Sparwood Council Facts

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Posted: November 19, 2020

The following is a synopsis of what occurred during the Nov. 17 District of Sparwood council meeting.

DELEGATIONS

Elk Valley RCMP Detachment

Mayor David Wilks and Sgt. Tribes of the Elk Valley RCMP presented Rachel Prest with a Detachment Commander’s Award for Excellence in Valor on behalf of Superintendent Byron Massie, Officer in Charge of the Upper Fraser Valley RCMP Detachment. The reward referred to an incident that occurred in June 2019 in Hope, where Ms. Prest took part in saving the life of a complete stranger.

The incident arose where a female, unknown to Ms. Prest, was standing on a railway line in a deranged state. Ms. Prest ultimately attempted to pull this female off the tracks at the last moment before being struck by a passing train. Police and first responders that day credit Ms. Prest‘s selfless actions with saving the life of this female.

Sgt. Tribes also presented the quarterly crime statistics on offences responded to by the detachment. The report reflected an increase of 41 calls for service over the same period in 2019.

Sparwood Trails Alliance

Mayor and council were pleased to present Lindsay Vyse and Dan Charest of the Sparwood Trails Alliance (STA) with the Volunteer Organization of the Year Award. Along with constructing, maintaining, and grooming trails the STA hosts biking and running events, encouraging physical activity for residents of all skill and fitness levels. The district thanked STA members for their dedication and improving the quality of life within the community.

Teck – Castle Project

Norman Fraser, Senior Lead, Indigenous and Community Affairs for Teck provided an update on the company’s Fording River Castle Project. The project is an extension of Fording River Operations (FRO) and will become the primary source of steelmaking coal for FRO and maintain current production rates. Coal reserves are substantial and could support FRO for many decades. The project is currently in pre-feasibility design stage and is under review by the BC Environmental Assessment Act and Impact Assessment Act of Canada.

Canadian Forest Products

Shawna Grady and Paul Freeze, of Canadian Forest Products (CANFOR) provided an overview of the company’s plans for wildfire interface harvesting adjacent to the District of Sparwood.

BYLAWS

Parks and Trails Bylaw

Parks and Trails Bylaw No. 1217, 2020 was adopted. This bylaw regulates and manages municipal parks and trails.

Council Procedure Bylaw

Council Procedure Bylaw No. 1279, 2020 was adopted. Primary changes to the bylaw include removal of Information Items as an agenda category and outlining the procedure for handling correspondence items.

Utility & Solid Waste Bylaw Amendment

Utility and Solid Waste Management Bylaw 1014, 2009, Amendment Bylaw 1258, 2020 was adopted. This amendment sets the rates for water, sewer, and garbage for 2021 to 2024.

Administrative Fees and Charges Bylaw Amendment

Administrative Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1255, 2019, Amendment Bylaw 1278, 2020 was given first, second, and third reading. This amendment will allow the District to collect an annual fee of $100 from local non-profit organizations who purchase third party liability and directors insurance coverage through the Municipal Insurance Association.

Sewer and Water Reserve Replenishment Parcel Tax Bylaw Amendment

Sewer and Water Reserve Replenishment Parcel Tax Bylaw no. 1092, 2012, Amendment Bylaw 1280, 2020 received first, second, and third reading. This amendment establishes the parcel tax rates for 2021 through 2024.

BUSINESS

Snow and Ice Handling Equipment

Council approved the purchase of a Wille Sidewalk Tractor and attachments for $232,627.10. This equipment will be used for sidewalk snow removal and the various attachments will allow the machine to be utilized throughout the year for multiple municipal services.

Sparwood Weight Training Club Lease

Council authorized advertising of the disposition of part of District properties located at 367 Pine Avenue (Leisure Centre) to the Sparwood Weight Training Club for their gym. The lease will be brought forward to the December 15 regular meeting for council’s consideration.

Teck Air Quality and Dust Control Management Plan

Council endorsed Teck’s Elkview Operations Air Quality and Dust Control Management Plan as presented to the Socio-Community and Economic Effects Advisory Committee meeting held October 21. As part of Condition 17 of the Baldy Ridge Extension (BRE) Project Teck is required to submit this plan to the district and the Environmental Assessment Office for approval.

Street Banner Program

Council approved the Street Art Banner Advisory Group’s art selection recommendations from submissions received during the ‘call for art’. The selected artists will be notified of their successful submission and will receive a $500 honorarium for artwork that will be produced into a street banner. Residents will see these new banners on street poles in the spring.

UPCOMING DISTRICT COUNCIL MEETINGS

The following meetings will take place in Council Chambers (136 Spruce Avenue) at 6 p.m.