Burlington Agricultural & Rural Affairs Advisory Committee Meeting

Minutes

Meeting #:
Date:
Time:
-
Location:
Hybrid meeting- Virtual and Room 247 City Hall

1.
Members Present:

 

Vincent Sowa (Chair), Maura Romanelli, Glenn Portch, Michiel Barnard, Larry Campbell, Erin Fleming, Sarah Pralet, Mariam Abu-El-Magd, Chuck Nyland and Peter Starcevic

2.
Regrets:

 

None

3.
Others Present:

 

Councillor Kelvin Galbraith, Kelly Cook (Planner) and Jo-Anne Rudy (Clerk)

4.
Land Acknowledgement:

 

The Chair read the land acknowledgement.

5.
Declarations of Interest:

 

None

6.
Approval of Minutes:

 

6.1
Approve minutes from meeting held February 21, 2024

This item has attachments. 
1.2024_02_21_Agricultural_and_Rural_Affairs_Advisory_Cttee_Minutes.pdf

On motion, the minutes from the meeting held February 21, 2024, were approved as presented.

7.
Delegation(s):

 

7.1
Installation of signage for cyclists in the rural area

 
  • Dan Ozimkovic, Transportation Planning Technologist, Transportation Services, advised that staff began working on an Active Transportation Strategy in 2019 which was approved by Council as part of the Integrated Mobility Plan in October 2023. In terms of the rural area, they are looking at five Bruce Trail crossings and how they can be improved with signage and pavement crossings. Dan indicated that education of cyclists takes place on a regular basis through the Cyclist Coalition which includes several cycling clubs, City staff, Regional staff and police. Dan shared that June is Bike month and there will be events and information shared through social media. Committee asked if perhaps social media could begin in May with a focus on cycling safety and sharing the road.

8.
Regular Items:

 

8.1
Planner update

 

a.
Media release: Federal Court rules against Federal Cabinet approval of CN truck-rail hub

 
  • Kelly noted that the above noted link was shared for the committee's information.

8.2
Agricultural Action Plan

 
  • Kelly led the committee through a working session to begin work on the Agricultural Action Plan.
  • Through discussion, Vince noted that Burlington Economic Development (BED) and Tourism Burlington are partnering to develop a Rural Economic Development Strategy, focusing on agriculture, recreation and tourism. Kelly committed to following up with BED staff to learn more about the initiative and how the Agricultural Action Plan can complement it.
  • The committee agreed to generally adopt the format of the Halton Region Rural Agricultural Strategy (based on the Golden Horseshoe Food and Farming Alliance” Food and Farming Action Plan”) as a template and began reviewing each of the actions to determine which ones are applicable/of interest to Burlington. Agri-tourism emerged as a key theme of interest.
  • To complete its review of the Halton Region Rural Agricultural Strategy, the committee agreed to utilize a portion of the next BARAAC meeting for another working session. 
  • Kelly committed to circulating the Halton Region Agritourism Action Plan and the Halton Region On-Farm Business Guidelines to the committee, post meeting.

9.
Other Business:

 
  • Kelly shared that the Urban Forest Master Plan report will be going to the April 8, 2024 Committee of the Whole meeting for consideration. A link to the report will be sent to members when available.

10.
Adjournment:

 

Chair adjourned the meeting at 8:54 p.m.

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