Burlington Agricultural & Rural Affairs Advisory Committee Meeting

Minutes

Meeting #:
Date:	Tuesday, September 24, 2019
Time:	7:00 P.m. - 9:00 P.m.
Location:	Room 305, Level 3, City Hall 426 Brant Street, Burlington, Ontario

---

1.

Members Present:

Dave Stanyar (Chair), Vanessa Warren, Jamie Fisher, John Timmis, Norm Richardson, Glenn Portch and Sarah Pralet

2.

Others Present:

Councillor Angelo Bentivegna, Kelly Cook (Planner), Cory Armstrong-Smith (Fire Prevention Inspector), Dan Ozimkovic (Transportation Technologist) and Jo-Anne Rudy (Clerk)

3.

Regrets:

Maura Romanelli and Nancy Douglas

4.

Declarations of Interest:

None

5.

Approval of Minutes:

5.1

Approve minutes from meeting held June 19, 2019

On motion, the minutes from the meeting held June 19, 2019 were approved as presented.

6.

Delegation(s):

6.1

Burlington Fire Department - Farm Fire Safety Workshop 

• Cory Armstrong-Smith, Fire Prevention Inspector, advised that the Burlington Fire Department is hosting a Farm Fire Safety Workshop on November 7, 2019 at 7 p.m. at Fire Headquarters (1255 Fairview Street) and invited committee members to attend. Cory noted that the workshop is open to Burlington farm owners and operators and encouraged members to invite others who would benefit. The presentation will cover the leading causes of farm fires, preventative maintenance, how to reduce the risk of fire on farms and farm buildings and tools to mitigate risk.

6.2

Rural Active Transportation Study update 

• Dan Ozimkovic, Transportation Technologist, provided an overview of the Rural Active Transportation Study and Cycling Master Plan.  Dan noted that the Cycling Master Plan will be coming forward to Council in January/February 2020 with the Rural Active Transportation Study following. Dan advised that a consultant team has been working on both and noted that alot of feedback has been received.
• Some comments from committee members suggested that the Rural Active Transportation Plan be first and then the Cycling Plan, noting that education is key for safe cycling and perhaps the police need to be more involved in enforcing by-laws when cyclists are travelling more that 2 abreast. It was also noted that cycling events in the rural area should be communicated to area residents.  ACTION - Jo-Anne to look into process for special events.
• Committee members were asked to send any traffic concerns in the rural area to Dan at [e-mail] and he will look into them. Dan will also look into the by-law to determine the rule for cyclists and who enforces. 

7.

Regular Items:

7.1

Planner update

• Kelly shared that she participated in the Halton Farm Tour held on September 19, 2019 which provided innovative ways that Halton's diverse agricultural community is contributing to the growth of the Canadian agriculture and food sector. The tour visited a high school that is using FarmBot Genesis to seed, weed and water community gardens, a state-of-the-art Standardbred racehorse training centre and a new craft cidery using apples from a local orchard.
• Kelly provided an article for the committee's information about growing Canada's value-added food sector. Some recommendations included improving regulations to allow for expansion of international trade of processed food products, investing in innovation and reducing the barriers to growth inside Canadian borders.
• Kelly advised that the City's Climate Action Plan came up quickly after the City declared a Climate Emergency and noted that the actions are mostly residential focused at this point. The draft plan will be going to the Committee of the Whole meeting on December 2, 2019 at which time there will be opportunity to comment.  ACTION - Kelly will follow up with the project manager of the Climate Action Plan and provide information on opportunities for the committee to participate.

7.2

Discussion re: Adopted Official Plan policies

• The Sub-committee was unable to meet over the summer so it was suggested that they meet on October 1, 2019 at 7 p.m. at Capstone Farm to identify further changes to the Official Plan policies. These changes will be sent to Kelly so she can consolidate the comments and bring back to the next meeting for the full committee to review. 

8.

Other Business:

• Kelly advised that Nelson Aggregate is hosting an Open House of the quarry on Saturday, October 5, 2019 from 1 to 4 p.m.  ACTION - Kelly will forward information to members
• Vanessa shared that the Red Tape Red Carpet Task Force recommendations, two of which were agriculture related, were approved by Council on September 23, 2019.  Jo-Anne noted that regular monthly updates will be provided to Council and she will forward to committee members for their information.
• Norm brought forward an issue related to access of farm fields, specifically for property at the southwest corner of Appleby Line and Britannia Road, and noted that there should be a policy regarding this.  Councillor Bentivegna noted that he is aware of this situation and is having a meeting with someone at the Region.
• Norm advised of an issue with Burlington Hydro as it relates to farm and rural business infrastructure and noted the challenge he is having related to his current and future hydro needs with a new building on his farm. Councillor Bentivegna stated that he will send an email to Burlington Hydro and suggested that they be invited to a future meeting. 
• Sarah asked that "Allotments - Community Gardens" be added to the October agenda.

9.

Adjournment:  9 p.m.

Next meeting: Wednesday, October 16, 2019, 7 p.m., Room 305, City Hall