Development Variance Permit – Elk Valley Mobile Home Park

Following a hearing to receive input from the public, District of Sparwood council August 19 declined a Development Variance Permit application to vary sections of the Mobile Home Parks Bylaw to allow for a reduction in the minimum area for a mobile home space, the minimum width of a mobile home space, and to eliminate the requirements for a buffer area and recreation space for the Elk Valley Mobile Home Park.

Community Wildfire Protection Plan

Tanglefoot Forestry Consultants Ltd. has completed an update to the District’s Wildland/Urban Interface Management Strategy. There were two high risk polygons identified for prescription and treatment in 2014. A preliminary estimate for treatment of these polygons is $25,000 – $35,000. An application for funding will be submitted for the 2014 UBCM Operational Fuel Treatment Program which currently provides funding at 90%.

Consulting Engineering Services

Council authorized awarding a five-year master standing offer for consulting engineering services to to McElhanney Consulting Services Ltd.

Parent and Tot Fun Time

Council approved a request from the Parent and Tot Fun Time Program to provide complimentary usage of the Sparwood Leisure Centre Community Hall for the period September 17 – December 17, and January 7 – May 15, 2014. The rental will be funded from the Public Health budget.

Coal Discovery Trail

At the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) board meeting on August 1, a resolution was passed to decommission the Coal Discovery Trail from Sparwood to Hosmer and transfer the tenure for the Fernie to Hosmer section to the Fernie Trial Alliance.

The Coal Discovery Trail was completed in 2004 creating a linking trail between Sparwood, Hosmer, and Fernie. The trail from Fernie to Hosmer sees high usage and is in excellent condition. The first five to six kilometres starting in Sparwood heading to Hosmer is in good condition with the remaining 10 – 12 km to Hosmer in need of maintenance.

Council directed staff to work with the RDEK to transfer the Coal Discovery Trail land use permits for those portions of the trail not being transferred to the Fernie Trails Alliance over to the District of Sparwood.

Aspen Drive Beautification Program

The Director of Engineering was authorized to proceed with the Aspen Drive Beautification Program. This project will bury overhead lines between the Visitor Information Centre and the Husky Service Station.

Clothesline Drop Box

After receiving input from the Sparwood New to You, council endorsed the placement of two Clothesline Drop Boxes within the district. The Clothesline Drop Boxes are used as a fundraising program for the Canadian Diabetes Association.

The funds raised from this program will assist in promoting diabetes research, education, service and advocacy. The Canadian Diabetes Association is fully responsible for the cost and maintenance of the drop boxes. Watch for placement of the red drop boxes with the Canadian Diabetes Association Collection Program logo.

National Western Mine Rescue Competition

The National Western Regional Mine Rescue Competition (NWRMRC) – Eleventh Biennial will be held in Fernie on September 6 & 7. Provincial and Territorial Surface and Underground Mine Rescue winners from Western Canada Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Yukon and Northwest Territories/Nunavut as well, as the winning surface and underground teams from the Northwestern United States make up the competition. Each team participates in five tasks including first aid, fire and smoke simulation, rope task and a written exam. Mayor Lois Halko and one other member of council were authorized to attend the competition banquet.

Bylaws

Following a public hearing to receive input from the public, Bylaw 1128 cited as “Zoning Bylaw No. 264, 1981, Amendment Bylaw 1128, 2013” was given third reading and referred to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure for approval. The East Kootenay Community Credit Union has applied for this amendment to allow for additional development at 120 Spruce Avenue including a new commercial building on the corner and an addition to the old RCMP building to accommodate up to two residential units.

Be Bear Smart!

Bears have been spotted in recent weeks passing through our community. Bears have a very keen sense of smell. Garbage or other food sources can easily attract a bear to your property.

– Keep garbage in a secured shed or garage until pick up day. Never leave fish or meat remains outside or in your compost. Instead, put them in your freezer or a cold place until garbage day;

– Cooking oil, grease, dairy products or fruit should never be left outside or put in your compost;

– Try using lime to cut odour from your compost;

– If you have fruit trees, pick the fruit as it ripens and clean up windfalls immediately; and

– Remove any unwanted fruit trees.

“BE BEAR SMART!”

Sparwood Farmer’s Market

Sparwood Chamber of Commerce Parking Lot Friday evenings from 5 – 9 p.m.

For more information, or to become a vendor, please contact Amy Cardozo at

[email protected], or on Facebook under “Sparwood Farmer’s Market”

Labour Day Garbage Pickup Schedule

There will be no garbage pickup on Labour Day, Monday, September 2. Garbage that is normally picked up on the Monday will be picked up on Tuesday, September 3.

Return to school

On Tuesday, September 3, children will be heading back to school.

Drivers are reminded to slow down and watch for children and school busses.

Motorists travelling in both directions must stop when approaching a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing.

Community Information Night

Come out on Thursday, September 5, between 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. to the Curling Rink and find out what’s happening in your community.

See programs of interest for people of all ages and stages. Community groups and organizations are invited to participate in this opportunity to promote what they have to offer. For more information please contact Sparwood Community and Facility Services at 250-425-0552, or by email at [email protected].

Are Your House Numbers Visible From the Street?

Take a look at your house from the street at night to see if you can clearly identify your house numbers.

You may want to ask friends or neighbours who visit your home if they saw your house numbers easily.

Perhaps shrubs or trees are blocking visibility or the numbers are faded, or too small. Your house numbers should be visible from 150’ at all angles.

In every emergency, response time is critical.

Seconds lost can mean the difference between life and death. If your home or business is set back from the street, post your address number at the entrance to your driveway. New reflective lettering helps to make numbers visible at night.

Not only is this essential for fire, police or ambulance to find your home, it is also the law under our Building Bylaw.

The next meetings in council chambers

– Tuesday, September 3 – Regular Meeting at 7 p.m.

– Monday, September 30 – Committee of the Whole Meeting at 7 p.m.

District of Sparwood

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