October 12 - Council Highlights

From the meeting on October 12, 2022

Mayor’s Update

Mayor and Council attended the 118^th Agassiz Fall Fair and 74^th Corn Festival on September 17, 2022. Mayor Pranger was honoured to participate as the Master of Ceremonies and Deputy Mayor Spaeti gave the District’s welcome. Councillors Schwichtenberg and Watchorn participated in Celebrity Goat Milking and agreed to a draw. A wonderful time was had by all in attendance. Thank you to the volunteers, organizers and the Agassiz Agricultural and Horticultural Association for hosting the event.

Mayor Pranger also attended the farewell lunch for Deputy Fire Chief and Emergency Program Coordinator Mike Van Laerhoven on September 9^th, 2022. On behalf of Mayor, Council, and Staff, thank you Mr. Van Laerhoven for serving our community so diligently, we wish you the best of luck in your new position in Dawson Creek!

The 2022 Union of British Columbia Municipalities Convention was held September 12^th – 16^th in Whistler, B.C. and was attended by the Mayor, Council and Chief Administrative Officer Wallace Mah. The delegation found it a great opportunity to meet with their counterparts from other municipalities to discuss matters of common concern, such as healthcare, inflation, affordable housing, ambulance wait times, and labour shortages. Mayor Pranger had the opportunity to attend an all-day agricultural tour in the Squamish Valley. Featured on the tour, was a school that leased a quarter of an acre of land to a local farmer, who then in turn was able to produce a large amount of food on the small parcel. This was used as an example of how small producers are contributing in a big way to the Squamish District’s agricultural plan. Mayor Pranger suggested that one of the event hosts would make an excellent guest speaker at a future Kent Agricultural Advisory Committee meeting.

On October 11, 2022, Mayor Pranger and the Chief Administrative Officer met with MLA Kelli Paddon, to discuss concerns regarding ongoing issues in our community and expressed gratitude to Ms. Paddon for always making herself available to hear about these concerns.

Removal of Telus Payphone at the Agassiz RCMP Detachment

The District received a letter on September 13, 2022, from WiMacTel Canada Inc. stating that the Telus payphone located at the Agassiz RCMP Detachment would be removed due to a decline in usage. The payphone is scheduled to be removed on or after November 8, 2022. Council requested that staff obtain additional information as to actual usage in order to determine if a publicly funded replacement phone is required.

Haig Highway Walking Trail

Council received letters from residents with regards to issues or concerns about the proposed planting along the Haig Highway Walking Trail by the Fraser Valley Conservancy. Councillor Schwichtenberg acknowledged the issues that some residents may have with a planting like this, such as the preservation of sight lines, and appreciated the feedback from the public. The local Ambassador team includes several residents who previously attended as a delegation to Council to express their concerns with climate change. Mayor Pranger stated that this is a pilot project that will be re-assessed in two years or less.

New Provincial Electoral Boundaries

The British Columbia Electoral Boundaries Commission is in the process of re-defining several electoral districts in the Province and is proposing that the District of Kent become part of the Fraser-Nicola riding, making it the same provincial riding as Hope, as opposed to Chilliwack-Kent, which is the historical riding.

After discussing the pros and cons of either keeping the riding the same or changing it, Council passed a motion to respond to the Commission’s email from October 4, 2022, with a letter stating that their preference is to be part of a riding with Chilliwack or alternatively one that aligns with the current School District boundary.

For more information or to submit your views please go to https://bcebc.ca.

Healthy Communities Update

On September 21, 2022, Councillor Spaeti attended the Healthy Communities Plan H grant meeting, where they learned of a successful grant application for updating the committee’s connectedness throughout the community.

Councillor Spaeti also wanted the public to know about an upcoming free workshop on chronic conditions that will start on November 1, 2022, running from 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM at the Community Recreation and Cultural Centre. The workshop will go for 6 weeks and is administered by the University of Victoria and Self Management BC.

For more information or to register, please visit https://www.selfmanagementbc.ca/uploads/Finding%20Community%20Programs/FHA-East_Hotsheet_Sept%202022.pdf

Celebrate October as Foster Family Month

Mayor Pranger has declared October 2022 as “Foster Family Month” for the District of Kent. She remarked that there have been many excellent foster parents in our community who have helped make the lives of children better. The goal of “Foster Family Month” is to celebrate and honour caregivers and foster families that have stepped up to help children and youth who experience hardship.

“The impact that they have on the young people in their care will last a lifetime, from stepping up to become a mentor, advocate, and friend, to providing a nurturing and safe home, and responding to each unique situation with love and support.” – The Ministry of Children and Family Development (B.C.)

For more information, please visit https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/family-social-supports/fostering