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News for April 13th
Update from the Mayor
I had the privilege of speaking at the Economics of Going Green Conference held in Winnipeg this week. Brandon is highly regarded for its leading edge on green initiatives. This was confirmed by a recent
article in the Winnipeg Free Press which outlined a number of environmental projects we currently have underway.
Last week saw the culmination of many hours of close collaboration between the City and the Province. This cooperative effort resulted in a very successful, detailed funding agreement for the Keystone Centre. The efforts of City administration and these key players resulted in a very favorable joint Press Conference on Tuesday, March 31, 2009, where I joined Minister Wowchuk in announcing the long-term funding arrangement for the Keystone Centre. This news has received very positive feedback from the general public.
Update from the City Manager
Representatives from Brandon and Cornwallis met this week to discuss the annexation of Cornwallis lands into the City. The next step in the process is to host a public information
meeting for residents who may be impacted by the proposed annexation. The meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, May 27th in City Hall.
The YMCA and the City continue to work on the final Agreement relative to the new Aquatics Complex and renovation of the downtown YMCA facility. The parties will be meeting next week, with the expectation that any remaining issues will be resolved and a final Agreement prepared for consideration by City Council and the YMCA Board of Directors. Current planning revolves around the commencement of construction in the fall of this year.
Update from the City Clerk
In some instances, members of City Council advise the City Clerk beforehand of the enquiries they intend to raise at the upcoming City Council meeting. This in turn allows for the enquiries to be sent to the appropriate department
and where possible, for the enquiry to be responded to at the meeting.
This has proven exceptionally beneficial for not only the enquiring Council member but especially the viewing public. In addition, it eliminates the need for the enquiry to be formally received and referred for
departmental review and eventual written response.
Often at a City Council meeting, members of Council will need to ask questions on a particular item of business. Such questions should first be directed to His Worship the Mayor rather than directly to the City Manager or any other member of the Administration in attendance.
It is then at the Mayor's discretion as to whether he responds to the question or requests the City Manager or a member of the Administration to come to the podium to address the question. From there, all questions and answers should be directed through the Mayor.
City Council's Procedure By-law requires Council members to seek acknowledgement from the Mayor when having to leave a City Council meeting early for any reason. However, no motion of Council is required in such cases, including if a member has to leave early due to ill health.
Under the provisions of The Municipal Act, a motion of City Council is not required to excuse a member from a public hearing if the absence is due to illness. However, a motion to excuse a member would be required if the illness causes the member to miss more than three consecutive regular meetings of City Council.
We all have to remember that The Personal Health Information Act requires that any person's health information not be released publicly.
National Public Safety Telecommunications Week - April 12 - 18
Each year, the second week of April is dedicated to honour the men and women who serve as public safety telecommunicators. Every day, hundreds of people depend on the skill, expertise and commitment of Communications Center Dispatchers. Dispatchers play a pivotal role in helping numerous lives by responding to emergency calls, dispatching emergency professionals, providing moral support, and compassion to citizens in distress.
With recognition and gratitude we would like to express our sincere appreciation for a job well done to the Manitoba E911/Police Dispatchers who work around the clock, all year long, to provide the assistance you need and keep the public safe.
When you dial 9-1-1, know where you are and stay on the line so the dispatchers can help get the assistance you need! Remember 9-1-1 is for emergencies only.
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Check out EmergNet at www.brandon.ca/emergnet. It is our latest attempt at providing up-to-date emergency management information.
Economic Development Update
Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corporation have confirmed their plans for the new MB Housing units that will be constructed on the land provided by the City of Brandon. Their intent is to construct between 20 and 24 units at 10 15th Street North. The majority of the units will be three-bedroom units, with a few four-bedroom units as well. Units of this size are in great need in Brandon, especially at affordable housing rates. Friesen Tokar Architects is working on the project and have visited the Brandon site. They will be initiating the rezoning process shortly. MHRC and Friesen Tokar Architects plan on attending the public hearing in Brandon once it has been scheduled in order to answer any questions that the City and local residents may have regarding the proposed family housing project. A draft schematic site plan and unit designs for the Brandon build have been completed. Barring any delays as a result of the rezoning process, MHRC anticipates that construction in Brandon will begin summer 2009 and be completed in mid 2010.
Fire & Emergency Services Update
Department Management attended the Grand Valley Mutual Aid District (GVMA) Meeting on April 7th. The GVMA is comprised of representatives from Shilo Fire Department, Wawanesa Fire Department, Brandon Fire & Emergency Services, Souris Fire Department and Carberry Fire Department, Koch Nitrogen Products, Canexus, Brandon Airport, Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization and the Office of the Fire Commissioner.
Community Services Update
A security camera was recently tested at the Municipal Cemetery to determine the illumination capabilities in relation to distance and clarity. Although the camera did provide fairly good illumination of the area being tested, the ability to distinguish the target did diminish as distance increased. A few additional concerns were also identified. The beam that triggers the alarm has limitations as the headstones and surrounding vegetation limit the installation of the units at 3 feet off the ground and at this height wildlife activity on the grounds will interfere with the beam and trigger the alarm. It was also noted that the headstones and vegetation at the cemetery present a challenge for the individual operating the scanning feature of the camera in identifying the target. It is imperative to identify the target prior to dispatching police services as the alarm could be the result of wildlife passing through the beam. Based on this review it has been concluded that the use of cameras as a means of security at the cemetery is not cost effective when considering the additional resources required to manage the system. The option of going out for tender to hire a security firm to patrol the cemetery will be initiated for this upcoming season. Motion lights will also be installed in specific locations as an added support for the security person attending this site.
The Community Services Youth Initiatives Coordinator received confirmation last week that the proposal submitted for extra funds through Intergovernmental Affairs, Neighbourhoods Alive was approved. We were successful in receiving the full amount of $15,438. The increase in funding will allow for an expansion of the existing after school program as well as create a youth beach volleyball league at the new hub this summer and provide a free family swim and skate at the Sportsplex.
The request for proposal for the hiring of a consultant to assist the Community Services Team in producing a quality Youth Plan for the City of Brandon has been tendered. Submissions of proposals will be accepted until 5:00pm, Wednesday, April 22, 2009.
Community Services will once again partner with Career & Employment Youth Services. In addition to the City’s partnership, CEYS has secured funding from the Manitoba Government’s Partners with Youth Program to cover expenditures relating to staff costs, insurance and operating costs to deliver the program. Through this funding a Community Outreach Worker has been hired and will be responsible for developing and implementing the mentoring program. The mentoring program will be designed to pair “priority” youth with local employers and community representatives that will assist them in realizing their career goals. The goal of the mentoring program is to see six participants successfully complete the four week internship, with at least four participants employed, in training, or awaiting training, at the twelve week follow up mark. CEYS will offer this program six times throughout 2009.
Schools that took part in the 2008/2009 after school program included George Fitton, New Era, Betty Gibson, Valleyview, King George and Meadows. This year was the first time we offered the program at one of our local community centres. The North End Community Centre offered activities to New Era students, such as arts & crafts, and kids in the kitchen. The youth who attended the program at the North End Community Centre were not able to attend the already scheduled Friday session at New Era School due to transportation issues.
Two Activity Leaders were hired for each site to provide supervision, quality instruction, interact with the youth and act as role models. It is a program where one day a week, students can stay after school, be physically active in the gym and interact with their peers.
Community Services looks forward to starting up another after school session this fall.
The U.C.T. has generously agreed to sponsor the UCT Summer Fun Club for its fourth year. At the last UCT membership meeting it was agreed to provide $20,000 funding towards a two month youth activity centre that will provide a safe, active haven for middle years youth. Because of this generosity, we are able to offer youth pro-active alternatives while doubling the demographics and expanding the age category of our centres. We look forward to once again being able to offer youth alternatives for the summer months and direct them to fun, positive activities free of charge.
Police Services Update
Chief Atkinson attended the Swearing In Ceremony of Provincial Court Judge Shauna Hewitt-Michta on Friday, April 9th 2009.
Inspector Corley attended the Municipal Chief’s meeting on Monday, April 6th, 2009. Topics discussed included:
• Amber Alert
• CISM
• Clan Labs/ Meth Response
• Excellence in Law Enforcement Awards
• Mental Health Act Escorts Committee
• Oxy-contin Working Group
• Provincial Pawn Legislation
• Provincial Police Act update
• Search and Rescue Manitoba (SARMAN)
• Youth IPDA Working Group
Chief Atkinson attended the Citizenship Ceremony at Earl Oxford School on Tuesday, April 7th 2009.
Several members of the Police Service served lunch to the workers at Ventures.
Sanitation
The Sanitation Department would like to advise the public that we are now operating summer hours which are:
Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 7:45 pm
Saturdays and Stat holidays 8:00 am – 4:45 pm
Sundays 11:00 am – 6:45 pm
These hours will run until the end of October. With the Easter weekend fast approaching, the Eastview Landfill will be open:
Friday, April 10 from 8:00 am – 4:45 pm
Monday, April 13 from 8:00 am – 4:45 pm
Eco center hours:
Monday thru Saturday 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Closed Sundays and Stat holidays.
We have been distributing notices to homeowners for the past couple of weeks in order to encourage proper recycling habits. This process will continue during the summer months, if needed. All notices will be recorded so as to monitor and correct the bad habits, and encourage the correct procedures. Along with these notices, home owners will be provided with a Recycling Guide to assist in the process.
Pesticide Committee
A meeting was held on April 1, 2009 with the members of the pesticide committee. The committee members felt that the program for 2008 was successful although it was concluded that additional education on alternative pesticide controls and best practices on the application of pesticides need to be provided to the community.
There was a lengthy discussion on the application of pesticides for cosmetic purposes and the restrictions that are being implemented in Quebec and Ontario. Although there was opposing arguments on this topic, the committee agreed to focus on providing additional education to the community for this upcoming season in an effort to encourage property owners to look at alternative controls that may replace or limit the need to apply a chemical pesticide.
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