AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Thursday, April 16, 2009, commencing at 7:12 p.m.

Salmon River Committees & Commissions Room
4th Floor, 20338 – 65 Avenue, Langley, BC

MINUTES

PRESENT: T. Bowman, Chair

R. Austin, R. Blackstone, B. Crockett, P. Erikson, V. MacDonald,

D. Melnychuk, , A. Robinson, K. Taylor, S. Trummler

MUNICIPAL REPRESENTATIVES:
Mayor R. Green
Councillor M. Kositsky

STAFF REPRESENTATIVES:
B. Doyle, Manager, Administration and Approving Officer
S. Palmer, Recording Secretary
R. Seifi, Director, Community Development

OTHERS PRESENT:
N. Mufford

A. INTRODUCTION OF NEW MEMBERS

Introductions of members were held.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

1. Agricultural Advisory Committee

April 16, 2009

An e-mail from Dean Holcombe regarding technology to grow potatoes on

pavement was placed under Item K. Items for Information.

Moved by V. MacDonald,
Seconded by R. Blackstone,
That the Agricultural Advisory Committee adopt the Agenda of the April 16, 2009
meeting, as amended.
CARRIED
April 16, 2009
Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes -2-

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

1. Agricultural Advisory Committee

December 11, 2008

Moved by R. Blackstone,
Seconded by V. MacDonald,
That the Agricultural Advisory Committee adopt the Minutes of the December 11,
2008 meeting.
CARRIED

ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR

Moved by V. MacDonald,
Seconded by B. Crockett,
That Ted Bowman be nominated for the position of Chair of the Agricultural Advisory
Committee for 2009.
CARRIED

Ted Bowman was acclaimed as Chair of the Agricultural Advisory Committee for
2009.

Moved by D. Melnychuk,
Seconded by R. Austin,
That Vic MacDonald be nominated for the position of Vice-Chair of the Agricultural
Advisory Committee for 2009.
CARRIED

Vic MacDonald was acclaimed as Vice-Chair of the Agricultural Advisory Committee

for 2009.

The meeting recessed at 7:21 p.m. to take a Committee group picture for
identification/recognition purposes and reconvened at 7:30 p.m.

E. COUNCIL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ESTABLISHMENT BYLAW 2008 NO. 4700

1. Council Advisory Committee Establishment Bylaw 2008 No. 4700

B. Doyle provided a presentation on Bylaw No. 4700.

Resulting discussion points included:

• A. Robinson commented that the bylaw as currently worded didn’t enable the
committee to develop its own terms of reference.
• It was indicated that the Township would consider preparing a bylaw amendment
to enable the establishment of Committee terms of reference.
• Ways to formally recognize the Committee were briefly discussed, including use
of the Committee web page on the Township web site, adding a Committee
group photo on the web page and the use of name tags. Additional future
discussion on this topic was suggested.
April 16, 2009
Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes -3-

F. REPORTS (WRITTEN)

G. CORRESPONDENCE

1. UBC Farm
File 0540-201 LAGR1-01

Letter dated January 12, 2009 from Community Development to

Metro Vancouver relative to UBC Farm.

COUNCIL

Moved by R. Austin,
Seconded by R. Blackstone,
That the Agricultural Advisory Committee receive the letter from Community
Development to Metro Vancouver relative to the UBC Farm.

AMENDMENT

Moved by A. Robinson,
Seconded by K. Taylor,
That the Agricultural Advisory Committee supports retention of the UBC Farm
and requests Council convey the Committee’s position to Metro Vancouver and
UBC.
CARRIED

The question was called on the Main Motion, as amended, and it was
CARRIED

H. 2009 WORK PROGRAM

1. 2008 Annual Report and Draft 2009 Work Program

T. Bowman provided a presentation on the 2008 Annual Report and Draft 2009
Work Program for discussion (Attachment A). The following comments were
provided:
• Investment Agriculture has committed $30,000 in grant money, subject to
$60,000 being approved by Council in the corporate budget.
• The proposed 2009 Work Plan included the following:
1. To review ALR applications and provide recommendations prior to Council
decisions.
2. To assist the Township in the preparation of an agricultural viability strategy.
3. To assist the Township in the Agriculture Bylaw review process.
4. To provide steerage and assistance for a farm tour in 2009.
5. To provide advice on the Township’s consideration of future farmers’ market
proposals.
April 16, 2009
Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes -4-

6. To provide advice on the Township’s Water Management Plan and

implementation.
7. To assist with implementation of the Township’s Sustainability Charter, with
specific focus on developing a Township food security and sustainability
policy and strategy to promote producing, buying and eating local food
products.
8. To participate in a joint Council and AAC workshop.
9. To host a joint Abbotsford/Surrey/Langley AAC meeting, to discuss common
issues and share ideas.
10. To participate in a joint Land Commission/Township Council/AAC meeting to
discussion common issues and share ideas.
11. To participate at the next joint AAC meeting, hosted by MAL.
12. To attend a joint Federal/Provincial/Township workshop, regarding cross-
over issues, involving farmland and watercourse protection.

Moved by R. Blackstone,
Seconded by V. MacDonald,
That the Agricultural Advisory Committee approve the 2009 Work Plan as presented
and that the Chair make a presentation on this and the Annual Report to Council for
approval.
CARRIED

Next Agenda:
1. Staff to provide a presentation of the Rural Plan.
2. AAC to provide staff direction on the 2009 Farm Tour.

I. COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS AND REFERRALS

J. SUB-COMMITTEE UPDATES

K. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION

1. Metro Vancouver Agriculture Committee Agenda

April 2, 2009
File 0400-60

April 2, 2009 Metro Vancouver Agricultural Advisory Committee agenda provided for
information.
http://www.metrovancouver.org/boards/Agriculture%20Committee/Agriculture-
April_2_2009-Agenda.pdf

Moved by D. Melnychuk,
Seconded by A. Robinson,
That staff invite Mark Robbins, Ministry of Agriculture and Lands to a future
meeting to provide a presentation on “Public Amenity and Ecological Services
Study”; and
April 16, 2009
Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes -5-

That copies and/or a presentation by Metro Vancouver staff on the “Future of the
Region Sustainability Dialogues: Agriculture” be provided to the Committee, to
be scheduled over the next six months.
CARRIED

R. Seifi provided statistics on BCALC applications submitted to the Township

over an eight-year period. The request was made to provide statistics on the
land area involved in these applications.

2. Rezoning Application RZ100317 and Provincial ALR Application No. 100169

(Eagle Wind RV Park Ltd.)
File 14-06-115

At the January 12, 2009 Regular Council meeting, Council was in support of
Rezoning Application RZ100317 and Provincial ALR Application No. 100169
(Eagle Wind RV Park Ltd.).

3. Provincial Agricultural Land Commission Application No. 100174

(Anderson Management Inc. and Rippen Fur Farm Ltd.)
File 13-08-0012

At the February 16, 2009 Special meeting of Council, Council passed a

resolution to support Provincial ALR Application No. 100174 (Anderson
Management Inc. and Rippen Fur Farm Ltd.).

4. Shrinking Farmland - Technology to Grow Potatoes on Pavement

Email from Dean Holcombe regarding technology to grow potatoes on

pavement.

Moved by V. MacDonald,
Seconded by R. Austin,
That the Agricultural Advisory Committee receive the “Items for Information” as
presented.
CARRIED

L. ITEMS FROM PRIOR MEETINGS

M. ROUND TABLE

1. 100 Mile Diet

R. Austin commented on a TV program based on a project in Mission, BC, regarding

the 100 Mile Diet.
April 16, 2009
Agricultural Advisory Committee Minutes -6-

2. Promotion of Local Farm Produce

R. Austin commented on the Volunteer Recognition Dinner. She raised the question
as to whether Langley farm produce could be featured in the catering of this event in
the future.

Councillor Kositsky suggested broader consideration to all Township catered events

when the Committee considers its work program item dealing with promoting buying
and eating local food products.

3. Promotion of Local Produce

It was pointed out that some of the local large food retailers were promoting local
produce.

4. Agriculture Land Commission

The suggestion was made to provide a link to the BCALC website on the Township’s
website under the AAC webpage.

N. OTHER BUSINESS

Staff provided information on the new electronic agenda system.

Staff also reviewed the Committee’s web page on the Township’s web site,
highlighting the various information resources.

O. NEXT MEETING

Date: Thursday, May 21, 2009

Location: Salmon River Committee Room
4th Floor, 20338 - 65 Avenue
Time: 7:00 p.m.

P. TERMINATE

Moved by V. MacDonald,
That the meeting terminate at 9:40 p.m.
CARRIED

CERTIFIED CORRECT:

_________________________
Chair, Ted Bowman
Agricultural Advisory Committee
 ToL’s AAC’s
2008 Annual Report &
Draft 2009 Work Plan

Agenda
• 2008 Highlights
• Mandate Review
• Draft 2009 Work Plan

Presentation from AAC Chair to Council Special Meeting, May 11, 2009.
 2008 – In Review

During 2008, the AAC met nine times.

Several sub committees were established,
with the following purposes:
• to provide a terms of reference for an
agricultural viability strategy and to
assist with a grant application to the
Investment Agricultural Foundation
of BC;
• to provide preliminary planning for a
2009 farm tour;
• to provide drainage & dyking advice;
• to provide input to the Township’s
draft water management plan; and
• to provide advice regarding farmers’
markets.
Presentation from AAC Chair to Council Special Meeting, May 11, 2009.
 2008 – In Review

During 2008, the following special

meetings were held:
• a joint Council/AAC meeting to review
the Committee’s mandate; and
• a joint Delta/Surrey/Langley AAC
meeting to discuss regional issues.

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 2008 – In Review

During 2008, the Committee also provided

representation on:
• Metro Vancouver’s Agriculture
Advisory Committee; and
• the Township’s Water Management
Plan – Stakeholder Advisory
Committee.

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AAC
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 2008 – In Review

The Committee was very active in 2008 and

accomplished several initiatives, including:
• making recommendations to Council
regarding several ALR subdivision and
non-farm use applications;
• making recommendations to Council
regarding Twn. policy/protocols
affecting the processing of ALR applic.;
• submitting the “Langley Farm Tour
Event Planning Guide” for Council’s
consideration; and
• completing the Ag. Viability Strategy
Study terms of reference, as input into
the 2009 Corporate work program &
budget process.

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 AAC’s Mandate Reviewed
- Proposed Amendment -

• In response to Council’s request, the

Committee reviewed its mandate for
potential recommended refinements.
• As a result, the Committee would like to
reinforce its desire to become more
proactive in providing advice to Council
on ALR applications.

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Special
Special
Meeting,
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 AAC’s Draft
2009 Work Plan

1. To review ALR applications and

provide recommendations prior to
Council decisions.
2. To assist the Twn. in the preparation
of an agricultural viability strategy.
3. To assist the Twn. in the Agriculture
Bylaw review process.
4. To provide steerage and assistance
for a farm tour in 2009.
5. To provide advice on the Twn.’s
consideration of future farmers’
market proposals.
6. To provide advice on the Twn.’s Water
Management Plan and implementation.

Presentation
Presentationfrom
from
AAC
AAC
Chair
Chair
toto
Council
Council
Special
Special
Meeting,
Meeting,
May 11, 2009.
.09.
 AAC’s Draft
2009 Work Plan

7. To assist with implementation of the

Twn.’s Sustainability Charter, with
specific focus on developing a Twn.
food security & sustainability policy
and a strategy to promote producing,
buying and eating local food products.
8. To participate in a joint Twn. Council
and AAC workshop.
9. To host a joint Abbotsford/Surrey/
Langley AAC meeting, to discuss
common issues and share ideas.
10. To participate in a joint Land
Commission/Twn. Council AAC
meeting, to discuss common issues
and share ideas.

Presentation
Presentationfrom
fromAAC
AACChair
ChairtotoCouncil
CouncilSpecial
SpecialMeeting,
Meeting,May 11, 2009.
.09.
 AAC’s Draft
2009 Work Plan

11. To participate at the next joint AAC

meeting, hosted by MAL.
12. To attend a joint Federal/Provincial/
Township workshop, regarding cross-
over issues, involving farmland and
watercourse protection.

Presentation
Presentationfrom
fromAAC
AACChair
ChairtotoCouncil
CouncilSpecial
SpecialMeeting,
Meeting,May 11, 2009.
.09.