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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-11-14Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington Meeting Minutes Date: Thursday, November 14, 2024 Time: 7:30 p.m. Location: Microsoft Teams or Meeting Room 1 C, Municipal Administrative Centre 40 Temperance St., Bowmanville, Ontario Members Present: Henry Zekveld (Chair), Tom Barrie, Richard Rekker, John Cartwright, Jordan McKay, Brenda Metcalf, Mitch Morawetz (DRFA), Councillor Zwart Regrets: Eric Bowman, Craig Rickard, Jennifer Knox, Ryan Cullen Staff Present: Sylvia Jennings, Amanda Crompton — Planning and Infrastructure Services Guests: Ron Trewin, Andrew Janes — Region of Durham 1. Welcome and Introductions H. Zekveld welcomed all to the meeting, with introductions. 2. Land Acknowledgement Statement H. Zekveld recited Clarington's Land Acknowledgement Statement. 3. Declarations of Interest None 4. Approval of Minutes of October 10, 2024 An amendment to the minutes of the October 10, 2024 meeting was identified. Jenny Carnaghan is a Durham farmer, but not a Clarington farmer. 024-018 Moved by Tom Barrie, Seconded by Richard Rekker That the Minutes of the October 10, 2024 meeting, as amended, be approved. Carried 5. Presentations / Delegations 5a. Regional Roads Capital Program, Ron Trewin and Andrew Janes, Region of Durham Works Department R. Trewin and A. Janes shared a presentation on the Regional Roads Capital Projects in Clarington, focusing on rural projects. They described road rehabilitation projects that were budgeted for in 2024, including along portions of Highway 2, Regional Road 3, Grandview St, Columbus Road, and Taunton. A culvert and a Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington November 14, 2024 bridge project in Clarington were reviewed. The vision zero project, which is a road safety project aiming to lower fatalities, is currently focusing on installing roundabouts and automated speed cameras near schools. New intersection upgrades were reviewed. A. Janes noted that new traffic signals can cost between $150,000 to $250,000 for traffic signal installation, approximately $2 million for full intersection reconstruction (with traffic signals) and a roundabout can cost $4 million. Due to growth, Clarington is currently slated for many intersection upgrades, several of which are good candidates for roundabouts. R. Trewin and A. Janes noted that they are continuing to upgrade current rural road standards with the feedback from rural and agricultural residents. They noted feedback from farmers helps designers with understanding the local conditions (i.e. groundwater, traffic, farm field entrances, etc.) and incorporating these conditions into the design. They've heard concerns about sightlines, guiderails that limit the shoulder, and mountable curbs. Due to changes to excess soil regulations, the Region is having difficulties disposing excess fill. They are working with farmers and municipalities to use fill in ways like lessening slopes adjacent to roadways or filling low areas in farm fields. Committee members asked questions about the status of various road improvements and the process for choosing which projects to undertake. Further questions or comments from Committee members can be sent to A. Janes. H. Zekveld thanked A. Janes and R. Trewin for their presentation. 6. Business Arising from Previous Meeting 6a. Update on Migrant Worker Housing S. Jennings provided an update on the Migrant Worker Housing topic discussed at the October meeting. The Municipality is currently working on a municipally initiated zoning by-law amendment for migrant workers housing to resolve the ongoing issues for the upcoming season. Staff are planning to attend the AACC in the new year to provide an update and outline the path forward. 7. Correspondence, Council Items and Referrals S. Jennings informed the Committee that the Exotic Animal By-law was amended at the October 28, 2024 Council meeting to permit backyard chickens (By-law to amend the Exotic Animal By-law 2012-045). 8. Liaison Reports 8a. Durham Agricultural Advisory Committee — T. Barrie T. Barrie provided the update. Economic Development's heavy equipment tech program will be delayed until the new year. The new DAAC work plan was discussed. DAAC considered the implications of the Region's planning power being downloaded to the low tiers, and how DAAC can continue to advocate. 8b. Durham Region Federation of Agriculture Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington November 14, 2024 The DRFA's annual meeting was held last month to poor attendance. More directors are needed at the board level. The OFA annual meeting is on November 26 and 27, and they are open to delegates from Durham. A social is being planned for an Oshawa Generals game in the new year. 8c. Durham Farm Connections — B. Metcalf B. Metcalf provided the update. The Celebrate Ag Gala was held with 180 tickets sold and over $9,000 raised from the auction. Funding raised from sponsors is still to be determined. B. Metcalf noted that money raised goes towards the education programming. DFC has stayed financially viable due to sponsors, grants, and fundraising efforts. 8d. Durham Agricultural Economic Development Update — A. De Vos No update. 9. New Business 9a. 2021-2024 AACC Term Ending Committee members noted that the 2021-2024 AACC term for four of the current the members will be ending at the end of the year. Applications for the 2025-2028 term close November 14, 2024. 9b. Durham Climate Round Table A Committee Member attended the Durham Climate Round Table Fall Forum. He suggested there was a presence climate alarmism and anti -meat sentiment. 10. Date of Next Meeting December 12, 2024 11. Adjournment 024-019 Moved by John Cartwright, Seconded by Eric Bowman That the meeting adjourn at 9:00 p.m. Carried Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington November 14, 2024