Michelle Patten

The council discussed various operational and financial matters including the installation of a generator at the fire hall, procurement of a new truck for the public works department, and the renewal of marketing campaigns. Committee reports covered donations to local organizations, repairs to municipal infrastructure such as the soccer clubhouse and water tower, and property condition enforcement. Additionally, the council addressed development projects, soil testing, the purchase of a soda ash pump, and adjustments to swimming pool rental fees.

The Council discussed various administrative and operational items, including committee reports on tax adjustments, downtown development, and vacation payouts. Important actions included setting dates for the municipal by-election, appointing an alternate returning officer, and electing a new deputy mayor. The council also addressed correspondence regarding repairs to the soccer hut and requests for board representation, approved support for a regional power project, and reviewed maintenance needs for town infrastructure and public facilities.

The Council discussed various administrative and operational items, including progress updates on the animal control building and generator installation for the warming center. Financial resolutions were passed regarding tax and gross revenue adjustments, a donation for a search and rescue group and hockey tournament, and the allocation of gas tax funds for future projects. Key infrastructure and project decisions included the approval of demolition change orders for the former municipal building, applying for tourism development funding, conducting a water tower investigation, purchasing fireworks, and restoration of a vintage fire truck. The Council also approved credit for employee seniority hours, selected new members for the Tourism Committee, and initiated a search for a Youth Councillor.

The Council discussed various administrative and operational matters including website upgrades, storage space for the Community Youth Network, and updates on the Animal Control Building. Correspondence regarding the 50+ Club led to a decision to expand their parking area. Committee reports addressed tax adjustments, the purchase of new banner arms for street lamps, and approval for staff training. Development projects, including land permits and municipal capital works for Marine Drive, were reviewed along with various property condition orders. Additionally, the Council authorized moving forward with a marketing partner for community promotion and discussed strategies to address street light outages and utility infrastructure concerns.

The meeting included the adoption of the agenda and discussions arising from previous minutes, notably concerning the website update, which included a suggestion to add a live webcam stream. Correspondence items involved a request from Main Street Youth Centre Inc. for municipal storage space, contingent on reviewing their financial statement. The Finance Committee report covered the approval of tax adjustments and a recommendation to award the Winter Carnival Seniors Supper tender to Copper Kettle, although further health inspection reports were requested before a final decision, resulting in the motion being defeated. The Committee also noted the budget was forecasting on budget to December 2025 and provided an update on the Warming Center Project power upgrade costs. The Development Committee recommended approval for two new business applications and proposed constructing eight bus shelters, later approved by Council. A previous motion to install a four-way stop was rescinded, and a new motion passed to install asphalt speed humps at the intersection of Hickman Street and Elizabeth Ave. The Executive Committee reported on plans for repairs inside the Animal Control Building and progress regarding a housing development and engaging GardAWorld Security. The Human Resources Committee saw approval for a policy recognizing accumulated operating hours from outside employment for advancement purposes. New Business involved the adoption of Policy #87 regarding Employee/Council Use of Social Media and reinstating the Discretionary Fund Policy. Updates were provided on a Public Procurement Audit, the Climate-Ready Initiative infrastructure planning workshop, and the Municipal Affairs Inspection Audit. Progress on the ACOA Phase IV Application was noted, and Norma Stacey was appointed as the Assessment Review Commissioner for 2026. During the Councillors Forum, discussions included setting up a Tourism Committee meeting, inviting the Fire Chief to quarterly meetings, reviewing Downtown Redevelopment drawings, addressing non-functioning fire hydrants, reviewing minutes from a Fargo meeting, and following up on overdue RCMP reports. Communications from Town Officials included congratulating Dipped Café for a People's Choice Award, mentioning the purchase of fireworks for the Winter Carnival, and discussing delaying the soccer field opening for repairs.