The following is a synopsis of what occurred during the July 16 District of Sparwood council meeting.

DELEGATIONS

Youth Action Sparwood

Joni Laberge, Coordinator for Youth Action Sparwood (YAS), shared with council that the 2018 Annual Work Plan for YAS had been approved by Columbia Basin Trust and thanked them for their support they provide through the use of municipal facilities and equipment.

BUSINESS

Development Variance Permit (DVP) 1251 Pinyon Road (DVP 2018-001)

Council approved Development Variance Permit 2018-001 for 1251 Pinyon Road to allow a variance to the Zoning Bylaw which would reduce their rear yard setback from 7.62m to 3.96m for the construction of a deck and gazebo.

Financial Plan Amendment

Council approved an annual increase in expenses of $40,000 to the 2019-2023 Financial Plan to reflect the impact of the new BC Employer Health Tax of 1.95% to be effective January 1, 2019. This expense will equate to a 1.5% municipal tax rate increase for 2019 and going forward.

FCM Special Advocacy Fund

Council approved a request from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) for funding in the amount of $315.00 to the Special Advocacy Fund.

This two-year Fund will drive an intensive, multi- faceted campaign to keep municipal priorities front-and-centre heading into Election 2019, as well as in the crucial first months of a new government.

BYLAWS

Utility and Solid Wastement Management Bylaw Amendment

Council gave Utility and Solid Waste Management Bylaw No. 1014, 2009, Amendment Bylaw 1228, 2018 first three readings. This proposed amendment will defer the garbage container weight restriction from August 1 to September 1.

Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw Amendment

Council gave Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw 1175, 2009, Amendment Bylaw No. 1230, 2018 first three readings. This amendment proposes to include fines for violations to the Cemetery Management Bylaw and remove the schedules related to the previous cemetery bylaws; remove the escalating fine structure for permitting an animal to become a public nuisance under the Animal Control Bylaw and increase the fine to $250; and to remove the fines related to garbage collection from the Deer Feeding and Wildlife Attractant Bylaw as they have already been established under Schedule B20.

Council Remuneration Bylaw

Council gave Council Remuneration Bylaw No. 1232, 2018 first three readings. This proposed bylaw reflects the changes to the Income Tax Act introduced by the federal government in its 2017 Budget. The impact to Council members’ remuneration will start in 2019 eliminating the 1/3 tax- free allowance available to elected officials.

Pincher Creek Fair and Rodeo

Council approved travel expenditures for members to attend the Pincher Creek Fair and Rodeo parade on Saturday, August 18.

OTHER INFORMATION

BC Day Garbage Pick Up

There will be NO garbage pick up on Monday, August 6. Garbage that is normally picked up on Monday will be picked up on Tuesday, August 7.

Are you a good neighbour?

A good neighbour is one who maintains the exterior of their home and yard to the same level as the rest of the neighbourhood. Allowing your property to become unsightly can devalue your own home and pose a health risk. Here are some steps you can take to deal with a neighbour’s unsightly property.

1. Approach your neighbours. Give them the benefit of the doubt by addressing the matter face to face.
2. Contact Bylaw Enforcement. Anyone seeking to report a possible unsightly property can call Bylaw Enforcement at 250-425-5367, by email at [email protected] or you can go online at www.sparwood.ca to submit a Service Request.

The District of Sparwood will continue to focus on unsightly properties throughout the summer as part of its bylaw education and enforcement program. Properties that have derelict vehicles, accumulations of garbage, old furniture and machinery, uncut grass and (noxious) weeds, vegetation which interferes with the visibility of street signs, sidewalks and public utilities will be investigated upon receipt of a complaint or through proactive enforcement.

For more information on applicable fines and property maintenance, please review the District of Sparwood’s Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw at www.sparwood.ca/fines.

Sprinkling Regulations

A reminder that the District of Sparwood sprinkling regulations are in effect from June 1 through September 30 each year to promote water conservation.

Even numbered addresses can water on even calendar days, and odd numbered addresses

can water on odd calendar days. Homes with automatic irrigation systems can water daily, provided it is between 12 and 6 a.m.

Exceptions to sprinkling restrictions include nurseries, golf courses, farms, turf and tree farms, municipal parks, playing fields, and other municipal properties.

There will be special permission for those residents who have installed a new lawn (either seed or sod) for a period of 21 days after installation of the lawn.

2018 General Local Election

Local general elections are held every four years in British Columbia with the next one in Sparwood on October 20.

Are you registered on the Provincial Voters list?

The District of Sparwood uses the Provincial Voters List as its register of current electors for local general elections. If you have moved since the last provincial election, you are encouraged to visit HERE to update your information before August 16, when Elections BC prepares the voters lists for the 2018 general local election. If you miss this deadline, you can still register to vote on voting day.

Questions regarding voter registration, voting, or becoming a candidate for the office of mayor, councillor or school trustee, can be directed to Kevin Allen, Chief Election Officer, at [email protected] or visit the district’s website.

Help us keep our streets attractive

In order to keep our streets attractive and safe, the district would like to remind all residents to please store your garbage in animal proof containers and not to place your garbage out before 5 a.m. on your collection day.

Residential waste collection is limited to two (2) waste containers (not exceeding 140L in total) per household. Additional tags can be purchased at the District Office or you can drop it off at the Transfer Station (1001 Highway 3) at no charge Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed Sundays and Statutory Holidays).

Commercial waste containers are required to be kept closed at all times and secured to prevent wildlife from accessing contents in the container.

Your help and compliance is appreciated! Keeping your property free of attractants (garbage and bird feeders) will cause bears and other wildlife to move on, resulting in a safer community and avoid the unnecessary destruction of bears.

Off-Leash Dog Park Location Survey

The Dog Park Working Group is seeking input from the public on their preferences between two possible locations for an off-leash dog park in Sparwood. The locations being considered, are:

1. a) A portion of the lands near the cross-country ski trails east of Sparwood Heights Drive in Sparwood Heights; and
2. b) A portion of the wooded land along Pine Avenue, north of the Public Works yard.

We invite you to complete a survey poll available at www.sparwood.ca/dogparks. The survey can also be picked up and dropped off at the Municipal Office (136 Spruce Ave) or the Leisure Centre (367 Pine Ave). Surveys will be accepted until July 31.

UPCOMING DISTRICT MEETINGS
– Special Meeting in Council Chambers on Monday, July 30 at 6:45 p.m.

– Committee of the Whole Meeting in Council Chambers on Monday, July 30 at 7 p.m.

– Regular Meeting in Council Chambers on Monday, August 20 at 7 p.m

District of Sparwood

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