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From the meeting of February 14, 2022
Mayor’s Update
On January 26 Minister of Municipal Affairs Josie Osbourne continued with monthly phone calls with Mayors and senior staff of municipalities to not only provide updates on what is happening in our Province but to receive updates on what is required by our municipalities. This is turning out to be extremely helpful. Minister Farnworth also participated in this meeting, and I spoke about the costs the District is incurring from the atmospheric river disaster and the need to have emergency backup generators and to repair damaged infrastructure.
Then on January 27, I participated via zoom, in the Fraser Valley Regional District meeting. A debrief on the atmospheric river disaster took place where what the learnings from that event and how we can handle things better should it ever happen again were discussed.
I was honoured to present a 70th wedding anniversary certificate to Mr. and Mrs. Shogren. What a blessing and a milestone, congratulations!
Along with Councillor Spaeti, I also attended the Aberdeen for the opening remarks of the Love Local, Shop Local campaign. Thank you to the Harrison-Agassiz Chamber of Commerce for sponsoring the event, I appreciate what the Chamber is doing for both of our communities.
Congrats to Tourism Harrison for their grant of 1 million dollars to expand the Visitor Information Centre and Sasquatch Museum.
Stay safe be kind shop local.
Local-Motive Gift Shop
In her report, Councillor Schwichtenberg highlighted the impressive collection at the Gift Shop in the Agassiz-Harrison Museum. Local-Motive features locally made products and works by local artists, artisans, and authors including art, honey, soap, jewelry and more. Stop by the Agassiz-Harrison Museum and see all that the gift shop and museum have to offer.
Museum hours are posted on their website at agassizharrisonmuseum.org or give them a call at 604-796-3545.
Green Bylaws Toolkit
Councillor Schwichtenberg provided an overview on a webinar she attended presented by the Stewardship Centre of BC. This resource is the collaborative work of many individual organizations and is intended to guide land managers and those interested in the conservation of sensitive ecosystems and natural capital.
The purpose of the Green Bylaws Toolkit is to provide local governments (municipal and regional) and the public with practical tools for protecting green infrastructure. It includes bylaw language that local governments in BC are now using to protect ecosystem health and explains the various legal approaches to protection, their benefits, and drawbacks.
Learn more about the Stewardship Centre of BC at stewardshipcentrebc.ca.
Updates from the Chamber of Commerce
Councillor Spaeti reported that membership continues to grow, and the Harrison-Agassiz Chamber of Commerce is investigating ways to assist local businesses to find new employees as this is now a problem that many businesses are facing.
A special thank you to the Chamber for putting on the “Love Local, Shop Local’ campaign that took place February 12th and 13th.
International Purple Day
Mayor Pranger declared March 26, 2022, as “International Purple Day” for Epilepsy Awareness in the District of Kent.
Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological conditions, however, it has the least recognition in society. The BC Epilepsy Society is a provincially incorporated non-profit organization and a federally registered charitable organization that serves the over 50, 000 people living with epilepsy in BC and their families, friends and loved ones. BC Epilepsy Society works to raise awareness of epilepsy in the communities in which they live and around the world.
In recognition of International Purple Day, Municipal Hall will be lit up purple on March 26, 2022. Learn more at: bcepilepsy.com.
EOC Technology Upgrades
Council approved staff’s application for the 2022 UBCM Community Emergency Preparedness Fund Emergency Operations Centres and Training for Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) technology upgrades.
The District of Kent’s primary EOC, which is designated as a joint EOC with the Village of Harrison Hot Springs according to the Kent-Harrison Emergency Response and Recovery Plan, is a shared space in the Agassiz Fire Hall. The District maintains the EOC with the Village covering 50 percent of the costs as part of their contribution to the Emergency Services operating budget.
The current computers are outdated desktop units that are due for replacement. If the grant application is successful, the computers will be replaced with laptops where appropriate so they can be used wherever the EOC is set up, either the Fire Hall, Council Chambers, or another location.
Winter Storm Cleanup
In response to the winter storms and atmospheric river disaster, the District of Kent invited residents to drop off broken tree branches and other yard waste at the District’s Green Waste Bin and Recycle Depot free of charge.
The District hauled 73 dump truck loads of green waste between January 13th to 31st.
Support for Private members Bill C-216
Council approved support for Private Members Bill C-216, Health-Based Approach to the Substance Use Act, which has received first reading in the House of Commons.
The proposed Act would amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and enact the Expungement of Certain Drugs-related Convictions Act and the National Strategy on Substance Use Act. Under Bill C-216, the National Strategy proposed to:
- Address the harm associated with the criminalization of substance use.
- Ensure that interventions are founded on evidence-based best practices and address the root causes of problematic substance use.
- Ensure low-barrier access to a safe supply of medially regulated substances.
- Provide universal access to recovery, treatment and harm reduction services for problematic substance use and substance use disorder, including overdose prevention services, relapse prevention services and supervised consumption sites and services.
- Implement evidence-based prevention programs that address social and economic factors that contribute to problematic substance use; and
- Reduce the stigma associated with substance use, including through outreach and public awareness programs.
Coming soon – Outdoor-Open Air Exhibit/Teaching Space Project
With support from Council, the Agassiz-Harrison Museum will be installing a cement pad to use as an Outdoor – Open Air Exhibit and Teaching Space with a focus on:
- Sharing local and regional heritage and culture with residents and visitors
- Enhancing the west end of Pioneer Park
- Complementing the new First Peoples’ art installation
- Creating an engaging outdoor exhibit and teaching space
- Developing community programs
As the museum is on District owned property, Council approval is required for any additions or alterations to the property. All expenses will be the responsibility of the Agassiz-Harrison Historical Society and will be financed through grants and fundraising initiatives.
Agassiz Farm Fresh Market
In a letter to Council, the Agassiz Farm Fresh Market Directors announced that the summer market will resume for the 2022 season.
This season the market will include more cost-effective small booth options for backyard gardeners to encourage more community participation, as well as weekly kids’ booth options (16 and under) to encourage the kids in the community to be creative and have a place to sell their work.
Council unanimously moved to waive the weekly park use fees as well as the business licencing fee.
Follow the Agassiz Farm Fresh Market on Facebook for giveaways and promotions.
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