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Sparwood Council Facts
The following is a break down as to what occurred during the Dec. 7 District of Sparwood council meeting.
BYLAWS
Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw
Council gave third reading to Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 1175 (MTI) after amending some of the fines proposed in the bylaw. The MTI bylaw identifies which offences are subject to municipal ticketing, who can issue a ticket on behalf of the municipality, and what penalties maybe imposed for each offence. The bylaw will come forward for consideration of adoption at the December 21 regular meeting.
Revenue Anticipation Bylaw
Council gave first three readings to Revenue Anticipation Borrowing Bylaw 1183. This bylaw, if adopted will provide for an operating line of credit in 2016, if required. Although, the district has not had an overdraft for many years, there is always the possibility that one may be needed if transfers from investments were delayed. The bylaw will come forward for consideration of adoption at the December 21 regular meeting.
Financial Plan Bylaw Amendment
Council gave first three readings to Financial Plan (2015 – 2019) Bylaw 1168, Amendment Bylaw 1184, 2015. This bylaw, if adopted, will amend the capital expenditure and funding sources for the Douglas Fir paving project and the Corbin Road repairs contained within the current Financial Plan, adopted by council earlier this year. Members of the public will have an opportunity to comment on the bylaw at the December 21 regular meeting prior to council’s consideration of adoption.
Business Licence Bylaw Amendment
Council gave first three readings to Business Licence Bylaw No. 849, 2001, Amendment Bylaw 1185, 2015. The amendment proposes to require all businesses that apply for licencing must comply with current provincial and federal statutes and regulations; to rectify the Fee Schedule within the bylaw; and repeal all other schedules to the bylaw. Council will consider adoption of the bylaw at the December 21 regular meeting. All persons who believe they may be affected by the bylaw will be provided with an opportunity to be heard in person and/or by written submission at that meeting. The deadline for written submissions is 9 a.m. on Monday, December 21.
DELEGATION
Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron 279
Roger Fairhurst, on behalf of the Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron 279, addressed council requesting use of the district’s building located at 156 Spruce Avenue for their parade and training facility. Following Mr. Fairhurst’s presentation, council referred the request to staff for further information regarding any potential impacts to the municipality if council were to grant them use of the facility located at 156 Spruce Avenue.
OTHER BUSINESS
Sparwood Arts & Heritage Council
The request from the Sparwood & District Arts and Heritage Council to carry over unused funds from the 2015 budget for support of arts and cultural programs be allocated for their use in 2016 was denied by council as these funds are available annually to all community groups for arts and heritage projects or programs.
Recreation Centre ball field
Council referred the request from Lilio Colonello for improvements to the Recreation Centre ball field to staff to provide council with information regarding compliance with municipal bylaws and policies and any impacts to the community if the field was also used as a dog park. The improvements requested included repairs to an existing gate near the west dugout, installation of a gate at the present opening of the centre field fence, and the two light standards near the south fence be used to provide some light onto the field as well as the adjacent parking lot.
Balmer North 50th Anniversary & Miners Memorial
Tammy Ogden, Sharon Storm, David Wilks, and Councillor Margaret McKie were appointed to the Balmer North 50th Anniversary & Miners Memorial Select Committee. On April 3, 2017 at one minute to 4 p.m., it will be the 50th Anniversary of the Balmer North explosion that took the lives of 15 men and seriously injured 10 others. The committee will be organizing an event for April 3, 2017 to commemorate this sombre day in Sparwood’s history. The committee will also be tasked to commission a memorial which could take the form of a sculpture, statue or monument to forever remember all those who have lost their lives mining coal.
LOCAL EVENTS
Canadian Pacific Holiday Train, Sunday, December 13 at 3:35 p.m. behind the Leisure Centre
The 2015 Canadian Pacific Holiday Train is coming to Sparwood! More Canadians than ever are turning to food banks for support. Help make a difference in our community by bringing a cash or food donation to this year’s Holiday Train. This year the train features performances by Jim Cuddy, Devin Cuddy, and Kelly Prescott.
Seniors’ Light Tour
The Sparwood Chamber of Commerce will be sponsoring a seniors’ light tour for all seniors on Wednesday, December 16 at 6:30 p.m. The bus will pick up seniors at locations around town and bring you home. To be picked up or to reserve your seat on the bus, call the Sparwood Chamber of Commerce at 250-425-2423. There will be entertainment, tea and goodies served after the tour.
OTHER NEWS
On-Street Parking Regulations October 1 – March 31
We would like to remind residents that the District’s Winter Parking Regulations came into effect on October 1. Section 36 of the Sparwood Traffic, Parking and Highway Regulation Bylaw No. 472, 1987 prohibits on-street parking between the hours of 6am and 4pm, October 1 to March 31.
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.
Business licences
This is a reminder to all local business owners that your 2016 business licences are now due. Invoices went out in the mail last week so if you haven’t received your invoice yet please call 250-425-6271. Anyone carrying on a business within the municipality requires a business licence. This includes all home occupations, catalogue sales, commercial, and out of town businesses. New businesses can apply in person at 136 Spruce Avenue or on-line at www.sparwood.ca.
Looking for fun and healthy stocking stuffers and gifts?
Give the gift of health and enjoyment! Gift certificates for a multitude of activities, programs, and passes are available in any denomination, through the Sparwood Leisure Centre. For more information call 250-425-0552 or visit the Leisure Centre.
Light Up A Child’s Life Campaign
The Chamber of Commerce has a tree set up in the Greenwood Mall for the Light Up a Child’s Life campaign. If you have a few hours to spare please consider volunteering to sit at the tree. All proceeds go to the Sparwood Food Bank and Toys for Tots. For more information contact the Chamber of Commerce at 250-425-2423.
Season’s greetings
Mayor, council and staff of the District of Sparwood extend their very best wishes for the Holiday Season. In lieu of sending Christmas cards and in keeping with the true spirit of Christmas a donation will be made to the Sparwood Food Bank and Toys for Tots. We wish you all peace, happiness, and good health in 2016 Please drive safely over the holidays.
UPCOMING DISTRICT MEETINGS
– Regular Meeting in council chambers on Monday, December 21 at 7 p.m.
– Regular Meeting in council chambers on Monday, January 18, 2016 at 7 p.m.
District of Sparwood
