Policy
The Respectful Workplace HR policy applies to all employees and volunteers working for the
City of Maple Ridge and is to be reviewed and acknowledged by the Committee.
6.3 AAC Educational Opportunities
The Chair summarized potential education opportunities that were discussed in 2020 and
postponed due COVID-19 and leave of a member at large. Discussion followed on interest to
provide education for the general public on the following items: food security, self-sufficiency,
supporting local businesses and farming.
6.4 Earth Day Canada at Home Challenge
Staff Liaison recognized today is Earth Day and asked the Committee to share personal
environmental topics and how they celebrated Earth Day from home.
7. LIAISON UPDATES
7.1 Staff Liaison
The Staff Liaison provided a brief update on the following items:
• Introduced Parks Manager for connection with community gardens;
• Update on AAC’s carryover budget;
• Update on City Hall COVID-19 restrictions;
• AAC related email inquiries received through Clerks;
• Provided information on lot coverage for Agricultural buildings through a comparison of
Maple Ridge and neighbouring communities. Staff liaison to email the summarized
findings.
7.2 Council Liaison
Councillor Robson provided update on a local organic gardener that is currently working with
the City to establish a business on a farm.
8. TASK FORCE UPDATES
8.1 2021 Food and Garden Contest
The Staff Liaison provided an update on the Contest and advised that there have been
approximately 40 participants so far. Members discussed advertising the Contest poster on
social media and spreading the word through other community partner channels.
R/2021-008
It was moved and seconded
That the Agricultural Advisory Committee allocate a budget of $250 for the Contest prizes.
CARRIED
Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes
April 22, 2021
Page 3 of 3
8.2 Promotion of Agriculture – Booth in a Box Project
No further update.
9. ROUNDTABLE
Members provided verbal reports on local agricultural topics and activities and discussed the
importance of road safety awareness of farm vehicles.
10. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:21 p.m.
The next regular meeting of the Agricultural Advisory Committee will be held on
Wednesday, May 27, 2021 at 7:00 pm.
Bill Hardy, Chair
/sc