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Sparwood council facts
The following is a breakdown as to what occurred during the Oct. 5 District of Sparwood council meeting.
DELEGATION
Sparwood Chamber of Commerce
Mrs. Norma McDougall, Manager of the Chamber of Commerce made a presentation to Council on the Business Walks initiative. On the morning of Thursday, October 15, elected officials from Sparwood partnered up with members of the Chamber of Commerce to conduct a walk that aims to meet with as many businesses within the community as possible and have a short five minute conversation / questionnaire with business owners and managers. The initiative looks to identify the current issues, challenges, and opportunities that local businesses are dealing with. The chamber will then compile the results of these interviews to assist council and the chamber in ways of supporting local businesses.
OTHER BUSINESS
Cherrywood Boulevard
Council directed Staff to proceed with planting street trees in the Cherrywood subdivision on developed lots only. Further new trees will be planted upon completion of all new homes in the subdivision in consultation with the homeowner. The municipality will enter into an agreement with the homeowners that they maintain the trees. Trees will be a mix of Amur Cherry, Colorado Blue Spruce, and Green Ash.
Legacy Fleet Services – Sign on Boulevard
A request from Legacy Fleet Services to allow temporary signage on municipal owned land between 641 Sparwood Drive and Highway 3 was declined by council. The request does not comply with the District’s Sign Bylaw No. 839 and a Multi-Ad Agreement between Sparwood and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. The owner will be advised that an option would be to make application for a sign permit to allow one free standing sign on their property.
BYLAWS
Building Bylaw Amendment
Council gave three readings to Building Bylaw 1012, 2009, Amendment Bylaw No. 1178. This amendment will provide clarification in the inspection process and add a requirement for building addresses.
CORRESPONDENCE
Business Excellence Awards
Mayor, Council and Staff received an invitation from the Chamber of Commerce to attend the Business Excellence Awards presentations at the Chamber office on Thursday, October 29, from 5 –8 p.m. Nominations are now open to all employees, residents and businesses of Sparwood to vote for your favourite outstanding customer service, retail business, industry business, new business, and not for profit society or association with the District of Sparwood. Nomination forms can be picked up at the Chamber of Commerce, Public Library, Recreation Centre, or the District Office. You can also vote by phone (250-425-2423), on Facebook (Sparwood Chamber of Commerce) or the Chamber of Commerce web page.
Elk Valley Thrift Shop Society
Council received a request from the Elk Valley Thrift Shop Society for use of the old engineering building located at 156 Spruce Avenue to set up their Christmas Store. Council approved waiver of rent for the building for the period of October 7 – December 18 inclusive, conditional upon receipt of liability insurance. The Elk Valley Thrift Shop Society has donated over $100,000 back to the three communities in the valley since opening 19 months ago.
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 No. 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 No. 1078.
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 came 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 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 section 189 (1) (n) of the Motor Vehicle Act and offending vehicles will be towed.
Please make appropriate arrangements for parking your vehicles.
Upcoming Meetings
– Regular Meeting in Council Chambers on Monday, October 19 at 7 p.m.
– Committee of the Whole Meeting in Council Chambers on Monday, October 26, at 1 p.m.
Watch the video of the council meeting.
District of Sparwood
