December 9 Council Highlights

From the meeting of December 9, 2019

CP Holiday Train Update

Lots of great activities have been planned for this year’s CP Holiday Train event happening on December 16 at 5:30 pm. The traffic plan includes closure of a portion of Pioneer Avenue from the Community Recreation and Cultural Centre to Agassiz Avenue and provide overflow parking in the fields of Centennial Park (local traffic will be permitted).

The public is encouraged to come downtown early ahead of the crowds and enjoy some holiday shopping. The Agassiz-Harrison Museum will be open and offering a “special train ticket” to redeem for a holiday treat at the train event. A Holiday Train Event Guide has been created to let participants know which businesses will be open, where public and overflow parking is available and a map of traffic pattern changes.

Remember to bring non-perishable food or cash donations for the Agassiz Food Bank. Volunteers are always needed for this great event, contact Agassiz Harrison Community Services at 604-796-2585. Be sure to dress appropriately for this all-weather event!

Grant Applications Supported

Council supported submitting applications to the following grant funding streams for projects and program initiatives for 2020:

1. Tire Stewardship BC Community Grant Program
   This opportunity would provide up to $30,000 (with matching funds) to install recycled rubber surfacing at Schep Park playground.
2. Kal Tire RePlay Fund
   Similar to the grant above, the Replay Grant Program reuses scrap tires to create new rubber products to enhance facilities in local communities. Funding amounts have not been identified, however staff will apply for this grant in conjunction with the Tire Stewardship opportunity for the purpose of rubberizing the playground surface at Schep Park.
3. BC Hydro Tree Canada Grant Funding 
   This grant would provide up to $7,000 to hep fund appropriate tree purchases to complete the Valley View Cemetery beautification project.
4. Canadian Tire Jumpstart Grant Programs (Grant funds not identified) 
   
   a. Community Development Program
   
   If successful, funds from this grant program would be used to support the Agassiz Minor Soccer Program to help remove barriers to participation.
   
   b. Accessibility Program
   

   The proposed project would be for professional consultation of an indoor pool design. Staff applied to the Investing in Canada’s Infrastructure opportunity in January 2019 to build an indoor pool, however no recipients have been announced to date.

   The consultation for design would have a shelf-ready plan in place should the District be successful in these applications.

Hammersley Pump Station Official Opening

Mayor and Council attended the Hammersley Pump Station official opening on Friday, December 6. In attendance to cut the ribbon was The Honourable Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, and Member of Legislative Assembly, Laurie Throness.

The new pump station houses two Archimedes screw pumps which will provide 5 cubic metres per second of pumping capacity, helping to alleviate rising water concerns faced by surrounding properties. The fish-friendly pumps will help juvenile salmon migrate to the Fraser River and will increase salmon stock in the Mountain Slough over time. The pumps will be able to maintain water levels consistently between 10.5 and 10.8 metres above sea level which is also expected to help the endangered Oregon Spotted Frog and Salish Sucker habitats within the District.

Minister Farnworth also announced that the District of Kent will receive an additional $600,000 grant for fish improvement works on Agassiz Slough.

Cookies, Carols and Cocoa Event

The Agassiz Harrison Museum will be hosting a family friendly evening of cookies, carols and cocoa on Saturday, December 14 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Admission is $2 or a non-perishable food item per person. Enjoy children’s games, photos with Santa, a candy cane hunt and decorating your own cookie. To book your Santa photo, please email agassizharrisonmuseum@shawbiz.ca or call the Museum at 604-796-3545. All proceeds will go directly to Agassiz Harrison Community Services.

Food Accessibility Survey

Council encouraged the public to participate in the Food Accessibility Survey administered by the District and Fraser Health. The purpose of the survey is to build an understanding of local priorities when purchasing food and to help identify gaps or barriers to healthy, affordable food accessibility.

Enter for a chance to win a $100 gift certificate to Agassiz Produce or Super Valu!

Huge Success for Emergency Services Annual Food Drive

The Agassiz Fire Department, along with members from Kent Harrison Search and Rescue, BC Ambulance and youth from local schools and service clubs, went door to door last Thursday collecting non-perishable food items or cash donations from the community.

The emergency services personnel collected over 5,000 lbs of food and $3,400 for our local food bank.

Christmas Message from the Mayor

Mayor Pranger delivered a great thank you to District staff and festive tidings to the community:

“Thank you to all the staff, whether you work at the Waste Water Treatment Plant, Recreation, Public Works, or Municipal Hall. We as Council appreciate what you do and so do the citizens of our community. Merry Christmas to all in our community and may you be blessed this New Year season.”