The Council of the Town of Swan River met on Wednesday, February 18th, 2026, at 7:00 pm in the Town Council Chambers with Deputy Mayor Moriaux presiding along with Councilors Powell, Bobick, Whyte, White, and McKenzie in attendance.
Absent with notice: Mayor Jacobson
Administrative Staff Present: CAO W. Tewnion, CFO T. Gnida, Director of Public Works D. Harvey, Director of Recreation D. Gordon-Broome
Delegations:
Media: Jeremy Bergen, Star and Times
Other Participants:
1.
Call meeting to order
Deputy Mayor Moriaux called the meeting to order at 7:00pm.
2.
Adoption of the Agenda
Resolution No: 2026-0081
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the agenda for the February 18, 2026, regular meeting of Council be adopted.
Carried
3.
Approval of the minutes
Resolution No: 2026-0082
Moved By: Glen McKenzie
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the minutes for the February 3, 2026, regular meeting of Council be approved.
Carried
4.
Reception of Delegations and Hearings
5.
Reception of Petitions
6.
Communications
6.1
Letter from the Minister of Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures, January 30, 2026 – Dutch Elm Disease Funding
Resolution No: 2026-0083
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Ainslie White
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the letter dated January 30, 2026, from the Honourable Ian Bushie, Minister of Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures, regarding funding for Dutch Elm Disease be received.
Carried
6.2
Email from Vice President, Community and Continuing Care, PMH, February 12, 2026 – Needle Distribution
Resolution No: 2026-0084
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Ainslie White
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the email dated February 12, 2026, from Glenda Short, PMH, regarding needle distribution be received.
Carried
6.3
Email from UCN Linkages, February 17, 2026 – April 2026 Conference
Resolution No: 2026-0085
Moved By: Tanya Powell
Seconded By: Ainslie White
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the email dated February 17, 2026, from UCN Linkages regarding their 2026 April Conference be received.
Carried
6.4
Email from Executive Director, Manitoba Harm Reduction Network, February 17, 2026 – Harm Reduction Business Meeting
Resolution No: 2026-0086
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Ainslie White
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the email dated February 17, 2026, from Shohan Illsley, Executive Director of the Manitoba Harm Reduction Network (MHRN), regarding the “Introduction to Harm Reduction – Business Community” meeting be received.
Carried
7.
Reports
7.1
Chief Administrative Officer’s Report
Resolution No: 2026-0087
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Chief Administrative Officer’s report be received.
Carried
7.2
Director of Public Works’ Report
Resolution No: 2026-0088
Moved By: Tanya Powell
Seconded By: Ainslie White
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Director of Public Works’ report be received.
Carried
7.3
Director of Recreation’s Report
Resolution No: 2026-0089
Moved By: Tanya Powell
Seconded By: Glen McKenzie
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Director of Recreation’s report be received.
Carried
7.4
Other Reports
7.4.1
PMH Needle Cleanup Log (December 29, 2025 – February 6, 2026)
Resolution No: 2026-0090
Moved By: Ainslie White
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the log dated December 29, 2025 to February 6, 2026, from Glenda Short, PMH regarding needle cleanup be received.
Carried
7.4.2
Briefing Memo from the Chief Administrative Officer, February 13, 2026 – Request from PMH to Distribute Individual Sharps Disposal Kits
Resolution No: 2026-0091
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Ainslie White
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the report dated February 13, 2026, from Will Tewnion, CAO, regarding a request from Prairie Mountain Health to Distribute Individual Sharps Disposal Kits be received.
Carried
7.4.3
Decision Paper from Chief Administrator – Purchase of Bylaw Truck
Resolution No: 2026-0093
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Ainslie White
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the report dated February 13, 2026, from the Chief Administrative Officer regarding the purchase of a 2023 Dodge RAM 1500 be received.
Carried
7.4.4
Decision Paper from Director of Public Works – Purchase of Tandem Dump Truck
Resolution No: 2026-0092
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the report dated February 13, 2026, from the Director of Public Works regarding the purchase of a Tandem Dump Truck be received.
Carried
7.4.5
Handivan Report
Resolution No: 2026-0094
Moved By: Tanya Powell
Seconded By: Ainslie White
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the January 2026 Swan River Handi-Transit Van Report be received.
Carried
7.5
Council Reports
8.
New Business
8.1
Initiate RFP for Arena Architectural Design Plans
Resolution No: 2026-0095
Moved By: Glen McKenzie
Seconded By: Don Bobick
WHEREAS the Town of Swan River identified the development of a new community arena as a key community priority and an essential component of long‑term recreational and regional service planning; and
WHEREAS representatives of the Legacy Committee, Municipal Administration, and Council met to review the status of the project and have collectively agreed that the next critical step toward advancing the initiative is the completion of architectural design plans; and
WHEREAS the development of detailed architectural design plans will provide Council, community partners, and the public with a clear and accurate representation of the proposed facility, ensuring that future decisions are informed, transparent, and supported by a shared understanding of project scope and vision; and
WHEREAS the absence of finalized architectural design plans in past stages of the project may have made it challenging for stakeholders and external reviewers to fully understand the scale, purpose, and benefits of the proposed arena;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council authorizes the preparation and issuance of a Request for Proposals for architectural design plans for the proposed new arena.
Carried
8.2
Initiate RFP for Swirl Pool
Resolution No: 2026-0096
Moved By: Glen McKenzie
Seconded By: Don Bobick
WHEREAS Council has received and reviewed the Request for Proposals for the Swirl Pool project from the Director of Recreation;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council authorizes Administration to pursue a Request for Proposals to provide solutions for the replacement, rehabilitation, or alternative redesign of the existing swirl pool (hot tub) at the Swan Valley Credit Union Aquatic Centre.
Carried
8.3
OSS Recycling Contract Extension
Resolution No: 2026-0097
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Glen McKenzie
WHEREAS Multi‑Material Stewardship Manitoba (MMSM) has indicated its intention to begin the planned transition and provincial takeover of Manitoba’s recycling programs in 2027;
WHEREAS extending the existing Ottenbreit Sanitation Services (OSS) contract on a sole‑source basis represents the most practical and efficient option until the transition to MMSM; and
WHEREAS Council has received and reviewed the report from the Director of Public Works outlining the operational considerations and recommended approach for maintaining recycling services during the transition period;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the OSS recycling contract, including a 3.8% increase, be extended to May 31, 2027
Carried
8.4
Town Distribution of Individual Sharp Disposal Kits
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Town of Swan River approve the request from Prairie Mountain Health for the Town Office to serve as a pick‑up location for individual sharps disposal kits.
Defeated
8.5
Purchase of Tandem Dump Truck
Resolution No: 2026-0098
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Town of Swan River purchase a 2027 Kenworth T480 tandem dump truck from Inland Truck & Equipment for $249,784.64.
Carried
8.6
Purchase of Bylaw Truck
Resolution No: 2026-0099
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Glen McKenzie
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Town of Swan River purchase a 2023 Dodge RAM 1500 from Redline Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Ltd. for $48,488.28 and the CAO be authorized to sign the bill of sale.
Carried
Councilor Powell abstained from voting.
9.
Unfinished Business
10.
Accounts
10.1
To Receive Accounts
Resolution No: 2026-0100
Moved By: Tanya Powell
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following accounts be received:
1. Payroll Account Cheques No. P5613 to No. P5615 and Direct Deposit Payments totaling $115,619.85 as listed on Schedule A
2. Direct Deposit Payments totaling $63,602.58 as listed on Schedule B.
Carried
10.2
To Approve Accounts
Resolution No: 2026-0101
Moved By: Tanya Powell
Seconded By: Ainslie White
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following accounts be approved for payment:
1. General Account Cheques No. 33588 to No. 33632 totaling $79,175.95 as listed on Schedule A
2. Direct Deposit Payments totaling $41,737.34 as listed on Schedule B
3. Direct Deposit Payments totaling $900.00 as listed on Schedule C
Carried
10.3
To Approve Assessment Alterations
Resolution No: 2026-0102
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Glen McKenzie
WHEREAS Section 326 of The Municipal Act provides that a municipality may impose supplementary taxes, and Subsections 300(6) and 300(6.1) provide that a municipality may cancel or reduce taxes, upon receipt of assessment alterations from Manitoba Assessment Services;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the assessment alterations provided by Manitoba Assessment Services on February 6th, 2026, be made to the Property and Business Tax Rolls, with the resulting increases totaling $480.70 and the resulting decreases totaling $41.90.
Carried
11.
Bylaws
12.
Notice of Motion
13.
Member Privilege
14.
In Camera
Resolution No: 2026-0103
Moved By: Glen McKenzie
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
15.
Out of Camera
Resolution No: 2026-0104
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
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
Associated Engineering Proposal
Resolution No: 2026-0105
Moved By: Glen McKenzie
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the proposal submitted by Associated Engineering for professional engineering and architechtural services be accepted and approved on behalf of the Town of Swan River by the Chief Administrative Officer
Carried
17.
Adjournment
Resolution No: 2026-0106
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Ainslie White
BE IT RESOLVED THAT this regular meeting of Council now adjourn at 8:54pm.
Carried