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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-01-10 Minutes CLARINGTON AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING THURSDAY, JANUARY 10th, 2013 MEMBERS PRESENT: Brenda Metcalf John Cartwright Les Caswell Eric Bowman Mary Ann Found Jenni Knox Ted Watson Mark Bragg Tom Barrie Don Rickard STAFF: Faye Langmaid, Kristy Kilbourne REGRETS: Gary Jeffery, Councillor Partner GUESTS: Councillor Traill; Nancy Taylor, Director of Finance; Sheila Hall, CBOT Faye welcomed all to the meeting, everyone introduced themselves. Adoption of Agenda 013-01 Moved by Eric Bowman, seconded by Don Rickard "That the Agenda for January 10th, 2013 be adopted as amended with the addition of an item — CBOT Agricultural Tour - immediately following the first' presentation" CARRIED Approval of Minutes 013-02 Moved by Don Rickard, seconded by Jenni Knox "That the minutes of the December 13th, 2012 meeting be approved. CARRIED Presentations: Nancy Taylor, Director of Finance for the Municipality provided an overview of the implications to the Clarington agricultural community as a result of the 2012 property reassessments (Attachment 1) as a follow up to the presentation from MPAC at the November 2012 meeting. She discussed three shifts in the distribution of taxes: at the Regional level between municipalities, between different types of land classifications (residential, commercial, agricultural, etc.) and between different property owners in the same land classification. How much someone's property taxes will change depends on how they compare to the average increase in Clarington. Property values that have increased above the average can expect an Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington January 1 0th, 2013 increase in the amount they will pay while those who have increased less than the average can expect a decrease. Increases will be phased in evenly over 4 years while decreases will occur immediately in the first year. The discussion following the presentation included a number of questions, of which the answers can be found below: - The changes are revenue neutral for the municipality, meaning they will still collect the same amount of tax dollars, however, who pays what proportion will change. - Specialized properties like farms are more difficult for MPAC to assign values to since there are so many variables. However, it appears that farm properties without residences will see greater increases than farm properties with residences. - The overall contribution of agriculture to the Municipalities revenue stream is relatively small, however, if more tax relief were given to agriculture it would just be shifted to residential and since most farmers also pay residential there might not be any net gain. - The Province appears to have no appetite to reduce the proportion they collect from agriculture. In Clarington/Durham and number of other municipalities across southern Ontario the agricultural rate has been reduced from 25% to 20% of residential; however for education the Province has not followed suit. New Business Sheila Hall, Executive Director of the Clarington Board of Trade explained that CBOT has been organizing tours of local industry for Directors, Council, and Senior Staff from the Municipality. Over the past year and a half, they have conducted 4 or 5 tours that have been very well received. She explained that they would like to expand these tours to the agricultural sector. Consequently, Don and Sheila have been discussing holding a half day agricultural familiarization tour in April where they might visit three farms. Don indicated that he would like some involvement from the Committee in organizing this event. Don, Tom, and Faye will work with Sheila on developing a mini agenda for the event. Business Arising from Minutes 1) Faye provided an update on the 407 extension and land leases for farming. Based on discussion at Committee when MTO attended in October and involvement of CBOT, Council passed a resolution in December to the Ministry of the Environment, Ministry of Transportation and OMAFRA. MOE has responded that the concerns should be addressed by 407 East Advisory Committee. The Municipality has a representative on this committee, the Director of Engineering; however, this is not the type of issues they address and nor is it their mandate. In discussion with MOE it has been recommended that concerns with how the issue is being addressed be submitted in writing. Faye has prepared a letter outlining the Committee's concerns and that 407 East Advisory Committee is not the body to address. As this issue continues to evolve the AACC will be kept informed. Sheila mentioned that the Ontario Chamber of Commerce has recently taken an interest in transportation issues in the GTA. They have regular conference calls and strategies on these types of topics. She will circulate through Faye to the Committee if there is interest. Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington January 1 0th, 2013 Elections for Chair and Vice-Chair 013-03 John Cartwright nominated Ted Watson for Chair, seconded by Jenni Knox Eric Bowman moved that nominations be closed. "Ted Watson accepted Chair of the Clarington Agricultural Advisory Committee" 013-04 Tom Barrie nominated Brenda Metcalf for Vice-chair seconded by Eric Bowman Jennifer Knox moved that nominations be closed. "Brenda Metcalf accepted Vice-Chair of the Clarington Agricultural Advisory Committee" Correspondence and Council Referrals Faye read an e-mail update from Nancy Rutherford at the Region highlighting the following activities: 1) Leading Livestock Genetics Alliance The Region of Durham, City of Kawartha Lakes and Peterborough, along with dairy cattle and goat breeders from these areas, have come together to form an alliance to co-operatively promote genetics for export. LLG was formed with the intent of improving profitability, herd health, marketing experience and expanding global market opportunities, through effective marketing, education, research and promotion. LLG recently had a presence at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and other trade shows.This initiative is funded in part by the Agriculture Management Institute (AMI), a federal-provincial-territorial initiative. At this time, the Alliance has an elected Board of Directors and a committed membership of approx. 10 members and is working to expand that number. 2) Federal Inspected Abattoir Feasibility Study The Durham Region Cattlemen's Association has partnered with Durham Region Economic Development and Tourism Division to undertake a feasibility study to determine if a federally inspected abattoir would be a successful venture in this Region and surrounding area. The consulting firm, Mallot Creek Group Inc., an experienced firm North American red-meat, was recently hired to conduct the study. The study is expected to be completed by late spring 2013. Investment in this project has been provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program (CAAP). Consultation for this study is currently underway. 3) Farm Connections and Durham Farm Fresh The Region continues to support the ongoing initiatives of these organizations. Farm Connections are working on a draft Agricultural education strategy at this time and DFF has created a new brochure for 2013/14, which should be available in the Spring. Not everyone on the Committee was receiving the Region's agricultural and rural e-newsletters. Faye will send email addresses to Nancy. Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington January 1 0th, 2013 It was also suggested that Nancy be informed about the Committee's concerns around the 407 and land leases to see if there is anything the Region can do to assist in resolving this issue. Faye will discuss with Nancy and Colleen Goodchild of DAAC. Liaison Reports DAAC — Eric provided an update from DAAC. He indicated that the next farm tour will be taking place on September 12, 2013 in Brock Township. No further details have been worked out yet. He also advised Committee members to send him an email before February 5th if they have any concerns around Regional roads and he will relay the concerns to the Regional Works as he now sits on a advisory committee. DRFA — Mary Ann had no update since DRFA had not yet held their meeting. However, she indicated that the public schools attending the Farm Connections event in April may not occur due to the work to rule. They have been looking into expanding their reach in the Catholic School Board as well as to private schools. She also indicated that they are in their final year of Trillium funding and will be looking to use the remaining dollars on education projects. CBOT — Don updated the group that CBOT is looking into making a "Made in Clarington" video, similar to the one London has created. He indicated that the agricultural sector will be included in this video. He also mentioned that some Clarington agricultural businesses, such as Algoma, have been highlighted lately in various publications. Future Agendas Faye solicited suggestions for meeting presenters and topics for 2013. She informed the Committee that Dan McMorrow will be at the March meeting to discuss farm insurance and retail operations. She also mentioned that Inspector Kluem from DRPS has been invited to attend a meeting in 2013 but has not confirmed the date yet. The following presenters were suggested: - Fire Department to discuss potential for forest fires - Weed Inspector (given the 407 and land lease concerns) Other Business 1) Schedule of Meetings—there was discussion around the August and September meetings. The Committee decided that they would like to have a September meeting but no August meeting since turnout has been low in August and the September meeting is scheduled to take place after the Orono Fair. 2) Trees for Rural Roads— Faye informed the Committee that the 2013 Trees for Rural Roads program has begun accepting applications and there has been interest. 3) Guardrails —There is concern with newly installed guardrails as they force farm machinery into middle of road, rather than overhanging the ditch and also do not have space for pedestrians to walk on the site of the road. Faye will follow-up with Engineering. Next Meeting February 14, 2013, 7:30pm. Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington January 1 0th, 2013