Is there a beautiful yard in the community that deserves to be recognized?
The Manitoba Good Roads Association is back with their annual competition! As a member of the association, the RM of Woodlands is on the lookout for nominees for the next Manitoba Good Roads Association awards in three categories: best farm home grounds, best non-farm rural home grounds and best home grounds in an urban centre.
Submissions can be sent to pwclerk@rmwoodlands.ca — and be sure to include the category, property owner and physical address. The RM of Woodlands will contact the homeowners for consent before entering them in the contest.
The submission deadline is June 12. After that, council will choose one submission per category to represent the RM of Woodlands in the contest. Judging is set to take place this summer.
Regional water project update
Woodlands council will submit a request to the Public Utilities Board to use a debenture surcharge to repay borrowing for a regional water project. This project involves constructing a reverse osmosis water treatment plant, new water supply reservoirs in Stonewall and Warren, new supply wells and a water supply pipeline from Stonewall to Warren.
The RM proposes to repay the debenture by a surcharge on the Warren utility bills, which requires approval from the Public Utilities Board.
Council gave first reading to a general borrowing bylaw at a special meeting on April 10 to pay for the project.
More information about the water project is available on the RM of Woodlands website at rmwoodlands.ca/p/water-project.
In other council news:
• Council gave first and second readings to a bylaw to regulate and control firearms within townsites and designated areas.
• Council gave second and third readings to establish and incorporate Park 150. The RM is working with Scatliff + Miller + Murray to design a public park to commemorate the municipality’s 150th anniversary of incorporation. Council approved the preliminary park design and engaged with the public to finalize the park design. As part of the project, up to 20 trees will be planted each year recognizing individuals, groups and organizations. Over five years, 100 trees will be planted. Nominations will be accepted until June 15 on the RM of Woodlands website at rmwoodlands.ca.
• The South Interlake ATV Club has closed the Interlake Pioneer Trail to off-road vehicles until further notice due to dry conditions and risk of fire.
• Council accepted a $4,035.05 quote from Site Docs for an annual subscription and standard implementation.
• Reeve Douglas Oliver, Coun. Valerie Stelck and Coun. Darryl Langrell were authorized to attend the West Interlake Youth Leadership Retreat in Eriksdale on May 28.
• Brooklyn Lauwerysen is hired for the position of office administrator for the RM of Woodlands.
• Council extended a deadline to May 30 for owners to remove an unsightly building from a property. No further extensions will be granted.
• Council issued a cheque for $3,339 to repair a private driveway on Road 8W that was damaged by a loaded water truck that was parked there while firefighters responded to a grass fire on Road 85N.
• Council conditionally approved a variance application and conditional use application to allow property owners to use a shipping container to store construction materials or equipment on a property on Twin Lake Beach Road.
• Council authorized the fire department to sell a 1981 Chevy bush truck through Associated Auto Auction. Proceeds from the sale will go to fire department equipment reserve.
• Council authorized the purchase of a 2016 Caterpillar wheeled excavator for $205,000 plus tax from Machineries Export Inc. For the purchase, $200,000 will be funded through the equipment replacement reserve and the rest will come from the general operating fund. In addition, council accepted a $5,950 quote from Searcy Trucking Ltd. to transport the 2016 Caterpillar from Quebec to Woodlands. The expense will be paid for through the general operating fund.
• Council approved renting two Case IH Maxxum-Puma 150 tractors from Leo’s Sales and Service for roadside mowing at a cost of $3,850 per month each.
• Council accepted a $7,987 quote from Enns Brothers Ltd. for a John Deere zero-turn mower.
• The RM of Woodlands authorized a $1,125 payment to Donnly Wiebe to trap 15 beavers in 2025, and council authorized Donnly to trap an additional 10 beavers this year.
• Council adopted the service plan submitted by the Local Urban District of Warren.
• Council gave second and third reading to levy taxes for 2025. Coun. Lorna Broadfoot was absent from the vote and Coun. Bryan Myskiw voted against the resolution.
• Council conditionally approved an application to vary the minimum front yard setback on Road 75N to accommodate a storage shed and grain bin.
• Council conditionally approved a request to vary the minimum side yard setback and minimum property size for a lot on Invicta Street in Warren.
• Council conditionally approved a request to vary the minimum side yard setback to accommodate an old barn at a property on Road 16W.
• Council conditionally approved an application for a home-based car-detailing business on Poplarwood Drive in Warren.
• Council conditionally approved an application for religious facility for a primary use on a property on Rocky Ridge Road.
• Council conditionally approved a request for an automotive hail repair business as an accessory to the main residential use at a property on Road 80N.
• The RM of Woodlands will purchase a $650 corporate package for the 20th Annual Ralph Eichler Golf Tournament on June 13. In addition, council authorized four municipal representatives to participate in the tournament.
• The RM of Woodlands will award $2,500 in funding to Warren Tiny Tots for recreation programming. The RM had received a return of its 2023 contribution to the Rosser-Woodlands Recreation Commission and council wanted to spend the funds on recreation program so they invited proposals from the community.
• Council will support the Northern Lites Snowmobile Club’s application for funding from Manitoba Trails to repair ruts at the Boy Scouts warm-up shack located off Road 80N west of Provincial Rod 248.
• The RM of Woodlands will grant a $500 scholarship to a student graduating in 2025 from Warren Collegiate Institute.
• Council appointed Scott Atchison as deputy fire chief – operations.
• Lafarge Canada will supply limestone aggregate at a rate of $14.75 per tonne.
• Council authorized the RM of Woodlands’ 2025 membership fee to the Red River Basin Commission for $1,037.09.
• Council accepted a quote for mowing and maintenance from Doug’s Mowing for St. Luke’s Carin and Wayne Streeter Lawn Maintenance for other municipal locations.
