Council Highlights July 17 2023

From the meeting held on July 17, 2023

Mayor’s Update

Mayor Pranger and Council thank everyone who participated or volunteered in this year’s Canada Day celebration. It was attended by Chief Victor and his spouse Melanie, as well as MLA Kelli Paddon and members of the RCMP, Agassiz Fire Department, and Kent Harrison Search and Rescue. The event was a great success! Councillors Post and Schwichtenberg made a point of staying until the very last cupcake was handed out.

MLA Kelli Paddon, Mayor Sylvia Pranger and Chief Andrew Victor. Photo courtesy of the District of Kent.

In other news, Mayor Pranger recently attended a planning meeting with MLA Dan Coulter, Minister of State for Infrastructure and Transit, to discuss major transportation issues including Highway 1, the Agassiz-Rosedale Bridge and highway/road closures due to emergencies and natural disasters. Public transit was also discussed, including the need to find a resolution to the transit strike and future plans for a transit route between Agassiz and Mission.

On July 13^th, the Mayor attended a virtual meeting with Provincial officials from the BC Wildfire Service and River Forecast Centre. This meeting was to update municipalities on the serious fire situation in our Province, with Minister Bowinn Ma asking municipalities to be prepared, consider water usage, and support one in another is times of difficulty. On a related note, Mayor Pranger said that the Fraser River flow at Hope is now at its lowest level on record for July. On July 11, 2022, it was recorded at 9097 cubic meters per second and this year it’s at 2641 cubic meters. You can visit https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/air-land-water/water/drought-flooding-dikes-dams/river-forecast-centre/current-streamflow-conditions-and-flood-forecast-modeling to see the latest data on streamflow conditions and river flow forecasts.

Congratulations to everyone who competed in the Kristy Hatt Memorial Swim Meet this past weekend at the Ferny Coombe Pool! There was a record number of swimmers (470) with many of them camping at Centennial Park or at local campsites. Mayor Pranger noted that many participants opted to shop local and support local business while enjoying the event and our local amenities. She also mentioned that this swim meet was a great start to National Drowning Prevention Week (July 16 to 22, 2023) and hoped that more kids would be encouraged to take lessons.

https://www.lifesaving.bc.ca/national-drowning-prevention-week

If you believe that year-round water safety education is important, please consider donating to the construction of our indoor pool: www.kentbc.ca/fill_the_pool and receive a tax receipt (for donations over $25) for your support and contribution from the District of Kent.

Project A.I.M. Fundraiser

Councillor Schwichtenberg reminded everyone that Project A.I.M. is having their third annual Family Fair & Market on July 22^nd, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Miellie Meadows Organics (2614 Else Road, Agassiz). Their goal is to raise $20,000 to “continue to provide much needed menstrual & incontinence products to folks in need in our community and surrounding areas”. There will be a vendor market, silent auction, live music, pony rides, food truck, lemonade stand and more! Mayor and Council ask that you please consider supporting this worthwhile cause by attending this fun and local event.

Check out their Facebook page for all the details: https://www.facebook.com/events/1478710206198483

Thank You Local Businesses!

Councillor Watchorn recognized that the following 12 local businesses have supported the 2023 Agassiz Minor Soccer season:

• Armstrong Sand & Gravel;
• Burden Propane;
• Kent Veterinary Clinic;
• Machine Tech;
• Mission Towing;
• Powerwood Corp;
• Remedy RX;
• Ron's Heating & Cooling;
• Spaeti Construction;
• Timbro Contracting;
• Trivolt Electrical;
• Waal & Co.

Mayor Pranger also expressed her gratitude to local businesses for their continued support and for their donations to the silent auction for the Kristy Hatt Memorial Swim Meet.

Fall Fair Update

Council approved a request from the Agassiz Agricultural and Horticultural Association to hold its parade on Saturday, September 23, 2023, at 10:00 AM. Please note that this year’s Fall Fair will be held a week later than usual, taking place on September 22^nd and 23^rd. The midway will be open on Friday, September 22^nd from 4:00 to 11:00 PM and on Saturday, September 23^rd from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

http://www.agassizfallfair.com/