The following is a synopsis of what occurred during the August 21 District of Sparwood council meeting.

DELEGATIONS

Teck Elkview Operations

Casandra Knooihuizen and Chris Stroich presented Teck’s Visual Quality and Noise Management Plans for Council’s endorsement. As part of Conditions 18 and 19 of the Baldy Ridge Expansion (BRE) Project Teck is required to submit these plans to the district, Ktunaxa Nation Council and the Environmental Assessment Office for approval before commencement of the BR3 pit.

BYLAWS

Recreation Fees and Charges Bylaw Amendment

Council adopted Recreation Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 1231, 2018, Amendment Bylaw No. 1260, 2019. This amendment updates the Elk Valley Recreation Access Pass fees.

Firearm Regulation Bylaw Amendment

Council adopted Sparwood Firearm Regulation Bylaw No. 540, 1989, Amendment Bylaw No. 1250, 2019. This amendment allows for the discharge of bows at the archery range located at the Sparwood Golf Course.

Revitalization Tax Exemption Bylaw

Amendment Council adopted Revitalization Tax Exemption Program Bylaw No. 1170, 2015, Amendment Bylaw No. 1261, 2019. This amendment provides incentives to stimulate development at Middletown Place.

BUSINESS

SCEEAC Meeting Resolutions

Council approved the following requests from the Socio-Community & Economic Effects Advisory Committee (SCEEAC) meeting held August 12:

• Endorsement of the Visual Quality and Noise Management Plans;
• Review SCEEAC’s terms of reference on an annual basis; and
• Include SCEEAC meeting decisions in Council Facts.

2800 Middletown Place

Council approved plans, design drawings and renderings of the new industrial construction for Komatsu Mining Corporation at 2800 Middletown Place. On July 19, Komatsu announced plans to invest approximately $40 million to construct an 85,000 square-foot sales and service facility in Sparwood. The company plans to complete construction of the facility by the end of 2020.

Development Variance Permits (DVP)

7555 Highway 43 (Elk Valley Mobile Home Park)

Council approved issuance of Mobile Home Park Permit 2019-001 and DVP 2019-003 and granted a variance to the Mobile Home Parks Bylaw to allow the park owners and residents to apply for building permits to replace existing homes, make new additions or decks, and build accessory buildings within the park.

9555 Highway 43 (Lodgepole Mobile Home Park)

Council authorized that notices be distributed to the owners and occupants residing within 60m of 9555 Highway 43 to advise them that an informal hearing will be held on September 17 at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers to consider issuance of DVP 2019- 008 to vary sections of the Mobile Home Parks Bylaw to reduce the width of a mobile home space to permit the addition of a new space in Lodgepole Mobile Home Park. Consideration of issuance of the DVP and granting the variance will follow at a future regular council meeting. If you are unable to attend, your comments can be submitted in writing to the district office or by email to [email protected] before noon on Tuesday, September 17.

Titan Park Drinking Fountain

Council authorized the installation of a new drinking fountain in Titan Park. The Elk Valley Thrift Shop purchased a fountain which is accessible for adults, children, persons in wheelchairs and pets. The district will be installing the water service to the fountain and a business member of the Chamber of Commerce is installing the concrete pad.

Provincial Support for Libraries

Council supported the City of Victoria’s resolution advocating for the restoration of library funding to a level that reflects both inflationary cost increases since 2009 and the value of this system to the province. On behalf of council, Mayor David Wilks will send a letter to the Ministry of Education expressing council’s support of enhanced library funding.

SPECIAL MEETINGS OF JULY 30 & AUGUST 7

Traffic Bylaw Amendment

Council adopted Sparwood Traffic, Parking, and Highways Regulation Bylaw No. 472, 1987, Amendment Bylaw No. 1256, 2019. This amendment permits the sale of flowers, fruit, vegetables, seafoods, or other commodities or articles on a municipal highway.

Tender Awards

Council awarded the following tenders:

• Purchase of a Mechanical Sweeper from Vimar Equipment for $271,134;
• Purchase of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) from Guillevin International for $241,601; and
• Gravel road improvements contract from Terus Construction Ltd., dba BA Blacktop (Cranbrook) for $313,222.

Sparwood Golf Club

Following a request from the Sparwood Golf Club Society for financial support for a new deck structure at the clubhouse, council authorized the expenditure of up to $30,000 to the society.

Off-Leash Dog Park

Council approved the development of an off-leash dog park at 441 Pine Avenue in a revised location 138 metres from the nearest residence. The site will provide open spaces and shaded walking trails for off-leash activities. Friends of the Sparwood Dog Park have successfully raised $20,617.78 towards the construction of the project.

OTHER INFORMATION / ANNOUNCEMENTS

Community Volunteer Opportunity SCEEAC

The District of Sparwood has an opening for someone from the community who would like to volunteer their time to participate on the Socio-Community and Economic Effects Advisory Committee (SCEEAC). You will work with representatives from the district and Teck to help ensure that impacts from the mine on the Sparwood community are mitigated and managed in the most adaptive, effective way possible.

UPCOMING COUNCIL MEETINGS

September 3 at 6 p.m. – Regular Meeting in Council Chambers.

September 10 at 12:05 p.m. Youth Advisory Commission Meeting at Sparwood Secondary

September 10 at 6 p.m. Special Committee of the Whole Meeting in Council Chambers

September 17 at 6 p.m. Regular Meeting in Council Chambers on Tuesday.

District of Sparwood

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