RM of Mountain Minutes – February 14, 2024

Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain held Wednesday, February 14th, 2024 at the Rural Municipality of Mountain Council Chambers in Birch River, MB.


Members Present:
Reeve: Keith Behrmann
Councillors: Wilmer Malcolm, Dan Laychuk, Nestor Rizok, Jarrett Mosiondz, Arnie Pedersen and Brad Wyatt.
CAO Paige Wozny was present and acted as secretary.
Finance Officer Kim Paterson was also present.

1. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by Reeve Keith Behrmann, quorum being present.

2. Adoption of Agenda

Resolution No: 2024/035
Moved By: Jarrett Mosiondz
Seconded By: Nestor Rizok
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Agenda for the February 14th, 2024 Regular Meeting of Council be adopted as presented.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3. Matters Arising from Minutes

Resolution No: 2024/036
Moved By: Wilmer Malcolm
Seconded By: Daniel Laychuk
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council held January 25th, 2024 be adopted as presented, all requirements having been complied with.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

4. By-Laws & Policies

4.1 RFQ Process: RFQ’s Approved by Resolution Prior to Advertising

4.2 Fire Department Training Policy: Clarification Items

5. Financial

5.1 Financial Statements: Review

5.2 Bank Statement and Reconciliation

Resolution No: 2024/037
Moved By: Wilmer Malcolm
Seconded By: Jarrett Mosiondz
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve the Bank Reconcilliation report for the month ending January 31st, 2024 as presented.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5.3 Reserve Transfer: Rural Strategic Infrastructure Fund

Resolution No: 2024/038
Moved By: Jarrett Mosiondz
Seconded By: Wilmer Malcolm
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve the transfer of $75,137.73 Rural Strategic Infrastructure funds to the General Reserve Fund to be used when the Birch River Water Plant Generator Project has been completed.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5.4 Ethelbert Vet District

Resolution No: 2023/039
Moved By: Wilmer Malcolm
Seconded By: Nestor Rizok
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve the membership to the Ethelbert Vet District Board including the annual contribution in the amount of $2,000.00;
AND THAT the Reeve and CAO be authorized to sign on behalf of the Municipality.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5.5 CRA Directors

Resolution No: 2024/040
Moved By: Jarrett Mosiondz
Seconded By: Nestor Rizok
WHEREAS CRA requires clarification and updating of the Rural Municipality of Mountain directors;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following are members of Council or directors for the Rural Municipality of Mountain:
Keith Behrmann
Wilmer Malcolm
Daniel Laychuk
Nestor Rizok
Jarrett Mosiondz
Arnold Pedersen
Clayton Wyatt
AND THAT CAO Paige Wozny and Finance Officer Kim Paterson be included as signing authority and account maintenance directors.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5.6 Overdue Accounts Receivable

Resolution No: 2024/041
Moved By: Arnie Pedersen
Seconded By: Wilmer Malcolm
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following unpaid invoices be added to the real property tax roll associated with such invoices as per Schedule ‘A’ attached hereto;
AND FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT Invoice No. 20230059 be written off as uncollectable;
AND FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT interest accumulated on Invoice No. 20230041 in the amount of $540.25 be written off as uncollectable.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5.7 Accounts Payable

Resolution No: 2024/042
Moved By: Nestor Rizok
Seconded By: Wilmer Malcolm
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Cheque Nos. 20240099 to 20240181 be approved for payment in the amount of $115,110.03, including Council Indemnities in the amount of $5,407.93 as per By-Law 03/22 and Direct Deposit Payroll in the amount of $19,403.96 as attached hereto as Schedule ‘A’;
AND FURTHER IT BE RESOLVED THAT the direct payment amount of $6,894.11 for Receiver General for January 2024 be hereby approved.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

6. 2024 Budget

6.1 Waste Disposal and Recycling Budget: Review New Contract Rates

6.1.1 Waste Reduction & Compression: Discussed Feasibility and Other Cost Saving Initiatives

6.2 LUD Budgets (Capital Purchases): Need Number of Poles That Require Electrical Plug Ins

6.3 RM Building Maintenance: Additional Budget of $10,000.00 for Maintenance Work

6.3.1 Storage Facility: Discussion of Storage Facilities for Birch River Compound

6.3.2 Steamer Trailer: Discussion on Purchasing Enclosed Trailer

6.4 Mowers: Discussion on Necessary Equipment

6.5 2024 Dust Control

Resolution No: 2024/043
Moved By: Jarrett Mosiondz
Seconded By: Wilmer Malcolm
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve Fort Distributors as the 2024 dust control supplier and applicator contractor.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

6.6 GIS Funding

Resolution No: 2024/044
Moved By: Arnie Pedersen
Seconded By: Brad Wyatt
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain authorize the Reeve to investigate the benefits of a Valley-Wide GIS program;
AND THAT expenses be allowed for same.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

6.7 Discount: Maintain Discount Schedule

6.8 Birch River Utility Budget: Review

6.9 Mafeking Utility Budget: Review

6.10 Gas Tax Projects: Confirmation of Projects

6.11 Signage Project

Resolution No: 2024/045
Moved By: Daniel Laychuk
Seconded By: Wilmer Malcolm
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve the quote from Geospatial Solutions for the Rural Civic Addressing project as per Schedule ‘A’ attached hereto:
AND THAT the CAO be authorized to sign on behalf of the Municipality.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

6.12 Pine River Fire Hall Upgrades: Awaiting Drawings

6.13 Preliminary Mill Rate Discussion: Review

6.14 5 Year Capital Plan: Discussion

7. Ward Reports & Work Orders

Resolution No: 2024/046
Moved By: Jarrett Mosiondz
Seconded By: Nestor Rizok
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve Work Orders #06/2024 to #13/2024 attached hereto.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

8. Delegations/Petitions

8.1 10:00 a.m. Organized Earth Movers: Property Cleanup Quotes

9. Meeting Attendance and Reports

9.1 Building Inspector Seminar

Resolution No: 2024/047
Moved By: Arnie Pedersen
Seconded By: Nestor Rizok
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Building Inspector of the Rural Municipality of Mountain be hereby authorized to attend the Manitoba Building Officials workshop to be held April 17th and 18th, 2024 in Winnipeg, MB;
AND THAT expenses be allowed for same.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

10. General Business

10.1 Swan Valley Mutual Aid Agreement

Resolution No: 2024/048
Moved By: Daniel Laychuk
Seconded By: Arnie Pedersen
WHEREAS the Swan Valley Mutual Aid District has proposed a written agreement to clarify the roles and responsibilities of those within the Mutual Aid District and for those that require mutual aid;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve the Mutual Aid Agreement as per Schedule ‘A’ attached hereto;
AND THAT the Reeve and CAO be authorized to sign on behalf of the Municipality.
For: 6 Against: 1
CARRIED

10.2 Ad Hoc Committee for Former LGDs

Resolution No: 2024/049
Moved By: Wilmer Malcolm
Seconded By: Daniel Laychuk
WHEREAS the Rural Municipality of Mountain is part of the Ad Hoc Committee for Former LGD’s, a lobby group to address the needs of the former LGD’s with levels of government, including the Main Market and 50/50 road funding agreements;
AND WHEREAS continuing efforts to lobby the Provincial government to increase the value of funding for such road agreements will continue to be an ongoing cause for concern;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve the $3,000.00 payment towards the Ad Hoc Group for updates to the lobby document.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

10.3 Old Mafeking Fire Truck

Resolution No: 2024/050
Moved By: Wilmer Malcolm
Seconded By: Brad Wyatt
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Coucil of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve to offer the surplus 1985 GMC Fire Truck, currently stored in Mafeking, for tender.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

10.4 Property Cleanup: Application for Appeal

Resolution No: 2024/051
Moved By: Jarrett Mosiondz
Seconded By: Wilmer Malcolm
WHEREAS Council selected Roll Number 300708.000 as a private property listed for cleanup this year and a warning notice was issued to the property owner;
AND WHEREAS Council has received an application for appeal from the property owner to have this property removed from the cleanup listing;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby:
confirm the property cleanup listing, including Roll Number 300708.000.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

10.5 Property Cleanup Contractor: Review

10.6 Mafeking Property Maintenance Contract

Resolution No: 2024/052
Moved By: Brad Wyatt
Seconded By: Jarrett Mosiondz
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve the Request for Quotations for the Mafeking Property Maintenance contract as per Schedule ‘A’ attached hereto;
AND THAT the CAO advertise as required.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

11. Communications

11.1 Declaration of Community Foundation Week

Resolution No: 2024/053
Moved By: Arnie Pedersen
Seconded By: Jarrett Mosiondz
WHEREAS The Community Foundation of Swan Valley is a charitable organization that is focused on the creation of permanent endowment funds; and
WHEREAS The Community Foundation’s goals include the promotion of philanthropy in the Swan Valley, sustaining permanently endowed funds, fulfilling community needs, and providing community leadership; and
WHEREAS The Community Foundation promotes the development of children, youth and seniors’ programs, promotes the arts, cultural and heritage activities, and promotes the enhancement of the environment; and
WHEREAS The Community Foundation supports health, wellness, sports and recreation as well as other community activities and facilities; and
WHEREAS The Community Foundation is a vehicle for donors to contribute their cash, trusts, bequests or real property to create permanent endowments that will build and improve our Swan Valley communities;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby proclaim the week of February 25th – March 2nd, 2024 as Community Foundation of Swan Valley Awareness Week.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

11.2 SV Legacy Committee: Arena Update

11.3 Swan Valley Folk Fest Donation Request

Resolution No: 2024/054
Moved By: Wilmer Malcolm
Seconded By: Jarrett Mosiondz
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby authorize a donation towards the Swan Vally Folk Fest in the amount of $250.00.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

11.4 National Wall of Remembrance Advertisement

Resolution No: 2024/055
Moved By: Arnie Pedersen
Seconded By: Wilmer Malcolm
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby authorize the expenditure towards advertisement in the National Wall of Rememberance annual publication in the amount of $299.00.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

11.5 LUD of Mafeking Minutes: Review Green Team Requirements

11.6 In Camera

Resolution No: 2024/056
Moved By: Wilmer Malcolm
Seconded By: Daniel Laychuk
WHEREAS Section 152(3) of The Municipal Act and Section 8.8 of the By-Law No. 01/16 authorize Council to close a meeting to the public to discuss certain matters;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain meet as a committee to discuss legal matters.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

11.7 Out of In Camera

Resolution No: 2024/057
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the meeting of the committee of the whole be adjourned, and that the Regular Meeting of Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain be re-opened to the public.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

12. Adjournment

Resolution No: 2024/058
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Regular Meeting of Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain be adjourned to meet again on February 28th, 2024.
Meeting adjourned at 3:07 p.m.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY