The Council of the Town of Swan River met on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 7:00 pm in the Town Council Chambers with Mayor Jacobson presiding along with Councilors Bobick, Powell, and Whyte.
Absent with Notice: Deputy Mayor Moriaux
Also Present:
CAO W. Tewnion; Dir. Public Works D. Harvey, CFO T. Gnida
Delegation: RCMP S/Sgt. Steve Henson
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: 2025-0160
Moved By: Tanya Powell
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the agenda for the April 22, 2025, regular meeting of Council be adopted.
Carried
3. Confirmation of the minutes
Resolution No: 2025-0161
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the minutes of the April 1, 2025, regular council meeting be approved.
Carried
4. Reception of Delegations and Hearings
4.1 RCMP – Staff Sergeant Steve Henson
5. Reception of Petitions
6. Communications
6.1 Letter from Municipal Relations – GRO Grant (not approved)
Resolution No: 2025-0162
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the letter dated April 1, 2025, regarding the Town of Swan River’s Manitoba GRO applications from The Province of Manitoba Municipal Relations be received.
Carried
6.2 Letter from the Manitoba Minister of Environment and Climate Change – WRARS Rebate Approval
Resolution No: 2025-0163
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the letter dated April 4, 2025, regarding the recycling rebate from the Minister of Environment and Climate Change be received.
Carried
6.3 Letter from the Association of Manitoba Municipalities
Resolution No: 2025-0164
Moved By: Tanya Powell
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the letter dated March 24, 2025, from the Association of Manitoba Municipalities thanking Mayor Jacobson and District Directors for meeting with them be received.
Carried
6.4 Letter to Greg and Charlotte Sauder
Resolution No: 2025-0165
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the letter dated April 10, 2025, to Greg and Charlotte Sauder regarding use of the Legion Park for National Red Dress Day be received.
Carried
6.5 To receive SV RISE 2023 financial statements
Moved By: Tanya Powell
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Swan Valley Regional Initiative for a Strong Economy financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023, as requested by resolution 2024-0635, be received.
Carried
6.6 To receive SV RISE 2024 budget
Resolution No: 2025-0166
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Swan Valley Regional Initiative for a Strong Economy budget for 2024, as requested by resolution 2024-0635, be received.
Carried
6.7 To receive building permit applications
Resolution No: 2025-0167
Moved By: Tanya Powell
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Building and Demolition Permits 5/25 through 8/25 with a total estimated value of $476,786 be received.
Carried
7. Reports
7.1 Director of Public Works Report
Resolution No: 2025-0168
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Director of Public Works report be received.
Carried
7.2 Handivan Report
Resolution No: 2025-0169
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the March 2025 Swan River Handi-Transit Van Report be received.
Carried
7.3 Citizens on Patrol Program Report
Resolution No: 2025-0170
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Citizens on Patrol Program report, as requested by resolution 2025-0119, be received.
Carried
7.4 Council and CAO Reports
8. New Business
8.1 Committee Appointment
Resolution No: 2025-0171
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Councilor Tanya Powell replace Mayor Lance Jacobson as the representative for the Chamber of Commerce; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Councilor Duane Whyte temporally replace Councilor Medwid as a representative for the Communities that Care until Councilor Medwid returns from leave.
Carried
8.2 Invasive Species Week Proclamation
Resolution No: 2025-0172
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Don Bobick
WHEREAS invasive species can result in the loss of Manitoba’s unique ecosystems and native species;
AND WHEREAS the activities of people are most often responsible for the introduction of a species to a new area;
AND WHEREAS preventing the introduction of an invasive species to a new area is the most effective way to manage it;
AND WHEREAS increasing awareness of the threats of invasive species will help prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Town of Swan River proclaims April 20th to April 26th as Invasive Species Awareness Week.
Carried
8.3 Spruce Street – Repaving
Resolution No: 2025-0173
Moved By: Tanya Powell
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Public Works include Spruce Street between 9th Ave S and 10th Ave S in upcoming paving initiatives for the Town of Swan River.
Carried
8.4 Loader-Backhoe – RFQ & Purchase
Resolution No: 2025-0174
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Town of Swan River purchase a John Deere 320 P loader-backhoe from Brandt for $169,465.00 plus applicable taxes.
Carried
8.5 To receive Swan Valley Veterinary Services District 2025 budget
Resolution No: 2025-0175
Moved By: Tanya Powell
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Swan Valley Veterinary Services District Budget for 2025 be received.
Carried
9. Unfinished Business
9.1 Policy 01/2025 – Treaty Land Acknowledgment
Resolution No: 2025-0176
Moved By: Tanya Powell
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Policy 01/2025 being a Policy of the Town of Swan River to facilitate consistent use of a Treaty Land Acknowledgment be approved.
Carried
10. Accounts
10.1 To set reserve bid for tax sale auction
Resolution No: 2025-0177
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Don Bobick
WHEREAS Section 365(2) of The Municipal Act provides 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; and
WHEREAS Section 372 of The Municipal Act provides that a municipality may set any terms or conditions for the sale of a property to be sold for taxes, and may set a reserve bid in the amount of the tax arrears and costs in respect of the property;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Town of Swan River place a reserve bid on each property included in the 2025 Tax Sale in the amount of tax arrears and costs owing in respect of the property.
Carried
10.2 To reimburse moving expenses
Resolution No: 2025-0178
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the moving expense incurred on February 28, 2025, in the amount of $9,675.04 per attached Schedule A be reimbursed to the employee.
Carried
10.3 To approve accounts
Resolution No: 2025-0179
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following accounts be approved for payment:
1. General Account Cheques No. 32694 to No. 32764 totaling $231,450.74 as listed on Schedule A
2. Direct Deposit Payments totaling $660.00 as listed on Schedule B
3. Direct Deposit Payments totaling $3,661.95 as listed on Schedule C
Carried
10.4 To approve payment of the 2025 Swan Valley Veterinary Services District contribution
Resolution No: 2025-0180
Moved By: Tanya Powell
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Swan Valley Veterinary Services District 2025 municipal contribution in the amount of $7,204.50 be approved for payment once the 2024 financial statements have been received.
Carried
10.5 To receive accounts
Resolution No: 2025-0181
Moved By: Tanya Powell
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following accounts be received:
1. Payroll Account Cheques No. P5550 to No. P5553 and Direct Deposit Payments totaling $113,692.81 as listed on Schedule A
2. Direct Deposit Payments totaling $39,397.02 as listed on Schedule B
Carried
10.6 To approve payment of Swan Valley Fire Board 2025 levy
Resolution No: 2025-0182
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Swan Valley Fire Board 2025 levy of $232,703.51 be approved for payment once the Audited Financial Statements for the Year Ended December 31, 2024, have been received.
Carried
11. By-Laws
11.1 Second reading of By-Law 6/2025
Resolution No: 2025-0183
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
BE IT RESOLVED THAT By-Law 6/2025, being a by-law to establish an Accommodation Tax Reserve Fund, be read a second time.
Carried
12. Notice of Motion
13. Member Privilege
14. In Camera
BE IT RESOLVED THAT, pursuant to Section 152(3) of the Municipal Act, Council go into Committee and close the meeting to the public.
15. Out of Camera
BE IT RESOLVED THAT, pursuant to Sections 152(4) of the Municipal Act, this meeting be reopened to the public.
16. Items Arising out of Camera
17. Adjournment
Resolution No: 2025-0184
Moved By: Tanya Powell
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT this regular meeting of Council now adjourn at 8:22pm.
Carried