December 13 - Council Highlights

From the meeting of December 13, 2021

Mayor’s Message

Mayor Pranger met with MLA Kelli Paddon on November 27 to tour the most recent landslide event in the Rockwell Drive corridor and advocate for a long-term solution for the issues in this area.

On December 10, Mayor Pranger along with MLA Paddon toured the Rockwell Drive area once again. This time they were accompanied by Minister Farnworth and his staff. The District’s Emergency Coordinator, Mike Van Laerhoven was also on hand to provide information on the current and past emergency events. This provided a good opportunity for the Minister to see the issues and problems firsthand. I am hopeful the Province is willing to look for solutions.

During the Magic of Christmas event, 430 children got to see Mr. and Mrs. Claus, I am so grateful to the many volunteers who make this a successful event each year.

It was nice to see so many families taking in the activities at Winter Night Lights despite the bad weather. Winter Night Lights is ongoing for the month of December with special activities planned for December 18^th. Check out our website for schedule of events.

I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I hope and pray that there will be an uneventful weather event to the ending of this year.

Please be kind, be safe and shop local.

125^th Anniversary Heritage Recognition Award Video Presentation

The Heritage Recognition Award is to honour long-standing heritage families who established themselves in the District of Kent from 1895 (or earlier) up to 1950 and continue to have living descendants residing in the District.

Thank you to Bev Kennedy, Valerie Edmondson, Marlene Sand and Carol Mackay, a core group of volunteers from the 125^th Anniversary Sub-Committee, who worked tirelessly on researching and gathering the information required to develop the Heritage Recognition Award and the list of recipients.

Although these volunteers performed extensive research on all heritage families in the District, in some circumstances, it was difficult to validate the information, especially going back over 125 years and further. Any questions regarding the 125^th Anniversary Heritage Recognition Award or if we have inadvertently missed someone, please contact Ms. Jennifer Thornton, Director of Community Services & Projects at Municipal Hall at 604-796-2235 or jthornton@kentbc.ca.

To view the presentation, please visit our website at kentbc.ca.

Late Fines Ending at all FVRL Locations

In her report, Councillor Schwichtenberg highlighted that the Fraser Valley Regional Library (FVRL) has unanimously decided to no longer fine patrons for overdue books and other items beginning January 1, 2022.

The ending of late fines is part of FVRL’s approach to continue to remove barriers for patrons and encourage increased use and access.

This change does not include fees incurred for lost or damaged materials. The same fee structure will still apply. Customers with existing fines will be granted the option of removing some or all these fines with an upcoming 2022 Forgiveness Campaign.

To learn more about FVRL’s services, please visit www.frvl.ca or call your local library at 604-796-9510.

Magic of Christmas

Councillor Spaeti was pleased to be a part of this year’s Magic of Christmas event which provided gifts to over 400 children from the District of Kent, Village of Harrison Hot Springs, and Seabird Island. Thank you to the many volunteers who help make this event happen.

Local Government Policing Modernization Roundtable

Council approved the appointment of Chief Administrative Officer, Wallace Mah for consideration by the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) Executive to the Local Government Policing Modernization Roundtable.

Up to fifteen members will be appointed by the UBCM Executive, with consideration towards ensuring representation from staff and elected officials; urban and rural governments; and communities policed by RCMP and municipal police agencies.

Summary of Events from the Atmospheric River by Fire Chief Basten

Councillors Spaeti and Watchorn thanked the Fire Department for their professionalism and dedication during the mudslide events caused by the Atmospheric River.

Mayor Pranger spoke to the character of the members of the Agassiz Fire Department and noted how proud the entire District should be of their Fire Department.

If you would like to read Fire Chief Basten’s Summary of Events, please visit our website kentbc.ca.

Regulating Cannabis Operations in the ALR

Council members empathized with the various residents who spoke at the Public Hearing held earlier, as to the challenges associated with the federally regulated medical marihuana licenses.

It was highlighted by staff that Bylaw 1683 allows the District to regulate properties within the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) to have forms of cannabis operations that may not be prohibited by local governments and limited indoor micro-cannabis cultivation facilities subject to general regulations.

Regulations will apply to all cannabis facilities including:

Be licensed by the Government of Canada and have all required provincial licences, permits, and approvals.
Have a valid District of Kent business licence.
Provide stormwater and agricultural liquid waste management plans where the total impervious areas of builds and structures exceeds 3,700 square metres (approximately 40,000) square feet).
Be required to meet the proposed setbacks, height, and lot coverage requirements.

The objectives for the District of Kent include:

Not frustrating federal law.
Addressing community concerns for noise, odour, vapour, and light pollution.
Minimizing impacts of farm-related commercial and farm-related industrial uses in the ALR.
Ensuring the regulations are consistent with the Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Fisheries’ Bylaw Standards.

Council approved sending another letter to the Prime Minister as to the past commitment of revenue sharing made by the federal government prior to the legalization of marihuana.

If you have questions, please contact Development Services at 604-796-2235 or email to info@kentbc.ca.