Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain held Wednesday, March 12th, 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 10:00 a.m. by Reeve Keith Behrmann, quorum being present.
2. Adoption of Agenda
Resolution No: 2025/079
Moved By: Nestor Rizok
Seconded By: Daniel Laychuk
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Agenda for the March 12th, 2025 Regular Meeting of Council be adopted as presented.
For: 5 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
3. Matters Arising from Minutes
Resolution No: 2025/080
Moved By: Arnie Pedersen
Seconded By: Nestor Rizok
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council and the Conditional Use Public Hearing held February 26th, 2025 be adopted as presented, all requirements having been complied with.
For: 5 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
4. By-Laws & Policies
Councillor Malcolm joined the meeting.
4.1 Property Cleanup Policy
Resolution No: 2025/081
Moved By: Wilmer Malcolm
Seconded By: Brad Wyatt
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby adopt the Property Cleanup Policy as per Schedule ‘A’ attached hereto.
For: 6 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
5. Financial
5.1 Ward Financial Statement: Review
Councillor Mosiondz joined the meeting.
5.2 February Bank Statement and Reconciliation
Resolution No: 2025/082
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve the Bank Reconciliation and Bank Statement for the month ending February 28th, 2025 as presented.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
5.3 Office Furniture
Resolution No: 2025/083
Moved By: Brad Wyatt
Seconded By: Wilmer Malcolm
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby authorize the Municipal Office to purchase various stackable/folding chairs and tables for the presentation room to a maximum of $1,500.00.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
5.4 Outstanding AR: 345 Lorne Ave
Resolution No: 2025/084
Moved By: Wilmer Malcolm
Seconded By: Jarrett Mosiondz
WHEREAS the occupier of 345 Lorne Ave, Birch River has vacated the premises, leaving no forwarding address or location;
AND WHEREAS there is an outstanding Hydro billing of $1,041.43 for the months of December 2024 – February 2025 with no means of collection;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby write off Account Number 301 in the amount of $1,041.43.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
5.5 MCBF 2nd Payment: Transfer
Resolution No: 2025/085
Moved By: Arnie Pedersen
Seconded By: Nestor Rizok
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve the transfer of $25,000.00 for the second payment of the Municipal Capacity Building Fund from the General Chequing Account to the CCBF Reserve Account.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
5.6 Overdue Accounts Receivable
Resolution No: 2025/086
Moved By: Arnie Pedersen
Seconded By: Jarrett Mosiondz
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following unpaid invoice be added to the real property tax roll associated with such invoice as per Schedule ‘A’ attached hereto.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
5.7 Write Off Outstanding Penalty
Resolution No: 2025/087
Moved By: Wilmer Malcolm
Seconded By: Nestor Rizok
WHEREAS Invoice Number 20240115 in the amount of $6,156.66 was paid without the accrued penalty to date;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby cancel penalty in the amount of $76.95 be written off.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
5.8 Accounts Payable
Resolution No: 2025/088
Moved By: Arnie Pedersen
Seconded By: Jarrett Mosiondz
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Cheque Nos. 20250142 to 20250187 be approved for payment in the amount of $106,693.20, including Council Indemnities in the amount of $5,846.98 as per By-Law 11/18 and Direct Deposit Payroll Numbers 230 to 248 in the amount of $8,732.39 as attached hereto as Schedule ‘A’;
AND FURTHER IT BE RESOLVED THAT the direct payment amount of $6,971.23 for Receiver General for February be hereby approved.
For: 7 Against:
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6. 2025 Budget
6.1 LUD of Mafeking Budget
TABLED
6.2 Cowan Community Center Well Renovations: Get Another Price
TABLED
6.3 2025 Land Sale Revenue – Private Sales: Discussion
6.4 2025 Financial Plan Review: Land Sale Revenues to Offset Certain Capital Purchases
7. Ward Reports & Work Orders
Resolution No: 2025/089
Moved By: Jarrett Mosiondz
Seconded By: Brad Wyatt
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve Work Order #13/2025 attached hereto.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
8. Delegations/Petitions
8.1 10:00 a.m. Municipal Service Officer – LUD Dissolution Review
8.1.1 LUD Survey: Review
8.1.2 LUD of Mafeking & Birch River: Review Tax Implications
9. Meeting Attendance and Reports
10. General Business
10.1 Culvert Order
Resolution No: 2025/090
Moved By: Wilmer Malcolm
Seconded By: Daniel Laychuk
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve the culvert order as per Schedule ‘A’ attached hereto.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
10.2 Drainage Concerns/Sidewalk: Pine River
Resolution No: 2025/091
Moved By: Wilmer Malcolm
Seconded By: Nestor Rizok
WHEREAS a request from the property owner of Roll Number 61100.000 was received in regards to the conditon of sidewalks on her private property, as well as lack of drainage near this property;
AND WHEREAS Council reviewed the history of the sidewalk relocation – which was initiatied by the property owner request;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby deny the request for any involvement in the repair or maintenance of the sidewalk located on Lot 20, Block 1, Plan 121;
AND FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby request Intermountain Watershed District to help determine appropriate water flows within the LUD of Pine River so that appropriate drainage measures can be investigated by Council, if deemed necessary.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
10.3 Property Cleanup RFQ
Resolution No: 2025/092
Moved By: Daniel Laychuk
Seconded By: Wilmer Malcolm
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve for advertising the Property Cleanup RFQ as per Schedule ‘A’ attached hereto.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
10.4 Swan Valley Mutual Aid Agreement
Resolution No: 2025/093
Moved By: Wilmer Malcolm
Seconded By: Daniel Laychuk
WHEREAS the Rural Municipality of Mountain have reviewed and discussed the proposed Swan Valley Mutual Aid agreement and many amendments or adjustments, including the most recent amendment request;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby stand by the decision made in Resolution Number 2025/033 on January 22nd, 2025, and propose that no further amendments be considered at this time.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
11. Communications
11.1 Ethelbert Vet District Audit Findings Letter: Review Concerns
11.2 LUD of Pine River Minutes: Review
12. Adjournment
Resolution No: 2025/094
Moved By: Jarrett Mosiondz
Seconded By: Brad Wyatt
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Regular Meeting of Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain be adjourned to meet again on March 26th, 2025.
Meeting adjourned at 1:27 p.m.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY