The Council of the Town of Swan River met on Tuesday, March 16, 2021 at 7:30 pm in the Town Council Chambers with Mayor Jacobson presiding along with Councillors Delaurier, Friesen, Moriaux, Gray and Whyte in person.
Absent with notice: Deputy Mayor Wintoniw
Also Present:
Staff – In person: CAO D. Poole, Dir. of Works Darren Harvey
Via video conferencing: CFO T. Gnida, Fire Chief D. Fedorchuk, B. Fedorchuk
Delegations: Lauren Grey, Economic Development Officer for Swan Valley Regional Initiative for a Strong Economy
Media: Jeremy Bergen, Star and Times
1. Call meeting to order
Mayor Jacobson called the meeting to order at 7:30pm.
2. Adoption of the Agenda
Resolution No: 2021-778
Moved By: Phylis Friesen
Seconded By: David Moriaux
RESOLVED that the ammended agenda for the March 16th regular meeting of Council be adopted.
Carried
3. Confirmation of the minutes
Resolution No: 2021-779
Moved By: David Moriaux
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
RESOLVED the minutes of the March 2nd regular council meeting be approved.
Carried
4. Reception of Delegations and Hearings
4.1 RISE – Lauren Grey
RISE update
5. Reception of Petitions
6. Communications
Moved By: Phylis Friesen
Seconded By: David Moriaux
Carried
6.1 To receive building permit applications
Resolution No: 2021-780
RESOLVED that Building Permits 6/21 through 9/21 with a total estimated value of $104,320 be received.
7. Reports of Committees
7.1 Director of Public Works Report
Resolution No: 2021-781
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: David Moriaux
RESOLVED the Director of Public Works report be received.
Carried
7.2 Other Reports
7.2.1 Protective Services Report
Resolution No: 2021-782
Moved By: David Gray
Seconded By: Jason Delaurier
RESOLVED the February Protective Services Report be recieved.
Carried
7.3 Council and CAO Reports
8. New Business
8.1 RFP process for vacant lot sales
Resolution No: 2021-783
Moved By: David Gray
Seconded By: David Moriaux
WHEREAS the Town of Swan River and Swan River Municipal Developers Ltd. have numerous vacant lots for sale within the Town;
AND WHEREAS the Town of Swan River is committed to encouraging new development;
AND WHEREAS the Town has received interest from private local companies to provide a marketing strategy that will promote the sale of vacant Town owned lots;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Swan River issue a request for proposal to local interested parties to prepare marketing strategies to promote the sale of vacant lots owned by the Town of Swan River and Swan River Municipal Developers Ltd.
Carried
8.2 To receive the Airport 2020 audited financial statements
Resolution No: 2021-784
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: David Moriaux
RESOLVED that the Swan Valley Municipal Airport Commission audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020 be received.
Carried
8.3 To approve purchase of firefighter turn out gear
Resolution No: 2021-785
Moved By: Jason Delaurier
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
RESOLVED that four set of firefighters turn out gear be purchased from Rocky Mountain Phoenix at a cost of $13,758.08, and that the amount of $13,085.67 from the Fire Protection Grant be applied to that purchase, leaving a balance of $672.41 to be paid from the General Operating Fund.
Carried
8.4 Councillor Gray- Discussion
Resolution No: 2021-786
Moved By: Jason Delaurier
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
RESOLVED the Council of the Town of Swan River deject the demonizing comments and level of discourse made between elected officials in all levels of government.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Town of Swan River make it a priority to ensure our mission and vision include the obligation of elected officials to be truthful, and morally respectful to operate in a dignified capacity.
Carried
9. Unfinished Business
10. Accounts
10.1 To approve accounts
Resolution No: 2021-787
Moved By: David Moriaux
Seconded By: Phylis Friesen
RESOLVED THAT the accounts as follows be hereby approved for payment:
1. General Account Cheques No. 27316 to No. 27365 as listed on Schedule A totaling $143,431.71
2. Payroll Account Cheques No. 4823 to No. 4829 as listed on Schedule B totaling $76,127.56
3. Direct Deposits as listed on Schedule C totaling $11,972.09
Carried
10.2 To adopt the December 2020 financial statements
Resolution No: 2021-788
Moved By: David Moriaux
Seconded By: David Gray
RESOLVED that the Financial Statements for the Twelve Months Ending December 31st, 2020 be adopted as received.
Carried
10.3 To adopt the February 2021 financial statements
Resolution No: 2021-789
Moved By: David Gray
Seconded By: David Moriaux
RESOLVED that the Financial Statements for the Two Months Ending February 28th, 2021 be adopted as received.
Carried
10.4 To approve assessment alterations
Resolution No: 2021-790
Moved By: David Moriaux
Seconded By: Jason Delaurier
WHEREAS Subsections 300(6) and 300(6.1) of The Municipal Act provide that a municipality may cancel or reduce taxes upon receipt of assessment alterations from Manitoba Assessment Services;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the assessment alterations made by Manitoba Assessment Services on February 26, 2021 be made to the 2021 Property and Business Tax Rolls, with the resulting resulting reductions totaling $698.98.
Carried
11. By-Laws
11.1 First reading of By-Law 3/2021 Zoning By-law Amendments
Resolution No: 2021-791
Moved By: David Moriaux
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
RESOLVED that By-Law 3/2021, being a by-law of the Town of Swan River to amend the Zoning By-Law, be read a first time.
Carried
12. Notice of Motion
13. In Camera
Resolution No: 2021-792
Moved By: Phylis Friesen
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
RESOLVED that, pursuant to Section 152(3) of the Municipal Act, Council go into Committee and close the meeting to the public. Items to be discussed:
– Lot Sales
– Purchase Services
– Salary Management By-Law
– Union Negotiations Update-
Carried
14. Out of Camera
Resolution No: 2021-793
Moved By: David Gray
Seconded By: Phylis Friesen
RESOLVED that pursuant to Sections 152(4) of the Municipal Act this meeting be reopened to the public.
Carried
15. Business Resulting from Camera session
15.1 Land Sale- TnR Floating
Resolution No: 2021-794
Moved By: David Gray
Seconded By: David Moriaux
RESOLVED the Chief Administrative Officer be authorized to sign the land sale agreement for Lots 17,18 and 19 Plan 2554.
Carried
15.2 Land Sale- New Era
Resolution No: 2021-795
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: David Moriaux
RESOLVED the offer for lot #’s 1 -5, 15, 16, 21-25, 36, and 37 in block #3 Plan # 2554 be accepted.
Defeated
15.3 Approval for hiring process
15.3.1 Engineering Clerk
Resolution No: 2021-796
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: David Moriaux
RESOLVED that the Director of Public Works be authorized to begin the hiring process for a term from May to October, a Student Engineering Position to participate in the Red River Cooperative Program with the Town of Swan River.
Carried
15.3.2 Assistant to CAO
Resolution No: 2021-797
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Phylis Friesen
RESOLVED the CAO be authorized to begin the hiring process for the executive assistant to the CAO position.
Carried
15.3.3 Interim Recreation Director
Moved By: David Moriaux
Seconded By: Phylis Friesen
RESOLVED the CAO be authorized to begin the hiring process for the Interim Recreation Director.
Tabled
15.3.4 Hall Manager/Recreation Programmer
Resolution No: 2021-798
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Phylis Friesen
RESOLVED the CAO be authorized to change the job decsription of the Hall manager to include the recreational programmer duties and wages be reflected as per schedule A, retro active to December 15th, 2020.
Carried
16. Adjournment
Resolution No: 2021-799
Moved By: Phylis Friesen
Seconded By: David Gray
RESOLVED that this regular meeting of Council now adjourn at 10:17pm.
Carried