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Town of Virden Sept. 5th public meeting

Council met with all of council present, Mayor McConnell presiding. Matters of business focused on the recreation complex and an opportunity to acquire outside funding for a project.

Council met with all of council present, Mayor McConnell presiding.

Matters of business focused on the recreation complex and an opportunity to acquire outside funding for a project.

The Town has been shopping for a dehumidifier for the Tundra Oil & Gas Place complex. Councillor Zac Penner made a motion to apply for funding for this. “I move that the Town of Virden apply to the Community Places Program Capital Project for funding for the dehumidifier for TOG Place at a cost of $55,985 plus tax.”

Community Places program had put out a call for projects, with a Sept. 11 deadline to apply. CAO Rhonda Stewart explained, “This is one of the projects that we can possibly get funding for, from the capital project fund. Humidity obviously is an issue in the facility.” Community Places will fund up to one-third of the total cost of a project. “Obviously it would go a long way towards the cost. With the dehumidification, it will help with the equipment in the facility.”

Councillor Cowan asked about the extra weight that a dehumidifier would put on the roof. Stewart agreed that an engineer would be consulted regarding the roof structure. Councillor Penner inquired, “If the roof won’t hold that, and there has to be a bunch of upgrades, could we apply for that as part of the cost?”

CAO Stewart said yes if there’s time.

Councillor Cowan pointed out the funding program through Community Places would be available at a later date as well, since six days does not leave much time to complete the costing analysis.  “I’m just thinking, six days...It’s going to come around again?”

Seeking a vending machine for Tundra Oil & Gas Place, councillors voted to rent two machines from a vending machine company on a month to month trial basis for $125 per month with the profits going to the recreation facility, which is operated by the Town.

Council voted in favour of a one-year trial of the pizza concession stand, with the Oil Caps splitting their portion of the profit 50/50 with the Town of Virden.

The installation of electrical outlets in the lounge and players dressing room will be shared 50/50 cost share between the Town of Virden and Virden Oil Caps.

Council voted to cover the expenses for all members of council and the CAO to attend a meeting with the Deputy Leader of the Conservative party in Brandon Sept.6.

Ken and Susan Ivey will attend the Community in Blooms conference in Ottawa this month. Council voted to cover the cost of the conference registration and hotel, but not the cost of the flight.

Negotiation of terms pertaining to Prairie Land - Petroleum & Natural Gas Lease Offer was set for an ‘in camera’ meeting.

In public hearings council heard two variation requests, regarding setback variances. Both variation requests were granted, the first request being from David Wowk to provide more room for an attached garage at his residence.

The second variation, an application from Garth Nixon, required slight changes to set-backs in order to update a residence with a basement suite to conform to current codes. For this application, Landmark Planning & Design was consulted, citing potential conflict of interest due to the family relationship with Virden’s building inspector. This application was also granted by a council vote.

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