November 13, 2024 - Council Highlights

From the meeting held on November 13, 2024

Mayor's Report

On November 11, Mayor Pranger participated in the Agassiz Royal Canadian Legion Branch 32 Remembrance Day ceremony. During the Ceremony Mayor Pranger placed a wreath at the Agassiz Cenotaph. She expressed her gratitude for the wonderful community turnout despite the bad weather.

(November 11, 2024. Photo via Adam Louis)

Mayor and Council took a moment to honour former BC Premier John Horgan, who passed on November 12, 2024 and Former Canadian Senator Murray Sinclair who passed on November 4, 2024. Mayor Pranger noted Mr. Horgan treated everyone as equals and was a wonderful listener. Councillor Watchorn expressed his gratitude for both Mr. Horgan and Mr. Sinclair for their work in public service, and for truth and reconciliation.

The District was successful in its application to the Sparc BC Local Community Accessibility Grant. The grant will provide three aquatic wheelchairs and the installation of a portable pool lift in the new Lets'emot Regional Recreation and Aquatic Centre. These accessibility features are an invaluable asset to our community and align with the District's Accessibility Plan, which can be read fully here: www.kentbc.ca/accessibility

Interim Housing Needs Report - Delegation

Mr. Chris Wilcott of Stantec presented the District's Interim Housing Needs Report. All local governments are required by the Province to complete an Interim Housing Needs Report by January 1, 2025 as part of its overall housing strategy. The Housing Needs Report Calculator identified the need for 495 units over the next five years in the District of Kent, and 1,695 units over the next 20 years. The driving force of this need is anticipated growth, and additional local demand.

Data from the report will be used in the forthcoming Official Community Plan review process and the public will be consulted with these housing needs values and will be part of the visioning process for the future of the District. 

Adoption and Permanency Awareness Month Proclamation

Mayor Pranger has declared November as "Adoption and Permanency Awareness Month" for the District of Kent. Adoption and Permanency Awareness Month takes place every November in BC to draw attention to the children and teens who are waiting for permanent homes through adoption, guardianship, kinship placement, or another form of permanency. The theme for this year is "Permanency For Youth", with nearly half of the children waiting for permanency being between the ages of 12 and 18.

Learn more by visiting: https://belongingnetwork.com/apam

2025 Water and Sanitary Sewer Fees and Charges

Mayor and Council have directed staff to increase the water and sewer fees in 2025 for Agassiz, Rockwell, and Mount Woodside. The water system user fees for Agassiz, Rockwell Bay, and Mount Woodside will increase by 3%. While the sanitary sewer system user fees for Agassiz and Mount Woodside will increase by 7%. The enhanced Municipal fire protection fee will increase from $14.00 to $14.50 per month. These fee increases are due to rising operating costs, to ensure adequate future reserves in the sewer utilities, and fund for capital infrastructure improvements.

Fraser River Bank Armouring

The ITT #2024-10 Fraser River Bank Armouring project was awarded to Timbro Contracting. The riverbank of the Fraser River (North of McDonald Road) has been experiencing significant erosion, this bank armouring project will repair the most vulnerable section of the riverbank ensuring protection of the dike.

2025 Council Meeting Schedule

Mayor and Council have approved the 2025 Council Regular Meeting schedule. Regular Meetings will be held in Municipal Hall Council Chambers (7170 Cheam Avenue) at 6:00 PM on Mondays (except as shown), the schedule is as follows:

• January 13
• January 27
• February 10
• February 24
• March 10
• March 24
• April 14
• April 28
• May 12
• May 26
• June 9
• June 23
• July 21
• August 18
• September 8
• October 15 (Wednesday)
• October 27
• November 10
• November 24
• December 8

Agassiz-Harrison Historical Society Infrastructure for Canadian Pacific Caboose

Mayor and Council have agreed to support the Agassiz-Harrison Historical Society's decision to create infrastructure necessary to provide power to the Agassiz-Harrison Museum Canadian Pacific Caboose so it may be used in the winter months. The District will provide support in the form of Public Works assistance with this project.