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Sparwood Council Facts
The following is a breakdown as to what occurred during the Sept. 28 District of Sparwood council meeting.
BYLAWS, PERMITS & AGREEMENTS
Sunset Ridge Ski Society
Council will consider the issuance of a permit at the October 19 Regular Council Meeting to Sunset Ridge Ski Society for the land located at 1500 Sparwood Heights Drive and 1300 Sparwood Heights Drive for the purpose of developing, using, and maintaining cross country ski trails for a five-year term at a nominal fee of $10. For more information please contact Nelson Wight at 250-425-6271 or [email protected].
Leisure Centre Concession Lease
Council authorized the Mayor and Corporate Officer to execute a two-year lease agreement with Tina Summer Blomme for the operation of Che’s Vintage Cafe located in the Sparwood Leisure Centre. The lease agreement, which commenced on September 1, provides the lessee with an opportunity to renew the lease for an additional two years if so desired.
Elk Valley Trail
Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the District of Elkford and the Fernie Trails Alliance for the Elk Valley Trail Project. The MoU establishes the guidelines in which a joint committee between the Fernie Trails Alliance, the District of Elkford, and the District of Sparwood will work. The Elk Valley Trails Project will see the development of a trail linking the Elk Valley communities and facilitate the completion of the Trans Canada Trail (TCT) within the Elk Valley. Funding for the project will come from the Elk Valley Community Directed Funds Program and the TCT Society.
University of Waterloo Road Network Program
The District of Sparwood accepted the opportunity to become a beta client for the University of Waterloo’s Road Network Optimization software. This software will assist the district in managing their road infrastructure program. The utilization of this software will ensure that our pavement infrastructure is managed in a cost effective and sustainable manner. The district will provide the University of Waterloo with a letter of support for their application for the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada grant as well as a financial contribution of $5,000.
Official Community Plan
Official Community Plan Bylaw 1165, 2015 was adopted. The Official Community Plan will guide the future decisions of council and administration to achieve the long-term vision and goals for the residents of Sparwood. Council thanked staff and volunteers for all of their hard work in developing this plan for the community.
CORRESPONDENCE
Remembrance Day Parade
Council approved the request from the Royal Canadian Legion Michel-Natal Branch No. 81 to hold the annual Remembrance Day Parade and service on November 11. There will be a service at the Senior Citizen’s Drop-In Centre at 10 a.m. with the parade proceeding to the cenotaph at approximately 10:40 a.m. Aspen Drive will be closed between Pine Avenue and Spruce Avenue from 10:30 a.m. to noon on November 11.
Sparwood Community Garden Group
The Sparwood Community Garden Group in partnership with the Sparwood Farmers’ Market Society is applying for a Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) Social Grant. Over the past few months district staff and Interior Health have been working with residents in the community who have an interest in forming a community garden. A letter of support from the district will be provided for the Community Garden Group to submit with their application to CBT.
Legacy Fleet Services
Council referred the Legacy Fleet Services’ request to place two temporary signs on district property for a one-year period to market the new business and attract customers to staff to bring back a report for the October 5 regular meeting regarding compliance with district policies.
Michel Natal Sparwood Heritage Society
The request from the Michel Natal Sparwood Heritage Society for an increase in grant funding of $200 per month was referred to staff. A report was brought back to council at the October 5 regular meeting.
OTHER BUSINESS
1306 Whitewood Crescent
The As-Built Design Review for the development of 1306 Whitewood Crescent was approved by council. Properties on Whitewood Crescent are subject to a design review by mayor and council as per the Statutory Building Scheme registered by the district on their titles.
Sparwood Early Years Program
Council approved $903.03 in financial support for the Sparwood Early Years Program for the Kindergym program. The committee plays an important role in the development of ongoing preschool programs in our community. Provincial funding for the program has gradually been reduced over the years and the committee is now looking for alternate funding to continue the Kindergym program. The funding will be provided through the district’s Community Health Fund.
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
The Highway 3 Mayors and Chairs Committee is strongly supporting the concept of Highway 3, from the Lower Mainland through to Alberta, being designated as an “Electric Vehicle Highway.” An ‘Electric Highway’ is any highway that provides reliable and accessible charging stations for electric vehicles. Council has directed staff to monitor available funding opportunities for the possibility of Sparwood installing a charging station.
OTHER NEWS
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!
For more information on bear awareness and the steps that you can take to minimize the interface between wildlife and residents, please visit www.wildsafebc.com or go to our webpage at www.sparwood.ca/bearsmart.
On-Street Parking Regulations October 1 – March 31
Reminder to residents that the district’s Off-Street Parking Regulations come into effect on October 1. The Sparwood Traffic, Parking and Highway Regulation Bylaw No. 472, 1987 prohibits on-street parking from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. October 1 to March 31 inclusive. Residents should note that: Parking on the street during snowploughing, 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 section 189 (1) (n) of the Motor Vehicle Act and offending vehicles will be towed. Please make appropriate arrangements for parking your vehicles.
LOCAL EVENTS
Sparwood Fire Department
The Sparwood Fire Department would like to invite residents to come out and join their local firefighters for a day of fun, prizes and safety education. Open House – Fire Station #1 Saturday, October 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Activities, prizes, fire safety information, hot dogs, refreshments, tours. Fire Prevention Week is October 4 – 10,
Upcoming meetings
Regular meeting in council chambers on Monday, October 19 at 7 p.m.
District of Sparwood
