The regular council meeting of the Rural Municipality of Wallace-Woodworth was held on Jan. 9. At that meeting a public hearing was conducted to consider a conditional use application. The applicant, Alternative Auto and the owners of the property at NW-8-10-25-W, Jan and Adriana Roux applied for approval of a conditional use order in a rural general (RG) zone to enable purchase of the property and create an on-site personal landing field.
Development officer Cory Nixon stated that notice of the hearing was issued to the owner, the applicant and six neighbouring properties within 100 meters of the affected area on Dec. 24.
Nixon informed council that approval of the application would be conditional on being compatible with general nature the surrounding area. The use should not be detrimental to the health or general welfare of people living or working in the surrounding area, or negatively affect other properties or potential development in the surrounding area. All Nav Canada requirements must be completed prior to construction and the airfield must only be used by the owner.
Coun. Barb Stambuski wondered how small airfields were decommissioned as they interfere with other air traffic and drones even after these airfields are no longer in use. Nixon replied that the conditional use order would continue to apply after sale of the property but would expire if it was not used for one year.
Council approved the application.
STRATEGIC PLAN
Council is engaging a consultant to help prepare a new strategic plan for the municipality and there are currently five applicants being considered.
CAO Mitchell said, “I think the strength of these processes is really the person facilitating them… I would recommend that we have them come at least to show their wares to us before we commit.”
Reeve Canart mentioned two factors that he believes to be important in the process: “Community engagement and understanding of ratepayers’ expectations of service delivery, and what their communities will look like in the next 10,15, 20 years.”
He also stressed the importance of agreement within council saying, “If we're going to go through and spend the money on something like this, (we need) 100 per cent of council buying in and engaging.” The previous strategic plan developed shortly after amalgamation focused on the challenges of creating an effective and fair system of governance over a larger area.
Coun. Stambuski stated that ratepayers need to be able to bring information and concerns and consider what has been done and where council’s vision is. She added, “We used to have ratepayer meetings and we need those again, but more structured in each community”. The community steering committees will be important in the process.
Coun. Mark Humphries commented that it is important to continue to evaluate and update the plan frequently saying, “We're spending another big chunk of taxpayers’ money. And if it's not a tool that we can use constructively, then it's a waste of money. If it's being used, I’m 100 per cent behind it, but…if it stays in the cupboard again, I will bring it up because you just get sick of spending money on reports without results.”
Coun. Lyle Kinnaird is concerned that “it would end up being based on the three communities we always talk about…and leave out the other people that aren't necessarily associated with any of the communities.”
Reeve Canart replied, “We need to find a way for those rural people to have a voice or bring their needs forward.”
The planning session ended with a discussion of the service tracker system that is used to ensure that service requests are fulfilled quickly. The consensus was that although it has resulted in less direct connection between council and ratepayers, it is a useful tool to enhance service and show a clear picture of areas of need in the municipality.
COMMUNICATION TOWER
Rogers is planning a communication tower near Sioux Valley. Development Officer Nixon informed council that the company has worked through the regulatory process and has met all requirements. They asked council to sign a document concurring with their plans to build the tower. The motion to sign the document was passed.
PWR ASSETS
Prairie West Recreation (PWR) was dissolved in Sepember of 2021.
Originally PWR received broad support. This included the municipalities of Wallace, Woodworth, Ellice, Sifton and the Towns of Virden and Oak Lake, the Village of Elkhorn and Fort La Bosse School Division. However, since municipal amalgamations in 2015 the support for the recreation district was reduced to two entities, the Town of Virden and the RM of Wallace-Woodworth. Council passed a motion to accept the (PWR) fund dispersal at 55% to Virden and 45% to Wallace-Woodworth.
POUND FEES
Several dogs have been picked up recently by the bylaw enforcement officer. CAO Garth Mitchell commented that if a stray dog is found within the boundaries of Wallace-Woodworth it's dropped off at the vet clinic. “It will be housed for the appropriate amount of time, and then goes back to the clinic to be dealt with or re-homed. If the dog was found outside of this jurisdiction pound fees are not our responsibility.”
JOINT COUNCIL MEETING
There is a joint meeting of the councils of Wallace-Woodworth and the Town of Virden scheduled for Jan. 22, however some councillors have a problem with that date. Reeve Clayton Canart said that it is important that all members of council are involved, and if some are unable to attend an alternate date should be considered. He said, “I just think with the topics we're discussing that we need to reschedule this to make sure that all of Council is able to attend.”
FIRE SERVICES
Coun. Diana MacDonald attended the Woodworth Fire Department meeting where fire chief Chris Routledge reported that there were 19 calls for 2023.
She also attended the Wallace District Fire Department meeting and reported on repairs that were in progress for the department’s rescue vehicles and fire trucks ranging from minor items to repairs of brakes, bearings and motor mounts. Equipment is being replaced or upgraded and member training continues.
Reeve Canart noted, “There's a bunch of stuff expiring, kind of all at one time that maybe wasn't expected. … for example, the life jackets are expired, or are expiring. And some of the helmets and boots are expiring.” All these factors have raised budget projections for next year.
OTHER BUSINESS
Payments were approved to Penner Lumber for Ward 2 shop styrofoam insulation of $12,593.55 and the progress payment to 10056830 Manitoba limited in the amount of $49,530.44.
The quote received from Brandt tractor for a complete rebuild of the grader transmission of $61,796.42 was also accepted.
Council approved the application from Lyle Kinnaird to increase the culvert width to 15 metres and that all costs of the culvert over the standard 40 foot length be borne by the applicant.
Council approved a revision of the dust control policy to include the Kenton campground.
Oak Lake-Sifton fire services agreement was approved commencing Jan. 1, 2024, until Dec. 31, 2026.
