The following is a synopsis of what occurred during the Oct. 2 District of Sparwood council meeting.

Delegation

Elk Valley Victim Assistance Program

Jennifer Asselin, representing the Elk Valley Victim’s Assistance Program, provided council with an overview of the program and service area. The program provides emotional support, information and referrals to victims of all kinds of crime and trauma.

Business

Solid Waste Management Update

The district has commissioned Sperling Hansen Associates (SHA) to review and recommend a rate structure for its solid waste management system. Once SHA has completed their review a report will come forward to council for consideration of the proposed new rate structure. The district has seen an increase of 88% in voluntary compliance for properties which previously violated the Utility and Solid Waste Management Bylaw regarding container weight, size, wildlife attractant mitigation (i.e. tight-fitting lid), and the number of garbage cans placed at the curb, following the enforcement measures, which began in early August.

Sparwood Youth Commission

Council approved the Youth Advisory Commission (YAC) budget for 2017/18. Under the bylaw which established the YAC, they are required to submit a Five-Year Financial Plan for operating and capital costs for council approval. The bylaw identifies the YAC’s role and objectives in respect to the activities of the Youth Action Sparwood program (now in its second year), the planning of youth volunteer activities and events, the development of plans and programs, and other youth initiatives in Sparwood.

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 10:00 am 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.

Meeting to reconvene on October 11

Council did not consider all items on the agenda and will be reconvening this meeting on Wednesday, October 11, at 7 p.m. to review the Corporate Strategic Plan update and the last In-camera item, the matter which was closed under labour relations.

Bylaws

Permissive Tax Exemption Bylaw

Council rescinded third reading of the Permissive Tax Exemption Bylaw Amendment so that they could amend the bylaw to only include the eligible portion of 120 Centennial Street as tax exempt within the bylaw. The bylaw was then given third reading as amended and will be considered for adoption at the October 16 regular meeting.

Development Application Procedures Bylaw

Development Application Procedures Bylaw 1177, 2016, Amendment Bylaw 1201, 2017 was adopted. This amendment incorporates the costs of development notice signs into the fees and charges schedule

Other News

Thanksgiving Day Garbage Pickup

Due to the statutory holiday, Thanksgiving Day on Monday, October 9, garbage pickup scheduled for that day will be picked up on Tuesday, October 10, instead.

On-Street Parking Regulations

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.

Fire Prevention Week – October 8 – 14

During Fire Prevention Week, we are given the opportunity to tell all of our firefighters just how much they are appreciated by council and residents of Sparwood. Sometimes they are taken for granted until we need them in an emergency and only then do we truly recognize the courage and strength they personify.

The District of Sparwood is proud to salute our firefighters! We extend a heartfelt thanks to all our skilled and qualified firefighters for their dedication, commitment to fire rescue, training, fire safety and education, and pay tribute to them during Fire Prevention Week.

The Sparwood Fire Department (pictured above) would like to invite residents to come out and join their local firefighters for an evening of fun, prizes, safety education, and children 12 and under will have a chance to win “Chief for the Day”.

Open House – Fire Station #1 on Tuesday, October 10 from 6 to 9 p.m. Demonstrations, prizes, fire safety information, snacks and tours.

Keeping People and Bears Safe

We can change our behaviour more easily than bears can. By changing what we do, we can change a bear’s future.
It is much easier to keep food away from a wild bear in the first place than it is to teach a food-conditioned bear to stay away from unnatural food that he has learned to enjoy. Securing attractants is the single best way to keep people safe, prevent property damage, and avoid the unnecessary killing of bears that come into conflict with people. To assist us in this goal, the District of Sparwood is asking residents to help us reduce the potential for human wildlife conflicts by picking any fruit trees you may have on your property.

Apples especially are a fine food source for bears.

By not being responsible and picking all fruit from trees, homeowners are placing themselves, as well as their neighbours, in harm’s way.
• Be a good neighbour and pick your fruit as soon as possible;
• Do not allow windfalls to accumulate on the ground;
• Assist neighbours who may be unable to pick their fruit; and
• Consider removing fruit trees if you find that you are not using the fruit.
The district would also 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).
Bottom line: Garbage, birdseed and pet food etc. attracts bears to your property making it more likely for the bear to break into your home creating a safety risk for your family and a death sentence for the bear.

Upcoming Meetings

Regular Meeting on Monday, October 16 at 7 p.m.

Committee of the Whole Meeting on Monday, October 30 at 7 p.m.

District of Sparwood

---

Article Share

---