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Sparwood Council Facts
The following is a breakdown as to what occurred during the Sept. 8 District of Sparwood council meeting.
BYLAWS & PERMITS
Temporary Use Permit For Rock Quarry
Council approved a temporary commercial and industrial use permit to Jemi Fibre Corp. for an open-pit rock quarry located on the south side of Highway 3, 16 km east of Sparwood and east of the gas compressor station near the Alberta border. The permit will be for a period of three years and will be issued once the following conditions have been met: (1) Consideration of wildlife habitat and migration identified by the Habitat Branch of the Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations is addressed to the satisfaction of the Ministry’s ecosystem biologist; and (2) The applicant provides the district with a copy of the permit from the Ministry of Energy and Mines.
Utility & Solid Waste Management Bylaw 1014, Amendment Bylaw 1174, 2015
Council adopted the Utility & Solid Waste Management Bylaw 1014, 2009, Amendment Bylaw 1174, 2015. Commercial waste bin owners/users are now required to ensure that their bins are secured to prevent access by wildlife and that waste does not overflow onto public lands and become unsightly. Notices will be sent out to all commercial waste bin users/owners advising of the changes to the bylaw and the requirement for securing the bins. The fine for placing recyclable cardboard, residential garbage, or items prohibited by provincial statute is $100.
Official Community Plan
Council gave Official Community Plan Bylaw 1165, 2015 third reading after considering an amendment to the future land use designation of “Light Industrial” for 8000 Hwy 43. The OCP which shall go forward to the September 28 regular meeting for adoption will guide the future decisions of Council and Administration to achieve the longterm vision and goals for the residents of Sparwood.
EQUIPMENT PURCHASES
Council approved the following equipment purchases by the Operations and Fire & Emergency Services Departments:
(1) Rescue box for $108,995.00 plus taxes from Express Custom Trailers. The rescue box will be mounted to the 2006 cab and chassis purchased by the Sparwood Fire & Emergency Services Department in 2014 to replace the old rescue truck (1444). This purchase was included as item 4.7.3 under the 2015-2018 Corporate Strategic Plan.
(2) Loader with auxiliary hydraulics from Brandt Tractor Ltd. for $215,684.00, plus $20,720.00 snowblade attachment to replace the existing 2002 Case model to help with snow removal and for general use during the off winter season.
(3) Plow truck and sand spreader was purchased for $248,099.98 from Glover International Calgary (Mountain Mechanical dealer in Sparwood) to replace the existing (2001) plow truck which was scheduled to be replaced in 2012. This purchase was included as item 4.2.4 under the 2015-2018 Corporate Strategic Plan.
OTHER NEWS
Recycling Bins
Yellow recycling bins located in Sparwood Heights have been relocated to their new location by the ball field next to the composting site. Other Recycling Bin Locations: • End of Engelmann Spruce Drive between the Public Works yard and the Mainroad Contracting yard; • Douglas Fir Road (Silver Fox parking lot); and • At the Transfer Station. Residents are encouraged to use one of the above locations as the bins located behind businesses in the downtown core are primarily for business use.
Bears In and Around Our Community
The District of Sparwood would like to remind residents not to place their garbage out on the curb before 5 a.m. on collection day. Garbage MUST be placed in a secure garage, shed or inside your house until collection day. Excess garbage should be taken to the Transfer Station which is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday (excluding statutory holidays).
The prime reason bears and people come into conflict is improper care of garbage and other attractants. Therefore, we need to eliminate the source of the problem – our behaviour. It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that there are no unnatural food sources available to attract bears and other dangerous wildlife. It is important for residents to lock up their refuse and keep other bear attractants, such as fruit trees bearing over-ripe fruit, or easily accessible bird feeders, pet food and BBQs (drip pans/grease cans) out of a bear’s reach.
Remember that a fed bear is a dead bear
Feeding dangerous wildlife, even unintentionally, is against the law in British Columbia under the Dangerous Wildlife Protection Act (section 88.1). It is an offence to store or dispose of wildlife attractants under the District of Sparwood’s Deer Feeding and Wildlife Attractant Bylaw 1078. Failure to comply with the bylaw will result in a $100 fine. Together, we can prevent conflict by making a few simple changes in our daily routine. Make it your responsibility to make our community safe and to prevent the unnecessary killing of bears by complying with Deer Feeding and Wildlife Attractant Bylaw 1078. Your help and compliance is appreciated!
Sparwood Playground Renewal Project
Sparwood is pleased to advise local residents that throughout September and October the District will be conducting works in Cypress Park, Central Park, Juniper Park, Lions Park, and on the Leisure Centre grounds to improve and update our local playgrounds. The work is consistent with Council’s Corporate Strategic Plan goal to have an active, involved and healthy community and is aligned to the District of Sparwood’s Official Community Plan objective to encourage an active and healthy community through the development, maintenance, and enhancement of high-quality parks, passive and active recreational facilities and programs, and active transportation infrastructure.
During September and October salvage, demolition and installation work will be undertaken at the above playground sites by BDI Play Designs who will be removing the old playground equipment and replacing them with new playgrounds. Notices will be posted at each site advising the public of the work and the District of Sparwood would ask that residents avoid entering the playground areas while work is being completed. For more information or to see the playgrounds that will be installed visit www.sparwood.ca or contact Duane Lawrence, Director of Community and Facility Services at 250-425-0552.
Biennial Pool Maintenance Shutdown
The Sparwood Leisure Centre Pool will be closed from September 8 – 18 for maintenance. The hall, fitness centre, and courts will remain open Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
LOCAL EVENTS
Terry Fox Run
Sunday, September 20, Sparwood Leisure Centre Registration: 10 a.m. | Run Starts: 11 a.m. Choose your distance – 1 km, 3 km, or 5 km route. Routes are suitable for bikes, wheelchairs / strollers, and rollerblades. Dogs on leash are welcome. Please check the district’s website or the Terry Fox Foundation’s Sparwood webpage for information and updates on the event.
Upcoming Meetings
Special Regular Meeting in Council Chambers on Monday, September 28 at 1 p.m.
Regular Meeting in Council Chambers on Monday, October 5 at 1 p.m.
District of Sparwood
