The Council of the Town of Swan River met on Tuesday, October 7th, 2025, at 7:00 pm in the Town Council Chambers with Deputy Mayor Moriaux presiding along with Councilors Bobick, Powell, and Whyte.
Absent with notice: Mayor Jacobson
Administrative Staff Present: CAO W. Tewnion, CFO T. Gnida, Public Works Director D. Harvey, Recreation Director D. Gordon-Broome
Delegations:
Media: Jeremy Bergen, Star and Times
Other Participants: S/Sgt. Linklater
1. Call meeting to order
Deputy Mayor Moriaux called the meeting to order at 7:00pm.
2. Adoption of the Agenda
Resolution No: 2025-0428
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the agenda for the October 7, 2025, regular meeting of Council be adopted.
Carried
3. Approval of the minutes
Resolution No: 2025-0429
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the minutes of the September 16, 2025, regular council meeting be approved.
Carried
4. Reception of Delegations and Hearings
4.1 Open Public Hearing – Conditional Use Order 03.2025 – Swan Valley Crisis Centre
Resolution No: 2025-0430
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
BE IT RESOLVED THAT this Regular Meeting be closed and the public hearing on Conditional Use Order 03.2025 be opened.
Carried
4.2 Close Public Hearing – Conditional Use Order 03.2025
Resolution No: 2025-0431
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Public Hearing be adjourned and the Regular Meeting be re-opened.
Carried
4.3 Conditional Use Order 03.2025 – Swan Valley Crisis Centre
Resolution No: 2025-0432
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Conditional Use Order 03.2025 for the Swan Valley Crisis Centre be approved.
Carried
5. Reception of Petitions
6. Communications
6.1 Request from the Swan Titans Cricket Family – Official Cricket Ground in Swan River
Resolution No: 2025-0433
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the letter dated October 2, 2025, from the Swan Titans Cricket Family, regarding an official cricket ground be received.
Carried
6.2 Email from Joelene Kotzer-Mitschke, Swan River Key Chevrolet, October 1, 2025 – Expression of Concern
Resolution No: 2025-0434
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the email dated October 1, 2025, from Joelene Kotzer-Mitschke, regarding concerns about safety be received.
Carried
6.3 Email from MMA, September 29, 2025 – Manitoba Water Services Board (MWSB) Seeking Council Support of Request for Funding Increase
Resolution No: 2025-0435
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the email dated September 29, 2025, from Manitoba Municipal Administrators, requesting Council pass a resolution supporting increases to the Manitoba Water Services Board’s annual capital budget be received.
Carried
6.4 Email from Nick Krawetz, Association of Manitoba Municipalities, October 2, 2025 – Record of Discussion
Resolution No: 2025-0436
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the email dated October 2, 2025, from Nick Krawetz, regarding the Record of Discussion for the Contact Management Committee be received.
Carried
6.5 Letter from Maurice Bouvier, Deputy Minister of Municipal and Northern Relations, September 29, 2025 – Meetings with Ministers
Resolution No: 2025-0437
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the letter dated September 29, 2025, from Maurice Bouvier regarding meetings with ministers be received.
Carried
6.6 Letter from Jared Hall, RCMP, September 5, 2024 – Meetings with RCMP
Resolution No: 2025-0438
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the letter dated September 5, 2024, from Jared Hall, regarding meetings with RCMP be received.
Carried
6.7 Email from Katie Wells, Strong Cities Network, October 3, 2025 – Webinar Invitation
Resolution No: 2025-0439
Moved by: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the email dated October 3, 2025, from Katie Wells, Strong Cities Network, regarding an invitation to join their webinar be received.
Carried
6.8 Building and demolition permits
Resolution No: 2025-0440
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Building and Demolition Permits 41/25 through 49/25 with a total estimated value of $15,393,720 be received.
Carried
7. Reports
7.1 Chief Administrative Officer’s Report
Resolution No: 2025-0441
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Chief Administrative Officer’s Report be received.
Carried
7.2 Director of Public Works Report
Resolution No: 2025-0442
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Director of Public Works’ report be received.
Carried
7.3 Director of Recreation Report
Resolution No: 2025-0443
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Director of Recreation’s report be received.
Carried
7.4 Decision Paper – Hot Water Tanks Replacement – Swan River Centennial Arena
Resolution No: 2025-0444
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the decision paper dated October 6, 2025 from Danielle Gordon-Broome, Director of Recreation, regarding the hot water tanks replacement for the Swan River Centennial Arena be received.
Carried
7.5 PMH Needle Cleanup Log (October 8, 2024 – September 19, 2025)
Resolution No: 2025-0445
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
BE IT RESLOVED THAT the log dated October 8, 2024, to September 19, 2025, from Glenda Short, PMH, regarding Needle Cleanup be received.
Carried
7.6 Handivan Report
Resolution No: 2025-0446
Moved By: Tanya Powell
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the September 2025 Swan River Handi-Transit Van Report be received.
Carried
7.7 Council Reports
8. New Business
8.1 Manitoba GRO Program – Legion Park Restoration
Resolution No: 2025-0447
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
WHEREAS the Government of Manitoba has established the Manitoba GRO (Growth, Renewal, and Opportunities) Grant Program to support municipal infrastructure renewal and community development projects; and
WHEREAS the Town of Swan River has identified the Swan River Legion Park Revitalization Project as a priority initiative to enhance accessibility, safety, and usability of one of the community’s most valued public spaces; and
WHEREAS the proposed project includes resurfacing and widening pedestrian pathways, upgrading park lighting and stage facilities, enhancing baseball diamonds, improving water fountains for both human and pet use, and installing security and connectivity features such as keypad locks and internet-enabled cameras; and
WHEREAS the total estimated project cost is $520,000, with funding proposed as follows:
· $255,000 – Manitoba GRO Grant (requested)
· $245,000 – Federal (Canada Community-Building Fund)
· $10,000 – Municipal Recreation Reserve
· $10,000 – Ineligible Project Costs; and
WHEREAS all other funding sources have been confirmed and are available as outlined in the submitted application;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Town of Swan River hereby approves the submission of the 2025 Manitoba GRO Grant Application for the Swan River Legion Park Revitalization Project;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Town of Swan River confirms its commitment to provide its municipal contribution and to ensure the project is completed in accordance with all applicable requirements.
Carried
8.2 Appointment of Glen McKenzie to Councilor
Resolution No: 2025-0448
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
WHEREAS a vacancy exists on the Council of the Town of Swan River for the position of Councilor; and
WHEREAS a by-election was held in accordance with the Municipal Act, and no nominations were received; and
WHEREAS Section 102(1) of the Municipal Act permits Council to appoint a qualified person to fill the vacancy;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council appoints Glen McKenzie, a qualified elector of the Town of Swan River, to fill the vacant council seat effective immediately; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the appointment be recorded in the minutes of this meeting and publicly posted in accordance with the requirements of the Municipal Act.
Carried
8.3 G4/G8 Meeting Date
Resolution No: 2025-0449
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
WHEREAS the previously scheduled G4 meeting ordered by resolution 2025-0392 for September 29, 2025 was cancelled; and
WHEREAS Administration consulted with the other councils regarding an alternative suitable date for the upcoming G4/G8 meeting;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council endorses October 20, 2025, as the rescheduled date for the G4/G8 meeting, based on the outcome of that consultation.
Carried
8.4 Board of Revision – Annual Appointments
Resolution No: 2025-0450
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Don Bobick
WHEREAS The Municipal Assessment Act requires municipalities to establish a Board of Revision each year to hear and decide upon applications for revision of the assessment roll;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT all members of Council for the Town of Swan River be appointed to the Board of Revision;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Mayor Lance Jacobson be appointed as Chairperson and Chief Administrative Officer Will Tewnion be appointed as Secretary.
Carried
8.5 Resolution to Support MWSB Request for Funding Increase
Resolution No: 2025-0451
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
WHEREAS the vast majority of Manitoba municipalities are in dire need of the Manitoba Water Services Board (MWSB) financial, professional, and / or related subject matter expertise assistance for every aspect of water and wastewater projects and initiatives;
AND WHEREAS the provincial economy, municipal residential and commercial growth, community development opportunities, climate resiliency, public health, and convergent federal or provincial programs are at serious risk of being postponed, cancelled, or sub optimally advanced because the MWSB is critically oversubscribed with projects and at current funding levels has a seriously compromised financial capability to complete even a fraction of the queued projects required to drive local prosperity, health, safety, and livability;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the council of Town of Swan River fully supports an immediate annual increase to the MWSB’s capital budget, beginning in 2026, to $100 million from its current $24 million.
Carried
8.6 Request for Update – Community Surveillance Project
Resolution No: 2025-0452
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Don Bobick
WHEREAS on September 19, 2023, Council approved through resolution 2023-0400 a grant of $40,000 from the Crime Prevention Reserve to the Swan Valley Chamber of Commerce in support of the Community Surveillance Project (CSP); and
WHEREAS on December 12, 2023, Council received a grant of $50,000 from the Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund which was issued by resolution 2024-0028 to the Chamber of Commerce in support of the CSP; and
WHEREAS the Chamber of Commerce has since purchased and deployed a significant portion of the CCTV equipment associated with the CSP; and
WHEREAS Council was provided with an invoice for $50,000 with details on expenditures up to February 2, 2024;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council formally request from the Chamber of Commerce a report on the CSP including a description of the status, expenditures incurred to date, and anticipated future costs to complete the project.
Carried
8.7 Request for Meetings with Manitoba Ministers
Resolution No: 2025-0453
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
BE IT RESOLVED THAT administration be authorized to submit a formal request to Municipal Relations for a meeting with the Ministers identified in the attached proposal, and that the topics outlined be designated as the preliminary items for discussion as amended.
Carried
8.8 Hot Water Tanks Replacement – Swan River Centennial Arena
Resolution No: 2025-0454
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
WHEREAS The Swan River Centennial Arena is currently operating with one hot water tank; and
WHEREAS it is recommended that Swan River Centennial Arena operates with three hot water tanks to ensure continuous service;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT The Town of Swan River Recreation Department be authorized to expend $18,182.75 from the Recreation Facilities Reserve fund to purchase two hot water tanks from Mullin Plumbing and Geothermal.
Carried
8.9 Councillor Medwid – Leave of Absence Extension
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
BE IT RESOLVED that Councilor Corinna Medwid’s request to extend, by one month, the leave of absence granted to her from April 1, 2025, until October 1, 2025, be approved.
Defeated
9. Unfinished Business
9.1 Variance Order 02.2025 – Prairie Power Wash
Resolution No: 2025-0455
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Variance Order 2.2025 for Prairie Power Wash be approved.
Carried
10. Accounts
10.1 To add unpaid accounts to taxes
Resolution No: 2025-0456
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
WHEREAS the Town of Swan River used municipal equipment, materials and labour to carry out private works on private property under The Municipal Act clause 250(2)(e), and set the fees and charges for the works under clause 252(1)(a) of The Act; and
WHEREAS sufficient time has been allowed for payment of such outstanding amounts as listed on the attached Schedule “A” totaling $4,606.18;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT each of the unpaid amounts listed on Schedule “A” be added to the corresponding property tax roll and collected in that manner; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT notice be sent to each property owner detailing the amounts being added to the taxes and advising that interest will accrue on said amounts in the same manner as for unpaid property taxes effective November 1st, 2025.
Carried
10.2 To receive accounts
Resolution No: 2025-0457
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following accounts be received:
1. Payroll Account Cheques No. P5590 to No. P5592 and Direct Deposit Payments totaling $123,945.94 as listed on Schedule A
2. Direct Deposit Payments totaling $34,476.80 as listed on Schedule B.
Carried
10.3 To approve accounts
Resolution No: 2025-0458
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following accounts be approved for payment:
1. General Account Cheques No. 33251 to No. 33302 totaling $1,770,198.34 as listed on Schedule A
(Cheque Nos. 33255, 33259 and 33262 voided as homeowners took credit on account instead of cheque)
2. Direct Deposit Payments totaling $90,633.67 as listed on Schedule B
Carried
11. Bylaws
11.1 Second Reading – Bylaw 16/2025 Public Reserve Shoreline Vegetation Management
Resolution No: 2025-0459
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Bylaw No. 16/2025 being a Bylaw of the Town of Swan River to regulate development activities and the clearing of vegetation on public reserves along the river shorelines be read a second time.
Carried
12. Notice of Motion
13. Member Privilege
14. In Camera
Resolution No: 2025-0460
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 S/Sgt. Linklater – RCMP Discussion
14.2 Human Resources – Personnel Item
15. Out of Camera
Resolution No: 2025-0461
Moved By: Duane Whyte
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
17. Adjournment
Resolution No: 2025-0462
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
BE IT RESOLVED THAT this regular meeting of Council now adjourn at 9:26 pm.
Carried