Lacey Gaudet

The meeting commenced with an opening reflection by Council Member Meler on the impact of World Wars on authors C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, drawing parallels to current council experiences during hardships like the global pandemic. Key business included the adoption of the agenda and approval of the minutes from the January 20th, 2026 regular council meeting. A public hearing was held for Conditional Use File CU 2026-1 regarding Trailblazers Life Choices, a social services facility, seeking to consolidate operations at 119 and 123 Industrial Road; administration recommended approval, and the council subsequently approved the conditional use, noting its positive impact and employment benefits. Further discussions involved the purchase approval for a solid waste department crawler, with a net price of $520,000 less trade-in, and the purchase approval for a new front-load container truck for $516,699 plus applicable taxes. The council also approved accounts payable and excavator licenses.

The meeting commenced with lengthy opening remarks by the presiding official, focusing on appreciation for various council members and their relationships and contributions. Key agenda items involved the adoption of the agenda, with modifications including the deferral of the third reading of Zoning Bylaw 2245 and the addition of an operating agreement between Source for Sports and the Southeast Events Group. The council approved the minutes from the December 16, 2025 regular council meeting. A public hearing was held and subsequently closed, followed by council meetings, concerning conditional use application CU 202506 and variance application V202538 for a property at 31 Lowen Boulevard. The conditional use application proposed a mixed-use development featuring 33 residential units and over 10,000 sq ft of commercial space in a C3 commercial corridor zone, which the council supported as an effective means to increase density and vibrancy. The variance application sought to reduce the west sideyard setback from 15 ft to 5 ft to accommodate a balcony projection, which was also recommended for approval.

The Regular Council Meeting agenda for November 18, 2025, included a public hearing for Rezoning By-Law 2266 concerning 635/641 Main Street to change zoning from Residential Low Density to Residential Medium Density for a multi-family building, and a related variance request (V-2025-32) concerning the required number of parking stalls. Other discussions involved the renewal of the Bristal Hauling Agreement for residential recycling services, consideration of By-Law 2268 for the Parkhill Phase 2C development (rezoning from Residential Single Family to Residential Low Density and Residential Medium Density), approval of Business Licences and Building Permits for October 2025, a resolution regarding the Board of Revision, and amendments to the 2026 City of Steinbach Emergency Plan. Correspondence included a thank you note from STARS Air Ambulance Foundation.

The meeting commenced with opening remarks emphasizing leadership qualities such as listening, curiosity, and civility. Key agenda items included the adoption of the agenda and the approval of the minutes from the January 6, 2026, regular council meeting. A major discussion centered on Item 8A regarding the library regionalization proposal for southeastern Manitoba, which followed an investigation by a working group. Council ultimately passed a motion to formally end participation in the current regionalization process led by Public Library Services, citing unknown financial implications, loss of autonomy for the Jacob Library, and the fact that the required six participating municipalities for financial advantage were not met. Item 8B involved the authorized purchase of land at 148 Hanover Road East for $450,000 from Elvin Weeb, to be funded by the city's environmental reserve fund, for future general administration use near the landfill.

The meeting included several public hearings concerning municipal decisions. Key discussions involved the approval of Subdivision 4451-2025-9173 for the creation of 41 new residential lots and the extension of Pacific Bay, subject to a development agreement. The council also moved forward with Rezoning By-Law 2268 concerning zoning changes for proposed lots, also contingent on a development agreement. Furthermore, Conditional Use CU-2025-05 was approved to allow multi-family residential development in a Commercial Neighbourhood zone, and Variance V-2025-35 concerning building height and setback allowances was also approved, both subject to a development agreement. Variance V-2025-36 for a detached accessory building setback was approved pending an amended as-built lot grading plan. Additionally, accounts payable and bi-weekly/monthly payroll were approved for payment. The council accepted Minor Subdivision and Minor Variance applications from July 1, 2025, to December 9, 2025. First and second readings were given to Debt Issue By-Law 2270 and By-Law 2271. A resolution was passed to request funding from the Manitoba Water Services Board for the Millwork Drive Sewer Main Project. The 2026 Fee Schedule and the 2026 Regular Council Meeting dates were accepted. Finally, building permits issued in November 2025 were accepted, and correspondence from Ronald McDonald House, Manitoba, was acknowledged.