Tree removals are under way as part of the City of Dauphin’s Dutch Elm Disease program.

This year 195 trees have been identified for removal from the urban forest. The contract for removal was awarded to Tree Pro of Altona at a cost of $59,563.35. Two other bids were received as part of the tendering process, both well over $90,000.

Under the contract, removals must be completed by Feb. 28.

In recommending the Altona bid be approved by council, deputy city manager Lisa Gaudet said the licensed arborist has completed Dauphin’s removals in each of the last two years with no problems, doing “an exceptional job fulfilling the contract.”

The provincial Dutch Elm Disease Management Program has been running since DED was first detected in Manitoba in 1975.

While the province originally used its own forestry crews to remove trees identified as diseased, municipalities became responsible for the removal in 2015. At that time the province provided financial assistance at a flat rate of  $181.32 per tree.

The program evolved again in 2018 and, while provincial inspectors continue to identify trees for removal, funding is now provided at a rate of $226 for a small tree measuring 10 cms to 30 cms; $452 for a medium tree measuring 31 cms to 79 cms; and $678 for a large elm measuring at least 80 cms.

Since the changes, Dauphin has received $34,010 for the removal of 111 trees in 2019, $63,840 for the removal of 210 trees in 2020, $50,160 for the removal of 196 trees in 2021, $49,400 for the removal of 192 trees in 2022 and $55,144 for the removal of 195 trees in 2023.

The current Dutch Elm Disease and Urban Forest Management Program is administered under The Forest Health Protection Act and Forest Health Protection Regulations.

Presently, the program is active in 38 communities that have significant elm populations.

Dauphin mayor David Bosiak said the community is lucky to be one of those 38 involved in the program.

“When I was a rec director back in the ‘90s, the city was involved in this program as were many other municipalities in the province. The province capped the funding, or reduced the funding back in the day and a lot of communities dropped off the program. But I would acknowledge that the City of Dauphin did not, and so we continue to get some support from the Province as one of the few rural urban municipalities that are continuing with the program,” he said.

“I think it’s done our elm tree population a great service.

One of the things to note is because of that decision made a long time ago, Dauphin is still in that program. There is no way to get into the program today. There are a lot of municipalities who have asked, several times, ‘how did you get into it?’ and I say it’s only because of history. We asked the province how would one get into it now and there is no opportunity for that.

“This has kept our elm tree population in fairly decent condition, considering there’s a number of removals each and every year.”

The early part of winter has seen Dauphin Public Works’ focus set squarely on snow removal.

Several citywide cleanups have already taken place and the work performed by the crews has been exemplary, said Public Works and Operations director Mike VanAlstyne.

“The way our crews operate and the efficiency and the ability to clean up time and time again after these major storm events is remarkable,” he said.

“Within 72 hours we’re pretty well back to normal. I don’t think many communities could say the same, especially communities of our size. Obviously, there is some lag at times, but based on our staff volume, it’s pretty remarkable how quickly we can get a cleanup done.”

This year, with the work on Main Street South completed, there is additional work to do, however, a new services agreement with the province provides compensation for the extra work.

“We have the significant additional length of roadway down in the south end with the creation of the service roads and everything,” VanAlstyne said, adding under the agreement the City will receive $81,713, about $30,000 more than last year.

It should be enough to cover costs, he said.

“Based on what we’ve figured out, we should be very close to covering costs. It’s entirely dependent on snowfall. We’re working with them quite co-operatively where they’re helping with a lot of the ice control, sanding and they’ll use their liquid ice control methods, too, when the temperatures are right and the conditions are right. So that’s helping.” VanAlstyne said.

“But we do have the ability to provide a better level of service than they can in the urban setting, so in the end, it’s the citizens and the users that are benefiting from us being responsible for the snow clearing.”

For those wondering when they will see the plows following a snowfall, the City has a plan of attack when it comes to cleanups.

Plowing operations are governed by accumulation amounts, with anything greater than eight centimetres triggering street clearing and plows hitting the back alleys after 20 centimetres of snow.

And there is a method to the madness, VanAlstyne added.

“We definitely base our clearing operations on priorities. That’s why you’ll see streets be done before most avenues. The intention is that the furthest you should ever have to go to get to a cleared roadway would be a half a block,” VanAlstyne said.

“Then, obviously, we’ll follow up with avenues as the last part of our street clearing before we go to back lanes.”

A complete citywide cleanup costs approximately $50,000, VanAlstyne added.

Dauphin will head into the New Year with the issue of recreation funding remaining unsettled after City council rejected a recent funding proposal from their counterparts in the Rural Municipality.

The RM forwarded the proposal to the City on Dec. 11 and rejected the plan at a meeting, Dec. 13, and informed their rural counterparts by way of a letter.

In part the letter read, “City council reviewed the RM joint services proposal dated Dec. 11, at a meeting held on Dec. 13. After very thorough review and discussion the city council agreed unanimously that it could not accept the proposal as presented. As indicated in your letter, for 2025 the City of Dauphin chooses to revert to the RM of Dauphin’s July 23 resolution. As Dauphin Recreation Services organizes to reflect the situation, please be advised that RM participation in the DRS board for 2025 remains unchanged. It is our intent to continue a dialogue with your council to find a long-term solution for DRS funding. The city looks forward to meeting with the RM soon to resume our liaison community meetings as there are many topics we can discuss that affect and benefit both of our municipalities including, your suggestion of proportional funding for other RM and City agreements.”

RM of Dauphin reeve Ernie Sirski said his council is extremely disappointed with the City’s decision to reject the proposal put forward.

“After only having it in their possession for two days,” he said.

“How serious of a discussion did they have in that short period of time? The RM council and management spent untold hours on the project, after the City’s request for the RM to submit a proposal. The RM proposed a structure that would have the City and RM be true partners in recreation and we are disappointed that the City rejected this concept so quickly.”

On the financial side, the RM proposal called for joint operating to be shared on a per capita basis, adjusted annually.

Additionally, the proposal called for capital cost to also be funded jointly on a per capita basis with the annual maximum contribution from the RM capped at $50,000.

Finally, the proposal called for the RM to receive a per capita share of the recreation portion of Dauphin’s Accommodation Tax.

The financial details of the proposal are materially the same as what the City was asking for from the RM, said mayor David Bosiak. Where city councillors have trouble supporting the proposal, he added, is around the RM’s vision of the board structure.

According to the RM proposal, while Dauphin Recreation Services will continue to operate as a separate agency, the RM plan proposes the current DRS board be disbanded and replaced by a new board made up of two elected officials each from the City and RM, who will be voting members, as well as the city manager and the RM CAO, who will sit as non-voting members. Any motions that result in a tied vote would be defeated.

“Basically they want to dismantle the recreation commission without any reflection that we have a 75-year agreement with the Ag. Society that we’re still in on and we still view them as a partner,” Bosiak said, adding the make up of the board does not reflect the funding realities and was also a sticking point for councillors.

“We’ve told them that their involvement needs to be proportional to their funding amount and to me that makes perfect sense. If you’re funding an organization 22 per cent you should have 22 per cent of the influence, or the say on that board or that body.”

For Sirski, the issue boils down to forming a “true partnership” with the City when it comes to recreation for citizens of both municipalities.

Read the full story in this week’s edition of the Dauphin Herald.

Dauphin city council took care of some year end business during its Dec. 9 regular meeting, the last of 2024.

Paying the bills

Council tasked mayor David Bosiak to ensure review and payment of accounts falling due by year end in accordance with the Municipal Procurement and Tendering Policy.

Interim budget

Council passed provisional estimates of municipal operating expenditures for the period of Jan. 1, 2025 to adoption of the 2025 operating budget. The interim budget is set for expenditures of just under $6 million in the general operating budget and approximately $1.2 million in the utility budget.

Reserves

Under provisions of The Municipal Act, council authorized the transfer of any excess general revenue reported in the 2024 fiscal year to the General Reserve up to a maximum of $1 million. Additionally, the transfer of any excess utility revenue was authorized up to a maximum of $750,000.

Snow removal

Councillors allowed for  the withdrawal of up to $100,000 from the Snow and Ice Reserve Fund for snow and ice removal costs that exceed the 2024 budget.

Taxes added

Council approved the addition of $48,658.52 to the tax rolls for 2024. The figure is related to 22 construction projects completed in the city throughout the year.

Taxes cancelled

Council approved the cancellation of 2024 taxes in the amount of $19,158.12, due to overassessment, demolitions and properties damaged by fire.

Accounts receivable

Councillors approved the addition of one outstanding invoice to the tax rolls in the amount of $739.18. The amount is related to the replacement of a frozen water meter at a Fourth Avenue Southeast address.

Water accounts

Council also approved the addition of three outstanding water accounts to the tax rolls totalling $1,138.73. That amount is made up of $57.19 outstanding at 103 5th Avenue SE, $564.86 owing at 209 6th Avenue NE and $516.68 owing at 417 2nd Avenue NE. In each case either the owner or previous tenant did not pay a final water bill.

2025 meetings

Council approves its 2025 meeting schedule with regular meetings set for Jan. 6 and 20, Feb. 3 and 24, Mar. 10 and 24, Apr. 7 and 28, May 12 and 26, June 9 and 23, July 14, Aug. 11, Sept. 15 and 29, Oct. 20, Nov. 3 and 17 and Dec. 8.

Snow removal

Council was provided with the details of a snow removal agreement with the province for maintenance of provincially-owned roads within the city. The agreement will see Dauphin receive $81,713 for plowing, windrowing and loading and hauling snow to a disposal site related to Main Street  from Whitmore Avenue to River Avenue; Main Street  from Whitmore Avenue to Triangle Road; River Avenue from Main Street to Valour Road; First Avenue Northeast from Main Street to Mountain Road; Second Avenue Northwest from Main Street to Second Street Northwest; Service Road from Road 144 N to 1301 Main Street South; and Mall Service Road from Road 144 N to 1212 Main Street South.

Read the full story in this week’s edition of the Dauphin Herald.

It is always nice when you find a little money, whether that’s a $5 bill in the pocket of a jacket you haven’t worn for awhile or, in the case of the City of Dauphin, a share of a new $62-million provincial fund announced at the recent Association of Manitoba Municipalities Fall Convention.

The One Manitoba Growth Revenue Fund, will funnel that $62 million to municipalities across the province over the next five years, Premier Wab Kinew said.

“Last year, our government promised to treat municipalities like the true partners that they are and to respect the pressures they are under after years of freezes,” Kinew told municipal officials gathered in Winnipeg for the convention.

“This year, we’re establishing a new fund to provide extra support for programs now and into the future. Together, we’re giving Manitobans reasons to hope with a plan that makes life better across our province.”

With shares of the new fund determined on a per capita basis, for the City of Dauphin it will mean roughly $75,000 in “found money” annually for the next five years, said city manager Sharla Griffiths.

How that money will be used is yet to be determined.

“It’s always great to have some found money and we have a really progressive, exciting and excited council who want to do things,” she said.

“So we might be able to put this money into something special.”

The new fund is part of what Kinew is calling historic funding for municipalities. Budget 2024 provided $221 million in unconditional funding to all municipalities, including a two per cent escalator to the Municipal Operating Grant to help municipalities address rising cost pressures after years of funding freezes worth $4.4 million, the premier said.

However, when considering those years of frozen funding, combined with delays in receiving inflationary increases, the renaming of grant programs and uncertainties around the size and timing of grants, it is not as if the City is awash in discretionary funds.

“While we’re told historic funding, that kind of thing, it’s not like we now have a windfall . . . we’re catching up,” she said.

“But we will always take any money that’s given to us.”

The new growth revenue fund will be in addition to the operating grant. When combined, this increase to municipal funding is equivalent to 7.6 per cent, a $16.8 million guaranteed increase in operating funding for the next year.

It is an indication that the Province of Manitoba  is in the corner of its citizen’s, added Municipal and Northern Relations Minister Glen Simard.

“True collaboration is about recognizing the challenges of our municipal partners and coming forward with real support to meet those challenges,” Simard said.

“Our new growth revenue fund is focused on helping municipalities deliver for their communities and continuing to offer the quality services Manitobans expect. We’ve got your back.”

In the last year, Simard noted record provincial investments for municipalities include:

• $221 million in unconditional funding to all municipalities including a two per cent escalator to the Municipal Operating Grant to help municipalities address rising cost pressures after years of funding freezes worth $4.4 million;
• $62 million for the One Manitoba Growth Revenue Fund, a historic commitment to municipalities across the province;
• $265,000 in funding to the Swan Valley General Investigation Section (GIS) pilot program as part of the provincial Public Safety Strategy;
• $42 million for the new Manitoba Growth, Renewal and Opportunities for Municipalities (Manitoba GRO) program, which provides dedicated capital project funding for municipalities outside Winnipeg;
• $4 million in additional funding to the Manitoba Water Services Board, which increases its funding to $24 million to support water and sewerage projects;
• $500,000 to the Municipality of Virden to support the expansion and renovation of Virden Regional Airport;
• $47 million to complete the rehabilitation of the Rivers Dam; and
• $19.6 million for the Souris bridge crossing.

Dauphin residents will be paying more for their treated water in the new year following the recent approval of a rate increase by the Public Utilities Board.

As of Jan. 1, 2025, the minimum quarterly charge for 5/8-inch standard household connection will increase to  $89.59 from the current  $79.12, a 13.2 per cent rise. That minimum will rise further to $92.96 on July 1, 2025, and to $95.39 on Jan. 1, 2026.

Additionally, in the new year water and sewer used over the minimum will be billed at $3.44 per cubic metre instead of the current $3.04 per cubic metre, again, a 13.2 per cent increase.

Those rates will increase to $3.59 and $3.67 per cubic metre on July 1, 2025 and Jan, 1, 2026, respectively.

The new rates will be reflected in the first quarter billing in April.

“In terms of importance for the city, it’s ramping up and continuing with slow and steady increases, as opposed to not doing a change for five years and then it increasing by substantial double digit percentages,” city manager Sharla Griffiths said, adding there was no increase in water and sewer rates in 2024.

The City will begin the process of another water rate study in anticipation of the lagoon expansion project set to begin next year.

“We had hoped that the lagoon project would have started earlier and then we could have included the cost of that lagoon project in the rates, however, it didn’t happen. So instead of waiting so that there was no increase in 2024, 2025 or 2026 and then having a huge increase in 2027 we’ve done this small two-year order, basically recovering 2025 and recovering 2026 for increases,” she said.

“We anticipate another increase in 2027 and we will and we will know what the cost of the project will be, because there will be tender contracts that are committed to. So we can plug that into the calculations and then we can have rates that cover or help to cover the cost going forward for that debt.”

The Dauphin Rotary Club has launched a new fund within the Dauphin and District Community Foundation.

But this new fund is a little different from what they have done in the past, said club president Darren Eddie.

“Rotary has always done donations and stuff for scholarships and things, but never had a fund set up for itself, so that perpetual monies would come in,” Eddie said, adding the club opened the fund with an initial $10,000 investment.

“Any of the monies we have ever raised would get spent directly on other programs, right, so we wanted to get this started up so that we have funds that will come in every year that we don’t have to fund-raise directly for.”

A means of celebrating the club’s centennial year, the fund was created mostly through an  $8,700 donation it received as the beneficiary of the Holiday Smile Cookie Campaign.

“We topped it up, so it’s $10,000, so that the fund started off at the community foundation is now an active fund and will pay us out in percentages, five per cent of whatever it earns,” Eddie said.

“It will continue to grow and anyone can add to it at any time. So it’s now open for people to make bequests or just general donations in perpetuity for the Rotary Club.”

Since the beginning, and even before completion of the construction of the Northgate trail system, those involved have been advocating for a partnership with Parks Canada with an eye to developing world class mountain biking infrastructure.

And, while at times it seemed as though the wheels of government turned impossibly slow, there has been progress made, with initial scrubbing occurring this fall to join RMNP’s Edwards Creek Trail to the Northgate system.

That is thanks in part to advocacy for the project from Dauphin MLA Ron Kostyshyn.

In June, Kostyshyn sent a letter to Steven Guilbeault, federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change educating him on the project and the vision and stressing the importance of a working relationship between the Northgate development group and Parks Canada.

“I encourage you and your staff to take a look at the Northgate Trail system outside the park at northgatetrails.com, as well as the extremely well-received user experience at maps.app.goo.gl/HZkFd8ftnXSxpaca6,” the letter read.

“With a bit of resolve, there is a real opportunity here to take this excellent trail network to the next level by connecting the Northgate Trail to trail networks within RMNP.”

POSSIBILITIES A8

Recently, Kostyshyn heard back through a letter from Parks Canada president and CEO Ron Hallman, who indicated his organization recognized the significance of the trail system as it exists today and the potential it represents.

He also provided an update of work completed on Parks Canada’s end.

“I am pleased to inform you the Edwards Creek Trail Project is moving forward. The project detailed design was developed and reviewed in spring of 2024. The project impact assessment was initiated in July with an archaeological field component completed prior to bird nesting seasonal restrictions on recreational trail projects of this scope,” the letter read.

“Member representatives of the Coalition of First Nations with interests in Riding Mountain National Park participated in this field work. Additional archaeological field work is scheduled for spring of 2025. An interim impact assessment was completed in late fall of 2024, for preliminary brushing of the trail to occur this fall and winter. Preliminary brushing, in progress, will allow for completion of the archaeology field work next spring, and to better inform the detailed (engineered) design for the proposed trail work. The Basic Impact Assessment (BIA) for the full project scope is in final review and construction work is expected to begin in the late summer or fall of 2025, following bird nesting season.”

That type of acknowledgment, and co-operation among all levels of government is important, Kostyshyn said.

“The Derailleurs group and the bike trail, it is just unbelievable the opportunities we could see in the tourism industry and economic development,” he said.

“This is an opportunity that has really blossomed and continues to grow. Just talking to the organization about future plans and competitive biking opportunities, worldwide opportunities, and I think, wow this is really unique.”

Once he learned about the scope of the project, Kostyshyn said there was no question he would get involved in promoting the project and doing what he could to advance it.

“It’s what an MLA should be doing and I’m very happy to help out in anyway. I think this is really important for our community,” he said.

“Just kind of blue skying the thoughts of what’s going to happen with this bike trail and competitions, it’s unbelievable. It’s people from across the world would be actually coming here and competing in Dauphin. Why not enhance the amazing tourism opportunities. We need to continue building.”

Read more in this week’s edition of the Dauphin Herald.

Looking for that special Christmas gift for the country music lover in your life?

Don’t despair, Dauphin’s Countryfest has released its main stage line up just in time for the holiday shopping season.

In no particular order, Josh Ross, Jordan Davis and John Michael Montgomery will headline the three nights of the Play Now Main Stage  entertainment.

Davis is an American singer/songwriter who is considered one of the top talents to emerge in country music in recent years. Fans will be familiar with his hit singles “Singles You Up’, “Take It from Me”, “Slow Dance in a Parking Lot’, “Almost Maybes’, “Buy Dirt’, “What My World Spins Around’ and “Next Thing You Know”.

A Canadian singer/songwriter, Ross draws his influence from a wide range of acts from Guns N’ Roses and Metallica to country-rock outlaw Steve Earle.

Ross has been on the music charts with singles such as “First Taste of Gone”, “On a Different Night”, “Trouble”, “Ain’t Doin’ Jack”, and “Single Again”.

Montgomery is an American country music singer boasting a long career and an even longer list of hits.

“Our Friday headliner is one of the newer up and coming acts. We’ve got a little more established act on Saturday night and then, of course, we have our throwback or retro Sunday theme,” Countryfest president Duane McMaster said, adding fans of Montgomery will be interested to know that Countryfest will be his final Canadian performance.

“We have been informed that he’s not going to come to Canada again, this will be it for him. So if you want to see him in concert without having to cross the border, then you’ll have to come to Countryfest this year.”

Read more in this week’s Dauphin Herald.

According to Mahatma Gandhi, the greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.

On a local level, the City of Dauphin is claiming a piece of that moral high ground with a modernization of its Animal Services Bylaw.

The current bylaw, in force since 2020, was a significant improvement over the previous long-standing Animal Control Bylaw 3939 adopted in 1984, but the new guideline, which received first reading at city council’s Nov. 18 meeting, represents a giant step forward, said deputy city manager Lisa Gaudet, who has taken the lead on the issue.

“I am very excited about this bylaw, I think it was long overdue,” she said.

“We have completely overhauled and rewritten the bylaw to really reflect best practices and progressive approaches to animal care and management and we’ve done a tremendous amount of research looking into bylaws and practices from across North America to incorporate the best approach and the best wording into this document.”

With the bylaw having passed first reading, Gaudet is seeking public input prior to second and third reading, Dec. 9.

Those wanting to express their opinion can find the survey by following links on the City’s website at www.dauphin.ca under the “Services” tab.

“We’ll be reviewing all the feedback from the community engagement. I think 122 people have already completed the survey, so that is absolutely fantastic to see that engagement,” Gaudet said.

“People are really passionate about animals in our community and we’re really happy to see that. We are listening and we will take their responses into consideration as we send the bylaw for its final readings. We’ll make changes to reflect the input.”

While the bylaw has been completely revamped, there are a number of concepts in the new document that are a highlight for Gaudet, which are going to impact how people manage and care for their animals and the standards to which they will have to comply.

One of those is the rules around tethering, which has been proven to cause psychological distress and aggressive behaviour in animals. The bylaw currently states that a person cannot confine or yard an animal for more than 15 consecutive hours without food, water or attention.

“So that essentially means that you can confine, yard or contain an animal for more than 15 consecutive hours as long as those needs are met. We know that tethering, especially for long periods of time, is inhumane and we really want to shift the attitudes on that in our community,” Gaudet said, adding shifting attitudes takes time and small changes and she would like to see rules around tethering revisited in the next couple of years.

Read the full story in this week’s edition of the Dauphin Herald.