In this year’s Financial Plan, Town of Virden Councillors allocated $25,000 towards a new storefront improvement grant program aimed at revitalizing the downtown core. At their May 17 meeting in the Council Chambers, they put their stamp of approval on the policy which will govern it.
Property owners or tenants wishing to conduct repairs or upgrades may apply to receive up to 50 per cent of eligible project costs, to a maximum of $5,000 per applicant over a three-year period. Applications will be accepted up to Sept. 30 of each year and if approved by Council, the work is to be completed by Nov. 30. The program will be open to all businesses within the Town’s commercial zones, however priority will be given to those located within the downtown revitalization area.
During discussion on the matter, Coun. Travis Penner expressed concern about holding people back from improving their facilities because the funding ran out or the timing was not right.
“This is the kind of program that we’d be happy to run over budget on, because the town is being improved and the taxation will increase,” he said.
COMPRESSOR PURCHASE
Regent Rentals of Brandon, which is going out of business, recently offered to sell to the Town a compressor which it had been renting during the summer construction season. Council was told that the unit is used about 25 days per year for work such as preparing streets for crack filling and curb painting. At the meeting, Councillors discussed whether an outright purchase, as opposed to renting from another source, is warranted given the amount of usage.
“Everybody wants that stuff at the same time,” said Coun. Tina Williams, speaking in favour of the motion. “When we're looking for it, everybody else is too. That's my worry.”
Mayor Murray Wright was also supportive, fearing that one would not be available when it is required.
“If we had one sitting here, there's a possibility we might use it even more,” he said. “In my experience, to buy them at an auction you want to steal them, as you don't know what you're getting. If the compressor blows, you might as well just junk it. They are out there. Different companies have them in Virden, but to get one when we want it, and how much it is going to cost, I don't know.”
Council passed a motion to purchase the 2015 Chicago Pneumatic 185KE7 compressor, which has 156 hours on it, for the quoted price of $14,000 plus applicable taxes. The expenditure was provided for in the Financial Plan.
LONGEST DAY OF SMILES
At the request of Operation Smile Canada, Mayor Murray Wright will proclaim June 19 as the longest day of smiles in Virden. According to its website, the organization raises funds to provide free, safe corrective surgery and continuing care to children in low and middle-income countries who are born with a cleft lip, palate or both.
MGRA NOMINATION
Manitoba Good Roads Association has requested that the Town nominate one yard from within the community to be included in its annual judging competition.
GRANTS APPROVED
Council approved a list of grants to organizations, which were provided for in the 2022 Financial Plan. A motion was made to increase the contribution towards the 4-H Fat Stock Show and Sale, in the form of a prize and trophy, from $65 to $100. The grant to the Virden Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion will be doubled from $50 to $100.
MARKETING STRATEGY ADOPTED
Council adopted the marketing strategy prepared by Doug Griffiths and Heather Thomson of 13 Ways Inc. This forms part of the Town’s new Strategic Plan developed in consultation with the company, which was released earlier this month.
NEW LOGO/BRANDING COMING
Economic Development Manager Liza Park received authorization from Council to request quotations for the development of new Town of Virden branding and the design of a new logo.
FCM SEMINAR
All councillors were approved to attend an online seminar hosted by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) regarding electric vehicle chargers. An application will be submitted to FCM for 50 per cent funding towards the purchase of one, up to a maximum of $5,000.
HYDRANT REPLACEMENT DELAYED
Council reviewed the results of a call for tenders to replace fire hydrants at three locations along King Street (Third Ave., Fifth Ave. and Seventh Ave.) as well as at Wellington Street and Seventh Avenue. Castle Oilfield Construction, who submitted the lowest of three bids received, advised the Town that they would only be available to complete the job within a short period of time after the contract was awarded. During the discussion, Coun. Travis Penner expressed concern that time constraints prevented the Town from using a local firm for work that could become more expensive if unduly delayed. He asked about the implications of the timeline. Chief Administrative Officer Rhonda Stewart explained that nothing could be done until the Town received borrowing authority for the King Street renewal from the province. In the meantime, Council decided to try to obtain more definitive information from Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation, as the thoroughfare is under their jurisdiction. The second lowest bidder for the hydrant replacement, Allen & Bolack Excavating of Brandon, will be asked to confirm how long their tender price will be valid for.
AMM RESOLUTION
Council and administrative staff will participate in the Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM) Western District Meeting in Hartney on June 24. A resolution regarding the need for enhanced signage and strengthened legislation to manage highway closures during winter storms will be forwarded to the meeting for consideration. The intent is to hopefully reduce the number of semi trucks and passenger vehicles parked outside of Virden and make the Trans-Canada Highway safer for first responders should a situation occur during adverse weather. The resolution will also be shared with the R.M. of Wallace-Woodworth.
CONDITIONAL USE HEARING
During the meeting, Council held a public hearing to consider two conditional use applications.
Fox Tail Hauling Ltd. plans to acquire a parcel of Town-owned property east of their current facility at 165 Tiger Moth Road. The oilfield trucking firm wishes to establish a storage compound on the site now and construct an 8,000 square foot building in 2024. Development Officer Cory Nixon advised Council that a storage compound, which must be fenced, is a conditional use in the MG industrial general zone. Council approved the application, provided that Nixon receives a construction plan in advance of the new structure being built.
The Town of Virden is looking to renovate the former Extreme Glass building on King Street, which is where the recently announced Assiniboine Community College Licensed Practical Nursing Training Program will operate from. The building’s intended use is considered conditional in a commercial linear zone. Nixon stated that the requirement in the Town’s Zoning By-Law for off-street parking has been met. The application was approved, provided that a building permit is obtained prior to any construction.
