Burlington Agricultural & Rural Affairs Advisory Committee Meeting

Minutes

Meeting #:
Date:	Wednesday, January 19, 2022
Time:	7:00 P.m. - 9:00 P.m.
Location:	Virtual

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1.

Members Present:

Glenn Portch (Chair), Norm Richardson, Vanessa Warren, Jamie Fisher, Maura Romanelli, Sarah Pralet, Larry Campbell, Vincent Sowa, Michiel Barnard, Krista Harrington, Simon O'Keefe (alternate)

2.

Regrets:

Peter Starcevic (alternate)

3.

Others Present:

Councillor Angelo Bentivegna (arrived at 7:20 p.m.), Kelly Cook (Planner) and Jo-Anne Rudy (Clerk)

4.

Land Acknowledgement:

The Chair read the following Land Acknowledgement:

Burlington as we know it today is rich in history and modern traditions of many First Nations and the Métis. From the Anishinaabeg to the Haudenosaunee, and the Métis – our lands spanning from Lake Ontario to the Niagara Escarpment are steeped in Indigenous history. The territory is mutually covered by the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, an agreement between the Iroquois Confederacy, the Ojibway and other allied Nations to peaceably share and care for the resources around the Great Lakes.

We would like to acknowledge that the land on which we gather is part of the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit.

5.

Welcome and Introduction of New Member:

• Glenn introduced new member - Krista Harrington.

6.

Election of Chair and Vice Chair:

On motion, Glenn Portch and Vanessa Warren were elected as Chair and Vice Chair, respectively, for the term ending December 31, 2022.

7.

Declarations of Interest:

None

8.

Approval of Minutes:

8.1

Approve minutes from meeting held December 15, 2021

On motion, the minutes from the meeting held December 15, 2021 were approved as presented.

9.

Delegation(s):

None

10.

Regular Items:

10.1

2022 Work Plan and Budget 

• Committee reviewed the 2022 Work Plan and suggested that Red Tape, Red Carpet initiatives be included under "Building Rural Resiliency".  Motion - Approve BARAAC's 2022 Work Plan and Budget, as amended. - CARRIED
• Members reviewed BARAAC's  Annual Report, prepared by the Chair, which highlights the work the Committee has accomplished in 2021. Motion - Approve BARAAC's 2021 Annual Report. - CARRIED

10.2

Rural Burlington Internet Project update

• Councillor Bentivegna provided an update on the Rural Burlington Internet Project and noted that a page on the City's website has been created for this project which provides an overview and will provide updates as the project progresses. https://www.burlington.ca/en/services-for-you/rural-internet-installation.asp 
• Councillor Bentivegna stated that a virtual Town Hall has been scheduled for January 25 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on the rural internet project and the Mayor, representatives from the City, Conservation Halton, Niagara Escarpment Commission, Halton Region and Internet Access Solutions will be available to provide status updates and answer questions. There is also the opportunity to submit questions in advance of the Town Hall. Postcards have been sent out to all Ward 6 rural residents. 
• Members had several questions and it was suggested that they be submitted on behalf of the Committee. Motion - Approve the following questions be submitted to the Mayor's Office for the Town Hall regarding the Rural Burlington Internet Project - CARRIED
  • What is the status of each of the permits required for this work to proceed:
    • Niagara Escarpment Commission Development permit
    • Conservation Halton permit
    • Halton Region Municipal Consent and Excavation or Occupancy permits
    • City of Burlington Municipal Consent, Road Occupancy and Load Exemption permits?
  • Why does public infrastructure need a development permit for work on an open road allowance? Traditionally public services have not required development permits for this kind of work. What has changed? The Region and local municipalities are capable of managing work on the road allowance, so what is the value the NEC is adding to the process?
  • Why does the proponent need to document the public asset of trees in the right of way via a full-time arborist? Why is this asset not catalogued by the City?
  • Can hydro/tree pruning be undertaken at the same time to save proponent money?
  • Once the broader infrastructure is in place, what is the process for individuals to connect? Are there any required approvals across each of the various agencies?
  • How will the City document the learnings from this process to support future projects?

10.3

Planner update

a.

Advocacy Priorities update 

• Kelly advised that she, the Mayor, Councillor Bentivegna and other staff will be attending the virtual 2022 Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) Conference on Jan 23-25. They will be meeting with the Minister of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry to discuss Red Tape reduction and a coordinated approach to approvals, and the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to discuss thinking differently and inclusively about farmers in the City when engaging with the agricultural sector; considering cumulative agricultural impact assessments; and making tangible investments in the restoration and enhancement of prime agricultural lands.

b.

Event Barn comments 

• Kelly reviewed the Committee's comments regarding the Event Barn Paper presented at the December meeting and noted that she will be submitting them to the Golden Horseshoe Food and Farming Alliance on January 20, 2022.

11.

Other Business:

• Glenn suggested that a subcommittee be struck to work on policy related matters so less time is taken during committee meetings on this subject. This will be discussed at February meeting.
• Kelly advised that the City is doing a Website Redesign Survey and encouraged members to take the opportunity to provide their feedback. https://www.getinvolvedburlington.ca/web-redesign

12.

Adjournment: 9:03 p.m.