The Council of the Town of Swan River met on Tuesday, December 16th, 2025, at 7:00 pm in the Town Council Chambers with Mayor Jacobson presiding along with Deputy Mayor Moriaux with Councilors Bobick, McKenzie, White, and Whyte in attendance.
Absent with notice: Councilor Powell
Administrative Staff Present: CAO W. Tewnion, CFO T. Gnida, Public Works Director D Harvey
Delegations:
Media: Jeremy Bergen, Star and Times
Other Participants:
1.
Call meeting to order
Mayor Jacobson called the meeting to order at 7:00pm.
2.
Adoption of the Agenda
Resolution No: 2025-0582
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Glen McKenzie
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the agenda for the December 16th, 2025, regular meeting of Council be adopted, and that the delegation from Corinna Medwid be heard at 7:30 p.m.
Carried
3.
Approval of the minutes
Resolution No: 2025-0583
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the minutes for the December 2nd, 2025, regular meeting of Council be approved.
Carried
4.
Reception of Delegations and Hearings
This delegation was heard at 7:19 pm. Council Reports were started and paused to hear the delegation. After the delegation, Council reports were continued.
4.1
Corinna Medwid, Vice President, CUPW Local 722
Resolution No: 2025-0584
Moved By: Glen McKenzie
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
BE IT RESOLVED that the information provided by Corinna Medwid dated December 8, 2025, be received; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Corinna Medwid be invited to speak as a delegation.
Carried
5.
Reception of Petitions
6.
Communications
6.1
Presentation from the CAO, December 11, 2025 – Councilor Orientation
Resolution No: 2025-0585
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the presentation dated December 11, 2025, from the CAO, regarding Councilor Orientation be received.
Carried
6.2
To receive building permit applications
Resolution No: 2025-0586
Moved By: David Moriaux
Seconded By: Glen McKenzie
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Building Permits 55/25 and 56/25 with a total estimated value of $3,554 be received.
Carried
6.3
Letter from Minister Simard, Municipal and Northern Relations – Manitoba GRO Grant Approval
Resolution No: 2025-0587
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the letter dated December 15, 2025 from Minister Simard, Municipal and Northern Relations, regarding the grant approval for the GRO for the Swan River Legion Park Revitalization Project be received.
Carried
7.
Reports
7.1
Chief Administrative Officer Report
Resolution No: 2025-0588
Moved By: Glen McKenzie
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Chief Administrative Officer’s report be received.
Carried
7.2
Director of Public Works Report
Resolution No: 2025-0589
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: 2025-0590
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Director of Recreation’s report be received.
Carried
7.4
Handi-Transit Van Report
Resolution No: 2025-0591
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Glen McKenzie
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the November 2025 Swan River Handi-Transit Van Report be received.
Carried
7.5
Change Report from the Director of Public Works – Zoning Bylaw 19/2025
Resolution No: 2025-0592
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: David Moriaux
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the report dated October 14, 2025, from the Director of Public Works, regarding the Zoning Bylaw be received.
Carried
7.6
Briefing Report from the CAO, December 15, 2025 – Accommodation Tax
Resolution No: 2025-0593
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Glen McKenzie
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the report dated December 15, 2025, from the CAO, regarding Accommodation Tax be received.
Carried
7.7
PMH Needle Cleanup Log (October 8, 2024 – December 12, 2025)
Resolution No: 2025-0594
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the log dated October 8, 2024, to December 12, 2025, from Glenda Short, PMH, regarding needle cleanup be received.
Carried
7.8
Council Reports
8.
New Business
8.1
Appoint Acting CAO – Darren Harvey
Resolution No: 2025-0595
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Darren Harvey, Director of Public Works, is appointed to act in the capacity of Chief Administrative Officer from Wednesday, December 17, 2025, to Monday, December 22, 2025, inclusive, and shall assume all responsibilities and authorities of the position during that period.
Carried
8.2
Appoint Deputy Mayor – David Moriaux
Resolution No: 2025-0596
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Councilor Moriaux be appointed as Deputy Mayor effective January 7th, 2026, until 12:00PM the day following the October 28, 2026, General Election.
Carried
8.3
Swan Valley Planning District 2025 Budget
Resolution No: 2025-0597
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Glen McKenzie
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Swan Valley Planning District 2025 Budget and associated minutes including the resolution to approve the budget be received.
Carried
8.4
Swan Valley Health Facilities Foundation
Resolution No: 2025-0598
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: David Moriaux
WHEREAS the Swan Valley Health Facilities Foundation Board is undergoing changes that are anticipated to present operational challenges; and
WHEREAS on December 1, 2025, the Swan Valley Health Facilities Foundation passed a resolution to transfer all Medical Recruitment funds to the Town of Swan River, in trust for the Medical Recruitment Committee; and
WHEREAS the Swan Valley Health Facilities Foundation requires assistance from the Town of Swan River Administration solely to open a trust account and facilitate the transfer of funds;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Chief Financial Officer of the Town of Swan River is hereby authorized to establish the necessary trust account and facilitate the transfer of Medical Recruitment funds as requested.
Carried
8.5
To receive Swan Valley RISE May 22, 2025 minutes
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Glen McKenzie
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Swan Valley Regional Initiative for a Strong Economy minutes from the meeting held May 22, 2025, be received, including the resolution that instead of an audit the municipal partners will be presented with a financial information package similar to the 2023 fiscal year and the resolution to approve the 2025 budget totaling $50,000.00.
Tabled
Councilor McKenzie: Motion to table to the January 6th meeting. Councilor Whyte: Seconded. Vote Result: Carried.
8.6
Manitoba Hydro Street Light Standard Replacement Project
Resolution No: 2025-0599
Moved By: David Moriaux
Seconded By: Don Bobick
WHEREAS Manitoba Hydro is undertaking a streetlight standards replacement project and has requested input from the Town;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council supports Manitoba Hydro in replacing post-top standards with galvanized poles at no cost to the Town and acknowledges that light posts may not all be uniform in appearance.
Carried
8.7
Planning District – Request to Confirm Support for 2025 Development Plan
Resolution No: 2025-0600
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: David Moriaux
WHEREAS the Swan Valley Planning District Board includes two members representing the Town of Swan River; and
WHEREAS the Planning District has undertaken extensive work and consultation in preparing the newest Development Plan, culminating in the January 2025 final draft;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Town of Swan River supports its two representatives on the Swan Valley Planning District Board to vote in favour of adopting the Development Plan.
Carried
8.8
Asset Management Administration Policy
Resolution No: 2025-0601
Moved By: Glen McKenzie
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Asset Management Administration Policy and Schedule A – Asset Management Strategy be approved.
Carried
9.
Unfinished Business
10.
Accounts
10.1
2026 Tax Sale Auction Date
Resolution No: 2025-0602
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Glen McKenzie
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;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Designated Year for which properties in arrears be offered for sale by auction, be 2025 (meaning all properties with outstanding taxes from the year 2024 or prior); and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT in accordance with Section 363(1) of the Municipal Act, “costs” shall be the actual costs incurred for each parcel listed for the 2026 tax sale plus an administration fee of $50.00 (as set forth in Manitoba Regulation 50/97); and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the 2026 tax sale be held Wednesday, September 9th, 2026, at 2:00 pm in the Town of Swan River Committee Room and that Taxervice be hired to manage the Tax Sale for the Town during the Fiscal Year 2026.
Carried
10.2
Swan Valley Planning District 2025 Levy
Resolution No: 2025-0603
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: David Moriaux
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Swan Valley Planning District 2025 Annual Membership Fee of $7,042.56 be approved for payment once the 2024 audited financial statements have been received.
Carried
10.3
To approve 2025 contribution to Swan Valley RISE
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the 2025 Swan Valley Regional Initiative for a Strong Economy contribution in the amount of $17,560.35 be approved for payment.
Tabled
Councilor McKenzie: Motion to table to the January 6th meeting. Councilor Whyte: Seconded. Vote Result: Carried.
10.4
To transfer to Crime Prevention Reserve
Resolution No: 2025-0604
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Don Bobick
WHEREAS the 2025 Financial Plan budgeted amount for Protective Services – Police included $270,000.00 for a planned RCMP GIS Unit; and
WHEREAS no expenditures have been made in 2025 as the GIS Unit has not yet been established;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT $270,000.00 be transferred from the General Operating Fund to the Crime Prevention Reserve Fund to be used in a future year for expenditures incurred for the RCMP GIS Unit.
Carried
10.5
To transfer to Water and Sewer Reserve
Resolution No: 2025-0605
Moved By: Glen McKenzie
Seconded By: Don Bobick
WHEREAS the 2025 Financial Plan for the Utility Operating Fund included $40,170.00 Transfer to Utility Reserve;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the lesser of $40,170.00, or the Utility Operating Fund Net Operating Surplus for the 2025 fiscal year, be transferred from the Utility Operating Fund to the Water and Sewer Reserve Fund once the 2025 fiscal yearend has been completed.
Carried
10.6
To transfer unspent 4th St S Public Reserve budget to Tax Stabilization Reserve
Resolution No: 2025-0606
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: David Moriaux
WHEREAS the 2025 Capital Budget included $6,000.00 for 4th St S Public Reserve to be Borne by General Fund; and
WHEREAS no monies were expended in 2025 for the 4th St S Public Reserve project;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT $6,000.00 be transferred from the General Operating Fund to the Tax Stabilization Reserve Fund in the 2025 fiscal year so that the Tax Stabilization Reserve can be used to fund the 4th St S Public Reserve project in the 2026 fiscal year.
Carried
10.7
To transfer unspent Legion Park Upgrades budget to Recreation Facilities Reserve
Resolution No: 2025-0607
Moved By: Glen McKenzie
Seconded By: Don Bobick
WHEREAS the 2025 Capital Budget included Legion Park Upgrades with a portion of the costs in the amount of $37,600.00 to be Borne by General Fund; and
WHEREAS only $3,387.28 was expended in 2025 for that portion of the costs;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT $34,212.72 be transferred from the General Operating Fund to the Recreation Facilities Reserve Fund in the 2025 fiscal year so that the Recreation Facilities Reserve can be used towards the remaining costs of the Legion Park Upgrades project in the 2026 fiscal year.
Carried
10.8
To transfer General Operating Fund surplus to Tax Stabilization Reserve
Resolution No: 2025-0608
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: David Moriaux
WHEREAS the Town deems it advisable to use any surplus in the General Operating Fund to stabilize property tax increases in future years;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT an amount equal to the General Operating Fund surplus for the 2025 fiscal year be transferred to the Tax Stabilization Reserve once the 2025 fiscal yearend has been completed.
Carried
10.9
To adopt the 2026 Interim Operating Budget
Resolution No: 2025-0609
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Don Bobick
WHEREAS Section 163 of The Municipal Act provides that “A Council may adopt an interim operating budget to have effect only until the Council adopts the operating budget for the fiscal year”;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the following interim operating budget be adopted for the year 2026:
General Operating Requirements:
General Government Services $900,000
Protective Services $2,000,000
Transportation Services $1,000,000
Environmental Health Services $1,000,000
Public Health & Welfare Services $150,000
Regional Planning & Development $40,000
Resource Conservation & Industrial Development $50,000
Recreation & Cultural Services $1,000,000
Water & Sewer Services $1,300,000
Carried
10.10
To receive accounts
Resolution No: 2025-0610
Moved By: David Moriaux
Seconded By: Glen McKenzie
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following accounts be received:
1. Payroll Account Cheques No. P5601 and No. P5602 and Direct Deposit Payments totaling $130,484.29 as listed on Schedule A
2. Payroll Account Cheques No. P5603 and No. P5604 and Direct Deposit Payments totaling $138,727.67 as listed on Schedule B
3. Direct Deposit Payments totaling $39,040.29 as listed on Schedule C.
Carried
10.11
To approve accounts
Resolution No: 2025-0611
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Glen McKenzie
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following accounts be approved for payment:
1. General Account Cheques No. 33449 to No. 33493 totaling $88,731.95 as listed on Schedule A
2. Direct Deposit Payments totaling $129,815.25 as listed on Schedule B
3. Direct Deposit Payments totaling $900.00 as listed on Schedule C
Carried
11.
Bylaws
11.1
First Reading – Bylaw 19/2025 – Zoning Bylaw
Resolution No: 2025-0612
Moved By: David Moriaux
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Bylaw No. 19/2025 being a Bylaw of the Town of Swan River to regulate the use and development of land be read a first time.
Carried
11.2
First Reading – Bylaw 22/2025 – Accommodation Tax Bylaw
Resolution No: 2025-0613
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Bylaw No. 22/2025 being a Bylaw of the Town of Swan River to impose a tax on accommodation be read a first time.
Carried
12.
Notice of Motion
13.
Member Privilege
14.
In Camera
Resolution No: 2025-0614
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
BE IT RESOLVED THAT, pursuant to Section 152(3) of the Municipal Act, Council go into Committee and close the meeting to the public to discuss two items.
Carried
14.1
RCMP Report – Prisoner Origin Information November 2025
14.2
Committee Admin Position
15.
Out of Camera
Resolution No: 2025-0615
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: 2025-0616
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT this regular meeting of Council now adjourn at 9:18 pm.
Carried