Swan Valley West Minutes – April 25, 2017

Regular Meeting of the Council of the Municipality of Swan Valley West, held in the Council Chambers at 216 Main Street West, Swan River, Manitoba this 25th day of April, 2017 at 7:00 p.m.


Present:
Reeve; Verne Scouten

Councillors; Carrie Blosha, Brian Burick, Glen Foster, David Minish,
Terry Neely, Irwin Steen

CAO; Carolyn Gordon

Delegations;

7:30 pm – J. Borley & R. Medwid re: Ratepayer Concerns – Direction of Council

Additions to the Agenda:

5.14 2017-2018 Problem Beaver Program (received April 24th, 2017 – Time Sensitive)
6.2 Bank Reconciliation for March 31st, 2017
7.6 Renewal of Westman Rental Agreement (Benito Site)
7.7 Costs – Fire Call – Decision of Council Required (Time Sensitive-Received April 25th, 2017)
8.6 Minister of Sport, Culture & Heritage re: Review of FIPPA
8.7 Community Foundation of Swan Valley re: Grant Opportunity – Community Funds for Canada’s 150th

1. GLEN FOSTER
TERRY NEELY
RESOLVED that the Agenda for the Regular Meeting of Council held this 25th day of April, 2017 shall be adopted as amended.
Carried:

2. IRWIN STEEN
CARRIE BLOSHA
RESOLVED that the Minutes for the Regular Meeting of the Council for the Municipality of Swan Valley West held on April 11th, 2017 shall be adopted as circulated.
Carried:

3. BRIAN BURICK
CARRIE BLOSHA
RESOLVED that the following reports shall be received by the Council for the Municipality of Swan Valley West;
Rural PW Report for the period ending April 25th, 2017 as submitted by the Superintendent of Public Works
Rural PW Report for the period ending April 21st, 2017 and plans for April 24th – 28th, 2017 as submitted by the Rural Public Works Foreman
Carried:

4. CARRIE BLOSHA
GLEN FOSTER
RESOLVED that the members of Council for the Municipality of Swan Valley West do hereby agree to rescind Resolution No. 37 dated November 29th, 2016 regarding the decision to take the necessary steps to proceed with legal action in an effort to protect the municipal staff.
Councillor Burick called for a recorded vote:
Scouten NO
Steen YES
Blosha YES
Burick YES
Minish NO
Neely NO
Foster YES
Carried:

5. CARRIE BLOSHA
IRWIN STEEN
WHEREAS the lawsuit filed by the Municipality of Swan Valley West against CJ104 Radio and Bill Gade was intended to support, defend, and protect the municipal employees and council against harassment and allegations by said media, and;
WHEREAS, since the beginning of this lawsuit there has been dissention (disagreement, dispute, conflict, friction, strife, antagonism, discord, infighting, debate, controversy, disputation and contention), in the community, with the employees, and within council, and;
WHEREAS almost $120,000.00 has been spent on this lawsuit and other legal matters indirectly related to this lawsuit, with little or no resolve, nor has this lawsuit provided any direct protection of the employees over this past year and a half or in the foreseeable future until the lawsuit’s conclusion (with no current time frame available as to when the present lawsuit may end);
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that, because of the unending costs to the ratepayers and the amount of money being funneled out of this community for this lawsuit, we do hereby agree to terminate the lawsuit against CJ104 Radio and Bill Gade effective immediately.
Councillor Burick called for a recorded Vote:
Scouten NO
Steen YES
Blosha YES
Burick YES
Minish NO
Neely NO
Foster YES
Carried:

6. TERRY NEELY
DAVID MINISH
RESOLVED that we do hereby agree to reconsider Resolution No. 5 dated January 31st, 2017 and provide clarity to their intentions, and;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of Council for the Municipality of Swan Valley West wish to reaffirm their commitment to the protection of the municipal staff in the performance of their duties by legal means necessary, up to and including taking legal action in the defense of the Municipal Staff, provided such actions are deemed to be warranted by the majority of the members of council and the costs would result in the level of protection desired.
Councillor Minish called for a recorded vote:
Burick YES
Minish YES
Blosha YES
Steen YES
Foster YES
Neely YES
Scouten YES
Carried:

7. GLEN FOSTER
IRWIN STEEN
WHEREAS the Province of Manitoba has awarded the Municipality of Swan Valley West grant funding for three summer students under the Hometown Green Team Program;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the positions will be advertised as follows;
Position #1 – Rural Public Works, Start Date May 25, 2017 and End Date August 31, 2017 based on a 40 hour work week.
Position #2 – Urban Public Works, Start Date May 25, 2017 and End Date August 31, 2017 based on a 35 hour work week.
Position #3 – Urban Public Works, Start Date July4, 2017 and End Date August 31, 2017 based on a 35 hour work week.
Carried:

8. IRWIN STEEN
BRIAN BURICK
WHEREAS the Benito LUD Committee has submitted a resolution regarding the extension of the Transitional LUD for an additional 4 years after October 22nd, 2018:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Council for the Municipality of Swan Valley West does hereby agree to accept the aforementioned resolution and discuss the means by which they will engage in public consultations prior to making a decision.
Carried:

9. IRWIN STEEN
CARRIE BLOSHA
WHEREAS more information is required regarding Agenda item No. 5.4 regarding the upgrades to the Benito 1 – ton truck;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that new quotes shall be obtained that cover the same detailed work and the lowest quote shall be accepted;
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the CAO shall be authorized to make arrangements for said work once the new quotes have been received and a decision has been made.
Carried:

10. BRIAN BURICK
GLEN FOSTER
WHEREAS the Benito LUD Committee has submitted a request to advertise for the position of an Urban Animal Control Officer and;
WHEREAS the member of Council have reviewed the request and the funding allocated for said services in the 2017 LUD Service Plan;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Council for the Municipality of Swan Valley West does hereby agree to advertise the aforementioned position with a deadline for submission of Written Submissions to be set for May 15, 2017 and;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that applications and resumes shall be forwarded to the Benito LUD Committee for their recommendation of a successful candidate prior to obtaining the final approval of Council.
Carried:

***With reference to agenda item #5.6, motion number 11 dated April 25th, 2017 regarding Council indemnities, Reeve, Verne Scouten expressed his desire to introduce a motion and participate in discussion of the matter before council.***

*** Reeve, Verne Scouten withdrew from the Chair at 8:48 p.m. and asked Deputy Reeve, Terry Neely to assume Chair. ***

11. CARRIE BLOSHA
BRIAN BURICK
RESOLVED that Agenda Item No. 5.6 shall be tabled until the May 9th, 2017 Council Meeting.
Carried:

***Reeve, Verne Scouten returned to the Chair at 9:05 p.m. and Deputy Reeve, Terry Neely returned to his seat at the table. ***

12. GLEN FOSTER
CARRIE BLOSHA
WHEREAS the Benito LUD Committee has formally adopted their 2017 Service Plan for the Local Urban District of Benito;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that we do hereby agree to confirm the adoption of the aforementioned Service Plan, with all costs being incorporated into the 2017 Financial Plan for the Municipality of Swan Valley West as outlined in said Service Plan as submitted.
Carried:

13. TERRY NEELY
BRIAN BURICK
RESOLVED that By-Law No. 0065-17, being a by-law of the Municipality of Swan Valley West for the purpose of Levying Taxes for the Municipality’s 2017 Fiscal Year, shall be introduced and read a first time this 25th day of April, 2017.
Carried:

14. TERRY NEELY
BRIAN BURICK
RESOLVED that all Municipal Vehicles will be parked at the appropriate Municipal Shop and made available during times that they are not in use for periods of longer than 24 hours to ensure that they are available for use in case of emergency or in absence of Public Works Staff who normally operate said vehicles.
Councillor Steen Called for a recorded vote;
Foster YES
Neely YES
Minish YES
Blosha YES
Steen YES
Burick YES
Scouten YES
Carried:

15. IRWIN STEEN
CARRIE BLOSHA
RESOLVED that we do hereby agree to set the date of May 2, 2017 at which time the members of council will undertake the annual reviews of the management staff and;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, once the reviews have been completed, the members of council will meet with each of the municipal managers and will present said reviews as set out in their employment contracts at the time of hire.
Councillor Steen called for a recorded vote:
Scouten YES
Steen YES
Blosha YES
Burick YES
Minish YES
Neely YES
Foster YES Carried:

16. GLEN FOSTER
TERRY NEELY
WHEREAS there is time sensitive maintenance work required to ensure the efficient operation of the Benito Water System and;
WHEREAS the nearest provider known to the Benito LUD and having provided exceptional services in the past has submitted a quote for the required works;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that we do hereby agree to hire the services of M&M Drilling Rivers Ltd. To perform the necessary works on the Benito Wells as per their quote dated March 27th, 2017 in order to ensure continuance of the effective operation of the public water system.
Carried:

17. TERRY NEELY
DAVID MINISH
RESOLVED that the adoption of new municipal policies and the new policy package shall be further tabled until such time as all members of council have reviewed said policies and all edits/revisions are completed.
Carried:

18. IRWIN STEEN
BRIAN BURICK
WHEREAS the Municipality of Swan Valley West has been awarded funding in the amount of $6842.00 under the 2017-2018 Growing Assurance – Farmland Beaver Damage Control Program;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the members of council do hereby agree to the terms and conditions outlined in the letter and attachments from the Province of Manitoba dated April 24th, 2017 and do hereby authorize the CAO to sign said letter on behalf of the Municipality.
Carried:

***With reference to agenda item #6.1, motion number 19 regarding List of Accounts for Approval, Reeve, Verne Scouten, disclosed a personal interest in the matter before council. ***

*** Reeve, Verne Scouten withdrew from the meeting at 9:59 p.m. and Deputy Reeve, Terry Neely assumed the Chair. ***

19. DAVID MINISH
CARRIE BLOSHA
RESOLVED that the Council for the Municipality of Swan Valley West does hereby approved the following payments:
General Cheques #13324 to #13345 in the amount of $23,754.49
Payroll Cheques #1353 to #1368 in the amount of $20,906.24
For a Grand Total of $44,660.73
Carried:

*** Reeve, Verne Scouten returned to the meeting at 10:04 p.m. and assumed the Chair. Deputy Reeve, Terry Neely returned to his seat at the Council Table. ***

20. TERRY NEELY
BRIAN BURICK
RESOLVED that the Bank Reconciliation for the period ending March 31st, 2017 shall be accepted as presented.
Carried:

21. CARRIE BLOSHA
TERRY NEELY
RESOLVED that the Council for the Municipality of Swan Valley West does hereby agree to make a ‘Canada 150 Grant’ in the amount of $150.00 to the Kenville Memorial Hall for the purchase of Flag-Poles and Canadian Flags, to be proudly displayed in the community to commemorate Canada’s 150th Birthday.
Carried:

22. TERRY NEELY
GLEN FOSTER
RESOLVED that we do hereby agree to proceed with the necessary survey and planning on SE ¼ 2-36-27W in order to pursue the drainage permit and quotes for the costs of the drainage works planned for this area of the municipality, and;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the project shall be discussed with the Swan Lake Watershed CD Board for the consideration of their possible participation in the improvement of drainage in this area.
Carried:

23. GLEN FOSTER
BRIAN BURICK
WHEREAS the former Village of Benito had a long standing agreement with Westman Communications Group for rental of property in Benito known as Lot 25, Block 1, Plan 362, and;
WHEREAS the Council for the Municipality of Swan Valley West wishes to continue with the renewal of said contract under the current terms and conditions;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that we do hereby approve the renewal of the aforementioned agreement with Westman Communications Group and authorize the Reeve and CAO to sign agreement on behalf of the Municipality.
Carried:

24. IRWIN STEEN
CARRIE BLOSHA
WHEREAS the Council for the Municipality of Swan Valley West has received a recommendation from the Benito Fire Chief on the handling of a Fire Call in the Rural Area of the Municipality;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that we do hereby agree with the Fire Chief’s recommendation that this first time offender should receive a written warning, along with a copy of the Burning By-Law and should not be charged a fine or any costs.
Carried:

***Reeve, Verne Scouten handed in his Resignation and left the meeting at 11:20 pm***

***Deputy Reeve, Terry Neely took the chair***

25. IRWIN STEEN
GLEN FOSTER
RESOLVED that we do hereby accept the following verbal reports regarding Council Committees and Communications;
I. Steen Re: Letter of Concern from Ratepayer
C. Blosha Re: Budget Meetings (LUD Committee Meetings)
B. Burick Re: Budget Meetings (no other Committee Meetings)
D. Minish Re: HBRA-AGM
T. Neely Re: Swan Valley RISE Mtg. & Tourism Plan
G. Foster Re: Budget Meetings (no other Committee Meetings)
V. Scouten Re: Mayors, Reeves & CAO and Municipal Officials Seminar
Swan Valley RISE/ HBRA – AGM
Swan Valley Credit Union AGM
Carried:

26. GLEN FOSTER
DAVID MINISH
RESOLVED that this meeting shall now adjourn at 11:20 p.m. with the remainder of the meeting to be completed at the May 2nd, 2017 Special Meeting.
Carried:

Note: Received for Publishing August 31, 2017.
Published with prior date to preserve historical timeline.