The Council of the Town of Swan River met on Tuesday, May 19th, 2026, at 7:00 pm in the Town Council Chambers with Mayor Jacobson presiding along with Deputy Mayor Moriaux and Councilors Powell, Bobick, Whyte, White, and McKenzie 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: 2026-0263
Moved By: Tanya Powell
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the agenda for the May 19, 2026, regular meeting of Council be adopted.
CARRIED
3 Approval of the minutes
Resolution No: 2026-0264
Moved By: Glen McKenzie
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the minutes for the May 5, 2026, regular meeting of Council be approved.
CARRIED
4 Reception of Delegations and Hearings
5 Reception of Petitions
6 Communications
6.1 Email and Reports from Manager, Swan Lake Watershed District, May 12, 2026 – Project Funding and Breakdown
Resolution No: 2026-0265
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Ainslie White
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the email and reports dated May 12, 2026, from the manager of the Swan Lake Watershed District, regarding Project and Funding Breakdown be received.
CARRIED
6.2 Email from CAO, RM of Alexander, May 13, 2026 – AMM Resolution – Removal of Attendees
Resolution No: 2026-0266
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the email dated May 13, 2026, from the Chief Administrative Officer of the RM of Alexander, regarding an
AMM Resolution be received.
CARRIED
6.3 Email from Manitoba Assessment Services – 2025 Annual Report
Resolution No: 2026-0267
Moved By: David Moriaux
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the email and report dated May 15, 2026,
from the District Supervisor of Manitoba Assessment, regarding
the 2025 Assessment be received.
CARRIED
6.4 Email from CAO, RM of Mountain, May 15,2026 – Swan Valley RISE Sample Strategic Planning Presentation
Resolution No: 2026-0268
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the email dated May 15, 2026, from the Chief Administrative Officer of the RM of Mountain, regarding a sample Strategic Planning Presentation for RISE be received.
CARRIED
6.5 Building and Demolition Permits
Resolution No: 2026-0269
Moved By: Tanya Powell
Seconded By: David Moriaux
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Building and Demolition Permits 8/26 through 11/26 with a total estimated value of $30,000 be received.
CARRIED
7 Reports
7.1 Chief Administrative Officer’s Report
Resolution No: 2026-0270
Moved By: David Moriaux
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: 2026-0271
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: 2026-0272
Moved By: Glen McKenzie
Seconded By: Ainslie White
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Director of Recreation’s report be received.
CARRIED
7.4 Handivan Report
Resolution No: 2026-0273
Moved By: Tanya Powell
Seconded By: Ainslie White
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the April 2026 Swan River Handi-Transit Van Report be received.
CARRIED
7.5 Other Reports
7.5.1 Briefing Report from the CAO, May 19, 2026 – Councilor Electronic Devices IT Tickets
Resolution No: 2026-0274
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Ainslie White
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the report dated May 19, 2026, from the Chief Administrative Officer, regarding Councilor Electronic Devices be received.
CARRIED
7.5.2 Admin Report from the CAO and Director of Public Works, May 19, 2026 – Landfill Tipping Fees
Resolution No: 2026-0275
Moved By: Tanya Powell
Seconded By: David Moriaux
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the report dated May 19, 2026, from the Chief Administrative Officer and the Director of Public Works, regarding Landfill Tipping Fees be received.
CARRIED
7.5.3 Admin Report from the CAO, May 19, 2026 – Accommodation Tax
Resolution No: 2026-0276
Moved By: Tanya Powell
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the report dated May 19, 2026, from the Chief Administrative Officer, regarding Accommodation Tax be received.
CARRIED
7.5.4 Decision Paper from the CAO, May 15, 2026- Bylaw 6/2026 Parking and Traffic Control
Resolution No: 2026-0277
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Glen McKenzie
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the report dated May 15, 2026, from the Chief Administrative Officer regarding Bylaw 6/2026 Parking and Traffic Control be received.
CARRIED
7.5.5 Decision Paper from Director of Public Works, May 19, 2026 – Paving Projects
Resolution No: 2026-0278
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: David Moriaux
BE IT BESOLVED THAT the report dated May 19, 2026, from the Director of Public Works regarding paving projects be received.
CARRIED
7.6 Council Reports
8 New Business
8.1 Council – Electronic Device Maintenance
Resolution No: 2026-0279
Moved By: David Moriaux
Seconded By: Don Bobick
WHEREAS the Town of Swan River approved Resolution No. 2018.570, providing each member of Council, once per term, reimbursement of up to $500.00 for the purchase of an electronic device upon submission of a paid invoice; and
WHEREAS no provision exists for reimbursement of costs related to upgrades, repairs, or software necessary for Council-related use of such devices;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) be authorized to approve reimbursement of reasonable and necessary costs associated with Council work for Councilor-owned electronic devices.
CARRIED
8.2 Letter to Minister- MMSM Extended Producer Responsibility Transition
Resolution No: 2026-0280
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the attached drafted correspondence from Mayor Jacobson regarding the Multi-Material Stewardship Manitoba (MMSM) transition to full Extended Producer Responsibility for residential recycling be approved for distribution to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, with copies to the identified recipients.
CARRIED
8.3 Landfill Tipping Fees
Resolution No: 2026-0281
Moved By: Glen McKenzie
Seconded By: David Moriaux
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the 2026 Fee Schedule for the “Waste Disposal Grounds Tipping Fees” be amended effective July 2nd, 2026, as attached, to a tiered fee model.
CARRIED
8.4 AMM June District Meeting – Resolution to Amend Municipal Act to Section 152(2) Removal of Attendees
Resolution No: 2026-0282
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
WHEREAS a recent decision of the Manitoba Court of King’s Bench (Bond J.) confirmed that section 152(2) of The Municipal Act authorizes the Chair to direct that a person be removed from a council meeting if the person’s conduct at the meeting is improper; and
WHEREAS the authority to remove a person under section 152(2) applies to that meeting only, and a person so removed is otherwise permitted to attend subsequent council meetings; and
WHEREAS The Municipal Act does not provide a clear mechanism for councils to restrict attendance at council meetings beyond the removal authority set out in section 152(2); and
WHEREAS municipal council members are required to complete code of conduct training after each general election, within the time period prescribed; and
WHEREAS the code of conduct establishes consequences for noncompliance, up to and including removal from office in accordance with the applicable process; and
WHEREAS incidents of improper conduct at council meetings have increased in some communities, creating operational and safety concerns for councils, staff, and the public; and
WHEREAS there is an absence of appropriate legislative tools, as the last comprehensive review of the Municipal Act received royal assent on November 19th, 1996, which undermines effective governance, places municipal staff and elected officials at risk, and erodes public confidence in the ability of councils to conduct orderly and productive meetings;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM) lobby that the Province of Manitoba review and amend The Municipal Act as a whole but with special respect to section 152(2), to strengthen municipal authority to maintain order and safety at council meetings while respecting procedural fairness and the public’s right to attend; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT such amendments include a graduated range of consequences for repeat offenders, including escalating consequences where an individual has a demonstrated pattern of improper conduct at council meetings; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Province of Manitoba consider amendments that would allow council, by resolution and subject to clear criteria and procedural safeguards, to prohibit (ban) an individual from attending council meetings for an extended period where a documented history of repeated improper conduct exists.
CARRIED
8.5 2026 Paving Projects Agreement
Resolution No: 2026-0283
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: David Moriaux
BE IT RESOLVED THAT All Season Asphalt Services be selected as the Town of Swan River 2026 Asphalt contractor and the Mayor and CAO or their designates be authorized to sign the paving agreement.
CARRIED
9 Unfinished Business
10 Accounts
10.1 To Receive Accounts
Resolution No: 2026-0284
Moved By: Glen McKenzie
Seconded By: David Moriaux
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following accounts be received:
1. Payroll Account Cheques No. P5631 to No. P5633 and Direct Deposit Payments totaling $124,984.58 as listed on Schedule A
2. Direct Deposit Payment in the amount of $20,963.52 as listed on Schedule B.
CARRIED
10.2 To Approve Accounts
Resolution No: 2026-0285
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: David Moriaux
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the following accounts be approved for payment:
1. General Account Cheques No. 33845 to No. 33886 totaling $104,822.08 as listed on Schedule A
2. Direct Deposit Payments totaling $64,978.22 as listed on Schedule B
3. Direct Deposit Payments totaling $860.00 as listed on Schedule C
CARRIED
10.3 To Add Unpaid Utility Accounts to Taxes
Resolution No: 2026-0286
Moved By: Tanya Powell
Seconded By: Ainslie White
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the unpaid utility accounts listed on Schedule “A” totaling $1,344.61 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 June 1st, 2026.
CARRIED
11 Bylaws
11.1 Second Reading of Bylaw 4/2026 to Amend Local Improvement Borrowing
Resolution No: 2026-0287
Moved By: David Moriaux
Seconded By: Don Bobick
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Bylaw 4/2026, being a Bylaw of the Town of Swan River to amend its By-Law No. 14/2024, which provided for the Expenditure and Borrowing of money for the installation of curb, gutter and asphalt pavement at the 300 Block of 13th Ave S and the 1300 Block of 3rd St S as a Local Improvement, be read a second time.
CARRIED
11.2 First Reading of Bylaw 6/2026 – Parking and Traffic Control
Resolution No: 2026-0288
Moved By: David Moriaux
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Bylaw No. 6/2026 being a Bylaw of the Town of Swan River to adjust the Parking and Traffic Control Bylaw be read a first time.
CARRIED
12 Notice of Motion
13 Member Privilege
14 In Camera
Resolution No: 2026-0289
Moved By: Tanya Powell
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: 2026-0290
Moved By: Don Bobick
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: 2026-0291
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Glen McKenzie
BE IT RESOLVED THAT this regular meeting of Council nowadjourn at 9:46 pm.
CARRIED