Council Meeting Highlights - December 15, 2025

• Council ratified the motions passed at the December 8 and 9 Committee of the Whole meetings, view the highlights here. 
• Melissa Weed, from Agassiz-Harrison Preschool & Child Care Centres, presented on child care continuity in the Village of Harrison Hot Springs. The Village will be sending a letter in support of the importance of childcare in our community.  
• As recommended by the Environmental Advisory Committee, staff will be exploring alternatives to using landscaping materials with mesh to avoid negative interactions with wildlife.  
• The Committees have been hard at work developing their plans for 2026! The work plans for the Accessibility Committee, Age-Friendly Committee, Communities in Bloom Committee, and the Environmental Advisory Committee were approved. The budgetary requests will be incorporated into the 2026 budget.  
• Bear Stewardship Community Program: The Village will not pursue a formal BearSmart designation at this time, but we will continue to share information and promote Bear Smart and WildSafe principles. By working together as a community, we can protect both wildlife and people. Visit wildsafebc.com to learn more about practical steps you can take. The Environmental Committee will also be looking at ways the Village can strengthen wildlife protection measures.  
• Off-Leash Dog Park: Staff will develop detailed design concepts, refined sizing, and cost estimates for a dog park at Spring Park, informed by feedback from the 2025 temporary dog park trial and the survey findings outlined in the What We Heard Report. Neighbouring residents will be engaged through consultation, and staff will report back to Council with finalized concept options and associated costs for the 2026 budget. 
• Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 1230, 2025 was adopted. This bylaw adds definitions for Employee Housing, Housing Cooperatives, Non-Market Housing and Supportive Housing and permits these types of housing in residential and commercial zones. 
• Business Licence and Regulation Bylaw No. 1228, 2018 was updated to clarify business licencing requirements for short term rentals. The Village will be exploring potential future updates to this bylaw regarding food trucks, door-to-door sales and buskers in the new year.  
• Miscellaneous Fee Bylaw No. 1049, 2014 was updated to allow the Village to charge for the Fire Department’s attendance to false fire alarms. The business licencing fees have also been updated, and this will be reflected in the 2026 business licence renewal reminders, which will be issued later this week. 
• Intermunicipal Business Licence Bylaw No. 1144, 2019 was updated to allow mobile health care service providers to be eligible for the IMBL program.  

Community Happenings

• The Agassiz-Harrison Community Services Winter Bells Campaign is wrapping up soon! Every dollar raised supports services for children, youth, families, and seniors in our community.  
• The Lights by the Lake festivities continue with Festive Nights! On December 20, from 5pm-8pm, take photos with Santa and Sasquatch, enjoy free hot chocolate, live music, and Christmas Storytime! Learn more here. 
• Have you picked up your Holiday Light Map? As part of this year’s Holiday Lighting Contest, enjoy a self-guided holiday light tour. New displays are being added to the map, which means there’s still time to add yours! Every entrant will be entered to win a $100 gift card to a local business of their choice. Winner will be announced December 22nd.  

Get Into It Harrison!

There are lots of exciting new projects and surveys live on the Get Into It Harrison engagement hub! This is your chance to dive in, share your thoughts, and help shape what’s happening in our community. We want to hear from you - explore the latest opportunities and get involved today: 

• Community Evacuation Planning
  • The survey will gather information on resident emergency preparedness to help shape a plan that clarifies evacuation zones, timelines, and other important considerations.
• Pay Parking Program 
  • The survey will gather feedback from residents on pay parking zones, the length of their stays, and seek ways to support residents when outlining specifics of the pay parking program. 
• Building Belonging  
  • The survey will gather feedback and ideas to co-create better service, clearer communication, and welcoming spaces in the Village.