[5:58] Okay, it is 6:30. I'd like to call this meeting of Council

[6:02] to order. I acknowledge that the city of Winkler

[6:05] is situated on Treaty 1 land, home to the Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota,

[6:10] and Dene and peoples, and the homeland of the Métis Nation.

[6:15] We respect the treaties that have been made on these territories and dedicate

[6:18] ourselves to a future based on respect for all peoples,

[6:21] moving forward to a harmonious, prosperous future together.

[6:28] Be it resolved that the agenda for this regular Council meeting of September

[6:32] 8th, 2026 be adopted. Mover? >> Andrew.

[6:35] » Second. >> Marvin.

[6:37] » It's in front of you there. Any changes needed?

[6:42] All in favor? Carried.

[6:46] Be it resolved the minutes of the regular Council meeting of August 25th,

[6:50] 2026 be adopted. Mover? >> Ryan.

[6:54] » Second. >> Peter.

[6:56] » You've had a chance to review the minutes. Any changes?

[7:01] Nope. All in favor? And that is carried.

[7:09] » [clears throat] >> Takes us then to finance.

[7:11] Be it resolved that accounts payable in the amount of $11,688,100.15,

[7:20] as approved by the Finance Committee, be approved for payment. Mover?

[7:23] » Andrew. >> Second.

[7:24] » Ryan. >> As always, the register is attached, and

[7:28] you have an opportunity to look at that rather larger number than typical. Did

[7:33] you find anything there that had concerns or questions?

[7:36] » Nope. May mostly all school division. >> It was indeed. Mostly all concerning.

[7:44] » [laughter]

[7:46] » Okay, not seeing further questions. >> Just to clarify, we funnel through the

[7:50] Garden Valley School Division taxes. >> That's right.

[7:52] » Through to them, so >> [clears throat]

[7:54] » We don't get to keep them. >> Nope.

[7:57] » Okay, all in favor. And that is carried.

[8:02] » [clears throat] >> Be it resolved that the water rate

[8:05] passed through bylaw number 2371-26 be read a second time. Mover.

[8:11] » Ryan. >> Marvin got it, Andrew got the second.

[8:15] Uh Jody, a tiny bit of explanation what this is if people are interested.

[8:21] » Yeah, this is uh increased rates from Pembina Valley

[8:24] Water Co-op. And so, pass-through is basically we we put that through to our

[8:29] rate payers um

[8:32] according to the amount of water that we purchase from them. So, we purchase

[8:35] about 30% of our water from them. So, we make that uh adjustment and then we pass

[8:41] that along to our rate payers. >> And this is uh straightforward a local

[8:46] our decision here. Doesn't have to go to the Public Utilities Board because

[8:49] they've [clears throat] already approved the Pembina Valley Water Co-op.

[8:52] » That's correct. >> Further thoughts and questions.

[8:57] All in favor. Carried.

[9:01] Be it resolved that the water rate passed through bylaw number 2371-26

[9:08] be read a third and final time. Mover. >> Ryan.

[9:11] » Second. >> Peter.

[9:15] » Again, explanations are there. Final comments.

[9:20] All in favor. And that is carried.

[9:25] Be it resolved that the Winkler Fire Department report for August 2026 be

[9:30] received for information. Mover. >> Michael.

[9:33] » Second. >> Ryan.

[9:36] » Report is there. Any questions or thoughts on what you're

[9:40] seeing? >> Well, I think it was

[9:43] I mean the report shows it was a slower month for

[9:46] the team at the fire hall there, which uh

[9:49] it was good. They got to enjoy some summer this way and

[9:53] uh year-to-date [clears throat] numbers are still up, but uh hopefully a couple

[9:56] more months like that will uh give everyone a chance to catch their

[10:00] breath and uh keep those numbers more in line.

[10:03] » Very nice. Additional comments? Questions?

[10:09] All in favor? And that is carried.

[10:18] Takes us to waste and recycling. Be it resolved that the SWAMP board

[10:22] meeting minutes for August 25th, 2026 be received for information. Mover?

[10:29] » Peter. >> Second?

[10:30] » Michael. >> Anything there we need to be

[10:33] particularly aware of? >> Peter.

[10:36] » No, pretty much business as usual. Tonnage is

[10:40] the same or slightly up from last year, but

[10:43] uh we are down slightly because our projection was higher be because of

[10:50] all the other volumes, but the some of the

[10:54] uh some of the work share programs around town are

[10:57] » Affecting that a bit. >> Affecting that a bit.

[11:00] So >> Have you Is this your first round of

[11:03] compost that's mostly finishing? >> It's mostly done and we're going to get

[11:08] it tested. >> Okay.

[11:09] » And there's some environmental hoops we got to jump

[11:12] through to get >> the note that I caught that some fair

[11:15] amount of stuff in there. >> Yeah.

[11:16] Oh, there's uh >> [clears throat]

[11:18] » People need to be educated that they don't put their diapers and their

[11:21] bicycle parts and barbecue parts into the compost. That

[11:25] » That would help us. >> Still a learning piece at your end as

[11:27] well. >> Yeah.

[11:28] » So, is it worth it? >> It is. It keeps all the organics out of

[11:33] the landfill. So, and we're going to be being we we will be tested for methane

[11:39] gas starting soon. >> Okay.

[11:41] » Okay. >> And that'll add an extra cost to us

[11:44] through consulting and uh But yeah, every ton of organics we can

[11:48] keep out of there the better. >> Right. Good.

[11:50] » Mhm. >> And we're hoping to give it back to the

[11:52] community, right? >> Which is also nice.

[11:54] » That's accomplished. That's [cough] also a

[11:55] » [clears throat] >> So, most of the cleaning that you need

[11:59] to do there is an expectation that you'll be able to do it to get it to a

[12:02] usable >> Yep.

[12:05] » Nice. >> So, I guess the question there like the

[12:08] system that Winkler has does that help to keep some of that

[12:12] unnecessary un un unwanted product out of the compost? Does that

[12:17] include that too? >> The way we collect it is much is a good

[12:21] way to collect it because the the staff at the street can see what goes into the

[12:26] hopper. >> Mhm.

[12:27] » Okay. >> They can inspect it before and they can

[12:30] reject it right at the curb instead of bringing it all up there, right?

[12:33] » It's good. Nice.

[12:34] » But it's always an educational thing. We have to make sure that um

[12:38] people buy in. >> Absolutely.

[12:41] Can't have the benefit without the buy-in.

[12:43] » That's right. >> Additional thoughts?

[12:48] All in favor? Carried.

[12:53] Be it resolved that noise bylaw number 2375-26

[12:58] be given second reading. >> Mover?

[13:01] » Don. >> Second.

[13:03] » Marvin. >> Again, Jordy, if you don't mind helping

[13:05] us out a little bit, what are we looking to do?

[13:09] » Yeah, here we had uh we all of these, by the way, have gone

[13:14] through committee already. >> Yes, they have.

[13:16] » Um and uh the last time when we had first

[13:18] reading we provided the track changes, but mostly on these bylaws that we have

[13:23] coming they're fairly minor on this uh particular one. Uh

[13:28] we probably still have some additional changes that we want to make long-term

[13:32] for for noise, but this one

[13:36] at least enabled us to address some specific situations with loud noise from

[13:42] let's say parties or things like that so that the police have what they need so

[13:45] that they can properly enforce. >> Excellent. Thank you, Jody.

[13:49] Questions or comments from council?

[13:54] » It references schedule A, but that's not attached here. Okay.

[13:59] » Um schedule A, I think that was on the previous time.

[14:04] » [clears throat] >> Oh, I And schedule A is the fees is

[14:08] basically the fees part of it. [snorts] >> This does not address the current Main

[14:13] Street noise issue, does it? >> No, nor do we know yet if we can address

[14:20] uh the issues there through this kind of bylaw. That's still We've

[14:25] done We've done some noise monitoring and we're analyzing the results of that.

[14:30] So, we're still unsure what mitigation steps can be taken there.

[14:36] It may include bylaw changes, uh but we don't know that yet.

[14:41] » Thank you.

[14:44] Nothing further from council? All in favor?

[14:49] And that is carried.

[14:53] Be it resolved that noise bylaw number 2375-26

[14:58] be read a third and final time. Mover? >> Michael.

[15:01] » Second. >> Brian.

[15:04] » You just heard the explanation one last time for comment if you'd like.

[15:10] All in favor? And that is carried.

[15:16] Be it resolved that unsightly property bylaw number 2373-26

[15:21] be given second reading. Mover. >> Peter.

[15:25] » Second. >> Michael.

[15:27] » Again, as Jody just referenced, this is mostly just a clean up. Uh anything

[15:32] specifically there, Jody? >> On this one, I'll defer to Wendy Klassen

[15:37] if there is any other specific changes on the unsightly

[15:40] bylaw.

[15:45] » There were no significant changes on this one. I think the main purpose of

[15:49] updating this one was so that it it spoke the same language as the

[15:53] general enforcement bylaw cuz there was some confusing overlap there.

[15:57] » Thank you. That was Assistant City Manager Wendy [clears throat] Klassen.

[16:01] Council, questions or comments? >> Nope.

[16:05] » It was looking good. >> Okay. All in favor?

[16:10] Carried. Be it resolved that unsightly property

[16:14] bylaw number 2373-26 be read a third and final time. Mover.

[16:20] » Marvin. >> Second.

[16:22] » Ryan.

[16:25] » Final thoughts?

[16:28] All in favor? Carried.

[16:33] And that takes us to our third one. Be it resolved that animal control bylaw

[16:37] number 2363-26 be given second reading. Mover.

[16:43] » Andrew. >> Second.

[16:45] » Peter. >> This again is a bit of a clean

[16:48] [clears throat] up and it started with some local uh with an incident that

[16:52] » [clears throat] >> caused us to dig into and review a

[16:54] little bit further. Is that right, Jody? >> Yeah, there was an unfortunate incident

[16:59] with some dogs entering a home and that caused

[17:03] significant problems and that uh caused us to to relook at our

[17:08] animal control bylaw. In specific, we've made some changes here with the

[17:14] dangerous dog designation. Uh this doesn't necessarily

[17:19] or doesn't ban certain types of dogs, but it controls the the behavior and the

[17:25] ability of the city to determine what is a dangerous dog and the

[17:30] consequences of having that kind of designation so that we feel like we have

[17:35] the proper tools that we need to protect the community when there when there are

[17:39] indeed dangerous dogs in our community. >> Excellent.

[17:47] I will note that there was a slight error in the note in the resolution. It

[17:52] should be be it resolved that animal control bylaw number 2374-26 be

[17:58] given second reading. A small note, but just so that we have

[18:03] that corrected for our minutes. Any questions of Jody?

[18:11] All in favor? That is carried.

[18:15] That then takes us to be it resolved that animal control bylaw number 2374-26

[18:22] be given third and final reading. Mover. >> Ryan.

[18:26] » Second. >> Michael.

[18:28] You've had your opportunities, but we'll give you one more.

[18:31] Thoughts? >> Nope.

[18:34] It's really good to see this cleaned up because that was a very concerning

[18:38] situation and to have our staff respond quickly to

[18:41] reviewing the bylaw and making the appropriate changes.

[18:44] Thank you. All in favor?

[18:48] Carried.

[18:51] Moving us then into community services. Be it resolved that the Discovery Nature

[18:57] Sanctuary meeting minutes for June 23rd, 2026 be received for information. Mover.

[19:03] » Marvin. >> Second.

[19:06] » [clears throat] >> Peter.

[19:07] » You see them there. That is a group that's got a lot of

[19:11] going on at the best of times. Yeah.

[19:17] I noted with interest that we're struggling to grow grass.

[19:21] That's somewhat similar to my yard, but maybe different.

[19:25] » [laughter] >> Um I know they've tried a number of

[19:28] times to plant native grasses and it hasn't taken off right. And they're

[19:32] going to take a bit of a break by the looks of it and

[19:35] » I think as of more recently even than this,

[19:38] there's been some maybe some new understanding that that type of prairie

[19:42] grass may take a little longer >> Okay.

[19:46] » to to root in and everything. So, it's possible that just by leaving it for a

[19:51] couple of years, you'll actually get some traction.

[19:54] » So, there's a seed in the ground that'll be able to move.

[19:58] » Yeah, good. >> [clears throat]

[20:00] » So, for the next couple years, we'll just um

[20:04] mow it a couple of times per year

[20:08] and see what happens. >> Excellent.

[20:13] Anything further, Council?

[20:17] All in favor? That is carried.

[20:21] That takes us to delegations and public hearings. Be it resolved that this

[20:25] regular meeting of Council recess for the purpose of holding public hearings.

[20:30] Mover? >> Peter. Andrew.

[20:33] » Andrew got it. Peter got the second. All in favor?

[20:37] Carried. Jody, if you would help us with

[20:41] procedure for our hearings. >> Sure.

[20:45] So, for our We have a couple of combined public hearings today. If anyone here

[20:49] wants to speak to that public hearing, you we ask you to come up to the podium

[20:54] and use the mic and state your name. And then you can speak to the matter.

[20:58] And then and after that, Council may have questions and we'll respond

[21:02] accordingly. >> Thank you, Jody.

[21:04] That then takes us to our first one. It's combined public hearing for

[21:08] subdivision number 4463-26-8550

[21:13] and rezoning bylaw number 2370-26 and conditional use application number

[21:19] CU-2026-010

[21:24] for Albert Street.

[21:28] Jody, if you would help us.

[21:34] » Make sure I got the right one here.

[21:44] Okay, so this one we have the conditional use.

[21:47] Um well, first of all, I'll do the rezoning. The rezoning is from

[21:52] CG, which is commercial general, to R1 residential lower density

[21:56] uh for the prescribed portion there, and there's a map that goes along with that

[22:00] showing that uh section for rezoning.

[22:04] And then we have the conditional use application. The applicant is Allison

[22:08] Krieger on behalf of owners universal builders and

[22:12] HWH holdings. Um do I have the wrong one here?

[22:17] » No. >> Here I am. Nope, that's the one.

[22:18] » Yeah, that's the one. >> Uh 277 First Street.

[22:22] Uh >> [clears throat]

[22:22] » and the request here is because a planned unit development is a

[22:25] conditional use in the CG zone. And it's this is to reconfigure a bare

[22:30] land condominium development, which does is defined as a planned unit

[22:35] development. And so, we don't have

[22:40] objections to these applications. And we have a report to council that you

[22:46] have there. We also have our uh planning and permitting manager,

[22:51] Stephanie Jance, here to answer any questions about it.

[22:54] » Okay, thank you very much, Jody. I'll ask now if there is anybody here

[22:58] wishing to speak to this

[23:02] proposal?

[23:12] » Good evening. I'm Allison Dreger. I'm the applicant.

[23:16] We're here to answer any questions if there are any. Basically, the rezoning

[23:20] is to allow duplexes along Albert and keep that as residential rather than

[23:24] putting the commercial in there. Realign the boundaries of the condo adding in a

[23:28] unit potential unit in the future and a conditional use to change the

[23:34] condo. So, if there are any questions, we're here to answer them.

[23:37] » Thank you. Council questions?

[23:45] Initially, that would be good. Thank you.

[23:48] Is there anyone else here wishing to speak to this either for or in

[23:52] opposition?

[23:58] Council, any other thoughts before we close the hearing?

[24:06] Okay. Be it resolved that combined public hearings for subdivision number

[24:09] 4463-26-8550,

[24:14] rezoning bylaw number 2370-26, and conditional use application number

[24:19] CU2026-010

[24:23] be closed. Mover? >> Ryan.

[24:25] » Second? >> Don.

[24:28] » All in favor? That is carried.

[24:35] Be it resolved that council approve subdivision application number

[24:38] 4463-26-8550 subject to subdivision

[24:45] number 4463-25-8476

[24:50] being registered prior to subdivision number 4463-26-8550

[24:58] registered easement agreements between proposed lot eight and the revised plan

[25:03] of condominium for access, drainage, water and sewer servicing, rezoning

[25:08] approval, and development agreements. Terms and conditions which shall be in

[25:13] accordance with the city's report to council.

[25:17] Mover. >> Marvin.

[25:19] » Marvin got it. Don got second. >> [clears throat]

[25:22] » There's a lot in there, and I suspect the proponent has had an opportunity to

[25:28] review these and we'll finish the rest of that conversation with the city.

[25:34] Council, final thoughts?

[25:37] All in favor? And that is carried.

[25:45] Be it resolved that rezoning bylaw number 2370-26

[25:49] be read a third and final time. Did I miss one there?

[25:53] » Second. Second. >> I did indeed.

[25:55] Be it resolved that rezoning bylaw number 2370-26

[25:59] be given second reading. Mover? >> Michael.

[26:02] » Second. >> Ryan.

[26:05] » Thoughts or comments? All in favor?

[26:10] Carried.

[26:14] Be it resolved that rezoning bylaw number 2370-26

[26:20] be read a third and final time. Mover? Peter. Second.

[26:25] » Michael. >> If you've got thoughts, last chance.

[26:31] All in favor? Carried.

[26:37] Be it resolved that conditional use application number CU 2026

[26:42] -010 be approved. Mover?

[26:46] » Ryan. >> Second.

[26:49] » Michael. >> Thank you, Michael.

[26:53] » Any final thoughts on what we've got here?

[26:58] All in favor? And that is carried.

[27:04] Jody, if you would help us with combined public hearing for rezoning bylaw number

[27:08] 2372-26 and conditional use application number

[27:12] CU2026 -011

[27:16] for 194 and 200 Victoria Street. >> In this case, we have the applicant and

[27:22] owner JV Properties. As you stated, 194-200 Victoria Street.

[27:28] And the request here is in order to construct a residential bare land

[27:33] condominium, which is defined as a planned unit development.

[27:37] And a planned unit development is a conditional use in the proposed R2.

[27:41] And the rezoning is to move uh these properties from R1 to R2, so lower

[27:48] density to medium density. And again, we have no objections to this

[27:54] to these applications. We do have a report to council that absent um of

[28:00] objections, are approving to approve with some conditions.

[28:05] » Thank you, Jody. Anybody here wishing to speak to this

[28:09] proposal?

[28:16] » Little gentleman. >> Uh I'm Jeff Hildebrandt, the J of the JV

[28:20] Properties. Uh so, our plan is to develop two fourplex units as a bare

[28:26] land condo on these two lots. And then just to I guess sell them. We'd

[28:30] like to give ownership to people instead of just

[28:33] having apartment buildings as rentals. And we

[28:36] would I guess hope sort of give a little bit more pride of

[28:39] ownership to the area and maybe keep the the value of the of those

[28:43] properties a little a little higher for the for the long run.

[28:46] » Okay. Thank you, Jeff. >> Yeah.

[28:48] Thank you. >> Questions?

[28:52] Not yet? >> I was just going to say I was I was

[28:56] would have been one of my questions. Are these saleable or just rentals because

[28:59] » For sale. >> For sale, it's ownership is always best

[29:02] in my eyes. >> Yeah.

[29:06] » Thank you, Jeff. >> You're welcome.

[29:09] » Anybody else here wishing to speak to this hearing, to be this proposal?

[29:19] » I'm Nancy Brown. I just didn't want to disappoint you guys. You knew I can't.

[29:22] » [laughter] >> But Jeff and I have had lots of

[29:24] conversations and I know I was here in well, virtually here in February

[29:29] expressing my concern about that plan. Jeff's plan is is a much better plan for

[29:35] that space and so I'm not here to object. I'm just here to

[29:40] show you guys I sometimes can just show up and

[29:42] » [laughter] >> contentious.

[29:45] » Before you go. I just want to thank you for taking a

[29:48] keen interest in what's happening in your community. You do always show up.

[29:52] You notice what's going on and and you're prepared to show up and speak to

[29:56] it. And that helps build community. So thank you for that.

[29:59] » You're very welcome. >> So is this like an almost blessing?

[30:02] » Yeah. [laughter] I wasn't sure if I should get up when

[30:05] you saw me coming. I talked to you last week. I said I'll show up because

[30:08] they'll be disappointed. >> And you and you could have just gotten

[30:11] nervous a little bit. >> [laughter]

[30:14] » I didn't know if you were walking in or probably not.

[30:19] » Right on. >> Very good.

[30:20] » [laughter] >> Is there anybody else in chambers

[30:23] wishing to speak to this?

[30:27] Does council have any further comments or questions before we close the

[30:30] hearing?

[30:33] Be it resolved that combined public hearings for rezoning bylaw number

[30:36] 2372-26 and conditional use application number

[30:41] CU 2026-0 11 be closed. Mover.

[30:46] » Peter. >> Second.

[30:48] » Ryan. >> All in favor?

[30:52] That is carried.

[30:57] Be it resolved that rezoning bylaw number 2372-26

[31:01] be given second [clears throat] reading. Mover.

[31:03] » Ryan. >> Second.

[31:05] » Michael. >> Any additional thoughts?

[31:10] All in favor? Carried.

[31:15] Be it resolved that rezoning bylaw number 2372-26

[31:19] be given third and final reading subject to city approval of the engineered

[31:24] grading and servicing plan and the approval of conditional use number CU

[31:28] 2026-011.

[31:31] Mover. >> Marvin.

[31:33] » Second. >> Ryan.

[31:36] » Had lots of time to think about it. Final thoughts?

[31:41] All in favor? Carried. And that takes us to the last

[31:46] piece of business on this hearing. Be it resolved that conditional use

[31:50] application number CU 2026-011

[31:55] be approved subject to city approval of the plan of Bear Line Condominium and

[31:59] the adoption of rezoning bylaw number 2372-26

[32:04] which has already happened. Mover. >> Don.

[32:07] » Second. >> Ryan.

[32:10] » Last chance for thoughts?

[32:13] All in favor? That is carried.

[32:18] Takes us to the end of our hearings. Be it resolved that public hearings be

[32:23] adjourned and regular council reconvene. Mover.

[32:27] » Ryan. >> Second.

[32:28] » Peter. >> All in favor?

[32:32] That is carried. We have no additions. We have no other business.

[32:37] That takes us to questions from the media or public relevant to this meeting

[32:41] of council. And I see nothing. I see one there.

[32:45] Alexander Peters.

[32:49] » Hi, Alexander Peters coming to Valley Online.

[32:51] Uh regarding animal control bylaw number 2374-26.

[32:56] I'm just curious what qualifies uh dangerous dogs. Some clarity on that.

[33:01] » I would love for Johnny to help us with that.

[33:04] » We'll bring it up. One second.

[33:08] » It has definitions in there. >> Yes.

[33:16] » Hang on one second.

[33:22] » Want me to read it? >> Are you talking about from the

[33:25] definitions, Andrew? Yeah, there there it just says means a

[33:28] dog that is designated as a dangerous dog by the animal control officer.

[33:32] Uh and then later we say a little more about it.

[33:37] So, if he or she, the designated officer,

[33:41] concludes that the dog is likely to cause harm or injury to individuals or

[33:44] animals, uh in making a dangerous dog designation

[33:48] on the basis of clause A, the animal control officer must take into account

[33:53] any incident in which the dog has caused harm or injury to individuals

[33:58] or animals or pursued or menaced individuals or animals.

[34:02] » Okay. >> Um there's a little bit more that he

[34:05] that they take into consideration, but that's that's uh some of the gist of it

[34:09] there. >> Okay, perfect. I was mainly just curious

[34:11] if breed uh played a part into it at all or not.

[34:13] » Uh no, it does not. >> Perfect. Thank you very much.

[34:16] » You're welcome. >> Thank you.

[34:20] » Okay, not seeing anybody else there.

[34:24] Be it resolved that this regular meeting of council be adjourned. Mover.

[34:28] » Ryan. >> Second.

[34:30] » Marvin. >> Marvin got it.

[34:32] All in favor? That is carried.

[34:36] We're adjourned. >> Jerry Dyson.

September 8, 2026 City of Winkler Council Meeting

Transcript