6TH REPORT OF THE

 

AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

 

meeting held on November 16, 2016, commencing at 7:00 PM, in Committee Room #1, Second Floor, London City Hall. 

 

PRESENT:    L. McKenna (Chair), C. Colvin, A. Lawrence and S. Twynstra and B. Westlake-Power (Acting Secretary). 

 

ABSENT:  H. Fletcher, S. Franke and M. McAlpine.

 

ALSO PRESENT:  L. Mottram.

 

I.	CALL TO ORDER

 

1.	Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest

 

That it BE NOTED that no pecuniary interests were disclosed.

 

II.	SCHEDULED ITEMS

 

None.

 

III.	CONSENT ITEMS

 

2.	5th Report of the Agricultural Advisory Committee

 

That it BE NOTED that the 5th Report of the Agricultural Advisory Committee, from its meeting held on September 21, 2016, was received.

 

3.	10th and 11th Reports of the Advisory Committee on the Environment

 

That the following actions be taken with respect to the 10th and 11th Reports of the Advisory Committee on the Environment (ACE):

 

a)         it BE NOTED that the 10th and 11th Reports of the ACE, from its meetings held on October 5, 2016 and November 2, 2016, respectively, were received;

 

b)         the Civic Administration BE REQUESTED to:

 

           i)            actively involve the Agricultural Advisory Committee (AAC) in the process for the preparation of the draft Terms of Reference for the development of an Urban Agriculture Study; and

 

            ii)         provide staff reports relating to an Urban Agriculture Study to the AAC; and,

 

c)         the AAC BE ADVISED with respect to future matters related to the StormFisher Environmental biogas facility and the Orgaworld facility; it being noted that S. Twynstra will be the AAC representative, as required; it being further noted that the AAC noted concerns related to potential detrimental actions against these facilities as they provide necessary agriculture inputs in the area. 

 

4.	Municipal Council resolution adopted at its meeting held October 11, 2016 with respect to the 5th Report of the Agricultural Advisory Committee

 

That it BE NOTED that the Municipal Council resolution, adopted at its meeting held on October 11, 2016, with respect to the 5th Report of the Agricultural Advisory Committee, was received. 

 

 

 

 

 

5.	Notice of Application - P. Jordan - 3668 Homewood Lane

 

That it BE NOTED that the Notice dated November 3, 2016, from B. Page, Planner, with respect to an application submitted by P. Jordan, relating to the property located at 3668 Homewood Lane, was received. 

 

6.	Notice of Application - The Corporation of the City of London - 2156 Highbury Avenue North

 

That it BE NOTED that the Notice dated October 6, 2016, from M. Tomazincic, Planner, with respect to an application submitted by The Corporation of the City of London, relating to the property located at 2156 Highbury Avenue North, was received.

 

IV.	SUB-COMMITTEES & WORKING GROUPS

 

None.

 

V.	ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

 

7.	Private Member's  Bill on Certified Crop Advisors

 

That the Private Member’s Bill on Certified Crop Advisors BE SUPPORTED; it being noted that this proposed legislation will eliminate barriers to employment opportunities for Certified Crop Advisors and allow Ontario farmers the freedom to engage in business with the expert of their choice. 

 

8.	Urban Agriculture Conference

 

That it BE NOTED that the Urban Agriculture Conference update dated November 16, 2016, from S. Franke, was received. 

 

9.	Farmland tax and Farm Tax Assessment

 

That the Civic Administration BE REQUESTED to provide information to the Agricultural Advisory Committee with respect to potential tax rate reductions for agricultural lands (farmland) within the City, or alternative measures, in order to ensure that increased farm value assessments do not result in unreasonable property tax increases. 

 

VI.	DEFERRED MATTERS/ADDITIONAL BUSINESS

 

None.

 

VII.	ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:28 PM.

 

 

 

 

NEXT MEETING DATE: January 18, 2017