Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain held Wednesday, November 13th, 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, Arnie Pedersen and Brad Wyatt.
Councillor Mosiondz was absent with notice.
CAO Paige Driscoll was present and acted as secretary.
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 10:05 a.m. by Reeve Keith Behrmann, quorum being present.
2. Adoption of Agenda
Resolution No: 2024/377
Moved By: Nestor Rizok
Seconded By: Wilmer Malcolm
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Agenda for the November 13th, 2024 Regular Meeting of Council be adopted as presented.
For: 6 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
3. Matters Arising from Minutes
Resolution No: 2024/378
Moved By: Wilmer Malcolm
Seconded By: Arnie Pedersen
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council held October 23rd, 2024 be adopted as amended, all requirements having been complied with;
AND THAT MB Harm Reduction be removed from Resolution Number 2024/371.
For: 6 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
4. By-Laws & Policies
5. Financial
5.1 Ward Financial Statements: Review
5.2 Bank Statement and Reconciliation
Resolution No: 2024/379
Moved By: Arnie Pedersen
Seconded By: Daniel Laychuk
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve the Bank Statement and Reconcilliation report for the month ending August 31st, 2024 and September 30, 2024 as presented.
For: 6 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
5.3 Monthly Financial Statement
Resolution No: 2024/380
Moved By: Nestor Rizok
Seconded By: Wilmer Malcolm
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby accept and approve the Financial Statement for September 30th, 2024, as presented.
For: 6 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
5.4 Audit Questionnaire
Resolution No: 2024/381
Moved By: Arnie Pedersen
Seconded By: Daniel Laychuk
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve the Audit Questionnaire as per Schedule ‘A’ attached hereto;
AND THAT the Reeve be authorized to sign on behalf of the Municipality.
For: 6 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
5.5 Culvert Inventory
TABLED
5.6 Reserve Transfer: Tractor Purchase
Resolution No: 2024/382
Moved By: Wilmer Malcolm
Seconded By: Nestor Rizok
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve the transfer from the General Reserve Fund in the amount of $86,028.00 for the purchase of a new tractor, blade and loader.
For: 6 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
5.7 Tractor Insurance Coverage
Resolution No: 2024/383
Moved By: Arnie Pedersen
Seconded By: Daniel Laychuk
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby request the addition of the new tractor to be included on the Municipal Insurance Policy at a replacement value of $100,000.00;
AND THAT the CAO be authorized to sign on behalf of the Municipality.
For: 6 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
5.8 Reserve Transfer: Gas Tax Payment
Resolution No: 2024/384
Moved By: Wilmer Malcolm
Seconded By: Arnie Pedersen
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve the transfer of $56,373.50 to the Canada Community Building fund reserve account for amounts received in 2024.
For: 6 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
5.9 From the Ground Up Grant Approval: Review
5.10 Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund: No Municipal Projects
Councillor Pedersen declared an interest and did not participate in Resolution Number 2024/385.
5.11 Overdue Accounts Receivable: Property Cleanup
Resolution No: 2024/385
Moved By: Wilmer Malcolm
Seconded By: Brad Wyatt
WHEREAS two private property cleanups were completed in 2024 following appropriate notices to the owners;
AND WHEREAS invoices for such cleanup have not been paid;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby authorize the CAO to submit applications for Small Claims for the collection of payment on Invoice Numbers 20240118 and 20240117 plus any interest accrued to date.
For: 5 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
5.12 Overdue Accounts Receivable: Fire Response
Resolution No: 2024/386
Moved By: Wilmer Malcolm
Seconded By: Arnie Pedersen
WHEREAS WSFN was invoiced for fire response and such invoice remains outstanding despite all collection efforts and deadlines that were established;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby authorize the CAO to submit applications for Small Claims for the collection of payment on Invoice Number 20240072 plus any interest accrued to date.
For: 6 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
5.13 Accounts Payable
Resolution No: 2024/387
Moved By: Arnie Pedersen
Seconded By: Nestor Rizok
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Cheque Nos. 20241176 to 20241230 be approved for payment in the amount of $155,020.49 , including Council Indemnities in the amount of $5,673.08 as per By-Law 11/18 and Direct Deposit Payroll in the amount of $9,042.24 as attached hereto as Schedule ‘A’;
AND FURTHER IT BE RESOLVED THAT the direct payment amount of $5,875.34 for Receiver General for October be hereby approved.
For: 6 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
6. 2025 Budget Discussions
6.1 2025 Ward Budgets: Confirmed Allocation and Increase by 5%
7. Personnel
7.1 In Camera
Resolution No: 2024/388
Moved By: Wilmer Malcolm
Seconded By: Nestor Rizok
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 personnel.
For: 6 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
7.2 Out of In Camera
Resolution No: 2024/389
Moved By: Wilmer Malcolm
Seconded By: Arnie Pedersen
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: 8 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
7.3 Wage Review
Resolution No: 2024/390
Moved By: Wilmer Malcolm
Seconded By: Daniel Laychuk
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve the 2025 cost of living and performance wage increases as per Schedule ‘A’.
For: 6 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
7.4 Bonus Recommendation
Resolution No: 2024/391
Moved By: Nestor Rizok
Seconded By: Arnie Pedersen
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve the 2024 bonus payroll payment for the Municipal Office Staff as per Schedule ‘A’ attached hereto.
For: 6 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
8. Ward Reports & Work Orders
Resolution No: 2024/392
Moved By: Nestor Rizok
Seconded By: Arnie Pedersen
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve Work Orders #75/2024 to #76/2024 attached hereto.
For: 6 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
9. Delegations/Petitions
9.1 10:30 a.m. Public Hearing For Tractor Purchase
10. Meeting Attendance and Reports
11. General Business
Councillor Wyatt declared an interest and did not participate in Resolution Number 2024/393.
11.1 Snow Removal: Mafeking
Resolution No: 2024/393
Moved By: Arnie Pedersen
Seconded By: Daniel Laychuk
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby contract Wyatt Transport to complete the snow clearing within the LUD of Mafeking as per Schedule ‘A’ attached hereto.
For: 5 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
11.2 2025 Mowing Contract: Review
11.3 2024 Tax Sale Properties
Resolution No: 2024/394
Moved By: Wilmer Malcolm
Seconded By: Nestor Rizok
WHEREAS a request to purchase or rent to own was received by the Municipality from the current renter of 345 Lorne Ave N which was purchased by the Municipality in the 2024 Tax Sale;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve the request to rent-to-own from D. Bell in accordance with the current land sale policy.
For: Against: 6
DEFEATED
11.4 Water Plant Inspections: Review of Recommended Actions
11.5 Gravel Lease/Gravel Inventory 2024: Review
11.6 Application to Purchase
Resolution No: 2024/395
Moved By: Nestor Rizok
Seconded By: Daniel Laychuk
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby accept the offer to purchase of NW 12-32-21W and SW 12-32-21W; in Mountain South, MB [Roll#31500.000 and 31700.000] from Sweet Grass Ranch, with approval from the leaseholder, in the amount of one and a half times 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.
The sale will be in accordance with the current Crown Land/LGD Vested Land Purchase Policy.
There be an exclusion of the southern most 66 feet along the SW 12-32-21W for a road allowance to access the SE 12-32-21W.
For: 6 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
11.7 In Camera
Resolution No: 2024/396
Moved By: Daniel Laychuk
Seconded By: Wilmer Malcolm
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: 6 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
11.8 Out of In Camera
Resolution No: 2024/397
Moved By: Arnie Pedersen
Seconded By: Nestor Rizok
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: 6 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
11.9 Access Concerns: Ward Two
TABLED
12. Communications
12.1 Access Request: Medwid
Resolution No: 2024/398
Moved By: Nestor Rizok
Seconded By: Wilmer Malcolm
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve the access request for B. Medwid.
For: Against: 5 Abstain: 1 (Laychuk)
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
12.2 Donation Request: SV Snowmobile Club
Resolution No: 2024/399
Moved By: Wilmer Malcolm
Seconded By: Brad Wyatt
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby authorize a donation towards the Swan Valley Snowmobile Club in the amount of $1,500.00.
For: Against: 6
DEFEATED
12.3 LUD of Pine River Minutes: Review
12.4 Parkland RCMP Report: Review
13. Adjournment
Resolution No: 2024/400
Moved By: Nestor Rizok
Seconded By: Wilmer Malcolm
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Regular Meeting of Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain be adjourned to meet again on November 29th, 2024.
Meeting adjourned at 2:37 p.m.
For: 6 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY