Council Highlights - October 13

From the meeting of October 13, 2021

Mayor’s Update

The weather at this year’s Agassiz Fall Fair didn’t stop everyone from having a good time. Residents were happy to see each other and enjoy the activities. Thank you to all the volunteers who continue to make the fair a special occasion in Agassiz.

Congratulations to MP Brad Vis. Thank you to all the other candidates who let their names stand for the Federal election so that our valued democracy stays alive.

Happy Birthday to Mrs. Edna Hedrick, who celebrated her 100^th birthday.

Please stay safe, be kind, and shop local.

October Declared Foster Family Month

Mayor Pranger declared October as Foster Family Month. This marks the 31^st year of celebrating caregivers who have stepped up time and time again when that are needed most. As a caregiver, they have accepted a vital role in the lives of the children they care for and an important role in the fabric on the communities where they live.

Safety Concerns on Mount Woodside

Delegate Ms. Kim Price of Harrison Mills expressed her concerns of the safety of cyclists, pedestrians, scooterists and motor vehicle users who travel the stretch of Lougheed Highway known as Mount Woodside.

In her presentation to Council, Ms. Price recommended the west bound rock ledge to be “wired off” to prevent rocks from falling onto the road as well as the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) to restrict the left lane to gas powered motorized vehicles to allow for a safe commuting lane for cyclists, pedestrians and scooterists.

Ms. Price added that she has been and will continue to advocate for the public to support improvements by contacting the MOTI.

Council thanked Ms. Price for her presentation and agreed to send a letter to Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure requesting rock scaling and other safety improvements.

Golfing ‘FORE’ Your Hospitals

The 2021 Golfing ‘FORE’ Your Hospitals Tournament presented by RBC Wealth Management was a huge success. This year’s event saw Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation (FVHCF) raise over $128,000 with the funds supporting the greatest needs at the hospitals in Fraser East.

The foursome, in order of photo appearance, consisted of Sgt. Mike Sargent, Agassiz RCMP, Tribal Chief Tyrone McNeil, Stó:lo Tribal Council, Councillor Duane Post, and Chief Administrative Officer Wallace Mah.

Resolution Passed at UBCM Convention

At the Union of British Columbia Municipalities Convention that took place virtually from September 13 – 17, 2021, the District of Kent’s resolution regarding Agricultural Plastics Recycling passed and was supported completely by the membership.

Agassiz Library

In her report, Councillor Schwichtenberg noted that vaccination cards are not required to enter the library and library staff are available to assist with printing vaccine cards which is a free service to anyone who needs it.

National Day for Truth & Reconciliation

Councillors Schwichtenberg and Watchorn participated in the Truth and Reconciliation walk that took place in Sts’ailles. “It was a moving and poignant day and celebration with those of us who walked. It was especially nice to hear that this day will help our Indigenous citizens be proud of themselves and proud of where they came from and to help the rest of us recognize some of the issues that they face.”

Volunteer at the Agassiz – Harrison Museum

Councillor Schwichtenberg noted that the Museum’s winter hours are Wednesday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

The Museum is actively looking for more volunteers. If you would like to get involved and support local heritage and culture in the District of Kent, please contact them at (604) 796-3545 or by email at agassizharrisonmuseum@shawbiz.ca.

If you haven’t been to the museum lately, you are encouraged to drop by and see the new exhibits and gift shop. Watch for upcoming events, information can be found on their website: www.agassizharrisonmuseum.org.

Expanded At Home Services for Seniors

Community Services has secured a two-year contract to provide Better at Home services to seniors in the area. This will allow services to expand by adding gardening and yard services to seniors on top off the housekeeping services that are currently being offered. Contact Agassiz-Harrison Community Services at (604) 796-2585.

Support for Small Businesses

Councillor Spaeti met with Derek Hansom of Community Futures North Fraser. Mr. Hansom provides support to local small businesses by assisting with grant applications and loans. Visit their website to learn more at www.northfraser.org.

Council Meeting Dates for 2022

Council approved the following schedule of the 2022 Regular Council meetings as the second and fourth Mondays of each month except for July, August, September, and December.

Tennis Court Repairs

Council approved the repair of the Centennial Park Tennis Courts to Loewen Paving at an estimated cost of $25,000.

Project work includes painting new tennis and pickleball lines, painting the court areas a solid colour, and sealing the entire surface. The new court layout will now include two tennis courts and eight pickleball courts, maximizing the space for more individuals to play pickleball. Portable pickleball nets will be available from the Community Recreation & Cultural Centre for players to access.

Benches will also be added along the perimeter of the courts to provide requested seating from current racquet users.

Firehall to Receive Technology Upgrade

Council approved staff’s proposal to fund the first phase of the Agassiz Firehall information services upgrade project in the amount of $6,606.50 (excluding taxes) from the District’s COVID Restart Grant.

The recommended upgrades will improve the overall internet services for daily operational use as well as future capability to obtain internet redundancy through another provider. These improvements will also advance security services such as malware protection and remote access connectivity, which is consistent with security services at Municipal Hall.

This will be an important aspect to the overall goal of integrating the Agassiz Firehall to the District’s network.

Let There Be Light

Council supported the supply and installation of a 30-foot-tall parking lot light at Municipal Hall by Moonlight Electric for a cost of $6,917.90 (excluding taxes).

Currently, the parking lot lighting at Municipal Hall is insufficient for security and safety. Theft to District vehicles and installation of a standby generator warrants improved lighting for security as well as improved imaging details on surveillance equipment.

A 30-foot-tall steel powder coated pole with four separate LED fixtures is recommended to provide the best coverage.

Natural Asset Inventory & Management

Council supported the gradual expansion of a natural asset management program as grants become available.

Asset Management is a systematic process to guide the planning, operation, rehabilitation, and replacement of assets for local governments. Tracking and reporting on replacement costs, asset age, and physical condition of assets help to budget resources efficiently.

Some municipalities are beginning to consider natural assets as another class as part of their internal financial planning. Natural assets are ecosystem features that provide or could be restored to provide services just like engineered assets, but historically have not been considered on equal footing or included in asset management plans.

An example would be forested or agricultural land near a townsite that may provide similar stormwater retention and flood mitigation services that a standard engineered stormwater system could provide.

Understanding the natural assets can and do provide services to a community that can have a dollar amount placed upon them, can help municipalities consider the full financial implications of certain developments, or most efficient allocation of resources for maintenance of existing infrastructure.

In Spring 2021, the District of Kent was accepted to participate in a pilot program to develop our own Natural Asset inventory, which was 90% funded by the Municipal Natural Assets Initiative, a non-governmental organization (NGO) aimed at delivering grant funding and support to expand their Natural Asset programs.

Upcoming in Recreation

The Fall 2021 activity schedule is in full swing offering an increased amount of fitness classes including Boxercise.

The Magic of Christmas will take place December 4^th at the Agricultural Hall and will be a drive-thru event, like last year. Partners for this event include Agassiz-Harrison Community Services, Tourism Harrison, Seabird Island, and the Agassiz Library.

Follow the Community Recreation & Cultural Centre on Facebook or visit www.kentbc.ca for upcoming events and activities.