Report to: Development
Services Committee Date
Report: March 23, 2010
SUBJECT:
PREPARED BY: Learie Miller Senior Environmental Policy Planner ext 6922
RECOMMENDATION:
1) That staff report entitled “Markham Agricultural Advisory Committee – Terms of Reference” be received; and,
2) That Council approve the Terms of Reference for the Markham Agricultural Advisory Committee (Appendix A) and membership eligibility criteria (Appendix B); and,
3) That Council appoint one (1) Council member to the Markham Agricultural Advisory Committee in accordance with the Terms of Reference; and
4) That the Clerks Department be directed to provide administrative support and advertise membership opportunities for the Markham Agricultural Advisory Committee, and further,
That Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Not applicable
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this report is to present the Terms of Reference for the proposed Markham Agricultural Advisory Committee for Council adoption, and to confirm a Council member appointee to the Markham Agricultural Advisory Committee (MAAC).
BACKGROUND:
On February 9, 2010, Council endorsed a resolution that the Town advance the creation of an agricultural advisory committee (the creation of which was a recommendation from the Agricultural Assessment study which was endorsed by Council in principle on December 1, 2009), to assist with Rouge Park agricultural matters, Official Plan agricultural policies and other initiatives to support agriculture viability and sustainability in Markham.
The MAAC in addition to providing
input on agricultural related issues, would also take into consideration the recommendations
of the Agricultural Assessment Study, the Growth Management Strategy and the
Green Print Plan, and would be established to assist staff and Council by
providing input on issues that impact agriculture, at an advisory level.
OPTIONS/ DISCUSSION:
As Agricultural Advisory Committees tend to operate more at a Regional level, for example the York Region Agricultural Liaison Committee and Durham Region Agricultural Advisory Committee, it is important to ensure that any committee established in Markham have a clear and specific local mandate with a link to the existing York Region Agricultural Advisory Liaison Group having at least one member of that group being a member of the MAAC. The proposed Terms of Reference of the MAAC is attached as Appendix A to this report.
In addition to the stated purpose of the MAAC, the Terms of Reference addresses the composition, roles and responsibilities and the reporting framework of the Advisory Committee. Specifically, the responsibilities of the MAAC will be to provide input on the following:
- Policy Development
- Providing
advice on the implementation of federal/provincial government
legislation, policies and guidelines related to the agricultural sector.
- Providing
input on agricultural policy development in any future review/revisions
to the Town’s Official Plan.
- Reviewing
studies, plans proposals, as required by Provincial legislation, or as
may be referred by
- Economic Viability and
Sustainability
1. Provide advice, comments and
recommendations on alternative solutions,
approaches, plans or studies
dealing with agriculture and related rural
issues which are within the
responsibilities and financial capabilities of the
Town of
2. Provide advice on the implementation
of actions recommended in the
Strategy and the Town’s
Community Sustainability Plan (Greenprint).
3. Determine in consultation with the
to support sustainable
diverse agricultural operations in the
- Communications/Outreach/Education
1. Provide advice and coordination on
the identification and implementation of programs which encourage public
awareness and education of land stewardship, urban agriculture, local food
procurement and other local food and rural issues.
2. Monitor and report on changes within
the agricultural industry including agricultural land inventory.
3. Provide advice, comments and
recommendations as requested by the Town of
Appendix B outlines recommended
membership eligibility criteria which will be used in the recruitment and
selection process.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS AND TEMPLATE
None identified at this time
HUMAN RESOURCES CONSIDERATIONS
The Clerks Department has been consulted and is available to provide secretariat support to the MAAC. Staff support will also be provided by the Sustainability Office and the Development Services Commission.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PRIORITIES:
The establishment of the MAAC is consistent with the recommendations in the Markham Agricultural Assessment study which is an important precursor to the Town’s Growth Management Strategy.
BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:
The Terms
of Reference was circulated to the Sustainability Office, the Clerk’s
Department and the Economic Development Division, and comments, where provided
have been incorporated.
RECOMMENDED
BY: ____________________________ _______________________________
Valerie Shuttleworth M.C.I.P, R.P.P Jim Baird M.C.I.P, R.P.P
Director of Planning and Urban Design Commissioner of Development Services
ATTACHMENTS:
Appendix: A
Appendix: B
Criteria
Q:\Development\Planning\MISC\MI
520 Agricultural Assessment 2008\Markham Agricultural Advisory
Committee\Markham Agricultural Advisory Committee Staff Report.doc