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Sparwood Council Facts
Delegations
Interior Health
Terry Domin and Kerri Wall of Interior Health Oct. 3 provided an update to District of Sparwood council on the five key strategies the Health Authority is focusing on:
1. Enhance access to appropriate primary health care;
2. Improve primary and community care delivery and outcomes for frail seniors living with complex chronic conditions;
3. Improve primary and community care delivery and outcomes for mental health and substance use clients;
4. Improve timely access to elective surgery; and
5. Implement a renewed system of care for rural B.C. Interior Health’s presentation is available here.
Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations
At a Special Meeting of Council held on October 3, Joe Strong and Kevin Heidt of the Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations provided an overview of an initiative undertaken between the ministry and Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC to improve access to the Elk River (pictured above). The main goals of the initiative are to decrease angling pressure of fish populations, increase quality of the angling experience, and maintain quality of fishery using the least restrictive measures.
Following the presentation, council directed staff to continue with the second phase of a boat launch initiative in the district including development of a park area and shoreline fishing access, and report back to council at a future meeting.
A copy of the ministry’s presentation is available here.
Business
Development Variance Permit – 1206 Valley View Drive
Council approved Development Variance Permit 2016-006 for 1206 Valley View Drive to vary a section of the Zoning Bylaw to increase the maximum height of an accessory building from 3.65 metres (12 feet) to 4.27 metres (14 feet) from grade to the eave-line for the construction of a shop.
Remembrance Day Parade
Council approved the request from the Royal Canadian Legion to hold the annual Remembrance Day Parade and service on November 11. There will be a service at the Senior Citizen’s Drop-In Centre at 10 a.m. with the parade proceeding to the cenotaph at approximately 10:40 a.m.  Aspen Drive will be closed between Pine Ave and Spruce Ave from 10:30 a.m. to noon on November 11.
Bylaws
Permissive Tax Exemption Bylaw Amendment
Permissive Tax Exemption Bylaw 1156, 2014, Amendment Bylaw 1193, 2016 was adopted. Â This amendment provides the municipality with authority to exempt the Sparwood Treehouse Daycare and a portion of the Royal Canadian Legion from municipal property taxes.
Utility and Solid Waste Management Bylaw Amendment
Utility & Solid Waste Management Bylaw 1014, 2009, Amendment Bylaw 1190, 2016 was adopted.  The following changes are now in effect:
• Garbage cans in all residential zones must have tight fitting lids;
•  Prohibit the use of plastic garbage bags for residential curbside collection;
•  Animal resistant waste container enclosures in R3 – High Density Residential zones is mandatory; and
•  Pilot Program for up to five businesses who have a history of human-wildlife conflicts will be permitted to upgrade their garbage bins to bear resistant ones.
In Other News
Thanksgiving Day Garbage Pickup
Due to the statutory holiday, Thanksgiving Day on Monday, October 10, garbage pickup scheduled for that day will be picked up on Tuesday, October 11 instead.
Fire Prevention Week
The District of Sparwood is proud to salute our firefighters. During Fire Prevention Week we are given the opportunity to tell all of our firefighters just how much they are appreciated. Â Sometimes they are taken for granted until we need them in an emergency and only then do we truly recognize the courage and strength they personify. Â We extend a heartfelt thanks to all of our skilled and qualified firefighters for their dedication, commitment to fire rescue, training, fire safety and education, and pay tribute to them during Fire Prevention Week.
The Sparwood Fire Department would like to invite residents to come out and join their local firefighters for an evening of fun, prizes and safety education.  Children 12 and under will have a chance to win “Chief for the Day.” Open House – Fire Station #1
on Tuesday, October 11
6 to 9 p.m.
Keeping People and Bears Safe
We can change our behaviour more easily than bears can. By changing what we do, we can change a bear’s future. It is much easier to keep food away from a wild bear in the first place than it is to teach a food-conditioned bear to stay away from unnatural food that he has learned to enjoy. Securing attractants is the single best way to keep people safe, prevent property damage, and avoid the unnecessary killing of bears that come into conflict with people. To assist us in this goal, the District of Sparwood is asking residents to help us reduce the potential for human wildlife conflicts by picking any fruit trees you may have on your property.
Apples especially are a fine food source for bears.
By not being responsible and picking all fruit from trees, homeowners are placing themselves, as well as their neighbours, in harm’s way.
•  Be a good neighbour and pick your fruit as soon as possible.
•  Do not allow windfalls to accumulate on the ground.
•  Assist neighbours who may be unable to pick their fruit.
•  Consider removing fruit trees if you find that you are not using the fruit.
The district would also like to remind residents not to place their garbage out on the curb before 5 a.m. on collection day. Garbage must be placed in a secure garage, shed or inside your house until collection day. Excess garbage should be taken to the Transfer Station which is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday (excluding statutory holidays).
Bottom line: Garbage, birdseed and pet food etc. attracts bears to your property making it more likely for the bear to break into your home creating a safety risk for your family and a death sentence for the bear.
Upcoming Meetings
Regular Meeting – Monday, October 17 at 7 p.m.
Special Committee of the Whole Meeting – Monday, October 24 at 10 a.m.
Committee of the Whole Meeting-Monday, October 31 at 1 p.m.
District of Sparwood
