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Sparwood council facts
The following is a synopsis of what occurred during the Nov. 7 District of Sparwood council meeting.
Delegation
Community Energy Association
Megan Lohmann of the Community Energy Association presented the Honourable Mention Climate & Energy Action Award to council for Sparwood’s Energy Efficiency Incentive Program (pictured above). The district was recognized at the 2016 Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) Convention in Victoria this September for their design, funding and delivery of a new “Home Energy Efficiency Building Permit Incentive Program” which has resulted in over 50% of new housing starts achieving EnerGuide80 or better in 2016. The incentive program is part of Sparwood’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing climate change.
CanAus Coal Limited
John Pumphrey and Becky Pelkonen of CanAus Coal provided an update to Council on CanAus’ business, projects and initiatives. CanAus completed numerous community-based meetings in 2015 and documented initial local community interests and issues. The company will build on this initial consultative process into 2017 and will continue to consult and engage with local communities, organizations and citizens as well as with the Ktunaxa Nation. An updated project description will be submitted to the BC Environmental Assessment Office in early 2017. A copy of CanAus’ presentation is available here.
Business
Community to Community Forum
The district will be applying to UBCM for funding to host a Community to Community (C2C) Forum between Elk Valley local governments and the Ktunaxa First Nation. C2C Forums are about opening lines of communication and building relationships between neighbours. The purpose of this Forum is to increase understanding of each other’s government structure, identify mutual goals or areas of common concern, identify and explore examples of partnering, and raise awareness about future opportunities or potential to partner/build relationships. A copy of the staff report is available here.
Land Use Permits
Heinz and Jeanne Kraps
Council authorized the issuance of a Land Use Permit between the District of Sparwood and Heinz and Jeanne Kraps for the provision of a community trail located at the northern end of Stephenson Road in Hosmer, for a portion of the Elk Valley Trail. This was in response to the request by the Elk Valley Trail Committee for access to the lands owned by the Kraps, to connect the Elk Valley Trail to Hosmer and provide access to the historical coke ovens located on Stephenson Road. A copy of the staff report and permit are available here.
Sparwood Trails Alliance
Council authorized the issuance of a Land Use Permit between the District of Sparwood and Sparwood Trails Alliance for the development and maintenance of a winter trail network through the Disc Golf Course and Westwood property. The proposed trails will be designed to accommodate snowshoes, fat bikes and hikers. The Sunset Ridge Ski Society supported the initiative, which they hope will the keep trail users off the groomed x-country ski trails. Council also authorized the use of a snowmobile powered groomer to maintain these winter trails.
Joint Use Agreement
Council authorized the execution of a Joint Use Agreement between the District of Sparwood and School District No. 5 which will provide our local schools access to the Leisure Centre at no cost, excluding the leisure pool, for school programs and the District of Sparwood with access to Frank J Mitchell and Sparwood Secondary school facilities and grounds for community recreation programs.
Age-Friendly Community Plan
Council accepted the Sparwood Age-Friendly Community Plan, which is intended to improve the quality of life for seniors, but will also create a more inclusive, safe and accessible community for everyone, including people with disabilities and families with young children. The recommendations within the plan will be brought forward to future planning and budget sessions for consideration of implementation by council.
Windrow Removal Pilot Program
Council decided to continue the Windrow Removal Pilot Program for an additional winter season. With the past two winters, having been relatively mild and with this year’s promising greater snowfalls, the additional data collected will provide council with a thorough cost/benefit analysis of the program.
Bylaws
Business Licence Bylaw Amendment
Business Licence Bylaw No. 849, 2001, Amendment Bylaw 1196, 2016 was given first three readings. This amendment includes an Inter-Community Business Licence as an authorized business licence in Sparwood and increases the licence fees from $80 to $100 and the transfer fees from $5 to $25. A copy of the staff report and bylaw are available.
Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw
Inter-Community Business Licence Bylaw 1195, 2016 was also given first three readings. This bylaw establishes an inter-municipal service scheme with the City of Fernie and the District of Elkford, enabling mobile service businesses to purchase an additional Inter-Community Business Licence that would authorize them to operate in Fernie and Elkford. Copies of the Staff Report, Bylaw, Notice and Advertisement are available.
Other News
Town Hall Meeting
Council Chambers, 136 Spruce Avenue
, Wednesday, November 16,
3:30 to 5 p.m.
Please join Mayor Cal McDougall and council on Wednesday, November 16, for a Town Hall meeting in council chambers. You are invited to share your thoughts on issues that matter to you and the community. It’s about working together for a better and stronger Sparwood!
What should we keep doing? What should we stop doing? What could we change?
Doors will open at 3 p.m. to provide citizens with an opportunity to ask questions of individual members of council and staff prior to the panel discussion and audience interaction that shall take place from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Council will be providing citizens with an update on current district projects, discussing issues of common concern, and collecting feedback from the community.
This is YOUR opportunity to have your say on next year’s budget. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate. If you are not available, please share your ideas and suggestions in writing to [email protected].
Upcoming Meetings
Regular Council Meeting – Monday, November 21, at 7 p.m.
Committee of the Whole Meeting – Monday, November 28, at 1 p.m.
District of Sparwood
