The Corporation of the City of Kawartha Lakes

Minutes

Agricultural Development Advisory Committee Meeting

ADAC 2024-01
-
Economic Development Boardroom
Economic Development
180 Kent Street West, Lindsay, Ontario
Members:
  • Councillor Ron Ashmore
  • Robert Bonis
  • Lucas deVos
  • Will MacArthur
  • Rebecca Parker
  • Adam Shea
  • David Skrabek
  • Alice VanVught
Accessible formats and communication supports are available upon request. The City of Kawartha Lakes is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. Please contact [email protected] if you have an accessible accommodation request.

1.
Call to Order

 

K. Maloney called the meeting to order at 9:08 a.m. Councillor Ashmore and Members R. Bonis, L. deVos, W. MacArthur, R. Parker, A. Shea, D. Skrabek, A. Van Vught and  were in attendance.

Absent: S. Westland, G. Masters, M. Murphy-Ward

Guest: P. Buckley

2.
Administrative Business

 

2.1
Adoption of Agenda

 
  • Moved ByR. Parker
    Seconded ByL. deVos

    That the agenda be adopted as circulated.

    Carried

2.2
Declaration of Pecuniary Interest

 

There were no declarations of pecuniary interest disclosed.

2.3
Adoption of Minutes

 
  • Moved ByCouncillor Ashmore
    Seconded ByW. MacArthur

    That the minutes of the Agricultural Development Advisory Committee meeting held on December 14, 2023, be adopted as circulated.

    Carried

2.4
Election of Chair and Vice-Chair 2024

 

An election was conducted by K. Maloney. R. Parker was elected as Chair and L. deVos was elected as Vice-Chair for 2024.

The Chair was turned to R. Parker.

  • Moved ByR. Parker
    Seconded ByD. Skrabek

    That the ballots be destroyed.

    Carried

3.
Deputations/Presentations

 

4.
Correspondence

 

4.1
From Brian Bartley regarding Rural Zoning and Tree Preservation By-law Advocacy

 
  • Moved ByA. Shea
    Seconded ByR. Bonis

    That the December 21, 2023 correspondence from Brian Bartley, regarding the draft Rural Zoning By-law and the proposed Tree Preservation By-laws, be received, and

    That Mr. Bartley be thanked for his comments and that he be sent a copy of the previous minutes of this Committee and the comments collected during this meeting.

    Carried

5.
New or Other Business

 

5.1
2023 Work Plan Review

 

The Committee reviewed work plan items completed in 2023 for reporting to Council.

5.2
2024 Work Plan Development

 

The Committee developed a 2024 work plan including continued advisory roles to Council and Development Services Department; engagement with Conservation Authorities on agri-related activities; arranging a VIP Agricultural Tour to showcase modern farming and agri-businesses and engage in open dialogue with Council members and staff; to actively participate in the development of the Comprehensive Rural Zoning By-law through review and commenting on forthcoming draft documents; participation at a City of Kawartha Lakes booth at the East Central Farm Show; and engagement through volunteerism for the 2024 International Plowing Match and Rural Expo.

VIP Agricultural Tour Committee Volunteers: D. Skrabek, W. MacArthur, A. Van Vught

IPM Working Group: R. Parker, A. Shea

  • Moved ByA. VanVught
    Seconded ByCouncillor Ashmore

    That the 2024 Work Plan be approved for submission to Council, and

    That the Working Groups for the VIP Agricultural Tour and ADAC support for the 2024 IPM  be approved.

    Carried

5.3
Tree Preservation By-Law Committee Comments

 

Due to a scheduling conflict Solicitor Carlson was unable to attend this meeting to collect feedback from the Committee. The committee discussed initial feedback on their review of the draft and look forward to discussions and an update from Solicitor Carlson, hopefully at the April ADAC meeting, where they will provide additional direct feedback.

Concerns were raised that the private lands by-law was unnecessary, and that cost estimates are likely grossly underestimated, and staff time is largely underestimated. As well it was felt that the exemptions for agriculture were vague. A tree planting program may be more proactive and have a positive approach rather than the negative and punitive approach in the proposed by-law.

Guest P. Buckley, Director, Kawartha Lakes Haliburton Federation of Agriculture read a letter with his feedback on the draft Tree Preservation By-laws.

  • Moved ByW. MacArthur
    Seconded ByCouncillor Ashmore

    That Solicitor Carlson be invited to attend the next ADAC meeting, in April, to collect detailed committee feedback.

    Carried
  • Moved ByR. Bonis
    Seconded ByA. VanVught

    That ADAC recommends that the private lands tree preservation by-law is not needed and that it be abandoned; and

    That estimates of required staff and staff time to run the program may be significantly under estimated; and

    That ADAC recommends only the City Lands By-law be undertaken such that it can serve as a guide to gain experience in implementing a tree preservation by-law to better understand costs, staff time demands and other lessons to be learned through implementation.

    Carried
  • Moved ByA. Shea
    Seconded ByL. deVos

    That ADAC requests that Council direct staff to undertake a cost analysis comparison between a fee/fine based tree preservation by-law as currently proposed versus a tree planting program. The Committee prefers a more positive, proactive approach to be taken.

    Carried
  • Moved ByD. Skrabek
    Seconded ByA. Shea

    That the February 15, 2024 correspondence presented during the Tree Preservation By-Law discussion from Paul Buckley, regarding, be received.

    Carried

5.4
The Emily Project

 

The Economic Development Officer - Agriculture received a forwarded email through Councillor Richardson requesting clarification on the ability for farmers to order 911 signs to identify secondary field entrances. This option has been available since amalgamation and is undertaken by a few farmers per year. The 2024 cost is $143 plus HST, covering the cost of the post, hardware, green flag sign with number and installation by a third-party contractor. The Emily Project, Farm 911 promotes the signing of secondary field entrances to aid in saving time for First Responders in attending emergency calls at farm fields where the best approach is not at the main farm entrance. The Committee recommends that Kawartha Lakes join the Farm 911 program to better promote the availability of signing the secondary farm field entrances with municipal 911 numbers.

  • Moved ByW. MacArthur
    Seconded ByD. Skrabek

    That ADAC recommends Kawartha Lakes join the Farm 911 Project.

    Carried

6.
Update from Economic Development Division

 

6.1
Kawartha Local Food Wholesale Project Verbal Update

 

Expressions of Interest (registrations) have been received from 35 producers and 15 buyers to participate in the Kawartha Local Food Wholesale Project. Six workshops will be held during February and March with some independant and some joint sessions between the registered producers and buyers.

6.2
Spotlight on Agriculture Gala and Awards

 

The Spotlight on Agriculture Gala has been postponed until 2025.

7.
News and Updates from Members

 

An Ag-Tech Innovations Breakfast will be held by the Innovations Cluster at Launch Kawartha on February 20th.

Gas line installation project work to bring gas to Bobcaygeon has been put on hold by the Environmental Defence Canada as an abeyance was granted by provincial courts.

There is a Public Meeting for the Corporate Strategic Plan being held tonight.

Councillor Ashmore will attend the New York Farm Show next week representing the 2024 IPM. There will be an IPM Committees Workshop held on February 24.

Storm water fees have been charged in a few areas of the province where farms are being charged large fees based on their building footprint. In some situations the storm water fee is higher than the property taxes. The Federation of Agriculture is doing advocacy work to have these taxes removed.

High interest rates are a concern impacting farm profitability. There has been a re-adjustment of economy across many sectors. There are strong beef futures. Capacity for grain drying has increased, as have acres of grain production. Access to three phase power is out of reach cost wise for most farms.

East Central Farm Show Volunteers: R. Parker, A. Van Vught; and from within their own booths A. Shea, L. deVos and S. Westland.

8.
Next Meeting

 

The next meeting will be Thursday, April 11 at 9:00 a.m. in the Library Basement Boardroom.

9.
Adjournment

 

The Chair adjourned the meeting at 11:08 am.

No Item Selected