Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain held Wednesday, February 12th, 2025 at the Rural Municiaplity of Mountain Council Chambers in Birch River, MB.
Members Present:
Reeve: Keith Behrmann
Councillors: Wilmer Malcolm, Dan Laychuk, Nestor Rizok, Jarrett Mosiondz, Arnie Pedersen and Brad Wyatt.
CAO Paige Driscoll was present and acted as secretary.
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 10:40 a.m. by Reeve Keith Behrmann, quorum being present.
2. Adoption of Agenda
Resolution No: 2025/038
Moved By: Jarrett Mosiondz
Seconded By: Wilmer Malcolm
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Agenda for the February 12th, 2025 Regular Meeting of Council be adopted as presented.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
3. Matters Arising from Minutes
Resolution No: 2025/039
Moved By: Arnie Pedersen
Seconded By: Brad Wyatt
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council held January 22nd, 2025 be adopted as presented, all requirements having been complied with.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
4. By-Laws & Policies
4.1 Development Plan: Provincial Review
Resolution No: 2025/040
Moved By: Wilmer Malcolm
Seconded By: Daniel Laychuk
WHEREAS the Province of Manitoba has had the opportunity to review the proposed Development Plan proposed by the Swan Valley Planning District;
AND WHEREAS Council has had the opportunity to review the comments, requirements, and considerations of the Province;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby:
Approve the proposal as submitted (200 AU).
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
5. Financial
5.1 Bank Statement and Reconciliation
Resolution No: 2025/041
Moved By: Arnie Pedersen
Seconded By: Jarrett Mosiondz
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve the Bank Statement and Reconciliation report for the month ending January 31st, 2025 as presented.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
5.2 Write Off Outstanding Penalty
Resolution No: 2025/042
Moved By: Nestor Rizok
Seconded By: Wilmer Malcolm
WHEREAS payment for Invoice 20240117 was received by the Municipal Office, but did not include the portion of the penalty in the amount of $179.39;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby write off $179.39 on Invoice 20240117.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
5.3 Overdue Accounts Receivable
Resolution No: 2025/043
Moved By: Nestor Rizok
Seconded By: Jarrett Mosiondz
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the unpaid accounts receivable accounts, presented in Schedule ‘A’ attached hereto, be added to the real property tax account of each account holder.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
5.4 Accounts Payable
Resolution No: 2025/044
Moved By: Wilmer Malcolm
Seconded By: Nestor Rizok
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Cheque Nos. 20250075 to 20250114 be approved for payment in the amount of $118,022.71, including Council Indemnities in the amount of $5,445.71 as per By-Law 03/16 and Direct Deposit Payroll in the amount of $17,596.45 as attached hereto as Schedule ‘A’;
AND FURTHER IT BE RESOLVED THAT the direct payment amount of $6,397.96 for Receiver General for the month of January be hereby approved.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
6. 2025 Budget
6.1 Mafeking Transfer Station: Power
Resolution No: 2025/046
Moved By: Jarrett Mosiondz
Seconded By: Brad Wyatt
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve the quotation from Kornelsen Electric, Project Number 25-001, for power supply to the Mafeking Transfer Station in the amount of $10,911.31;
AND THAT the project be included in the 2025 Financial Plan with funds budgeted through the General Operating Budget.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
6.2 Birch River Water Plant: Lighting
Resolution No: 2025/047
Moved By: Jarrett Mosiondz
Seconded By: Wilmer Malcolm
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve the quote from Kornelsen Electric for upgrades to the Birch River Water Plant lighting, with adjustments as per Schedule ‘A’ attached hereto.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
6.3 Low Level Crossing Work: Ward Three
Resolution No: 2025/048
Moved By: Nestor Rizok
Seconded By: Wilmer Malcolm
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve the quotation from Pier Solutions for a concrete extension at the Dutchak Low Level Crossing in the amount of $35,800.00;
AND THAT the funds from the project be included in the 2025 Financial Plan payable from the Ward Three CCBF Funds.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
6.4 NorthWest Regional Immigrant Services
Resolution No: 2025/049
Moved By: Brad Wyatt
Seconded By: Daniel Laychuk
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve the annual donation towards the NorthWest Regional Immigrant Services in the amount of $1,000.00.
AND THAT Councillor Laychuk be appointed to the board on behalf of the Municipality.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
6.5 From the Ground Up Grant: Mafeking Christmas Lights
Resolution No: 2025/050
Moved By: Wilmer Malcolm
Seconded By: Brad Wyatt
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve the grant application for Christmas Lights in Mafeking as per Schedule ‘A’ attached hereto;
AND FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT if successful, the Municipal portion be taken from the LUD of Mafeking Reserve Fund in the 2025 Financial Plan.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
6.6 Allocation of Recycling Costs
Resolution No: 2025/051
Moved By: Jarrett Mosiondz
Seconded By: Wilmer Malcolm
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain allocate 100% of wages/contract costs for garbage and recycling pickup in Birch River and Pine River to be expensed to the LUD budgets.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
6.7 Tourism/Economic Development Budget: No Further Memberships
6.8 LUD of Pine River Service Plan & Budget
Resolution No: 2025/052
Moved By: Wilmer Malcolm
Seconded By: Jarrett Mosiondz
WHEREAS the LUD of Pine River has prepared and presented a service plan to Council;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby adopt the service plan as submitted by the LUD of Pine River, attached hereto as Schedule ‘A’.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
6.9 5 Year Capital Plan: Discussion
7. Personnel
7.1 Overtime Hours: Review
8. Ward Reports & Work Orders
Resolution No: 2025/053
Moved By: Jarrett Mosiondz
Seconded By: Arnie Pedersen
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby approve Work Orders #05/2025 to #08/2025 attached hereto.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
9. Delegations/Petitions
10. Meeting Attendance and Reports
10.1 10:00 a.m. Public Hearing: Equipment Purchases
Resolution No: 2025/054
Moved By: Wilmer Malcolm
Seconded By: Daniel Laychuk
WHEREAS a Public Hearing was held on February 12th, 2025 to hear representation towards the proposed equipment purchases of the Rural Municipality of Mountain prior to the adoption of the 2025 Financial Plan;
AND WHEREAS there were some in attendance and made presentation;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby confirm the purchase specifications as provided in the Public Notice Information.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
10.2 Discussion on AMM Meeting Reschedule: For AMM Spring Convention
10.3 AMM Spring Convention Attendance
Resolution No: 2025/055
Moved By: Jarrett Mosiondz
Seconded By: Daniel Laychuk
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain be hereby authorized to attend the AMM Spring Convention to be held April 14-16th, 2025 in Winnipeg, MB;
AND THAT expenses be allowed for same.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
10.4 Emergency Plan Review: Schedule for Council Meeting Date
11. General Business
11.1 Heritage Impact Assessment: Consultants
Resolution No: 2025/056
Moved By: Wilmer Malcolm
Seconded By: Jarrett Mosiondz
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby contract North Roots Research to complete the required Heritage Impact Assessment for the subdivision of the NE 17-36-23W;
AND THAT the CAO be authorized to sign on behalf of the Municipality.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
11.2 Mountain North Gravel Contract: Discuss Different Pit Location
11.3 Snowplowing: Discussion on Priorities, Concerns and Contracts
11.4 Spraying Program: Municipal Ditches
11.5 2025 Land Sale Auction
Resolution No: 2025/057
Moved By: Wilmer Malcolm
Seconded By: Jarrett Mosiondz
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby contract McKay Real Estate & Auction Co. to facilitate the 2025 online land sale auction, offering the following properties at the reserve bid in accordance with our municipal policy:
NW 3-32-22W
SW 10-32-22W
NE 8-33-21W
SE 8-33-21W
SW 14-40-26W
PT. SW 26-39-26W
AND THAT the CAO be authorized to sign on behalf of the Municipality.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
11.6 Request to Purchase: Pine River
Resolution No: 2025/058
Moved By: Wilmer Malcolm
Seconded By: Jarrett Mosiondz
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby accept the offer to purchase Lot 5, Plan 972; in Pine River, MB [Roll#67400.000] from B. Basaraba in the amount of the reserve bid plus transfer costs;
AND THAT the transfer be subject to the following conditions:
The Rural Municipality of Mountain is under no obligation to provide access to such parcels, now or upon future request;
The parcel is sold in the as is/where is condition.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
12. Communications
12.1 LUD Survey: Make Available to the Public
12.2 Manitoba Transportation & Infrastructure Strategic Report: Review
12.3 Canada Post Review
Resolution No: 2025/059
Moved By: Daniel Laychuk
Seconded By: Brad Wyatt
WHEREAS the Rural Municipality of Mountain has been made aware that a Commission has been established by the Federal Minister of Labour, Steven MacKinnon, to examine the future of the public post office including any changes to the Canadian Postal Service Charter in response to the 2024 postal strike;
AND WHEREAS the Municipality relies heavily upon the post offices for daily operations and mandated government processes;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain hereby make submission to the Ministers responsible for Labour and Canada Post to request that any significant adjustments to the operations or Charter be brought for a thorough review, giving all stakeholders the opportunity to provide submissions and considerations.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
12.4 Climate Change Projections: RM of Mountain
12.5 Swan River RCMP Report January: Review
13. Adjournment
Resolution No: 2025/060
Moved By: Jarrett Mosiondz
Seconded By: Nestor Rizok
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Regular Meeting of Council of the Rural Municipality of Mountain be adjourned to meet again on February 26th, 2025.
Meeting adjourned at 1:50 p.m.
For: 7 Against:
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY