The Council of the Town of Swan River met on Tuesday, April 7th, 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: Rachel Schindler, Home Hardware; and Judy Holland, 300 Valley Road S.

1.
Call meeting to order

Mayor Jacobson called the meeting to order at 7:00pm.

2.
Adoption of the Agenda

Resolution No: 2026-0167
Moved By: Tanya Powell
Seconded By: Glen McKenzie
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the agenda for the April 7, 2026, regular meeting of Council be adopted.
Carried

3.
Approval of the minutes

Resolution No: 2026-0168
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the minutes for the March 17, 2026, regular meeting of Council be approved.
Carried

4.
Reception of Delegations and Hearings

4.1
Open Public Hearing – Variance Order 01/2026 – Swan River Home Hardware

Resolution No: 2026-0169
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
BE IT RESOLVED THAT this Regular Meeting be adjourned and the Public Hearing on Variance Order 01/2026 be opened.
Carried

4.1.1
Close Public Hearing – Variance Order 01/2026 – Swan River Home Hardware

Resolution No: 2026-0170
Moved By: Glen McKenzie
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Public Hearing for Variance Order 1/2026 be closed at 7:04 pm and the Regular Meeting be re-opened.
Carried

4.1.2
Variance Order 01/2026 – Swan River Home Hardware

Resolution No: 2026-0171
Moved By: Tanya Powell
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Variance Order 01/2026 be approved.
Carried

4.2
Open Public Hearing – Bylaw 1/2026 Special Service – Police Protection

Resolution No: 2026-0172
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council open the Public Hearing for Bylaw 1/2026 being a Special Service Levy for Police Protection.
Carried

4.2.1
Close Public Hearing – Bylaw 1/2026

Resolution No: 2026-0173
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Glen McKenzie
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Public Hearing for Bylaw 1/2026 be closed at 7:09 pm.
Carried

4.3
Open Public Hearing – Bylaw 2/2026 Special Service – Other Services

Resolution No: 2026-0174
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council open the Public Hearing for Bylaw 2/2026 being a Special Service Levy for various Special Services.
Carried

4.3.1
Close Public Hearing – Bylaw 2/2026

Resolution No: 2026-0175
Moved By: Glen McKenzie
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Public Hearing for Bylaw 2/2026 be closed at 7:10 pm.
Carried

4.4
Open Public Hearing – Bylaw 3/2026 – Special Service Residential Waste and Recycling

Resolution No: 2026-0176
Moved By: Ainslie White
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council open the Public Hearing for Bylaw 3/2026 being a Special Service Levy for Residential Waste and Recycling.
Carried

4.4.1
Close Public Hearing – Bylaw 3/2026

Resolution No: 2026-0177
Moved By: Tanya Powell
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Public Hearing for Bylaw 3/2026 be closed at 7:17 pm and the Regular Meeting be re-opened.
Carried

4.5
RCMP Sgt. Craig Lidster – Acting Swan River RCMP Detachment Commander

Resolution No: 2026-0178
Moved By: Ainslie White
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT RCMP Sgt. Craig Lidster, acting Swan River RCMP Detachment Commander, be invited to speak as a delegation.
Carried

5.
Reception of Petitions

6.
Communications

6.1
Letter from the Minister of Municipal and Northern Relations, March 26, 2026 – Budget 2026 Municipal Funding

Resolution No: 2026-0179
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the letter dated March 26, 2026, from the Honourable Glen Simard, regarding 2026 Municipal Funding be received.
Carried

6.2
Letter from Secretary-Treasurer, SVSD, March 10, 2026 – Notice of Tax Requirements 2026

Resolution No: 2026-0180
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Ainslie White
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the letter dated March 10, 2026, from the Secretary-Treasurer of the Swan Valley School Division, regarding tax requirements for 2026 be received.
Carried

6.3
Letter and Notice from CN, March 26, 2026 – Right-of-way Vegetation Management

Resolution No: 2026-0181
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the letter and notice dated March 26, 2026, from CN, regarding right-of-way vegetation management be received.
Carried

7.
Reports

7.1
Chief Administrative Officer’s Report

Resolution No: 2026-0182
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Ainslie White
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Chief Administrative Officer’s report be received.
Carried

7.2
Director of Public Works’ Report

Resolution No: 2026-0183
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: 2026-0184
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Ainslie White
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Director of Recreation’s report and Aquatic Centre Before and After Report be received.
Carried

7.4
Handivan Report

Resolution No: 2026-0185
Moved By: Ainslie White
Seconded By: Glen McKenzie
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the March 2026 Swan River Handi-Transit Van Report be received.
Carried

7.5
Memo from Chief Administrative Officer – SRDCRC Operational Grant

Resolution No: 2026-0186
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Ainslie White
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the report dated March 31, 2026, from the Chief Administrative Officer, regarding the SRDCRC Operational Grant be received.
Carried

7.6
Council Reports

8.
New Business

8.1
Reschedule Regular Meeting of Council from April 21, 2026, to April 28, 2026

Resolution No: 2026-0187
Moved By: Ainslie White
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
WHEREAS the annual Association of Manitoba Municipalities Spring Convention will be held from April 21, 2026, to April 23, 2026;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the April 21, 2026, Regular Meeting of Council be rescheduled to take place on April 28, 2026, at 7:00pm in the Council Chambers.
Carried

8.2
Economic Development Officer

Resolution No: 2026-0188
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Glen McKenzie
WHEREAS Economic Development has been identified as a strategic priority for the Town of Swan River;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Administration be directed to examine the feasibility and potential benefits of establishing a new classification within the Town of Swan River’s organizational structure titled Economic Development Officer; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this examination include a review of potential responsibilities, including collaboration with surrounding municipalities and the promotion of the Town of Swan River’s economic and tourism opportunities.
Carried

9.
Unfinished Business

10.
Accounts

10.1
To Affirm Annual Operating Grant to Swan River and District Community Resource Council

Resolution No: 2026-0189
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
WHEREAS the Swan River and District Community Resource Council (SRDCRC) was approved for an Operational Grant in 2024, but no resolution was carried by Council;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the SRDCRC’s annual operational grant of $1,000.00, which commenced in 2024, be approved.
Carried

10.2
To Approve Annual Operating Grant to Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Resolution No: 2026-0190
Moved By: Tanya Powell
Seconded By: Glen McKenzie
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council authorize payment of the annual grant of $300 to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, to be used towards the rental costs for the Centennial Arena and parking lot for the Emergency Day event.
Carried

10.3
To Approve Annual Operating Grant to Swan River Community Centre

Resolution No: 2026-0191
Moved By: Tanya Powell
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council authorize payment of an annual grant of $4,000 to the Swan River Community Centre, once the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2025 have been received.
Carried

10.4
To Approve Annual Operating Grant to Chamber of Commerce

Resolution No: 2026-0192
Moved By: Tanya Powell
Seconded By: Ainslie White
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council authorize payment of the annual grant of $4,000.00 to the Swan Valley Chamber of Commerce, to be used towards the Chamber’s projects and operations, once the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2025 have been received.
Carried

10.5
To Approve Allocation for 2026 One-Time Grants

Resolution No: 2026-0193
Moved By: Tanya Powell
Seconded By: Glen McKenzie
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council authorize the allotment of $8,000 for the 2026 Financial Plan for use by Administration for the 2026 One‑Time Grant Program.
Carried

10.6
To Add Unpaid Accounts to Taxes

Resolution No: 2026-0194
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Glen McKenzie
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 $3,210.70;
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 May 1st, 2026.
Carried

10.7
To Approve Assessment Alterations

Resolution No: 2026-0195
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Don Bobick
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 March 20th and 30th, 2026,be made to the Property and Business Tax Rolls, with the resulting increases totaling $2,310.44 and the resulting decreases totaling $241.04.
Carried

10.8
To Receive Payments

Resolution No: 2026-0196
Moved By: David Moriaux
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following accounts be received:
1. Payroll Account Cheques No. P5622 to No. P5624 and Direct Deposit Payments totaling $120,415.43 as listed on Schedule A
2. Direct Deposit Payment in the amount of $272.88 as listed on Schedule B.
Carried

10.9
To Approve Payments
Resolution No: 2026-0197
Moved By: Glen McKenzie
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following accounts be approved for payment:
1. General Account Cheques No. 33703 to No. 33756 totaling $88,276.87 as listed on Schedule A
2. Direct Deposit Payments totaling $72,364.76 as listed on Schedule B
3. Direct Deposit Payments totaling $880.00 as listed on Schedule C
Carried

11.
Bylaws

11.1
First reading of By-Law 1/2026 Special Service – Police Protection

Resolution No: 2026-0198
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Bylaw No. 1/2026, being a bylaw of the Town of Swan River to establish a rate for Police Protection as a special service for the Town of Swan River for the years 2026 and 2027 both inclusive, be read a first time.
Carried

11.2
First reading of By-Law 2/2026 Special Service – Other Services

Resolution No: 2026-0199
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Ainslie White
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Bylaw No. 2/2026, being a bylaw of the Town of Swan River to establish a rate for the following Special Services: Fire Protection, Street Lighting, Street Cleaning, Sidewalks and Boulevards, Ditches and Drainage, Recruitment/Retention of Medical Professionals, Snow Removal and Dust Control, Road Maintenance and Reconstruction, and Emergency Measures, for the Town of Swan River for the years 2026 and 2027 both inclusive, be read a first time.
Carried

11.3
First reading of By-Law 3/2026 Special Service – Residential Waste and Recycling

Resolution No: 2026-0200
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Bylaw No. 3/2026, being a bylaw of the Town of Swan River to establish a rate for the collection of residential waste and recycling material as a special service for the Town of Swan River for 2026, be read a first time.
Carried

12.
Notice of Motion

13.
Member Privilege

14.
In Camera

Resolution No: 2026-0201
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Don Bobick
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: 2026-0202
Moved By: Tanya Powell
Seconded By: Glen McKenzie
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: 2026-0203
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
BE IT RESOLVED THAT this regular meeting of Council now adjourn at 10:09pm.
Carried