RM of Mountain Minutes – April 24, 2024

Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain held Wednesday, April 24th, 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.

1. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 10:07 a.m. by Reeve Keith Behrmann, quorum being present.

2. Adoption of Agenda

Resolution No: 2024/137
Moved By: Jarrett Mosiondz
Seconded By: Nestor Rizok
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Agenda for the April 24th, 2024 Regular Meeting of Council be adopted as presented.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3. Matters Arising from Minutes

Resolution No: 2024/138
Moved By: Daniel Laychuk
Seconded By: Wilmer Malcolm
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council held April 12th, 2024 be adopted as presented, all requirements having been complied with.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

4. By-Laws & Policies

4.1 Financial Plan By-Law

Resolution No: 2024/139
Moved By: Jarrett Mosiondz
Seconded By: Nestor Rizok
BE IT RESOLVED THAT By-Law No. 01/2024, being a By-Law to provide for the 2024 Annual Financial Plan and Tax Levy for the Rural Municipality of Mountain, be given second reading.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

4.2 Financial Plan By-Law

Resolution No: 2024/140
BE IT RESOLVED THAT By-Law No. 01/2024, being a By-Law to provide for the 2024 Annual Financial Plan and Tax Levy for the Rural Municipality of Mountain, be given third and final reading.
Keith Behrmann – yes
Daniel Laychuk – yes
Wilmer Malcolm – yes
Jarrett Mosiondz – yes
Arnie Pedersen – yes
Nestor Rizok – yes
Brad Wyatt – yes
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5. Financial

5.1 Financial Statements: Review

5.2 Bank Statement and Reconcilliation

Resolution No: 2024/141
Moved By: Nestor Rizok
Seconded By: Arnie Pedersen
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve the Bank Reconcilliation report and Bank Statement for the month ending March 31st, 2024 as presented.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5.3 Truth and Reconciliation Presentation

Resolution No: 2024/142
Moved By: Brad Wyatt
Seconded By: Wilmer Malcolm
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby contribute $1,500.00 towards the Truth and Reconcilliation presentation hosted by the Swan Valley School Division on March 25th, 2024.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5.4 Reserve Transfer: Pine River Fire Hall Grant

Resolution No: 2024/143
Moved By: Daniel Laychuk
Seconded By: Wilmer Malcolm
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve the transfer of $220,000.00 to the General Reserve Fund representing the grant amount for the Pine River Fire Hall project.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5.5 Harapiak Bridge: Get 2024 Price and Availability

5.6 Accounts Payable

Resolution No: 2024/144
Moved By: Jarrett Mosiondz
Seconded By: Daniel Laychuk
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Cheque Nos. 20240407 to 20240448 be approved for payment in the amount of $56,936.31, including Direct Deposit Payroll in the amount of $8,876.24 as attached hereto as Schedule ‘A’.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

6. Personnel

6.1 Birch River Garbage and Recycling Pickup Contractor

Resolution No: 2024/145
Moved By: Wilmer Malcolm
Seconded By: Daniel Laychuk
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby enter into a formal contract with G. Stevenson for the waste and recycling pickup for Birch River as per Schedule ‘A’ attached hereto;
AND THAT the Reeve and CAO be authorized to sign on behalf of the Municipality.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

6.2 Public Works Job Description

Resolution No: 2024/146
Moved By: Wilmer Malcolm
Seconded By: Jarrett Mosiondz
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve the Public Works job description as per Schedule ‘A’ attached hereto.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Councillor Pedersen declared a conflict of interest and did not vote on Resolution Number 2024/147.

6.3 Public Works: Birch River Position

Resolution No: 2024/147
Moved By: Jarrett Mosiondz
Seconded By: Nestor Rizok
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby hire S. Ramsahai as the full-time Public Works position based out of Birch River;
AND THAT wages and employment specifications be as per Schedule ‘A’ attached hereto.
For: 6 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

7. WARD REPORTS & Work Orders

Resolution No: 2024/148
Moved By: Arnie Pedersen
Seconded By: Jarrett Mosiondz
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve Work Orders #24/2024 attached hereto.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

8. Delegations/Petitions

9. Meeting Attendance and Reports

9.1 Manitoba Association of Fire Chiefs Conference

Resolution No: 2024/149
Moved By: Nestor Rizok
Seconded By: Wilmer Malcolm
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Fire Chief Dave Forbes of the Rural Municipality of Mountain be hereby authorized to attend the MAFC Annual Conference to be held June 6-8th, 2024 in Virden, MB;
AND THAT expenses be allowed for same.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

9.2 MAFC Membership

Resolution No: 2024/150
Moved By: Wilmer Malcolm
Seconded By: Jarrett Mosiondz
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve membership to the Manitoba Association of Fire Chiefs for Fire Chief Andy Schellenberg.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

10. General Business

10.1 Sale of Surplus Capital Assets

Resolution No: 2024/151
Moved By: Jarrett Mosiondz
Seconded By: Wilmer Malcolm
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby authorize the sale of the following municipal surplus assets in the local Eisner’s Auction:
1985 GMC Fire Truck;
Schulte Rough Cut Mower;
Sickle Mower;
Various water tanks.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

10.2 Land Sale Request

Resolution No: 2024/152
Moved By: Wilmer Malcolm
Seconded By: Nestor Rizok
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby accept the offer to purchase of Pt. SW 6-33-20W; in Mountain South, MB [Roll#103300.000] from P. Chartrand in the amount of the assessed value plus any legal or transfer costs;
AND THAT the transfer be subject to the following conditions:
The Rural Municipality of Mountain is under no obligation to provide access to such parcels, now or upon future request;
The parcel is sold in the as is/where is condition.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

10.3 Speed Signs: MPI Program

Resolution No: 2024/153
Moved By: Brad Wyatt
Seconded By: Nestor Rizok
WHEREAS excessive speed has been a factor for both the community of Cowan and Mafeking;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby make request through the new speed radar sign request program with Manitoba Public Insurance to have signs installed in both the community of Mafeking and Cowan;
AND THAT the CAO be authorized to sign on behalf of the Municipality.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

10.4 G.I.S Funding: Commitment

Resolution No: 2024/154
Moved By: Wilmer Malcolm
Seconded By: Brad Wyatt
WHEREAS crime of all types and levels of security have risen in the Swan River Valley, including the communities within the Rural Municipality of Mountain, to a point where it is affecting our citizens ability to thrive in our communities;
AND WHEREAS the Council’s of the Swan River Valley have concern and noted a need to provide further assistance to the RCMP force deployed in the Valley to prevent crime, to maintain peace and order, and security within their respective municipalities;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby support a porportionate annual contribution, in accordance with a signed written agreement between the Valley municipalities, required to start-up the Swan Valley G.I.S. Unit for the necessary three year term, contingent upon participation of all four municipalities.
For: 6 Against: 1
CARRIED

10.5 Shewchuk Bridge: Weight Restriction

Resolution No: 2024/155
Moved By: Nestor Rizok
Seconded By: Wilmer Malcolm
WHEREAS the bridge located at the NE 4-32-21W, commonly known as the Shewchuk Bridge, requires the restriction of weight to preserve the integrity of the bridge until the municipality can make arrangements for repairs or replacement;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby reduce and mark the Shewchuk Bridge to a 3 tonne weight restriction;
AND FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby make application to the Provincial Drainage and Water Control for the replacement of the Shewchuk bridge with appropriate sized culverts;
AND THAT the CAO be authorized to sign on behalf of the Municipality.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

10.6 Property Cleanup: Davy

Resolution No: 2024/156
Moved By: Brad Wyatt
Seconded By: Nestor Rizok
WHEREAS a devastating house fire has resulted in a destroyed property at 315 Lorne Ave South, Birch River, with no cleanup efforts by the insurance company;
AND WHEREAS there is concern from both a property standards concern as well as public health and safety;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby issue a Property Cleanup Order for the property described as 315 Lorne Ave S, Birch River (Roll Number 300760.000) with a deadline of September 30th, 2024;
AND THAT the CAO be authorized to sign on behalf of the Municipality.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

10.7 Property Cleanup Report: Reviewed

10.8 Pine River Fire Hall – Fuel: Investigate Pricing

11. Communications

11.1 Farmland Beaver and Predator Control Program: Review Provincial Response

11.2 Swan River RCMP Detachment Report: Review

12. Adjournment

Resolution No: 2024/157
Moved By: Wilmer Malcolm
Seconded By: Jarrett Mosiondz
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Regular Meeting of Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain be adjourned to meet again on May 8th, 2024.
Meeting adjourned at 1:30 p.m.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY