Niverville’s council met on the morning of Tuesday, January 21 to discuss a variety of items on the town’s agenda.
Chicken Chef to Serve Alcohol
Council voted to approve a conditional use permit requested by Niverville Chicken Chef to be able to serve alcohol between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., seven days per week.
The vote was unanimous in favour of granting the request. No representatives from Chicken Chef were present at the meeting and no community members were registered for comment.
The conditional use is in keeping with guidelines and other precedents set by Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation, which has licensed other Chicken Chef restaurants in Manitoba.
2020 Capital Budget Open House
Just prior to the council meeting, the 2020 capital budget was unveiled at an open house event that saw just two residents come out. The highlights of the budget include many environmental health and development initiatives, like lighting for walking paths, completing the wetlands park, and improvements to the Centennial Arena.
Sewer and water projects will continue to receive attention as the town begins its 13-year sewer renewal program, set to begin in 2021, and pursues further installation of hydrants.
Other departmental projects have a particular focus on emergency preparedness, an increased RCMP budget, and roadways projects. Among those road projects are the paving of Sixth Avenue South to Sheffield Way, rebuilding Cedar Drive, and sidewalk repairs throughout the community.
The new budget sets a two percent municipal tax increase, which is in line with the regular rate of increase the town has implemented annually since 2010.
“The two percent increase is essentially in line with the rate of inflation,” said Mayor Myron Dyck, who also addressed the minimal open house attendance. “Transparency of government is important, so we as a council wanted to provide the opportunity at least to make this type of presentation to the public. The information is also provided online and announced on social media.”
Watching Water Usage More Closely
Monitoring of residents’ water usage will be a new task taken on by town employees. The need for water usage monitoring became apparent recently when a 16 percent difference was identified between the output measured by the water treatment plant versus what the town records in actual utility usage.
One possible cause for the inconsistency could be a faulty sensor, which the town is investigating. The new policy will allow town employees to record water meter readings at residences once every three years.
Councillor Nathan Dueck commented that safety of the employees checking the water meters should be addressed.
“Safety is a concern, so is there a policy in place for staff dealing with having to go onto properties to check meters?” Dueck asked. “Proper identification and procedures?”
“And if someone is found to be in violation—‘stealing water,’ let’s say—whose responsibility is it to carry out consequences?” asked Councillor Chris Wiebe.
CAO Eric King commented that a procedure addressing safety will be put in place for meter-reading employees, and violations of water usage will be handled the same way as any other by-law enforcement issue.
Various Spending Approved
The town purchase of uniforms, safety vest, and safety jackets was approved along with plans to move the council’s next annual planning weekend from a Winnipeg venue to Providence University College in Otterburne. The change in venue eliminates the need for overnight accommodations for council members, reducing the cost of the weekend significantly.
Report from the Mayor
Mayor Dyck then outlined his plans to participate in February’s “I Love to Read” Month at Niverville Elementary and in a panel discussion with the Niverville High School’s Grade Nine class focusing on politics.
The time for the next council meeting, to be held on February 4, has been changed to 7:00 p.m. to accommodate a scheduling conflict.