Update from the Mayor: The organizational meeting of the Downtown Summit Committee was held last week. This committee will now be known as “Renaissance Brandon” with 10 members; namely, Vince Barletta as Chairman, Councillor Doug Paterson, Lee Bass, Marlow Kirton, Jeanne Millis, Wayne McLeod, Rod Lindenberg, John Zeke, Mark Fawcett, and myself. The next meeting will involve a presentation by a Centre Venture representative out of Winnipeg.

WasteWater Treatment Plant
The Phase 1 upgrade of the Industrial WWTP is progressing on schedule with a completion date of August 15th quickly approaching. Over the next three weekends, there will be planned shutdowns to accommodate the tie-ins of newly constructed components to the existing infrastructure. Commissioning of the facility is to commence in early August.

UPDATE FROM MEADOWS WARD MEETING HELD MAY 29, 2007
On behalf of Councillor McCrae, Counillor Harwood announced that a Meadows Ward Meeting had been held on May 29, 2007 to discuss the park located on 27th Street and Park Avenue. He noted there had been a tremendous turnout for the meeting with the end result being that residents did not want to see any change in the zoning of the said park and had established a neighbourhood committee to review issues related to the playground and park itself.

TRANSPORTATION OF HOME ECONOMIC AND SHOP STUDENTS
City Council considered a report from the Manager of Transportation dated May 7, 2007 with respect to the above.

The recommendations of the City of Brandon/Brandon School Division Joint Task Force Committee to support the Shop/Home Economics Transportation Program for the 2007/2008 school year and that the City and the Brandon School Division continue to work together on transportation be approved. CARRIED.

WATER TOWER - CONVERSION FOR ALTERNATE USE
That $50,000 be included in the 2008 City of Brandon Water and Wastewater Utility Budget to demolish the water tower located in Rideau Park. LOST.

News for June 18th

(140) COMMUNICATION PLAN UPDATE
I inquired about the status of the city's communication plan. I was advised by the City Manager that a written update would be provided to City Council in the near future. Once that occurs I will make sure to make it available on this site.

(142) PROPOSED WEST END DOG PARK
I inquired about the status of getting a dog park in the west end of town. The General Manager of Operations responded that additional dog parks were part of the Recreation Master Plan, however the focus for 2007 was a dog park for the east end and other areas of the City would be looked at in 2008.

(143) RECREATION CENTRE GOLF COURSE AND CURLING CLUB - UPDATE
I inquired about the status of the proposal call for the Recreation Centre Golf Course and Curling Club. The General Manager of Operations advised that the request for proposals had now closed and an update would be provided to City Council in the very near future.

(144) 34TH STREET AND RICHMOND AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION
I inquired about the proposed reconstruction at 34th Street and Richmond Avenue and requested an update on the process. The General Manager of Development Services advised that the design process was currently underway, construction was scheduled to begin mid to late summer and the upgrades were to be completed by late fall of 2007.

(147) BOULEVARD MAINTENANCE - DANDELIONS
Councillor Black asked for clarification on who was responsible for the dandelions on city property. His workship advised that the policy of the City of Brandon, as it was for most Canadian cities, was not to spray for dandelions given the short period in which they lasted. He further advised that property owners were not expected to eradicate the dandelions.

(149) CELL PHONE USE BY DRIVERS
Councillor Black inquired about the use of cell phones while driving in the City of Brandon. His worship advised that the City of Brandon has no jursidiction in that regard, as it is enforced under the Provincial Highway Traffic Act.

Following are a list of some of other issues/events that were brought forward at the meeting, May 7th.

NEEPAWA PARK
I announced that we recently had a meeting regarding the plans for Neepawa Park. A survey is being designed and will be delivered to the residents surrounding the park. Once that is completed, we will tabulate the results and have another meeting to discuss the next steps with the area. I will post those results.

Ken Fitzpatrick
Councillor, Linden Lanes