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Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington November 10th, 2016
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington Meeting
Thursday, November 10th, 2016
Members Present: Elgin Greenham Brenda Metcalf
Les Caswell MaryAnn Found
Eric Bowman Tom Barrie
Henry Zekveld,
Regrets: Councillor Partner, Don Rickard, Jennifer Knox, John Cartwright, Ted Watson
Guests: Gioesph Anello, Manager of Waste Management, Durham Region; Marg
Zwart, Orono Times
Staff: Faye Langmaid, Amy Burke, Planning Services
Brenda welcomed all to the meeting, with introductions.
Adoption of Agenda
016-26 Moved by Les Caswell, seconded by MaryAnn Found
“That the Agenda for November 8th 2016 be adopted”
Carried
Approval of Minutes
016-27 Moved by Tom Barrie, seconded by Elgin Greenham,
“That the minutes of the October 4th, 2016 meeting be approved”
Carried
Presentation: Durham’s Road to Anaerobic Digestion & Energy From Waste
Gioseph Anello, Manager of Waste Planning and Technical Services at the Regional
Municipality of Durham provided an overview of the Region’s waste management
services, an introduction to the Region’s initiative to develop an anaerobic digestion
(AD) facility for residential organic waste, and an update respecting recent air emission
concerns from the Durham York Energy Centre (DYEC).
The Region is aiming to shift the residential waste management program towards a
circular economy approach, creating further value out of a product when it has reached
the end of its useful life rather than simply disposing of it. The current waste diversion
rate for Durham Region’s residential sector is 55%. Based on an audit conducted by
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington November 10th, 2016
the Region in 2011, approximately half of what is tossed out as garbage could actually
be diverted. Waste management services provided by the Region are for the residential
sector. The bale wrap program is one exception to this that targets the agricultural
community; however, due to market volatility, the Region will be cancelling this program.
The Region is currently evaluating and preparing a business case for establishing an
AD facility in Durham Region. The facility would receive Source Separated Organic
waste collected through the existing Green Bin Program for processing. AD is a
composting method that is carried out in the absence of oxygen. Resulting end
products include compost-like digestate and biogas. The biogas can be combusted to
generate electricity and heat, or processed into renewable natural gas for use as a
transportation fuel. An AD facility would present the opportunity to better manage multi-
residential waste in Durham Region, to produce energy outputs from the waste, and to
delay the need for expansion to the DYEC. There are many questions to be answered
during the development of the business case, including which AD technology and AD
outputs offer the greatest benefit for Durham Region. The results of the business case
analysis will be presented to Regional Council late 2016 / early 2017. Subject to a
viable business case and Regional Council approval, the Region will proceed with a
Design-Build-Operate procurement process, targeting the start of construction in 2018.
Mr. Anello provided an overview of the environmental monitoring plans and program in
place for the DYEC, and demonstrated how it expanded in scope throughout the facility
approval processes. The monitoring program for dioxins and furans was reviewed in
more depth, including data from source testing, source test modelling at the point of
impingement, ambient air monitoring, and soil testing. While a stack emission
exceedance for dioxins and furans from boiler #1 was identified in May 2016, Mr. Anello
indicated that exceedances of the regulatory limits for dioxins and furans were not
measured at any of the property line or off-site monitoring locations. Stake testing as
required by Phase 2 of the Abatement Plan that is currently being carried out at the
DYEC occurred at the end of October. Results will not be available for approximately 4
weeks.
Business Arising
Official Plan Review: Adopted by Clarington Council on November 1st, sent to the
Region for review. Will be back to Clarington prior to year end. Special Study Area 2
for Greenbelt Expansion, was added to address the 2011 request of the committee and
draft Greenbelt Plan (2016) which says it will study and identify areas that would benefit
from Greenbelt protect. This study calls for whitebelt lands north of the 401 and east of
418 to be studied for agricultural capability that the Municipality considers as
appropriate as an area for the future greenbelt expansion study.
4-Plan Review: Report from staff has been submitted from the committee. Asking for a
study of Agriculture area as noted above.
Farmer’s Parade of Lights, Permit has been submitted with alternate route. December
7th is the date of the parade. Eric looking for additional floats.
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington November 10th, 2016
Correspondence and Committee Reports
Council endorsed the resolution by committee on Lisa Thompson’s private members bill
regarding certified crop advisors.
Agricultural Leadership Program 2017, course outline from UOIT Management
Development Centre.
Durham Agriculture Advisory Committee – No report.
Durham Region Federation of Agriculture - The trailer, has been very busy this fall,
procedure and policy being developed on what events and how priority of attendance
will be determined. Many bookings for the trailer have already been received for 2017.
Celebrate Agriculture Gala held on October 27th at Royal Ashburn, was sold out, The
Rickard Family received Spirit of Agriculture Award and Brad Found received the
Farmer under 40 Award. Brian Hancock, the OFA representative is retiring at year end.
Durham College is interested in partnering with farmers on research.
Clarington Board of Trade –Council has renewed the contract with Municipality for
economic development by CBOT and included performance standards.
New Business
Celebrate Agriculture 2017 Legacy Project: Council has endorsed the resolution
submitted by DRFA. This commits the Municipality to allocating space for a temporary
heritage agricultural exhibit in 2017 as well as a permanent location for a plaque
commemorating pioneer farm families of Durham (families that have farmed in Canada
for 150 years and are now farming in Durham). There is also a request to Durham
Region for a permanent Agricultural Wall of Fame in a prominent Durham Region
location. It was suggested that a presentation from Marilyn Pearce regarding this
initiative at the January meeting would be appropriate.
Committee Member Appointments: Clerks is advertising for members for a 4 year term
(ending in 2020), anyone can apply (including the members whose terms are expiring),
current members can assist with recruiting others to apply, Council appoints. The
committee requested and Council approved staggered appointments for members to
allow for continuity and continuous renewal of membership. At the end of December,
Les, Brenda, Ted, Henry and Elgin terms will be expire, you can reapply. The DRFA
appointment of a member and alternate will end in December; they have been asked for
a member and alternate for a 4 year term.
“did you know” – Faye will send pdf of the UOIT Leadership Course, please circulate..
Future Agendas
Invitation has been sent to Blackbird/MTO for update on 407/418 to attend a 2017
meeting, they will be coming in May. Currently March and April are open for speakers if
you have suggestions.
Michael Veneziano, CEO & Co-Founder, Turnkey Aquaponics Inc. will attend in Feb.
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington November 10th, 2016
John has invited Jeff Leal, he is awaiting a response.
Eric Bowman moved to Adjourn.
Next Meeting, Tuesday, December 8th, 7:30 p.m. Room 1C at Municipal
Administrative Office
Marlene Werry to update on the program at Durham College.
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