August 19 Council Highlights

From the meeting of August 19, 2019

September is Literacy Month

Mayor Pranger proclaimed September as Literacy Month in the District of Kent.

In partnership with Agassiz-Harrison Community Services and the Agassiz Branch of Fraser Valley Regional Library, the campaign aims to raise awareness of the importance of literacy for all British Columbians, raise awareness about community-based resources, and to raise funds to support such community-based literacy programs, initiatives and organizations.

The District of Kent is a participant in the Storytime in the Park literacy program, which provides children and youth an opportunity to share a story, entertainment and a snack. And every child receives a free copy of the book read that day.

For more information about youth and adult literacy programs, contact Agassiz-Harrison Community Services at literacy@agassizcs.ca.

Proposed Evacuation Route Plan Awarded to Contractor

Onsite Engineering Ltd was awarded the contract for the Request for Proposal of an Evacuation Route Plan for the District of Kent.

The Emergency Evacuation Route project has been a priority for the Kent Harrison Joint Emergency Program for more than 20 years as travellers heading north past the Golf Road intersection of Highway 9 only have one way in or out in the event of an emergency. The plan will provide a report with three potential route options and sufficient detail to tender the construction of the preferred evacuation route.

This project is 100% funded through the UBCM Community Emergency Preparedness Fund.

Reduced Water Connection Fee Opportunity Available

Residents in the Agassiz Townsite that have a water connection to their property but are not currently hooked up to the municipal system have an opportunity to connect at a reduced rate.

Eligible properties may connect for $795, reduced from the standard connection cost $1,700.

This reduced rate is available until September 30, 2019 and property owners must fully connect to the water system by September 30, 2020. Properties paying the reduced rate regardless of connection will be charged user fees beginning October 1, 2020.

For more information, contact Engineering Services at 604-796-2235 or email engineering@kentbc.ca

Kent Comments on Single-Use Plastics

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy is seeking input from municipalities across the Province regarding the Clean BC Plastics Action Plan.

Mayor and Council opted to provide their comments in support of the initiative along with the Fraser Valley Regional District, noting the particular need for a Province-wide agricultural plastics recycling program. Plastics in the farming industry greatly outweigh those produced by households, and the District of Kent is currently the only municipality in BC that is operating an agricultural plastics program.  

Update from the Agassiz Harrison Museum and Visitor Information Centre:

Lindsay Foreman, Manager and Curator at the Agassiz Harrison Museum and Visitor Information Centre appeared before Council to deliver a summary of the 2018/2019 season.

Highlights noted that the Museum recently completed renovations to the lobby and information centre, with fresh paint and new topographic maps of the area posted. New shelving units help maximize the available presentation and storage space of brochures, and a TV monitor now provides up-to-date listings of activities within the community for residents and visitors alike.

Reminisce Kits were launched and are equipped with a combination of archival images, archival newspaper and or magazine articles and advertisements, collection object images, discussion plan for a facilitator and index cards with questions for participants. The project was funded by a New Horizons Grants for Seniors awarded to the Agassiz Harrison Historical Society.

For more information on what’s going on at the Agassiz Harrison Museum, check out www.agassizharrisonmuseum.org

Fraser Valley Grand Gala

The Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation raises funds throughout the year for local hospitals. Their goal for 2019/2020 is to raise $3.5 million dollars to support projects such as expansion of the Emergency Room at Abbotsford Regional Hospital, primary care clinic at Chilliwack General Hospital and new stretchers for the Fraser Canyon Hospital.

The Fraser Valley Grand Gala is an evening of fundraising that will be held at the Copper Room in the Village of Harrison Hot Springs on November 15.

For more information about project initiatives and the gala, visit https://www.fvhcf.ca/gala/

The next Regular Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 16 at 7:00 pm in Council Chambers.