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Sparwood Council Facts
The following is a breakdown as to what occurred during the July 20 District of Sparwood council meeting.
Spardell Mobile Home Park DVP Request
District of Sparwood Council deferred consideration of Development Variance Permit (DVP) No. 2015-001 for Spardell Mobile Home Park, located at 100 Industrial Road #1 and 555 Michel Creek Road, to the August 17 regular meeting following the informal hearing. Council heard from the Manager of Planning, the applicant, Mr. Rick Pater, and received three written submissions. The applicant is requesting variances to the Subdivision Servicing Bylaw that would remove the requirement for additional street lighting and a drainage system, and reduce the minimum road widths and curb and gutter requirements to allow for the expansion of Spardell Mobile Home Park. Mr. Pater was encouraged to work with staff to develop a plan that could work for all interested parties prior to council giving the application further consideration.
Playground equipment
Council endorsed their decision to award the Sparwood Playground Renewal Project to Blue Imp Recreation Products of Canada in the amount of $281,208.54. Playground equipment will be replaced in Sparwood’s five playgrounds located in Juniper Park, Lions Park (pictured above), Centennial Park, Cypress Park, and on the Leisure Centre grounds.
Old Highway 3 Connector Road Preliminary Design
The Director of Engineering will return a report to council, on or before November 1, outlining the feasibility and costs of developing unserviced light industrial properties across from the Sparwood Transfer Station. An access road would extend from the intersection with Highway 3 at the Transfer Station up to the “Old Highway 3” that could be redeveloped and ultimately serve as a connector road for future industrial lot development along the old highway up to Sparwood Drive. The current plan, if feasible, will be for unserviced parcels a minimum of two hectares (five acres) in size or larger near the Transfer Station end of the property. The old highway would eventually connect to smaller fully serviced lots as an extension to Sparwood Drive. The smaller lots would be dependent on demand and the availability of water and sewer services.
Corbin Road Repair
At the Special Meeting of June 29, Council awarded the contract for Corbin Road Slope Stabilization to Transcendent Mining and Mobilization Inc. for the price of $797,775.48 and authorized the Mayor and Corporate Officer to enter into a Letter of Agreement with the province for the purchase of rip rap. Subsequent to the council meeting, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) advised that it may not be able to supply rip rap to the district. Council approved Change Order #1, if MOTI is unable to supply the rip rap, for the contractor to supply the rip rap needed for the project at an additional cost of $98,458.10 plus taxes. The slope stabilization project must be completed in 2015 for the district to receive the 80% funding from Disaster Financial Assistance. This project addresses a section of Corbin Road embankment that was compromised by the 2013 flood.
Sparwood Public Library
Council rescinded their previous resolution (#15-212) related to funding for the Sparwood Public Library Association in order to correct the funding amount for July 1 to June 30, 2016 to be amended from $183,766 to $185,426.
Pincher Creek Fair & Rodeo
Councillors Baher and Bowen were authorized to attend the Pincher Creek Fair & Rodeo parade and as dignitaries to the luncheon on August 15.
Official Community Plan (OCP)
Council rescinded first reading of OCP Bylaw No. 1165, 2015 to make some changes to resolve issues surrounding park designations in the area of the Whiskey Jack Resort and include some additional policy statement. The current OCP draft received first reading of the bylaw and referral to government agencies and neighbouring communities. A Public Hearing was also scheduled for Monday, August 17, at 7 p.m. in council chambers. The Official Community Plan Advisory Committee began preparing the new Official Community Plan (OCP) for Sparwood over two years ago. The OCP helps guide the future decisions of council and administration to achieve the long-term vision and goals of the residents of Sparwood.
Officers and Officials Bylaw
Council gave first three readings to Officers and Officials Bylaw No. 1026, Amendment Bylaw 1172, 2015 and Officers and Officials Benefits Bylaw No. 1038, Amendment Bylaw 1173, 2015. The purpose of these amendments are to include the newly created position of “Deputy Director of Corporate Services” as an officer position within the district.
Coal Association of Canada Conference
Mayor Cal McDougall was authorized to attend the 2015 Coal Association of Canada Conference in Vancouver on September 16-18, in advance of the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) Annual Conference. The conference will explore new ways to gain a broader understanding of the Canadian and global coal industry.
Sprinkling Regulations
Reminder, District of Sparwood (the “District”) sprinkling regulations are in effect from June 1 through September 30 each year, to promote water conservation in accordance with section 2.e) of the Utility and Solid Waste Management Bylaw.
Even numbered addresses can water on even calendar days, and odd numbered addresses can water on odd calendar days. Homes with automatic irrigation systems can water daily, provided it is between 12 and 6 a.m. Exceptions to sprinkling regulations include nurseries, golf courses, farms, turf and tree farms, municipal parks, playing fields, and other municipal properties. There will be special permission for those residents who have installed a new lawn (either seed or sod) for a period of 21 days afer installaiton of the lawn.
Building Inspection in Sparwood
The district’s contract with Outwest Building Inspection Consultants Ltd. comes to an end on August 17. To ensure there is continuity of service, we have already entered into a shared services agreement with the District of Elkford for the provision of building inspection services. Their current building official, Bruce Hunter, is expected to begin as the building official in Sparwood effective August 17. Both Outwest and Bruce will be here during the week of August 10 to handle the transition and meet on site with the various builders with active projects where possible.
This change to a shared services arrangement with Elkford offers a unique opportunity to co-operate with another municipality in the provision of this service. We look forward to working with Bruce and anticipate that this arrangement will be a benefit to both our communities.
Outwest has provided service to Sparwood since 2010, and we have been fortunate to benefit from their expertise over the time period. We wish Richard and Riley the very best in their other ventures and thank them for their service to our community.
Bylaw Enforcement Services
Council authorized the Mayor and Corporate Officer to execute a Shared Services Agreement with the District of Elkford (“Elkford”) for the provision of bylaw enforcement services. This agreement would allow the District’s Bylaw Enforcement Officer to provide bylaw enforcement services for Elkford when their Building Inspector, Bruce Hunter, who is also the Bylaw Enforcement Officer, is unavailable.
Help us keep our streets attractive
In order to keep our streets attractive and safe, the district would like to remind all residents to please store your garbage in animal proof containers and place your garbage out between 5 and 8 a.m. on the morning of pick up. Residential waste collection is limited to two waste containers (not exceeding 140L in total) per household. Additional tags can be purchased at the District Office for $1.50 per tag, or you can drop it off at the Transfer Station (1001 Highway 3) at no charge Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed Sundays & Statutory Holidays).
Commercial waste containers are required to be kept closed at all times and secured to prevent wildlife from accessing contents in the container. Your help and compliance is appreciated! Keeping your property free of attractants (garbage and bird feeders) will cause bears and other wildlife to move on, resulting in a safer community and avoiding the unnecessary destruction of bears. For more information on Sparwood’s waste regulations please visit www.sparwood.ca or contact the Bylaw Enforcement Officer at 250-425-6820 or [email protected].
Garbage pickup
Due to the statutory holiday, BC Day on Monday, August 3, garbage pickup scheduled for that day will be picked up on Tuesday, August 4 instead.
Upcoming Meetings
Regular Meeting in council chambers on Monday, August 17 at 7 p.m.
Regular Meeting in council chambers on Tuesday, September 8 at 1 p.m.
District of Sparwood
