The Council of the Town of Swan River met on Tuesday, May 5th, 2026, at 7:00 pm in the Town Council Chambers with Mayor Jacobson presiding along with Deputy Mayor Moriaux and Councilors, Bobick, Whyte, and White in attendance.
Absent with notice: Councilor McKenzie and Councilor Powell
Administrative Staff Present: CAO W. Tewnion, CFO T. Gnida, Director of Public Works D. Harvey, Director of Recreation D. Gordon-Broome
Delegations:
Chamber of Commerce – Chair Bill Gade
Adult Teen Challenge of Central Canada – Jennifer Ahuja, Trayza Stobbe, and Koonara Senanayake.
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: 2026-0233
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the agenda for the May 5, 2026, regular meeting of Council be adopted.
Carried
3. Approval of the minutes
Resolution No: 2026-0234
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Ainslie White
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the minutes for the April 28, 2026, regular meeting of Council be approved.
Carried
4. Reception of Delegations and Hearings
4.1 Delegation – Chamber of Commerce
Resolution No: 2026-0235
Moved By: Ainslie White
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED that the information provided by the Chamber of Commerce be received; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Chair Bill Gade be invited to speak as a delegation.
Carried
4.2 Delegation – Adult and Teen Challenge of Central Canada
Resolution No: 2026-0236
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Ainslie White
BE IT RESOLVED that the information provided by Adult and Teen Challenge of Central Canada dated May 1, 2026, be received; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Teen Challenge team be invited to speak as a delegation.
Carried
5. Reception of Petitions
6. Communications
6.1 Email and Letter from RCMP CMC Secretariat, April 30, 2026 – Invitation to participate in the RCMP Public and Police Safety Framework Consultation
Resolution No: 2026-0237
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the email and accompanying letter dated April 30, 2026, from RCMP CMC Secretariat, regarding an invitation to participate in the RCMP Public and Police Safety Framework Consultation be received.
Carried
6.2 Letter and Agreement from the Minister of Municipal and Northern Relations, April 21, 2026 – Urban/Hometown Green Team Program
Resolution No: 2026-0238
Moved By: Ainslie White
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the letter and agreement dated April 21, 2026, from the Minister of Municipal and Northern Relations, regarding the Urban/Hometown Green Team Program be received.
Carried
6.3 Email from the Association of Manitoba Municipalities – Parkland June District Meeting
Resolution No: 2026-0239
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Ainslie White
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the email dated May 1, 2026, from the Association of Manitoba Municipalities regarding the 2026 AMM Parkland District Meeting be received.
Carried
7. Reports
7.1 Chief Administrative Officer’s Report
Resolution No: 2026-0240
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: 2026-0241
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Director of Public Works’ report be received.
Carried
7.3 Director of Recreation’s Report
Resolution No: 2026-0242
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Ainslie White
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Director of Recreation’s report be received.
Carried
7.4 Other Reports
7.4.1
Briefing Report from the Chief Administrative Officer, May 1, 2026 – Accessibility Act
Resolution No: 2026-0243
Moved By: Ainslie White
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the report dated May 1, 2026, from the Chief Administrative Officer, regarding the Accessible Information and Communication Standard Regulation be received.
Carried
7.4.2 Briefing Memo from the Chief Administrative Officer, May 1, 2026 – Request to Co-Sponsor RM of Mountain Resolution for a Derelict Housing Pilot Project
Resolution No: 2026-0244
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the report dated May 1, 2026, from the Chief Administrative Officer, regarding the request from RM of Mountain to co-sponsor their resolution for a Derelict Housing Pilot Project be received.
Carried
7.5 Council Reports
8. New Business
8.1AMM June District Meeting – Resolution – to Separate Municipal Annual Taxes and Local School Division Taxes
Resolution No: 2026-0245
Moved By: David Moriaux
Seconded By: Ainslie White
WHEREAS currently both municipal and local school division annual tax requisitions are sent to ratepayers on the same tax notice; and
WHEREAS many municipalities adjust their municipal budgets depending on the school division requisition to lessen tax increase impacts to the ratepayer to the negative effect to the municipality; and
WHEREAS many ratepayers incorrectly question their local municipal offices or municipal councilors regarding increases to the school division portion of the tax notice as the notices are sent out by the municipality; and
WHEREAS significant time and effort is spent directing ratepayers to the local school division or school trustees to explain their tax requisition amounts;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Association of Manitoba Municipalities lobby the Provincial Government to make the required changes to allow for the separation of the annual School Tax requisition from the annual Municipal Tax requisitions and each entity send their own requisitions to their respective ratepayers separately to avoid confusion and allow the local Council or School Board to explain and justify their tax requisitions to their ratepayers.
Carried
8.2 AMM June District Meeting – Resolution – Co-Sponsorship of RM of Mountain Resolution – Derelict Housing Pilot Project
Resolution No: 2026-0246
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Don Bobick
WHEREAS municipalities across Manitoba are increasingly challenged by derelict and abandoned buildings that pose risks to public safety, attract vandalism and criminal activity, and negatively impact property values and community well-being; and
WHEREAS the cost of demolishing and properly disposing of these structures is significant and places considerable financial strain on municipalities, particularly those with limited tax bases; and
WHEREAS the Province of Saskatchewan has introduced a Derelict Building Pilot Project that allows municipalities to conduct controlled burns of derelict buildings, including under certain conditions those on private property, providing a cost-effective and efficient method of removal while supporting firefighter training opportunities; and
WHEREAS such a program has the potential to improve public safety, reduce municipal costs, support emergency services training, and promote community revitalization and economic development;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Town of Swan River hereby request the Association of Manitoba Municipalities to lobby the Province of Manitoba, to consider the development and implementation of a pilot program similar to Saskatchewan’s Derelict Building Pilot Project;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this program include appropriate environmental, safety, and regulatory safeguards to ensure responsible implementation while providing municipalities with practical tools to address derelict properties.
Carried
8.3 Urban/Hometown Green Team Program Grant Agreement
Resolution No: 2026-0247
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the terms and conditions of the agreement with the Government of Manitoba for the project described in the Urban/Hometown Green Team Program Grant Application for 2026 be accepted.
Carried
8.4
Receive Fire Board 2025 financial statements
Resolution No: 2026-0248
Moved By: Ainslie White
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Swan Valley Fire Board audited Financial Statements for the Year Ended December 31, 2025, be received.
Carried
9. Unfinished Business
10. Accounts
10.1 To Cancel Amounts Owing
Resolution No: 2026-0249
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Ainslie White
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the business taxes owing for roll number 1314100.100 in the amount of $1,392.89 and the accounts receivable owing for customer PEA002 in the amount of $553.12 be cancelled, as the business declared bankruptcy and the Monitor appointed under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act has advised that no distribution is expected to unsecured creditors.
Carried
10.2 To Receive Accounts
Resolution No: 2026-0250
Moved By: Ainslie White
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Payroll Account Cheques No. P5628 to No. P5630 and Direct Deposit Payments totaling $136,559.64, as listed on Schedule A, be received.
Carried
10.3 To Approve Accounts
Resolution No: 2026-0251
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following accounts be approved for payment:
1. General Account Cheques No. 33813 to No. 33844 totaling $343,827.64 as listed on Schedule A
2. Direct Deposit Payments totaling $48,575.00 as listed on Schedule B
Carried
11. Bylaws
11.1 Second Reading of Bylaw 5/2026 Setting the Rate of Taxes for 2026
Resolution No: 2026-0252
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Bylaw 05/2026, being a Bylaw of The Town of Swan River setting the rate of taxes for 2026, be read a second time.
Carried
11.2 Third Reading of Bylaw 5/2026 Setting the Rate of Taxes for 2026
Resolution No: 2026-0253
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Ainslie White
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Bylaw 05/2026, being a Bylaw of The Town of Swan River setting the rate of taxes for 2026, be read a third time and passed.
Name Yes No Abstained Absent
Don Bobick – yes
Lance Jacobson – yes
Glen McKenzie – absent
David Moriaux – yes
Tanya Powell – absent
Ainslie White – yes
Duane Whyte – yes
Carried Unanimously
12. Notice of Motion
13. Member Privilege
14. In Camera
Resolution No: 2026-0254
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: 2026-0255
Moved By: Ainslie White
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
16.1 Request for Proposals – Arena – Construction Management for Pre-Construction Services
Resolution No: 2026-0256
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: David Moriaux
WHEREAS the Town of Swan River has 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 securing federal and provincial grant funding is critical to advancing the project, and funding programs increasingly prioritize projects that are “shovel ready,” requiring completion of pre‑construction planning, design, and costing; and
WHEREAS Council passed resolution 2026-0095 on February 18, 2026, which initiated a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Arena Architecture Design Plans; and
WHEREAS engaging a Construction Manager during the pre‑construction phase will provide Construction Management for the project including detailed Arena Architecture Design Plan development, accurate cost estimates, and alignment with federal and provincial funding requirements;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council authorizes the issuance of an RFP for Construction Management services for the pre‑construction phase of the Swan Valley Recreational Facility.
Carried
17. Adjournment
Resolution No: 2026-0257
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Ainslie White
BE IT RESOLVED THAT this regular meeting of Council now adjourn at 9:50 pm.
Carried