Trail identification

District of Sparwood staff was March 17 instructed to coordinate a community trail naming committee to develop a trail naming strategy that reflects locally known and identifiable trail names. The formation of a Community Trail Naming Committee will have the following mandate.

1. Identify which trails within the district require identification;

2. Determine if there are existing names for these trails known in the community;

3. Devise a new trail naming system that more readily identifies trails to local users;

4. Recommend names for local trails that do not have existing locally known names; and

5. Propose new trail signage that reflects the new trail naming system and District branding and communication policies.

Coal Discovery Trail

The Director of Corporate Services has been authorized to enter into a ten (10) year Recreation Land Use Permit agreements with Tembec Forest Products Ltd., the Nature Conservancy of Canada, Canfor, the British Columbia Hydro Authority, and 6069786 Canada Inc. covering a portion of the Coal Discovery Trail between Sparwood and Fernie. The trail system is used by a variety of non-motorized users including hikers, mountain bikers, crosscountry skiers, and horseback riders.

Michel Natal Sparwood Heritage Society

Council received correspondence from the Michel Natal Sparwood Heritage Society requesting to participate in the design for the pedestrian tunnel that will be constructed this summer. The society feels that this is an excellent opportunity to celebrate the history of the area using displays and landscape ideas.

Elk River Alliance

Council will provide a letter of support for funding opportunities that the Elk River Alliance will be applying for regarding the ‘Elk River Watershed Flood Solution Strategy’ project. The project will raise community awareness and understanding of Elk River hydrology and history of flooding, examine various approaches for flood control, review innovative solutions to flood mitigation with a cost/benefit analysis of recommended options, and provide decision makers and residents in the watershed specific recommendations for best practices to reduce the negative effects of flooding along the Elk River and its tributaries.

Solid Waste Management

Mayor Lois Halko submitted a report to council regarding the current status of the Regional District of East Kootenay’s Regional Solid Waste Management Plan. Council will request that the Regional District tender the tipping of Elk Valley Subregion Refuse for a five-year period.

Bylaws

Bylaw 1146 cited as “Officers and Officials Bylaw 1026, 2012 Amendment Bylaw 1146, 2014” and Bylaw 1147 cited as “Officers and Officials Benefits Bylaw 1038, 2012, Amendment Bylaw 1147, 2014” were adopted. These amendments were brought forward to include the new Deputy Director of Fire Services position.

BC Transplant

April is National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Month. BC Transplant has a mandate to increase organ donation and to reduce wait times for patients in need of a lifesaving transplant. Despite a record year for transplants in B.C. in 2013, nearly 500 British Columbians are currently on the wait list for a transplant. More than 85 percent of British Columbians support organ donation, yet only 19 percent have registered their decision. BC Transplant would like to change that and they need your help. Register now at:  https://transplant.bc.ca/OnlineReg/bcts.asp.

Sing Me A Song

The Honourable Judith Guichon, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia is introducing a new program to promote music and commuity spirit across the province. ‘Sing Me A Song’ is an opportunity for musical groups of all ages and genres to write and sing an original song in the lead up to Canda’s 150 birthday celebrations in 2017.

Groups are encouraged to write a song about what Canada’s 150 birthday means to them or their community. Entries will be posted on the Lieutenant

Governor’s website and YouTube cannel, Sing Me A Song BC, to be viewed by all British Columbians. Further information is available online at www.ltgov.bc.ca.

Earth Hour 2014

Saturday, March 29 – 8:30 p.m.

Take a Stand. Sit in the Dark. Turn off your lights for an hour and join the World Wildlife Federation and people around the world in demanding action on climate change.

Rain Barrel Art Contest and silent auction

Buy a Rain Barrel – Some are currently available at Alpine Lumber, right here in Sparwood!

Paint the Rain Barrel – Find an artist or even an employee that will paint the barrel for you.

Send the following information to Rose Sharma ([email protected]) before April 5: Photo of painted barrel; artist’s name; sponsor’s name; display location – If you don’t have somewhere to display your barrel publicly, we will find a great spot for it.

We will send you a Silent Auction Sign-Up Sheet to display beside your barrel so you can start collecting bids right away!

Collect bids until the end of Arts & Culture Week (April 21-27).

Send your bid sheet to Rose Sharma on April 28. We will contact the winners and let them know where to pick up their barrel!

Half of all of the money raised will go to the Sparwood Arts Council.

Sparwood residents that bid on the barrel will be entered into a draw to win a great Water Smart prize!

Student Employment Opportunities- Parks and Greenbelt Workers

The District of Sparwood is looking for energetic and enthusiastic individuals who will be employed for the summer to work as summer parks and greenbelt workers beginning May 5 to September 5. The rate of pay is in accordance with CUPE Local 2698 Collective Agreement.

All applications including cover letter, resume, and proof of enrolment must be received by the District of Sparwood Municipal Office on or before 4 p.m., Friday, March 28. The ‘hat’ draw will be conducted on Monday, March 30. All successful applicants will be contacted following the draw. Applicants should be aware that work performance with the District of Sparwood will be considered for future employment.

Only students who have been enrolled on a full time basis in a post secondary institution or high school during the 2014 Winter/Spring term and are intending to return to school in the fall are eligible for these positions. Student application forms, including the proof of enrollment, are available at the Municipal Office, 136 Spruce Avenue or at the Sparwood Recreation Department, 367 Pine Avenue or on the district website at www.Sparwood.ca. Proof of enrolment form must be signed by the school Registrar’s Office.

Preference will be given to post secondary students. All successful applicants will be required to have a valid driver’s license with a Class 5 or a minimum of a Class 7N or Class 7L. Applicants’ address must be the same on their Driver’s License as on their mailing address or permanent address in Sparwood.

Any eligible applications received after the close date, will be automatically put on the bottom of this list, as well as any who are unable to start employment on May 5.

Questions can be directed to the Sparwood Municipal Office at 250-425-6271 or be emailed to [email protected].

Upcoming meetings in council chambers

– Monday, March 31 – Special Meeting of Council at 7 p.m.

– Tuesday, April 1 – Columbia Basin Trust Community Initiatives Meeting at 7 p.m.

– Monday, April 7 – Regular Meeting of Council at 7 p.m.

District of Sparwood

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