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From the meeting of March 22, 2021
Update from the Mayor
Mayor Pranger, along with other members of Council, attended the opening of the Broken Whisk’s new patio. COVID-19 health protocols were in effect during the Open House. “What an amazing space, I wish them every success!”
“Be kind, be safe and shop local!”
Funding Advocacy
Councillor Schwichtenberg brought forth a motion to Council on behalf of the Fraser Valley Regional Library. Currently the Fraser Valley Regional Library and almost all libraries in Canada, provide specialized services for the visually impaired and print disabled through the National Network for Equitable Library Service (NNELS) and the Centre for Equitable Library Access (CELA).
Both agencies are engaged in accessible book production and collectively receive $4 million in annual federal funding to support this needed service.
The federal government has announced that funding will not continue past 2021. The District resolved to send letters to the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, and local Members of Parliament requesting sustainable funding for CELA and NNELS to support the continued production of accessible reading materials.
To read the News Release and learn more, visit: canada.ca.
Agassiz Slough
In her report, Councillor Schwichtenberg noted that traps will be set out in the Agassiz Slough this week to establish a baseline for species currently in the system. Resilient Waters has identified the Agassiz Slough as one of several project areas where flood infrastructure can be made to improve fish passage.
The information that will be collected by Resilient Waters is timely as the District is seeking grant funds to replace the existing culvert with a fish-friendly culvert.
Visit resilientwaters.ca to learn more.
Agassiz Harrison Community Services
Councillor Spaeti reported that the Agassiz-Harrison Community Services will be offering a free income tax clinic.
The clinic will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays by appointment only. Please call 604-796-2585 to book an appointment. Additional information is available at http://agassiz-harrisoncs.ca/news/income-tax-clinic.
National Purple Day
On March 26th it is National Purple Day; a day started by a 9-year-old girl named Cassidy Megan from Nova Scotia, who wanted to spread the word that those with epilepsy can lead normal lives and that those witnessing seizures do not have to be afraid. She wanted kids with epilepsy to know that they are not alone.
Municipal Hall will be lit purple to increase public awareness and support to The Centre for Epilepsy and Seizure Education in British Columbia.
Learn more at: bcepilepsy.com
Floodgate Closure
Council adopted the Floodgate Closure Policy which would allow for the closure of floodgates during off-season high flows.
The District maintains flood gates that must be manually opened and closed as required, dependent on river flow. Historically, closure has been limited to the spring freshet season.
Changing environmental conditions have resulted in high river flows outside of the freshet season, which has led to discussions about closing flood gates during off-season flows. In addition, off season flows have triggered automatic activation at some pump stations while flood gates were open, which has minimal benefit to drainage and greatly increases wear and tear on the pumps.
This policy seeks to balance the benefits for agricultural drainage of having a closed flood gate during periods of high flow with the operational costs of manually opening/closing each individual flood gate. The policy was reviewed and supported by the Agassiz-Harrison Mills Drainage Committee at its meeting held on March 3, 2021.
Vaccination Updates
While in virtual attendance at the Fraser Health CEO Update to Stakeholders meeting, Councillor Spaeti advocated for a set vaccination clinic in the Agassiz-Harrison area that residents can depend on. Residents have voiced their frustration that when it is their turn to book a vaccination appointment there is nowhere local and are forced to book outside of the community resulting in many cases, the need for transportation.
Dr. Victoria Lee assured that more booking opportunities will open in our area as more age cohort phases are added.
If you require transportation to your vaccination appointment, Agassiz Harrison Community Services is offering ride services. Please call 604-796-2585 to book an appointment.
Harrison River Valley
Councillor Spaeti was appointed as the District’s representative to the Tourism Harrison Committee. Following Tourism Harrison’s delegation in January 2021, Council supported Tourism Harrison’s request to investigate the feasibility of including the District as part of the Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT).
Administered by the Province, the MRDT can be collected on behalf of a designated accommodation area for up to 3%. Funds collected through the MRDT program may be used for tourism marketing or affordable housing initiatives. To be eligible to collect the MRDT, a minimum of 51% of accommodations and 51% of rooms throughout the region must agree to participate. Although most accommodations and rooms reside within the Village of Harrison Hot Springs, Tourism Harrison has confirmed that three of the five eligible accommodation businesses in the District have agreed to come aboard.
The new regional tourism brand, “Harrison River Valley”, will include the District of Kent, Village of Harrison Hot Springs, and Electoral Area C. Led by Tourism Harrison, the regional marketing approach will help attract visitors to stay and explore the diversity of our entire region, focusing on the natural beauty and unique experiences that we have to offer. Marketing initiatives for the Harrison River Valley will be financially supported by Municipal and Regional District Tax funds collected from participating communities.
Aberdeen Building Revitalization Project
Council awarded the Aberdeen Building Revitalization Project to Hope River Contracting in the amount of $327,499 plus GST.
With Council’s approval staff applied through the Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program (CERIP) in the Community Economic Resilience Stream for the revitalization of the Aberdeen Building and was successful in their application.
The Provincial CERIP, was developed to help communities recover from the economic impacts experienced from COVID-19. The Community Economic Resilience Stream includes projects that revitalize outdoor recreation, parks, washrooms, and downtown areas, upgrades public buildings, and enhances spaces to accommodate social distancing.
The renovation will include upgrades in electrical, plumbing and ventilation systems, painting, and improvements to the upstairs space for summer programming.
As proposed in the District’s provincial application, the revitalization of the Aberdeen Building will create job opportunities for local trades peoples, stimulate the downtown business community and re-introduce safe outdoor activity in Pioneer Park.
Some of the provincial funds will support developing historical photos and storyboards along the west side of the building, which will tell the story of the Aberdeen building and the downtown community.
Council requested that staff report back on the cost of installing roof solar panels and an electric charging station.
Interested in a Career in Health Care?
In partnership with the B.C. Ministry of Health, Fraser Health is looking to hire Health Care Support Workers (HCSW) and support them in becoming qualified to be registered as a Health Care Assistant through the Health Careers Access Program (HCAP).
As a HCSW at Long-Term Care or Assisted Living facilities you will alternate between completing the Health Care Assistant (HCA) program at an assigned post secondary institution and getting on the job experience at a Long-Term Care facility. During the education sessions you will be paid a weekly stipend and while working at the long-term care facility would receive an hourly rate. Your registration and cost of acquiring food safe, first aide and English language equivalency testing will all be covered.
Upon graduating from the HCA training program, you will be eligible to register with the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry and seek employment as a qualified HCA.
For more information and to take the next step in the process, apply online at https://careers.fraserhealth.ca/search-jobs/create-your-profile/
Road Rescue Grant Program
Congratulations to the Agassiz Fire Department for their successful application to the Fire Chiefs’ Association of BC (FCABC) Road Rescue grant program. The funding of $8,160 is for training through Dynamic Rescue Systems.
Opioid Crisis and Call for Overdose Action Plan
Council passed a motion to request the Government of Canada declare the overdose crisis a national public health emergency; and immediately seek input from the people most affected by this crisis and meet with Provinces and Territories to develop a comprehensive, Pan-Canadian overdose action plans, which includes comprehensive supports and full consideration of reforms that other countries have used to significantly reduce drug-related fatalities and stigma.
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