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Sparwood Council facts
2011 Financial Statements
David Adams of Adams Wooley, Certified General Accountants presented the 2011 District of Sparwood Financial Statements. The numbers for 2011 compared very closely to those of 2010.
Chamber of Commerce – 141A Aspen Drive
Council authorized advertising of their intention to consider disposition of land by way of a lease agreement to the Sparwood Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber of Commerce has leased the building located at 141A Aspen Drive since 2007 providing tourist information services. The new agreement is for a five year term commencing July 1, 2011.
Sparwood Golf Course
Since 1999 the Sparwood Golf Course has withdrawn $140,000 on a line of credit from the district and has been repaying the interest portion of the loan. The Golf Club has now requested the district to consider forgiving the loan or consider alternative ways in which the loan may be repaid. Council approved a new agreement with the Golf Club on the following terms and conditions: The District will cease charging interest on the Golf Club loan, conditional upon a minimum reserve fund contribution being made; and To encourage development of a reserve fund, the District agrees to reduce the Golf Club loan through a matching grant equal to the annual contributions made the by the club to a dedicated reserve fund in an amount of no less than $4,000 and no greater than $14,000 per year.
Sparwood Heights Intersection
Staff was authorized to proceed with construction of the Sparwood Heights Drive Intersection and Merge Lane Project. This project is expected to commence shortly so it can be paved with the Highway 43 paving program the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is undertaking.
CPR Grade Crossing – Michel Creek Road
A request from Canadian Pacific Railway to replace the wood planks with concrete surfacing panels at Michel Creek Road was approved by Council. As per a Canadian Transport Board order, the District is responsible for surface maintenance costs of the crossing. This work will cost approximately $20,000 and is scheduled for July of this year.
2303 Highway 3 – Gravel Pit Study
Council approved the development of a gravel crushing and asphalt plant site next to the former Coal Discovery Centre for 2012 only. Groundtech Engineering determined that the site is suitable for the 2012 paving program and one to two years of road sand, along with potential for other products such as road base or sub-base aggregates and pit run for fill. Some of this material may be needed on the Sparwood Heights Intersection improvements to add a merge land in the Sparwood direction.
Sparwood Arts and Heritage Council
Council approved a request from the Sparwood and District Arts and Heritage Council for funding up to $300 for BC Arts and Culture Week events. Funding was used for the “A Taste of Sparwood” event held in Greenwood Mall on April 22.
Bylaws
Financial Plan (2012 – 2016) Bylaw 1095, 2012 and Tax Rates Bylaw 1096, 2012 were given first, second and third reading.
Iron Rails & Elk River Crossing Opening
Friday, May 11, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. Everyone is invited to the opening of the Iron Rails and Elk River Crossing Bridges opening at the Pine Avenue entrance across from the schools. Opening remarks and ribbon cutting at 3 p.m. 2012 Annual Walk with the Mayor starts immediately after the bridge opening.
Join Mayor and Council for a one kilometre walk across the new bridges or partake in the Move for Health Day 4.5 km five bridges walk or run. Free BBQ and prizes for completing the walking events.
2012 Move for Health Day
Thursday, May 10, Leave your car at home and join the Leisure Centre at one of their complimentary lane swims 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 5 – 6 p.m. or just head out for a walk or bike ride with your friends and family and move for your health.
Columbia Basin Trust
Council approved the following recommendations for funding by the Columbia Basin Trust Community Initiatives Program:
– BC SPCA East Kootenay Branch $780
– Columbia Basin Institute of Regional History 2,153
– District of Sparwood – Summer Preschool 2,533
– EK Brain Injury Association 583
– Elk Valley Critical Incident Response Team 3,202
– E.V. Society for Community Living 2,205
– Fernie Writers Conference Soc. 117
– Ghostrider Adventure Camp 1,200
– I.D.E.A.L. Society 167
– Kootenay Columbia Caregivers Association 400
– Lilac Terrace 4,749
– Michel Natal Sparwood Heritage Society 3,212
– Sparwood Coal Miner Days 3,901
– Sparwood Golf Club 4,683
– Sparwood Old Age Pensioners Society – Kitchen 4,858
– Sparwood Old Age Pensioners Society – Entrance 4,833
– Sparwood Search and Rescue 5,875
– Sunset Ridge Ski Society 4,212
– Wapiti Music Festival Society 292
– Wapiti Ski Hill 133
– Wildsight – Elk Valley Branch 432.00
Residential Spring Cleanup Begins Tuesday, May 22
Any person wishing to take advantage of this service is required to register at the District
Office at 136 Spruce Avenue (Phone 425-6271) no later than Friday, May 18 and pay the required $20 fee. Seniors 65 and over receive this service free of charge but must register in person or call the district office. Those who have prepaid must have material placed at the curb by 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 22. No payments will be accepted after the deadline and Public Works will not pick up material from any property where payment has not been received. All refuse including household furniture, white goods, metal and wood will be picked up including fridges, freezers or air conditioners.
All refuse for disposal must be separated and placed just outside property line and piled in such a manner that it can be picked up with a loader. Small branches must be tied or secured in bundles.
Street Sweeping
Weather permitting, the district will continue with their street sweeping schedule. To assist the Public Works Department, watch for their street sweeper and ensure that your vehicles are removed from the street.
Upcoming Meetings (In Council Chambers)
– Monday, May 14, 2012 Parcel Tax Review Panel at 6:30 p.m.
– Monday, May 14, 2012 Special Meeting at 7 pm
– Tuesday, May 22, 2012 Regular Meeting at 7 p.m.
– Monday, May 28, 2012 Committee of the Whole Meeting at 7 p.m.
District of Sparwood
