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Sparwood Council Facts
The following is a synopsis of what occurred during the Feb. 6 District of Sparwood council meeting.
DELEGATIONS
Elk Valley RCMP
Staff Sergeant Svend Nielsen from the Elk Valley RCMP presented the detachment’s quarterly update to council.
Elk Valley Hospice
Elke Weber and Jade Elford, representing the Elk Valley Hospice, provided a presentation on Wind Phones. They are hoping to install one in the District of Sparwood.
NWP Coal
Dave Baines, representing NWP Coal, updated council on their Crown Mountain Coking Coal Project and the project application status next steps.
BYLAWS
Revenue Anticipation Borrowing Bylaw No. 1323, 2024
Council adopted the Revenue Anticipation Borrowing Bylaw No. 1323, 2024. This bylaw enables the finance department to utilize short-term borrowing in order to provide cash flow to meet district liabilities should they need it.
Council Procedure Amendment Bylaw No. 1324, 2024
The Council Procedure Amendment Bylaw No. 1324, 2024 was defeated at the adoption stage. Staff will bring forward a new bylaw with the requested edits from council.
Street Naming Amendment Bylaw No. 1325, 2024
Council gave the first three readings to the Street Naming Amendment Bylaw. The district regulates the naming of streets through the Street Naming Bylaw No. 1253, 2019. A subdivision in the Whiskey Jack neighbourhood will create a new road which will connect Whiskey Jack Drive and Resort Centre Boulevard. The developer has proposed the name Blue Jay Drive, which is consistent with the use of bird species as a naming convention in that neighbourhood. This new road is expected to be completed in 2024.
BUSINESS
Water Use Permit Application – #3-660 Sparwood Drive
A Water Use Permit for Elk Valley Pure Water Ltd. at 115 Industrial Road #3 for the resale of municipal water was rescinded and a new Water Use Permit was issued for a five-year term at the new location of #3-660 Sparwood Drive.
Lease of BC Hydro land
Council has directed staff to provide public notice of its intent to expand the license of occupation with BC Hydro for 100 Centennial Street for use of six additional parking stalls to provide four new electric vehicle charging spaces and to authorize the Mayor and Corporate Officer to execute the License of Occupation Amendment once advertising is completed.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
Recreation Fees and Charges Review Process
The Recreation Fees and Charges Bylaw, approved in August 2018, was developed and is set to renew on September 1, 2024. It has been determined that over the years, the gap between the revenues and expenses within the Community Services Department has been steadily increasing and the increases in rates have not been reflective of inflation. While recreation is a subsidized service, it is important that fees are established in a fair and transparent manner to ensure the sustainable provision of recreation programs and services through reasonable recovery.
A strategic priority of the Community Services department is to undertake a comprehensive fees and charges review. The purpose of the review is to establish a fair and consistent approach to setting fees and charges for recreation services based on best practices and in alignment with council’s vision, goals, and objectives for parks and recreation. The committee directed staff to engage a third-party consultant to undertake the review and ensure public and user group engagement.
Strategic Priorities – January Update
As the Westwood area has been officially sold, it has come off council’s top five NOW priorities. After debate, council directed staff to add the Housing Strategy to the top five. The updated Strategic Priorities Chart is available on our website.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
- Youth Advisory Commission Meeting – Tuesday, February 13 at Sparwood Secondary School (101 Pine Spur Drive) at 11:30 a.m.
- Socio-Community and Economic Effects Advisory Committee Meeting – Wednesday, February 14 in Council Chambers (136 Spruce Avenue) at 6 p.m.
• Regular Council Meeting – Tuesday, February 20 in Council Chambers at 6 p.m.
e-KNOW file photos
District of Sparwood
