Burlington Agricultural & Rural Affairs Advisory Committee Meeting

Minutes

Meeting #:
Date:
Time:
-
Location:
Virtual

1.
Members Present:
 

Glenn Portch (Chair), Norm Richardson, Vanessa Warren, Jamie Fisher, Maura Romanelli, Larry Campbell, Vincent Sowa, Michiel Barnard, Simon O'Keefe (alternate) and Peter Starcevic (alternate)

2.
Regrets:
 

John Timmis and Sarah Pralet

3.
Others Present:
 

Councillor Angelo Bentivegna, Kelly Cook (Planner) and Jo-Anne Rudy (Clerk)

4.
Declarations of Interest:
 

None

5.
Approval of Minutes:
 

5.1
Approve minutes from meeting held March 24, 2021
This item has attachments. 

1.03-24-21 - Post-Meeting Minutes - Agricultural_Rural_Affairs_Advisory_Cttee.pdf

On motion, the minutes from the meeting held March 24, 2021 were approved as presented.

6.
Delegation(s):
 

None

7.
Regular Items:
 

7.1
2021 work plan refinement/approval
This item has attachments. 

1.2021 BARAAC Workplan-1.pdf
2.Government Advocacy Priorities 2021.pdf
  • Committee reviewed the attached 2021 work plan and made the following amendment to "Rural Economic Development" by changing the second bullet under Action and the third bullet under Deliverables to read: 
    • Action - Gather business start-up/expansion case studies & document inter-agency approvals process; include consideration of agricultural, agriculture-related and on-farm diversified uses
    • Deliverables - Identify 5 priority metrics; possibly supported by a post-Census of Agriculture workshop for Burlington farmers.
  • Jo-Anne asked committee members to identify budget needs based on the priorities identified in the work plan. Committee suggested $500 for learning & development opportunities (i.e. conferences or workshops) and $1,000 for specialist/facilitator for possible post-Census of Agriculture workshop.
  • Motion - Approve the BARAAC 2021 Work Plan as amended above.  CARRIED
  • Glenn asked that 2021 Government Advocacy Priorities be put on the agenda for next month's meeting.

7.2
Update from Region's Agricultural Working Group
 

  • Jamie advised that he and Vanessa attended the second meeting of the Region's Agricultural Working Group on April 15 and noted that some progress has been made on both sides and Modified Option 2 was discussed. Jamie added that another meeting is scheduled for April 22 to get some clarity on development in the rural area.
  • For the benefit of new members, Jamie provided a brief overview of Modified Option 2. Action - send document to new members.

7.3
Rural broadband update 
 

  • Kelly advised that the Region has information posted on their website (link provided in BARAAC April 21st agenda) and that Bill 257, supporting Broadband and Infrastructure Expansion Act, 2021, received Royal Assent on April 12, 2021. This bill includes provisions which exempt Minister’s Zoning Orders from having to comply with the Provincial Policy Statement, outside of the Greenbelt Area. 
  • Vincent advised that they have not heard anything yet about funding for the Ward 6 rural area and noted that the Ward 6 group are frustrated and will be meeting to figure out next steps.
  • Councillor Bentivegna noted that a Digital Access Strategy is on the Region's agenda and the study will include the rural area.

7.4
Provincial consultation on growing the size of the greenbelt 
 

  • Kelly advised that there was a 60-day Provincial consultation on growing the size of the greenbelt (Feb 17 - Apr 21). She noted that given the current extent of the Greenbelt Area within the City which encompasses the majority of the rural area and significant portions of the North Aldershot area, there are no lands for further expansion at this time.

8.
Other Business:
 

  • Kelly advised that the Region and Halton municipalities will be going to court regarding the recent federal decision on the CN Intermodal Hub in Milton.

9.
Adjournment: 9 p.m.
 

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