It’s happy trails in Warren where a trail project aims to enhance the community.
Council approved a $91,717.50 quote from Spruce Acres Landscaping for the Invicta Trail project design, which was submitted by the Warren Communities in Bloom committee.
“The Invicta Trail project aims to improve an undeveloped trail in the Local Urban District of Warren into an accessible pedestrian pathway that connects Invicta Street to Road 4W,” said chief executive officer Kaitlyn Griffith.
“It will feature a crushed limestone walkway, a pedestrian bridge, tree plantings and benches. This collaborative initiative between the Warren Communities in Bloom committee, the Local Urban District of Warren committee and the municipality is Phase 1 of what we hope will be a larger pathway network in Warren.”
The funds will come from Communities in Bloom, the LUD of Warren service plan and the municipality’s community enhancement grant.
In other council news:
• Council gave first reading to a bylaw to levy taxes for 2026. If the proposed financial plan is approved, the at-large mill rate will increase by 5.3 per cent, the rural mill rate will increase by 1.55 per cent and the LUD of Warren mill rate will increase by 6.91 per cent.
“Under the proposed 2026 financial plan, the municipality will continue its focus on gravel road repairs and enhancement along with improved capital planning for the fire department and public works,” Griffith said.
“Warren, Woodlands and the rural area will all see some road or street improvements, and we hope to break ground on our long-awaited regional water project.”
The proposed financial plan includes funding for the Good Street and Broadfoot Avenue reconstruction project as well as the Hanlan Street paving project. The public hearing for the financial plan will be held at the RM office on April 16 at 6:30 p.m.
• Council authorized the building and development officer to attend the 2026 Manitoba Planning Conference in Winnipeg from May 6 to 8 at a cost of $595 plus tax.
• The RM identified that Twin Lakes Beach Road South encroaches on several privately owned properties. Most of the property owners have agreed to sell the impacted portions of land to the municipality. Council approved a $119,238.17 payment to the impacted landowners as compensation for the land acquired to widen the road. The funds will come from the capital levies reserve.
• Council approved $1,000 in funding from the Rosser-Woodlands Recreation Commission to Warren Tiny Tots for recreation programming. The funds are being held in the recreation reserve fund.
• Council received a request for compensation for damage to a residential fence caused by municipal snow removal equipment. Council agreed to pay some damages in the amount of $500.
• Council unanimously passed third reading to a bylaw to designate a number for each lot in the Twin Lakes Beach Road South area and the surrounding settled area.
• Council gave first and second readings to a bylaw that focuses on campaign expenses and contributions for municipal elections. Council also gave first and second reading to a bylaw regarding the use of municipal resources in an election.
• Council gave second and third readings of a bylaw to amend the animal control bylaw.
“The municipality’s animal control bylaw granted authority to the former Rockwood-Woodlands By-law Enforcement / Animal Control Board rather than council. As that board no longer exists, the amendment was required to shift control back to council,” Griffith said.
“The amendment also removed some clauses which had been included but could not be acted upon. Council and administration are currently working on developing a new animal control bylaw that aligns with our current structure.”
• The April 21 committee of the whole meeting has been rescheduled to April 28 due to the Association of Manitoba Municipalities conference.
• Council temporarily appointed CAO Kaitlyn Griffith as the bylaw enforcement officer until the position is filled.
• Council is authorized to attend the Interlake Community Foundation’s donor appreciation evening at the Stonewall Curling Club on April 9 from 7 to 9 p.m.
• Council gave third reading to a bylaw to amend the development plan bylaw to redesignate a portion of land from agricultural area to rural residential.
“This development plan amendment was applied for by a resident who wishes to develop his farm property southeast of Warren into several rural residential lots,” Griffith said “A plan of subdivision, or more development details, have not yet been presented.”
Coun. Bryan Myskiw voted against the resolution, and Reeve Douglas Oliver and Coun. Darrell Sinclair were absent from the vote.
• Council gave second and third reading to a bylaw to regulate parking on municipal streets and cul-de-sacs within the Local Urban District of Warren. In addition, council gave second and third reading to a bylaw to regulate the parking of trailers, semi-trailers, semi-trailer truck trailers and semi-trailer truck tractors in the municipality. The parking bylaws aim to improve street traffic in Warren by restricting the parking of vehicles on some of the narrower streets and turnarounds, along with restricting the street parking of larger vehicles like semis or trailers.
• Council authorized a $4,000 payment to Napier Consulting for emergency management consultation services from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027.
• Council approved an application to subdivide a 150.36-acre property to create two 75.18-acre properties.
• Council authorized a $500 donation to Warren Collegiate Institute to support their Manitoba High School Athletic Association provincial AA girls basketball championship.
• The RM is buying a $340 ad in the 18th Annual Military Service Recognition Book.
• Council approved a $995 community sponsorship package in the Stonewall Teulon Tribune to acknowledge various events and special days throughout the year.
• Council authorized five members of council, the CAO and three public works staff to attend the Association of Manitoba Municipalities spring convention in Brandon from April 21 to 23 at a cost of $472.50 per registrant plus $65 per banquet ticket.
• Council authorized Deputy Reeve Lorna Broadfoot to attend the Federation of Canadian Municipalities annual conference in Edmonton from June 4 to 7 at a cost of $1,195 plus tax, travel expenses and accommodation.
• The RM has set the 2026 dust control at a rate of $330 plus tax for a 16-foot by 300-foot area. Council accepted a quote from Fort Distributors for 40 cents per litre. The deadline to apply is May 15.
• Council authorized the payment of the 2026 membership fee to Red River Basin Commission.
