Kootenay Rockies Tourism

Chris Dadson of Kootenay Rockies Tourism gave a presentation to District of Sparwood council Feb. 20 on the organization.  The mandate of Kootenay Rockies Tourism is to enhance the regional visitor economy for the benefit of businesses and communities through the delivery of destination marketing initiatives and the facilitation of connected travel.

Child Care Award of Excellence

Each year the Ministry of Children and Family Development honours outstanding early childhood educators, child care providers, individuals, and organizations or local governments that go above and beyond to help young children grow and learn.  This year council has approved the self nomination of the District of Sparwood for the Local Government ChildCare Award of Excellence with respect to the development of the Treehouse Daycare Centre as well as ongoing participation in the Early Childhood Development Committee, and ongoing childcare services offered through the Leisure Centre.

DVP – 100 Aspen Drive

Following a hearing to receive input from neighbouring residents, Council approved the Development Variance Permit for 100 Aspen Drive to waive the requirement for roadways to be designed, cleared, graded, drained and surfaced in accordance with the Subdivision Servicing Bylaw.  The Development Permit for the addition of eight manufactured home spaces in Mountain View Mobile Home Park was approved subject to the following conditions: A report be submitted by a certified professional stating that the proposed manufactured home spaces are safe to build on; Certification be provided that the sanitary and water systems can handle the added demand of the proposed manufactured home spaces; The fence be completed along the north side of the park, between the park and the railway tracks; The proposed storage compound be complete and functioning; The trail along the west and north sides of the park be completed and paved.

Treehouse Daycare Centre

During the start-up of the Treehouse Daycare Centre project the total cost for the renovations, equipment purchases, administration, and wages was over budget by $34,441.04. Council ratified the allocation of this amount from the District’s contingency fund to the Daycare Centre start up costs.  At present it is expected that the Daycare Centre will be operating within a balanced budget inside of six to 10 months.

Boat launch

At the Regular Meeting held February 6, council had asked staff to consult with the Sparwood Fish and Wildlife Club on the construction of a public boat launch on the Elk River in conjunction with the 2012 flood protection program.  After discussions with the club, and other residents, council has agreed not to pursue the establishment of a boat launch in Sparwood.

Legion memorial mural

Council received a letter from the Royal Canadian Legion Michel-Natal Branch concerning the condition of the memorial mural on their building in Centennial Square.  A report from staff will come back to a future council meeting with recommendations on the future of the mural.

BC Games Society

The BC Games Society has sent out bid packages inviting communities to bid on hosting the winter or summer games in 2016 and 2018.  District staff will report back to council at a future meeting on recommendations.

Committee of the Whole Meetings

Councillor Baytaluke submitted a report to council requesting that the Committee of the Whole Meetings be televised.  After consideration of the request council decided not to videotape the committee of the whole assemblies.

Bylaws

Fire Services Bylaw 974, 2008, Amendment Bylaw 1080, 2012 was given first and second reading.  In general terms, Bylaw 1080 amends the charges issued for false alarms.  The new fee schedule gives property owners one free false alarm response and two responses with a mandatory penalty of reasonable charges.  After that all responses will be charged out at the rate specified in the bylaw.  The rates used in the bylaw are consistent with the rates charged by the Regional District of East Kootenay for apparatus and personnel attending mutual aid responses.

An opportunity for the public to provide input on the amendments will be provided at the council meeting held on March 5, at 7 p.m. The proposed Bylaw is available for inspection at the District Office at 136 Spruce Avenue, on regular business days between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Best Western Hotel development

Construction work on the future site of the Best Western Hotel is on schedule.  Site preparation and tree removal will begin shortly.  Residents will notice equipment working behind the Sparwood Esso location as this exciting new development begins to take shape.

Concurrently, the district will be clearing the lot behind the Sparwood Husky to ready the site for the BC Hydro Beautification Program.

Upcoming meetings (in council chambers)

– Monday, February 27, 2012 Committee of the Whole Meeting

– Monday, March 5, 2012 Regular Meeting

District of Sparwood

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