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Prairie View Council considers crypto mine

Will noise be a problem?
Miniota office
R.M. Prairie View

An application for a Conditional Use Order was tabled at the Sept. 13 meeting of Prairie View Municipal Council to be presented at a special meeting of council to be held at a later date.

This application was the subject of two public hearings held on Aug. 3 and Aug. 31.  At the first hearing CAO Bonchuk presented the application for approval of a Conditional Use Order to establish a crypto mining operation in the General Industrial Zone in Birtle.

According to Coinbase, a platform for accessing crypto currency like Bitcoin, crypto mining is “the process that cryptocurrencies use to generate new coins and verify new transactions. It involves vast, decentralized networks of computers around the world that document cryptocurrency transactions.”

Members of the public attended the hearing, in person and via Zoom, and brought questions and concerns about possible noise issues from the proposed operation.

After hearing from the applicant how they intend to construct the facility to mitigate sound levels and how this will be ensured in the future, Reeve Clark noted that Prairie View had enlisted the services of an independent consultant to verify the applicant’s findings. As this consultant’s report was incomplete the hearing was adjourned to meet again once all information was received.

At that Aug. 31 hearing council received the report from consultant Colin Novak of Akoustik Sound. Novak described the process and results of his investigation and said that the applicant’s plans for sound mitigation should keep sounds at acceptable levels. Reeve Clark asked the applicant if he would agree to an independent audit of actual sound levels once the project was in operation. The applicant agreed and also agreed to ongoing audits from time to time.

These hearings led to a special meeting of council held on Sept. 16, where a resolution to approve the request for the Conditional Use Permit for the crypto mining facility was proposed with these conditions:

The applicant is responsible to obtain all permits required from the Mid-West Planning District.

The development will be serviced by municipal water and wastewater services.

The development will be constructed, operated and maintained in accordance with the noise assessment report dated July 28, 2022.

The developer will have an independent acoustical consultant carry out acoustic audit measurements consistent with industry standards on the actual noise emissions from the operation of the development. The timing for the audits is to be set and the consultant to be approved by the Municipality. The audits will be completed at the developer’s cost between the months of June and August. If an acoustic audit shows the development is not in compliance with the sound limits set out in this resolution, the developer will take immediate action to abate the sound emissions and to bring the development into compliance with the sound limits for all hours of the day and as directed by the Municipality.

The developer will enter into a development agreement and will comply with the conditions of the development agreement.

The motion was carried, and the Conditional Use Order was approved.

Prairie View council regular meeting On Sept. 13.

Council members present were Clark, Bertram, Butler, Cole, Fulcher, Howard, Oliver and Wilson. Staff Present was CAO Bonchuk.

Council opened the meeting with an in-camera session to discuss legal matters and a non-union personnel agreement.

Resolutions proposed

The Public Works Committee will purchase a tandem truck, a skid steer loader and two graders with snow wings. The Fibre Committee will have a budget of $1000 for a generator and the Internet Technician’s wage scale was approved.

Unfinished business

Dealt with payment to PIER Solutions for bridge work, an access request for a rural property and insurance for a light standard at the junction of highways 16 and 83.

New business

Manitoba government’s Mitigation and Preparedness program for the 2022 spring flood event will be invested into a reserve account. MI top up agreement- Gravel Road Initiative Agreement for improvements to Provincial Roads in the municipality. The addition of Accounts Receivable to the tax roll DU filed Notice of Intent regarding N6-18-25W. 1990 GMC 7000 Fire Truck put for tender.

A motion was passed to support the Reconciliation Run being held Sept. 30 from the residential school to Birdtail Sioux Dakota Nation.

Reports from: Coun. Wilson regarding the Park West Fibre Co-op, Coun. Cole to inform that Midwest Planning District and MSS are needing a bookkeeper, Coun. Bertram about Birtle Hall and an update on the Shoal Lake Veterinary Clinic, Coun. Oliver regarding Assiniboine West Watershed District tours and Reeve Clark on the Palliative Care 2023 fundraiser.

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