The regular meeting of the Council of the Rural Municipality of Sifton was held in the council chambers in Oak Lake on Apr. 20.
Members present: Cyril Druwe, Jeff Sigurdson, Larry Wallace, Scott Phillips, Stan Cochrane, Clement Gervais,, Dave Roulette, Rick Gabrielle, Administrator Mary Smith.
• Cody Denbow, Shop Foreman, entered the meeting to update Council on operator’s schedules and machine maintenance. Roger Main, Public Works Foreman, entered the meeting to update Council on the operations for the Sewer Utility and the Oak Lake LUD.
• Payment of general account cheque numbers 3389 to 3485 and Direct deposit payroll, inclusive, in the amount of $538,335.95 are approved.
• It is resolved that the RM of Sifton donate $1000.00 to S.A.I.L. for their Kitchen renovation in the Princess Lodge.
• By-Law No. 27-2017 to set the mill rate for the year 2017 passed first reading.
• Oak Lake Four Seasons Island Resort has submitted Conditional Use Application No.17-01 requesting approval to allow the development of a non-farm dwelling in the Agricultural General Zone on a proposed subdivided parcel located in the SW quarter of Section 5, Township 9, Range 24 WPM. was approved.
• Oak Lake Four Seasons Island Resort has submitted Variation Application No.17-01 requesting approval to vary the maximum site area from 10 acres to 10.37 acres and to vary the minimum site width from 200 feet to 150 feet to allow the development of a non-farm dwelling in the SW quarter of Section 5, Township 9, Range 24 WPM and to comply with the RM of Sifton Zoning By-Law was approved.
• Kevin and Hilary Griffith have submitted Variation Application No.17-02 requesting approval to vary the minimum west side yard from 25 feet to 11 feet to allow the construction of an attached garage and have the property comply with the RM of Sifton Zoning By-Law was approved.
• Casey and Roberta Jones have submitted Variation Application No.17-03 requesting approval to vary the minimum rear yard from five feet to two feet to allow the construction of a 10 X 14 garden shed and have the property comply with the RM of Sifton Zoning By-Law was approved.
• Tim Sopuck on behalf of Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation has submitted a Conditional Use Application No.17-02 requesting approval to place a conservation agreement on the SE, SW, NE and NW quarters of Section 29, Township 8, Range 25 WPM; the SW quarter of Section 20, Township 8, Range 25 WPM, NW quarter of Section 20, Township 8, Range 25 WPM and the NE quarter of Section 20, Township 8, Range 25 WPM involving 1022 acres was approved with the following conditions: the agreement will allow enhancement for agricultural use (cross fencing, regular fence maintenance, livestock watering system improvements) and that provision for these enhancements will be the life time of the conservation agreement, the Grantor and Holder agree to comply with regulations of the Noxious Weed Act, the agreement will allow parcels of land under the conservation agreement to be burned or herbicide may be applied for management purposes, this agreement will allow brushing and/or mowing of woody vegetation within any applicable natural stream channel(s), portion of the property (2-5 acres) can be set aside for residential development in future unless the property has no potential for development.
• Oak Lake Community Hall is provided free of charge for Recreation Programs, Activities and meetings being organized by our Rec-Director Carleigh Babiak.
• Oak Lake LUD Committee recommends the purchase of a 2017 New Holland 84” snow blower backhoe attachments at a cost of $9500 plus taxes. RM of Sifton will purchase equipment from Mazer Group with the cost to be incurred by the Oak Lake LUD.
• Oak Lake LUD Committee recommends that the RM of Sifton hire a tree service company to trim the ornamental trees on the south side of North Railway Street. A a tree trimming service company will be hired with the cost to be incurred by the Oak Lake LUD.
• Manitoba Conservation, Boissevain District has prepared a Mutual Aid Memorandum of Understanding as a part of their 2017 Emergency Preparedness Plan for the Oak Lake Provincial Park.
• RM of Sifton will advertise for two full time Green Team summer students to work with our Public Works Employee: Position #1 – starts June 29 to Aug. 18 (40 hours per week for 7 weeks), Position #2 – starts July 4 to Aug. 25 (40 hours per week for 7 weeks). All resumes received not later than May 26 at 5:00 p.m.
• PTH # 21 at Sioux Valley Dakota Nation and adjacent Provincial Roads PR #250, PR # 254, and PR # 259 have been closed too frequently due to yearly spring flooding events. RM of Sifton requests that the Association of Manitoba Municipalities lobby the Province of Manitoba to repair/upgrade PTH #21 to a flood proof status for the safety of those persons who are not able to receive ambulance service in a timely matter and to also protect/keep the agriculture and economic activity for this region.
• Oak Lake Resort Waste Transfer Site hours are as follows: Wed., Sat., Sun. and holidays 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. effective Apr. 22 – Oct. 28.
• Carleigh Babiak is authorized to attend the 2017 EDAM Spring Forum held in Melita May 31 - June 2 and the Physical Literacy Workshop held in Hartney June 7 with expenses paid.
• 2017 budget for Westman Emergency Group aproved as presented.
• RM of Sifton will apply to Vanguard Credit Union for a credit card under the name of Carleigh Babiak with a credit limit of $1000 to cover recreation expenses authorized by the Recreation Board.
• Council of the RM of Sifton authorizes the cancellation of charges owing to the Municipality as listed in Schedule “A”.
• Councillor Cyril Druwe gave the CAO written notice of his recognition on Council.
• Jeff Sigurdson is appointed as Chairman.
• Council instructs the Senior Election Official to hold a bi-election for Ward 4 as soon as reasonably practical to fill this position.
