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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-11-08 Minutes CLARINGTON AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8t", 2012 MEMBERS PRESENT: Brenda Metcalf John Cartwright Les Caswell Eric Bowman Mary Ann Found Jenni Knox Gary Jeffery Ted Watson Councillor Partner STAFF: Faye Langmaid, Kristy Kilbourne REGRETS: Don Rickard, Tom Barrie ABSENT: Mark Bragg ~ GUESTS: Mike Porporo, Municipal Relations Representative, MPAC Gary welcomed all to the meeting, everyone introduced themselves. Adoption of Agenda r 012-22 Moved by Eric Bowman, seconded by Wendy Partner ..+,r "That the Agenda for November 8`', 2012 be adopted" . CARRIED Approval of Minutest , 012-23 Moved by Ted Watson, seconded by Brenda Metcalf 'That the minutes of the October 11`', 2012 meeting be approved." .. CARRIED Presentations: Mike Porporo from MPAC provided an overview of MPAC, the assessment cycle, and property valuation. He also walked through their online tool, AboutMy Property TM, and discussed the process for requests for reconsideration. He indicated that the average increase in farmland values was 34% for Ontario; 28% for Durham Region; and 31% for Clarington. The cost of farmland in Clarington is approximately $8,500 per acre. The discussion following the presentation included a number of questions, of which the answers can be found below: Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington November 8 t", 2012 - Farm property assessment values are based on recent farmer to farmer, open market sale transactions where farming is the principal occupation. - An increase in assessed value doesn't necessarily translate to increased property taxes. However, if the percentage change of your property is greater than the average percentage change then your property taxes may go up. Taxation is only partially based on the value of the property, while the other variable is the municipality's budgetary requirements and tax rate. Currently, farm property owners in Clarington pay 20% of the residential tax rate. - There are several factors at play driving up the price of farm property, including: low interest rates, less available farm land, and an increase in hobby farms. - In the future, property owners will be able to access all of their previous MPAC assessments (beginning in 2012) online through AboutMyPropertyTM Business Arising from Minutes 1) The Farmer's Parade of Lights will be on December 51h, 2012 beginning at 5:45pm. There was some discussion around the promotion of the event. 2) Faye clarified that the Municipality's perspective on the Lamb's Rd. Interchange is different from that of the MTO. While the MTO would prefer to leave the interchange at Bennett Rd., the Municipality, and the Region would prefer the interchange to be at Lamb's Rd. as it would better service downtown Bowmanville. This is reflected in the Regional Official Plan and the Clarington Official Plan. Correspondence and Council Referrals 1) Staff Report PSD-050-12 regarding the Municipality's comments on the Province's review of the Provincial Policy Statement that will be going to the General Purpose and Administration Committee on Monday, November 121h. She advised that the Municipality is in support of the proposed changes to the Agriculture section of the PPS based on the comments from the members at the last meeting. 2) URS has been contracted by the MTO to undertake a study of the 401 interchanges from Brock Street, in Whitby, to Courtice Road with the potential for a Townline/Prestonvale Rd. interchange. The dates have not yet been announced for the public information centre. 3) Applications are now being accepted for the Premier's Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence in case anyone on the committee knows of someone in the community who should be nominated. The deadline for submissions is Friday, January 181h, 2013. Liaison Reports DAAC — Eric provided an update on the last DAAC meeting where Mayor Henry from Oshawa presented on the City's opposition to the location of an ethanol plant at Oshawa Harbour. There was some discussion on the topic of ethanol. The Oshawa Chamber of Commerce had some speakers resent presentations on ethanol; these presentations are available on the Oshawa Chamber of Commerce's website for those who are interested in viewing them. Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington November 81h, 2012 DRFA —DRFA has not met since the last meeting, however, a small group of volunteers with representation from Farm Connections, Durham Farm Fresh, and Durham Farm and Rural Family Resources met recently to discuss the development of an Agricultural Awareness Strategic Plan for Durham Region which will cater to non-farm public, targeting students, consumers, educators, and leaders, as well as offer support in terms of agricultural and media training for farm public. They will be starting to work on data collection and identifying funding sources. CBOT — Jenni updated the group that CBOT is attending a hearing on the proposed federal electoral district boundary change. In addition, CBOT are hosting an all candidate debate for the federal by-election on November 16th at the Rickard Complex. Other Business 1) John informed the committee of the Creative Cocktail, a business networking event and educational series in Peterborough with some programming geared toward farmers and agri-business connections. 2) The Clarington Heritage Committee is beginning a historical barns project, with an impetus to create a photographic record of significant barns before they disappear from the landscape and incorporate these images and stories into a book. Some members of the CAAC offered to assist with this project by offering access to their property or helping to identify significant barns in the area. It was noted that it will be important to get some of the rural vistas and views in advance of the 407, the highway will change the rural landscape in a significant way. 3) Les informed the group that two local 4H members were winners at the Royal Winter Fair for maple syrup. Future Agendas Potential presentations for future agendas were discussed. The Director of Finance/Treasurer will be asked to attend as a follow-up to the MPAC presentation. Dan McMorrow is attending in January regarding insurance implications of on-farm retail sales. John moved to Adjourn Next Meeting December 13, 2012, 7:30 p.m. Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington November 8 th, 2012