The following is a synopsis of what occurred during the March 5 District of Sparwood council meeting.

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING

Council will be considering the adoption of Utility and Solid Waste Management Bylaw 1014, 2009, Amendment Bylaw 1221, 2018 and award of the Solid Waste Collections Service contract on Monday, March 12 at 10 am in Council Chambers, located at 136 Spruce Avenue.

DELEGATION

RCMP – Elk Valley Detachment

Staff Sgt. Jeff Harrold of the Elk Valley RCMP Detachment presented their policing priorities for 2018/19 to council, identifying the following areas as the three top priorities for Sparwood:

1. Traffic – Focus will be on aggressive driving, impaired driving and speeding;
2. Crime reduction – Focus will be on the repeat/chronic/prolific offenders; and
3. Youth – increased visibility in the schools through formal talks and presentations and informal interaction with students.

BUSINESS

Off-Leash Dog Park Working Group

Council appointed Sharon Soames, Betty Downey, Lisa Day, Lynn Edwards, Jessica Laslo, and Wendy Angus to the Dog Park Working Group. The group will assist staff and souncil with recommendations about the future of off-leash dog areas/parks in Sparwood.

Design Review – 1216 Ponderosa Drive

Council approved the design for a single-family dwelling at 1216 Ponderosa Drive in accordance with the Building Scheme registered on title, subject to a $5,000 landscaping deposit, prior to issuance of a building permit. The deposit will be returned to the registered property owner when the landscaping is completed.

2018 – 2022 Capital Plan

Council approved the 2018-2022 Capital Plan to permit the district to move forward with 2018 expenditures and plan for 2019 expenditures.

To learn more read the 5-year Capital Plan and the 2018 Operating Budget.

Sparwood Health Care Centre

Council ratified its decision to provide a letter of support for Dr. Pigott to submit with her application for funding to Interior Health for an additional full-time family physician at the Sparwood Health Centre. Currently there are three FTE physicians at the facility.

BYLAWS

Election and Assent Voting Bylaw

Election and Assent Voting Bylaw 1211, 2018 was adopted. The bylaw replaces Elections Procedures Bylaw 1004, 2008; updates references to sections of the Local Government Act; simplifies some of the wording; includes new sections related to public access to nomination and elector organization documents, authorizes the Chief Election Officer to select the time and location of all special voting opportunities; and removes redundant sections covered under the Act.

Automated Vote Counting System Authorization and Procedure Bylaw

Automated Vote Counting System Authorization and Procedure Bylaw 1219, 2018 was adopted. The new bylaw authorizes the use of automated vote counting machines for the 2018 general local election (October 20, 2018), includes procedures for how to vote during advance and special voting opportunities as well as general voting day, the counting of votes and recount (if required), and the ballot form as required under the Local Government Act.

Utility and Solid Waste Management Bylaw Amendment
Utility and Solid Waste Management Bylaw 1014, 2009, Amendment Bylaw 1221, 2018 was given three readings. This amendment will change the maximum number of garbage cans or equivalent volume to be two garbage cans with an aggregate volume not to exceed 240 litres and effective August 1, 2018 the 22.5 kg (50 pounds) maximum weight restriction per garbage can will be eliminated.

The bylaw will be considered for adoption at a Special Meeting of Council on March 12 at 10 a.m.

OTHER INFORMATION

Snow Removal Safety

All residents of Sparwood are asked to be conscientious when the Public Works crews are removing snow from the municipal streets. Parents please keep your children away from snow banks. Although they look tempting to play on, or tunnel into they are dangerous for children to play on. Snowplow operators and other motorists may not be able to see children playing around snow banks.

Help ensure our children play safe!

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME

Sunday, March 11

This is also a good time to put new batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.

Spring Community Information and Registration Night

Thursday, April 5 – 5 – 7 p.m. at the Sparwood Curling Rink Concourse.

Come and find out what Sparwood has to offer for the spring and summer months.

This will be your first chance to register for preschool, summer camps, and more.

For more information or to register your organizaiton and book a table contact the Leisure Centre at 250-425-0552 or email [email protected].

Business Licences

Business owners operating in the District of Sparwood are reminded that 2018 Business Licence renwals are now PAST DUE. Renewal notices have been mailed to all registered operating businesses within the district.

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.

Building Inspection and Permit Services

Building permits provide property owners with a reasonable assurance that the structure will perform as intended and provide occupants with an acceptable level of life safety.

The Building Official is responsible for:
• Issuing building/plumbing permits;
• Inspection of construction; plan review; and

• Building code administration.

Student Employment Opportunities

The District of Sparwood is looking for energetic and enthusiastic students who will be employed for the summer as parks and greenbelt workers beginning May 7 through to August 24. Rate of pay is in accordance with the current CUPE Local 2698 Collective Agreement.

The deadline to apply is 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 29.

Dog Licences

Dog owners in the District of Sparwood are reminded that 2018 Dog Licence renewals are now PAST DUE. Renewal notices have been mailed to all registered dog owners in the district. Everyone who owns a dog(s) in the district is required to get a dog licence.

Winter Parking and Snow Clearing Regulations

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;
• 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. The fine for non-compliance is $100.

UPCOMING DISTRICT MEETINGS

• Special Council Meeting in Council Chambers on Monday, March 12 at 10 a.m.
• Regular Council Meeting in Council Chambers on Monday, March 19 at 7 p.m.
• Committee of the Whole Meeting (COTW) in Council Chambers on Monday, March 26 at 7 p.m.

District of Sparwood

---

Article Share

---