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Sparwood Council Facts
The following is a synopsis of what occurred during the Feb. 15 District of Sparwood council meeting.
Business
Sparwood Weight Training Club lease agreement
Council authorized the lease agreement between the District of Sparwood and the Sparwood Weight Training Club be executed for a term of five years commencing November 1, 2015 at a gross monthly lease rate of $1,450.85, increasing annually by two per cent.
Leisure Centre concession lease amendment
Council directed staff to develop an amendment to the current lease agreement with Ché Blomme for the Leisure Centre Concession that would permit the rental of sporting equipment that is complimentary to the activities undertaken at the Leisure Centre and adjoining grounds. The lease amendment, following the statutory notice requirements, will be brought forward to the March 7 regular meeting for council’s consideration.
Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron 279
Council declined the request from the Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron 279 for use of the district’s building located at 156 Spruce Avenue for their parade and training facility as it was determined that the training facility and lands at Fire
Hall #1 would provide a more suitable and long-term solution for the Cadets.
Elk Valley Thrift Shop Society
In response to the request from the Elk Valley Thrift Shop Society for use the district’s building located at 156 Spruce Avenue, for the storage and sorting of donated goods; council resolved that, following the statutory notice requirements, a month-to-month lease be brought forward for their consideration at the March 7 regular meeting.
Balmer North 50th Anniversary & Miners Memorial Select Committee
William Savilow, John Kinnear, and Alex Hanson (with Troy Cook as an alternate to Alex Hanson) were appointed to the Balmer North 50th Anniversary & Miners Memorial Select Committee.
One minute to 4 p.m. on April 3, 2017, will mark the 50th Anniversary of the Balmer North explosion that took the lives of 15 men and seriously injured 10 others. The committee will be organizing an event for April 3, 2017 to commemorate this somber day in Sparwood’s history.
In preparation for this event, the committee has been tasked to commission a memorial which could take the form of a sculpture, statue or monument to forever remember all those who have lost their lives mining coal.
Recruitment of surgeon for Elk Valley Hospital
Mayor Cal McDougall provided an update to council on surgeon recruitment for the Elk Valley Hospital. Subsequent to Mayor McDougall’s update council supported a contribution of $1,250 towards surgeon recruitment for the Elk Valley Hospital, conditional upon a similar level or greater funding from the Regional District of East Kootenay Electoral Area A, the City of Fernie, and the District of Elkford.
2015 Building Permit Report
The 2015 Building Permit Report, prepared by the Planning Department reflected a continued decline in the number and overall value of building permits issued by the district. This continues a trend started after the 2010 year – considered the peak of development for the past 15 years. The quality and impact of construction in 2015 demonstrated a healthy ratio of “new” to “renovation” residential construction along with new commercial and industrial ventures – namely, the Tim Hortons and Fiorentino Brothers projects.
RCMP – Elk Valley Detachment
Staff Sgt. Lorne Craig and Sgt. Will Thien of the Elk Valley RCMP Detachment presented the 2015 third and fourth Quarter Report on offences responded to by the detachment. The report reflected a decrease of 20% in calls for service during the third quarter of the year and a 12% decrease in calls for service during the fourth quarter of the year over the same periods in 2014.
In other news
2016-2020 Financial Plan public open house
Tuesday, March 1 from 2 – 4 p.m. Council Chambers, 136 Spruce Avenue. Do you live in Sparwood or own property? Then you are invited to a Public Budget Consultation Meeting that will be held to discuss the district’s Financial Plan for the next five years. Council invites and encourages citizens to attend and provide feedback that will assist council in setting priorities for our community for 2016-2020. Can’t make it? You will be able to find the information displayed at Greenwood Mall and on our website at www.sparwood.ca during the month of March.
Dog licences
A friendly reminder that if you haven’t already done so it is time to renew your dog’s licence for 2016. The District of Sparwood Animal Control Bylaw requires every dog to have a current year licence by January 15. A neutered or spayed dog tag, with vet certificate, is $10 or $30 for an unaltered dog.
For more information, or to renew or purchase a dog licence please contact the District Office at 250-425-6271 or visit us at 136 Spruce Avenue.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
– Committee of the Whole Meeting in Council Chambers on Monday, February 29 at 1 p.m.
– Public Budget Consultation Meeting in Council Chambers on Tuesday, March 1 from 2 – 4 p.m.
– Regular Meeting in Council Chambers on Monday, March 7 at 1 p.m.
District of Sparwood
