RM of Rosedale Debates Several Policy Changes

The Rural Municipality of Rosedale looks at several issues this month that don’t have clear-cut solutions, including the efficiency of cross-training staff and how to balance the municipality’s need for reliable income with their constituents’ needs and the DIY impulses of many rural Manitoba residents.

First of all, however, with a new CAO in charge of their operations and multiple stories of funds misappropriation across the province, the councillors take a moment to recognize and appreciate the diligence that the RM’s administration is taking in their financial checks and balances. They go on to approve some funding for local organisations and also to discuss how to proceed with projects for which they have received provincial or federal funding including strategic infrastructure projects and campground improvements.

Rosedale’s land policy bylaws have are under review, with Councillors weighing in on issues they have seen with the current policies and what they feel may be done to make the policy, as they put it, “friendlier”. Current policies require development on purchased land, in part to ensure vitality of communities and in part to increase the tax base of the municipality and to contribute to municipal services. The issue was tabled until more research can be done and will be revisited at a future meeting.

Water connection policy was also a hot topic, with the municipality’s flat rate for hook up not necessarily meeting the needs of constituents who are paying for their own contractors. While the municipality doesn’t want to overcharge anyone for work being done, there is also a contribution towards maintenance of the system overall to consider as well as ensuring proper contractors are used when working with treated water. The CAO will draft a new policy to present at a future meeting.

As always, roads in the RM are on the agenda, this time looking at gravel tenders and dust control. A shared boundary road with North Cypress-Langford has been in a state of disrepair for some time and as the majority of residents are on the Rosedale side of the line they have decided to go ahead and put a tender out for the gravel. As well, with dust control being part of the conditional use orders for some properties, the RM wants to clarify what its standards are as well as look into alternative products to use for dust control on rural roads.

Finally, Council is looking at the closure of the Eden landfill which will be converted into a transfer station. There are several steps that must be taken to close and cap a landfill, including hiring an engineering firm to ensure there will be no residual contamination of the ground or water system. Council is prepared to start the process by receiving quotes for the project as well as for clay testing to develop a new cell for the Kelwood landfill.