HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-06-09Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington Meeting
Thursday, June 9, 2022
Members Present: Eric Bowman Jordan McKay John Cartwright
Tom Barrie Ben Eastman Councillor Zwart
Regrets: Don Rickard, Henry Zekveld, Brenda Metcalf, Jennifer Knox, Ryan
Cullen, Mitch Morawetz
Staff: Amy Burke, Faye Langmaid, Jane Wang - Planning & Development
Services
Guests: Kelly McAllister, Green Bees
Observers: None
Participation in the meeting was in person at the Municipal Administrative Centre.
Eric welcomed all to the meeting, with introductions of Committee members.
Declarations of Interest
None
Adoption of Agenda
In the absence of quorum, the Committee agreed to continue the meeting in accordance
with the agenda by consensus, with no motions to be considered.
Approval of Minutes
In the absence of quorum, approval of minutes of the May 12, 2022 meeting was
deferred to July 14, 2022.
PrP.Pntatinn
Beekeeping and the Winter Die -off: Kelly McAllister of Green Bees, provided an
overview of her local, hobby beekeeping operations and shared insight on how both
commercial and hobby beekeepers have been impacted by the significant bee die -off
experienced in winter 2021/2022. Green Bees partners with local farmers to set up hive
locations, owned and fully managed by Green Bees.
Kelly noted that normal winter die -off rates experienced by beekeepers are
approximately 20% - 25%, on average. Across North America, it is reported that the
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington June 9, 2022
winter 2021/2022 season experienced die -off rates of 90% - 95%. Kelly touched upon
the typical causes of winter die off, including starvation and mites, as well as the
theories for the recent mass die -off. The leading theories being assessed by OMAFRA
and others include mites, a specific type of fungicide, and a bacteria commonly used as
a biological control agent including for the control of gypsy moths. Kelly emphasized
that research is on -going, and a cause has not yet been confirmed.
The Committee discussed the potential negative effect on the agricultural sector and in
particular operations that rely on pollination services (e.g. fruit and vegetable crop), as
well as the logistics, requirements and time needed to rebuild bee colonies. Kelly noted
that the full impact of the winter 2021/2022 die -off is still being assessed, but will have
an effect on agriculture and food production.
Eric thanked Kelly for her presentation, on behalf of the Committee.
Delegations
None
Business Arising from Minutes
Rural Roadside Ditch Maintenance Program: Staff updated the Committee that a
meeting has been coordinated with Public Works to discuss the Committee questions
that arose at the May 12, 2022 meeting. These included how ditch maintenance
locations are prioritized, how much budget is allocated to ditch maintenance, and would
there be any benefit to the AACC compiling a list of ditches in the Municipality that they
see as being particularly problematic from an agricultural perspective? An update on
the outcomes of the meeting will be provided at the July 14, 2022 meeting.
Envision Durham Alternative Land Needs Scenarios — Notice of Regional Council
Direction: In advance of the meeting, staff circulated the notice, dated received from
the Region of Durham, dated May 30, 2022, of Regional Council's decision on this
matter. Envision Durham will now proceed to the next phase of Envision Durham's
Growth Management Study to identify, assess, and consult on candidate locations for
settlement area boundary expansion.
The Committee questioned the locations where settlement area boundary expansions
could potentially occur. Staff explained that the Region will examine "whitebelt" lands.
However, without the accompanying population and employment forecasts, the
implications of the approved scenario for Clarington are not possible to discern at this
time. Planning and Development Staff will report back to the Committee on potential
local impacts at a future date, once the allocations and proposed municipal boundary
expansions have been released by the Region.
Durham Agri -Food Action Plan: On June 7, 2022, the Region of Durham's Planning
and Economic Development Committee recommended endorsement of the Draft
Growing Agri -Food Durham plan (June 2022), which sets out a five-year plan to grow
and support Durham's agri-food businesses and the agri-food industry. The AACC
participated in consultation on the initiative. Staff shared the appreciation received from
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington June 9, 2022
Invest Durham for the Committee's contributions. The recommended endorsement will
be considered by Regional Council on June 29, 2022.
Correspondence, Council Items and Referrals
In advance of the meeting, the following notices to the Municipality from the Region of
Durham were circulated to the Committee for information:
• Region of Durham — Taunton Rd. Reconstruction, Townline Rd./Bowmanville
Ave, Notice of Study Completion
• Region of Durham —Taunton Rd. Road Rehabilitation, RR42/RR17 (Main St.),
Public Notice
• Region of Durham — Enfield Rd. Road Rehabilitation Enfield Rd./Conc. Rd. 7,
Public Notice
Liaison Reports
Durham Agriculture Advisory Committee: No updates. The next DAAC meeting is
scheduled for June 14, 2022.
Durham Region Federation of Agriculture: No updates.
Durham Farm Connections: DFC has an opportunity for a Digital Marking and
Communications Assistant Summer Student. Contact drfagric(a)_gmail.com for details.
Clarington Board of Trade: Annual General Meeting will take place on Thursday June
16 at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. Keynote speaker is Lorraine Sunstrum-Mann,
CEO of Grandview Kids, who will speak about the importance of collaboration with
government, community stakeholders and local businesses. Details to register are
available at https://www.cbot.ca/events/2022-annual-general-meeting-business-
awards/_
On -Farm Diversified Uses (OFDUs) Sub -Committee: A consolidation of comments
received on March 3, 2022 relating to the comparison of secondary uses and
regulations permitted by the County of Brant, City of Ottawa and Clarington's draft
zoning by-law (November 2021) has been circulated to the Sub -Committee. Additional
comments and questions are welcomed. Staff are now working on the development of
public resources to assist farmers considering the establishment of an OFDU to
understand Municipal land use planning and building requirements. Sub -Committee
meeting #3 will be coordinated by Staff later this summer to review and solicit feedback
on draft resources.
New Business
2019 — 2022 Committee Member Term: Staff highlighted key dates for the completion
of the current term of Council and the Municipality's Advisory Committees of Council,
along with the schedule for applications to sit on Advisory Committees for the 2023 —
2026 term. Six of the AACC member appointments by Council will conclude at the end
of 2022.
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington June 9, 2022
Durham Agriculture Economic Development and Planning Workshop: Staff
advised the Committee of their attendance at this event, hosted by the Region of
Durham on June 9, 2022. Municipal Planning, Building, By-law, and Economic
Development staff were brought together for the purposes of knowledge sharing,
networking and identifying opportunities for collaboration with a focus on supporting
agriculture. Clarington staff were requested to present at the workshop on the AACC,
the value they provide to the Municipality, and how they contribute to municipal decision
making, with a focus on the role of sub -committees. Staff shared with the Committee
the appreciation expressed by OMAFRA and Region staff for the support the AACC has
provided on local agricultural matters.
Clarington Economic Development Strategy: Staff updated the Committee that a
draft Economic Development Strategy for the Municipality is now complete. At the June
6, 2022 General Government Committee meeting, consideration of Report CAO-005-22
and presenting the draft Strategy and recommending its endorsement was deferred to
the June 20, 2022 Council meeting. Staff will report back on the Strategy pending
Council's decision.
Solina Truck Prohibition: A concern was raised respecting resolution #C-083-22
approved by Council on April 4, 2022, "that the NO HEAVY TRUCKS prohibition
currently in effect along Concession Road 6 and Concession Road 7 be permanent."
Committee members requested clarity on the application of the prohibition for trucks
carrying out agricultural activities, and how Durham Region Police Services will make
this determination upon stopping a vehicle. Of key concern is that vehicles, such as fuel
trucks or other types of hauling vehicles that look no different than a regular hauling
truck will be ticketed, leaving the burden (both financial and time) on farmers to follow
the process to refute the ticket and seek exemption for normal farm practices. Staff
agreed to coordinate a meeting with Public Works staff. Pending the discussion, the
Committee will consider delegating to Council and a corresponding request for
reconsideration of the permanent truck ban.
John Cartwright moved to adjourn.
Next Meeting
Thursday, July 14, 2022 @ 7:30 pm
Municipal Administrative Centre, 40 Temperance Street, Bowmanville, Room 1 C
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington June 9, 2022