HomeMy WebLinkAboutAAC 2022-06-23 minutes.pdfCity of Maple Ridge
Agricultural Advisory Committee
MEETING MINUTES
June 23, 2022 Regular Meeting
The Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Agricultural Advisory Committee,
held via Zoom teleconference on June 23, 2022 at 7:00 p.m.
____________________________________________________________________________________
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Alec Biln, Chair Member at Large
Jeff Laity, Vice Chair Member at Large
Lorraine Bates Agricultural Fair Board Representative
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT
Adam Rieu Staff Liaison, Planner 1
Darlene Slevin Recreation Coordinator – Volunteer & Special Events
Arsh Dhillon Committee Clerk
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT
Councillor Gordy Robson Council Liaison
Alex Pope Fraser North Farmers Market Society Representative
Conley Keyes B.C. Ministry of Agriculture (Non-voting member)
1.CALL TO ORDER – 7:03 pm
2.APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
R/2022-AAC-010
It was moved and seconded
That the agenda for the June 23, 2022 Agricultural Advisory Committee meeting be approved as
circulated with amendment to remove Item 4.3.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
3.ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES
R/2022-AAC-011
It was moved and seconded
That the minutes of the April 28, 2021 Agricultural Advisory Committee meeting be adopted.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
4.DELEGATIONS
4.1. Metro Vancouver climate 2050 Agriculture Roadmap – Carla Stewart
A.Biln, Chair, introduced Carla Stewart, Senior Planner of Agriculture and Food Security at
Metro Vancouver. C. Stewart presented the Draft Climate 2050 Agriculture Roadmap. Topics
including: Metro Vancouver’s climate change response plan, clean air plan, and impacts of
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June 23, 2022
Page 2 of 3
climate change on agriculture and urban land uses. C. Stewart highlighted the strategies for
action: protection of agriculture land, supporting farmers as climate action leaders, supporting
long-term farm health and resilience, and enabling long-term investment in agriculture. Adam
Rieu, Staff Liaison/Planner 1, asked if the plan addressed the lack of productivity of agriculture
land. C. Stewart stated that the perspective on production of agriculture land is important
because if land is not actively being used for growing, the land can be used in another
productive manner in terms of ecosystem health
Note: Susan Einarsson joined at 7:06 pm.
4.2. Parks, Recreation and Culture: Master Plan – Darlene Slevin
A. Biln, Chair, introduced Darlene Slevin, Recreation Coordinator. D. Slevin presented the
Parks, Recreation & Culture Master Plan. Topics included: methods of engagement with
stakeholders and the importance of the plan to create better approaches going forward with
the increasing population in the City of Maple Ridge. D. Slevin shared contact information with
the Agriculture Advisory Committee for members to be able to share feedback regarding the
Master Plan.
4.3. Municipal Advisory Committee Accessibility and Inclusiveness: Accessibility and Inclusiveness
Framework – Petra Frederick
This item was removed from the agenda.
5.NEW AND UNFINISHED BUSINESS
5.1. Speaker Series – Young Agrarians
A.Rieu, Staff Liaison/Planner 1, provided an overview of the goals and framework of the Young
Agrarian Organization. The Agriculture Advisory Committee discussed how the committee could
facilitate engagement between the Young Agrarian Organization and the community.
5.2. Community Gardens
A.Rieu, Staff Liaison/Planner 1, provided an overview of the multiple roles and administration
responsibilities of community gardens. A. Rieu, Staff Liaison/Planner 1, provided an example
of a successful community garden in another Metro Vancouver jurisdiction – Burnaby, British
Columbia. The Agricultural Advisory Committee hopes to have a guest speaker at a future
Agricultural Advisory Committee regular meeting to discuss how to develop and maintain a
successful community garden.
5.3. Country Fest Grant Application
L.Bates, Agricultural Fair Board Representative, provided a brief overview of the Country Fest
Grant Application. The Country Fest Grant Application required a motion and vote, but the
Agriculture Advisory Committee lost quorum when L. Bates removed herself from the vote due
to a conflict of interest. The Agricultural Advisory Committee will be holding a Special Meeting in
July 2022 to discuss this item.
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June 23, 2022
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6.LIAISON UPDATES
6.1. Staff Liaison – NIL
6.2. Council Liaison – NIL
7.TASK FORCE UPDATES
7.1. 2021 Food and Garden Contest
A.Rieu, updated the Agriculture Advisory Committee that the deadline for submission to the
2021 Food and Garden Contest has closed. The Agriculture Advisory Committee will be
requesting applicants to submit photos of their gardens to be judged in September 2022.
8.QUESTION PERIOD FOR THE PUBLIC – NIL
S. Einarsson commented on the community garden segment.
9.ROUNDTABLE
10.ADJOURNMENT – 8:03 p.m.
Alec Biln, Chair
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