Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain held Wednesday, February 26th, 2025 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 Driscoll was present and acted as secretary.

1. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 10:02 a.m. by Reeve Keith Behrmann, quorum being present.

2. Adoption of Agenda

Resolution No: 2025/062
Moved By: Wilmer Malcolm
Seconded By: Arnie Pedersen
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Agenda for the February 26th, 2025 Regular Meeting of Council be adopted as presented.
For: 6 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3. Matters Arising from Minutes

Resolution No: 2025/063
Moved By: Nestor Rizok
Seconded By: Daniel Laychuk
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council held February 12th, 2025 be adopted as presented, all requirements having been complied with.
For: 6 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

4. By-Laws & Policies

5. Financial

Councillor Mosiondz joined the meeting.

5.1 2024 Financial Statement

Resolution No: 2025/064
Moved By: Jarrett Mosiondz
Seconded By: Wilmer Malcolm
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby accept and approve the Financial Statement to December 31, 2024, as presented.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5.2 2025-2027 Audit Appointment

Resolution No: 2025/065

Moved By: Wilmer Malcolm
Seconded By: Daniel Laychuk

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby appoint Sensus Partnership of Chartered Accountants Ltd. as the municipal auditor for the years ending December 31st, 2025, 2026, and 2027.
For: 7 Against:

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5.3 Accounts Payable

Resolution No: 2025/066
Moved By: Arnie Pedersen
Seconded By: Jarrett Mosiondz
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Cheque Nos. 20250115 to 20250141 be approved for payment in the amount of $85,670.91, including Direct Deposit Payroll Nos. 218-229 in the amount of $9,527.08 as attached hereto as Schedule ‘A’.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

6. 2025 Budget

6.1 Parkland Regional Library 2025 Budget & Requirements

Resolution No: 2025/067
Moved By: Nestor Rizok
Seconded By: Jarrett Mosiondz
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve the 2025 Parkland Regional Library budget and municipal requirements in the amount of $10,613.40.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

6.2 Pine River WTP Suggested Repairs

Resolution No: 2025/068
Moved By: Wilmer Malcolm
Seconded By: Daniel Laychuk
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve the quote from Edwards Plumbing and Heating for repairs to the pitless adapter at the Pine River Water Treatment Plant in the amount of $15,825.60.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

6.3 LUD of Birch River Service Plan & Budget

Resolution No: 2025/069
Moved By: Jarrett Mosiondz
Seconded By: Nestor Rizok
WHEREAS the Municipal Office has prepared and presented a Service Plan to Council;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby adopt the Service Plan as submitted by the Municipal Office staff, attached hereto as Schedule ‘A’.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

6.4 2025 Full Financial Plan Review: Minor Adjustments & Wait Until School Divisions are Available to Advertise

6.5 2025 Tax Impact: Review

7. WARD REPORTS & Work Orders

Resolution No: 2025/070
Moved By: Jarrett Mosiondz
Seconded By: Arnie Pedersen
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve Work Orders #09/2025 to #12/2025 attached hereto.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

8. Delegations/Petitions

9. Meeting Attendance and Reports

9.1 Review of G4 Meeting: February 24th, 2025

10. General Business

10.1 Conditional Use Hearing: Sigurdson

Resolution No: 2025/071
Moved By: Jarrett Mosiondz
Seconded By: Arnie Pedersen
WHEREAS Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain held a Public Hearing on February 26th, 2025 to hear the Conditional Use Application #CU01-2025 [Sigurdson] for the property legally described as Lot 4, Plan 1086, Birch River, MB;
AND WHEREAS there were no objections, or all objections were heard and considered;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Conditional Use Order #CU01-2025 be approved as per Schedule ‘A’ attached hereto.
For: 7 Against:

10.2 Project: Subdivision of SE 4-35-23W

Resolution No: 2025/072
Moved By: Daniel Laychuk
Seconded By: Wilmer Malcolm
WHEREAS a project scope has been prepared for Council in regards to the subdivision project for the SE 4-35-23W;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain confirm the full project scope to include the registration of Public Road from the SW 3-35-23W, all roads within the SE 4-35-23W, and the application for subdivision of three parcels;
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council approve the application to purchase the portion of road on the SW 3-35-23W from Manitoba Crown Lands;
AND FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council approve Balchen and Kulchycki to complete the surveying and subdivision application on behalf of the Rural Municipality of Mountain.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

10.3 Mowing Contract

Resolution No: 2025/073
Moved By: Wilmer Malcolm
Seconded By: Jarrett Mosiondz
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby award the 2025 Mowing Contract to Double J Contracting Inc.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

10.4 Mountain North Snowplowing

Resolution No: 2025/074
Moved By: Wilmer Malcolm
Seconded By: Jarrett Mosiondz
WHEREAS there have been concerns with the reponse time of the Mountain North Road Maintenance contractor, which required the municipality to obtain another contractor to complete snowplowing work in February;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby provide notice to the Road Maintenance Contractor and retain the 2% holdback to offset costs of having to obtain another contractor to provide services.
For: Against: 7
DEFEATED

10.5 2025 Property Cleanup Listing

Resolution No: 2025/075
Moved By: Jarrett Mosiondz
Seconded By: Nestor Rizok
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve the 2025 Property Cleanup Listing as per Schedule ‘A’ attached hereto;
AND THAT the CAO be authorized to send notice to property owners.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

10.6 Request to Lease: Mountain South

Resolution No: 2025/076
Moved By: Wilmer Malcolm
Seconded By: Daniel Laychuk
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby provide public notice and offer the SW 24-33-23W for lease in accordance with the Municipal Lease policy.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

10.7 Mountain North Gravel Contract: Tabled

10.8 2025 Tax Sale Date

Resolution No: 2025/077
Moved By: Jarrett Mosiondz
Seconded By: Nestor Rizok
WHEREAS Section 365(2) of The Municipal Act states that Council may in any year designate the immediately preceding year or any earlier year as the year for which properties the taxes in respect of which are in arrears for the year must be offered for sale by auction to recover the tax arrears and costs;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the designated year for which properties in arrears will be offered for sale by auction by 2024, and that all properties liable therefore shall be sold for any portion of arrears of taxes outstanding at December 31st 2023;
AND THAT ‘costs’ shall be the actual costs for each parcel listed for the Tax Sale and administration fees of $50.00 as set forth in Regulation 50/97;
AND BE IT RESOLVED THAT the 2025 Tax Sale be held October 30th, 2025 at 10:00 A.M. at the Rural Municipality of Mountain Municipal Office;
AND THAT TAXervice of Swan River be authorized to conduct the 2025 Tax Sale for the Rural Municipality of Mountain.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

10.9 345 Lorne Ave: 2024 Tax Sale Property: Board Up

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

10.10 Birch River Mower – Oil Sample Reports

11. Communications

11.1 Development and Drainage: Pass to Watershed Districts

11.2 Pine River Fire Hall RFT: Project Update

11.3 Next Meeting: Culvert Order

12. Adjournment

Resolution No: 2025/078
Moved By: Wilmer Malcolm
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 March 12th, 2025.
Meeting adjourned at 1:23 p.m.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY