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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-08-17 MinutesAgricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington Meeting Thursday, Aug 17th, 2017 Members Present: John Cartwright Brenda Metcalf Don Rickard Tom Barrie Elgin Greenham Eric Bowman, Ted Watson Les Caswell Richard Rekker Henry Zekveld Regrets: Jennifer Knox, Councillor Wendy Partner Guests: Sean Bagshaw, Engineering Services, Capital Works Staff: Faye Langmaid Planning Services Brenda welcomed all to the meeting, with introductions. Adoption of Agenda 017-17 Moved by Donald Rickard, seconded by Eric Bowman "That the Agenda for Aug 17, 2017 be adopted" Carried Approval of Minutes 017-18 Moved by Les Caswell, seconded by John Cartwright "That the minutes of the July 13, 2017 meeting be approved" Carried Sean Bagshaw of Engineering Services provided an overview on the capital projects that are not part of subdivision development. His role is with existing infrastructure, redevelopment of roads, bridges, etc. There are some projects remaining from previous years that are being completed this year. Sean provided an overview of where all these projects are and the timing of them. Sean also explained how the Region, Municipality and other service provider agencies (utilities) work together to sort out what improvements will be made. Railways continue to be a challenge as do roads that are to be uploaded to the Region. The 407 construction has had implication on when certain roads will be redeveloped and upgraded either because of wear and tear or use as an alternate access. Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington Aug 17, 2017 Sean explained the standards the Municipality has to meet for risk management on road sides which has had implication on the installation of guardrails along many creek crossings and culverts for roadside protection. Sean provided an overview of the 10 year tracking he does on road maintenance and the inventory that is maintained by the Municipality to determine where our assets are. Currently there is a deficit in funding for the maintenance of road and road related infrastructure. The committee thanked Sean for his attendance and requested that Operations be invited to attend a meeting to discuss rural road maintenance and the forecast for them. Committee members would like to see a yellow strip down rural roads which would have the effect of slowing traffic and keeping them on their side of the road. Business Arising Zoning: Planning Staff are continuing to work away on the rural zoning by-law review. If there are any additional comments please send them along to Amy. EBR Posting on Agriculture System is at https://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB- External/displayno ticecontent.do?noticeld=MTMzMDA2&statusld=MjAyMDU5&languag e=en. There are public meetings, closest one is Peterborough on September 12. It is the mapping that will be of interest to committee members. Comments are due October 4, 2017. Growing the Greenbelt requests to expand the Greenbelt will be heard by a new provincial body to be set up to review the applications. Durham Transportation Masterplan is open for comments https://durhamtmp.ca/drafttmp/ Committee members may want to comment on the role that the Port of Oshawa plays with regard to exporting agricultural goods. Twilight Meeting: Barrie family congratulated on hosting the event during torrential downpour. Over 270 attended. Correspondence and Committee Reports Montgomery County's Agriculture Reserve — discussion on the article about the American Planning Award for the Agriculture Reserve polices and how the transfer of development rights. In Ontario there is no inherent right to a number of residential development units on any given property, rather there is much more involvement and direction from the Provincial Government on land use planning policy. However, the transfer of development rights has been used in urban situations for additional height or density in exchange for mostly historic buildings being protected. It is interesting to see how the transfer of development rights has worked for agricultural operations. Durham Agriculture Advisory Committee: cc 2017 DAAC Farm Tour September 20 at Picov Downs in Ajax, different stations will be set up for educational displays/talks. The displays are going to be about Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington Aug 17, 2017 the economic impact that ripples through the community from the Picov Downs operation. They have invited the supply chain. Durham Region Federation of Agriculture: oo The Annual General Meeting will be September 27th at 7:30 p.m. at Nestleton Community Centre. Speaker is Steve Brachonvich. oo The Ag education trailer is in high demand it will be at the fall fairs in the area, a number of request from outside the Durham area are being addressed if the trailer and attendant are available. Members will recall Mary Ann Founds spearheading of this initiative. Clarington Board of Trade: oo CBOT Staff working on a number of leads for economic development and a video about the agricultural opportunities in Clarington, the meeting to determine the focus is tomorrow morning at 10:00 a.m. at the Boards office. Farm Connections oo Farm Connections has been working on the collection of agricultural families that have been in the business of farming for 150 years, they had hoped for 60 families and are now at 103 families with 125 farms. These families will be honoured at the Agriculture Gala in October, there are 300 tickets available over 200 have already been sold. Program of recognizing agricultural families will continue in future years. oo The display on Agriculture in Durham will be on tour at the fall fairs, the Clarington Museum is retaining some of the display and will continue with it until the year end. It has been well received and a number of donations to the Museum have resulted from the initiative. New Business Tax changes on the horizon that affect the farming community: Horticulture and tender fruit industry is very worried about the minimum wage proposals and how it will affect their operations and existing employees. Carbon Tax is 3 cents a cubic metre for gas, being paying it since beginning of the year, presumably there are programs that will be announced to providing incentives, for greenhouses and drying operations this is a significant cost. Income Tax Act- changes to the small business and how capital assets (like land) can be transferred to family members, any farms that are incorporated (which is most) will be affected, especially as it affects succession planning. Harvest Supper — Solina Community Hall on September 16th, 6:30 p.m. $30, tickets available from Eric and Jenny Bowman. This supper showcases local producers. Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington Aug 17, 2017 Future Agendas John will be inviting Barry and Mark Bragg to speak about their operation and value- added initiatives. Participation House, Jenni Knox to follow-up. Faye to invite new CAO and Operations. Eric Bowman moved to Adjourn. Next Meeting, Thursday, October 12th meeting, Operations to be invited. Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington Aug 17, 2017