December 14, 2020 - Council Highlights

From the meeting of December 14, 2020

Message from the Mayor

“Thank you to all the residents for doing their part to keep us safe from COVID. Please continue to be safe, be kind and shop local.

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year”.

Have you seen Constable Scarecrow?

In response to continuing concerns related to speeding and other traffic related issues, "Constable Scarecrow" has been introduced in the District of Kent as a proactive measure.

This image of an Agassiz RCMP member with a radar gun can be affixed to a streetlight, telephone pole or any other immovable object.

When drivers observe Constable Scarecrow, there is typically an instant reduction in speed and improved driving behaviour.

Don’t let the cut-out fool you, you just never know when the scarecrow version will be replaced with the actual RCMP member.

It was a Magical Day

Councillor Spaeti, along with volunteers from Agassiz-Harrison Community Services, District of Kent Community Recreation and Cultural Centre staff, Agassiz Library and Tourism Harrison wrapped and handed out 430 gifts for this year’s “Magic of Christmas” drive thru event.

Donations through local toy drives and the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau brought smiles to local children’s faces as for most, this was the only time to see Santa this year.

Thank you to all the volunteers whose hard work and creativity kept the spirit of this annual event alive.

Parks & Trails Strategic Plan

Council reviewed and approved the priorities as recommended annually by the Parks, Recreation and Trails Committee. The Parks and Trails 25-year plan which is included in the District’s 5-year Capital Plan.

The following updates have been included in the Parks and Trail Priorities Plan based on project status for 2020, beginning with Phase 1 of the Park Priorities:

1. The addition of the Indoor Regional Pool for an estimated cost of $16,120.000, which is counting on grant funding, community partnerships and fundraising;
2. Centennial Park main entrance signage and gardens for an estimated cost of $45,000;
3. Proposed dedicated pickleball courts at Centennial Park and possible shared tennis courts at Agassiz Elementary Secondary School for an estimated $75,000;
4. Completed projects at Pioneer and Schep Parks including the addition of the 20’ x 20; gazebo and pathway lighting at Schep Park. The addition of accessible playground surfacing and outdoor fitness equipment, which is grant dependent, also at Schep Park;
5. The inclusion of bike racks at various parks, along Pioneer Avenue and other popular community destinations;
6. The addition of cemetery projects at Valley View and Limbert Mountain including tree planting and proposed Columbarium at the Valley View Cemetery.

Updates to Phase 1 of the Trail Projects include:

1. Identify trail priorities as recommended by the Parks, Recreation and Trails Committee;
2. Increase of funding to adequately consider updating the dyke access gates;
3. The addition of Mountain Woodside mountain bike/multi-use trail for an estimated cost of $50,000 to fund parking of improvements and trail development.

For more information on the Parks and Trail Priories Plan, contact:                                          Jennifer Thornton, Director of Community Services and Projects at; jthornton@kentbc.ca or 604-796-2235

Telecommunications Antenna Structures

Council approved the Telecommunications Antenna Structures Policy. The policy was created in accordance with ISED’s (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada) circular, the Siting Protocol Guide and the Siting Protocol Template along with policies from Chilliwack, Abbotsford and Maple Ridge as precedents during policy development.

Radiocommunication and broadcasting services are an integral part of daily life. Antenna systems are an essential component in providing these services and must be installed on towers, or other antenna-supporting structures. A growing demand for high-speed wireless access will require the installation of new TAS) Telecommunication Antenna Structures).

Additionally, the advancement in technology has led to a shift towards small cells attached to existing infrastructure. Small cells are low-powered antennas that are small (mostly smaller than a briefcase), while their associated equipment cabinets can be as large as a fridge. These small cells are exempt from local government and public consultation.

The policy includes considerations for location, design guidelines, co-location and reconstruction, and public consultation.

For more information contact Lisa Beaulieu, Acting Director of Development Services at lbeaulieu@kentbc.ca or 604-796-2235.

Fire Department Tools and Upgrades

Council supported the Fire Department to move ahead in designing a new training facility which will meet the requirements of the Provincial playbook training standard.

One of the main considerations when the District along the with Agassiz Fire Department (AFD) embarked on the construction of the new fire hall was to ensure there was room to carry out training for the firefighters. This was done with the 30m x 30m fenced training compound on the sought east corner of the property.

Britco Structures donated a new building to the AFD that had been involved in an accident while in transit. The AFD has used this structure regularly over the last 10 years and for interior firefighting training. Unfortunately, due to some structural damage sustained from the accident the building was no longer watertight and has various leaks over the years and now is in condition that is not considered worth repair.

The Agassiz Fire Department will upgrade to a modular steel container system to train firefighters. Acquisition of the containers is proposed to be through donations from CP Railway and any other grant funding opportunities that become available.

A modular system provides the option to add or remove containers as required, allowing for the replacement if any fail or the addition as occupational requirements dictate.

Council also supported the purchase of a hydraulic rescue tool. Currently the fire engines do not carry heavy hydraulic tools on board leaving all the forcible entry to hand tools, sledgehammers, and saws. The addition of a hydraulic combination tool would increase the capabilities in not just auto extrication but all types of technical rescue including machinery and forcible entry.

Mayor Pranger thanked the Agassiz Fire Department for organizing the annual Food Drive. The donations are greatly appreciated in our community and was a huge success.

COVID-19 Updates

Councillor Spaeti’s report from the Expanded Collaborative Services committee meeting shows that approximately 300 people per day are being tested for COVID-19 in Chilliwack and roughly 30 per day in Hope.

Surgery, imaging and ambulatory care are open, health care workers are working to catch up from the backlog in spring.  Every person that is admitted to hospital will be tested for COVID-19.

An important reminder from Fraser Health. Individuals and businesses must continue to significantly reduce social interactions and travel.

Now that the COVID-19 vaccine has been approved by Health Canada, a phase distribution of the vaccine will start with key populations based on Canada’s pandemic plan to reduce severe outcomes and deaths.

Provincial Health Officer orders and guidelines remain in place for everyone, regardless if they have received the vaccine. We all need to continue to protect each other by taking the measures to prevent transmission like washing our hands, staying home when sick, keeping our physical distance and wearing a mask in public indoor spaces.

For general information about the vaccine and rollout plans for BC, visit gov.bc.ca/covidvaccine.