Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain held Wednesday, July 9th, 2025 at the Rural Municipality of Mountain Council Chambers in Birch River, MB.
Members Present:
Reeve: Keith Behrmann
Councillors: Dan Laychuk, Nestor Rizok, Arnie Pedersen and Brad Wyatt.
Councillors Malcolm and Mosiondz were absent with notice.
CAO Paige Driscoll was present and acted as secretary.
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 10:16 a.m. by Reeve Keith Behrmann, quorum being present.
2. Adoption of Agenda
Resolution No: 2025/229
Moved By: Daniel Laychuk
Seconded By: Arnie Pedersen
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Agenda for the July 9th, 2025 Regular Meeting of Council be adopted as presented.
For: 5 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
3. Matters Arising from Minutes
Resolution No: 2025/230
Moved By: Nestor Rizok
Seconded By: Daniel Laychuk
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council held June 25th, 2025 be adopted as presented, all requirements having been complied with.
For: 5 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
4. By-Laws & Policies
4.1 Fire Prevention & Emergency Services By-Law
Resolution No: 2025/231
Moved By: Arnie Pedersen
Seconded By: Brad Wyatt
BE IT RESOLVED THAT By-Law No. 02/2025, being a By-Law to provide for Fire Protection and Emergency Services for the Rural Municipality of Mountain, be given second reading.
For: 5 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
4.2 Fire Prevention & Emergency Services By-Law
Resolution No: 2025/232
Moved By: Arnie Pedersen
Seconded By: Daniel Laychuk
BE IT RESOLVED THAT By-Law No. 02/2025, being a By-Law to provide for Fire Protection and Emergency Services for the Rural Municipality of Mountain, be given third and final reading.
Keith Behrmann – yes
Daniel Laychuk – yes
Wilmer Malcolm – absent
Jarrett Mosiondz – absent
Arnie Pedersen – yes
Nestor Rizok – yes
Brad Wyatt – yes
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
4.3 Mafeking Water Rates By-Law (2nd Reading)
Resolution No: 2025/233
Moved By: Brad Wyatt
Seconded By: Nestor Rizok
BE IT RESOLVED THAT By-Law No. 02/2024, being a By-Law to provide water rates for the Mafeking Utility System, be given second reading.
For: 5 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
4.4 Mafeking Water Rates By-Law (3rd Reading)
Resolution No: 2025/234
Moved By: Arnie Pedersen
Seconded By: Brad Wyatt
BE IT RESOLVED THAT By-Law No. 02/2024, being a By-Law to provide water rates for the Mafeking Utility System, be given third and final reading.
Keith Behrmann – yes
Daniel Laychuk – yes
Wilmer Malcolm – absent
Jarrett Mosiondz – absent
Arnie Pedersen – yes
Nestor Rizok – yes
Brad Wyatt – yes
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
5. Financial
5.1 Ward Financial Statements: Review
5.2 Bank Statement and Reconciliation
Resolution No: 2025/235
Moved By: Nestor Rizok
Seconded By: Brad Wyatt
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve the Bank Statement and Reconciliation report for the month ending June 30th, 2025 as presented.
For: 5 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
5.3 Trailer Purchase: Reserve Transfer
Resolution No: 2025/236
Moved By: Daniel Laychuk
Seconded By: Arnie Pedersen
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve the transfer from the General Reserve Fund in the amount of $9,709.00 for the purchase of a trailer as per the 2025 Financial Plan and budget;
AND THAT the Reeve and CAO be authorized to sign on behalf of the Municipality.
For: 5 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
5.4 Medical Professionals Recruitment and Retention Payment
Resolution No: 2025/237
Moved By: Daniel Laychuk
Seconded By: Nestor Rizok
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve the annual payment in the amount of $15,680.00 to the Swan Valley Health Facilities Foundation in accordance with our Medical Professionals Recruitment and Retention agreement.
For: 5 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
5.5 Library/Pool Event
Resolution No: 2025/238
Moved By: Nestor Rizok
Seconded By: Arnie Pedersen
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve the expenditure for the Library and Pool event to a maximum of $500.00.
For: 5 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
5.6 BR Pool Repairs: Issue RFQ
5.7 WSFN Fire Invoice: Application for Appeal
Resolution No: 2025/239
Moved By: Daniel Laychuk
Seconded By: Nestor Rizok
WHEREAS an application for appeal was received from WSFN for Invoices 20250072, 20250071 and 20250070 issued after Council resolution number 2025/187;
AND WHEREAS Council has reviewed the application for appeal along with any other supporting evidence;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby:
Confirm the invoice amounts for Invoice 20250071 and cancel invoices 20250072 and 20250070.
For: 5 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
5.8 Accounts Payable
Resolution No: 2025/240
Moved By: Arnie Pedersen
Seconded By: Daniel Laychuk
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Cheque Nos. 20250486 to 20250567 be approved for payment in the amount of $97,903.56, Council Indemnities in the amount of $5,784.64 as per By-Law 03/22 and Direct Deposit Payroll No. 362 to 378 in the amount of $13,542.67 as attached hereto as Schedule ‘A’;
AND FURTHER IT BE RESOLVED THAT the direct payment amount of $8,236.90 for Receiver General for July be hereby approved.
For: 5 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
6. Personnel
6.1 In Camera
Resolution No: 2025/241
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 personnel.
For: 5 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
6.2 Out of In Camera
Resolution No: 2025/242
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
6.3 Backup Water Plant Operator Position (Birch River/Mafeking)
Resolution No: 2025/243
Moved By: Arnie Pedersen
Seconded By: Daniel Laychuk
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Moutain hereby hire B. Wyatt as Birch River and Mafeking Water Treatment Plant Backup Operator;
AND THAT wages and terms of employment be as stated in Schedule ‘A’ attached hereto.
For: 5 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
6.4 Finance Officer Signing Authority
Resolution No: 2025/244
Moved By: Arnie Pedersen
Seconded By: Nestor Rizok
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby remove K. Paterson as signing authority from any accounts at the Swan Valley Credit Union.
For: 5 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
7. Work Orders
8. Delegations/Petitions
8.1 10:00 a.m. Public Hearing: Chernyk Land Purchase
9. Meeting Attendance and Reports
10. General Business
10.1 Land Purchase
Resolution No: 2025/245
Moved By: Daniel Laychuk
Seconded By: Arnie Pedersen
WHEREAS a Public Hearing was held on July 9th, 2025 to consider any objections or submissions to the Municipality purchasing the NW 32-34-23W from private seller as this was not included in the 2025 Financial Plan;
AND WHEREAS there were no objections, or all objections were heard and considered;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve the use of General Reserve Funds to purchase the NW 32-34-23W.
For: 5 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
10.2 Mountain North Gravel
TABLED
10.3 Property Cleanup: Asbestos Removal
Resolution No: 2025/246
Moved By: Daniel Laychuk
Seconded By: Arnie Pedersen
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby hire Parkland Cleaners and Restoration to complete the asbestos testing for all properties that require such on the 2025 Property Cleanup Listing.
For: 5 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
10.4 Pine River Fire Hall Project: Tenders
TABLED
11. Communications
11.1 LUD of Pine River Minutes: Review
11.2 2024 Assessment Review
11.3 Pen Order
Resolution No: 2025/247
Moved By: Arnie Pedersen
Seconded By: Nestor Rizok
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve the purchase of municipal pens to a maximum of $2,000.00.
For: 5 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
12. Adjournment
Resolution No: 2025/248
Moved By: Nestor Rizok
Seconded By: Daniel Laychuk
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Regular Meeting of Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain be adjourned to meet again on July 23rd, 2025.
Meeting adjourned at 12:10 p.m.
For: 5 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY