[0:01] Good evening, January 20th, 2026.
[0:04] Public hearing is now convened at 6 0 1 pursuant
[0:08] to section 4 6 4 of the local government act.
[0:11] The purpose of this hearing is
[0:13] to consider a zoning
[0:14] amendment for a neighborhood commercial.
[0:16] The order of business for the remainder
[0:17] of this hearing will be as follows For each application
[0:21] be staff report presentation by the applicant, opportunity
[0:25] for public feedback.
[0:27] Applicant response
[0:29] after the hearing is concluded,
[0:30] the zoning amendment will be considered at the regular
[0:32] council meeting immediately following this hearing.
[0:35] Mr. So Fleet, please provide a brief overview
[0:38] of the application.
[0:40] Thank you Chair.
[0:52] So before you for this hearing is, uh,
[0:53] by zoning bylaw amendment 13 59 20 25.
[0:57] This is a proposed amendment
[0:59] to the C3 neighborhood commercial Zone.
[1:01] Uh, for reference, the C3 zone only applies
[1:03] to two properties in town, uh, 1290 Ponderosa Drive,
[1:07] which is the Sparwood Heights store site,
[1:08] and six 14 Douglas Fir, which is the Silver Fox.
[1:13] So the application's been received
[1:15] and it's, uh, requesting adding the following uses
[1:17] to the C3 zone offices, restaurants, institutional services
[1:21] to buildings and dwellings,
[1:23] and adding recreation to the list of uses that are permitted
[1:26] to happen exterior to the building.
[1:28] The last component is deleting the max gross floor area
[1:31] limitation of 185.8 square meters for each primary use.
[1:36] Uh, this bylaw received first
[1:38] and second reading on December 16th.
[1:40] Notice has been provided, uh, in the free press
[1:43] and delivered to properties within 60 meters.
[1:45] Uh, after third reading.
[1:47] Should council provide third reading,
[1:48] the bylaw will be referred to the Ministry of Transportation
[1:51] and Transit before coming back for adoption.
[1:55] In terms of public feedback to date, as if 4:00 PM today,
[1:58] no feedback's been received,
[1:59] I'm just gonna touch on the specific changes.
[2:02] Um, so adding, uh,
[2:04] neighborhood commercial is more restrictive than general
[2:06] commercial zones and typically have a more
[2:08] restrictive suite of uses.
[2:10] Office is a definition that's not in our bylaw.
[2:14] Uh, so it's using the dictionary definition.
[2:16] Generally, less foot traffic can reduce vibrancy in
[2:19] character, but have minimal noise, order odor
[2:22] or heavy traffic, and are depending on the types of office,
[2:25] can be common in neighborhood,
[2:26] commercial areas and other communities.
[2:29] Institutional, uh, this is a defined use.
[2:32] It's a broad category,
[2:33] but typically you're looking at governmental, religious,
[2:36] educational, charitable or hospital type buildings.
[2:39] Um, restaurant, uh,
[2:41] restaurants are a typical use in neighborhood commercial.
[2:43] In our C3 zone neighborhood pubs are currently permitted.
[2:47] Restaurant is just a broader category
[2:48] of eating establishment than neighborhood pub.
[2:51] So again, very common in neighborhood commercial areas,
[2:54] services to buildings and dwellings.
[2:57] This definition comes from our M1 zone, uh,
[3:00] which is actually pulling from the standard industrial
[3:02] classification of 1980, uh, which defines it
[3:05] as establishments primarily engaged in disinfecting
[3:08] and ex exterminating, window cleaning, janitorial,
[3:11] and other services to buildings and dwellings.
[3:13] So under thes 1980 definition, it is more akin
[3:16] to an industrial use.
[3:17] Um, however, those definitions may change with the rewrite
[3:21] of our zoning bylaw.
[3:22] Um, yeah,
[3:25] adding allowable exterior uses the C3 zone does
[3:28] limit outdoor use.
[3:29] Um, the applicant's requested that recreation be added
[3:32] as an allowable use to permit the mini golf
[3:34] that occurs there seasonally.
[3:35] Um, potentially other uses could be included, particularly
[3:39] as we're considering a zoning bylaw rerate.
[3:41] Common issues on private,
[3:42] or I should say common outdoor amenities on private property
[3:45] are patios for pubs.
[3:47] Um, and in some cases,
[3:49] businesses bring their product out onto the street, uh,
[3:51] or into the, into the lot to advertise it.
[3:54] Um, this zone is subject to the form
[3:56] and character development permit area.
[3:58] So any external alterations to the building would follow
[4:00] through, uh, form and character DP
[4:03] and aren't impacted by the proposed amendment.
[4:06] Again, there could be potential impacts
[4:07] from noise, depending on the use.
[4:09] In terms of maximum floor area,
[4:11] the maximum current is 185.8.
[4:15] Uh, this building has been around for a while,
[4:17] and there's a number of development permits
[4:19] that have been issued to alter those sizes.
[4:21] Um, the remaining units in the, in the
[4:26] property do appear to meet the standards.
[4:28] And just one note, if this regulation is removed,
[4:31] it could allow the entire building
[4:33] to be consolidated into a single business.
[4:35] And typically, neighborhood commercial is not intended
[4:37] for large scale commercial activities.
[4:39] So single operators, um, but that's council's prerogative.
[4:44] Uh, removing it here will also affect the other C3 zone
[4:47] property, which is the silver fox.
[4:49] Uh, next steps. This, uh,
[4:51] amendment is on the agenda this evening
[4:53] at council's regular meeting.
[4:55] And that concludes my presentation.
[4:58] Thank you. Mr. Flt.
[5:00] Is the applicant present
[5:01] and do they wish to make a presentation to council?
[5:09] Very good. Oh,
[5:15] Mr. Anderson, did you, uh, did you, uh, want
[5:18] to, uh, present to counsel?
[5:32] Just gonna ask one more time.
[5:33] I'm not sure if you're hearing me.
[5:34] Uh, Mr. Anderson online, are you wanting
[5:37] to make a presentation to counsel on public hearing?
[5:44] If you're trying to talk to us, you're muted.
[5:55] Okay. That was fair opportunity. I'm moving on.
[5:56] That completes the presentation portion of the application.
[5:59] I'll now open the floor to those present here
[6:01] and online who believe
[6:02] that their interest is affected by this application.
[6:05] To share their views with counsel, please raise your hand
[6:07] to speak and you'll be called upon in order.
[6:10] When called upon. Please state your name
[6:11] and address for the record prior to sharing your comments.
[6:15] Each person will be given two minutes
[6:18] to speak about the matters pertinent to this application.
[6:21] For those online, please enter your name and address
[6:24] and comments in the chat.
[6:26] Uh, and staff will read those to counsel.
[6:28] Please note that the only opportunity
[6:30] to comment on the application will be during this hearing
[6:33] as members of council are not permitted
[6:35] to receive further submissions
[6:36] after the close of the hearing.
[6:38] Is there anyone present who would like to speak
[6:40] to the application
[6:44] hand raised?
[6:46] Uh, George, if you come up to the, uh, podium there,
[6:49] and there should be a button, uh, you've used it
[6:52] before, just make sure it turns red on the right hand side
[6:56] so that, uh, those online can hear you.
[6:59] Uh, yes, my name is George Clma.
[7:01] I don't think Jim is, uh, able to get
[7:04] through for whatever reason.
[7:05] I, so I'm just gonna say that, uh, that building up there,
[7:09] I hope they understand that it's only
[7:11] to store their material
[7:14] and to, uh, uh, pick up, uh,
[7:17] and have a small office in there.
[7:19] It's not gonna be bringing in stuff to clean or anything.
[7:22] They'll, they'll be doing another. Nothing other than that.
[7:26] So I, you know, like
[7:28] They'll Be, uh, they've got, uh, contracts in Elford.
[7:32] They've got contracts in Sparwood Ferney,
[7:34] so they'll be coming and going.
[7:35] And that's about it. Thank you.
[7:39] Thanks George. Jim, I've seen
[7:40] that your mute button has gone off there.
[7:42] Is there more to add that I will afford, uh, a circle back
[7:45] to the, uh, if there was a technology problem.
[7:49] Is there anything else you'd like to add?
[7:56] It's new. Yep. Yep.
[7:59] Uh, is there any online besides that, uh, Marie that
[8:03] There Are attendees online,
[8:05] but no questions have been submitted?
[8:11] Alright, seeing no others
[8:14] and none online, we'll move on.
[8:17] Uh, there's no applicant responses there.
[8:19] Jim, are you, are you able to speak?
[8:30] Okay, I see no comments. Uh, Mr.
[8:32] Ley, do you have anything to add based on that? No. Mr.
[8:35] Chair. Okay.
[8:36] I'll declare this hearing closed at, uh,
[8:39] 6 10, 6 0 9.
[8:43] Actually, it's not quite six 10 yet.
[8:50] Alright. Good evening and welcome to the January 20th, 2026.
[8:54] Regular meeting of council for the district is forward.
[8:57] I'd like to call this meeting to order at 6 0 9.
[9:01] I'd like to remind everyone present
[9:02] that this meeting is being aired live on Facebook
[9:04] and Zoom, as well as being recorded
[9:06] and will be broadcasted on the local cable channel.
[9:10] If you'd like to ask a question related to an agenda topic,
[9:12] you will have an opportunity during question period.
[9:15] Those online will have to join the zoom meeting,
[9:18] or pardon me, the meeting through Zoom
[9:20] and ask question of counsel.
[9:23] So, Before we move into the, uh, adoption
[9:25] of the agenda, we do have more than two members online,
[9:28] which means we'll need a motion to spend our, uh, orders
[9:33] of operation, allow more than two councils
[9:34] to attend electronically.
[9:35] So, do I have a motion? Second? Second. Second.
[9:40] Any discussion? All in favor?
[9:46] And I see none, um,
[9:48] Carried In opposition.
[9:51] So we're carried. Next order of business is the adoption
[9:56] of minutes from the previous meetings.
[9:57] Are there any errors or omissions to the minutes to note
[10:00] before we consider adoption?
[10:05] Hearing none the motion
[10:07] before is that the minutes of the special meeting
[10:08] of council held December 9th, 2025
[10:10] and the minutes of the regular council meeting
[10:12] of counsel had, uh,
[10:14] December 16th, 2025 be adopted
[10:16] as presented. We have a motion.
[10:17] Moved. Moved. Second.
[10:23] Uh, All those in favor?
[10:27] Uh, Carried. I need to backtrack. I skipped a page.
[10:30] Thank you, Jacqueline. Uh, is there anything
[10:33] that council wishes to add
[10:35] or change to this evening's agenda
[10:36] before we consider adoption?
[10:41] Mayor? Well, 'cause I see the smile. Yes. I skipped a page.
[10:44] Uh, you've, you've had much more practice than first time.
[10:48] It, it changes. Just three seats
[10:50] over the, the pressure's here.
[10:52] Great. Hearing none.
[10:53] Can I have a motion to, uh,
[10:54] to approve the agenda as presented?
[10:56] Move, seconded. Uh, any discussion? All those in favor?
[11:02] Carried. Alright,
[11:05] we have two delegations this evening.
[11:08] I'd like to remind the delegations that the presentations
[11:11] will be received as information by council tonight.
[11:15] You're limited to 10 minutes for your presentations.
[11:17] If you require additional time, a unanimous vote
[11:20] of council is required to extend
[11:22] that time period following your presentation.
[11:24] An additional five minutes is, uh, allocated to, uh,
[11:28] questions from council to clarify
[11:30] any points of your presentation.
[11:31] So to be clear, no decisions will be made tonight.
[11:34] Um, and that brings us to the first delegation.
[11:38] Our first delegation.
[11:40] I don't see, uh, Sergeant Nielsen in the room.
[11:43] Oh, there, he snuck in. There. He is. Over to the side.
[11:46] Uh, it's from the SMP Sergeant, uh, staff Sergeant.
[11:49] Uh, and listen with a quarterly update. Welcome.
[11:54] My apologies. No problem. Hit the
[11:59] Button. Sorry,
[12:00] I was hitting the blue one, not the red one.
[12:02] Sorry, Ann. Um, thank you very much.
[12:05] Um, no problems with the, um, unrecognizable, uh,
[12:08] face on the, uh, right side there.
[12:09] It's okay, sir. Um, just, uh, quickly go through here.
[12:13] Obviously I've got 10 minutes, so I'm working on that.
[12:15] So I'm used to doing this now, so we'll get started.
[12:18] Um, so I went through a few of the power reviews.
[12:20] Obviously Sparwood just has a busy quarter.
[12:23] Um, I know the last time I was here, um, I covered off some
[12:26] of this, so I apologize if some is kind of a repeat, just
[12:28] because I was a little bit into the, the quarter
[12:31] that was already ongoing.
[12:33] But, um, as going through the file details, just, um,
[12:37] I know you're probably a bit concerned about some of the,
[12:39] the sexual assault defenses.
[12:41] Um, uh, generally speaking, um,
[12:43] those are still being investigated
[12:45] or have, uh, victim that's coming and reported them to us.
[12:49] And then, um, and then become not necessarily uncooperative.
[12:52] It just didn't want to go any further with those.
[12:54] Um, some were handled, one was handled in particular with a,
[12:57] um, a workplace reporting structure
[12:59] that the person had available to them.
[13:02] And then there was also one, uh,
[13:03] youth investigation, which is ongoing.
[13:06] Um, it skip down to collisions are very, very typical.
[13:10] The only unfortunate event, obviously we had
[13:12] during the quarter in November, which was a busy month.
[13:15] And I know everybody that's on liner listing knows we had a
[13:18] busy November here in Sparwood.
[13:20] Um, we did have a fatal incident, um, to the, um, east
[13:23] of town, which unfortunately resulted in two deaths, um,
[13:26] after the, uh, during the investigation.
[13:29] Um, so it's pretty much, um,
[13:32] at this point been concluded more
[13:34] or less related to, to row conditions
[13:36] at this point, more than anything else.
[13:38] Um, uh, as far as, um, some of the other details,
[13:42] the missing person file that we had,
[13:44] the one missing person file was a youth
[13:46] that was running away and they were located
[13:48] by a parent before we got involved.
[13:50] Um, the traffic initiative that I spoke
[13:52] of the last time I was here, which is quite adamant with one
[13:54] of the participants in the audience, um, that I spoke to
[13:57] after the event, we started that right away
[13:59] and engaged that process, uh,
[14:02] pretty much within the same week.
[14:04] Um, and that resulted in, um, so far anyway
[14:07] with Christmas season and everything.
[14:09] So forgive us. Um, eight checks are completed by the,
[14:12] by the GD teams, which I see you can see on the results
[14:15] later on about the file totals for those,
[14:17] or the ticket total story that were in regards
[14:19] to the Sparwood area.
[14:21] And then of course, there was constant checks by me
[14:23] because I go through the town every single day.
[14:25] And so I do that twice a day and or more sometimes.
[14:28] So there was a lot more than just the eight.
[14:30] But, um, so we're continue
[14:31] to do those along Pine in Ponderosa as per the ask.
[14:34] Um, so far there's been a few ticks, issued a lot
[14:36] of warnings, but, uh, generally speaking, um,
[14:39] in the unmarked truck anyway, uh, a lot of people are, um,
[14:42] paying attention to what they're doing thankfully.
[14:45] Uh, but we're still ongoing with that
[14:46] and obviously trying to meet the, um, the queries of council
[14:50] and the public too as well in regards
[14:51] to the timing of those things.
[14:52] So we're still working those issues out.
[14:55] Um, the wild mines events that we did in the schools, uh,
[14:59] particularly with, um, the, we had pizza days
[15:02] that were going, going through the spring last year,
[15:04] and then into, into, uh, the early school year,
[15:07] more focused on, uh, uh, wild mines working
[15:10] with MAT students
[15:11] and elders that are, that are in our area, um,
[15:14] occurred at the Sparwood Secondary as well
[15:15] as the other secondary schools.
[15:17] Um, those were very successful
[15:18] and we had very positive comments
[15:20] and, um, workings with, not only with the elders,
[15:22] but with the students, uh, just to build
[15:24] and, um, build relationships there.
[15:26] And then, um, as you may be interested in,
[15:29] we do have one vacancy currently, um,
[15:31] within our detachment area.
[15:33] Not with you guys, but with the current municipality.
[15:35] And we're actually able to, um, fill that.
[15:38] Actually, I just got notified of that today.
[15:41] It's pretty much final, but, um,
[15:42] pretty much guaranteed that we'll fill that spot.
[15:44] So at that point we should be, knock on wood,
[15:46] um, full hopefully.
[15:48] So. Um, so we're thankful for that.
[15:51] Um, obviously other investigations that we had in November.
[15:54] Um, the major crimes team
[15:56] that's continuing their investigation, ironically,
[15:59] they're here this week, um, continuing investigation
[16:01] with the incident that occurred in the NW.
[16:03] Um, so that's, um, been progressing pretty actively, um,
[16:07] within the team there.
[16:09] And obviously we have the, um, the EVR, um,
[16:12] workplace incident, um, fatality there
[16:14] that we have an ongoing investigation with
[16:16] that we're handling internally with our
[16:18] general investigative section.
[16:20] And that is, um, ongoing
[16:22] and we'll likely take a few months to get complete.
[16:25] It's a very complex investigation. Um, very unusual.
[16:28] We're working with a variety of different partners, uh,
[16:31] not only with, um, mine inspectors,
[16:33] but also we have a partnership with Crown and,
[16:36] and, uh, other agencies.
[16:37] So it's a, it's a complex, uh, complex project
[16:41] and, um, we won't have any answers for that for,
[16:44] for several months, but it is ongoing
[16:45] and we are, um, we are pursuing
[16:47] the investigation as we should.
[16:49] So, um,
[16:50] and then of course we had the Mountain View Trailer park,
[16:53] um, uh, involvement
[16:54] where we had our emergency response team here too, as well
[16:57] with some of our containment team members.
[16:59] And they came and were able to safely arrest the, the,
[17:02] the gentleman involved in that, which has resulted in, um,
[17:06] no charge at this point, but we are pursuing, uh,
[17:09] prohibition, firearms prohibition with that gentleman, um,
[17:11] and taking that forward through that.
[17:13] So, um, everything's moving forward there.
[17:16] So, um, outside of that, um,
[17:19] I'm sure you'd probably see the, the BE stuff again, just
[17:22] to remind you of those things that typically we score those.
[17:25] So, because when we're doing work on those, I want the,
[17:28] I want us to have, um, credit for those.
[17:30] 'cause sometimes those can take upwards of half an hour
[17:33] to 45 minutes to, to go to and, uh, and investigate.
[17:36] So we, we naturally want to take credit for those
[17:39] through our, through our Canadian, uh,
[17:41] statistical process that we have to go through.
[17:43] So that's why you see them all unfounded there if you see
[17:46] them there, either on public or here.
[17:48] And outside of that, I think I'm pretty much done.
[17:52] Um, obviously we're still doing public, um, events.
[17:56] I got a few more minutes, um, public events.
[17:59] Um, we've got, um, we've got some student work.
[18:02] Uh, one of the, um, the constables has a pro a program
[18:05] to work with the schools with, um, a music building program,
[18:08] Constable Turner, and he does that fairly regularly.
[18:11] Obviously we've participated in the Sparwood, uh,
[18:13] Santa Parade and also the Lower Rock Valley Road parade,
[18:16] which we're very happy year every year.
[18:18] And then of course, we're involved in Packet PC as well
[18:20] as the Sparwood, um, emergency fundraising too as well.
[18:23] So, um, lots of good things done by the team.
[18:26] That's about it for me, unless there's questions.
[18:29] Fantastic. Thanks for making time for us
[18:32] and for the comprehensive report.
[18:34] Uh, please send our regards to Household Turner.
[18:35] I, I appreciate that he is, uh, a well established
[18:38] and accomplished drummer, as, as I understand it.
[18:40] So yes, he is. Yeah.
[18:42] Is there any, uh, questions from counsel, uh, both online
[18:45] and in person?
[18:47] Councilor Nan? Yeah, no question.
[18:49] Just wanna say thank you, uh, uh, uh,
[18:53] police Chief Van Nelson.
[18:55] Thank you so much. Really appreciate
[18:57] everything you guys do. Thank
[18:58] You. We do,
[18:59] We really do as a private citizen, not as a council.
[19:03] I appreciate that, Chris. Thank you. Thank you.
[19:05] Um, yeah, no, the, the team's working very hard.
[19:08] We have a lot of success within the crime reduction stuff we
[19:11] do too, as well with repeat offenders.
[19:13] We don't have a lot here that we keep track of,
[19:15] but they do do a good job with those two as well.
[19:17] And, um, yeah, I think the, the team is definitely, um,
[19:20] you know, doing some good, good work
[19:22] and lots of challenging files in November
[19:24] and into, into December.
[19:25] And, um, I think the strength
[19:27] of the team has come through in those results.
[19:29] So, yeah.
[19:31] Fantastic. Uh, Councillor
[19:32] Atwell, see you have your hand up there.
[19:34] Yeah. Uh, thank you, uh, through yourself to, uh,
[19:38] just ask Sergeant Nielsen, um, with the spike
[19:40] that we did see in, uh, in November, is there anything, um,
[19:44] that you could, uh, maybe see from, uh, on council's behalf
[19:48] of kind of what, uh, if there's any changes
[19:50] that we could potentially make to kind of assist in kind
[19:53] of bring some of those things to the forefront, um, kind
[19:55] of look at some root causes potentially, and, uh,
[19:58] and, uh, see what kind of, you know,
[20:00] assistance we can provide in that as well to kind of stem
[20:02] that from progressing forward?
[20:05] Sure thing. Um, I can, I mean, I can speak to 'em.
[20:07] I mean, I think most of the time, for me personally,
[20:09] in my 23 years doing this job
[20:12] and having been here for four years,
[20:13] sometimes it's just your turn, so
[20:15] to speak, to go through these things.
[20:17] Um, unfortunately, the, the, the fatalities
[20:20] that we had on the highway, the, the one fatality that re
[20:22] or the two fatalities resulted from one incident, um,
[20:25] that's, uh, that's just situational factors that existed
[20:28] during that investigation.
[20:29] And I won't try to try to pinpoint any resolution to that
[20:33] or, or causes for that beyond the fact that two persons,
[20:37] um, passed in that thing.
[20:38] I think the highway crew that day, et cetera,
[20:40] road conditions were pretty normal for our area,
[20:42] and it's just something that happened.
[20:44] Um, similar to obviously the,
[20:46] the major crimes investigation,
[20:48] that's a completely entire different thing.
[20:50] Um, similar to comments though, where it's just
[20:52] that there's just an event that occurred, um, similar really
[20:55] to the, the other two.
[20:57] I mean, those are just situations that happened,
[20:59] and unfortunately they happened within a very small time.
[21:01] Um, so I don't, I don't believe there's anything
[21:05] to really pinpoint for council to do.
[21:07] I know, obviously, uh,
[21:08] mayor Wilkes is very active within the traffic portfolio,
[21:11] um, provincially and, uh, so I know he has our, our voice
[21:16] and, uh, in parts the concerns we have, uh, into that area.
[21:19] And of course, we're, we're tied into the, um,
[21:21] the East Ney Road Safety Committee stuff too,
[21:24] as well, that is done locally.
[21:25] And, um, we're, we're actively
[21:27] involved with that group too as well.
[21:28] So I think we're, we're trying to do as much as we can,
[21:31] but I appreciate the ask. Thank you.
[21:33] Yeah. And just a follow up,
[21:35] thank you again for everything.
[21:36] I know that, uh, um, at least from the,
[21:39] also from the youth perspective, uh,
[21:40] the work you guys are doing at the schools is, uh,
[21:42] is definitely well appreciated.
[21:44] And, uh, I know it goes a long way. So thank you again.
[21:46] Thank you, Councilor.
[21:48] Well, I feel like, uh, I heard that there was a vacancy,
[21:51] so if you're really keen, um, there's another opportunity
[21:55] for a deputy at, well, that's, uh, sounds fantastic.
[21:58] They'd be constable. Um, Yes, I be constable.
[22:00] I just want the giant hat.
[22:02] It's gotta be bigger brim than anybody's ever seen. Yeah.
[22:04] Although I understand the sheriffs are hiring too,
[22:06] as well, so that's, that's a good choice too.
[22:10] Okay. I see nothing further.
[22:11] I appreciate your, your time,
[22:12] and we, we look, uh, look forward to,
[22:14] to chatting with you again next quarter. Thank you
[22:16] Very much. Thanks.
[22:17] 
[22:23] Even when I try to make jokes, the, uh,
[22:25] the authority figures me out.
[22:28] Wrong terminology. Our next delegation is at Laurel Lowell
[22:33] and Steven Dovey representing Spar Public Library
[22:36] with an update and funding information.
[22:39] Uh, welcome. Laurel, are you, are you by yourself tonight?
[22:42] No, no seat. Uh, Steven.
[22:48] No problem.
[22:49] It's here. Steven couldn't make it tonight.
[22:52] Um, I have Carly, Yvonne here with me.
[22:54] She's the, um,
[22:57] trustee co co-chair, vice chair.
[22:59] Vice chair. Vice Chair. Well,
[23:01] Vice chair, you're more than welcome to come
[23:02] and stand with your, your partner, if you like,
[23:05] or support from the back.
[23:06] Uh, either way, it's fine.
[23:07] She can support me from there. Okay.
[23:08] If I fall over, she'll come get me joining
[23:10] Hand. Fantastic.
[23:12] Um, yes. Good evening, Mr. Mayor and counsel.
[23:15] Um, first on behalf of the Sparwood Public Library Board
[23:18] of Trustees, I really, truly want to thank you
[23:20] for your continued support.
[23:22] While the public library has always been an important part
[23:25] of any community, I believe we're rapidly becoming a much
[23:27] more vital resource, um, due in part to economic,
[23:30] the economic situation, but also I think
[23:33] because there seems to be a growing trend for people
[23:35] to return back to more tangible holdable real things,
[23:39] partly I think because of devices and social media
[23:43] and disinformation.
[23:45] And so we seem to be seeing a real trend in that area,
[23:47] and I think it's a healthy trend
[23:49] and we're here to support it.
[23:51] So, um,
[23:52] I am the current library director at the Spar Public
[23:54] Library, and I'm pleased to be here to update you on
[23:57] what we've done in the past year.
[23:59] So in 2025,
[24:01] the Spar Public Library welcomed over
[24:02] 15,000 visitors through our doors.
[24:06] A significant number of those visitors came
[24:08] to use the computers and use the internet
[24:10] or, um, to do paperwork, access their email,
[24:13] or to use the faxing and photocopying
[24:15] and scanning services that we provide at a really
[24:17] non nominal cost.
[24:19] Um, but we've also seen a, an increasing usage
[24:22] of traditional library services.
[24:25] So in 2025, our membership increased by 240 patrons.
[24:30] We loaned out close to 17,000 items,
[24:34] most of which were books.
[24:35] But we also do audio books and movies and board games
[24:37] and educational toys,
[24:39] and we loan out laptops for people who are taking courses.
[24:43] Uh, we also loaned out an additional 3,300
[24:46] eBooks through the online library.
[24:47] So that brought our, our loan circulation up
[24:52] to 20,000 items in one year in Sparwood
[24:55] in little old Sparwood.
[24:57] So that's pretty impressive use of a library.
[25:00] Um, we expanded our hours of operation this year
[25:02] to include Friday evenings and Saturdays.
[25:05] And the visitor numbers on Saturdays have been crazy.
[25:08] There's quite often not parking available on Saturdays.
[25:11] So it's been, it was welcome in the
[25:14] community and it's being used.
[25:16] Um, we've been offering programs to all age groups
[25:19] and we've learning which ones are working
[25:21] as we go and making changes.
[25:22] We've got some more coming up
[25:24] to include some more kids art workshops
[25:26] and drop in Lego nights,
[25:27] 'cause we've had lots of requests for that.
[25:29] So that kind of stuff is getting used.
[25:32] We offer, um, a service through subscription.
[25:35] We pay the subscription,
[25:37] it's free courses online called Gale Courses,
[25:40] and we've doubled the number of people
[25:41] that used them this year.
[25:43] Um, almost 375 hours of course training went on for free
[25:47] through the library subscription
[25:49] to people from the community.
[25:50] So they were taking things like QuickBooks, Excel,
[25:52] real Estate law, and second languages.
[25:56] So that's a pretty good service for free
[25:58] that people can have too.
[26:00] Um, we will, again,
[26:02] do the community volunteer income tax preparation
[26:04] with our volunteers through the Revenue Canada
[26:07] program that's offered.
[26:09] We, um, our volunteer process
[26:11] at least 137 tax returns last year
[26:14] for free for people in town.
[26:17] And, um, lastly, we, we've had a lot
[26:20] of really generous donations from community groups
[26:22] and we've done some improvements to the building
[26:25] and we've got a bunch more exciting stuff coming next
[26:28] year to watch for that.
[26:31] That's kind of bringing you up to date
[26:33] and how busy we've been this year.
[26:35] It's been busy, so I don't know
[26:38] If I know, we appreciate you coming
[26:39] to, to see us Miss Slope.
[26:40] Yeah, thank you. Um, 15,000 visitors in 2025
[26:44] if we were open every day of the week,
[26:48] that's 41 per day on average, which is
[26:51] We average, we figure about 70 a day.
[26:54] That's amazing. Yeah. Yeah.
[26:57] And we don't just stand
[26:58] there and go in and out the counter.
[26:59] I I don't send staff there.
[27:02] It's, it's real visitors, not just us. Yeah.
[27:05] So, no, it's, it's steady usage all day, every day.
[27:08] Fantastic news. Uh, any questions?
[27:11] Feedback, uh, thoughts from, from council
[27:13] or, or mayor online?
[27:16] Councilor Atwell.
[27:19] Yeah. Uh, thank you.
[27:20] Just a huge shout to the, uh, the library
[27:23] and, uh, everything that's kind of, uh,
[27:25] come forward in the past year or so.
[27:27] Um, I know I presented, um, at UVCM, um, on, uh, kind of
[27:31] where we're at and, uh, where libraries are provincially
[27:34] and kind of what, uh, we're looking
[27:35] after funding model to see what kind
[27:37] of allocation we can see from the provincial government
[27:40] to expand beyond it just being, um,
[27:42] municipal funded at this point.
[27:44] Um, but great point that, uh,
[27:47] libraries are more than just books.
[27:48] You know, this isn't the live same libraries that we,
[27:51] we had in the eighties and nineties,
[27:52] uh, you know, when I was growing up.
[27:54] Um, libraries do so much more
[27:56] and are so key, especially in forward,
[27:58] and we definitely saw that, um, during the span of, uh,
[28:01] of not having the library in town.
[28:03] So, um, huge shout out to, to that group
[28:06] and getting that library up and running
[28:07] and, uh, you're definitely seeing the fruit to that labor.
[28:09] So, um, uh, big hearty applause for me. Good job.
[28:14] Thanks. Anything further?
[28:18] Nope. Okay, crystal, thank you.
[28:20] Well, thank you again and the utmost gratitude from,
[28:23] from council on the great work. You and your team are doing
[28:25] Grand. Thank you very
[28:26] much.
[28:29] Alright, the next agenda item will be bylaws,
[28:32] which we need to go through three of them.
[28:34] Our first bylaw report is from the Director of Planning
[28:37] and Development regarding the zoning amendment bylaw
[28:40] for the neighborhood commercial zone.
[28:42] Mr. Solit, the floor is yours.
[28:44] Thank you, Mr. Chair. So,
[28:49] uh, this is zoning bylaw amendment 13 59 20 25.
[28:53] It's a proposed amendment to the C3 zone.
[28:57] My computer will catch up shortly.
[29:11] So a proposed amendment to the C3 neighborhood commercial
[29:13] zone, uh, for reference, that's, uh, 1290 Ponderosa,
[29:17] the Sparwood Heights store and six 14 Douglas
[29:19] Fir, the Silver Fox.
[29:20] Those are the only two C3 zone properties in town.
[29:23] So the application is to add a number of uses, offices,
[29:27] restaurant, institutional services, uh,
[29:28] and services to buildings
[29:29] and dwellings to the permitted uses, adding recreation
[29:33] to the permitted uses that are allowed outside of a building
[29:36] and deleting the maximum gross gross floor area, uh,
[29:39] restriction for each primary use.
[29:41] Um, so neighborhood commercial is typically more restrictive
[29:44] than general commercial zoning.
[29:45] You'll see that in our highway commercial
[29:48] and downtown commercial zones.
[29:49] They're more permissive than than, uh,
[29:51] neighborhood commercial.
[29:53] Um, so adding the allowable use of office,
[29:55] there's no definition in our bylaws.
[29:57] So we default to the dictionary.
[29:59] Um, generally they have less foot traffic.
[30:01] They can reduce vibrancy in character as in trip generation.
[30:05] But, uh, it depends on what kind of office.
[30:07] They do produce Minimal noise, odors or traffic.
[30:10] Um, and they can be common in neighborhood commercial areas
[30:13] in other communities, institutional is a broad use.
[30:18] Um, it can be government uses, religious uses,
[30:21] educational uses, hospital, and so on.
[30:23] Um, it is a broad category, uh,
[30:25] so it could have unforeseen impacts.
[30:27] Um, but the nature of the space
[30:30] and the size of the space is more likely to see religious
[30:33] or government buildings like service BC
[30:35] counters and things like that.
[30:38] Uh, adding allowable uses the restaurant.
[30:40] Uh, currently neighborhood pubs are
[30:41] permitted in the C3 zone.
[30:43] Uh, restaurant is just a broader term than neighborhood pub.
[30:45] It includes more things,
[30:47] and that is a very common use
[30:48] in neighborhood commercial areas.
[30:51] The, uh, services to buildings
[30:52] and dwellings, uh, that is
[30:58] a use
[30:59] that we pull from the standard industrial classification
[31:01] of 1980, uh, for our industrial uses.
[31:04] And it is, uh, more light industrial use as defined.
[31:09] Um, that can have, depending on,
[31:13] I should back up and say any use
[31:15] that's permitted in the bylaw is permitted.
[31:17] It's not the user or the type of business, it's anything
[31:20] that falls within the defined use.
[31:23] So if a restaurant were there,
[31:25] that would be any restaurant from a McDonald's
[31:28] to a Michelin Star restaurant.
[31:31] Um, so same thing with, um, with cleaning.
[31:35] If it meets the definition, that's what's allowed, uh,
[31:39] adding allowable uses to the exterior.
[31:41] Uh, the C3 zone ex limits exterior use.
[31:44] Um, the applicant's requested that recreation be added
[31:47] to allow the, the mini golf course that occurs seasonally.
[31:51] Um, other uses could be added,
[31:52] and that's something that district staff are considering.
[31:55] As part of the zoning bylaw rerate, it's common
[31:57] for restaurants and whatnot to have patios and, um, patios
[32:00] and for retail shops
[32:02] or other shops to put their wears out into the, um,
[32:04] out into the parking area For reference, any changes
[32:08] to the exterior of the building still fall under the form
[32:10] and character development permit area in place for this,
[32:13] uh, these two locations.
[32:14] So, um, that isn't impacted.
[32:16] There can be potential impacts from noise,
[32:18] depending on the nature of the recreational
[32:20] use outside of the building.
[32:21] Um, but again, that, uh, the
[32:27] restriction of uses is less common
[32:29] to see in neighborhood use or neighborhood commercial.
[32:32] Um, so take that as you will
[32:35] Maximum gross floor area,
[32:37] the maximum gross floor area generally is put in place
[32:41] to restrict the use of neighborhood commercial
[32:44] to smaller businesses
[32:45] and to avoid larger premises like your grocery
[32:49] stores or your box stores.
[32:51] Um, so in this case, the, uh,
[32:53] the Sparwood Heights stores received a number
[32:55] of permits over the years.
[32:56] Sparwood Heights, uh, store location has received a number
[33:00] of permits over the years that have varied that requirement.
[33:04] Um, the units appear to largely meet the maximum floor area,
[33:08] um, however, the applicant is asking for this to be removed.
[33:11] Um, removing this regulation could allow the entire building
[33:14] to be consolidated into a single use.
[33:17] Um, and it will affect the other C3 zone property in terms
[33:21] of legislative requirements.
[33:22] A public hearing was held this evening.
[33:24] Uh, should counsel decide to give this third reading,
[33:26] the bylaw must be referred to the Ministry
[33:28] of Transportation in Transit,
[33:29] which staff will do afterwards.
[33:31] Uh, and then once approved
[33:33] or if approved by the MOTT,
[33:35] it'll come back to Council for Adoption.
[33:38] Uh, so next steps, again, if council provides third reading,
[33:41] this will go to MOTT for approval.
[33:43] And it's our recommendation
[33:45] that council adopt the zoning amendment as presented.
[33:47] If there's any questions, I'm happy to answer them.
[33:49] Thank you, Mr. Flt. Any questions from counsel to Mr.
[33:53] Flt Before we move on? Councillor Christensen.
[33:59] Thank you. Uh, Steve.
[34:02] Um, Patrick, can we, um, say for example,
[34:07] a cleaning service does go there.
[34:10] Do we have restrictions in place for hazardous materials
[34:13] that, that supersede even though the buildings are used
[34:17] for janitorial, um, something that's hazardous
[34:21] or may be hazardous to the residents
[34:24] or may, um, uh,
[34:29] have a strong odor of some sort?
[34:31] Do we have, uh, something of, of a measure within the bylaw
[34:35] that we can also still address that if need be?
[34:39] And, and maybe even, I guess I would go for as, as far
[34:42] as noise from maybe some kind of recreation that occurs,
[34:47] uh, e even if we allow for recreation,
[34:50] do we still have something in place to help monitor those
[34:55] Through the chair? I'll
[34:56] take the first question first and the second.
[34:58] One second. Um, there is no zoning regulation
[35:02] or restriction on the materials
[35:04] or products stored within a building.
[35:05] However, I expect fire code, what wouldn't restrict
[35:10] what could be stored, but would dictate how it's stored.
[35:13] Um, building code may also have some implications on that.
[35:16] Um, but that falls outside of our jurisdiction.
[35:19] Um, in terms of olfactory, I'm not aware of any regulation
[35:23] of the district aspar wood with respect to smells and noise.
[35:27] I'm gonna have to actually ask my, uh,
[35:29] my colleague about the noise
[35:32] regulations in the community standards bylaw.
[35:34] I know they apply to residential and to some development,
[35:36] but I cannot remember, um,
[35:39] how they applied to commercial properties.
[35:40] If you give me about 30 seconds, I can look it up.
[35:44] Thank you.
[35:48] Any other questions?
[35:50] Well, the clock is ticking on Mr. So fleet's 30 seconds.
[35:55] We're probably closer to 20 now. Councilor Atwell.
[36:02] Uh, just a, I think just a discussion piece for rest
[36:05] of council, if anybody's heard, uh, I know that, uh,
[36:07] George Campton spoke for Mr. Anderson earlier about, uh,
[36:11] potential to use it as office, um, from a potential,
[36:16] um, tenant and storage.
[36:18] Um, so I think with that, would the definition existing
[36:23] as offices cover that need beyond it?
[36:28] Uh, um, needing the storage for,
[36:31] for cleaning supplies and the whole bit?
[36:33] Um, because I think my big concern with that is what
[36:37] that can extend out to, to include, um,
[36:41] as potentially the business expands and needs space
[36:44] and parking for vehicles.
[36:45] We have, uh, seen a lot of that,
[36:47] and there is the industrial space available for that.
[36:50] Um, but then also the services to buildings.
[36:54] I think with the, the fact that it can be, um, included
[36:58] to have somebody who has, um,
[37:02] does pest control, pest control.
[37:04] Um, but doing the daycare is right there and stuff too.
[37:07] And I understand that the, um, there will be controls.
[37:12] I just, I don't like the idea of kids being around something
[37:15] that potentially has that hazard to it, um,
[37:18] in the same vicinity.
[37:20] Um, so I think those are my, my two big pieces.
[37:22] Unless somebody's heard from, uh, the applicant
[37:24] or had a conversation like, uh, I'd love to hear.
[37:26] But, uh, I think that is my biggest issue with the services,
[37:30] the building and dwellings, um, potential.
[37:35] Thank you. Uh, councilor Atwell, back to
[37:39] Thank you, Mr. Chair.
[37:40] Uh, so our community standards by law, uh,
[37:43] prohibits an owner or occupier of a property to cause, allow
[37:46] or allow to be made or continue any noise which emanates
[37:49] from that property, that causes a nuisance between 10:00 PM
[37:52] and 7:00 AM And that is waived in the M two
[37:55] and M three zones, but not in C3 zones.
[37:58] So that would apply in this case.
[38:01] I had a feeling that's, I didn't wanna speak outta turn.
[38:04] I'm glad you researched it and that's great.
[38:07] Anything else to, uh, any other further questions
[38:10] or, alright, well, the motion
[38:14] before you is that counsel, give third reading to zoning,
[38:17] amendment bylaw 1 3 5 9 20 25 as presented.
[38:21] Do I have a mover? Moved, moved, seconded.
[38:25] Any discussion, mayor Wilkes.
[38:32] Thanks. Uh, acting there.
[38:35] Uh, I'm, uh, fully in support of this.
[38:38] Um, it's a long time coming.
[38:41] Uh, I remember when, uh, my wife
[38:44] and I were in there for 14 years
[38:45] and I didn't realize that the maximum square footage was,
[38:48] uh, 2200 square feet,
[38:51] considering we were using about 8,000 of it.
[38:53] Um, so, um, the other, uh, thing I heard earlier was, uh,
[38:58] with regards to, uh, chemicals, uh, storage and such.
[39:02] Um, there were chemicals
[39:05] and such that we utilized in the bowling alley as well.
[39:07] What we safely put them in the back
[39:09] and, uh, we needed them, uh, for cleaning lanes
[39:13] and, uh, those types of things.
[39:15] So they were utilized, but they were safely stored.
[39:18] Um, so I think this, uh, is a long time coming. Uh, Mr.
[39:23] Anderson's gone it about the right way,
[39:24] and, uh, I look forward to, uh, voting,
[39:27] casting my vote in favor.
[39:28] Thank you.
[39:31] Thanks, mayor Wilkes. O over to you. Councilor Atwell.
[39:35] Yeah, thank you, chair.
[39:36] Um, yeah, I think that my concern that I raised earlier,
[39:41] um, still sits.
[39:43] I, I understand that there was, uh,
[39:45] chemicals in place earlier for the bowling alley,
[39:47] but that was prior to there being at daycare, um, adjacent
[39:50] to the building, sharing a wall.
[39:52] Um, I think that that's a big piece of it.
[39:55] Um, I would've liked to just see an amendment.
[39:58] I do agree with the majority of this change.
[40:02] Um, but at the same time, this affects two properties.
[40:04] So in reading through this in the last, uh,
[40:07] last couple days here especially, it does have an effect on,
[40:10] um, the SRO Fox as well.
[40:12] So, um, having a car blanche for just, uh, everything within
[40:17] the same zoning, um, you know, putting
[40:21] that into consideration of what effects not only up top
[40:24] for the store, but also for the sfl.
[40:26] Um, I would've liked to see some amendments.
[40:28] So I, I hope people against
[40:29] to at least see something within voting amendments.
[40:34] Anything further? Councilor? Uh, I'll be voting in favor.
[40:39] We have a business that's coming to our community
[40:41] that's ready to set up shop.
[40:42] We need to remove the red tape to allow them
[40:45] to provide a service in our community.
[40:47] Thank you. Councillor Christiansen?
[40:52] Yeah, uh, uh, I'm supportive of all,
[40:55] all the recommendations, uh, given by, uh, Patrick on here.
[41:00] Uh, except for the, oh, sorry. Uh, except for the cleaning.
[41:04] I think that should be allowed.
[41:05] But I, I do still have concerns about the opportunity
[41:08] for a big single entity to eventually someday, uh,
[41:13] maybe put a box store or supersized grocery store up there.
[41:18] Um, it might be a long time coming,
[41:21] but I would like to see that
[41:25] amended into the, um, to the bylaw.
[41:30] So
[41:33] I'll see how good a vote.
[41:37] And I have nothing to add. Um,
[41:39] if there's nothing further, we'll call the question.
[41:42] All those in favor? Opposed?
[41:48] Councilor? Atwells. Opposed? Uh, carried.
[41:54] Our next bylaw report is from the Manager
[41:56] of Corporate Services regarding amendment
[41:58] bylaws for Admiral Control.
[42:00] Ms. Uh, Rawles floor is reserves.
[42:02] Thank you, Mr. Chair. This report is being brought forward
[42:05] for counsel to consider updates to both the animal control
[42:08] and the fees in charge bylaws during committee of the whole.
[42:11] On August 16th, 2025, the committee
[42:14] provided the following direction
[42:15] regarding the animal control bylaw,
[42:17] including updating definitions related to poultry,
[42:21] removing sections related to skunks,
[42:23] allowing domestic ferrets and relocating all fees
[42:25] and charges into the fees and charges bylaw.
[42:28] You'll see in your, um, on the animal control bylaw,
[42:31] the amendments include adding poultry to the definition
[42:35] of farm animals to incorporate poultry such as ducks,
[42:38] peacocks, and turkeys,
[42:39] which were previously omitted from the bylaw.
[42:42] Removing the sections related to skunks to better align
[42:44] with the BC Wildlife Act, provincial standards
[42:47] and promoting coexistence with urban wildlife,
[42:50] allowing domestic ferrets by adding them to schedule A
[42:54] and removal of the fees to the fees
[42:55] and charges bylaw amendments to the fees and charges.
[42:59] Bylaw includes the addition of a schedule
[43:01] for animal control fees
[43:02] and the incorporation of future fee increases.
[43:06] Fees within the animal control bylaw have not been adjusted
[43:09] in five years, while service demands
[43:11] and costs of caring for animals have increased.
[43:14] The proposed adjustments are in 2027, fees would increase
[43:18] by $2 with the exception of CAT
[43:20] and urban hen boarding, which will increase by five in 2030.
[43:24] Fees would increase by $3, again, with the exception of CAT
[43:27] and hen boarding, which would increase by $5.
[43:31] These small increases in fees will help the department keep
[43:34] pace with rising operational demands,
[43:36] maintain effective enforcement,
[43:37] and continue to meet community expectations.
[43:40] Staff is recommending three readings
[43:42] of the both bylaws as presented.
[43:46] Any questions from counsel? Mayor Wilkes, counsel?
[43:54] Okay, seeing none, we have two motions
[43:56] here, so we'll do them separately.
[43:58] Uh, the first motion is that the council give first, second,
[44:00] and third reading to the Animal control amendment bylaw
[44:03] 1 3 5 3 20 26 as presented.
[44:06] Do I have a mover? Moved. Seconded. Any discussion?
[44:12] Call question. All those in favor? Carried.
[44:17] Second. Motion that counsel give first, second,
[44:21] and third reading to fees and charges.
[44:23] Amendment bylaw 1 3 6 0 20 26 As presented.
[44:27] Do have a mover moved? Seconded. Any discussion?
[44:34] Sign None will call the question. All those in favor?
[44:39] Carried. Thank you.
[44:44] Our next bylaw report is from the Director of Planning
[44:46] and Development regarding this zoning amendment bylaw
[44:50] for low density residential agriculture.
[44:53] Mr. So fleet, the floor is yours.
[44:55] Thank you, Mr. Chair. So this is zoning amendment
[44:57] bylaw 1362.
[44:58] A slightly different number than the last one.
[45:00] Um, the purpose of this application is for counsel
[45:03] to consider a zoning amendment to alter the zoning
[45:05] for the lease properties along Michelle Creek Road from R
[45:09] one to a brand new zone called R Ag, uh,
[45:12] to allow limited agricultural uses
[45:14] and also to amend the heavy industrial mining industrial
[45:18] and agricultural zones.
[45:19] To add pasture misspelt that pardon me,
[45:22] and range as a permitted use.
[45:24] I'm gonna go through the application in detail.
[45:26] Uh, so historically there's been unlawful keeping
[45:29] of farm animals along Michelle Creek Road.
[45:31] Uh, it seems like since time immemorial until recently,
[45:35] this has been unenforced.
[45:36] However, the same rules apply on Michelle Creek Road is
[45:38] apply in lower Sparwood.
[45:39] It's the same zone, same rules, same requirements.
[45:43] The landowner has been also leasing lands within the M two
[45:46] and M three zones for pasture and range.
[45:48] Uh, and that's a use that's not permitted in those zones.
[45:52] Uh, the landowner, which is Elk Valley Resources,
[45:54] has applied to amend the zoning
[45:56] of the Michelle Creek Road area to add a new zone,
[45:59] which would specifically provide a legal avenue
[46:01] for keeping a farm animals in a limited fashion.
[46:04] So what are they asking for?
[46:06] Um, the first thing is the R ag zone.
[46:09] So the R ag zone is based off of the R one zone
[46:12] with some tweaks, and I'll go into those in detail.
[46:15] This zone would permit, uh,
[46:16] limited non-commercial agricultural uses.
[46:18] So horses, poultry,
[46:19] or chickens alongside single family dwellings.
[46:23] An addition of definitions for animal units,
[46:26] farm animal limited to agriculture and pasture
[46:29] and range would be added to the zoning bylaw so
[46:31] that we have definitions associated
[46:32] with those uses adding pasture and range to the M two
[46:36] and M three zones.
[46:37] Um, if it is added to those zones, it should also be added
[46:40] to the A one zone because if you add a use to one zone
[46:44] and you don't list it in another,
[46:46] it's explicitly prohibited.
[46:47] And the ag zone already includes a broader use than that.
[46:50] So, um, it would be currently permitted in
[46:54] the A one zone today.
[46:55] If we added this only to M two
[46:57] and M three, it would become prohibited in the A one zone
[47:00] without adding it there too.
[47:02] So staff have included that in the proposed bylaw.
[47:05] Uh, change the zone for a section
[47:07] of Michelle Creek Road from, uh,
[47:10] and industrial road two from low density residential
[47:12] to low density residential agricultural.
[47:15] So what are the differences
[47:16] between the RA and the R one zone?
[47:19] Um, so the new use limited agriculture,
[47:21] keeping a farm animals excluding swine sheep, goats
[47:24] and cames, that's the request from the applicant.
[47:27] There's references to, uh, to lot have been changed to site
[47:31] because for all of these properties, there are no lots.
[47:34] It's all one lot with leasehold areas there.
[47:37] They would be considered sites under our, um,
[47:40] our zoning bylaw, reducing the site area
[47:44] for sites without municipal services from two
[47:46] hectares to 0.36.
[47:48] This is to accommodate the existing sites
[47:50] that already have this, uh, reducing the minimum
[47:53] of site widths from one third of the lot length,
[47:55] which is effectively saying that the lot has to be, um,
[47:59] the width of the lot can only be
[48:02] or has to be bigger than one third of its depth.
[48:05] Changing that from one third to one fifth again,
[48:07] to accommodate the morphology
[48:08] of the already existing sites along Michelle Creek Road.
[48:11] Increasing the max site coverage
[48:13] and height for accessory buildings.
[48:15] This would allow for barn type structures, which goes along
[48:17] with allowing the keeping of farm animals.
[48:20] Um, it's important to note as well that I'll,
[48:23] I'll go back a couple slides, uh, lower Michelle Creek Road,
[48:26] um, which you can see down
[48:29] here is agricultural.
[48:32] Mm-hmm. So the homes on lower Michelle Creek Road are
[48:34] already in the Ag zone, not in the R one zone.
[48:39] Uh, so no changes are proposed for that area
[48:42] in terms of lot width.
[48:44] The proposed and sizes,
[48:46] the proposed changes address most
[48:48] existing sites, but not all.
[48:49] Um, there are a couple that are one
[48:51] that may not meet the width
[48:52] and one that may not meet the parcel size,
[48:54] but that doesn't change that it can be used as such today.
[48:58] It just would prohibit new sites from being created of
[49:01] that size are smaller, uh, allowable
[49:06] or animal units and allowable animal units.
[49:08] So the proposal is to to have
[49:13] a count of agricultural units
[49:14] that are permissible on a property.
[49:16] And it's effectively allowed two agricultural units per
[49:19] acre, um, with one cow,
[49:24] one full-sized cow being an agricultural unit.
[49:26] So two cattle on an acre, or a cow and a horse.
[49:29] Um, and then an allowance for calves
[49:31] and FOSS for their first year.
[49:33] Um, donkeys, same thing.
[49:35] Donkeys would be half a horse, uh, rabbits in poultry.
[49:39] Um, it's an odd ratio listed here,
[49:41] and I'll address that on a subsequent slide.
[49:44] Um, effectively the ratio is really small,
[49:46] but the applicant has included a maximum of five animals.
[49:50] Um, that's consistent
[49:51] with the urban hen regulations in our animal control bylaw.
[49:55] However, our urban hen regulations are based on a 0.16
[50:00] acre parcel, which is the typical single family
[50:02] parcel in Sparwood.
[50:04] So in that case,
[50:06] five hens are allowed on 0.16 of an acre.
[50:09] And this would be saying five would be allowed on a,
[50:12] on a, on two acres.
[50:14] Um, 'cause it's up to a maximum of five.
[50:17] So, uh, no animal units have been included for other types
[50:22] of animals that may be permissible.
[50:23] So anything that's not a camelo, uh, swine,
[50:26] uh, sheep or a goat.
[50:27] Um, so there's no calculation for that.
[50:29] And staff are proposing some amendments
[50:32] to address these issues.
[50:34] So specifically, um, the limited exceptions proposed
[50:37] for the types of animals could allow for additional animals
[50:40] that are not contemplated.
[50:41] So rather than having limited exception,
[50:44] staff are suggesting that counsel amend the bylaw
[50:46] to have a limited inclusion for all the species
[50:49] that have been listed for animal units.
[50:52] So, uh, the reason for this is
[50:54] that it is still a residential area.
[50:56] These are not truly agricultural parcels.
[50:58] They're not that big. Um,
[51:00] so recommendation would be still cattle, horses, donkeys,
[51:04] rabbits, and chickens.
[51:05] So restricting from chi from poultry, which includes
[51:10] Guinea fowl, PE hens, duck geese, the whole gamut
[51:14] to chickens and changing the ratio to 0.2 au,
[51:18] which would allow for five per acre
[51:21] or 10 on a two acre site.
[51:24] And again, um, our interpretation is
[51:27] that urban hen regulations wouldn't apply here
[51:29] because keeping of farm animals is a permitted use.
[51:32] Um, similarly, it seems odd to, in,
[51:37] in our urban hen policy, your neighbors have
[51:41] essentially veto over whether or not you have them.
[51:44] Um, but to have that requirement for chickens,
[51:46] but not for rabbits, horses, cattle,
[51:48] or donkeys, um, seems odd.
[51:51] So the interpretation here is that, uh, with this use,
[51:53] it wouldn't have to follow our urban hen policy.
[51:56] So the proposal is to alter the au the animal unit ratio
[52:00] for rabbits and chickens,
[52:02] and to limit the use in the R ag zone to cattle, horses,
[52:06] donkeys, chickens, rabbits,
[52:07] and bees, which are the animals listed in
[52:10] the applicant's application.
[52:12] In terms of pasture and range land, the M two
[52:15] and M three zones are the fuchsia
[52:17] and deep purple ones on this picture.
[52:19] So effectively their sites controlled by, um,
[52:23] elk Valley resources and are largely used
[52:25] for mining or mine operations.
[52:27] Um, pasture
[52:28] and range land in this,
[52:29] these areas appears less impactful than the already
[52:32] permitted uses, um, and would be common with the crown land.
[52:36] Um, wild range land, uh, that we see off
[52:39] of logging roads in the valleys.
[52:41] So irrespective of municipal permission, it's important
[52:44] to note that any uses within the mine permit area need
[52:46] to follow provincial approvals.
[52:48] Um, so council can allow range land in these areas,
[52:51] but that still has to fall in line with provincial permits.
[52:54] Um, and we're again proposing to add the use
[52:58] to the A one zone to ensure
[52:59] that it remains permissible in the a one zone.
[53:03] In terms of legislative requirements, uh,
[53:05] a public hearing is required for this, uh, as the nature
[53:08] of the amendments are agricultural, not residential.
[53:11] So it wouldn't fall under the bill 44 ban on public hearings
[53:14] for residential zones.
[53:16] Um, after third reading of the bylaw, it would need to go
[53:19] to the Ministry of Transportation and Transit for approval.
[53:22] And, uh, next steps would be to schedule a public hearing
[53:25] and present the, um, present the application to council
[53:28] for further consideration for third reading if it proceeds.
[53:32] So staff's recommendation is,
[53:34] I'll back up before the recommendation.
[53:36] We're in favor, uh,
[53:37] or supportive of the proposed amendment
[53:39] with some slight tweaks.
[53:40] Um, so that recommendation is
[53:43] that council give first reading to the bylaw
[53:44] and then to amend the bylaw to alter the animal units
[53:47] for rabbits and chickens to 0.2.
[53:49] And then to change the limited agriculture
[53:52] and keeping of farm animals to be limited to horses, cattle,
[53:54] donkeys, chickens, rabbits and bees only.
[53:56] Uh, and then to provide second reading to that
[53:59] and schedule a public hearing.
[54:00] If there's any questions, I'm happy to answer them.
[54:03] Thank you. Mr. Questions. Councilor Christensen?
[54:07] Uh, thank you Steve.
[54:09] Uh, thanks Patrick for that, uh, good report.
[54:12] Um, uh, two or three questions here quickly.
[54:15] Hope I remember 'em all, but, uh, first one.
[54:18] Um, so I get the, just that, um,
[54:23] we're just making those who have it already existing, uh,
[54:28] um, number of animals or,
[54:30] or whatnot up there on their properties.
[54:32] We're just making illegal forms,
[54:33] so we're not gonna have any, uh, effect of
[54:39] restrictions or,
[54:40] or, um, downsizing of current, um,
[54:45] uh, numbers that are, uh, horses
[54:49] or whatever chickens.
[54:51] Uh, this, this bylaw won't be requiring them to change
[54:54] what they've already got in place
[54:58] Through the chair. The
[54:59] current law doesn't allow them
[55:00] to have them in the first place. That's
[55:01] Right.
[55:02] So, uh, I can't speak to whether
[55:04] or not someone has more than the
[55:06] provided animal units that EEVR has applied for.
[55:10] If they have more than that, they would be inconsistent
[55:12] with the bylaw and they would need to remove them.
[55:13] Okay. But they would be allowed to have some units, uh,
[55:18] based on the ratios that, um, that EVR is applying for.
[55:21] Sure. Do we know that EVR consulted with the,
[55:24] the local residents?
[55:27] My understanding is that's the case, but I have no Okay.
[55:30] Direct knowledge of that. I only have hearsay. Okay.
[55:33] Uh, the second, uh, question will, will our changes
[55:36] to the zoning here to to from industrial to agriculture, um,
[55:42] useful that have any effect on on, on the current, um,
[55:46] entities, uh, along Michelle Creek Road as far
[55:50] as businesses go, as far as traffic to
[55:52] and from, uh, the businesses.
[55:55] Will that lead to any, uh, changes in, uh,
[55:59] road allowances
[56:01] Through the chair?
[56:02] My understanding is the areas along Michelle Creek Road, uh,
[56:05] that are M two zoned already are already used
[56:07] as pasture and range land.
[56:09] So I don't expect there would be changes,
[56:12] uh, resulting from that.
[56:13] Um, and then further out on the
[56:16] mine side, I can't speak to that.
[56:17] Um, I, I don't know what the level of traffic would be,
[56:20] but ultimately the landowner would still control whether
[56:23] or not they give permission
[56:24] for people to go up there. Yeah.
[56:26] Uh, I'm speaking more to like Michelle Creek itself,
[56:30] if we change some of that area to agriculture use, does
[56:33] that, uh, would that, do you foresee
[56:36] that making any restrictions on the, on
[56:39] Michelle Creek road itself?
[56:41] Uh, as far as industrial uses,
[56:44] Uh, through the chair, I don't anticipate changes
[56:47] because a lot of this is happening unlawfully already.
[56:51] Um, so that's why I don't anticipate significant changes.
[56:54] Okay. We have some pasture land below.
[56:57] Um, uh,
[57:02] why am I gapping on the name?
[57:04] Um, below the big pond. Yeah. Um, there's Lagoon.
[57:08] Lagoon, thank you. Below the lagoon.
[57:10] There's already a pasture going on there.
[57:12] There's also, I believe some pasture going up on, up
[57:15] behind the Michelle Creek Road properties.
[57:18] Um, so up slope from there.
[57:20] But this would allow range land in, in most
[57:25] of the EVR lands.
[57:27] Yeah. Yeah. And, and I'm fine with that.
[57:29] And maybe this part more of discussion.
[57:31] I just don't want it to ever be used as a tool
[57:34] to argue that all.
[57:36] Also we can't haul fuel down.
[57:38] That, to me, it's a separate issue. And
[57:41] That would be a council decision.
[57:42] Yeah. Uh, you know, by designated as an agriculture, uh,
[57:47] zone, um, uh, you know, I can't foresee it.
[57:52] I don't see any examples of it anywhere
[57:55] in the areas that I know.
[57:57] And so I just wanna make sure that we aren't gonna help
[58:01] and I use that as a tool to say now we can't ship
[58:06] whatever to industries on that road. So Sure.
[58:10] Through the chair, that would be a separate council
[58:12] decision on designation of truck route
[58:14] and hazardous good handling.
[58:15] Perfect. And I can't speak to what council would
[58:18] or what a future council would decide to do
[58:20] with roads. Okay.
[58:21] Thank you. Thank
[58:22] You. Councillor Christensen, over
[58:23] to you.
[58:24] Councillor Atal and then Mayor Wilkes.
[58:26] Uh, he had his hand up before you, mayor Wilkes.
[58:28] See you're keen, but
[58:31] Pass hands. No.
[58:32] Um, do yourself to, um, Patrick,
[58:37] what is the difference in tax implication
[58:40] for swapping over from R one
[58:43] to RAG, um, for the district?
[58:45] If this was, uh, to kind of go forward
[58:50] To the chair, I do not know.
[58:51] Um, the assessed value
[58:54] of the buildings is unlikely to change.
[58:56] Um, I believe a lot
[58:58] of the ones along Michelle Creek Road are an odd version
[59:01] of class one, where the home is class one,
[59:03] but the land is assessed differently.
[59:05] It's a weird beast because it's all leased land.
[59:08] Um, so I don't foresee the homes changing,
[59:11] but that would be up to BC assessment to make those changes.
[59:15] So apologies, I don't have a better answer.
[59:18] Nope, that works for me. Uh,
[59:19] I'll hold my other question then, um, over to,
[59:22] uh, back of the chair. Thank you.
[59:24] Thanks. You're up.
[59:26] Thanks. Uh, through you to, uh, Patrick Patrick
[59:30] with regards to, uh, chickens.
[59:32] So laying hens or versus, uh, roosting he
[59:36] or roosting roosters or roosting?
[59:38] He, um, we, I think in our bylaw now,
[59:42] we restrict it to, correct me if I'm wrong, someone five,
[59:46] uh, within residential area.
[59:49] Um, I do know that uh, there are some people along, um, uh,
[59:54] Michelle Creek Road that historically have had
[59:57] anywhere from eight to 10.
[59:59] Uh, don't seem to be an issue at all, um, that I know of.
[1:00:03] Um, so this will restrict them to go back down
[1:00:06] to, I'm gonna say five.
[1:00:08] Is that correct?
[1:00:10] Through the chair. Uh,
[1:00:11] the applicant's proposal would restrict them
[1:00:13] to five staff's.
[1:00:14] Recommendation would allow, uh, would allow 10 per acre.
[1:00:20] Okay, that makes more sense. Okay. Thank you very much.
[1:00:24] Does follow up?
[1:00:28] Alright, so we have four motions to walk through here.
[1:00:31] Uh, team, um, first motion
[1:00:33] before you is that council give first reading to zoning
[1:00:36] of amendment bylaw 1 3 6 2 20 26 as presented.
[1:00:41] Mover, moved, seconded. Any discussion?
[1:00:47] Call question. All in favor carried.
[1:00:52] Next we have that council amend zoning
[1:00:57] amendment bylaw 1 3 6 2 20 26
[1:01:01] as follows, A amend section two point A
[1:01:06] to change the animal units for rabbits
[1:01:09] and chickens to 0.2 B.
[1:01:12] Amend schedule a section 3.2,
[1:01:17] c1 B uh,
[1:01:20] VII to read.
[1:01:23] Limited agricultural keeping of farm animals limited
[1:01:27] to horses, cattle, donkeys, chickens,
[1:01:30] rabbits, and bees only.
[1:01:32] Do I have a mover? Moved. Seconded. Discussion.
[1:01:40] That's a very long sub clause.
[1:01:42] That's my, that's, that's my, that's my discussion point.
[1:01:46] No discussion. I'll call the question. All those in favor.
[1:01:52] Carried. Third motion
[1:01:54] before you the council gives second reading to zoning,
[1:01:57] amendment bylaw.
[1:01:58] 1 3 6 2 20 26 as amended, moved.
[1:02:04] Seconded. Discussion. Call the question.
[1:02:08] All those in favor carried.
[1:02:12] Fourth motion on this topic.
[1:02:14] The council direct staff to schedule a public hearing
[1:02:17] for February 17th, 2026.
[1:02:19] Do I have a mover? Moved. Seconded. Any discussion?
[1:02:24] Call question. All those in favor? Carried.
[1:02:31] Alright. That moves us into the business portion
[1:02:34] of our meeting, which we have six items to go through.
[1:02:37] Our first report is from the Director of Community Services
[1:02:40] regarding a community funding
[1:02:41] and support request from Ferney Women's Resource Center.
[1:02:45] Ms. Jensen Floor is yours.
[1:02:47] Thank you, chair. This report is coming
[1:02:50] before you this evening to consider the community funding
[1:02:53] and support category two request from the Ferney Women's
[1:02:56] Resource Center, seeking in kind support
[1:02:59] with facility rental fees to host a parent
[1:03:02] and taught program in Sparwood.
[1:03:04] The Ferney Women's Resource Center has been a proud part
[1:03:07] of the valley since 1979.
[1:03:10] They aim to raise the status of women, act as a referral
[1:03:13] and drop in center, offer support, support to women
[1:03:17] and their families, and inform
[1:03:19] and educate the public around issues concerning women.
[1:03:22] For a number of years, the ferney Women's Resource Society
[1:03:25] has offered a free parent
[1:03:27] and taught program for families in Sparwood.
[1:03:30] In previous years since 2023,
[1:03:33] the Verney Womens Resource Center has applied for
[1:03:35] and received category one community funding
[1:03:38] and support for this program.
[1:03:40] Also for in kind for facility rentals this year.
[1:03:44] Instead, they have chosen to apply for category two funding.
[1:03:48] They're seeking a total of $1,816
[1:03:53] for in-kind support.
[1:03:54] And as the requested funds are not
[1:03:57] for hosting a local community event, charitable event
[1:04:00] or startup funding
[1:04:02] for eligibility must be determined by council.
[1:04:05] Therefore, staff will not be making a recommendation.
[1:04:08] Currently, there is $22,000 within the category two
[1:04:12] community funding and support budget.
[1:04:14] Should council approve this request,
[1:04:16] $20,184 would be left available.
[1:04:23] Any questions? Councilor Christensen?
[1:04:25] Uh, thank you Council.
[1:04:27] Uh, so are, are they saying
[1:04:32] that they're not using the in kind
[1:04:34] with the workshop within Spar with this year?
[1:04:37] Is that, or will they be doing, is that
[1:04:39] where the $1,800 is specifically going to
[1:04:45] Through you chair?
[1:04:46] Yes. The, um,
[1:04:47] funding is specifically going towards running
[1:04:50] the parent and taught program.
[1:04:51] This is, um, an ongoing program throughout the year.
[1:04:54] I think it occurs once a week in Sparwood.
[1:04:57] Okay. Thank you. Anything further?
[1:05:05] Okay. Seeing no more questions, the motion
[1:05:07] before you is the council approve the community funding
[1:05:11] and support category two requests from the Ferny Women's
[1:05:15] Resource Center for up to 1,816 of in-Kind support
[1:05:20] for the cost of facility rental fees.
[1:05:22] Have a mover moved, seconded. Discussion.
[1:05:28] I do just want to make note that if this is ongoing
[1:05:32] and it's a, a yearly thing, that
[1:05:35] to me it feels like category one is the right place for it.
[1:05:38] Uh, category two is these one-offs.
[1:05:40] Uh, that doesn't mean I'm not gonna support it,
[1:05:42] but the, the feedback would be, um,
[1:05:46] let's understand why we went from one to two
[1:05:49] and, um, uh, keep it in
[1:05:52] and if it's an ongoing 'cause.
[1:05:54] Category two is a little bit more
[1:05:55] of the event related there.
[1:05:57] So, so my thoughts. Any other Seeing none call the question.
[1:06:02] All those in favor, that's carried.
[1:06:09] Our next report is from the Director of Community Services,
[1:06:13] again regarding the infrastructure
[1:06:16] planning grant program application.
[1:06:17] Ms. Jensen, the floor is again yours.
[1:06:20] Thank you. This report is
[1:06:22] before council to consider an application to the province
[1:06:25] of BC Infrastructure Planning grant program for the purpose
[1:06:28] of assisting in a building condition assessment
[1:06:31] for the district's lease buildings.
[1:06:33] These are 1 41 a Aspen Drive, which is known
[1:06:37] as the Visitor Information Center, 1 41 B Aspen Drive, known
[1:06:41] as the Museum, 1 56 Spruce Avenue, known as a place
[1:06:46] to play daycare and 7 0 5 DoubleX Fur Road,
[1:06:50] where Sparwood Search
[1:06:52] and Rescue currently is since 2024,
[1:06:56] the district has focused on undertaking buildin building
[1:06:59] condition assessments to develop a clear understanding
[1:07:02] of the condition of district buildings to provide costing
[1:07:05] for accurate long-term capital planning
[1:07:08] for necessary repairs, upgrades
[1:07:10] and replacements completed in 24 were the recreation center
[1:07:14] and municipal office in 2025 was the Public works buildings
[1:07:19] and both fire halls
[1:07:20] and planned for 2026 is the district's
[1:07:23] lease buildings I just mentioned.
[1:07:26] Staff is recommending that the district apply for this grant
[1:07:29] to offset the cost up
[1:07:31] to $10,000 in grant funding is available.
[1:07:34] Staff estimate that the combined assessments will be
[1:07:36] approximately $30,000.
[1:07:39] If the grant is approved,
[1:07:40] the funding will then reduce the
[1:07:42] total cost for this project.
[1:07:44] Great. How have any questions counsel
[1:07:46] to Ms. Jensen on her report?
[1:07:49] Councilor Atwell?
[1:07:51] Um, yeah, just a question to Ms. Jensen to the chair.
[1:07:55] So the infrastructure planning grant from the province, um,
[1:08:00] is there a way for us to use this
[1:08:02] with the Green Municipal Fund, um, the GMF
[1:08:06] for future projects as well?
[1:08:08] Does this assessment fall within that?
[1:08:10] Um, I know that the grant opportunity that we had for
[1:08:13] that one, um, was hired to do an assessment for,
[1:08:18] um, upgrading all of the, the municipalities, um,
[1:08:24] essentially properties at that point.
[1:08:26] And so building, so for asset piece, um,
[1:08:29] would this work in hand with that?
[1:08:31] Do you know? Or is that something
[1:08:33] that we will essentially have to find out
[1:08:35] after the assessment is completed?
[1:08:36] The GMF will accept that for future, um,
[1:08:39] granting applications with this, um, assessment.
[1:08:46] Thank you. Through you chair that,
[1:08:47] that's something I'd have to do more research
[1:08:49] and then get back to council on.
[1:08:51] Okay. Uh, just to follow up there, um, just
[1:08:55] for information, and I remember from FCM, um,
[1:08:58] with the community our size, um, from the GMF,
[1:09:02] we were allowed one implementation project
[1:09:04] and one feasibility study.
[1:09:06] Um, I think that the only thing I would like to follow up
[1:09:09] with that on is if we are allowed to use this assessment
[1:09:13] to do one of those implementation projects.
[1:09:16] Um, if you can kind of follow within that, that'd be,
[1:09:18] that'd be great if that's something
[1:09:19] that future council will wanna
[1:09:20] do, because this will take some time.
[1:09:24] I just duly noted. Thank you Councilor o Anything further?
[1:09:30] All right. The motion
[1:09:31] before you is that council authorizes the submission
[1:09:34] of an application to the province
[1:09:35] of British Columbia 2026 local government infrastructure
[1:09:39] planning grant program for up
[1:09:40] to $10,000 towards the 2026 Building Condition assessment
[1:09:44] project to fund assessments of district lease buildings.
[1:09:47] Do I have a mover? Moved and seconded.
[1:09:50] Any further discussion? Call question.
[1:09:55] All those in favor carried.
[1:10:01] Our next report is from the Director of Planning
[1:10:02] and Development regarding a mobile home park permit.
[1:10:05] Mr. So fleet floor zeros.
[1:10:07] Thank you, Mr. Chair. So this is mobile home park permit
[1:10:10] 20 25 0 0 1.
[1:10:13] This is a new mobile home park permit
[1:10:16] for 9 55 Highway three,
[1:10:18] otherwise known as the Lodge Pole Mobile Home Park.
[1:10:20] Um, the OCP future land use
[1:10:22] for this area is mobile home park,
[1:10:24] and the intent of this application is not
[1:10:26] to expand the park, but to legalize the existing 37 spaces
[1:10:30] in the park, uh, with the standards as they are today,
[1:10:34] not the standards as required in the bylaw.
[1:10:36] So this doesn't include, uh, of note,
[1:10:38] this does not include any of the mobile home spaces
[1:10:41] in the unapproved lease area on the parcel west of this.
[1:10:45] So I believe there's three or four, uh, mobile homes
[1:10:47] that are not included in this permit.
[1:10:50] So the application is step two of a two step process.
[1:10:53] Step one was the variance approved by council last August.
[1:10:56] Um, the, this approval
[1:10:59] of this permit will allow the park operator
[1:11:01] and staff to work with an approved plan to allow
[1:11:04] for more simple replacement of mobile homes within
[1:11:07] and renovations within the park.
[1:11:08] It's important to note that the various approvals over the
[1:11:11] years do not match what's on the ground.
[1:11:14] Uh, and units have been replaced.
[1:11:15] So it is, um, it is very difficult
[1:11:18] to approve new mobile homes in the park
[1:11:21] because we don't know where the pad boundaries are.
[1:11:23] So this permit would establish pad boundaries
[1:11:25] and make that relatively straightforward.
[1:11:28] So here's the application, um,
[1:11:30] with the new pad boundary layout, which is excellent.
[1:11:34] Um, uh, excellent to have.
[1:11:37] The application does include, uh, storage area.
[1:11:40] It also includes recreation spaces as required in the bylaw.
[1:11:44] So the mobile home park's been operational for decades.
[1:11:46] Uh, some spaces having received approval,
[1:11:48] some spaces there's no record of approval.
[1:11:51] Um, the situation has resulted in many unclear mobile home
[1:11:55] park, mobile home pad lines.
[1:11:57] And again, as mentioned, it makes it difficult
[1:11:59] to issue permits, um, particularly
[1:12:02] as newer mobile homes tend to be bigger than the old ones.
[1:12:04] So it's not as simple as put it where the old one is.
[1:12:07] Um, the approved DVP last year reduced the space widths
[1:12:11] for some areas for some of the spaces,
[1:12:12] reduced the buffer area to zero along Highway 43
[1:12:15] for space 19, allowed the upper axis road
[1:12:18] to be in the buffer area, kept the two axis along the top
[1:12:21] portion of the park, and, uh, permit the design
[1:12:24] of the infrastructure to remain as it is, uh,
[1:12:27] without curb gutter sidewalk, drainage,
[1:12:28] street lighting, fire hydrants.
[1:12:31] Importantly, uh, lodgepole is not on municipal water.
[1:12:33] It's on its own. Well, uh, one of the conditions of
[1:12:37] that development variance permit was
[1:12:39] that structures be removed from the highway right of way
[1:12:41] by May 1st, 2026.
[1:12:43] Uh, the Ministry of Transportation has granted Lodgepole
[1:12:46] Mobile Home Park, an encroachment
[1:12:47] permit for those structures.
[1:12:49] Uh, and counsel therefore could deem the condition
[1:12:51] of the DVP to be met, um, subject to the terms
[1:12:54] of their encroachment permit.
[1:12:56] Um, effectively, MOT has said you're good for now.
[1:13:00] So the mobile home park permit itself, I'll go over some
[1:13:03] of the requirements of a mobile home park permit.
[1:13:05] The park is well below the maximum density allowed of, uh,
[1:13:09] um, at 6.0 homes per hectare,
[1:13:12] where 19.77 homes are permitted.
[1:13:15] The layout of the pa of the spaces meets the minimum size
[1:13:18] and width requirements,
[1:13:20] or those have been altered
[1:13:21] through the development variance permits.
[1:13:23] So they would be conforming to the permits issued.
[1:13:26] There's 9.02% of the site dedicated to recreation.
[1:13:30] 5% is the minimum requirement.
[1:13:32] There are three areas with amenities with playground garden,
[1:13:35] fire pit type amenities, and walking trails.
[1:13:38] The roadway, uh, standards have already been varied
[1:13:40] through the development variance permit,
[1:13:42] and the park uses a private water system licensed
[1:13:45] by Interior Health and a copy
[1:13:46] of their operating permits included in the operation,
[1:13:48] uh, in the application.
[1:13:49] Similarly, it has its own wastewater treatment system
[1:13:53] and their, uh, approvals are included
[1:13:55] in the application itself.
[1:13:56] Drainage requirements for the site have been removed
[1:13:59] through DVP 20 25, 0 0 4,
[1:14:02] and standard curbside pickup services provided.
[1:14:04] Fire hydrants, there aren't any on site
[1:14:06] and that requirement was varied through the DVP.
[1:14:08] Similarly, street lighting was varied.
[1:14:11] Um, staff are recommending effectively one condition.
[1:14:15] The other is an implied condition anyways,
[1:14:17] but compliance with the conditions
[1:14:18] of the development variance permit
[1:14:20] and, uh, as is common in Mobile Home Park permits
[1:14:22] that the recreation areas be maintained
[1:14:24] and clean in a usable condition.
[1:14:28] Uh, next step, if, uh, if this permit is issued,
[1:14:30] it'll be signed and the applicant will be notified.
[1:14:33] Uh, there's no hearings. This is a one stop shop.
[1:14:35] If the permit's approved, the permit is approved.
[1:14:37] So the recommendation is
[1:14:39] that counsel issue mobile home park permit MHP 20 25 0 0 1,
[1:14:43] uh, to permit the existing sites
[1:14:45] as shown on Schedule A at 9 5 5 5 highway 43.
[1:14:48] If there's any questions, I'm happy to answer them
[1:14:51] Over to Mayor Counsel.
[1:14:53] Any questions? Council Christensen.
[1:14:57] Thank you. Uh, council Kelly Patrick.
[1:15:00] So, um, did we lead the initiation
[1:15:03] of this change to this permit?
[1:15:05] Did they sort of do it or did they do it in teamwork?
[1:15:09] And, and then I have one second question,
[1:15:12] Uh, through the chair.
[1:15:13] The applicants have applied for it on their own.
[1:15:16] Um, but the difficulty of locating new, uh,
[1:15:20] new units on pads
[1:15:21] that are unknown has effectively
[1:15:23] necessitated this application.
[1:15:25] Um, staff couldn't
[1:15:29] or had difficulty issuing a permit when it's not conforming
[1:15:32] with the mobile home park permits
[1:15:33] that council issued back in the eighties.
[1:15:35] So this effectively would reset the board
[1:15:37] and allow us to work with a
[1:15:39] commonly understood map on where things can go.
[1:15:42] Okay. And second question, follow up.
[1:15:45] So you you can confirm.
[1:15:46] So all existing locations right now, um,
[1:15:50] do you see any foreseeable, um, major changes to, um,
[1:15:56] where the lots are right now, uh, designed
[1:16:00] like, are we gonna be, do you see any changes
[1:16:04] where they might have to move their trailer that exists?
[1:16:08] Uh, if you bear with me for a moment,
[1:16:10] I'm gonna pull back up the map.
[1:16:14] Um, the map handily includes, um,
[1:16:18] includes outlines of the units themselves on the property.
[1:16:21] In orange, it's a little difficult
[1:16:23] to see on the screen in front of you.
[1:16:24] Um, there are some sheds
[1:16:26] and outbuildings that fall outside of the pad boundaries.
[1:16:29] Uh, those could need to be moved.
[1:16:31] Um, that's effectively putting something on property
[1:16:33] you don't own or you don't lease.
[1:16:35] Um, but that would depend on whether
[1:16:37] or not they were permitted in the past.
[1:16:40] So if something had a valid
[1:16:41] and subsisting permit, it would be lawfully non-conforming.
[1:16:43] If it was built on the sly, it would not be,
[1:16:46] and this permit would not legalize those.
[1:16:50] And, and, and sorry to follow up with that.
[1:16:53] So then you don't see a need for us to take this
[1:16:55] to a public hearing, like if we approve it, they,
[1:16:59] they've got no say, uh, virtually do they
[1:17:04] Through the chair. There's
[1:17:05] no mechanism for a public hearing in the
[1:17:07] mobile Home parks bylaw.
[1:17:08] Uh, it's a permit issued by counsel.
[1:17:11] Thank you. Any other feedback questions?
[1:17:16] I just, I, I want to paraphrase what I think I just heard in
[1:17:20] that, because legislation and,
[1:17:23] and we approach things since, uh, some of the buildings
[1:17:28] that had happened in the 1980s is even if
[1:17:30] we were like, everything's fine.
[1:17:31] Go ahead. We can't lawfully allow for, for new units.
[1:17:35] So it's, it's necessitating this so that we can say, this is
[1:17:38] where you can put your new units.
[1:17:40] Uh, and, and, uh, this actually solves
[1:17:42] and makes it more, I guess, easy
[1:17:47] for the, for the owners to add more units
[1:17:49] and make changes as needed.
[1:17:51] Whereas because this doesn't exist, it's, um,
[1:17:54] it's prohibitive for, for approvals.
[1:17:57] Is that what I'm understanding?
[1:17:58] Uh, Mr. Chair? Partially.
[1:18:00] Um, this doesn't make adding new units easier.
[1:18:04] It adds, uh, it does make replacement units easier.
[1:18:08] So new pads would be a separate mobile home
[1:18:10] park permit to council.
[1:18:12] Um, so yes, it certainly would make replacement
[1:18:16] of units much more straightforward.
[1:18:17] Mm-hmm. We have established lines, commonly understood lines
[1:18:20] and roads where roads are not
[1:18:22] where roads were planned to be.
[1:18:24] So yes, it would make it much easier to do that.
[1:18:28] Fantastic. Anything further?
[1:18:32] Oh, Councillor Barr. Thank you.
[1:18:34] Thank you. Um, Patrick, I was pleased to see that MOT um,
[1:18:39] allowed the, um, exception I guess, of removing the, uh,
[1:18:43] sheds on number 17
[1:18:44] and number 19, uh, right close to the highway and such.
[1:18:47] Would that be something that they could, um,
[1:18:49] later on then change their mind about?
[1:18:52] Um, and those folks would still have to move that stuff?
[1:18:55] Or would that stuff now become quote unquote legally
[1:18:57] non-conforming, um,
[1:18:59] for the duration of the, uh, life of the park
[1:19:02] Through the chair? My
[1:19:03] understanding of property law is MOTT still owns that
[1:19:06] and they are there at Mott's pleasure.
[1:19:09] So they would be able to change their mind.
[1:19:11] I'm not sure how their permits specifically work.
[1:19:13] Um, but saying yes for now doesn't mean saying yes forever.
[1:19:17] They are still the owners of the land.
[1:19:19] Okay. Thank you for that.
[1:19:25] Alright. Seeing nothing further,
[1:19:27] I'll move on.
[1:19:30] The motion before you is that council issue, mobile Home
[1:19:34] Park ate MHP 2025
[1:19:39] dash 0 0 1 to permit the existing sites
[1:19:42] as shown in Schedule A at 9 5 5 highway 43.
[1:19:47] Have a mover. Second.
[1:19:50] Second it any, uh, further discussion call question.
[1:19:56] All those in favor? Carried.
[1:20:12] All right. If there are no objections,
[1:20:14] counsel will go into committee of the whole at
[1:20:18] 7:21 PM to discuss item five on the agenda.
[1:20:28] Our report is from the Director of Community Services
[1:20:30] regarding the 2026 time capsule.
[1:20:34] Ms. Jensen floor is yours.
[1:20:43] Thank you, chair.
[1:20:49] So, this report is coming
[1:20:50] before council as staff is seeking feedback on the community
[1:20:54] engagement and content regarding the development
[1:20:57] of a new time capsule, as well
[1:20:59] as the event commemorating its closing and placement.
[1:21:05] A bit of a background on the time capsule.
[1:21:08] Uh, in March, 1984, time capsule was sealed in the wall
[1:21:11] of Greenwood Mall by the Spar Mayor Toto Miller.
[1:21:15] The time capsule contained letters, drawings, photos,
[1:21:18] newspaper articles among other things from council
[1:21:21] and residents of the time.
[1:21:24] This time capsule was opened on March 19th, 2024,
[1:21:29] 40 years after it was placed.
[1:21:32] The event was highly anticipated
[1:21:34] and very well attended by the public.
[1:21:37] Following this event,
[1:21:38] council expressed interest in the creation
[1:21:40] of another time capsule.
[1:21:42] At the regular meeting of council held in October, 2024.
[1:21:46] The committee of the HOA
[1:21:47] provided direction on the following,
[1:21:49] to create another time capsule to plan to have it open
[1:21:53] in 100 years.
[1:21:56] Explore the options of placing the time capsule outside
[1:21:58] of the Titan or on the Titan Park grounds,
[1:22:03] broaden the scope of the contents
[1:22:05] and engage businesses, organizations,
[1:22:08] and schools to participate.
[1:22:15] This may we'll mark the district
[1:22:16] of Sparwood 60th anniversary
[1:22:19] and the year in which a new time capsule could be developed
[1:22:22] in place for opening in 20 66, 40 years later,
[1:22:27] which would also land on the district's
[1:22:29] hundredth anniversary.
[1:22:31] As such, staff is seeking the committee's feedback on theme
[1:22:35] contributors, content placement,
[1:22:37] and the event to commemorate its placement.
[1:22:44] The first item to discuss is theme
[1:22:47] in most community time capsules.
[1:22:49] The theme is focused on messages for the future
[1:22:51] and a snapshot of life in the year it was developed,
[1:22:55] capturing things like significant events, economic data,
[1:23:00] cultural trends, and just general community spirit.
[1:23:03] The theme of the previous time capsule had a, a theme
[1:23:07] that was very similar to that listed above.
[1:23:12] Does the committee support the following themes
[1:23:15] for inclusion in the development of the 2026 time capsule,
[1:23:19] significant events, economic data, cultural trends,
[1:23:23] and community spirit.
[1:23:26] So as regular practice, we'll just go
[1:23:28] around the horn, uh, start online.
[1:23:29] Councillor Atal.
[1:23:32] Uh, no, that, uh, sounds fairly inclusive for everything
[1:23:35] that we'd wanna see, so I'm happy with that.
[1:23:37] Councillor Barr, Happy with that. Thank you,
[1:23:40] Mayor Wilkes.
[1:23:41] Looks good. Yep. Thanks.
[1:23:43] Councillor Nan? Oh, it looks good to me.
[1:23:47] Councillor Corzo? Yep. Looks good.
[1:23:49] Councillor Christians good. And I'm happy with that as well.
[1:23:54] Thank you. Is there any other feedback the committee would
[1:23:57] like to provide regarding the theme of the time capsule?
[1:24:01] I'm not gonna go around the horn raise hand or jump in
[1:24:06] Seeing none. I'll
[1:24:07] move on. Yeah, thank you. Next is Contributors.
[1:24:12] In the previous time capsule, along with the District
[1:24:14] of Sparwood businesses, churches, organizations,
[1:24:18] service groups and schools, uh, focused on classrooms
[1:24:22] were contributed contributors
[1:24:24] to the time capsule of content.
[1:24:27] Previous direction from the committee was
[1:24:29] to include only businesses, organizations, and schools.
[1:24:36] Question number three is, would the committee like
[1:24:38] to define the list of contributors?
[1:24:41] And if so, what contributors would the
[1:24:43] committee like to allow?
[1:24:45] Let's go in reverse order,
[1:24:46] starting with Councilor Christensen.
[1:24:47] Yeah, I'm not sure why we excluded some of those, uh,
[1:24:50] contributors that we had in the past.
[1:24:52] So I, I think the contributors should be
[1:24:55] exactly what we had in the past.
[1:24:57] Uh, put back churches.
[1:24:59] Why, why wouldn't we wanna hear from, uh, those groups?
[1:25:04] So yeah, so that list
[1:25:06] that we had in the past is, is good for me.
[1:25:08] I don't think we need to change that.
[1:25:11] You Councilor Cardoza?
[1:25:13] Um, no, I don't wanna define the list. I'm good with it.
[1:25:15] As is Councilor Nun?
[1:25:17] Yeah, I'm good with, with Councilor Christiansen.
[1:25:19] Just, uh, mayor Wilkes.
[1:25:24] I'd like to add George Clack if he, George is there.
[1:25:27] He's got more stuff. He's got more stuff than all this far.
[1:25:30] We've combined just no. Well, I'm good for the way it is.
[1:25:34] Thanks. Councillor Barr.
[1:25:36] Yeah, I, I believe if we're gonna open this in, you know,
[1:25:38] in 60 years or a hundred years,
[1:25:41] whenever we're going to do it, I
[1:25:41] think it should be all inclusive.
[1:25:43] So anybody that wants to, uh, add something to it, um,
[1:25:46] let's not purposely leave somebody out.
[1:25:51] Very good. Councilor? Uh, yeah, I agree
[1:25:54] with, uh, councilor Barr.
[1:25:56] Um, I find that, uh, some
[1:25:58] of the most compelling ones are letters to future self
[1:26:01] or letters to, uh, the future community.
[1:26:03] So, um, if individuals want to add that in, as long
[1:26:07] as it's within reason, someone's maybe checking
[1:26:10] that it's not something, um, uh,
[1:26:12] I'm gonna go ahead out and limit, just say crazy.
[1:26:14] But, um, yeah, I think that if it's within reason, um,
[1:26:17] letters to future sales
[1:26:19] and letters to the community from, um, community members,
[1:26:22] um, I think would be great.
[1:26:24] Um, let's just say if Mayor Wilkes wanted to drop in
[1:26:27] and write a letter to the future community
[1:26:28] and his great grandkids,
[1:26:30] then crack it open and, uh, and read it.
[1:26:32] That, you know, I think that, uh, that goes a long way.
[1:26:34] So, um, I think I'd, uh, I'd like something that as well.
[1:26:39] Thanks. I was gonna suggest the same.
[1:26:41] And I know that there was,
[1:26:43] for recollection, sir, is correct.
[1:26:44] There was a, a message from the mayor of the time when we,
[1:26:48] when we opened it, uh, addressing and,
[1:26:50] and, and talking about it.
[1:26:51] Uh, regardless of, there would be that suggestion.
[1:26:53] Um, and I suspect Mayor Wilkes,
[1:26:55] you can't open your own time capsule in four years there.
[1:26:59] So, uh, if the letter's just gonna be open by you,
[1:27:02] that's maybe not a good go.
[1:27:04] The other piece that you're
[1:27:06] Ready to, it's gonna be seven even
[1:27:08] soon. I'm not gonna be there.
[1:27:10] Innovations, healthcare Innovations, Merri Oaks.
[1:27:13] Um, the only other suggestion would be a message from
[1:27:15] current staff to future staff.
[1:27:18] I didn't remember hearing that
[1:27:19] or seeing that on the last one,
[1:27:20] but that might be, uh, a good in inclusion as well as, uh,
[1:27:25] maybe if Mayor Wilkes is still there, here's what you need
[1:27:27] to watch out for, um, be the topic.
[1:27:32] Thanks. Next question.
[1:27:34] If I may, chair, may I just clarify?
[1:27:37] So the direction that I'm, I'm thinking,
[1:27:40] I'm hearing from the committee is to allow businesses,
[1:27:43] churches, organizations, service groups
[1:27:45] and schools, individuals was not in that list.
[1:27:48] Would the committee like to attend individuals?
[1:27:51] I heard that, um, maybe from a couple of members.
[1:27:56] I appreciate that. Uh, and I didn't ask for clarification.
[1:27:59] Um, I think consensus was open too.
[1:28:02] Uh, we could invite and if we end up with 10,000 things
[1:28:05] that won't fit, then maybe we we have to, uh, pare it back.
[1:28:08] But to begin with, uh, I feel like that's fair.
[1:28:13] Yeah. No objections. Yeah.
[1:28:15] Thank you. Is there any other feedback the committee would
[1:28:19] like to provide regarding contributors?
[1:28:26] Silence can move on. Thank you. Thank you. Oh,
[1:28:30] Sorry. There,
[1:28:31] the hat went on.
[1:28:32] No, um, just that the early engagement piece
[1:28:35] with the, with the schools.
[1:28:36] Um, you know, if, uh, we're gonna put this thing in,
[1:28:39] if we're getting engaged this year versus next year,
[1:28:42] you'd miss a grad class.
[1:28:43] Um, so if there is something that the,
[1:28:45] the current grad class would wanna include, um, uh,
[1:28:49] you don't want anybody to feel luck out,
[1:28:50] so that'd be my only thing.
[1:28:53] Thank you.
[1:28:58] Okay. Next is content.
[1:29:03] Due to space constraints,
[1:29:04] the most common content would be anything paper based
[1:29:07] and easily stackable.
[1:29:09] For example, drawings, letters, brochures, photos,
[1:29:13] newspaper clippings.
[1:29:15] A general rule of thumb could be acid free paper.
[1:29:17] No more than 10 sheets per total submission.
[1:29:21] We would discourage anything with batteries
[1:29:23] or computer media as a device needed
[1:29:25] to read such a file may no longer be available in 40 years.
[1:29:30] As the committee also wanted
[1:29:31] to broaden the allowable content,
[1:29:33] other items could be included.
[1:29:35] However, parameters for size should be considered
[1:29:38] corporate content to be included.
[1:29:40] Could be letters from mayor, council, newspaper, clippings
[1:29:44] of significant municipal projects, events
[1:29:46] or milestones, community maps, um, and things like that.
[1:29:51] Staff will clearly communicate expectations
[1:29:53] during public engagement
[1:29:55] and review content
[1:29:56] to ensure it meets the district standards.
[1:30:00] The committee may wish to undertake a final review
[1:30:02] of all submitted content to ensure it meets the vision
[1:30:05] of the time capsule before it is placed.
[1:30:11] So question number five is, would the committee like
[1:30:13] to establish any parameters on content
[1:30:17] Councilor?
[1:30:20] Uh, I think yes. I think, uh, some of the things
[1:30:23] that came up are valid.
[1:30:25] Um, I like the parameters of no batteries
[1:30:27] or any computer specific media.
[1:30:30] Um, I'm fairly on board with that.
[1:30:32] Um, and then I think size makes sense, um,
[1:30:36] if we're gonna put individual items in there, um,
[1:30:41] I think we can put in toys.
[1:30:42] I, I really don't think that we should put
[1:30:44] too restrictive on that.
[1:30:45] We just get a bigger capsule if needed, I suppose.
[1:30:47] But, uh, yeah, I think, uh, majority of
[1:30:50] what was listed there sounded pretty good.
[1:30:53] Thank you. Uh, Councillor Barr,
[1:30:57] Um, yeah, I would agree.
[1:30:58] Let's, uh, let's try to keep it as open as we possibly can.
[1:31:02] Um, obviously we don't want to create a tomb, um,
[1:31:06] or something the size of a tomb that we need to, uh,
[1:31:08] um, seal up.
[1:31:10] But, um, I would like to try to keep it as open as possible
[1:31:14] to, uh, uh, to get a variety of,
[1:31:16] of good items in there for, uh, for the future.
[1:31:21] Fantastic. Mayor Wilkes?
[1:31:23] Yeah, when we opened up the, uh, the last, uh, capsule,
[1:31:27] the majority of everything was paper-based.
[1:31:30] Uh, and, uh, it made it quite, uh,
[1:31:33] good from that perspective.
[1:31:35] Um, I wouldn't wanna see, see a lot of clutter.
[1:31:38] Uh, I don't, uh, I'm not, not opposed
[1:31:41] to if we wanna have other things in there,
[1:31:44] I would bear in mind as, uh, uh, Ms. Jensen mentioned
[1:31:48] that anything, uh, that is, whether it's a phone
[1:31:52] or stuff like that, probably not
[1:31:54] because in 40 years we won't be able to do anything with it.
[1:31:59] So I would, I would lean to work paper-based, uh, uh,
[1:32:02] counselor at mentioned a toy
[1:32:04] or something, as long as it's, uh,
[1:32:06] gonna last 40 years and stuff like that.
[1:32:08] Not too big, that kind of thing.
[1:32:10] Yeah, that's what I would like to see. Thanks.
[1:32:12] Thanks, councilor. Nat?
[1:32:18] Uh, I was at the opening of the last, uh, k time capsule
[1:32:22] and everything looked good to me.
[1:32:23] I mean, we don't wanna put batteries in there,
[1:32:25] we don't wanna put radios and transistors
[1:32:27] and, you know, whatever, papers
[1:32:29] and newspaper type things, pictures
[1:32:31] of little kids from elementary school, high school.
[1:32:34] I mean, everything looked fine to me.
[1:32:37] So that's all I have to say. Cons, za.
[1:32:42] Yeah, I'm good with what you suggested. Makes sense.
[1:32:46] Yeah, I have a couple pairs of old shoes
[1:32:49] and some undershirts I was hoping to put in there.
[1:32:52] And, uh, I'm fine with those things.
[1:32:54] But, uh, other than that, uh, yeah, we should keep it
[1:32:58] to papers, pictures.
[1:33:00] Fantastic. And I'm certain that there's,
[1:33:02] I know we had some correspondence, uh, recently from a,
[1:33:05] a society that specialized in,
[1:33:07] there's gotta be suggestions out there of do's and don'ts.
[1:33:10] So, uh, and I agree.
[1:33:12] What, what came outta the last one
[1:33:13] That was, that was wonderful.
[1:33:14] Um, let's protect it.
[1:33:16] We don't want anything to, to be ruined by unintentional,
[1:33:20] uh, acid leaching or whatnot.
[1:33:22] Uh, I am curious, so what is a transistor? Uh, counciland?
[1:33:29] Do you have a transistor radio? Fantastic.
[1:33:33] Uh, we clear on that? Yes. Thank you. Same process. Thanks.
[1:33:36] Thank you. Yeah. Question number six,
[1:33:40] would the committee like the opportunity
[1:33:42] to review all submissions
[1:33:43] before approved for final placement in the time capsule?
[1:33:50] Councilor Christensen? Uh, sure.
[1:33:54] We want to go through, through every piece of paper.
[1:33:56] Uh, you know, I would like to know, think
[1:33:58] that it's all gonna be g rated if
[1:34:00] that's the stuff that goes in there.
[1:34:02] So some way to make sure that that's gonna be good and, and,
[1:34:06] and, uh, appropriate.
[1:34:08] Uh, other than that, no.
[1:34:10] I would trust that each of the groups being told to
[1:34:14] fit certain parameters or whatever, being uplifted or,
[1:34:18] or positive would be a good, good enough for me,
[1:34:22] that they would probably follow that.
[1:34:24] So I don't know if we need to go through every paper.
[1:34:30] Yeah, I don't need to review them all. Councilor Na, no.
[1:34:34] Mayor Wilkes?
[1:34:39] Um, I, I guess the only question, I, I don't know
[1:34:43] what happened, uh, when they sealed the last one,
[1:34:46] and I don't, there's no one here.
[1:34:48] Um, the only one that I could remember might be, uh,
[1:34:52] Maureen, Josiah maybe, um, um, Dory,
[1:34:57] uh, might, uh, might know, uh, most everyone else is, uh,
[1:35:03] gone to another place.
[1:35:04] So, um, uh,
[1:35:07] but my concern chair is that, um, when,
[1:35:11] when we say committee, that means committee of the whole,
[1:35:13] which means mayor and council.
[1:35:15] And that's a lot to take on.
[1:35:18] And if we're going, if, if, if it is the will of council to,
[1:35:22] to review it or some of it needs to review it,
[1:35:24] then maybe it should be a, uh, uh, a, uh, committee
[1:35:29] of Council and to, similar to RFA
[1:35:32] and make it very quick.
[1:35:34] It's only gonna be, you know, very quick
[1:35:37] and then just go from there.
[1:35:39] I just find this to be an arduous
[1:35:40] task for Committee of the Forum.
[1:35:44] Okay. Councilor Cordoza, or I already asked you.
[1:35:48] Yep, we've gone that way. Uh, councilor Barr,
[1:35:52] I would agree. I don't think the,
[1:35:53] that the committee would need to, um,
[1:35:56] really evaluate every piece of paper
[1:35:58] or every item that's going in there.
[1:36:00] Um, the only thing I could see would be an exception is if
[1:36:03] we received a, a, a, you know,
[1:36:05] an enormous amount of submissions.
[1:36:07] Um, we might have to try to figure out how we're going to,
[1:36:11] uh, draw back a little bit.
[1:36:13] But, um, I think I, I,
[1:36:15] I think I would feel confident leaving it with the,
[1:36:17] with the staff to decide what's, um,
[1:36:19] what's relevant and what's not relevant.
[1:36:21] And if there was any, you know, anything
[1:36:23] that was up in the air, we could,
[1:36:24] we could take a look at it.
[1:36:25] But I don't think we need to review everything.
[1:36:28] That's all right. Well, Yeah, no, I don't think, uh,
[1:36:33] there's a need to review, but maybe from individuals
[1:36:35] just to kind of vet.
[1:36:36] But I, I, I think we should be okay as long as somebody's at
[1:36:39] that point in vetting, um, that doesn't have
[1:36:42] that profanity and pieces like that.
[1:36:44] But on that, we should be okay.
[1:36:46] And I would agree, um, I do like that
[1:36:49] that mayor well said it would be arduous.
[1:36:51] Uh, and then we're shuffling it over
[1:36:53] to say, staff, you take care of it.
[1:36:55] But, um, really when it comes down to it, the only thing,
[1:36:58] if it ends up being an exorbitant amount, we may have
[1:37:01] to come back to, to talk about parameters.
[1:37:03] But the only caveat would be is, uh, um,
[1:37:06] like Councilor Christensen said, it's, uh, gotta be suitable
[1:37:09] for audience after,
[1:37:11] and that would be the only real if, uh, someone wants
[1:37:13] to submit something that's personal to their family, as long
[1:37:17] as it fits a family, uh, uh, event type thing,
[1:37:20] then I think it all, it all matters.
[1:37:22] Uh, 'cause if it matters to one person,
[1:37:24] that's an important piece.
[1:37:25] Uh, so it wouldn't be a exclude, include type, uh, uh,
[1:37:30] deliberation in my mind.
[1:37:31] If we have the room and it's, it's not exorbitant,
[1:37:34] then it all goes in.
[1:37:36] Um, good on that.
[1:37:38] Thank you. And just for Clarity Chair,
[1:37:40] that would be the intent.
[1:37:41] Staff would review all of the submitted content
[1:37:45] to ensure it was appropriate if it came to, um, the point
[1:37:49] where things had to be, um, selected because of space
[1:37:52] or anything else that would then come back to the committee.
[1:37:55] Yep. Okay. Question number seven.
[1:38:00] Is there any other feedback the committee would like
[1:38:02] to provide regarding content?
[1:38:05] I'm not gonna go around again,
[1:38:06] jump in if you have any other feedback.
[1:38:08] Um, I knew this question was coming, so I was,
[1:38:11] I've been ruminating, sitting here trying to think
[1:38:13] of something clever to say, and I keep landing on like,
[1:38:16] we should put a Furby or a Cabbage Patch doll in it,
[1:38:18] but that really dates me.
[1:38:20] So if there's something a little bit more recent
[1:38:22] that we can say that would, that would be,
[1:38:24] uh, more pertinent.
[1:38:25] Take suggestions. But I don't see anyone jumping in,
[1:38:28] so I think we can move on to the next one.
[1:38:30] Oh, sorry. Oh,
[1:38:32] I think you cannot see in my hand.
[1:38:33] I, I can't before, um, I was saying, uh, I'd like
[1:38:37] to maybe see a favors list from council.
[1:38:40] That'd be, uh, council's, uh, thing on there.
[1:38:42] I know that we are, uh, quite the varying, um,
[1:38:47] age groups within here,
[1:38:48] so I think maybe a favors list from council that goes up
[1:38:51] and down about what it is.
[1:38:52] We, we did see from the Bare Naked ladies conversation
[1:38:54] before that the, it's a very taste that we have, so,
[1:38:58] um, I think that'd be kind of cool.
[1:39:00] Hold on. Are we at a, we are gonna have a problem.
[1:39:03] You don't like the bare naked ladies?
[1:39:04] No, no, we didn't agree on the
[1:39:06] best song from the Bare Naked.
[1:39:07] Oh, okay. Okay, fair enough.
[1:39:15] Thank you. As previously directed by the committee,
[1:39:18] staff are exploring options for placement in
[1:39:21] and around the Titan.
[1:39:23] The selected location will be required to be big enough
[1:39:25] to fit the time capsule safely protected from weather
[1:39:28] and environmental conditions,
[1:39:30] and se securely sealed to prevent theft or vandalism.
[1:39:36] Is there any other direction the committee would like
[1:39:38] to share regarding placement?
[1:39:41] Councillor Christensen?
[1:39:45] I know we talked about, uh, Titan Parker, uh, as a place,
[1:39:50] what, why did we not go just back to the, um, the mall
[1:39:56] with, we've already got a place to,
[1:39:59] to store a capsule in that mall.
[1:40:01] Just have to take the plate off again.
[1:40:04] Why would he we not go back that way?
[1:40:06] Is it restrictive now or
[1:40:11] Go Ahead through your chair.
[1:40:12] I believe the discussion from the committee at the time was,
[1:40:15] the preference would be for the time capsule
[1:40:17] to be located within district property
[1:40:19] or a district facility.
[1:40:21] The Greenwood Mall is a privately owned building, um,
[1:40:25] and we would be unsure what
[1:40:27] that would look like in 40 years.
[1:40:28] So that was the discussion and kind of guidance
[1:40:32] provided from the committee at the time.
[1:40:33] Okay, thanks. Okay.
[1:40:38] You're good with, uh, Titan Park then?
[1:40:40] If we, just for clarity. Thanks.
[1:40:43] I'm good with Titan Park. Councilor Nan flying with it.
[1:40:46] Mayor Wilkes, thumbs up.
[1:40:50] Uh, Councillor Barr, thank Bar Councilor Atwell
[1:40:54] Titan Park.
[1:40:56] Right. Uh, if you flip back just to the previous photo,
[1:40:59] uh, if we do get inundated
[1:41:01] and we have too much content, that fuel tank
[1:41:03] between the front wheel and the back, put it all in there.
[1:41:06] Uh, we're not gonna let it rust. We're gonna paint it.
[1:41:10] It's secure regardless. But yeah, I, I would agree.
[1:41:14] Um, and while we're on the topic, uh, of, of the mall, uh,
[1:41:18] that Tile is still wide open.
[1:41:22] I, I, I feel badly about it every time.
[1:41:24] Um, it was a courtesy, I, as far as I understand,
[1:41:26] for the private owner to, to have our time capsule in there,
[1:41:29] and I think we ought to close it.
[1:41:30] So that would be feedback if we, um, maybe he doesn't care,
[1:41:34] but, uh, I, I, I guess I would be looking for feedback.
[1:41:37] Have we approached it and have offered to, to close the,
[1:41:39] the wall up, uh, for them?
[1:41:42] Um, so that's feedback separately, but on that same
[1:41:45] 'cause we were talking about them all regardless,
[1:41:46] so you, we got clarity there.
[1:41:50] Moving on.
[1:41:52] Okay. Last is regarding the event.
[1:41:56] So the closing of a time capsule is generally commemorated
[1:41:59] by a special community event hosted by Mayor and council.
[1:42:02] This forward chamber has expressed interest in hosting an
[1:42:05] event to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the placement
[1:42:09] of the Titan in its current location
[1:42:11] with a tentative date near the beginning of coal miner days,
[1:42:14] which is from June 7th to 13th.
[1:42:18] The closing and placement
[1:42:20] of the time capsule could be combined with this event,
[1:42:22] or it could be held as a standalone event
[1:42:25] at a different time.
[1:42:29] Would a committee like this to be held in conjunction
[1:42:31] with another community event such as this?
[1:42:34] Or if possible, would the committee like to see this
[1:42:37] as a standalone event?
[1:42:39] And I go around the same way again
[1:42:40] because I messed it up by trying to be clever
[1:42:42] and change directions.
[1:42:43] Councilor Christensen,
[1:42:50] I think, uh, it is hard to get more gatherings and,
[1:42:54] and so I would be fine if we, uh,
[1:42:56] did it in conjunction with another event.
[1:43:01] You've got a lot of people coming out, so then it's easier
[1:43:04] to organize if you already organized it
[1:43:07] for something else. So
[1:43:09] I think I heard there might be an opportunity,
[1:43:11] uh, with coal miner days.
[1:43:12] Would that be, uh,
[1:43:14] That would be fine. Okay.
[1:43:16] Council Za? Yeah, I'm good to combine it.
[1:43:18] Councillor nan, uh, either Coal Miner Days
[1:43:22] or Farmer's Market.
[1:43:23] We got a lot of turnout during Farmer's market, so, uh, oh,
[1:43:27] by the way, Ms. Jensen, if you don't mind, Mr.
[1:43:29] Chair? No, I found something from 1979,
[1:43:33] my high school ID card size of a drive slash
[1:43:38] Can you sneak it in there?
[1:43:41] Just kidding. Just kidding.
[1:43:42] And his transistor
[1:43:43] radio Mayor Wilkes?
[1:43:49] No, I'm good to combine it with the, uh,
[1:43:51] 30th anniversary of the Titan.
[1:43:53] Fantastic. Uh, Councillor Barr.
[1:43:56] Yeah, I, I would consider the,
[1:43:57] or I would, uh, agree with the 30th anniversary of the Titan
[1:44:01] And Councillor Atwell.
[1:44:03] Yeah, that all makes sense you that
[1:44:05] or Canada Day as well, as long as, uh, there's time there.
[1:44:07] Sounds good.
[1:44:10] Uh, I would lean more into the coal miner days, um,
[1:44:13] but if it had to go that way, it'd be fine.
[1:44:15] Uh, we, we get excellent turnouts for those
[1:44:17] and double up, so,
[1:44:19] Yeah.
[1:44:21] Thank you. And last question
[1:44:23] on this topic for the evening.
[1:44:24] Is there any other direction the committee would like
[1:44:26] to share regarding placement of the time capsule?
[1:44:31] Jump in. We won't go around silence. Think we're good?
[1:44:35] Thank you.
[1:44:41] Fantastic. We got through it.
[1:44:43] If there are no objections, I'll close the committee.
[1:44:45] The whole portion of the meeting at 7:46 PM
[1:44:58] We do have one piece of correspondence
[1:45:00] for council's information,
[1:45:01] which was the Aquafit group letter to council
[1:45:03] regarding hot tub closure.
[1:45:04] Does counsel wish to discuss this item?
[1:45:08] Councilor Christensen?
[1:45:10] Uh, no. I'd like to, uh, thank, um, uh,
[1:45:14] the originators of this letter.
[1:45:15] They used to tell us that, uh, one letter
[1:45:18] represented 2000 other people's views.
[1:45:21] So this is, uh, a lot of people's views on this.
[1:45:25] And so, uh, thanks for, for, uh, taking the time to,
[1:45:30] to write this letter and these concerns out.
[1:45:32] That's, um, that's a good way to get our attention
[1:45:35] to something, so thank you.
[1:45:38] Anything further?
[1:45:55] Okay, that brings us to internal reports.
[1:46:00] First internal report presented by Director of Planning
[1:46:02] and Development regarding 2025 Building
[1:46:05] Permit Activity report.
[1:46:06] So Fleet floor reserves.
[1:46:08] Thank you, Mr. Chair. So,
[1:46:10] as is annual tradition at the end of,
[1:46:13] or the beginning of a new year,
[1:46:14] we present the building permit
[1:46:16] statistics for the preceding year.
[1:46:18] Um, so purpose tonight is for you
[1:46:19] to get the 2025 building year stats.
[1:46:22] Um, building permits
[1:46:24] and permit values are good indicators of construction
[1:46:26] and development activity in Sparwood.
[1:46:28] Uh, and we've been collecting these statistics in
[1:46:30] since around 2010.
[1:46:32] So, uh, this first chart you're gonna look at,
[1:46:34] there are 59 permits issued in 2025 with a combined value
[1:46:37] of 30 million, uh, 30 and a half million.
[1:46:41] You'll see that historically our permit values up to 2019,
[1:46:45] were below 10 million.
[1:46:46] 2019 is the Komatsu building.
[1:46:48] Uh, 2020 gets a little higher, 20 ones lower with the start
[1:46:52] of COVID, not surprising.
[1:46:53] 22, we start to see an uptick in 23,
[1:46:56] of course, is the EVR building.
[1:46:58] Um, you'll note, uh, that the trend has been going upwards,
[1:47:03] and that can be a factor of the cost
[1:47:04] of construction also increasing.
[1:47:06] So the value of construction increases.
[1:47:09] So we had new construction permits issued, uh,
[1:47:12] that dropped from 33 to 29.
[1:47:15] The value, however, of our new construction is nearly double
[1:47:18] 2020 fours values.
[1:47:20] Um, this is largely due to the Timbers two projects.
[1:47:22] So when we end up with those larger projects,
[1:47:24] we do get spikes in, in, um, construction value.
[1:47:28] New construction includes new accessory buildings,
[1:47:31] residential buildings, mobile homes, commercial
[1:47:33] and industrial buildings,
[1:47:34] but it doesn't include renovations in terms of permits.
[1:47:39] Uh, 81% or 48 of the 59 permits issued
[1:47:42] or classified as residential.
[1:47:44] And those do include alterations, additions
[1:47:46] and new dwellings themselves.
[1:47:48] Um, so the vast majority of our permit revenues come from,
[1:47:51] uh, I should say permit revenues.
[1:47:53] And our, um, construction value comes from residential,
[1:47:58] uh, 17 of our residential permits.
[1:48:01] Um, there were 17 new residential building permits issued 11
[1:48:05] permits for alterations and 20 for accessory buildings.
[1:48:09] Um, of the new residential buildings that they, uh,
[1:48:13] they increased from 13 in 2024 to 17 with a total
[1:48:16] of 76 dwellings created
[1:48:18] and a construction value of, uh, just under $29 million.
[1:48:22] Um, you'll see a smaller number of permits
[1:48:25] and a larger number of units.
[1:48:26] That's largely, um, as you can see below comprised
[1:48:29] of some single family dwellings.
[1:48:31] Uh, some, a secondary suite nine fourplex units,
[1:48:35] which is 36 dwellings and, uh, some mobile homes.
[1:48:38] And the Timbers 2 32 unit affordable housing project.
[1:48:42] Um, what that does tell us is we're well on our way
[1:48:44] to meeting our housing needs report targets
[1:48:47] for the five year timeframe.
[1:48:50] Um, in terms of commercial, industrial, and institutional.
[1:48:53] This year, only four permits were issued for
[1:48:54] that totaling 1.14 million.
[1:48:57] So that makes up a much smaller portion of our,
[1:48:59] um, of our real growth.
[1:49:01] In terms of next steps, uh,
[1:49:03] this is a report we publish annually, uh,
[1:49:05] and it goes on the district's website,
[1:49:07] and I'm happy to entertain any questions if there are any
[1:49:10] Council questions from Council Councilor Christensen.
[1:49:15] Uh, no questions. Thanks for this report that, um,
[1:49:18] Patrick, um, this is just a personal view.
[1:49:22] I, I encourage all counselors to go
[1:49:23] and take a look at that new garage we allow
[1:49:25] for is a variance permit on cipher sometime,
[1:49:28] and just see how big that stinker is in that residential,
[1:49:32] just to give us an idea of sometimes what our effect may be
[1:49:37] on some of the decisions we make here.
[1:49:39] So, uh, thank you
[1:49:43] Further.
[1:49:46] Thank you. Our second internal report will be presented
[1:49:49] by the Director of Community Services regarding, uh,
[1:49:51] believe it or not, hot tub repairs.
[1:49:53] Uh, Ms. Jensen, the floor is yours.
[1:49:56] Thank you, chair. So the Hot Tub Renovation Project
[1:50:00] was designed by MPE and built by link builders.
[1:50:03] It began in June, 2023
[1:50:05] and was completed in December the same year
[1:50:08] since its reopening, there have been ongoing issues
[1:50:11] with leaking occurring from the interior of the hot tub
[1:50:14] into the open chase that surrounds the full
[1:50:17] exterior of the hot tub.
[1:50:19] The chase was initially intended on being a serviceable
[1:50:22] mechanical chase with operable valves
[1:50:24] for the jet pump system.
[1:50:25] However, during the design phase, these valves were removed
[1:50:29] and the chase was reduced in size,
[1:50:30] rendering it inaccessible other than
[1:50:33] for limited viewing purposes.
[1:50:37] During the course of investigation of the link
[1:50:39] of the leaking MPE link builders
[1:50:42] and the district worked collaboratively together
[1:50:44] and conducted numerous tests
[1:50:46] and monitored the rate of wa the water loss at several
[1:50:50] depths within the tub to try
[1:50:51] and source where the leaks were occurring.
[1:50:54] Several potential sources of water loss were identified,
[1:50:57] and at that time, link builders attended the site
[1:50:59] and undertook the repairs.
[1:51:02] Often the repairs utilized products
[1:51:04] or materials that required curing or drying time.
[1:51:07] So this is why there was a significant period of wait time
[1:51:11] between when those repairs were done
[1:51:12] and when the hot tub could be refilled and tested again.
[1:51:17] Early in 2025, water loss intensified
[1:51:20] and was occurring at a significant rate.
[1:51:22] As you recall, in both the hot tub
[1:51:24] and the main pool in April, both were shut down
[1:51:28] to address the water and prevent
[1:51:30] further infrastructure damage.
[1:51:33] At this time, hot tub leaks were identified
[1:51:34] to be coming from drain boxes, skimmer baskets,
[1:51:38] and ramp in let jets during the shutdown period.
[1:51:41] These items were repaired by link builders.
[1:51:45] Upon refilling the tub in June, the leaking was found
[1:51:48] to have slowed down, but it still continued.
[1:51:52] Following this, the district engaged a third party to assist
[1:51:55] with the complexities of the ongoing water loss
[1:51:57] and evaluation of the required repairs.
[1:52:01] After careful consideration
[1:52:02] and evaluation of options,
[1:52:04] the agreed upon repair approach is to fill the chase in
[1:52:07] with a concrete mix containing Zy PEX concentrate.
[1:52:10] This is an additive that reacts unconsolidated concrete
[1:52:14] to crystallize and seal joints
[1:52:16] and micro cracks, even those which are not
[1:52:18] visible to the naked eye.
[1:52:21] This repair will seal any locations
[1:52:23] that the water is entering the trace
[1:52:25] and remediate any further water loss from occurring.
[1:52:28] This repair is expected to begin, um, as soon as possible,
[1:52:32] and a two day shutdown
[1:52:34] of the pool will be required while the
[1:52:36] concrete mix is poured.
[1:52:38] A cure time of 28 days will then be required
[1:52:41] before the hot tub can be filled.
[1:52:44] During this period of curing, the pool will be operational.
[1:52:47] However, the hot tub will not be filled with water,
[1:52:50] therefore not be operational.
[1:52:53] These repairs are warranty work
[1:52:55] and the district is in the final stages
[1:52:57] of confirming extended warranty on their repairs
[1:53:00] before proceeding.
[1:53:02] It's important to note that through this process, MP
[1:53:05] and Link have both been diligently working
[1:53:07] to address the water loss
[1:53:08] and get the hot tub back into operation.
[1:53:12] I'm happy to answer any questions, um,
[1:53:14] if c Counsel has them.
[1:53:16] Any questions? Uh,
[1:53:21] you mentioned as soon as possible.
[1:53:22] Oh, sorry, go ahead there.
[1:53:24] Uh, Sam, in fact, I just maybe let me, uh, finish
[1:53:27] 'cause I was, uh, jumping ahead, um, as soon as possible.
[1:53:30] WW realistically, what does that mean?
[1:53:32] Is that this week, next week, March, uh,
[1:53:36] and I appreciate that it's, they,
[1:53:37] they likely haven't given you a date,
[1:53:38] but what's your, your sense on when, when it gets to start?
[1:53:41] Because there will be four weeks, 28 days of curing, so, uh,
[1:53:45] we can expect a month after it's, it's done.
[1:53:49] Um, this is just my guess,
[1:53:51] and obviously I can't confirm it will be dependent on when
[1:53:54] Link can secure the concrete, um, to come
[1:53:59] to site, but they have, um,
[1:54:01] suggested they're working in the background.
[1:54:03] Uh, I anticipate it would occur within two, two
[1:54:07] to three weeks that it would be poured.
[1:54:09] That's great. And I appreciate, we definitely wanna ensure
[1:54:12] that there's that extended warranty in case, uh,
[1:54:14] anything else goes wrong.
[1:54:16] So we're not on the hook for it.
[1:54:17] Uh, and I hope anyone watching
[1:54:19] or uh, reviewing afterwards appreciates that there is
[1:54:21] that due diligence piece.
[1:54:23] We ran into it.
[1:54:24] Uh, without considering all the downstream effects,
[1:54:26] if we don't do it right, it could end up being much, uh,
[1:54:29] more difficult to fix down the road.
[1:54:31] So, uh, that due diligence piece does definitely take time.
[1:54:33] So appreciate the, the, the work that your team and,
[1:54:37] and our partners have been putting
[1:54:39] into doing this correctly.
[1:54:40] Uh, Councillor Atwell and then Councillor Christensen.
[1:54:44] Uh, thank you. Councillor Callies, um, through you.
[1:54:47] Um, so in early 2025, there was the leak
[1:54:52] that was significantly increased,
[1:54:53] and so we saw from the hot tub
[1:54:55] and apparently from the main pool
[1:54:57] and they were shut down to take care of it with
[1:54:59] what we're looking for existing leaking, then are we finding
[1:55:03] that the leak is not on the pool side
[1:55:07] or are we still finding there is
[1:55:08] minimal leaking on the pool side?
[1:55:09] Is it solely on the hot tub now,
[1:55:12] or is, is that something that, uh,
[1:55:15] has progressed to that point
[1:55:18] Through you chair?
[1:55:19] The repairs that were undertaken on the pool
[1:55:22] during the shutdown period have resolved the leaking
[1:55:25] for the most part.
[1:55:27] It, uh, if it's there's any water loss,
[1:55:29] it's very neg negligible.
[1:55:31] Um, so that has resolved.
[1:55:34] Um, this is purely just the hot tub at this point.
[1:55:38] I think memory serves me correct.
[1:55:40] Counselor Atwell, that was a, a lighting,
[1:55:42] underwater lighting housing that was, uh, leaking.
[1:55:45] So not, not related to the same, um,
[1:55:48] same issues with the, with the hot tub? Correct. Okay.
[1:55:51] And then just to follow up on that, um, with this, uh,
[1:55:56] ongoing repair, now is RJC um, still engaging,
[1:56:01] um, with this process through MPE and Link?
[1:56:05] Um, or did they just do the assessment
[1:56:07] and, uh, now we're kind of putting the onus back on,
[1:56:10] uh, MPE and link
[1:56:14] Through hr? RJC
[1:56:15] has been working, um, along the entire process
[1:56:19] and still are, uh,
[1:56:21] or still have been until the repair has been completed.
[1:56:26] Okay. Um, and then I think just for, um,
[1:56:30] moving forward, uh, post cure time, 28 days,
[1:56:35] we're looking at this, um,
[1:56:37] moving forward in about three weeks.
[1:56:40] Um, so caught about two months or so
[1:56:43] and then water back in potentially, um, end of March,
[1:56:47] early April, if the leak persists.
[1:56:52] And, uh, we see what that is.
[1:56:54] Do we have, uh, a plan of recourse forward
[1:57:00] Through each chair?
[1:57:01] That's, um, currently just our final piece
[1:57:03] of the puzzle we're working on extended warranty, so
[1:57:06] that would then come into place should there be continued
[1:57:08] leaking after this repair.
[1:57:11] Okay. Sounds good. I appreciate, thank you.
[1:57:13] Thanks Councilor Christensen.
[1:57:15] Uh, thank you council. Just some more questions on that.
[1:57:18] Um, that extended warranty, is this a continuation of,
[1:57:22] of the initial warranty, the, like, the, are,
[1:57:26] are these guys, um, expecting, uh, a, a new, um,
[1:57:32] payment of sort to, to, uh,
[1:57:36] to put an additional warranty on, on the previous work?
[1:57:39] I mean, it seems like the work hasn't been done
[1:57:44] to our satisfaction right from the get go,
[1:57:47] and I imagine that's part of your legal, um,
[1:57:51] fight with them right now.
[1:57:52] But, uh, can you explain this extended warranty to us
[1:57:56] a little bit better so we can have some confidence in it?
[1:58:01] Sure. Through you chair. So the extended warranty wouldn't
[1:58:04] be on the entire project itself.
[1:58:05] That was a one year warranty.
[1:58:08] However, at that time there were defects noted.
[1:58:11] So that is what's being warrantied now.
[1:58:13] The extended warranty would be on the leaking of the hot tub
[1:58:16] and the repair, um, done
[1:58:19] and no additional funds would be requested
[1:58:21] for the extended warranty.
[1:58:23] Okay. Thanks Mayor Wilkes,
[1:58:28] As I get my 2 cents worth in, um, first of all, I'd like
[1:58:32] to thank staff on this.
[1:58:33] They've worked exceptionally hard.
[1:58:36] This has been a real challenging, uh, issue
[1:58:41] for, uh, just about a year.
[1:58:43] And, um, I've received,
[1:58:46] as council has countless complaints from the public, um,
[1:58:51] and staff has tried their best to, to, to get that fixed.
[1:58:56] Um, I sure hope that this is, uh, is the answer.
[1:59:00] Uh, I'm quite confident that it will be the answer
[1:59:04] and, uh, then we can move forward.
[1:59:06] Um, but, um, understand that, um,
[1:59:12] you know, uh, this was a, a challenge with, uh,
[1:59:15] multiple partners and that, uh, staff, uh, worked
[1:59:20] as best as they could to ensure
[1:59:22] that everything was still moving forward.
[1:59:24] Although it be for some people too slow,
[1:59:27] but, you know, in, uh, we have
[1:59:30] to make sure we get this right
[1:59:31] and, uh, we will get it right.
[1:59:33] And I have utmost confidence in staff
[1:59:36] to ensure that it does happen.
[1:59:38] So, um, let's hope, um,
[1:59:40] in the near future we can have water in that hot tub
[1:59:43] and, uh, it'll not be a reoccurring issue.
[1:59:46] Thank you.
[1:59:49] Thank you. Anything further? Thank you.
[1:59:54] We have four further internal
[1:59:56] reports for council's information.
[1:59:57] You would've seen the draft minutes for the, uh,
[1:59:59] recreation Facility Advisory Committee held on
[2:00:01] December 18th, 2025.
[2:00:03] Uh, second one being payments extended for November, 2025.
[2:00:08] Bylaw Enforcement month end report December, 2025
[2:00:11] and BC assessment, Southern Interior 2026,
[2:00:15] property assessments announcement.
[2:00:16] Does counsel have any questions on those?
[2:00:27] Okay, hands up.
[2:00:30] It's, it's hard to see here from, from this chair. Me.
[2:00:36] No worries. Um, just a quick talk about the assessments.
[2:00:40] Um, it was presented the R-D-K-R-D-E-K as well.
[2:00:44] Uh, Sparwood had, um, the, the highest, uh, increase in, uh,
[2:00:49] assessments, I think at 9% on average.
[2:00:51] Some were lower, some are higher, but on average about 9%.
[2:00:55] Um, don't know what caused it.
[2:00:58] Um, if you have a concern with your assessment, you have
[2:01:01] until January 31st to appeal
[2:01:04] to the BC Assessment Board in Cranbrook.
[2:01:07] And, uh, it's February 1st doesn't count.
[2:01:10] So, uh, if you have a challenge with your assessment, please
[2:01:14] um, send your grievance
[2:01:16] to the BC assessment no later than 4:00 PM
[2:01:19] January 31st. Thank you.
[2:01:22] Thanks, Mary Wils.
[2:01:23] And on a personal note, um, my,
[2:01:25] my mother had just relocated, uh,
[2:01:27] to Sparwood in the past year.
[2:01:29] Hers went up 45% this year.
[2:01:32] So, um, strange things are afoot.
[2:01:35] Uh, and for complete transparency,
[2:01:38] that's not the district aspar, that's BC assessment.
[2:01:40] So, uh, appreciate the, uh, the, the reminder there.
[2:01:44] Uh, certainly there'll be a, uh, an ask
[2:01:47] for a review on that one.
[2:01:51] Alright, moving on to announcements from council.
[2:01:53] Uh, councilor Christensen.
[2:01:57] Uh, nope, I have no announcements at this time. Thank you.
[2:02:01] You Councilor Cordoza, nothing from me tonight.
[2:02:03] Councilor Nan? Yeah, I got a quick announcement, uh, along
[2:02:07] with the Mayor Wilkes, uh, and our CAO
[2:02:10] and, uh, councilor Christensen on Zoom.
[2:02:13] We met with Ministry of Transportation
[2:02:16] and Transit last week in Ferny.
[2:02:19] I don't know what what's gonna come out of it,
[2:02:21] but, uh, I'm just keeping my fingers crossed.
[2:02:23] We will explain to them what we need
[2:02:25] and why we need it in this town.
[2:02:28] Lights and crossing lights and what have you.
[2:02:31] So that's all I have to say. Thank you.
[2:02:34] Thank you, Councillor Barr.
[2:02:37] Uh, thank you. Uh, first meeting of the year,
[2:02:39] um, for myself.
[2:02:40] Uh, just a quick, um, PSAI guess
[2:02:44] that I'm gonna take a moment to say, uh, 21st of December,
[2:02:48] I, um, I was gratefully, um, gifted a new grandson.
[2:02:53] Uh, my son had a, uh, my son
[2:02:55] and his girlfriend had a little baby boy, um,
[2:02:59] on the 21st December.
[2:03:00] It's, uh, born at 9:10 PM Uh, his name is Bo
[2:03:04] and, uh, he's, um, just absolutely adorable.
[2:03:07] Um, so yeah, we're proud of grandparents again.
[2:03:10] Um, yeah, thank you very much.
[2:03:12] Congratulations, Councillor
[2:03:14] Barr and to you and your family.
[2:03:16] Uh, Councillor Atwell, uh, I get save you for last,
[2:03:19] last, uh, mayor Wil.
[2:03:20] 'cause it doesn't feel right, regardless of the,
[2:03:22] the chair tonight that you gotta close us off.
[2:03:24] So Councillor Atwell.
[2:03:26] Oh, no worries. Uh, congrats to Grandpa Barr.
[2:03:28] Uh, start with that. Uh, happy new to everybody. Um, good.
[2:03:32] Be back. Um, hope everybody had a phenomenal holiday season.
[2:03:36] Everybody's kept out safe.
[2:03:38] Um, beyond that, uh, looking forward to an amazing 2026
[2:03:42] And I have no new announcements for the start of the year.
[2:03:45] Um, so far it's been a rough go.
[2:03:48] I had a medical procedure recently, which has laid me out
[2:03:51] for the last couple weeks, so I've been
[2:03:53] not, uh, not available.
[2:03:55] So next few weeks should be better.
[2:03:58] Uh, over to you, mayor Welks.
[2:04:00] Thanks. Uh, January 9th, I had, uh, RDK meetings,
[2:04:04] uh, in Cranbrook.
[2:04:06] Um, nothing to report to yet.
[2:04:09] Uh, budget for RDK will be next month, uh, for three days,
[2:04:13] so that'll probably be a little clearer picture
[2:04:15] of what's coming down the pipe to Sparwood.
[2:04:18] And, uh, we met with, uh, minister of State for rural,
[2:04:22] rural communities where the, uh, Anderson last week, uh,
[2:04:27] myself, councilor Nan, councilor Christensen,
[2:04:29] and CEO Sheila Camp.
[2:04:32] Uh, we brought up the traffic light at, uh, highway three
[2:04:36] and, uh, what I'll say, Douglas first Barwood Drive.
[2:04:39] We met, we also brought our concerns with regards
[2:04:42] to crosswalk at, uh, 43 and Michelle Creek Road.
[2:04:46] And then we also brought up, um,
[2:04:48] the Elk Valley Mine Property Tax Sharing Agreement
[2:04:50] and some concerns we had there.
[2:04:52] So, uh, she got the message. Um, we'll see.
[2:04:56] And, um, just as note, uh, maybe it's just, um, coincidence,
[2:05:01] uh, but for council's information, uh,
[2:05:05] I'm just looking at my calendar here.
[2:05:07] Um, February 25th, which is a Wednesday, um, ministry
[2:05:12] of Transportation and Transit, has asked for a meeting
[2:05:15] with us at Inspire at, uh,
[2:05:18] one o'clock, one 30, sorry.
[2:05:20] So if you can be around on February 25th,
[2:05:22] which is a Wednesday, I know some of you're working,
[2:05:24] but for those that can make it, that would be a good thing.
[2:05:28] Other than that, happy New Year
[2:05:30] and look forward to this year. Thanks.
[2:05:32] Thanks, mayor Wilkes. Maybe we can meet with them down
[2:05:34] by Cal Tire and Marijuana so they can watch
[2:05:36] that intersection firsthand.
[2:05:40] Great. And, uh, that does conclude our business
[2:05:43] for this evening and brings us
[2:05:44] to the public question period.
[2:05:45] For those on zoom, click on the q
[2:05:47] and a button where you can enter your full name and question
[2:05:50] and staff will read your question.
[2:05:52] Uh, no one's in the gallery.
[2:05:54] So the question would be, uh,
[2:05:57] is there one anyone online this
[2:05:58] evening that, uh, has a question?
[2:06:00] There are some attendees online,
[2:06:02] but no questions have been submitted yet.
[2:06:04] Okay. Um, Councillor Barr,
[2:06:06] I'm not sure if you're prepared on your side for the, uh,
[2:06:09] the regular business here,
[2:06:11] but we'll just give it a few moments then.
[2:06:19] My apologies. I was slacking on,
[2:06:21] uh, getting that ready for tonight.
[2:06:22] Well, we got to hear your silky golden voice, so that,
[2:06:24] that was a good enough there.
[2:06:26] Um, that brings us to the, uh, close
[2:06:28] of the public portion of the meeting.
[2:06:30] Can I get a motion that the remaining
[2:06:31] of the meeting be closed to the public in order that items
[2:06:34] the subject of which fall under section 90, uh, one
[2:06:38] of the community charter be discussed by council,
[2:06:40] which pertain to c, labor relations
[2:06:43] and other employee relations.
[2:06:46] Motion. Second. All in favor?
[2:06:51] Good. Take a quick recess. Oh, carried. Thank you. Carried.
[2:06:55] Yes.