July 19 - Council Highlights

From the meeting of July 19, 2021

Mayor’s Update

Mayor Pranger reminded residents that the vaccination clinic is every Wednesday and is grateful for all the volunteers and the Agricultural Association for the use of the hall. There have been approximately 20 clinics to date and some community volunteers have not missed one clinic.

Along with members of Council, Mayor Pranger attended the Grand Opening of PowerWood. There were 5 Government MLAs in attendance including Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resources Operations and Rural Development Hon. Katrine Conroy who spoke via Zoom.

CEO, Jake Powers is not only a dynamic entrepreneur, but a contributing member of our community who is advocating for other businesses to locate to the District of Kent.

Thank you to the Harrison Festival of the Arts for coming to Agassiz, it was a pleasure to be a part of the opening ceremonies along with Mayor Facio, Willie Charlie and the Sts’ailes dancers and drummers.

“Be kind, be safe, and shop local.”

Climate Emergency: Recent Heat Dome and Heat Wave

Delegations Ms. Rosa Quintana, Ms. Lillian Martin and Ms. Hannah Exley of Agassiz addressed Mayor and Council on the climate crisis and the recent effects of the heat dome and heat wave.

While outlining the importance of trees on the environment, they urged Council to form an environmental advisory committee to ensure environmental and sustainable planning.

A second request was for the District to establish a tree bylaw to manage and preserve trees on public and private land.

Mayor Pranger thanked the delegation for their presentation and advised that Council will discuss further at a later date.

Situation Table Planning Champions

Councillor Spaeti attended the Kent-Harrison Situation Table Planning Champions Group along with Grace Admiral from Kent-Harrison Community Services, Sergeant Mike Sargent from the Agassiz RCMP, and representatives from Seabird Island.

The purpose of the tables is to work towards community well being through a public health approach.

There will be a mobilization event in September to gather community partners and to inform them of this initiative.

Community Safety – situation tables empower agencies to reduce a broad range of risks that can impact a person’s well being and safety. Benefits include reduce long term demand on emergency and police resources, increase vulnerable peoples’ use of services, and proactively connect people to services.

Walking Tour Reveals

Councillor Spaeti highlighted the four Heritage Walking Tour Brochures as presented by the Agassiz - Harrison Historical Society. The brochures feature: Downtown Agassiz, Harrison Hot Springs, Harrison Mills, and the Old Cemetery.

The brochures were created using a $25,000 New Horizons Grant and are available at the Agassiz-Harrison Museum and Visitor Information Centre located at 7011 Pioneer Avenue.

Agassiz-Harrison Chamber of Commerce is Hiring

Councillor Spaeti noted that the Agassiz-Harrison Chamber of Commerce is looking to fill a part-time contract position. For more information email info@harrison.ca.

Derek Hansom from Community Futures North Fraser is available to assist any local businesses in applying for COVID grants.

Contact Community Futures North Fraser at northfraser.org/ or by calling 604-826-6252.

Sanitary Upgrade

Council awarded the contract for the Cheam Avenue sanitary upgrade to Timbro Contracting Ltd. in the amount of $587,430.00 (excluding tax).

The sanitary main replacement project was identified in the District’s 2014 Sanitary Improvement Work Plan as a priority in the short term. The existing 200 mm sanitary main is to be upgraded to a 450 mm main, and the manhole at the Cheam Ave and Evergreen Drive intersection is to be replaced.

As part of the project design, a geotechnical assessment was completed to provide guidance for trench excavation and backfill to meet Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure standards.

The project will start no earlier than September 7, 2021, and must be completed by October 29, 2021. A traffic management plan will be in place to ensure safety and minimize disruptions for highway traffic.

Watch for updates on our website and social media.

Active Transportation Plan

Council approved staff to apply for the BC Active Transportation Network Plan Grant (BCAT) to update the District’s Active Transportation Plan.

In 2009, AECOM Canada Ltd. conducted the District’s Active Transportation Plan that outlined existing and future active transportation infrastructure and assets; plans for improving, implementing, and promoting active transportation as well as identifying priority projects such as the Agassiz-Harrison Safey Enhancement Project which is now complete.

The first three (3) components which are: development of goals and objectives; community network plan; and design guidelines were the focus in the 2009 Active Transportation Plan; however, there are eight (8) elements that encompass a full “mature” Active Transportation Plan.

The BCAT grant program helps communities develop network plans to support active transportation for all ages and abilities. Under the grant program criteria, the District is eligible to apply for 50% of total funding towards updating our current Active Transportation Plan. The Province will support smaller communities, with a population of less than 25,000, through 50% cost-sharing of up to 50%.

Agassiz Fire Department Training

Councillor Watchorn highlighted the training undertaken in June by the Agassiz Fire Department (AFD) which focused on auto extrication.

Grant funding was received to pay the costs of instruction to certify the firefighters to the “heavy commercial vehicle rescue” (commercial truck and bus), including advanced stabilization to the international standard (NFPA 1006, Standard for Technical Rescue Personnel Professional Qualifications). This is extremely valuable training as the AFD responds to incidents involving heavy truck and machinery. This training is the basis for machinery extrication which is important in our community because of the agricultural farms and light industry.

Councillor Watchorn also went on to compliment the AFD who are one of the highest trained volunteer fire departments in the Province.

Mayor Pranger thanked the firefighters who went to assist with the wildfires in the Lytton area.

Agassiz Fall Fair & Corn Festival Parade

The annual parade route was unanimously approved by Mayor and Council, The Agassiz Fall Fair & Corn Festival parade will take place on September 18^th beginning at 10:00 am moving east on Cheam Avenue to the Hwy 9 north to Pioneer Avenue and west along Pioneer Avenue to the fairgrounds.