Joint Council Meeting
RCMP attend joint councils
by Gloria Mott
Efforts to enlist more by-law enforcement through augmentation of local services is at a standstill. Cpl St. Pierre and Cst. Kyle Van de Sype attended the North Cypress and Carberry joint council meeting on August 24. Mayor Blair chaired the meeting.
St. Pierre was able to report to councils on their request on the Virden solution to more policing - hiring a steno to type police reports that have been downloaded from a Dictaphone to allow the police more time out of the office. He estimated that 60-70% of calls are ‘paperless situations’ (e.g. noisy party, erratic driving) but the business of filing reports on these incidents uses masses of time.
In speaking to his superintendent, St. Pierre found that D Division is poised to use a more user-friendly ‘Prose Light’ program that was developed through the Edmonton police who were finding the present program unwieldy. They will be doing a pilot program at Portage la Prairie and Thompson. If they prove workable, it will likely be in use all over the division. Councillor Olmstead suggested that a program like “Dragonspeak” might be helpful – you talk, and the computer types.
However, St. Pierre reminded councils that the Blue Hills Carberry Detachment is the best staffed that it has been since he has been here, with six full-time constables (plus two more working from the community). With the extra manpower (including Cst. Van de Sype who is a four-month recruit), he is finding himself with more time to do more local policing and will attempt to do some by-law enforcing.
Councils asked him about non-local issues: the handheld cell-phone use while driving ban. Both officers reported that they rarely see someone using a cell-phone while they are in their official cars; while in their personal vehicles, it is another matter. They expect that the ban will have an effect, as many accidents could be attributed to phone use while driving. What about at a stop light? Technically one cannot use the cellphone, because you could be moving at any time. Emergency personnel are exempt.
Councillor Olmstead questioned about the gun registry. Is it useful locally? St. Pierre stated that it is, especially when tracking break and enters where there have been guns stolen. “I feel safer with it… Anyone is capable of doing anything given the right circumstance and stimulus… It’s a good program from a police perspective.”
Councillor Oliver questioned the need for municipalities to supply police with GPS locations, section-township-range locations, and civic addressing for all residences. “What are you going to use?” Currently they are using the section-township-range, and he speculated that they may use the civic addressing eventually. The blade address is most helpful in taking them to the right house, and the civic addressing is a big help in rural residential areas like Wolfdale.
Council looked briefly at the reports for both municipalities. The number of false alarms was questioned, but these were mainly due to storms causing malfunctions.
The officers reminded councils that this time of year property crimes increase. Currently there has been a rash of wire being stolen from irrigation pivots, for the copper value. “Be vigilant,” they warned, as this time of year, persons of unknown reputation are exposed to the valuables in a farmyard.
EDO hired
Laurie Robson, who is leaving her EDO position introduced the councils to newly-hired EDO, Julie Lowe. Julie is new to the community, having lived mostly in Souris and Brandon. Robson thanked councils for being “great to work with.” Councillor Lundy welcomed Lowe to the job.
Council set the wages and terms of employment for Lowe.
A discussion on wage equity was referred to local councils.
Lagoon expansion
Councillor Oliver noted that the Dept. of the Environment is requiring that municipalities draft waste management plans for rural residents. Rural subdivisions will be expected to make use of sewage systems in adjacent municipalities as ejector systems are phased out. Thus, they expect that North Cypress will have to make arrangements with Carberry, in regards to the subdivisions close to town.
Olmstead questioned about the capacity of the town’s lagoon. What actually is it? Also, could it be increased by allowing the irrigation in the spring (when the lagoon is fullest) a little earlier? If the municipalities were to introduce measures to encourage low-flush toilets, and energy saving washers, that would make a difference for them both (less to go in the lagoon; less to haul away).
Mayor Blair suggested that another option would be to add on two new cells to the Carberry system, so that the fourth cell’s water would actually be drinkable. Although it still could not be used for potato irrigation, it could be used for grains and oilseeds.
Committees
Many committees have not met since last meeting.
Arts Council: The annual meeting will take place at the end of the month.
Buildings: Councillor Norm Campbell produced another bill that is in addition to the current work on the recreation centre. This is an additional $15,000+ for an electrical panel. Councillor Aitken questioned why this cost was not included in the original estimate. Another asked Campbell how these extra costs add up, in regards to overruns (there is a certain percentage of overruns allowed, over the original cost of the project.) These have totalled $70,000 already.
Councils approved the expenditure of $15,695 plus tax for the installation of electrical panels.
Campbell reported that the refrigeration unit install is about 95% of where it should be, and the electricians, 75%. He expects that they should be finished by the end of August.
Community Centre: Councillor Olmstead reported that the board met and set up the fall programs. They are moving towards a new facility and dealing with fire issues in the current one.
Councils discussed the advertising for the public meeting in regards to the new recreation centre levy. It will be October 5, which M. Campbell complained is too soon for farmers. Olmstead replied that the “business of government doesn’t stop for farmers and farmers don’t stop for the business of government.”
Evergreen Environmental: The waste facility is running close to the ‘break even’.
Museum: Councillor Marj Campbell reported that there will be a half-wall installed through the middle of the museum during the winter. This will allow proper electrical to be installed.
Planning: The new zoning by-laws for the Cypress Planning District will have to go through a public hearing before they are approved.
Correspondence
Approval was given for Sandra Jones to attend a Manitoba Employee Benefits Board seminar on October 7 in Brandon.
The Thomas Sill Foundation announced a grant for the Prairie Icons project. This is for the Seton Centre renovations.
Cliff Cullen MLA sent information on the CentrePort Canada project in Brandon, and the proposed casino. Councillor Olmstead, through his Chamber of Commerce connections, summarized the CentrePort plan. Basically, it puts some of Brandon’s biggest transportation “players” in one hub (bus, rail, mail), next to the Brandon Airport. It is to streamline cargo connections to the US border and the Saskatchewan border.
He also offered to set up a meeting with the Swan Lake First Nation and the councils and politicians in regards to the casino. Council welcomed the initiative.
Mayor Blair and Reeve Wells were invited to the RCA Museum membership dinner. Council gave approval for this event, September 16 at Shilo.
Council adjourned. North Cypress council meets September 13, and Carberry council meets September 14. Next joint meeting is September 28.