At the start of their regular meeting on Feb. 6, Town of Virden Council received the monthly policing report from Westman RCMP Detachment Acting Staff Sgt. Helen Goodman and Cpl. Eduardo Giannico.
During the discussion, Coun. Lynette Grumpelt brought forward concerns regarding transport trucks being parked against the flow of traffic on the west service road adjacent to the Trans-Canada Highway. Trailers are also being unhooked and left on the shoulder on both sides of the highway.
Coun. Travis Penner suggested that the congestion is adversely affecting the service businesses that populate the area, driving commerce out of town.
“I wish MTI (Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure) would cooperate with us and make that a little easier for everybody,” he said. “There’s a lot of business that’s going into those highway businesses from those truckers and they have no place to park, so they’re either going to Moosomin or Brandon.”
Mayor Tina Williams and Deputy Mayor Marc Savy referred to a functional design for redevelopment, initiated by MTI, which has never been acted upon. The matter was raised with Premier Wab Kinew during an impromptu meeting in Virden on Jan.1 and updated information provided.
“It’s a functional design that was created in the late 90’s,” Williams said. “That’s why some of the owners around that area can’t build new buildings where they want to build them because (the department of) highways is saying no. Highways has a control area where they have a big plan, but it hasn’t happened yet.”
Meanwhile, Williams is worried about the impact of increased pedestrian and bicycle traffic in the vicinity of the new Valleyview Consumers Co-op Gas Bar and Convenience Store once spring arrives.
“As it gets warmer, (there will be) more kids up there,” she said. “Summer’s going to come and they’re going to go ‘Wow, that’s not far’ and they’re going to be on that Frontage Road. They’re going to get brave. Now they’re going to want to walk all the way to Tim Hortons and 7 Eleven. I wouldn’t walk out there as an adult. It’s bad for adults in cars, let alone kids on bikes. Other than (increased) visibility, I don’t know what you (police) can do about it.”
Goodman agreed to discuss stepped-up patrols with members in an upcoming detachment meeting.
DESIGNATED OFFICER BY-LAW
Council gave first and second reading to a Designated Officer By-Law which has been updated to reflect changes in the Town’s administrative staff.
“As Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), I am automatically a Designated Officer for the municipality and have the authority to enforce by-laws,” said CAO Rhonda Stewart. “What we needed is a by-law to name other positions and because we had some changes in names.” As an example, the Town has now hired an Operations and Facilities Manager and is currently recruiting for an Events and Programming Coordinator.
Stewart explained that during the pandemic, the by-law named “pretty much every position” in order that COVID screening and enforcement of the Public Health Act could be carried out.
“We took those off because all of our positions should not have the same authority in enforcing all of those by-laws,” she said. “That was a provincial requirement at the time.”
LOCAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN BY-LAW
A by-law to formalize Local Improvement Plan borrowing of $300,000 from the Recreation Endowment Fund was given first reading and will now be forwarded to the provincial Municipal Board for approval.
AMM MUNICIPAL GENERAL INSURANCE
Council will be represented at a presentation by Western Financial Group on Mar. 1 regarding the renewal of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities municipal general insurance plan.
MANITOBA AVIATION COUNCIL CONFERENCE
Up to two members of council received authorization to attend the Manitoba Aviation Council Conference being held Feb. 26 to 28 at Holiday Inn Express Polo Park in Winnipeg.
PUBLIC WORKS SHOP VENTILATION
Council authorized the installation of a fresh air intake in the Public Works Department Shop in order to comply with Manitoba Workplace Safety and Health requirements. The work will be done by LRB Electric of Virden at a cost of $6,900 plus applicable taxes.
CROW, NUISANCE BIRD AND BEAVER PROGRAM
Maurice Kernel, Adam Gonty, Rodney Stuart and Bert Cosens received authorization to discharge firearms within Town limits for the control of crows or other birds deemed a nuisance or health hazard. Kernel and Cosens will also be permitted to discharge approved firearms within Town limits in order to control nuisance and/or hazardous beavers.
PRAIRIE GATEWAY TOURISM BUDGET
Council passed a motion accepting the Prairie Gateway Tourism 2024 budget as presented.
REVENUE AND EXPENSE STATEMENTS
The Revenue and Expense Statements for the Town of Virden Utility Fund and General Operating Fund, for the period ending Nov. 30, 2023, were approved.
AUD THEATRE FOG/HAZE POLICY
Council adopted a policy regarding the usage of smoke and/or fog during performances in the Virden Aud Theatre. It was noted that this practice requires the building’s fire alarm system to be de-activated prior to a show and subsequently reset.
“We’re trying to streamline the process if such an act wants to come,” said Mayor Tina Williams. During the discussion, Coun. Lynette Grumpelt, who represents Council on the theatre board, stressed that this will be an infrequent occurrence and handled on a case-by-case basis.
“People aren’t knocking down the door to shut off the fire alarm to have haze at their events,” she said. “There’s been a couple they’ve had to do this for.”
An amendment was made to address a concern voiced by the Town’s insurer regarding the use of dry ice, which has the potential for injury. Any costs incurred in administering the policy will be passed on to the theatre board.
WELLNESS DAY SPONSORSHIP
The Town will sponsor an upcoming wellness day being planned by Seniors Access to Independent Living (SAIL) by contributing the rental charge of $750 for the Sunrise Banquet Hall at Tundra Oil & Gas Place. Promotional assistance may also be provided through the Town’s social media channels.
FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT SEMINAR
Two members of Council will attend the Manitoba Foreign Direct Investment Seminar in Portage La Prairie on Feb. 27. It is being presented by Global Affairs Canada, the Province of Manitoba, the Association of Manitoba Municipalities and Economic Development Winnipeg.
RECRUITMENT EVENT
Council agreed to participate in a recruitment event at the University College of the North in The Pas on Apr. 4. The Town’s contribution will include $500 towards expenses for the regional group taking part as well as a compilation of community information. Approval was given for one member of Council or a staff person to attend.
