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Home My WebLink About2026-03-12* Subject to Advisory Committee approval * Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington March 12, 2026 Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington Meeting Minutes Date: Thursday, March 12, 2026 Time: 7:30 p.m. Location: Microsoft Teams or Meeting Room 1C, Municipal Administrative Centre 40 Temperance St., Bowmanville, Ontario Members Present: Henry Zekveld (Chair), Councillor Margaret Zwart, Tom Barrie, John Cartwright, Richard Rekker, Brad Found, Lloyd Vandergaast, Craig Rickard, Mitch Morawetz (DRFA), Arvind Cheniveerappan Regrets: Eric Bowman, Jennifer Knox Staff Present: Sylvia Jennings, David Perkins – Planning and Infrastructure Services, Brett Novak, Clarington Public Works Guests: None 1. Welcome and Introductions H. Zekveld welcomed everyone to the meeting with introductions. 2. Land Acknowledgement Statement H. Zekveld recited the Land Acknowledgement Statement. 3. Declarations of Interest None. 4. Approval of Minutes of February 12, 2026 026-006 Moved by B. Found seconded by R. Rekker That the Minutes of the February 12, 2026, meeting be approved. Carried 5. Presentations / Delegations 5a. Discussion regarding ditches and drainage – B. Novak, Clarington Public Works B. Novak addressed questions from Committee members. • Roadside ditch work requires pre-planning to ensure that locates for infrastructure are identified before work is done. • Public works cleans up extensive amounts of roadside garbage, but it can be difficult to keep up with. • The Municipality is prohibited from using pesticides in ditches to control weeds. Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington March 12, 2026 • Road rehabilitation is a major component of the Municipality’s budget, but due to large cost of these projects, the Municipality needs to prioritize which roads are rehabilitated. • To report dead or dying trees, or branches that are impeding visibility on roads, a service request can be made through the Clarington website, by phone or by emailing Public Works staff directly. • Various agencies perform work in ditches and are provided with information about infrastructure in the ditches through Ontario One Call. Information on the location of private tile drains is likely not available through this process. H. Zekveld thanked B. Novak for his presentation. 5b. Clarington Waterfront Strategy – D. Perkins, Clarington Community Planning D. Perkins gave a presentation on the Clarington Waterfront Strategy. The Strategy is currently being developed, and a draft Strategy was released on March 9. The presentation included a brief overview of the Strategy’s purpose and principles and focused on the Agricultural Heritage portion of the waterfront. D. Perkins answered questions from Committee members. The Waterfront Strategy is a draft vision for the entire Clarington waterfront and doesn’t address erosion concerns on private property in specific areas. H. Zekveld thanked D. Perkins for his presentation. 6. Business Arising from the Minutes 6a. Farm Tour Planning Committee members discussed planning for the 2026 Farm Tour at Wilmot Orchards. June 19th was finalized as the date for the tour. The general agenda for the day was established: • Event start will be 11:30 • Lunch at 12 p.m. • Martin Stratthoof to speak at 1 p.m. • Tour of the blueberry farm at 2 p.m. • Event end at 3 p.m. B. Found will bring back recommendations for food and refreshments for 30 – 50 attendees. 6b. Farm Burn Permits S. Jennings noted that for anyone who needs an address for a burn permit can email GISservices@clarington.net to request an address for your rural property. For more information see the Municipality’s Farm 911: The Emily Project webpage. A 911 address can be made for any entrance to a farm. Farm operators can choose the location and erect the sign themselves. 6c. Motion at Council regarding Westminster Dog Show Winner Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington March 12, 2026 Clarington Council passed a motion to acknowledge Penny the Doberman Pincer as Best in Show at the Westminster Dog Show and erect four signs at each gateway to Newtonville acknowledging this achievement. 7. Communications 7a. Committee Member Appointed Clarington Council approved the appointment of Arvind Cheniveerappan as a new member of the AACC. His term will end on December 31, 2028, or until a successor is appointed. 7b. Resident request to permit coyote night hunting Clarington received a letter from a resident concerned about increased coyote attacks and is petitioning the Ontario Legislature to review their regulations regarding night hunting of coyotes. Committee members noted that they would not support the measure. 8. Liaison Reports 8a. Durham Agricultural Advisory Committee – T. Barrie At the March DAAC meeting there was a presentation regarding the Living Lab Project on climate change. It identifies needs and tests and evaluates various agricultural technologies. The April 14 DAAC meeting will feature Rob Black. AACC members may be able to attend. T. Barrie, in response to questions, noted that the Pickering lands and High Speed Rail projects are being followed by DAAC. H. Zekveld thanked T. Barrie for his update. 8b. Durham Region Federation of Agriculture (DRFA) – M. Morawetz At the February DRFA meeting, agricultural impacts of the Northeast Picking Secondary Plan and consultation on the future of the Pickering Airport lands were discussed. Consultation on the Pickering airport lands is open until April 17. Consultation is also open for the Alto High Speed Rail project until April 20. M. Morawetz is arranging a meeting between Alto staff and various agricultural federations regarding the impact of the proposed high-speed rail line on local farms. Joshua Noisieux presented at the meeting regarding Kawartha’s Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS) program, which compensates farmers for land use conservation services that they provide to support the environment. Initial planning is underway to explore developing an ALUS program in Durham. The DRFA is planning an OFDU workshop and information day for late June. H. Zekveld thanked M. Morawetz for his update. 8c. Durham Agricultural Economic Development Update – S. Lemon S. Jennings provided an update on behalf of S. Lemon, including regarding Agricultural Fact Sheets, the Food Processing Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) program, the Growing Agri-Food Durham Annual Report, and the One of A Kind Show which will promote the Region’s agri-food sector. H. Zekveld thanked S. Jennings for the update. Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington March 12, 2026 9. New Business 9a. Changes to Planning Fee By-law M. Morawetz noted his concern that the AACC was not consulted on proposed changes to fees for applications under the Planning Act ahead of a report with recommendations at the March 9th PDC meeting. S. Jennings indicated that she could send the members the report that went to the meeting. M. Morawetz indicated that Clarington has not brought forward an implementing zoning by-law for OFDUs to permit them as of right, that the proposed fee increases are high and could have the effect of stifling agricultural producers. S. Jennings noted that the AACC could focus on the Municipality’s upcoming municipal zoning by-law review for OFDU’s. The Committee will discuss this at the next meeting. 9b. Tile Drainage GIS Information C. Rickard raised the issue of tile drains being damaged during roadside ditch work. He suggested GIS location data for the outlets could be acquired so that utilities working in ditches could be aware of this infrastructure. A motion was brought forward. 026-007 Moved by C. Rickard seconded by T. Barrie That the municipality investigate acquiring location data from OMAFA for tile outlets either within the municipal rights-of-way or at the edge of the municipal right of way. Carried 10. Adjournment 026-008 Moved by J. Cartright Seconded by R. Rekker That the meeting adjourn at 10:02 pm. Carried Next Meeting: April 9, 2026