The Corporation of the City of Kawartha Lakes

Minutes

Agricultural Development Advisory Committee Meeting

ADAC2021-01
-
Council Chambers
City Hall
26 Francis Street, Lindsay, Ontario K9V 5R8
Members:
  • Councillor Andrew Veale
  • Will MacArthur
  • Michelle Murphy-Ward
  • Rebecca Parker
  • Adam Shea
  • Shawn Westland
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.

Note: This will be an electronic participation meeting and public access to Council Chambers will not be available. Please contact Kelly Maloney, Economic Development Officer - Agriculture, at [email protected] should you wish to view the proceedings of the meeting electronically through Zoom.

Chair R. Parker called the meeting to order at 9:07 a.m. Councillor A. Veale and Members W. MacArthur, M. Murphy-Ward, A. Shea, and S. Westland were in attendance.

Absent: R. Bonis, P. Callaghan, A. Cameron, G. Masters, M. Pecoskie, and A. VanVught 

Guests: Planner Jonathan Derworiz, Councillor Tracy Richardson, Director Chris Marshall

Elections were conducted by Kelly Maloney. Rebecca Parker was acclaimed as Chairperson and Adam Shea was acclaimed as Vice-Chair.

  • Moved ByM. Murphy-Ward
    Seconded ByW. MacArthur

    That the agenda be adopted as circulated.

    Carried

There were no declarations of pecuniary interest disclosed.

Minutes of the November 26, 2020 meeting of the Agricultural Development Advisory Committee.

  • Moved ByA. Shea
    Seconded ByS. Westland

    That the minutes of the Agricultural Development Advisory Committee meeting held on November 26, 2020, be adopted as circulated.

    Carried

Planning staff will provide updates regarding proposed land-use regulation of cannabis production.

Jonathan Derworiz provided a review of plans for a set of Zoning By-law amendment for Canabis production and processing so as to carve it out from other definitions related to agriculture and will identify applicable zones and zoning requirements such as set-backs. Feedback through discussion was by committee members. The draft by-law will be taken to Planning Committee on March 10, 2021 for a Public Meeting.

  • Moved ByA. Shea
    Seconded ByS. Westland

    That the presentation by Jonathan Derworiz, regarding the proposed Cannabis Zoning By-Law Amendment, be received, and

    That ADAC supports the Planning Division’s proposed Zoning amendments as they pertain to the proposed production and processing of cannabis by Health Canada-authorized commercial entities with the following conditions:

    1. the Planning Division investigate if the 300m proposed set back from outdoor growing operations could be taken from the edge of the outdoor crop instead of the edge of the property line;
    2. the Planning Division investigate if the 70m proposed set back from indoor growing operations with full air filtration could be taken from the edge of the building instead of the edge of the property line; and
    3. the Planning Division review the potential impact of cannabis operations on the development of adjacent properties.
    Carried

The proposed options for a Backyard Chicken Pilot Program are to be presented to Council in March by Manager Sloan incorporating the recommendations made by this committee.

Review 2020 Work Plan activity.

  • Moved ByM. Murphy-Ward
    Seconded ByS. Westland

    That the 2020 ADAC Work Plan Review Report be submitted to Council.

    Carried

Set ADAC Work Plan for 2021.

The Committee set the ADAC Work Plan for 2021.

  • Moved ByA. Shea
    Seconded ByS. Westland

    That the 2021 ADAC Work Plan be submitted to Council for approval including the following items:

    1. Review and advise Council and Ec Dev on matters related to agricultural industry to improve economic environment of the agricultural sector and prosperity of the rural areas
    2. Arrange VIP Guided Tours at the 2021 IPM for the traditional VIP Tour guests, to allow for education and open dialogue in context of modern farming and agri-business at various times during the event.
    3. ADAC to actively participate in the development of the Comprehensive Rural Zoning By-law
    Carried

Upcoming agricultural consultation.

Jonathan Derworiz provided a brief overview of the upcoming agricultural land use consultation workshop planned for the morning of March 11, 2021 with ADAC members and a number of other sector representatives. Materials will be circulated in advance, and the workshop will be held over Zoom.  The Issues and Methodology Report and Discussion Paper from 2020 will also be recirculated following this meeting to allow for familiarity of the issues by Committee Members.

The Kawartha Lakes SkillsAdvance Ontario project has launched its first jobseeker cohort for manufacturing and will hold an agricultural jobseeker cohort beginning on March 1, 2021. Both jobseekers and employers with entry-level positions are being sought.  The Incumbent Worker Training has also begun with several manufacturing employees taking upgrading skills training. An agricultural worker safety training program developed by the Ontario Federation of Agriculture as part of the Feeding Your Future program is being offered as a certificate program through University of Guelph Ridgetown for both jobseekers and incumbent workers.  A collection of agricultural incumbent worker training for Grain Handling Safety will be offered by Acute Training from Feb 22 - Mar 24. Courses include Lock-out-tag-out, Arc Flash Awareness, Confined Space Entry, and Confined Space Rescue.

A special Community Screening of SILO the Film will be hosted by Kawartha Lakes Agriculture Economic Development on March 19, 2021 at 7pm with support by local grain elevator operators to raise awareness of the dangers surrounding grain handling and the need for additional training and availability of appropriate safety equipment.

KCFF Program MOU with Peterborough Economic Development
New KCFF Website
10-week Value-Added Food Business Bootcamp
6-week Farm Financial Management Series
Agri-Food Business Inventory and Needs Analysis

As part of the renewed partnership for delivery of the Kawartha Choice FarmFresh (KCFF) program, a Memorandum of Understanding has been sign with Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development, and a funding grant has been received from the Rural Economic Development program through OMAFRA for the development of a new KCFF Website, the delivery of a 10-week Value-Added Food Business Bootcamp training program for 20 food businesses, the delivery of a 6-week Farm Financial Management Series for 30 farm businesses, and an Agri-Food Business Inventory and Needs Analysis. The project work will be completed by March 31, 2021.

S. Weston reported that an expansion project is in the final planning stages at Green Tractors. Steel prices are moving up rapidly, so purchases should be made now and some products are in short supply. He is also doing some selective cutting of his hardwood bush.

R. Parker noted that sheep prices are strong.

Thursday, April 8, 2021, 9:00 am.

The next meeting will be held on Thursday, April 8, 2021, at 9:00 am.

The meeting was adjourned by the Chair at 11:29 am.

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