The Council of the Town of Swan River met on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 7:00 pm in the Town Council Chambers with Mayor Jacobson presiding along with Deputy Mayor Moriaux and Councilors Bobick, Powell, and Whyte.
Absent: Councilor Medwid
Also Present:
CAO W. Tewnion; Dir. Public Works D. Harvey, CFO T. Gnida
Media: Jeremy Bergen, Star and Times
1. Call meeting to order
Mayor Jacobson called the meeting to order at 7:00pm.
2. Adoption of the Agenda
Resolution No: 2025-0113
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the agenda for the March 18, 2025, regular meeting of Council be adopted.
Carried
3. Confirmation of the minutes
Resolution No: 2025-0114
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the minutes of the March 5, 2025, regular council meeting be approved.
Carried
4. Reception of Delegations and Hearings
5. Reception of Petitions
6. Communications
7. Reports
7.1 Director of Public Works Report
Resolution No: 2025-0115
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Director of Public Works report be received.
Carried
7.2 Handivan Report
Resolution No: 2025-0116
Moved By: David Moriaux
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the February 2025 Swan River Handi-Transit Van Report be received.
Carried
7.3 Northwest Regional Library – Budget Questions & Answers
Resolution No: 2025-0117
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
BE IT RESOLVED THAT those responses to questions about the Northwest Regional Library Budget, that was approved at the March 4, 2025, council meeting, be received.
Carried
7.4 Council and CAO Reports
8. New Business
8.1 Leave for Mayor Jacobson
Resolution No: 2025-0118
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: David Moriaux
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Mayor Lance Jacobson of the Town of Swan River be granted leave for the February 18th, 2025, Regular Meeting; the March 4th, 2025, Regular Meeting; and the March 11th, 2025, Committee of the Whole Meeting.
Carried
8.2 Request for Written Report from Swan Valley Citizens on Patrol Program
Resolution No: 2025-0119
Moved By: Tanya Powell
Seconded By: Don Bobick
WHEREAS the Town Council recognizes the valuable contributions of the Citizens on Patrol Program in enhancing the safety and well-being of our community;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Swan Valley Citizens on Patrol Program is hereby requested to submit a written report to the Town Council quarterly detailing the following:
Current Status: An overview of the current operations and activities of the program.
Successes: A summary of the program’s achievements and positive impacts on the community.
Opportunities and Challenges: An analysis of any opportunities for improvement and challenges faced by the program.
Volunteer Count: The current number of active volunteers participating in the program.
Carried
Moriaux: Motion to make amendment to resolution by making the report quarterly. Whyte: Seconded Vote Result: Carried
8.3 Star and Times Congratulations for 125 Years of Service
Resolution No: 2025-0120
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
WHEREAS the Star and Times has provided exemplary service to the community for 125 years;
AND WHEREAS the Council wishes to extend its congratulations and appreciation for their dedication and contributions;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council approves the placement of an advertisement in the Star and Times, offering heartfelt congratulations for their 125 years of outstanding service.
Carried
8.4 2025 Community Foundation of Swan Valley Awareness Week
Resolution No: 2025-0121
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: David Moriaux
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the request from Community Foundation of Swan Valley be received,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Town of Swan River does hereby proclaim April 21-April 27, 2025 as Community Foundation of Swan Valley Awareness Week.
Carried
8.5 Participation in Northern Regional Immigration Initiative
Resolution No: 2025-0122
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Don Bobick
WHEREAS several communities in Northern Manitoba are interested in being champions to grow our community population bases through immigration by attracting skilled workers; and
WHEREAS The Pas Community Development Corporation (CDC) is heading up the Northern Regional Immigration Partnership with the Province of Manitoba and The Pas CDC will be the lead for the Initiative; and
WHEREAS local organizations and municipalities are available to assist with this endeavor, including The Town of Swan River, The Pas OCN Chamber of Commerce, North West Regional Immigrant Services, and Employment Manitoba; and
WHEREAS local industries and businesses are in need of this Immigration Partnership to help supply a workforce to fill vacant positions;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT The Town of Swan River commits to participating in the Northern Regional Immigration Initiative and Partnering with the Province of Manitoba to create and execute a strategy to attract skilled immigrants to Northern Manitoba to assist local employers, to fill vacant positions, and to encourage growth in the area.
Carried
8.6 Appointments for the Immigration Partnership
Resolution No: 2025-0123
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council appoint Lance Jacobson, Mayor, and Duane Whyte, Councilor, to the governance committee for the Immigration Partnership, and Will Tewnion, the Chief Administrative Officer, and Gillian McGrath to participate on the selection committee.
Carried
8.7 Operating Grant Application – Swan Valley Animal Protection League
Resolution No: 2025-0124
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Swan Valley Animal Protection League’s request for an annual operational grant of $2,500.00 be approved.
Carried
Whyte: Motion to make amendment to resolution by adjusting grant to $1,500. As there was no seconder, the motion was not considered.
8.8 Operating Grant Application – Swan River & District Community Resource Council Inc.
Moved By: Tanya Powell
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Swan River & District Community Resource Council Inc. requested increase of their annual operational grant to $2,000.00 be approved.
Defeated
8.9 Operating Grant Application – Swan Valley Crisis Centre
Resolution No: 2025-0125
Moved By: David Moriaux
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Swan Valley Crisis Centre resumes receiving an annual operational grant of $1,000.00.
Carried
9. Unfinished Business
10. Accounts
10.1 To approve accounts
Resolution No: 2025-0126
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the accounts as follows be hereby approved for payment:
1. General Account Cheques No. 32594 to No. 32625 totaling $149,179.38 as listed on Schedule A.
2. Payroll Account Cheques No. P5540 to No. P5543 and Direct Deposit Payments totaling $137,844.52 as listed on Schedule B.
3. Payroll Account Cheques No. P5544 to No. P5546 and Direct Deposit Payments totaling $106,345.44 as listed on Schedule C.
4. Direct Deposit Payments totaling $1,160.28 as listed on Schedule D.
Carried
11. By-Laws
12. Notice of Motion
13. Member Privilege
14. In Camera
Resolution No: 2025-0127
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
BE IT RESOLVED THAT, pursuant to Section 152(3) of the Municipal Act, Council go into Committee and close the meeting to the public.
Carried
14.1 Human Resources – Personnel
15. Out of Camera
Resolution No: 2025-0128
Moved By: David Moriaux
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT pursuant to Sections 152(4) of the Municipal Act this meeting be reopened to the public.
Carried
16. Items Arising out of Camera
16.1 Accommodation Request for Councillor Medwid
Moved By: David Moriaux
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Councilor Corinna Medwid of The Town of Swan River be permitted to attend all council related meetings online with camera off as per medical recommendations effective immediately for up to three months.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT any additional accommodations or extensions will be considered independently.
Don Bobick – no
Lance Jacobson – no
Corinna Medwid – absent
David Moriaux – no
Tanya Powell – no
Duane Whyte – no
Defeated
17. Adjournment
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
BE IT RESOLVED THAT this regular meeting of Council now adjourn at 8:55pm.
Carried