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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-01-14 Minutes Agricultural Advisory Committee of Clarington Meeting th Thursday, January 14, 2016 Members Present: Elgin Greenham Brenda Metcalf Les Caswell Mary Ann Found Councillor Partner Henry Zekveld Tom Barrie Eric Bowman Ted Watson John Cartwright Regrets: Jenni Knox, Don Rickard Guests: Ken Towle and Mark Peacock, GRCA, Bob Genosko, Operations, Tom Vendrasco, Municipal Law Enforcement Members of the Public: Beth and Ted Meszaros, Marg Zwart Staff: Faye Langmaid Brenda welcomed all to the meeting, with introductions. Adoption of Agenda 016-01 Moved by Eric Bowman, seconded by Ted Watson th “That the Agenda for January 14, 2016 be adopted” Carried Approval of Minutes 016-02 Moved by Tom Barrie, seconded by Les Caswell th “That the minutes of the December 10, 2015 meeting be approved” Carried Presentation on Invasive Plant Species Ken Towle works at GRCA is also on the Ontario Invasive Plant Council. Ken provided an overview of the invasive plant species that are most common in Clarington, showing photos of them, issues with them, how they spread, and potential controls. Agricultural Committee Minutes Page 2 • Dog Strangling Vine • Giant Hogweed • Wild Parsnip • Invasive Phragmites • Garlic Mustard • Himalayan Balsam The Early Detection and Distribution System allows tracking and mapping of invasive species through on-line data entry at www.EDDMapS.org/Ontario. This international system has been officially adopted by Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. Any member of the public can participate. Ken reviewed other recent developments such as the Clean Equipment Protocol for Industry and the Ontario Invasive Species Act given royal assent in November of 2015. The CA’s, Region and Municipality’s held a workshop in November to discuss the issues and begin to determine an invasive species strategy. Questions to consider are: Now that dog strangling vine, giant hogweed and wild parsnip are on the noxious weed list, what are the responsibilities of public and private landowners? How can property owners afford to undertake control efforts? How could an Invasive Species Strategy benefit Clarington? Should Durham Region consider developing such a strategy? What should be the scope of such a strategy? Who would be in charge of creating and implementing such a strategy? Business Arising from Minutes 2015 Accomplishments – Brenda attended the Planning and Development Committee meeting on Monday to inform Council of the Agricultural Committee’s accomplishments for 2015. Council thanked Brenda for providing the update, there was some discussion on the issues surrounding communication of the 407 construction impacts. Agri-Tourism- Sub-committee on Agri-tourism meeting notes and information were distributed to the committee with agenda. In addition to the previous information provided by the Committee (see Attachment 1) the recommendations of the sub- committee to further clarify the draft guidelines for on-farm diversified uses were approved. 016-03 Moved by Les Caswell, seconded by Eric Bowman “That for on-farm diversified uses the size be restricted to 2% and that compatibility address traffic, noise, compaction of soil, lights and potential trespass.” (see Attachment 1 for guidelines)” Carried th Agricultural Advisory Committee of ClaringtonJanuary 14, 2016 Agricultural Committee Meeting Page 3 For on-farm diversified uses to be considered as Secondary there has to be a primary farm use. From the dictionary: Primary means first or highest in rank or importance, chief, principal use. Correspondence, etc. None to consider. Liaison Reports Durham Agriculture Advisory Committee–no report Durham Region Federation of Agriculture –Farm Connections, April 6,7,8 at Vipond Arena. 21 schools have registered. High School program will be at J. Clark Richardson th in Ajax on March 9. Looking for volunteers. Applications for the education trailer have been submitted to Greenbelt Foundation, waiting to hear. Scholarships available for students in agriculture, contact Karen Yellowlees for details. Ontario Farmers Association working with Beef Farms of Ontario to present a unified message. Clarington Board of Trade –Scheduled to attend in March to highlight economic database. Other Business “did you know” - at each meeting that committee members will select an item to circulate to their colleagues (agriculture community contacts) to help spread the word. For this meeting Faye will circulate the presentation by Ken and the website link to map invasive plant species. UOIT – Agricultural Certificate has 8 participants. The group has received a thank you from Betty Khattab for assisting in helping to outline the program. Future Agendas th Kim Rudd, new MP (for Ward 4 area of Clarington) is looking to attend April 14. Erin O’Toole may attend the February meeting. Carolyn Puterbough, OMAFRA and Sheila Hall will attend the March meeting about the Economic Database they have access to. Suggested to have Blackbird (407 contractor) attend a future meeting. Eric Bowman moved to Adjourn th Agricultural Advisory Committee of ClaringtonJanuary 14, 2016 Agricultural Committee Meeting Page 4 Next Meeting, February 11th, 7:30 p.m. Room 1C at Municipal Administrative Office Tracey Werry, Durham Farm Fresh and Ron Albright, Engineering (407) th Agricultural Advisory Committee of ClaringtonJanuary 14, 2016