Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain held Friday, November 29th, 2024 at the Rural Municipality of Mountain Council Chambers in Birch River, MB.


Members Present:
Reeve: Keith Behrmann
Councillors: Dan Laychuk, Nestor Rizok, Jarrett Mosiondz, Arnie Pedersen and Brad Wyatt.
Councillor Malcolm was absent with notice.
CAO Paige Wozny was present and acted as secretary.

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: 2024/401
Moved By: Jarrett Mosiondz
Seconded By: Nestor Rizok
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Agenda for the November 29th, 2024 Regular Meeting of Council be adopted as presented.
For: 5 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3. Matters Arising from Minutes

Resolution No: 2024/402
Moved By: Nestor Rizok
Seconded By: Brad Wyatt
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council held November 13th, 2024 be adopted as presented, all requirements having been complied with.
For: 5 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

4. By-Laws & Policies

4.1 Snowplow Account Request

Resolution No: 2024/403
Moved By: Jarrett Mosiondz
Seconded By: Nestor Rizok
WHEREAS the Snowplow Account Policy states that applications after October 31st, 2024 may be considered but will be subjected to a late fee, and the Rural Municipality of Mountain Municipal Office received a request for the NE 8-39-24W;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby allow the consideration of the application and approve the Snowplow Account for the NE 8-39-24W, upon receipt of payment including late fee.
For: 5 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5. Financial

Councillor Pedersen joined the meeting.

5.1 Ward Financial Statements: Review

5.2 Bank Statement and Reconcilliation

Resolution No: 2024/404
Moved By: Jarrett Mosiondz
Seconded By: Brad Wyatt
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve the Bank Statement and Reconcilliation report for the month ending October 31st, 2024 as presented.
For: 6 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5.3 Monthly Financial Statement

Resolution No: 2024/405
Moved By: Jarrett Mosiondz
Seconded By: Arnie Pedersen
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby accept and approve the Financial Statement for October 31st, 2024, as presented.
For: 6 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5.4 2024 Land Sale Revenue Transfer

Resolution No: 2024/406
Moved By: Jarrett Mosiondz
Seconded By: Daniel Laychuk
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve the transfer of $253,350.00 to the General Reserve Fund as budgeted in the 2024 Annual Financial Plan.
For: 6 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5.5 Culvert Inventory

Resolution No: 2024/407
Moved By: Jarrett Mosiondz
Seconded By: Nestor Rizok
WHEREAS an inventory was completed of the Birch River compound, which indicated that several items were not expensed;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby expense the inventory to the Road Maintenance General Account.
For: 6 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5.6 Overdue Accounts Receivable: Lease Agreement

Resolution No: 2024/408
Moved By: Jarrett Mosiondz
Seconded By: Daniel Laychuk
WHEREAS 2024 lease fees for the agreement of Pt. SE 4-35-23W have not been paid, nor has there been confirmaton that the lease agreement is still required;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain serve the required 30 day notice of termination of the lease agreement for the Part SE 4-35-23W on the affected leaseholders, terminating the lease at December 31st, 2024;
AND THAT all improvements to the lease area be removed prior to the termination date.
For: 6 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5.7 Overdue Accounts Receivable: Fire Response

Resolution No: 2024/409
Moved By: Nestor Rizok
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 an application for Small Claims for the collection of payment on Invoice Number 20240115 plus any interest accrued to date.
For: 6 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5.8 Overdue Accounts: Uncollectable

Resolution No: 2024/410
Moved By: Jarrett Mosiondz
Seconded By: Arnie Pedersen
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council write off the following uncollectable MPI accounts:
Invoice Number 20230070
Invoice Number 20240008
Invoice Number 20240050
Invoice Number 20240114
For: 6 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5.9 Accounts Payable

Resolution No: 2024/411
Moved By: Arnie Pedersen
Seconded By: Jarrett Mosiondz
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Cheque Nos.20241231 to 20241255 be approved for payment in the amount of $59,278.03 and Direct Deposit Payroll in the amount of $34,758.48 as attached hereto as Schedule ‘A’.
For: 6 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

6. 2025 Budget Discussions

6.1 Grant Projects: Fire Hall and Playground Equipment

6.2 Other Capital/Large Projects or Purchases: Councillors to Provide Listing

6.3 2025 Property Cleanup: No Rural Properties, Council to Review List

Councillor Mosiondz left the meeting.

7. WARD REPORTS & Work Orders

Resolution No: 2024/412
Moved By: Brad Wyatt
Seconded By: Nestor Rizok
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve Work Orders #77/2024 to #78/2024 attached hereto.
For: 5 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

7.1 Recap of AMM Convention Highlights: Discussion

7.2 CT Scanner Donated Funds

Resolution No: 2024/413
Moved By: Brad Wyatt
Seconded By: Wilmer Malcolm
WHEREAS anticipated community donations towards the purchase and installation of the Swan River CT Scanner was $100,000.00 which has been exceeded to date by over $34,000.00;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby make request to the Swan Valley Community Foundation to hold the overage of funds in trust for use towards the CT Scanner or any associated equipment that might be necessary as determined by the Board.
For: 5 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

8. Delegations/Petitions

8.1 10:15 a.m. Dale Hoggan: Road Purchase Request

8.2 11:30 a.m. Lawrence Linnick: Review of 2025 Emergency Plan

8.2.1 2025 Emergency Plan Adoption

Resolution No: 2024/414
Moved By: Arnie Pedersen
Seconded By: Daniel Laychuk
WHEREAS The Emergency Measures Act requires communities to have Emergency Preparedness programs;
AND WHEREAS The Municipal Emergency Coordinator has presented an updated Emergency Prepareness Plan for approval;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby accept the Emergency Preparedness Plan as presented;
AND THAT the Emergency Plan be submitted to Emergency Measures Organization for approval.
For: 5 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

9. Meeting Attendance and Reports

10. General Business

10.1 In Camera

Resolution No: 2024/415
Moved By: Arnie Pedersen
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 legal matters.
For: 5 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

10.2 Out of In Camera

Resolution No: 2024/416
Moved By: Arnie Pedersen
Seconded By: Daniel Laychuk
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: 5 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

10.3 Access Concerns – Ward Two
TABLED

10.4 Pine River Fire Hall Project Manager

Resolution No: 2024/417
Moved By: Arnie Pedersen
Seconded By: Daniel Laychuk
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve the submission of DriftStone Consulting Inc for project management services for the Pine River Fire Hall renovation and expansion project;
AND THAT the CAO be authorized to sign on behalf of the Municipality.
For: 4 Against: 1
CARRIED

10.5 2025 Mowing Contract

Resolution No: 2024/418
Moved By: Nestor Rizok
Seconded By: Arnie Pedersen
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve the RFQ for 2025 Contract Mowing as per Schedule ‘A’ attached hereto;
AND THAT the CAO be authorized to publicly advertise the RFQ.
For: 5 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

10.6 2025 Gravel Contracts

Resolution No: 2024/419
Moved By: Brad Wyatt
Seconded By: Daniel Laychuk
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve the RFQ for the 2025 Gravel Program for Mountain North and Mountain South as per Schedule ‘A’ attached hereto;
AND THAT the CAO be authorized to publicly advertise such RFQs.
For: 5 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

10.7 Pine River Water Treatment Plant: Review Treatment Options for ODW Recommendations

10.8 Snow Plow Priorities: Discussion

10.9 Plan of Subdivision: 2023 Land Sale

Resolution No: 2024/420
Moved By: Daniel Laychuk
Seconded By: Arnie Pedersen
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve Subdivision No. 4617-24-7830 in the NE 17-36-23 WPM [Mountain];
AND THAT the CAO be authorized to sign on behalf of the Municipality.
For: 5 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

10.10 Application for Quarry Lease

Resolution No: 2024/421
Moved By: Nestor Rizok
Seconded By: Daniel Laychuk
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby list no concerns with the application for Quarry Lease Number QL-2883.
For: 5 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

11. Communications

11.1 December Meeting Schedule

Resolution No: 2024/422
Moved By: Arnie Pedersen
Seconded By: Brad Wyatt
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby change the December 25th, 2024 Regular Meeting of Council to December 19th, 2024.
For: 5 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

11.2 Waste Site Schedule December/January

11.3 Birch River Tractor Update: Repairs Necessary

12. Adjournment

Resolution No: 2024/423
Moved By: Daniel Laychuk
Seconded By: Arnie Pedersen
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Regular Meeting of Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain be adjourned to meet again on December 11th, 2024.
Meeting adjourned at 2:45 p.m.
For: 5 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY