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Sparwood Council Facts
The following is a synopsis of what occurred during the Feb. 19 District of Sparwood council meeting.
BUSINESS
Association of Kootenay & Boundary Local Government (AKBLG)
Council supported submitting a resolution to the AKBLG for its endorsement and potential submission to the Union of BC Municipalities regarding the reinstatement of stand-by pay for key emergency staff during peak freshet and wildfire hazard seasons as an eligible expense for reimbursement by the province.
2019-2023 Financial Plan Draft Operating Budget
The 2019 draft operational budgets for the Corporate Services, Finance, Fire Services, Engineering and Planning departments were presented to council to provide them with an understanding of planned future operational revenues and expenses and afford them an opportunity to make any adjustments.
Purchase of Hooklift Truck
Council approved the purchase of a Hooklift Truck in the amount of $256,751.16, excluding taxes, from Freightliner of Cranbrook Ltd. This truck will replace the existing unit with a more versatile one.
Middletown – Highway 3/43 Intersection
Council approved a budget overrun in 2018 of $274,539 on the Middletown – Highway 3/43 Intersection Improvements Project and $330,000 in the 2019 capital budget for completion of the project. The construction contract awarded was for $7,083,944.83 however the estimated year-end cost is expected to be $7,608,539. The budget overrun was caused by various project changes, unanticipated costs and increased engineering costs due to project changes and increased time spent on the project.
Sale of Lot at Middletown Place
Council announced its decision to enter into a sales agreement with Aspen Development Corp for Lot 3 and Middletown Place for the construction of a hotel.
Off-Leash Dog Park
In preparation for the development of an off-leash dog park at 441 Pine Avenue, council directed amendments to the Zoning, Official Community Plan and Animal Control Bylaws be prepared to permit the dog park as an allowable use at the proposed location and allow for dogs to be off-leash in designated areas; and approved $30,000 towards the development of a dog park, subject to the Dog Park Working Group securing the balance of the funding needed to complete the development.
Encroachments on Municipal Land
Council changed its approach on how it would like the district to proceed with addressing properties which encroach on municipal properties by directing staff to offer offending property owners the option to enter into an encroachment agreement or remove their encroachment before November 1, 2019. Agreements would permit encroachments to continue to exist on municipal lands until such time as the property is transferred to a new party. Property owners would be required to pay all costs associated with the agreements and an annual fee that would correspond to property tax proportionate to the size of the encroachment lands.
BYLAWS
Procedure Bylaw
Procedure Bylaw No. 1245, 2019 was adopted. The bylaw establishes the rules and regulations under which all proceedings of the council and its committees, commissions and other bodies established by council are to be governed, and how meetings are to be conducted.
Revitalization Tax Exemption Bylaw Amendments
Revitalization Tax Exemption Program Bylaw No. 1170, 2015, Amendment Bylaw No. 1248, 2019 was given first three readings. This amendment proposes to add Lot 3 at Middletown Place to the tax exemption program and extend the sunset clause within the bylaw to the end of 2022.
APPOINTMENTS & EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)
Mayor and Council announced the appointment of Michele Schalekamp as the Chief Administrative Officer for the District of Sparwood. Ms. Schalekamp who has been the Acting CAO since September 2018, has been employed with the district since July 2015 as the Director of Finance.
Recruitment of a new Director of Finance is underway.
Deputy Emergency Social Services Director
Council appointed Shelby Bell as Deputy Emergency Social Services Director and authorized the Mayor and Corporate Officer to execute the agreement for Ms. Bell’s volunteer services. Emergency Social Services (ESS) is a municipal emergency response program which provides for the various short-term needs of evacuees and response workers in a disaster or emergency situation.
Student Employment Opportunities
The district is currently recruiting for the following summer student positions:
Parks and Greenbelt Workers; Administrative Assistant – Corporate Services; Fire Services Assistant. Employment will commence May 6 through to August 23. You must currently be attending school in a full-time program and be returning in September 2019 to be considered for these positions.
The deadline to apply is 4 p.m. on Friday, March 29. Questions can be directed to Valerie Lento, Payroll Clerk, in person at the District Office or by phone 250-425-6816 or email [email protected].
UPCOMING DISTRICT MEETINGS
Committee of the Whole Meeting in Council Chambers on Monday, February 25 at 6 p.m.
Regular Council Meeting in Council Chambers on Tuesday, March 5 at 6 p.m.
Socio-Community & Economic Effects Advisory Committee Meeting in Council Chambers on Tuesday, March 12 at 6 p.m.
District of Sparwood
