April 25 - Council Highlights

From the meeting on April 25, 2022

Mayor’s Update

Mayor Pranger along with Councillor Spaeti met with Minister Nathan Cullen and MLA Kelli Paddon to thank them for the funding for the new Regional Aquatic Centre. It is a very exciting time for the District and there is a lot of work ahead of us but a wonderful opportunity to build community.

On April 14^th Mayor Pranger met virtually with Minister Rob Fleming, MLA Kelli Paddon, and others for a discussion on transportation issues including the Agassiz-Rosedale bridge. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) senior staff were also involved in the discussion regarding ways to improve communication. This could include reporting through the Lets’emot Community to Community Forum.

Together, on April 19^th Mayors and Staff from other communities, met virtually with Minister Nathan Cullen regarding the upcoming freshet. The issue was raised that proactive measures such as riprap and sediment removal from the Fraser River are required for us to be successful in avoiding more flooding disasters.

Mayor Pranger along with the rest of Council had the pleasure of attending Mick Thiessen’s (Director of Engineering) retirement party. He served us well for 16 years and we wish him all the best.

The Let’s Connect Kent community celebration was well attended. Thank you to the businesses and organizations for participating and thank you to all who came to make it a very pleasant event. MP Brad Vis and MLA Kelli Paddon were also in attendance.

This is Volunteer Week, and we thank the many volunteers who make this wonderful community even better.

Agricultural Plastics Recycling

Councillor Post reported that another agricultural plastics recycling pickup was done on April 20^th. Thank you to the volunteers who make this happen as it has been a long slow process. The group continues to work with Clean Farms (cleanfarms.ca) to improve the sustainability of their farming operations.

Mother’s Day Raffle at the Museum

Councillor Schwichtenberg announced that tickets for the Mother’s Day Raffle Gift Basket are available at the Museum. The prize is worth $500. For Museum hours, please visit agassizharrisonmuseum.org or call 604- 796-3545.

Social Media 202

Councillor Spaeti highlighted the first Harrison Agassiz Chamber of Commerce workshop is on Thursday, May 19, 2022, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Join Octopus Creative for a fun and interactive afternoon workshop on the tangible ways to use social media to build awareness of and engagement with your business and gain new customers.  The fee for this event is $5, visit Harrison.ca for more information and to register.

Cheam Vista Classical Concerts

In her report, Councillor Spaeti announced the second last musician in the classical music series is Saturday, April 30^th at 7:00 pm featuring John Zuidhof, performing with the Vancouver based Chor Leoni men’s choir.

Concerts are held at the Riverside Christian Reformed Church located at 7542 Morrow Road. Please call Jacquie Zuidhof at 604-819-6460 for more information.

Pixley Lane Dog Park

The new dog park on Pixley Lane is now open. Dog waste stations are available, please pick up after your dog and do your part in keeping the park clean.

Coming soon is the addition of a small dog off-leash park located across Morrow Road at the entrance of the Haig Highway Bypass trail.

In the meantime, the Pixley Lane Dog Park is a shared space for dogs of all sizes, please use it at your own risk.

Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act

Councillor Watchorn attended a virtual training session on the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. The provincial government passed the Act into law in November 2019.

The Declaration Act aims to create a path forward that respects the human rights of Indigenous Peoples while introducing better transparency and predictability in the work we do together.

Learn more about the four key areas of the legislation at gov.bc.ca.

Moose Hide Campaign

Council voted in favour of proclaiming May 12, 2022, Moose Hide Campaign Day. Learn more about this Indigenous-led, British Columbia born, reconciliation movement that calls upon all Canadians to stand together to end violence against women and children at moosehidecampaign.ca.

International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

Council approved the request of proclaiming May 17, 2022, as International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.

The date of May 17^th was specifically chosen to commemorate the World Health Organization’s decision in 1990 to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder. Learn more about the day at may17.org.

Agassiz Fall Fair & Corn Festival Parade

Council unanimously approved the application from the Agassiz Agricultural and Horticultural Association for the Agassiz Fall Fair and Corn Festival Parade. The annual parade will be held on Saturday, September 17, 2022, beginning at 10:00 am.