RM borrowing $6 million for completed wastewater treatment plant expansion
The RM of Gimli appointed two interim chief administrative officers to replace an interim CAO who had stepped in to cover for the loss of the RM’s most recent CAO, Trilbee Stirling-Kattler.
The RM hired Valorie Unrau and Ernie Epp as interim CAOs. Epp will fill in as interim CAO when Unrau is absent, according to the RM’s administration webpage.
Stirling-Kattler had resigned earlier this year after serving about three months on the job, and assistant CAO Kelly Cosgrove had stepped in to act as interim CAO. The RM’s manager of community engagement, Christine Payne, assumed the interim assistant CAO position.
Cosgrove has now returned to her regular position as assistant CAO and Payne has resumed her position as community engagement manager.
The RM has seen an unprecedented turnover in senior management staff since the municipal election and new iteration of council in 2022.
Other council news:
• Council authorized first reading on April 30 of Bylaw No. 25-0001 – which will amend By-Law No. 17-0003 – for the expansion of the Gimli wastewater treatment plant and sludge management system.
The RM intends to borrow $6 million from the Province of Manitoba for a 20-year period at 4.925 per cent. The RM’s annual payment will be about $478,398 until 2044.
“The wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) expansion project, initiated in 2017 and completed in 2024, aimed to enhance the capacity for wastewater treatment. By-Law 25-0001, an amendment to the 2017 By-Law 17-0003, was introduced at the April 23rd meeting for its first reading,” said Payne on behalf of council. “Part of the expansion was to develop drying beds out at the RM of Gimli’s waste disposal grounds for the sludge we produce at the sewage plant, then the sludge will eventually be land-applied. All this work is completed.”
All work related to the sludge-management system has also been completed, she added.
The RM issued a payment of $19,897.50 to Ocean Chemicals for the purchase of polymer that’s used at the wastewater treatment plant.
• The RM posted minutes from the Gimli Community Development Corporation under its April 23 agenda, allowing the public access to the corporation’s business matters.
The minutes from Feb. 19 show the RM paying a $60,455.66 invoice for the CDC.
The RM had taken over the management of the CDC after the corporation’s financial losses came to light last year and after the RM’s rejection of the CDC’s proposed strategic plan.
“The $60,455.66 invoice includes items from the AP reports in 2024 that the RM paid on behalf of the CDC after taking over its management. These are now part general operating budget with the use of the CDC Funds,” said Payne.
CDC board member and Gimli councillor Kurt Reichert declared a conflict regarding the authorization of the payment.
“The conflict arose because the invoice included a payment of $224 to Reichert Auto for work performed on a public works vehicle,” said Payne.
• The RM issued a notice on May 8 banning all fires and backcountry travel in the municipality.
The Level 1 fire restriction is necessary because of a lack of precipitation and high temperatures, and the need to protect public safety and prevent wildfires.
“Due to ongoing dry conditions, lack of significant precipitation and increasing temperatures, the fire danger remains extremely high,” states the notice.
The following restrictions are now in effect:
All fires are strictly prohibited, including recreational, agricultural, commercial and other; all motorized backcountry travel is banned at all times, including ATVs and other off-road vehicles; and all fire permits are suspended.
• The RM issued a payment to Barteaux Labour & Employment Lawyers from Halifax in the amount of $6,331.50.
The RM had paid $13,104 to Barteaux in March, with Payne saying at that time that the matter falls under client-solicitor privilege and the RM, therefore, cannot disclose details.
• Council authorized a $500 payment to the Western Canadian Blind Golf Championship.
Payne said council supported the payment because the event will be held in Gimli (July 7-9), which will promote local tourism and community engagement.
• The RM made two General Payables documents – payables provide details of RM payments made to businesses and individuals – publicly available under its April 23 agenda, but an additional three General Payables documents are not publicly accessible.
“Due to privacy laws and the sensitive nature of certain matters, we cannot disclose specific details,” said Payne. “This ensures compliance with municipal regulations and protects confidential information.”
