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News for December 22nd
Police & Fire Station Cost Information
The Police and Fire departments were able to provide additional information on the new proposed fire and police stations. Please click on Fire Hall & Police Station Information.
Update from the Mayor
This has been a very productive year for the City, and everyone has worked diligently during the planning stages for many upcoming new projects. As the New Year unfolds, it will be exciting to see the implementation of these innovative plans for improvements to Brandon. I hope everyone enjoys a very Merry Christmas and all the best in 2009.
Update from the City Manager
I had the privilege of presenting to a group of CAO’s and department representatives from Northern Affairs communities this week. The session was part of their annual CAO workshop, which they chose to hold in Brandon this year.
As there will be no updates for the next two weeks, I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for the commitment and dedication of not only Council members, but City staff as well. There have been a number of challenges over the past year which has required tremendous effort from both elected officials and employees alike. Working together we can continue to enhance our organization and our community.
On behalf of Kathy and I, best wishes for a very Merry Christmas, and a healthy and prosperous New Year.
New Administrative Assistant
The City Clerk’s Department is pleased to announce Hedy Friesen as the successful candidate for the Administrative Assistant position in Clerk’s Department. Hedy has worked with several City departments including Parks and Planning Services over the past four years and has gained some valuable experience that will be an asset to her new position.
Affordable Housing
Work continues on the Massey Harris Affordable Housing Project. To date the following items have been completed.
1) The old roof covering was removed and the wooden deck repaired.
2) A new roof covering was installed over the complete roof.
3) New windows were purchased for the entire building, but have not been installed as of yet.
4) All interior stripping has been completed.
5) CMHA, Habitat for Humanity and the Brandon Friendship Centre have taken legal possession of the Massey Harris building.
6) The freight elevator has been repaired and is now operational.
At this time, one application for affordable rental housing funding assistance is being reviewed for eligibility.
Update from Fire & Emergency Services
Chief Dane and Deputy Romanik attended a Joint Operating Committee meeting with the Brandon Regional Health Authority on December 18th.
Deputy Bell represented the department at the Manitoba Emergency Services College Public Fire & Paramedic Program Graduation at the Westman Centennial Auditorium on December 18th.
Deputy Bell took part in the Brandon Emergency Support Team year end meeting and review on December 17th.
The City and CUPE Local 69 exchanged proposals this week for the upcoming negotiations. Dates have been set in February to begin bargaining.
Senior Men’s Golf Executive
Rick Bailey and Bryce Wilson met with Don Cornell, Norm Hemstead and George Ranson, the Executive members of the Senior Men’s Golf League on December 16th. The meeting was set up to discuss concerns, issues and questions that their league had about the Wheat City Golf Course. It was a productive informal session where a number of great ideas, useful information and strategies were developed for the revitalization of our recreation gem. In addition, through the meeting an informal advisory group was formed to discuss issues and planning in early spring and regular monthly meetings will be conducted during the summer months.
Brandon Cemetery
We have received a quote on the supply and installation of a security camera for the municipal cemetery. The quote, in the amount of $18,592.00 was specific to a concentrated area on the cemetery grounds. The cost for installing cameras throughout the entire site would be approximately $72,000.00. The cost associated with hiring a security service to patrol the cemetery grounds 8 hrs nightly throughout the summer is approximately $30,000.00 a year.
Staff will have discussions with Police Service and 911 in the near future to determine if the cameras can tie in with their technology for monitoring the site.
Golf Mentorship Program
Community Services Youth and Recreation Divisions offered a Golf Mentorship program that ran at the Winter Golf School located in the Brandon Town Centre and was instructed by Dave Scinocca, C.P.G.A. golf professional.
The golf program was offered to 10 youth from around the City of Brandon who had an interest in golf but may not otherwise have the opportunity to learn how to play the game. During the program the students learned the rules of golf, golf etiquette, and proper golf play techniques, while working in a structured environment. Although with this program focusing on the sport of golf, students were also taught lifelong skills of discipline, commitment, responsibility, teamwork, and fair play. The youth received 4, one hour group lessons, 1 individual teaching session and 2 free rounds of golf at Taurus Golf. Students also received a brand new set of Jazz golf clubs with golf bag to use during the sessions and after graduation were presented with these clubs. Students that participated in the program were from: 1 St. Augustine, 1 Youth for Christ, 3 Earl Oxford, 2 King George, 2 New Era and 1 from Brandon Friendship Centre.
Sportsplex
The Sportsplex will be hosting a SWIM WITH SANTA from 2-4pm on Sunday, December 21, 2008. The public swim will be from 1-6 but Santa will enter the pool, in bathing suit, from 2-4pm. The Canteen will be providing Mistletoe slush and cookies for only $2.00. There will be games and prizes as well.
The Sportsplex will be on reduced hours starting Monday, December 22nd until Friday, January 2nd. Our Pool will be open between the hours of 12N-6pm. The facility will be closed on the following dates:
Wed. Dec. 24
Thurs. Dec. 25
Fri. Dec. 26
Wed. Dec. 31
For a complete schedule of our facility go to our website at www.thesportsplex.ca
Aquatics Facility
In response to the presentations made by various delegates at the Council meeting held December 8th, the following is presented for Council’s information.
The staff at the Sportsplex met with Kerri Bridges, General Manager of the Brandon Family YMCA, to review the concerns presented to Council. Staff proceeded to review and develop a revised draft schedule that would deal with all the current programming being provided at both the YMCA and the Sportsplex. The results of their efforts included a schedule for the new
aquatics facility that clearly will meet the needs of all the user groups. This includes maintaining the current time slots for the Bluefins and additional time slots for the Aqua-Fit members. The review also maintained reasonable time slots for our neighbouring communities that make use of our facilities. Staff from both facilities agree that all groups are being accommodated and there is room for growth into the future. Staff also maintains that as the various groups expand their members there always has to be the understanding that all users of this facility or any other facility have to be flexible with regards to the prime time slots in the schedules.
Meetings were scheduled with representatives of the delegations and the results of our review were presented. Although there continues to be some skepticism with the concept of one facility providing the services of our current two facilities, there was no dispute with the schedule that was presented. During our discussions it was observed that some individuals are having difficulty visualizing just how big the new aquatics pool will be and the increased opportunity to have multiple groups using the pool at the same time.
Representatives from the Red Cross are very concerned with the future of their program as the YMCA delivers a program that, although similar, is adopted by YMCA's. Discussions with the Red Cross representatives concluded with the understanding that Red Cross would present a formal request, including a complete overview of their program, to the YMCA Board of Directors.
Update from Police Services
On Tuesday, December 16th, 2008 Chief Atkinson and Inspector Grant met with the Executive of the Chamber of Commerce. A tour of the current Police building and the 10th & Victoria location was provided to the Executive for their information.
The meeting was very positive and a great deal of information was shared.
On behalf of the Executive, Members and Staff of the Brandon Police Service we all join in wishing you and your families a happy Holiday Season and a prosperous New Year.
Merry Christmas !
News for December 18th
Update from the City Manager
The first meeting to discuss annexation was held with representatives of both Brandon and Cornwallis Councils and administration. Another meeting has been scheduled in January to continue discussions.
Emergency Communications
Linda Poole and Karen Warren volunteered and represented E911/Police Dispatch at the Salvation Army Kettle on December 11, 2008.
E911 is currently working with Manitoba Conservation, Parks and Natural Areas, to implement 911 services for Hecla Island/Grindstone early January 2009.
Construction Update
Watermain – Cumming and Dobbie continue to construct the watermain renewal along the north side of Middleton Ave. from 1st Street to 18th Street. Their schedule calls for completion of the watermain installation and testing by the end of December.
Storm Drainage – A relief storm sewer to service the intersection of Evergreen Blvd. and Willowdale Cres. is scheduled for completion by Friday, December 12th. The relief storm sewer is being placed in the lane between Evergreen Blvd. and Dogwood Blvd. with additional catch basins installed on Willowdale Cres.
WATER/WASTEWATER
Last week the City of Brandon's Emergency Services Coordinator and Water Treatment Plant Manager met with the Brandon Regional Health Authority to discuss the Water Treatment Facility's Response Plan and to identify potential situations that needed to be addressed in the event of a long term loss of water supply. The meeting was called as a follow up to the Manitoba Inter-Utility Sub-Committee for Emergency Preparedness exercise conducted in September. The purpose of this exercise was to test each utility's response plans and to validate their ability to control and respond to an extended disruption in water supply in Brandon.
Brandon’s Rental Vacancy Rate
CMHC released the fall Rental Market Report on December 11th, 2008. The average apartment vacancy rate across urban centres in Manitoba dropped from 1.5% in October 2007 to 0.9% in October 2008.
Brandon’s rental vacancy rate dropped from 0.4% recorded in the spring 2008 report to 0.2%. Average rent for a two bedroom unit in Brandon increased by $21 to $636 per month.
Fire & Emergency Services Update
The BFES Technical (High Angle) Rescue and Confined Space Rescue Teams are participating in practical training at #1 Hall and the Manitoba Emergency Services College on December 11th and 12th.
Management is volunteering to staff the Salvation Army Kettle Drive on December 11th at Wal-Mart.
Deputy Bell attended the Manitoba Association of Fire Chief’s (MAFC) Board of Director’s meeting on Saturday, February 6th in Portage la Prairie.
Human Resources Update
The Benefits Review Committee held four information sessions on Tuesday, December 9 at the Riverbank Discovery Centre. Representative, David Koltek from Blue Cross provided an overview of the City's plans and their upcoming rate changes, as well as the changes being made to the voluntary Extended Health Plan. The sessions were well received by those that attended.
Tobaggan Hill
The City of Brandon along with the Construction Association of Rural Manitoba (CARM) would like to invite everyone to the official opening of the new toboggan hill at Sir Winston Churchill Park just off Braecrest Drive on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Come out, partake in the winter fun and enjoy warm refreshments and food.
Also please send your submissions in for “Name the Toboggan Hill Contest.” The City of Brandon is looking for Brandon School Division students to submit names for the toboggan hill. Submissions will be accepted from December 10th to December 23rd by 4pm. The prize winner will receive a brand new toboggan along with a pizza party for their classroom. Please send your submissions, along with your name, age, school and teacher’s name to either bryce.wilson@brandon.ca or c.baker@brandon.ca or mail to 900 Richmond Avenue East, Brandon, MB R7A 7M1.
Police Update
Approximately 44 Members, Staff and Spouses of the Brandon Police Service attended the Emotional Survival for Law Enforcement Conference held at Assiniboine Community College on Wednesday, December 10th, 2008.
The conference was presented by Dr. Kevin Gilmartin of Tucson, Arizona, who specializes in Behavioral Sciences for law enforcement and public safety areas. Dr. Gilmartin has 20 years in law enforcement in Tucson, Arizona and during his tenure he supervised the Behavioral Sciences Unit and the Hostage Negotiation Team. He further holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and lectures throughout the United States and Canada, including the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia and with numerous Critical Incident Response Teams.
Dr. Gilmartin has also authored the book, Emotional Survival for Law Enforcement. – A must read for every Police Officer and Emergency Worker. More details on Dr. Gilmartin and his presentation can be found at www.EmotionalSurvival.com.
A number of Members and Staff volunteered their time on Thursday, December 11, 2008 at the Salvation Army Kettle at Wal-mart Department Store.
Inspector Corley and Staff Sergeant Balcaen attended the Open House at the new Law Enforcement Review Agency Office on Tuesday, December 9th, 2008 in Winnipeg.
Update from the Mayor
I attended the YMCA Launch Facility Development Campaign on Wednesday, Dec. 3rd. This was a very positive and encouraging occasion as the excitement is gaining momentum for the new “Y” project to get off the ground. Appreciation for City Staff and Administration, Renaissance Brandon, as well as the cooperative efforts of the community at large has been well received.
Shape Foods
As Council is aware, in October 2008 Shape Foods filed for bankruptcy protection with Deloitte Touche of Winnipeg, named the receiver for all the company's assets. The Economic Development Brandon office has received a copy of the sales and information package. Included in the packages is:
* An invitation for tenders that closes at 5 pm on December 17th, 2008.
* Terms and conditions of sale by tender
* History, description and specifications
* Asset parcels and descriptions
* Financial information
* Asset parcel photographs
* Capital asset listing
Police Promotions
On Monday, December 1st, 2008 the Police Service held a Promotion Presentation for the following staff:
Staff Sergeant Shane Corley to Inspector
Sergeant M. J. Alain to Staff Sergeant
Sergeant G. E. Jones to Staff Sergeant
Sergeant R. R. Koscielny to Staff Sergeant
Sergeant R. C. Semler to Staff Sergeant
Sergeant D. K. Thompson to Staff Sergeant
Sergeant L. W. Yanick to Staff Sergeant
Constable V. W. Brown to Sergeant
Constable D. J. Lockhart to Sergeant
Constable G. K. Roberts to Sergeant
Family and friends gathered at the Police Service Training Centre to celebrate these promotions. Congratulations to everyone and good luck in your new positions.
New By-law and Policy Co-ordinator
Please join the City Clerk’s Department in congratulating Debbie Nelson in her being appointed the City’s By-law and Policy Co-ordinator. Debbie, in her roles throughout the department, has gained valuable experience and pursued some excellent professional development opportunities. As well, she is currently enrolled in, and is soon to graduate from, the 5 year Certificate Program through the University of Manitoba sponsored by the Manitoba Municipal Administrators Association. This program offers studies in Municipal Accounting, Municipal Administration, Municipal Law and the Essentials of Management. We are extremely proud of Debbie progressing as part of our team in this capacity.
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