The Reeve called the meeting to order, welcoming gallery attendees and thanking them for the letters they had submitted, letting them know Council would address them.
Council taking charge to understand what’s going on in RM’s Financial Information
There appeared to be a lack of understanding of the RM’s financial matters prompting councillors to stop asking questions in an effort to educate themselves. The new Reeve asked the CAO what the spreadsheet’s headings meant, commenting that other more experienced councillors likely knew what they meant. Councillor Bob Bennett, who has been on Council since the fall of 2019, spoke up and said he did not know. The CAO explained reconciliation. Bennett asked the CAO why they do not have a machinery reserve for future purchases like other RM’s. The CAO responded that there is nothing set aside as a reserve. He further said the way the statement is set up is that it all goes into an undedicated reserve surplus account. Bennett pushed on, asking why do we not see a bank statement showing that reserve. Reeve Kirzinger said to the Council that it is Council’s responsibility to understand the information, and Councillor Bob Bennett agreed. The Reeve suggested they meet to understand this further, and if the Council has questions, the public has questions. The CAO suggested Council submit a list of questions to him and meet as a committee of the whole. The CAO said they did not need a motion for this.
Council wants to see communication between the CAO and Lawyer.
When reviewing the list of accounts to be paid, councillor Fishley raised a concern that the RM pays a SARM lawyer to answer legal questions; however, the CAO hadn’t updated Council to what the lawyer is saying. She said she wants to know what questions are being asked and what the answers are. She re-iterated that the Council needs to know what the lawyer is saying as they are approving a bill and don’t know what the services were. The CAO noted because they are legal matters, Council should discuss them in a closed session.
Reeve Kirzinger agreed, saying that he wants to see all communication between the CAO and the lawyer, specifically around Highwood Beach. However, there was no resolution directing the CAO to provide these communications to Council.
Dorry Street Encroachment and Road Closure
There was confusion regarding a letter that the Council sent out to Highwood beach residents regarding the proposed Dorry Street Road Closure. Councillor Brian Weisbrod had made a motion at November’s meeting asking a letter sent to residents with the options Council was considering. However, the letter that they sent appeared to cause concern and confusion with ratepayers. Councillor Fishley said she was also confused as the options weren’t listed in the letter. Councillor Weisbrod said the intent was not to force anything on anyone but to receive feedback.
Residents sent comments and letters to Council in response to the letter they received, unhappy with the information conveyed. Councillor Lorrie Zinn noted Council has attempted to correct an earlier Council’s error; however, the courts would need to deal with the matter if it came to that. The consensus among Council was to leave things the way they were. If the issue arose in the future, the courts would need to deal with it.
The Reeve said that Council is required to be honest, objective and transparent with their work. If Council thinks they have a conflict of interest, they probably do.
The problems associated with Dorry Street originated when an anonymous writer sent a letter to the Council indicating the boathouses and pump house were encroaching on RM land. Something the Council of the day decided to act on.
Council then discussed what to do with anonymous letters in the future. They decided that they would not accept anonymous letters.
Councillor Brian raised concerns about how he was being treated. He said he was not on Council because of the money but because he wanted to help. He asked how others would feel if they were treated that way in a volunteer position where they would be compensated in a very small way.
Councillor Weisbrod made a motion which Council passed to halt all proceedings with the partial closure of Dorry Street and the annexation/tying to neighbouring properties to relieve the encroachment. The motion further states that any further requests for action would be forwarded to legal counsel to be addressed through the legal system.
Derek Fuchs MR Parcel Purchase Matter
New Reeve, Kirzinger said he signed the sales agreement with Derek Fuchs, which he initially refused to sign because he didn’t understand the contract’s language. He apologized to the CAO for that.
The sale of the piece of municipal reserve land has been contentious with residents of Highwood Beach. There was confusion with the Council as to the public notification and sale process. Council received comments from ratepayers, which they acknowledged. Councillor Zinn made a motion which Council passed they do not object to the proposed subdivision and no subject conditions.
Wayne Bell – Drainage Concern
Highwood Beach resident, Wayne Bell, presented as a delegation before Council in November. He provided an overview of his concerns regarding water drainage he alleged occurred due to some development by Highwood resident and former RM Councillor Brent Smith. Bell presented videos to Council to support his position. The videos showed water moving down a hill and road that ran into a drainage system he installed and that the RM tapped into. The footage showed the drainage system emptying the runoff into the lake.
Councillor Bennett made a motion that Council approved - After reviewing an email sent by Bell to Reeve Kirzinger regarding various concerns, would advise Bell that the municipality is reviewing and investigating issues to alleviate his drainage concerns with Brent Smith’s property.
Council discussed the RM’s responsibilities as they had tied into an unapproved drainage system. Councillor Riche made a motion that Council passed. They will advise Wayne Bell the RM will uninstall the drainage tie into the drainage pipe going through his property to attempt to return the area to the way it was before the connection.
Boat Leases at Highwood Beach
Councillor Riche made a motion, which Council passed - That after the review of the Highwood Beach Municipal Boat Lease area and policy, will advise the lessees the boat lease terms expire on December 31, 2022. At that time, the 2023 season a new boat space lottery for the next lease term.
In-Camera Meeting
Council went into an in-camera meeting by leaving the council meeting room to talk in another room in the building. The meeting was to discuss a confidential letter by Brent Smith to Council. After 20 minutes council returned, and Councilor Zinn made a motion that Council passed. They acknowledged the confidential correspondence and kept it on file.
Administrator’s Report to Council
The CAO said the RM should receive more potash revenue share than is currently being shared.
Municipality administration has collected 98% of tax, with only $2,348 remained outstanding. The CAO said they work hard to achieve this resulting in tax enforcement not required. Reeve Kirzinger commended the CAO on the work they have done in this regard.
Councillor Bob Bennett noted that the RM has a good group of employees. The CAO said the foreman is very happy with the staff group, and that compensation and a positive workplace atmosphere are essential to retaining staff.
The CAO reported the RM sold the mower for $17,000 by auction. Council was happy with the sale as it more than they would’ve received had they sold it on their own.
Request to lease outbuilding on 507 Main Street in Bethune.
Canada Post operator Heather Riche proposed a $400/month lease for a Main Street building to expand operations. Council discussed there would need to be some limited renovations. The Reeve said he would discuss this with the village, and he would investigate the costs. Councillor Zinn made a motion, which passed, to lease the building to Heather Riche, research the costs and contact the Bethune office to agree on potential costs.
Jennifer Argue, Civic Reporter, LMT - Local Journalism Initiative reporter
Note: These reports are abridged for content