Community Clean-Up Day

The District of Sparwood will be promoting and organizing a community wide cleanup day on April 26. This day has been selected to coincide with Pitch-In Week (April 20 – 26) and follow additional cleanup activities planned by School District No. 5 earlier in the week. It will also coincide with related events such as the East Kootenay Credit Union Community Garage Sale and Lilac Terrace barbeque. Participation in an annual community cleanup can help achieve a number of objectives, including: Beautification; Building community and promoting civic pride; Promoting the conservation and preservation of the natural environment; and strengthening connections with community partners, such as the school district, the business community, and residents of Sparwood.

Water Metering Program

The Director of Engineering provided council with an update on the Water Metering Program. The district has achieved 100% compliance with this program for residential homeowners. The average residential home is using approximately 299 litres per person per day, which is lower than the averages for B.C. (426) and Canada (329). The Engineering and Finance Departments have been working on rate setting and will be commencing data collection this year to prepare for the eventual rate setting. The rate structure should not adversely impact the average users but high water users will be affected. The Water Smart Ambassador will be back this year for the fourth summer. The focus of the Ambassador will be to work with high water users as identified through metering.

Special Occasion Permit

Council approved a Special Occasion Permit to the Fernie Roller Derby Society for the Roller Derby Games on June 21, from 4-10 p.m. at the Sparwood Arena.

RCMP – policing priorities

Following a request from the RCMP, Sparwood Council provided a list of their top policing priorites for 2014 to be incorporated into the 2014/2015 RCMP Annual Performance Plan. The District of Sparwood’s priorities align in the following manner:

– Crime reduction

– Drug enforcement

– Speed reduction

– Underage drinking/bush parties

–  Organized crime

–  Road safety

Columbia Basin Trust – Community Initiatives Program for 2014-2015

Council approved the following recommendations for funding by the Columbia Basin Trust Community Initiatives Program:

Community Connections Society of Southeast BC – $500

District of Sparwood – Summer Preschool – $2,800

Elk River Watershed Alliance – $1,750

E.V. Critical Incident Response Team – $2,625

Elk Valley Hospice -$2,625

E.V. Society for Community Living – $2,875

Elk Valley Thrift Shop Society – $2,060

Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC – $123

Chamber of Commerce -$1,000

Chamber of Commerce – $8,125

Coal Miner Days Society – $3,242

Sparwood Futures Society – $11,500

Sparwood Women’s Fitness Society – $1,748

Special Olympics BC Elk Valley – $792

SQx Danza – $1,995

Valley Riders – Sparwood Society – $6,432

2014 Relay for Life

The District of Sparwood will be entering a team in this year’s Elk Valley Relay For Life on Saturday, June 21, at the Sparwood Leisure Centre.

The theme for this year’s event is Rockin’ Through the Ages and will run from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The fundraising goal for the Elk Valley Relay is $21,000. Check out the website for up to date information: https://convio.cancer.ca/site/TR?fr_id=15998&pg=entry

Proposed Water Well #4

The District of Sparwood is working on a replacement well and have completed the evaluation to locate a site, followed with drilling and testing of a test well. The test well was located on the edge of an old Section 4 Road that was formerly the Elk Valley Highway on the south side of Cummings (Wilson) Creek. The results of the pump testing have verified that the district has found an aquifer to replace the capacity and quality of Well 3 with potential for future growth.

Bylaws

Bylaw 1150 cited as “Zoning Bylaw No. 264, 1981, Amendment Bylaw 1150, 2014” was given first and second reading and a public hearing scheduled for 7 p.m. on May 5. The owner of 1052-Highway 3 has applied to rezone the subject land from Agricultural Land to Light Industrial to erect a temporary storage and maintenance shop with the intent to construct a permanent facility in the future.

The property is located across Highway 3 from the Sparwood Transfer Station.

Mine Rescue and First Aid Competition

Mayor Halko and Councillor Fraser were authorized to attend the annual Mine Rescue and First Aid Competition Awards Banquet in Fernie on May 10. The competition is set to begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 10, at Rayco Steel located at 655 Michel Creek Road. Following the competitions, an awards banquet will be held commencing at 6 p.m. at the Fernie Community Centre.

Outdoor fire pits

It is that time of year again when people want to have a fire in their back yard. Please note that it is a requirement of the District of Sparwood that you first obtain a fire pit permit. These are available at the Main Office free of charge and need to be renewed every year.

BC Transplant

April is National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Month. BC Transplant has a mandate to increase organ donation and to reduce wait times for patients in need of a lifesaving transplant. Despite a record year for transplants in B.C. in 2013, nearly 500 British Columbians are currently on the wait list for a transplant. More than 85 percent of British Columbians support organ donation, yet only 19 percent have registered their decision. BC Transplant would like to change that and they need your help. Register now at: https://transplant.bc.ca/OnlineReg/bcts.asp

Dangerous play habits

Once again, with spring in the air, children are spending more time playing outdoors. Drivers – please slow down and keep a watchful eye for children. Parents – please teach your children the dangers of playing in the street.

Street sweeping

Weather permitting, the district will continue with its street sweeping schedule. To assist the Public Works Department, watch for their street sweeper and ensure that your vehicles are removed from the street.

B.C. Arts and Culture Week (April 20-26)

The Assembly of BC Arts Councils sponsors this week every year. The Sparwood and District Arts and Heritage Council invites everyone in the community to take part. Here are just a few ways to be included.

– Talk up the value of arts education

– Unveil a public artwork

– Display arts, crafts, photos, etc.

– Ethnic displays or wearing ethnic dress

– Performances – song, dance, instrumental.

If you wish to take part, or for more information please contact Rose Sharma at 250-425-6900 with your event.

Events for Arts and Culture Week

Taste of Sparwood – Sunday, April 20, 1 – 4 p.m. – Greenwood Mall.

Dance Recital – ‘Night of Stars’ – April 24, 6 – 8 p.m. in the Curling Rink.

Arts Display at the Sparwood Leisure Centre: If you are interested in displaying your artwork, please contact the Leisure Centre at 250-425-0552.

Building Permits

The Planning Department administers the district’s Building and Zoning Bylaws and oversees building permits for new construction, renovations, alterations, additions, and changes in occupancy of existing buildings.

Building permits ensure that the work is in compliance with all codes and safety standards.

The work will be inspected by the District’s Building Official. Our Bylaws can be found online at www.sparwood.ca/bylaws.

If you are unsure about whether a building permit is required, check with the Planning Department at 250-425-6271 or visit us at 136 Spruce Avenue.

Upcoming meetings (in council chambers)

– Tuesday, April 22 – Regular Meeting of Council at 7 p.m.

–  Monday, April 28 – Committee of the Whole Meeting at 7 p.m.

–  Monday, May 5 – Regular Meeting of Council at 7 p.m.

District of Sparwood

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