HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-08-20Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington Meeting
Members Present:
Regrets
Staff:
Guests
Thursday, August 20, 2020
Eric Bowman
Ted Watson
Richard Rekker
Councillor Zwart
Jennifer Knox
John Cartwright
Tom Barrie
Les Caswell
Ben Eastman
Don Rickard
Henry Zekveld
Brenda Metcalf
Amy Burke, Faye Langmaid — Planning and Development Services
Dr. Robert Williams, Watson & Associates; Allison Brown, Region of
Durham Planning and Economic Development
Due to COVID 19 restrictions and to ensure social distancing, participation in the
meeting was electronic (using Microsoft Teams) and by conference call.
Eric welcomed all to the meeting, with introductions.
Declarations of pecuniary interest
None.
Adoption of Agenda
020-17 Moved by John Cartwright, seconded by Richard Rekker
That the Agenda for August 20, 2020 be adopted.
Carried
Approval of Minutes
020-18 Moved by Tom Barrie, seconded by Henry Zekveld
That the minutes of the July 9, 2020 meeting be approved.
Carried
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington August 20, 2020
Presentation
Dr. Robert Williams, Watson & Associates - Municipality of Clarington Ward
Boundary Review: Dr. Williams is a member of the Consultant Team retained by the
Municipality of Clarington to undertake the Ward Boundary Review 2020 project.
Clarington is reviewing its ward boundaries to ensure residents across the municipality
are fairly represented by their chosen officials on Clarington Council. Dr. Williams
explained that the existing ward boundaries have been in place since 1996 and the
Municipality is looking for feedback from residents to help determine how these ward
boundaries should change. Any changes would need to be approved by Council by
December 2021 in order to be implemented by the next municipal election.
Dr. Williams provided an overview of the process. In advance of the meeting,
Committee members had the opportunity to participate in the community feedback
survey and Phase 1 Public Information Sessions, and to review the Phase 1
consultation video. Dr. Williams reviewed the range of considerations examined as part
of a ward boundary review, including current population, forecasted growth, existing
boundaries (e.g. major roadways, topographical divides), communities of interest. With
respect to community engagement within wards, Dr. Williams explained the challenges
with objectively and accurately measuring and gathering data on public engagement,
which can also fluctuate significantly over time.
The Review considers if there are other ways to better address the needs of the
community, ensuring balance and fairness. Dr. Williams clarified that it is beyond
municipal jurisdiction to examine local / municipal boundaries, as is the composition of
Regional Councillors. Further, while looking at the composition of local Council (i.e. the
number of Councillors) was not in the original scope of the project, there has been
significant feedback to date on this topic, which will be given consideration in the
pending interim report to Council.
Committee members commented on some of the challenges they felt currently existed
with the current system and fair representation for the agricultural sector and considered
the potential pros and cons of Clarington's rural area being a single ward. Dr. Williams
explained that numerous options will be presented during the next round of consultation
for feedback and exploration by the community. Committee members were encouraged
to submit any other ideas they may have on potential ward boundaries to the Project
Team.
An interim report on the Review will be presented to Council in September (tentatively
Joint Committee - September 14). The Committee requested to be provided with a
copy of the report, once available. Further public consultation will take place this fall.
The Committee expressed interest to participate in consultation and provide feedback
on the preliminary ward boundary alternatives. Project information and updates are
available at www.clarington.net/WardBoundarvReview.
Delegations
None.
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington August 20, 2020
Business Arising from Minutes
On -Farm Special Events By-law: Second working group meeting held August 18,
2020. The meeting focused on the regulations proposed in the first draft of the new by-
law, including number of events, frequency of events, event hours and number of
guests. Participating Committee members commented that the discussions have been
informative and valuable.
A third working group meeting is scheduled for September 22. This meeting will look at
potential approaches for regulating on -farm special events, including licencing and site -
specific zoning.
To learn more about the proposed rules, visit https://www.clarington.net/en/town-
hall/proposed-on-farm-special-events-by-law.asp, email
bylawenforcement(@clarington.net, or contact Duncan Anderson at 905-623-3379 ext.
2110.
Supporting Local Agriculture — Online Campaign: Promotional social media
campaign and new webpage launched in early August. www.clarington.net/Agriculture
provides a central page for agricultural resources. It includes information for residents
looking to source local farm -fresh food. It also includes information for the local
agricultural sector on employment opportunities, funding and financing, government
websites and industry news. Committee members can send comments about the
webpage and any additional or new agricultural resource links to Amy
(aburke@clarington.net).
It was questioned whether individual farms could be listed within the "accessing locally
grown food" section of the webpage. This section of the webpage is intended to provide
a one -stop shop to the numerous forums / networks / organizations that have formed
locally to support individual farms in listing and selling their products. Individual farms
are encouraged to reach out to these forums / networks / organizations directly to have
their farms added as vendor of locally grown food.
Correspondence, Council Items and Referrals
None.
Liaison Reports
Durham Agriculture Advisory Committee: Tom provided an update from the July 15
and August 18 DAAC meetings in his email to all prior to the meeting.
A virtual, invitation only event will be held on September 17 in place of the annual in -
person farm tour. This virtual spotlight on agriculture in Durham Region will include a
behind the scenes look at an egg laying barn and hog operation, both in Durham
Region. Invitations were circulated to all members of Durham Region and local area
Council, select Regional and municipal and staff, Agricultural Advisory Committee of
Clarington members, and other past event participants and key stakeholders.
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington August 20, 2020
DAAC provided a letter of support for the Region of Durham's application to the
Improving Connectivity in Ontario Program (refer to New Business).
Durham Region Federation of Agriculture: Richard provided an update from the July
15 DRFA meeting in his email to all prior to the meeting. No further questions from
Committee members.
DRFA provided a letter of support for the Region of Durham's application to the
Improving Connectivity in Ontario Program (refer to New Business).
Durham Farm Connections: Alternative format for Celebrate Agriculture 2020 awards
ceremony in development. Award nominations now being accepted. Durham Farm
Connections is searching for a new, clean and readily accessible storage location
(approx. 10 x 20 feet) for their display / educational resources.
Clarington Board of Trade: New video with messages from local businesses
promotion that Clarington is Open for Business recently released -
https://youtu. be/CT388vxIT7c.
New Business
Region of Durham Application to the Improving Connectivity in Ontario Program:
In response to a request received from the Region of Durham, a letter of support has
been provided on behalf of the Committee to support their ICOP funding application. If
successful, the grant would support the development of a Regional Broadband Network.
The Region would contribute to building "middle -mile" infrastructure, making the network
available for lease by the private sector.
Next Meeting
Thursday, October 8, 2020 @ 7:30 pm Location to be announced. We are looking to
hold this physically distanced at an outdoor facility.
Guest - Carolyn Novick, Fairlife
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington August 20, 2020