Sparwood Council Facts

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Posted: October 29, 2014

Community Energy Award

Megan Lohman, representing the Community Energy Association, congratulated the District of Sparwood Oct. 20 for Sparwood’s placement as honourable mention in the 2014 Climate and Energy Action Awards in the Corporate Operations category for work in the energy retrofitting of the Pool and Leisure Centre. Grant funding of approximately $1,100,000 was received from the provincial and federal governments for the total project of $1,457,000. The project is expected to save between $70,000-90,000 annually in energy costs. The project will help to reach Sparwood’s goal of reducing corporate greenhouse gas emissions by 2015.

WildSafe BC

Kathy Murray, Elk Valley WildSafe BC Community Coordinator made a presentation to council addressing the importance of preventing human/wildlife conflicts. WildSafe BC, formerly Bear Aware, is an educational program adopted by communities throughout B.C. The program uses innovation, education, and cooperation to educate residents and visitors about the importance of managing wildlife attractants.

Chamber of Commerce

Norma McDougall, Manager of the Sparwood Chamber of Commerce provided an update to council on the chamber’s activities for the year including:

– Membership Drive – 106 members;

– Community Initiative Grant – four tables, concrete pads, and garbage receptacles were installed in Titan Park;

– Celebrated Mining Week with a luncheon and mine tours all week;

– Mine Tours during the summer – over 1,000 people took tours;

– Teck Signage installed – Michel/Natal history;

– Golf tournament, wine social, and Christmas party;

– Tourists number up 36% with 60,000 visitors as of September 30;

– Merchandise sales of over $50,000;

– Business Excellence Awards; and

– Promotional video.

Age-Friendly Community Planning Grant

Council supported an application being submitted to the 2015 Age-Friendly Community Planning and Projects Grant in the amount of $18,500 for the development of a Sparwood Age-Friendly Community Plan. The proposed planning document would look at existing infrastructure, policies, support services, transportation, and housing for seniors and identify areas in which Sparwood could improve services and support for seniors in an effort to become a recognized Age-Friendly community.

Sparwood Trail Network

In the spring of 2014 council instructed staff to convene a community trail naming committee with the mandate of developing a trail naming strategy that reflects locally known and identifiable trail names, and to propose new signage that reflects district branding and communications policies. The five-member committee has now provided recommendations for council’s consideration which include a naming policy and trail names for 10 trails located throughout Sparwood.

All Candidates Forum

Council approved a request from the Chamber of Commerce to pay the rent for the Recreation Centre Hall for the All Candidates Forum on October 21.

Sparwood Senior Citizen’s Society

The Sparwood Senior Citizen’s Society is applying to Columbia Basin Trust for a Social Grant application for construction of a social building as part of the Senior’s Villas. Council will a provide a letter of support to be submitted with their application.

Elk Valley Society for Community Living

Council received a letter of thanks from the Elk Valley Society for Community Living for allowing the organization to use a room at the Recreation Centre for their summer program.

2014 General Local Election & Water Fluoridation Referendum

Public notice is hereby given to the electors of the District of Sparwood that an Election by Voting is necessary to elect one (1) Mayor and six (6) councillors, and that the persons nominated as candidates and for whom the votes will be received are listed below:

Mayor

Hungry Baytaluke; Bev Bellina; Cal McDougall; Joanne Wilton.

Councillor

John Baher; Brad Bowen; Sharon Fraser; Lois Halko; Melanie Hutchinson; Joe Jarina; Jenna Jensen; Margaret McKie; Ron Saad; Bobbie Saga; Simon Senycz; Rose Sharma; Peter Templin.

The District of Sparwood is seeking electoral assent on whether or not to continue adding fluoride to the district’s water system as part of Sparwood’s November 15 Municipal Election. All eligible voters are encouraged to participate.

The question will ask: “Are you in favour of Council adopting Bylaw 1145, “Cease Fluoridation Bylaw 1145, 2014” which authorizes removal of fluoride from the municipal water supply effective January 2, 2015?”

The question will be part of the official ballot providing you an opportunity to choose either “yes” or “no”. A yes vote means you want to eliminate fluoride from our water, while a no vote means continuing to add it.

Advance Voting

Senior Citizen’s Drop-In Centre (101 4th Avenue) on:

Wednesday, November 5 from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Monday, November 10 from 9 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Friday, November 14 from 9 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

General Voting

Sparwood Recreation Centre (367 Pine Avenue) on Saturday, November 15 from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

On-Street Parking Regulations

October 1 – March 31

District of Sparwood “Sparwood Traffic, Parking and Highways Regulation Bylaw No. 472, 1987, Amendment Bylaw 1106, 2012” prohibits on-street parking from six o’clock a.m. to four o’clock p.m. October 1 to March 31 inclusive.

Residents should note that:

Parking on the street during snow plowing, snow removal, snow hauling, or sanding operations is prohibited;
It is an offence to push, place or throw or allow to be pushed, placed or thrown any snow or ice upon a highway or lane;
That no advance warning is required under the bylaw and the Motor Vehicle Act and offending vehicles will be towed. Please make appropriate arrangements for parking your vehicles.

The Bylaw Enforcement Department would like to thank all Sparwood residents for a productive and successful on-street parking period last winter and we look forward to working with you again this year.

Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program

The Fish and Wildife Compensation Program (FWCP) is accepting applications for funding for local fish and wildlife projects that conserve and enhance lakes, streams, uplands and drylands, wetlands and species of interest in the upper Kootenay River watershed. Your idea for a project could be eligible for funding. Learn more at www.fwcp.ca. Funding applications are due by November 14.

Teck Coal Mountain

The Environmental Assesment Office has initiated an environmental assessment for Teck Coal Ltd.’s proposed Coal Mountain Phase 2 Project. The proposed project would involve an extension of the Coal Mountain Operations. Further information on the proposed project is available at www.eao.gov.bc.ca.

Halloween

Halloween can be an exciting time for children and with the distraction of candy and costumes, safety rules can easily be forgotten. Drivers please slow down and watch for children, many of whom may be dressed in dark costumes. Do not send the little ones out on their own even if they are only going to walk around the neighbourhood. Children should not go out alone. An adult or older sibling should accompany the kids on their Halloween trick or treat rounds to keep a watch on them and make sure they are safe.

Daylight Savings Time ends

Remember to turn your clocks back one hour on Sunday, Nov. 2, at 2 a.m.

Be Bear Smart!

Remember: It is an offence to feed or leave attractants available to wildlife. Keep garbage in the house, garage or shed until pick-up day. Add lime to garbage to eliminate odors that can attract bears.

Wash containers to be thrown away or recycled before placing them in garbage cans. Clean your garbage cans regularly, using disinfectants, bleach or white vinegar. Spray inside with ammonia between cleanings to help discourage bears from getting to your garbage cans.

Upcoming meetings in council chambers