The Council of the Town of Swan River met on Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026 at 7:00 pm in the Town Council Chambers with Mayor Jacobson presiding along with Deputy Mayor Moriaux with Councilors Powell, Bobick, White, McKenzie, and Whyte in attendance.
Absent with notice:
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
Mayor Jacobson called the meeting to order at 7:00pm.
2.
Adoption of the Agenda
Resolution No: 2026-0112
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the agenda for the March 3, 2026, regular meeting of Council be adopted.
Carried
3.
Approval of the minutes
Resolution No: 2026-0113
Moved By: Tanya Powell
Seconded By: Glen McKenzie
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the minutes for the February 18, 2026, regular meeting of Council be approved.
Carried
4.
Reception of Delegations and Hearings
4.1
Open Appeal Hearing 1/2026 – Rental Bylaw 01/2016 – 221 5th Ave S – Bring Property into Compliance
Resolution No: 2026-0114
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Glen McKenzie
BE IT RESOLVED THAT this Regular Meeting be adjourned and the Appeal Hearing 01/2026 be opened.
Carried
4.2
Close Appeal Hearing 1/2026
Resolution No: 2026-0115
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Glen McKenzie
BE IT RESOLVED THAT this Appeal Hearing be closed and the Regular Meeting be re-opened.
Carried
4.3
Appeal 1/2026 – Rental Standard Bylaw 01/2016 – 221 5th Avenue South
Resolution No: 2026-0116
Moved By: Tanya Powell
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council confirm the order of the designated officer in regard to the appeal hearing 1/2026.
Carried
5.
Reception of Petitions
6.
Communications
6.1
Email from Deputy Executive Director, Association of Manitoba Municipalities, February 19, 2026 – Future of RCMP Contract Policing
Resolution No: 2026-0117
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the email dated February 19, 2026, from Nick Krawetz, Deputy Executive Director, Association of Manitoba Municipalities, regarding the future of RCMP contract policing be received.
Carried
6.2
Email from Federation of Canadian Municipalities, February 20, 2026 – 2026 Annual Conference and Trade Show
Resolution No: 2026-0118
Moved By: Tanya Powell
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the email dated February 20, 2026, from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, regarding the 2026 Annual Conference and Trade Show be received.
Carried
6.3
Email from Cpl. Peinsznski, RCMP, February 23, 2026 – Swan River GIS
Resolution No: 2026-0119
Moved By: Ainslie White
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the email dated February 23, 2026, from Cpl. Juanita Peinsznski, regarding the Swan River GIS be received.
Carried
6.4
Letter and Invoice from Manitoba Municipal and Northern Relations, February 27, 2026 – 2026 Property Assessment Services Levy
Resolution No: 2026-0120
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Glen McKenzie
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the letter and invoice from Manitoba Municipal and Northern Relations regarding 2026 Property Assessment Services Levy be received.
Carried
6.5
Bulletin from Manitoba Municipal and Northern Relations – Homeowners Affordability Tax Credit
Resolution No: 2026-0121
Moved By: Tanya Powell
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Manitoba Municipal and Northern Relations Bulletin #2026-08 regarding Homeowners Affordability Tax Credit 2026 (HATC) be received.
Carried
7.
Reports
7.1
Chief Administrative Officer’s Report
Resolution No: 2026-0122
Moved By: Ainslie White
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: 2026-0123
Moved By: Don Bobick
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: 2026-0124
Moved By: Ainslie White
Seconded By: Glen McKenzie
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Director of Recreation’s report be received.
Carried
7.4
Other Reports
7.4.1
Change Report from the Chief Administrative Officer, February 19, 2026 – Bylaw 20/2025
Resolution No: 2026-0125
Moved By: Tanya Powell
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the report dated February 19, 2026, from the Chief Administrative Officer, regarding amendments to proposed Bylaw 20/2025 be received.
Carried
7.5
Council Reports
8.
New Business
8.1
Appoint Acting CAO – Darren Harvey
Resolution No: 2026-0126
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 Friday March 6, 2026, to Friday March 20, 2026, inclusive, and shall assume all responsibilities and authorities of the position during that period.
Carried
9.
Unfinished Business
9.1
Purchase Bylaw Truck
Resolution No: 2026-0127
Moved By: David Moriaux
Seconded By: Glen McKenzie
WHEREAS Council received and reviewed a Decision Report dated February 18, 2026, from the Chief Administrative Officer recommending the purchase of a 2023 Dodge RAM 1500 as the highest ranked proposal resulting from the procurement process; and
WHEREAS Council approved the purchase of the identified vehicle from Redline Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Ltd. in the amount of $48,488.28; and
WHEREAS the dealership subsequently sold the identified vehicle prior to receiving notification of Council’s approval; and
WHEREAS the dealership has addressed the matter by offering a replacement 2023 Dodge RAM 1500 with equivalent specifications, lower mileage, and at a reduced price of $44,558.19; and
WHEREAS the vehicle being offered was inspected to the satisfaction of Bylaw Services and the Public Works team, including a certified mechanic, and all support the purchase,
BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the Town of Swan River proceed with the purchase of the replacement 2023 Dodge RAM 1500 from Redline Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Ltd.
Carried
Councilor Powell abstained from voting
10.
Accounts
10.1
To Receive Accounts
Resolution No: 2026-0128
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following accounts be received:
1. Payroll Account Cheques No. P5616 to No. P5618 and Direct Deposit Payments totaling $121,115.89 as listed on Schedule A
2. Direct Deposit Payments totaling $26,807.85 as listed on Schedule B.
Carried
10.2
To Approve Accounts
Resolution No: 2026-0129
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following accounts be approved for payment:
1. General Account Cheques No. 33633 to No. 33664 totaling $47,767.34 as listed on Schedule A
2. Direct Deposit Payments totaling $2,183.22 as listed on Schedule B
Carried
10.3
To Add Unpaid Utility Accounts to Taxes
Resolution No: 2026-0130
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Glen McKenzie
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the unpaid utility accounts listed on Schedule “A” totaling $836.19 be added to the corresponding property tax rolls and notice be sent to each property owner detailing the amount being added to the taxes and advising that interest will accrue on said amount in the same manner as for unpaid property taxes effective April 1st, 2026.
Carried
11.
Bylaws
11.1
Amendment to and Second Reading of Bylaw 20/2025 – Maintain and Regulate Unsightly Property
Resolution No: 2026-0131
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: David Moriaux
WHEREAS Council has received and reviewed the Chief Administrative Officer’s (CAO) Change Report pertaining to proposed Bylaw 20/2025; and
WHEREAS the CAO’s Change Report recommends minor amendments to the bylaw for clarity, accuracy, and administrative completeness; and
WHEREAS Council wishes to incorporate the recommended amendments into the bylaw;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the previously read Bylaw 20/2025 be amended as recommended in the CAO’s Change Report and that the bylaw, as amended, be read a second time.
Carried
11.2
Second Reading of By-Law 18/2024 Cancel Borrowing Authority
Resolution No: 2026-0132
Moved By: Tanya Powell
Seconded By: Ainslie White
BE IT RESOLVED THAT By-Law No. 18/2024, being a By-Law of The Town of Swan River to cancel authorized borrowing authority, be read a second time.
Carried
12.
Notice of Motion
13.
Member Privilege
14.
In Camera
Resolution No: 2026-0133
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Ainslie White
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: 2026-0134
Moved By: Ainslie White
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
17.
Adjournment
Resolution No: 2026-0135
Moved By: Glen McKenzie
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT this regular meeting of Council now adjourn at 9:08pm.
Carried