United Steelworkers

Mr. Alex Hanson and Mr. Steve Kallies representing United Steelworkers (USW) Local 9346 made a presentation to District of Sparwood council Nov. 3 regarding support for “Stop the Killing, Enforce the Law, Westray Act” campaign. The USW’s national focus in 2014 is on enforcing the Westray law that was passed in the House of Commons a decade ago. The legislation holds companies, their directors, and officers criminally accountable for workplace death and injury.

Access Guardian Program

Mike Sosnowski, Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) Electoral Area A Director made a presentation to Council regarding the Access Guardian Program. The RDEK is requesting continued funding for the program from 2016 – 2020. The Program provides a Conservation Officer as the Access Guardian from mid-May to mid-November in the Southern Rocky Mountain Management Plan to perform the following duties:

– educate people on backcountry access issues;

– provide public relations while monitoring backcountry traffic;

– enforce backcountry access laws and regulations; and

– deal with any other infractions that may be encountered while on patrol.

2014 Mosquito Control Program

Council received the “District of Sparwood 2014 IMMPACT Nuisance and West Nile Vector Mosquito Control Program” report from Culex Environmental. The majority of the mosquito development sites are located adjacent to the Elk River and Michel Creek. Sloughs and seepage sites near recreational and residential areas are also monitored. Sampling of aquatic stages of mosquitoes was carried out every six to 10 days between April 27 and August 30. A new website based reporting tool was implemented in 2014 with nine concerns forwarded directly to Culex’s email and responded to within 48 hours. The complete report is available on our website at www.sparwood.ca.

Community Directed Funds Program

The Mayor and Chief Administrative Officer were authorized to execute the Funding Agreement between the District of Sparwood and RDEK for the Elk Valley Community Directed Funds Program.

Since 2011 Sparwood, Elkford, Fernie municipal staff, Chambers of Commerce, the Tobacco Plains Band Economic Development staff, Teck, representatives of the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation, and the Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) have been meeting to develop a plan for promoting business in the Elk Valley. The group applied for funding under the CBT Community Directed Funds Program and received funding of $30,000 per year over three years.

Teck Coal Mountain Operations

Council appointed the Chief Administrative Officer, and up to two members of council, as the District’s representatives on the Environmental Assessment Agency advisory working group reviewing an application by Teck to construct and operate an extension of the Coal Mountain Operations mine.

The production capacity would be approximately 2.25 million metric tonnes/year of clean coal with a mine footprint of about 1,000 ha. Further information on the proposed project is available at www.eao.gov.bc.ca.

Public Relations Committee Meeting

Council approved a recommendation from the Public Relations Committee that Recreation Department staff install globe balls, lights, or other decorations, prior to the Christmas Craft Fair in each year at the Recreation Centre.

Bylaws

Bylaw 1158 cited as “Utility and Solid Waste Management Bylaw 1014, Amendment Bylaw 1158, 2014” was introduced and given first, second, and third reading. This amendment sets rate increases for 2015–2017, provides for an excess usage charge, clarifies rates for bulk water rates, proposed changes to the discount structure, wording regarding disconnection of water relating to illegal growing of marijuana, and other bylaw wording updates.

Bylaw 1159 cited as “Revenue Anticipation Borrowing Bylaw 1159, 2014” was introduced and given first, second, and third reading. The purpose of a revenue anticipation borrowing bylaw is to provide for an operating line of credit. The District of Sparwood has not had an overdraft for many years; however, there is always the possibility that one could be created if transfers from investments are delayed.

On-Street Parking Regulations October 1 – March 31

District of Sparwood “Sparwood Traffic, Parking and Highways Regulation Bylaw No. 472, 1987, Amendment Bylaw 1106, 2012” prohibits on-street parking from six o’clock a.m. to four o’clock p.m. October 1 to March 31 inclusive.

Residents should note that:

– Parking on the street during snow plowing, snow removal, snow hauling, or sanding operations is prohibited;

– It is an offence to push, place or throw or allow to be pushed, placed or thrown any snow or ice upon a highway or lane;

– That no advance warning is required under the bylaw and the Motor Vehicle Act and offending vehicles will be towed. Please make appropriate arrangements for parking your vehicles.

The Bylaw Enforcement Department would like to thank all Sparwood residents for a productive and successful on-street parking period last winter and we look forward to working with you again this year.

2014 General Local Election & Water Fluoridation Referendum

Public notice is hereby given to the electors of the District of Sparwood that an Election by Voting is necessary to elect one (1) Mayor and six (6) councillors, and that the persons nominated as candidates and for whom the votes will be received are listed below:

Mayor

Hungry Baytaluke; Bev Bellina; Cal McDougall; Joanne Wilton.

Councillor

John Baher; Brad Bowen; Sharon Fraser; Lois Halko; Melanie Hutchinson; Joe Jarina; Jenna Jensen; Margaret McKie; Ron Saad; Bobbie Saga; Simon Senycz; Rose Sharma; Peter Templin.

The District of Sparwood is seeking electoral assent on whether or not to continue adding fluoride to the District’s water system as part of Sparwood’s November 15 Municipal Election. All eligible voters are encouraged to participate.

The question will ask: “Are you in favour of Council adopting Bylaw 1145, “Cease Fluoridation Bylaw 1145, 2014” which authorizes removal of fluoride from the municipal water supply effective January 2, 2015?”

The question will be part of the official ballot providing you an opportunity to choose either “yes” or “no”. A yes vote means you want to eliminate fluoride from our water, while a no vote means continuing to add it.

Advance Voting

Senior Citizen’s Drop-In Centre (101-4th Avenue) on: Friday, November 14 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

General Voting

Sparwood Recreation Centre (367 Pine Avenue) on: Saturday, November 15 from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Remembrance Day

We commemorate the sacrifices of those who have served our country in past conflicts, peacekeeping missions, and the members of the armed forces who are currently serving around the world.

To all our veterans, peace keepers, and active forces – thank you for your dedication and selfless courage.

A Remembrance Day service was held Tuesday, November 11, at the Senior Citizen’s Drop-In Centre at 10 a.m. A parade proceeded from this location to the Cenotaph.

IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place, and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields

Engineering and Building Inspection Services

The District of Sparwood Engineering and Building Inspection Services have moved back to the Main Office at 136 Spruce Avenue. We are now a one stop shop for all your building and development needs!

Upcoming meetings (In council chambers)

– Monday, November 17 – Regular Council Meeting at 7 p.m.

– Monday, November 24 – Committee of the Whole Meeting at 7 p.m.

– Monday, December 1, Inaugural Meeting at 7 p.m.

District of Sparwood

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