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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-01-09 Minutes AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE of CLARINGTON MEETING THURSDAY, Jan 9 th, 2014 MEMBERS PRESENT: John Cartwright Brenda Metcalf Don Rickard Ted Watson Les Caswell Mary Ann Found Tom Barrie Eric Bowman Gary Jeffery Councillor Partner REGRETS: Jenni Knox, Mark Bragg STAFF: Faye Langmaid, Cynthia Strike GUESTS: Ted welcomed all to the meeting, everyone introduced themselves. Adoption of Agenda 014-01 Moved by Mary Ann Found, seconded by John Cartwright That the Agenda for January 9, 2014 be adopted CARRIED Approval of Minutes 014-02 Moved by Eric Bowman, seconded by Gary Jeffery th December 12, 2013 meeting be approved, with amendment that Brenda Metcalf sent regrets CARRIED Presentations: Cynthia Strike provided an overall introduction of the Westside Marsh Project and its 20+ year history were looking for a way to have the Waterfront Trail connect along the waterfront through the St. Marys property. At the same time St. Marys was trying to address its future quarrying needs on the east side of Waverly Road which they have had quarrying rights to since 1963. As well high school students and the neighbourhood of Port Darlington wanted to save the Westside Marsh. David Crombie from the Waterfront Trust helped broker a deal which transferred some lands (southern portion of Westside Marsh, woodlot and field to west of West Beach Road) to the Municipality (who then transferred them to CLOCA), the sale of the Waverly Road right-of-way to St. Marys, and the extension of Cove Road over the lake inlet to Cedar Crest Beach Road; this involved the expropriation of lands by the Municipality. Part of the overall agreement included a management plan for the Westside Marsh and a development project that would see approximately 2/3 of the marsh stay in the hands of St. Marys to be quarried and the remainder to be enhanced to increase the fish varieties and production to replace the value of the portion that would be lost to the quarry. This included diverting Westside Creek from its original alignment through the Hydro One transmission tower lands. th Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington January 9, 2014 Shawn Taylor from Dillon has been the consulting biologist on this project and Shawn provided a presentation on the details of the construction of the barrier, Westside creek diversion, inlet inlands, fish habitat, planting and fish stocking. Shawn has been monitoring the project, its construction in 2004-2006 provided for a two year grow-in period before the water was diverted. To date the project has seen an increase in the bird varieties, fish varieties and mammals that use the Westside Marsh. In addition to increase in varieties, the volume of fish is also up. Overall the project has achieved the goals set out for it. St. Marys, through the Community Relations Committee (CRC) continues to work with the community and the municipality to work through various issues associated with their operations. The CRC meets four times per year and provide an annual report to Council. The CRC reviews emissions data, the blasting schedule, complaints and other items. Through the CRC, St. Marys has become more involved in the community. They hold annual open houses where there are tours of the plant and quarry. The Westside Marsh and surrounding table lands are now owned by the Central lake Ontario Conservation Authority. There are trails to marsh with observation areas and interpretive signs for the public. Business Arising from Minutes GPA Report-2013 Accomplishments Members received a copy of the 2013 accomplishments with the minutes. Council was pleased with the listing and presentation by Ted. Ted in his presentation thanked Council for their support of the committees initiatives including the resolution to the 407 and request for a listing of reps for the Sustainability Advisory Committee. Ted provided an overview of how the relationship with CBOT has been strengthened and that the Barn Door Directory is a welcome addition to the information being published and promoted about agriculture in Clarington. The report was received with thanks. Ted invited all members of Council to attend any of the upcoming meetings of the Committee. CBOT Agricultural Summit Don has met with Laura Wood at CBOT and they have a rough agenda, 9:30 to early afternoon, focus on 3 distinct areas, agri-business, opportunities in agri-business and intergenerational transfer. They are considering Orono Town Hall as the location, projecting 50-75 attendees, looking at early March. As more details are firmed up they will be forwarded. Correspondence and Council Referrals Attached to the agenda was an update from Nancy Rutherford, Durham Region Economic Development. Also attached to the agenda was a request from Clarington Older Adult Association (COAA) for celebrity farmers for the luncheon they will be holding in relation to Heritage Week and the dinner where Sandy Hawley will be the guest speaker. paintings in the lobby of Town Hall and of the photos taken by CHC members for the Barn Book in the mezzanine of the Library. Information on Heritage week is available on the website at heritage.clarington.net th Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington January 9, 2014 Liaison Reports DAAC Eric referred members to the information attached to the agenda from Nancy Rutherford. Dave Reisborough has been re-elected as Chair of DAAC. The agriculture event th has been scheduled for Sept 18 and will be in the proximity of Oshawa/Clarington. Eric DRFA DRFA next meeting is Tuesday evening the guest speaker will be Matt Setzkorn the acting executive director of the Ontario Farmland Trust. th January 8, workshop in Scugog was cancelled as Prof. Wes Jamieson was delayed by weather. It will be rescheduled. April 1, 2, 3 will be Farm Connections, if you would like to volunteer please let Brenda know. This year there will be media packages, volunteers are needed in specific areas of expertise to be on call if the media would further aspects on a particular area of farming or in relation to a specific commodity group. October 16, 2014 Farm Connections is working on a gala as a celebration of agriculture. th Three purposes to recognize outstanding farmers, educate and as a fundraiser, the goal is $25,000. Future Agendas been invited. Meg Morris from Covanta has suggested a tour of EFW once the building is closed in. Suggestion that when the federal boundaries change the MP for the Ward 4 area be invited. Follow-up on Northumberland co-op tour in June. Emergency Invite Chief Gord Weir and Director of Operation, Fred Horvath to discuss how Plan will be revised from lessons learned during the ice storm, the pruning and condition of trees along the right-of-ways, how to priorize reconnection for farms with animals, etc. Pollinator protection and bee keeping, invite a bee keeper to hear their perspective. Other Business Members were informed about the Trees for Rural Roads being open for applications until th March 30. Next Meeting th February 13, 2014, 7:30pm. February- Gord and Garry Geissberger on their portable cider operation. th Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington January 9, 2014