HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-12-08*** Subject to Advisory Committee Approval ***
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington Meeting
Thursday, December 8, 2022
Members Present: Eric Bowman John Cartwright Jordan McKay
Tom Barrie Henry Zekveld Brenda Metcalf
Don Rickard Jennifer Knox
Regrets: Ryan Cullen, Mitch Morawetz, Ben Eastman
Staff: Amy Burke, Sylvia Jennings — Planning & Infrastructure Services
Department
Guests: Susan Pascoe — Clarington East Food Bank, Jessica Ward, Ashlee
Kielbiski — Clarington Tourism
Observers: Allison De Vos — Invest Durham, Region of Durham
Participation in the meeting was either in person at the Municipal Administrative Centre
or online (via MSTeams).
Eric welcomed all to the meeting, with introductions.
Declarations of Interest
None
Adoption of Agenda
022-023 Moved by Tom Barrie, seconded by Brenda Metcalf
That the Agenda for December 8, 2022, be adopted.
Carried
Approval of Minutes
022-024 Moved by Don Rickard, seconded by Henry Zekveld
That the minutes of the November 10, 2022, meeting be approved.
Carried
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington December 8, 2022
Presentations
Clarington Tourism Update: Ashlee Kielbiski and Jessica Ward, Clarington Tourism,
provided an update on the Clarington Fall 2022 tourism campaign. The focus this
season was on farms, markets, and pick -your -own opportunities. Ashlee and Jessica
informed the Committee about their reach and methods for advertising and promoting
Clarington agri-tourism. They advertised to residents throughout Clarington, Durham
Region, the Greater Toronto Area, Northumberland, Peterborough, and Belleville.
Promotion mechanisms included booths at local community events, mailouts, and digital
advertisements. Ashlee and Jessica provided an overview of new engagement tracking
methods being used. Through location -tracking, it is estimated the people who saw
Clarington Tourism's digital ads created an economic impact of $387,738 in the
community.
In addition, new initiatives in 2022 included influencer partnerships, magazine ads,
digital ads in the GTA, and a television spot. After a Breakfast Television feature with
Watson's Farm and other local businesses, the tourism team received positive feedback
from businesses who reported customers were mentioning the TV spot. Clarington
Tourism commented that they are happy to collaborate with local farmers if there are
future initiatives farmers would like assistance with.
Clarington East Food Bank: Susan Pascoe, Coordinator at the Clarington East Food
Bank, shared the organization's new model with the Committee. Over the last year, the
food bank has changed its philosophy and model. The new model focuses on clients as
"neighbours" and implements a shopping model where clients are given a number of
points based on the size of their family. With this system, families can choose foods
based on their preferences and needs. The model incentivizes healthy foods and
provides feedback to the food bank on which foods are the most popular and in
demand. Susan reported that the change has allowed the food bank to make better
economic decisions as they now understand demand and can reduce food waste.
Susan indicated that the new model has been an overwhelming success and has
created a community atmosphere at the food bank.
Fresh produce and meats are the most popular items at the food bank and donations
received from the local agricultural community are always appreciated and very well
received. The food bank receives the highest amount of donations near Christmas, but
they are particularly in need in the summer and early fall months. Those wishing to
donate can do so at the Clarington East Food Bank website or by contacting Susan
Pascoe directly(claringtoneastfoodban k(a)_gmail. com or (905)-987-1418).
Delegations
None
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington December 8, 2022
Business Arising from Minutes
Municipal comments on the Province's proposed amendments to the Greenbelt
Plan, 2022: (Report PDS-059-22) Municipal comments were considered by Council at
General Government Committee on November 29, 2022. Staff informed the AACC of
the resolution approved by Committee, which included that the Municipality "objects to
any removal of land in the greenbelt." The Provincial comment period has now closed.
Subject to Council ratification on December 12, Municipal comments will be forwarded
to the Province.
Municipal comments on the Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022: (Report
PDS-054-22) Municipal comments were considered by Council at Planning and
Development Committee on December 6, 2022. In responding to a question on local
housing targets assigned by the Province and the need for additional land for urban
development, staff reiterated the comments outlined in the staff report indicating
Clarington has sufficient housing capacity in the form of approved and planned
residential units to accommodate the housing target allocation of 13,000 homes by
2031. Staff explained that Bill 23 has now been passed, although not all parts have
been proclaimed.
Correspondence, Council Items and Referrals
Envision Durham — Growth Management Study: (Notice) Staff provided the formal
notice of release of the Draft Settlement Boundary Expansions and Area Municipal
Growth Allocations as discussed at last the last Committee meeting. There is currently
no deadline for comments and the impact of Bill 23 on the consultation period is not yet
known.
Ontario On -Farm Climate Action Fund: Staff advised the Committee that a new
intake for this fund will be active in January. See their website for details on eligibility
and key dates. Allison De Vos noted there are upcoming information sessions about
the fund and the January 2023 intake cycle. Session dates were circulated to
Committee members.
Durham Region 311 Phone Service: (Notice) Staff shared notice of the Region of
Durham's recent launch of a 311 telephone service to provide information to residents.
Liaison Reports
Durham Agricultural Advisory Committee: A DAAC Sub -Committee is developing an
"Agriculture 101" seminar for the new Regional Council and is considering bringing the
presentation to local councils. Another key highlight from DAAC's December meeting
was a presentation from the Hamilton, Oshawa Port Authority, one of the largest port
authorities on Lake Ontario. The next DAAC meeting is scheduled for January 17, 2023.
Durham Region Federation of Agriculture: No updates.
Durham Farm Connections: No updates.
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington December 8, 2022
Clarington Board of Trade: No updates.
New Business
THEE Farmers' Parade of Light: This self -driving parade is running from December 7
to December 11, 2022, with 14 participating farms.
2022 AACC Accomplishments and Annual Council Update: Eric will present the
annual update to Council at the Planning and Development Committee meeting on
January 16, 2023. Committee members can attend in person or virtually through the live
stream on the Municipal website (www.clarington.net/calendar).
End of Term Members: Amy Burke extended sincere thanks to the members currently
at the end of their four-year term including Tom Barrie, Jennifer Knox, Ben Eastman,
John Cartwright, Don Rickard and Eric Bowman for their interest, contributions and time
spent as Committee members.
Planning and Infrastructure Services Department Restructuring: In response to a
question about the status of changes being made to economic development services,
staff informed the Committee of recent restructuring that has occurred within the
Planning and Development Services Department, now renamed Planning and
Infrastructure Services. The new department expanded to include Municipal
Engineering and Economic Development Services. Staffing for the Economic
Development Services branch is yet to be determined.
John Cartwright moved to adjourn.
Next Meeting
January 12, 2023 @ 7:30 pm (Hybrid format)
Municipal Administrative Centre, 40 Temperance Street, Bowmanville, Meeting Room
1 C or virtual via MS Teams
Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington December 8, 2022