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Samantha Agtarap

Independent for Port Moody Council

Climate Change

Active Transportation

Strengthen bike and pedestrian networks

The Transportation Master Plan outlines actions to improve cycling networks and pedestrian routes. This needs to be implemented fully. With the declaration of a climate emergency, the goal 40% of trips by bike, walk or transit moved forward from 2045 to 2030. We need to act quickly to implement actions and ensure we are making progress towards this goal.

Improve use of transit

If we want people to get out of cars, we need to make the alternatives easy, cheaper and more convenient than using a vehicle. We need to advocate for bikes on transit at all times of the day, not just in off-peak hours, explore how more bikes can be added to buses, etc.

Electric Bikes & Scooters

Explore EV bikes and scooter sharing for areas that are under-served by transit
Ensure bike lanes are separated from pedestrians to limit negative interactions

Energy-Efficient Buildings & Retrofits

Retrofits to mitigate overheating in existing multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs)

Overheating is a very real risk, especially in older MURBs (aka condo, apartments). The majority of deaths from the 2021 heat dome occurred indoors, in multi-unit buildings, social housing, SROs, supportive housing, trailer or mobile homes and senior or LTC homes. Building design and lack of mechanical cooling (air conditioning) contributed to situations where indoor temperatures exceeded safe levels.

Retrofits to add mechanical cooling and implement passive measures like exterior shading or window films are urgently needed, however, there are a lack of incentives especially for strata buildings.

Cities need to advocate for incentives to ensure equitable access to cooling measures or consider policy measures that ensure overheating is considered during building renovations.

Advocate for changes to building code to include cooling (active and passive) in new buildings

Active cooling: The City of Vancouver recently amended its building code to require cooling in all new multi-family buildings. While Port Moody doesn't have the same power as Vancouver to amend building codes, we can advocate for the Province to amend the existing building code to require cooling.

Adding mechanical cooling at the time of construction is cheaper than trying to retrofit existing buildings and as we see more heat dome events like in 2021, the human cost will be greater than if we don't do it.

Passive cooling: Passive cooling strategies include reducing solar heat gain (shading, upgrading windows), improving envelope performance (air sealing, insulation

Design guidelines
  • consider green building guidelines to ensure climate resilient buildings are constructed
  • ensure master planned communities include flex space that can be used as cooling/warming centres
  • incorporate water conservation measures and xeriscaping guidelines

Urban Heat

Mitigate through design, e.g. incorporate green spaces, green roofs, trees
  • Use green design principles to ensure urban heat island effect is mitigated
  • Green roofs, green spaces, trees and careful selection of materials can mitigate temperature increase in urban areas
  • incorporate greenways for active transportation routes to ensure comfort of users
  • ensure access to water and cooling centres
Advocate for changes to building code to include cooling (active and passive) in new buildings

Active cooling: The City of Vancouver recently amended its building code to require cooling in all new multi-family buildings. While Port Moody doesn't have the same power as Vancouver to amend building codes, we can advocate for the Province to amend the existing building code to require cooling.

Adding mechanical cooling at the time of construction is cheaper than trying to retrofit existing buildings and as we see more heat dome events like in 2021, the human cost will be greater than if we don't do it.

Passive cooling: Passive cooling strategies include reducing solar heat gain (shading, upgrading windows), improving envelope performance (air sealing, insulation

Transit & Getting Around

Active Transportation

Strengthen bike and pedestrian networks

The Transportation Master Plan outlines actions to improve cycling networks and pedestrian routes. This needs to be implemented fully. With the declaration of a climate emergency, the goal 40% of trips by bike, walk or transit moved forward from 2045 to 2030. We need to act quickly to implement actions and ensure we are making progress towards this goal.

Improve use of transit

If we want people to get out of cars, we need to make the alternatives easy, cheaper and more convenient than using a vehicle. We need to advocate for bikes on transit at all times of the day, not just in off-peak hours, explore how more bikes can be added to buses, etc.

Electric Bikes & Scooters

Explore EV bikes and scooter sharing for areas that are under-served by transit
Ensure bike lanes are separated from pedestrians to limit negative interactions

Transit Fares

Transit passes for all new developments

Similar to passes purchased by university students, provide annual transit passes for new residents either free or heavily discounted to encourage transit use

Remove zoned fares from transit network
Decrease annual cost of transit passes
Increase access to under-served areas through on-demand "last mile" transit (e.g. Edmonton)


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Biography

submitted by the candidate or their team
Samantha is a professional engineer, entrepreneur, mom and resident of Port Moody. She and her partner have lived in Suter Brook for the past 17 years. In 2013, they opened their business Engineered Bodies Strength & Conditioning, in Moody Centre.

Besides the natural beauty of this city, Samantha appreciates shopping at local, independent businesses where the staff know her by name and have seen her kids grow up too. Port Moody is fortunate to have a close-knit community, one that Engineered Bodies is happy to be a part of. The non-profit Shop Local Port Moody facilitates these supportive business-to-business relationships. She has met lifelong friends in this group.

In her capacity as a mechanical engineer, Samantha ’s career has focussed on sustainability, energy efficiency and climate action in the built environment. In partnership with local governments, First Nations and other organizations, she has created community energy and climate action and implementation plans. She is practiced at translating complex technical details into easily understood information for a broad range of audiences.

Leveraging her diverse and broad experience across many sectors, Sam works with teams in these engagements to analyze available data, and use the data to drive decision-making processes that incorporate best practices while being mindful of the experiences of those being served.

Day to day, Sam manages the operations and client care services of the family business which allows her to connect with a broad range of people. Alongside her partner Anthony, they have built a welcoming and accepting community.

In her spare time, you can find her on the trails — either walking or biking, at their gym, or enjoying Port Moody’s local businesses.

Sam also serves on her strata council and has volunteered her time with local non-profits including Shop Local Port Moody, BC Functional Fitness Association and Engineered Bodies Weightlifting Club. In the past, Samantha has been a member of the city’s economic development and climate action committees.

She is looking forward to meeting you and hearing about your vision for our city’s future.

Reason for running

submitted by the candidate or their team
There are a number of reasons but the short answer is I wanted change. Ultimately, I think each generation has a responsibility to learn from the previous generations and leave the world a better place than they found it.

I also think that I have a work and life background that would be useful in a Council position. I want to be a positive role model for my daughters and do something positive for my community.

samantha-agtarap.ca samantha-agtarap.ca