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Sparwood Council Facts
Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal
District of Sparwood Councillors Sharon Fraser and Margaret McKie presented Mayor Lois Halko with a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medals provide an opportunity to honour exceptional Canadians for their contributions to their fellow citizens, to our communities, and our country.
DVP – Whiskey Jack Resort
Council approved a Development Variance Permit to vary the bonding requirements from 115% to 15% for works and services installed and certified complete for a section of Phase 2 of the Whiskey Jack Resort Development.
RCMP – Elk Valley Detachment
Cpl. Dave Williams of the Elk Valley RCMP Detachment presented the Fourth Quarter Mayor’s Report for 2012. The RCMP received 363 calls for service in Sparwood from October 1 to December 31, 2012. This was an increase from 331 calls during the same period in 2011.
Arena ice rates
Council received a report from the Director of Community and Facility Services regarding ice rates and arena subsidies. Based on budget data from 2012 the current rate at which the arena is subsidized is 87% or $415,362 annually.
Current fees and charges bylaws for Elkford, Fernie and Sparwood were compared with respect to prime time ice rates charged to youth sport organizations. The District of Sparwood hour rate is $49.75, District of Elkford is $37 and City of Fernie is $48.75. The District of Elkford has a further reduced rate of $25.00/hr available to all user groups Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Council also received a document from Elk Valley Minor Hockey outlining concerns the Association has with booking ice in Sparwood. A report will return to council at a later date for discussion.
Leisure Centre Grounds Master Plan
The Director of Community and Facility Services made a presentation to council on the development of a Master Plan for the Leisure Centre Grounds. The purpose of the project is to prepare short and long term development plans for the Leisure Centre Grounds, Heritage Park, and Lions Park that will meet community needs and form the basis of a lasting legacy for the district. The Leisure Centre Grounds Master Plan can be viewed on our web page at www.sparwood.ca/residents/recreation.
P & H MinePro Services Canada Ltd.
The Mayor and Director of Corporate Services were authorized to execute a sales agreement with P & H MinePro Services Canada Ltd. for the sale of a 15-acre parcel of land located on the south side of Highway 3 across from the intersection of Highway 3 and 43. The sale price of the land is $3,675,000.
Council correspondence
A letter will be sent to the BC Seniors Games Society thanking the Society for the opportunity to bid on the 2015 and 2016 BC Seniors Games; however, council has declined the bid opportunity.
A request will be sent to Teck Resources to provide an update to council and the public regarding the Valley-Wide Selenium Management Action Plan.
When a date and location has been confirmed it will be placed in Sparwood’s weekly ad in the paper, web page, and Facebook page.
A letter of support will be sent to the Fernie Ghostriders Junior Hockey Club in their bid for the 2014 Western Canadian Junior B Championships.
A letter of congratulations will be sent to Teck Resources extending Council’s congratulations regarding Teck’s ranking on the Global 100 List of Sustainable Corporations and wish them continued success in their commitment to responsible resource development.
Select Committee of Council to Review Snow and Ice Policies and Procedures
The following recommendation from the Select Committee of Council to Review Snow and Ice Policies and Procedures Meeting held February 8, was approved by council.
– The current level of service for snow removal and ice control continue. This service level includes the recent amendment to account for on-street parking prohibitions.
Public Relations Committee meeting
The following recommendations from the Public Relations Committee meeting held February 8, were approved by council.
– Staff forward a report to council regarding costs for new Christmas lighting along Aspen Drive and potentially into Centennial Square.
– The district float attend the Lundbreck Cornfest Celebration on August 24.
Bylaws
Bylaw 1114 cited as “Revenue Anticipation Borrowing Bylaw 1114, 2013” was adopted.
Bylaw 1115 cited as “District of Sparwood Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 1113, 2012 Amendment
Bylaw 1115, 2013” was given first, second, and third reading.
Sparwood Arena and Curling Rink to get major upgrade
The Sparwood Arena and Curling Club will soon benefit from an energy retrofit to replace an aging and inefficient heating system. This project will receive $757,752 from the Government of Canada through the Gas Tax Fund transfer. This project will replace six natural gas furnaces and two natural gas hot water heaters with a high efficiency heating system. The new system will use high efficiency heat pumps to capture the waste heat and distribute it to the facility. The retrofit will also include the installation of high efficiency natural gas boilers and a solar ambient heating system. Greenhouse gas emissions from the facility will be reduced and annual energy consumption will decrease. The total cost of the project is $869,752, with the balance funded by the District of Sparwood.
Order of British Columbia
Honours and Awards Secretariat in Victoria are seeking nominations for the Order of British Columbia, the Province’s highest award for excellence and outstanding achievement. Any person or group is welcome to nominate a deserving individual as candidate for appointment to the Order of British Columbia. Nomination forms for the Order are available from the Honours and Awards Secretariat in Victoria, 250-387-1615, on the website: http://www.orderofbc.gov.bc.ca or from the nearest Service BC Centre. Completed nominations must be received by the Secretariat by March 1, to be considered this year. Nominations received after that date will automatically be forwarded for consideration next year.
Student Employment OpportunitiesParks and Greenbelt Workers
The District of Sparwood is looking for energetic and enthusiastic individuals who will be employed for the summer to work as summer parks and greenbelt workers beginning May 6 to September 6. The rate of pay is in accordance with CUPE Local 2698 Collective Agreement.
All applications including cover letter, resume, and proof of enrolment must be received by the District of Sparwood Municipal Office on or before 4 p.m. Thursday, March 28. The ‘hat’ draw will be conducted on Tuesday, April 2. All successful applicants will be contacted following the draw.
Applicants should be aware that work performance with the District of Sparwood will be considered for future employment.
Only students who have been enrolled on a full time basis in high school or a post secondary institution during the 2013 winter/spring term and are intending to return to school in the fall are eligible for these positions. Student application forms, including the proof of enrollment, are available at the Municipal Office, 136 Spruce Avenue or at the Sparwood Recreation Department, 367 Pine Avenue or on the District website at www.Sparwood.ca. Proof of enrollment form must be signed by the school Registrar’s Office.
Preference will be given to post secondary students. All successful applicants will be required to have a valid driver’s license with a Class 5 or a minimum of a Class 7N or Class 7L. Applicants’ address must be the same on their Driver’s License as mailing address or permanent address in Sparwood. Any eligible applications received after the close date, will be automatically put on the bottom of this list, as well as any who are unable to start employment on May 6.
Questions can be directed to the Sparwood Municipal Office at 250-425-6271 or be emailed to [email protected].
Upcoming meetings (In council chambers)
– Monday, February 25 – Committee of the Whole Meeting at 7 p.m.
– Monday, March 4 – Regular Meeting at 7 p.m.
– Monday, March 18 – Regular Meeting at 7 p.m.
District of Sparwood
