The Council of the Town of Swan River met on Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at 7:00 pm in the Town Council Chambers with Mayor Jacobson presiding along with Deputy Mayor Moriaux and Councillors Bobick, Medwid, Powell and Whyte.
Absent with Permission: Councillor Boychuk
Also Present:
CAO D. Poole, CFO T. Gnida, Public Works Dir. D. Harvey, Rec Dir. E. Clouson
Media: Jeremy Bergen, Star and Times
1. Call meeting to order
Mayor Jacobson called the meeting to order at 7:00pm.
2. Adoption of the Agenda
Resolution No: 2025-0022
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Don Bobick
RESOLVED that the agenda for the January 21, 2025 regular meeting of Council be adopted.
Carried
3. Confirmation of the minutes
Resolution No: 2025-0023
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: David Moriaux
RESOLVED the minutes of the January 7, 2025 regular council meeting, the December 23, 2024 special meeting, and the November 12, 2024 special meeting be approved.
Carried
4. Reception of Delegations and Hearings
5. Reception of Petitions
6. Communications
6.1 Letter from Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada
Resolution No: 2025-0024
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: David Moriaux
RESOLVED that the letter from Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada dated January 15, 2025 regarding Town of Swan River Public Reserve Beautification be received.
Carried
6.2 Minister of Natural Resources & Indigenous Futures – Dutch Elm Disease Funding
Resolution No: 2025-0025
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
RESOLVED the letter from Honourable Ian Bushie, Minister of Natural Resources & Indigenous Futures, confirming Provincial funding of $2,380 toward Dutch elm disease management for the year 2024/2025 be received.
Carried
6.3 RCMP Oct-Dec quarter invoice package
Resolution No: 2025-0026
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
RESOLVED that the RCMP Municipal Policing Service invoice package for the period of October 1 through December 31, 2024 be received.
Carried
7. Reports
7.1 Director of Public Works Report
Resolution No: 2025-0027
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
RESOLVED the Director of Public Works report be received.
Carried
7.2 Other Reports
7.2.1 Protective Service Report – Q4-2024
Resolution No: 2025-0028
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Don Bobick
RESOLVED the fourth quarter Protective Service report be received.
Carried
7.2.2 2024 Annual Safety Management System Report
Resolution No: 2025-0029
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: David Moriaux
RESOLVED the 2024 annual SMS Report be received as information
Carried
7.3 Council and CAO Reports
8. New Business
8.1 Change Date of Regular Meeting
Resolution No: 2025-0030
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: David Moriaux
RESOLVED that the regular meeting of Council scheduled for February 4th, 2025 be postponed to February 5th, 2025.
Carried
8.2 Appoint Interim CAO
Resolution No: 2025-0031
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Don Bobick
RESOLVED that Darren Harvey be appointed Interim Chief Administrative Officer of the Town of Swan River effective January 22, 2025.
Carried
8.3 Town of Swan River Signing Officers
Resolution No: 2025-0032
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: David Moriaux
RESOLVED that the signing officers for the Town of Swan River be either Mayor Lance Jacobson or Deputy Mayor David Moriaux, and either Interim Chief Administrative Officer Darren Harvey or Chief Financial Officer Terence Gnida.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that cheque signing authority be approved for Councillor Don Bobick only in the absence of both Mayor Lance Jacobson and Deputy Mayor David Moriaux.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Derek Poole be removed as signing officer effective January 24th, 2025.
Carried
8.4 To Appoint Signing Officers for Swan Valley Employment and Training Project
Resolution No: 2025-0033
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: David Moriaux
RESOLVED that the signing officers for Swan Valley Employment and Training Project’s accounts at Swan Valley Credit Union be Sarah Sakal, Darren Harvey and Terence Gnida, and that two signatures or online approvals be required for all transactions.
FURTHER IT BE RESOLVED that Derek Poole be removed as signing officer.
Carried
Proposed Amendment : adding the end date moved: Whyte Second: Bobick
8.5 Airport Accountable Executive
Resolution No: 2025-0034
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Don Bobick
RESOLVED that Interim CAO Darren Harvey be appointed Airport Accountable Executive until the new permanent CAO assumes the position.
Carried
8.6 AMM request for discussion topics
9. Unfinished Business
10. Accounts
10.1 To approve accounts
Resolution No: 2025-0035
Moved By: David Moriaux
Seconded By: Don Bobick
RESOLVED the accounts as follows be hereby approved for payment:
1. General Account Cheques No. 32425 to No. 32458 totaling $312,869.89 as listed on Schedule A.
2. Payroll Account Cheques No. 5528 to No. 5532 and direct deposits totaling $112,893.54 as listed on Schedule B.
3. Direct Deposit Payments totaling $97,223.53 as listed on Schedule C.
Carried
Motion to table to Feb 18th meeting mover: Moriaux second: Bobick approved
10.2 To approve payment of the 2025 Airport Commission levy
Resolution No: 2025-0036
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Don Bobick
RESOLVED that the 2025 Swan Valley Municipal Airport Commission levy in the amount of $34,131.00 be approved for payment once the Audited Financial Statements for the Year Ended December 31, 2024 have been received.
Tabled
11. By-Laws
11.1 First Reading – Bylaw 01/2025 – Fire Prevention and Emergency Services
Resolution No: 2025-0037
Moved By: David Moriaux
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
RESOLVED that By-Law No. 01/2025 being a By-Law of the Town of Swan River to provide for Fire Prevention and Emergency Services be read a first time.
Carried
11.2 Second Reading – Bylaw 02/2025 – Amendment to Various Bylaws (Enforcement)
Resolution No: 2025-0038
Moved By: David Moriaux
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
RESOLVED that By-Law No. 02/2025 being a By-Law of the Town of Swan River to amend various bylaws with regards to our enforcement activities be read a second time.
Carried
11.3 Second Reading – 03.2025 Organizational Bylaw
Resolution No: 2025-0039
Moved By: David Moriaux
Seconded By: Don Bobick
RESOLVED that By-Law No. 03/2025 being a By-Law of the Town of Swan River to establish the organizational structure for the Town of Swan River Council be read a second time.
Carried
11.4 Second Reading – 04.2025 Procedures Bylaw
Resolution No: 2025-0040
Moved By: David Moriaux
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
RESOLVED that By-Law No. 04/2025 being a By-Law of the Town of Swan River to establish the procedures for Council be read a second time.
Carried
12. Notice of Motion
13. Member Privilege
14. In Camera
Resolution No: 2025-0041
Moved By: David Moriaux
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
RESOLVED that, pursuant to Section 152(3) of the Municipal Act, Council go into Committee and close the meeting to the public.
Carried
14.1 Centennial Arena
WHEREAS the Swan River Centennial Arena has qualified to receive a grant covering 100% of cost, labour, and materials to upgrade the entire arena to LED lighting;
AND WHEREAS the Swan River Centennial Arena currently has outdated lighting resulting in increasing repairs and energy bills;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Recreation Department proceed with work plan to complete the lighting upgrade in the Centennial Arena with local contractor Dee’s Electric.
14.2 Pool Lawsuit Employment Contract
Resolved that the Director of Recreation be authorized to hire an out of scope Wellness Center Advisor as per schedule A.
14.3 Personnel
15. Out of Camera
Resolution No: 2025-0042
Moved By: Duane Whyte
Seconded By: Tanya Powell
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 Arena Lighting
Resolution No: 2025-0043
Moved By: David Moriaux
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
WHEREAS the Swan River Centennial Arena has qualified to receive a grant covering 100% of cost, labour, and materials to upgrade the entire arena to LED lighting;
AND WHEREAS the Swan River Centennial Arena currently has outdated lighting resulting in increasing repairs and energy bills;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Recreation Department proceed with work plan to complete the lighting upgrade in the Centennial Arena with local contractor Dee’s Electric.
Carried
16.2 Recreation Employment Contract
Resolution No: 2025-0044
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: David Moriaux
Resolved that the Director of Recreation be authorized to hire an out of scope Wellness Center Advisor as per schedule A.
Carried
16.3 Hiring of CAO
Resolution No: 2025-0045
Moved By: Tanya Powell
Seconded By: Duane Whyte
BE IT RESOLVED the Town of Swan River hire Will Tewnion as Chief Administrative Officer effective March 3rd, 2025.
Carried
17. Adjournment
Resolution No: 2025-0046
Moved By: Don Bobick
Seconded By: David Moriaux
RESOLVED that this regular meeting of Council now adjourn at 8:45pm.
Carried