In honour of the RM of Woodlands’ 150th anniversary, the RM will develop a new public park in the community. A few months ago, a council subcommittee comprised of some councillors and community members was formed to plan the project.
The Council accepted the proposal from Scatliff + Miller + Murray Consulting for the design of Park150, which will cost $49,010 and be completed by 2026. Park150 will officially open on the municipality’s 150th anniversary of incorporation in 2030. A groundbreaking event is planned for Oct. 4, 2024, with public engagement sessions next year to ensure residents can weigh in.
The Park150 Committee intends to raise the funds through fundraising, sponsorships, and grants. Council has committed $2,000 for start-up costs.
Proposals from the community for recreation programming funding officially closed on July 31. There was $41,285 available to be awarded, and Council awarded $9,700 to the following:
– West Interlake Trading Company, $8,000 for their Summer Day Camp
– Woodlands Recreation Club, $500 for a bouncy castle and face painting at their Summer Bash
– Woodlands Museum, $1,200 for their four-day Summer Camp
In other council news:
– Two public works staff were authorized to attend the 2024 Mid-Canada Snow Conference Sept. 18 to 19 in Winnipeg.
– Council awarded Prairie Roots Co-op the 2024-2025 fuel supply contract. Council is unaware of the cost, as it is based on fuel rates that can change daily and fuel consumption also varies, but approved a rough estimate budget of $205,000.
The RM accepted Maxim’s quote for $74,900 for a 2018 International LT625 daycab, provided all engine software updates have been completed. Additionally, the Council approved the lease of a Western Star semi from Mike Crockatt for $225 per day while they wait for the new semi to arrive.
– Council had an open discussion on prioritizing additional gravel requests with the remaining budget. Requests from operators, Council, and the public were compiled and reviewed. Council authorized public works to prioritize them and to continue gravelling as time and funds permit. They will continue to work within the approved 2024 budget of $300,000 for limestone approved this spring. Council also discussed a new gravel supplier, Lakeside Aggregates. CAO Kaitlyn Griffith says the gravel is less expensive, but the hauling distance is greater. The RM will try the new supplier and see whether it’s worthwhile in terms of time and cost. This supplier is not currently under contract, so the RM can and will still buy gravel from other suppliers.
– Council passed the second and third reading of a bylaw governing public cemeteries.
– Council openly discussed Twin Lakes Beach Road concerning the Manitoba environment update. CAO Griffith said this has been an ongoing and complicated discussion for many years. A portion of Twin Lakes Beach Road falls outside the designated road allowance and is on several private properties. Council has decided to move the road back within the road allowance, which requires an environmental license from the province. Currently, Council is running into some trouble getting the license due to the wetland impact. At the July 23 council meeting, Reeve Douglas Oliver advised Council that he attended the Twin Lakes Beach Association AGM on July 21 to present this update on the project (meaning the troubles with the environmental licensing, which will delay the project), but none of the impacted residents attended the AGM. Following this meeting, the RM will ask for assistance from KGS engineering in engaging with the province to discuss further the issues with environmental licensing and whether they can be overcome. At this stage in the conversation, the costs are unknown.
The council defeated the resolution to accept the $2,500 quote from KGS Group for a review and recommendation on materials to be used in a transfer station retaining wall. The Council felt that the cost of obtaining this recommendation was too high and will instead pursue research in-house.
– Council approved the $600 table purchase at the Interlake Community Foundation Inc. 30th Anniversary Gala Celebration on Friday, Sept. 20.
– Council requested that Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure turn over ownership of Manness Drive in Warren to the municipality. The municipality maintains Manness Drive even though it’s located within the PTH 6 right of way, legally under the jurisdiction of Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure. Council’s request is to formalize this ownership.
