Communities across the Fraser Valley will be dealing with the fallout of last fall’s atmospheric rivers for many months to come.
During recent phone calls and Zoom meetings, Mayor Sylvia Pranger spoke with provincial officials on the need for preventative measures and repairs following last year’s disastrous atmospheric rivers. She told council the ongoing meetings with Minister of Public Safety Mike Farnworth and Minister of Municipal Affairs Josie Osbourne have turned out “to be extremely helpful.”
The meetings allow the district to update the province on the work to be done, possible costs and progress updates. The mayor also met with the Fraser Valley Regional District to discuss atmospheric river disasters in the area and how to better handle the emergency should it ever happen again.
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Council also approved district staff’s application for the 2022 Union of B.C. Municipalities’ Community Emergency Preparedness Fund for emergency operations technology upgrades.
The current emergency operations centre (EOC) is a joint effort with the Village of Harrison Hot Springs, housed in a shared space at Agassiz Fire Hall. If successful, the application would replace outdated desktop computers with updated laptops, adding much-needed mobility to emergency operations.
In other council business:
– Coun. Susan Spaeti reported membership to the Harrison-Agassiz Chamber of Commerce is on the rise. The focus of current chamber work is helping local businesses find new employees.
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– Council supported the Agassiz-Harrison Museum’s plans for a cement pad to be used as an outdoor/open-air exhibit and teaching space. The space’s objectives include enhancing Pioneer Park and creating new ways to display local and regional heritage and cultures.
– Pranger declared March 26 as International Purple Day for Epilepsy Awareness in the District of Kent. In recognition, Municipal Hall will be lit in purple. The B.C. Epilepsy Society works with more than 50,000 people across the province living with epilepsy as it works to raise awareness of the condition.
– Pranger presented a 70th wedding anniversary to Mr. and Mrs. Shogren.
The next regular District of Kent Council meeting is scheduled for Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. at Municipal Hall. Online attendance is also available via Microsoft Teams; those interested can register through kentbc.ca.
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