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Sparwood Council Facts
The following is a synopsis of what occurred during the Oct. 15 District of Sparwood council meeting.
DELEGATION
Riversdale Resources/Benga Mining Ltd.
Keith Bott and Claire Rogers representing Riversdale Resources/Benga Mining Ltd. presented an update on the Grassy Mountain Metallurgical Coal Mining Project. The project is located seven km north of Blairmore, Alta. and is projected to produce around 93 million tonnes of product coal over a proposed 25-year mine life.
BUSINESS
Sparwood Curling Club Lease
Council directed that notice be posted that they will be considering a resolution to authorize entering into a lease agreement with the Sparwood Curling Club to use a portion of the property located at 367 Pine Avenue known as the Curling Rink and Lounge at a special council meeting on October 29.
The lease will be for five years for the sum of $11,284 in the first year, increasing by two per cent annually for the term of the agreement, totalling $58,724.
Winter Trail Maintenance
Council approved the development of a winter trail maintenance agreement with Sparwood Trails Alliance to maintain Cypress Trail, the Elk River Trail and Lions Trail throughout the winter. The agreement will authorize up to 80 hours of grooming time between December 1 and March 10, 2019 as a trial period for a maximum of $6,400 (at $80 per hour).
Teck Service Agreement
Council authorized the execution of a Comprehensive Service Agreement between Teck and the District of Sparwood, acknowledging the municipal services that Teck receives for properties within the district’s service boundaries that were reclassified as Class 4 through a BC Assessment Appeal process in 2015. The total loss of municipal tax revenue for 2015 to 2017 was $285,630. The first year payment (for 2018) is $110,960.40 and will increase each year by the percentage increase to Class 1 properties.
OTHER INFORMATION
2018 General Local Election Vote for your Mayor and Councillors
Candidates for the Office of Mayor:
KUTZNER, Joyce; WILKS, David; WILTON, Joanne
Candidates for the Office of Councillor
ANGUS, Wendy; BAHER, John; BAYTALUKE, Hungry; BOWEN, Brad; CARDOZO, Amy; CHRISTENSEN, Jason; FRERE, Josh; JARINA, Joe; MORTIMER, Art; SAAD, Sonny; SENYCZ, Simon.
If you are NOT on the list of electors, you may register at the time of voting. You will need to bring two pieces of ID that together prove your identity and your residence.
General Voting Day
Saturday, October 20 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Henry Volkmann Memorial Complex (Leisure Centre), Curling Rink Concourse 367 Pine Avenue, Sparwood.
Impacts of tracked coal into Sparwood
We have noticed that more and more trucks coming into Sparwood have not been properly cleaned before leaving the mine sites and as a result, the community is seeing deposits of coal left behind on roads, private driveways and parking lots. These deposits impact our Public Works maintenance operations and as they dry out, they are being tracked into our public spaces and become windborne dust that blows into homes and businesses. It is important that all coal and other materials that can potentially fall from a vehicle be removed from ALL vehicles before leaving the mine sites.
Is your vehicle carrying coal on the undercarriage when you leave the mine site?
It is your responsibility to comply with municipal bylaws, and that means that you must ensure that your vehicle does not track coal from the mine into the community. Please wash your vehicle(s) to remove all coal from the vehicle prior to leaving the mine site. Failing to do so may result in vehicle owners, operators or companies receiving a fine, ranging between $100 and $500 per infraction under the Community Standards Bylaw and Traffic, Parking, and Highways Regulation Bylaw.
Have you seen a problem vehicle?
If you observe a vehicle dropping coal debris or other materials, the district requests that you take a picture of the vehicle, including the licence plate, and forward it to the District of Sparwood along with your name and contact information and the date, time and location of offence. The complaint information you provide will be treated as confidential and used to help district staff to take appropriate action with the vehicle owner, operator and/or the mining or mining support company. Complaint information can be submitted electronically to [email protected] or online at www.sparwood.ca/service-request, or it can be dropped off at the District Office (or mailed) at 136 Spruce Avenue, Box 520, Sparwood, BC V0B 2G0.
For more information on your responsibilities or what to include in your complaint, please contact the Bylaw Enforcement Officer.
On-Street Parking Regulations
October 1 – March 31
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 between 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. from 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;
- 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; and
- It is an offence under the Community Standards Bylaw to push, place or throw or allow to be pushed, placed or thrown any snow or ice upon a highway or lane.
Please make appropriate arrangements for parking your vehicles.
Winter Driving
Drivers must obey winter tire and chain signs throughout the province from October 1 to March 31. Winter road conditions across most of BC often include snow and ice. British Columbia accepts tires displaying the 3-peaked mountain and snowflake symbol OR the M+S (mud and snow) symbol, with at least 3.5mm tread as winter tires.
Be prepared, check DriveBC and know before you go.
Halloween
Halloween can be an exciting time for children and with the distraction of candy and costumes, safety rules can easily be forgotten.
Drivers please slow down and watch for children, many of whom may be dressed in dark costumes.
Do not send the little ones out on their own even if they are only going to walk around the neighbourhood.
Children should not go out alone.
An adult or older sibling should accompany the kids on their Halloween trick or treat rounds to keep a watch on them and make sure they are safe.
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ENDS
Remember to turn your clocks back one hour on Sunday, November 4 at 2 a.m.
UPCOMING DISTRICT MEETINGS
- Special Council Meeting in Council Chambers on Monday, October 29 at 6:55 p.m.
- Committee of the Whole Meeting in Council Chambers on Monday, October 29 at 7 p.m.
- Inaugural Meeting in Council Chambers on Monday, November 5 at 1 p.m.
District of Sparwood
