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Sparwood council facts
The following is a synopsis of what occurred during the May 5 District of Sparwood council meeting.
DELEGATIONS
North Coal
Patty Vadnais, communications lead for North Coal, provided an update of the company’s Michel Coal Project located southeast of Sparwood in the Michel Creek Valley. The company has completed 40,000m of exploration drilling and construction is planned to begin early in 2022. The mine has an anticipated life of 25 years and is expected to create 190-300 full-time jobs.
Sparwood Fish & Wildlife Association
Matt Huryn, President of Sparwood Fish and Wildlife Association, provided an overview of the most recent initiatives the Association has been involved in. Among these includes the Big Ranch habitat enhancement, Grave Prairie habitat enhancement, and the elk collaring and migration study. The association is asking for a letter of support to submit with their grant application to Columbia Basin Trust for funding to provide ecosystem enhancement initiatives on the Big Ranch property. The project will improve grassland areas for critical wintering habitat.
BUSINESS
Public Notice – District Facilities Main Office
The District of Sparwood has limited public access to the Main Office (136 Spruce Avenue) to help protect the health and safety of employees and the public. For urgent in-person matters, please call ahead to schedule an appointment. Sparwood Council meetings will continue as scheduled. However, delegations will not be permitted to attend in person. We encourage those who wish to be a delegation to forward their presentation to the District of Sparwood in advance and call in during the meeting to speak to their topic.
Leisure Centre Complex
All public activities at the Henry Volkmann Memorial Leisure Complex have been suspended until further notice. Refunds will be issued for pre-paid bookings and classes. Please be patient as we reach out to everyone via phone and email to process these.
Public Works and Firehall #1 and #2
The Public Works Office and Fire Hall #1 and #2 remain closed to the public. However, the offices will be happy to assist you via phone or email.
Outdoor Facilities
Basketball courts, tennis courts, ball diamonds and pickleball courts have been reopened for public use. Several safety measures are in place regarding access of these areas. These spaces may be utilized by individuals and family units only. Group sporting activities are not permitted. Physical distancing applies and it is recommended that users use hand sanitizer before and after using facilities. Sharing sports equipment is not recommended.
The district is asking users to self-monitor, not utilize a space unless there is sufficient room to maintain physical distancing, and heed all health and safety precautions to ensure that these public spaces can be enjoyed without putting the community at unnecessary risk from the spread of COVID-19.
The Skatepark and playgrounds remain closed at this time, however the district will be working on a plan to safely re-open these sites and will notify the public as changes occur.
BYLAWS
Financial Plan Bylaw
Financial Plan (2020-2024) Bylaw No. 1268, 2020 was adopted. The Financial Plan sets out the objectives and policies of the municipality for 2020-2024 for each funding source, the distribution of property value taxes, and the use of permissive tax exemptions. The Plan also sets out the proposed expenditures by the municipality, funding sources and transfers between funds.
Tax Rates Bylaw
Tax Rates Bylaw No. 1269, 2020 was adopted. Property tax rates for general municipal were set to provide an average 6.2% increase over the previous year for residential tax levies.
UPCOMING DISTRICT COUNCIL MEETINGS
The following meetings will take place at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers, 136 Spruce Avenue.
- Regular Meeting on Tuesday, May 19;
- Committee of the Whole Meeting on Tuesday, May 26;
- Regular Meeting on Tuesday, June 2.
District of Sparwood
