January 13, 2025 - Council Highlights

From the meeting held on January 13, 2025

Mayor's Report

Mayor Pranger expressed her gratitude to the organizers who made the Winter Night Lights, CPKC Holiday Train event, Blue Kettle Campaign, and many contributions to the Agassiz Harrison Foodbank possible. Winter Night Lights was very successful with over 1,400 attendees. Mayor Pranger wished everyone a healthy and happy 2025.

Winter Night Lights Photo credit: Adam Louis

CPKC Holiday Train Photo credit: Adam Louis

Councillor Schwichtenberg noted the Agassiz Harrison Museum Beef Raffle raised $12,500. All funds raised will go towards maintenance of the Museum, including electrifying the caboose.

Councillor Post reported that the Citizens Advisory Committee for the Mountain Institute noted that inmates had raised $3,200 for the Agassiz Royal Canadian Legion Branch #32.

2025 Grants-In-Aid Program Applications

The District of Kent receives grant-in-aid applications annually from various community organizations and not-for-profit societies. The Financial Assistance/Grant-in-aid information package describes the application process and criteria for an application to receive Council consideration. The deadline for submission of operating grant funding requests (grants-in-aid) from community organizations is November 15^th of each year preceding the budget year.

Historically, Council has set aside funds in the annual operating budget to provide grants to organizations in the community.

Council approved the funding requests to the Agassiz Agricultural and Historical Association, Agassiz Baseball Association, Agassiz Harrison Aquanauts, Agassiz-Harrison Community Services, BC Oldtimers Motocross Club, Cascade Chorus Society, Harrison Festival Society, Kent Harrison Arts Council, and Kent-Harrison Foundation.

Information regarding the Grant-in-Aid program is available at kentbc.ca/Grant.

Pickleball Fundraiser Tournament

Mayor and Council unanimously voted in favour of donating two 20-visit and three 10-visit Gymnasium only passes as prizes for the Lets'emot Regional Recreation & Aquatic Centre Fundraising Pickleball Tournament. The event is nearly sold out, if you are interested in learning more about the event please contact: Susan Inkman at 604-845-0890 or email suziinkman@gmail.com

Friends of the Dike - Dogs in the District

Mayor and Council received correspondence from Friends of the Dike indicating that during 14 inspections of local Dikes they found and removed 22 dog feces, and observed 10 times that dogs were off-leash. The District would like to remind residents that all dog excrement must be properly disposed of, and with the exception of designated off-leash areas and on private property, all dogs must be on a leash in the District of Kent.

There are two dog parks in the District of Kent where dogs can safely be off leash. There is a small dog park at 7666 Morrow Road, and a large dog park along Pixley Lane. Both parks contain free doggie bags and include easy to access garbage cans for waste disposal. To report an animal control issue please call 1-844-495-CARE or email animalcontrol@fvrd.ca

McCallum Habitat Compensation

Each year the District proactively undertakes drainage maintenance to remove grass and sediment from drainage ditches and sloughs to improve conveyance. The McCallum restoration project was designed to create approximately 5,880 square metres of improved habitat. This project focuses on providing a compensatory habitat for the Oregon Spotted Frog, creating a second channel for stormwater overflow, and a deep pool habitat for Salmonids and the Salish Sucker.