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News for March 16th
Update from the Mayor
On Tuesday, March 10, I was pleased to attend the Brandon Fire and Emergency Services Spring Babysitting Graduation at Harrison School where 40 participants completed the course successfully.
Brian MacRae and I attended an informative and productive meeting on Wednesday, March 11 with Minister Wowchuk where discussions included updates on the Keystone Centre upgrades.
I attended the YWCA Women of Distinction Awards and Banquet on Thursday evening, March 12. Susan and I were very impressed with the dedication and commitment of the women nominated for their outstanding contributions and achievements regarding their volunteerism and improving the lives of people in their communities.
I was pleased to meet with the Premier this week at which time we discussed the priority list forwarded from the City of Brandon to the Federal Government for the Building Canada Fund.
On Wednesday, March 4, I attended the Career Symposium Banquet. This is always an excellent opportunity to network with the students, parents, educators, and many representatives from the labour market.
Association of Manitoba Municipalities Education Seminar – April 17, 2009
The Association of Manitoba Municipalities is offering an education seminar on Friday, April 17th, 2009 following the Municipal Officials Seminar entitled: The “Ethical” Moment and Effective Self Management. The workshop will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Keystone Centre and will be lead by Cec Hanec, President and owner of Cec Hanec & Associations Inc., which offers consultant, speaker, trainer and personal coaching services focused on communications, presentation skills, customer service, and team building.
This interactive, discussion based session will focus on: the importance of being ‘personally ready’ from a variety of perspectives; the difficulties faced by organizations when such things as conflict commitment and conflict of interest arise; and actions you can take to play a more proactive role in ensuring organizational integrity and accountability.
The registration fee for this event is $100.00 plus GST.
Review of Draft Provincial Land Use Policy
The Provincial Department of Intergovernmental Affairs will be undergoing a consultation process with representatives of the Manitoba Municipal Administrators Association on the draft Provincial Land Use Policy. The City Clerk, Con Arvisais will be one of those representatives along with Chief Administrative Officers from various municipalities throughout the Province. Internal consultation will take place between the City Clerk and the General Manager of Development Services, Ted Snure on the proposed policy. Meetings to begin this review are scheduled for early April and May.
Housing
There has been some recent interest by private developers to utilize the City’s affordable housing programs to construct affordable housing units in Brandon. Project details and discussions are in the very early stages.
The Economic Development Officer was part of the panel that presented information at the Seniors for Seniors Housing Forum this week. The event was well attended with close to 150 seniors. Seniors present echoed our findings that being the fact that demand for affordable seniors housing far exceeds supply. As a result, seniors are staying in their homes longer which is contributing to the shortage of entry level homes for sale in Brandon.
Fire & Emergency Services
Harrison Middle School hosted the Babysitting Graduation on March 10th. Babysitting certificates were presented to the 35 kids that graduated. Deputy Bell and Troy Lamerz were there representing BFES. Mayor Burgess and representatives from the Kiwanis Club were also in attendance. We took this opportunity to honor Shirley Slashinski, a volunteer with the babysitting program for approximately 14 years.
BFES Management, 911 Management and various City of Brandon departments met with Cibinel Architects on March 5th and 6th to review the final floor plans for the new Fire Hall. Engineering, IT and Building maintenance reviewed the plans to finalize any details in their areas of expertise. Treasury was involved to review the tendering process that will take place. The goals for the construction schedule are to have the tender out by the beginning of April, construction to start at the beginning of June, with the building being occupied on July 1st, 2010.
A representative from Manitoba Public Insurance was in from Winnipeg on March 4th and 5th to instruct 8 of our staff on Child Car Seat Safety. These 8 staff are now Certified Car Seat Inspectors, and are available to perform car seat inspections to the general public.
BFES Staff participated in the annual Career Symposium held at the Keystone Center from March 2nd – 4th. The public had the opportunity to try on a full set of turnout gear, wear a SCBA (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus) as well as view some of our training aids and equipment used on the ambulance.
Police Services Update
On Monday, March 9th 2009 Staff Sergeant Leon Flannigan tendered his Notice of Retirement with the Police Service. Leon started with the Brandon Police Service on February 20th, 1978. His last working day will be Friday, March 27th, 2009.
Leon’s words …………
“During my career I have been given many opportunities to grow and develop as a police officer and a leader. It is with pride that I will be able to further use these skills and attributes in the next stage of my career in the town of Rivers.
Leaving the Police Service after so many years does not come easily. I will miss the staff and wish them the very best in their current and future endeavors.”
Leon has accepted the position of Chief Constable with the Rivers Town Police.
On behalf of the Police Service Executive, Members, Staff and the citizens of Brandon, we all join together in wishing Leon and Wendy good health and best wishes in their future endeavours.
Update from the City Manager
I attended the Keystone Board meeting this week and am pleased to advise that the Capital Upgrades Funding Agreement is currently being executed by Keystone and City representatives.
Update from Clerk's Office
City Clerk Con Arvisais attended a workshop in Portage la Prairie on Friday, February 27 sponsored by the Association of Manitoba Municipalities. This interactive session which was comprised of both elected officials and support staff promoted the essential skills managers need for a positive work environment. As outlined in the course objectives, participants developed an understanding of the importance of a positive work environment and the connection between motivation, recognition and performance management through the power of positive relationships.
On February 26 and 27 Sheila Carlisle and Ian Richards from the Records Office attended a Manitoba Emergency Management Course provided by the Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) at the Manitoba Hydro Service Centre in Brandon. The course provided an opportunity to learn about emergency planning and response operations. In the event of an emergency the City of Brandon’s central enquiry line, located in the Records Office, will field some calls from the public relating to the emergency. The training provided some valuable insight into where the central enquiry line fits into Brandon’s Emergency Preparedness Program.
Emergency Communications
The Hecla/Grindstone Provincial Park is now on-line receiving E911 services effective February 17th, 2009.
2009 Tax Sales
The City of Brandon 2009 Tax Sale is scheduled to be held on October 21st, and the process is once again being handled by TAXervice (www.taxervice.com), a company from Swan River that specializes in providing municipal tax sale management services to Manitoba municipalities. 2007 was the first year we used the services of TAXervice and we found that using their expertise was very beneficial. The experience of the staff at TAXervice ensures that all deadlines prescribed by the Municipal Act are met and that the process is in full compliance. There are no costs to the City for using this service as all the costs are borne by the taxpayer or by the purchaser of the property at the tax sale. The only time the City would incur costs would be in the case when the property is not redeemed and the City is the purchaser of the property at the tax sale.
Properties with outstanding 2007 property taxes are currently subject to tax sale. In mid January we sent a letter to all the property owners with outstanding 2007 property taxes advising them that if the balance owing remained outstanding after January 30, 2009 the account would be transferred to TAXervice for collection. This letter was very effective as only 84 accounts were transferred to TAXervice compared to 213 in 2008. TAXervice mailed out the first notice of tax sale on February 20th, 2009 to the owners of the properties which are subject to tax sale in 2009. As of March 4th 77 properties remain subject to tax sale.
Annual Audit
Treasury is completing its final wrap-up for the 2008 year end and is preparing the 2008 Financial Statements. BDO Dunwoody will be here from March 23 – March 27 to perform the annual audit.
Economic Development Update
The Economic Development office is partnering with Siere Solutions (www.siere.ca) to provide Brandon businesses with a five part workshop series that focuses on tools to grow their business. The workshop series is comprised of five two hour sessions covering the topic areas listed below.
• The Four Ways to Grow Your Business
• Finding New Sources of Business
• Creating a Sales System and Extending Your Reach Through eMarketing
• The Cost of Employee Turnover and Addressing the Needs of an Intergenerational Workplace
• Grooming Your Business for Sale
Dates, times and registration details are available at http://www.siere.ca/build%20your%20business%20in%20brandon%20workshop%20series.pdf
Human Resource Update
The City of Brandon was well represented at the 2009 Career Symposium at the WCG Place. Booths manned by Police, Fire and Human Resources were kept busy answering a variety of questions related to careers with the City of Brandon. The Career Symposium remains a popular venue for high school students and the general public. Health and Safety Coordinator Greg Brown was also on hand to represent Brandon and Area Safe Communities, Young Worker Injury Prevention Coalition, bringing awareness to the public on the initiatives to reduce injuries in the community.
Human Resources would like to welcome two Payroll Administrators to our team. Twila Reid started February 23, and Courtney Gullett starts Monday, March 9.
Golf Mentorship
Continuing on the success of the Golf Mentorship Program that was held last December, Community Services Youth and Recreation Divisions will offer another Golf Mentorship program beginning March 4th and will run for four weeks. The program will run at the Winter Golf School located in the Brandon Town Centre and will be instructed by Dave Scinocca, C.P.G.A. golf professional.
The golf program will be offered to 10 youth from around the City of Brandon that have an interest in golf but may not otherwise have the opportunity to learn how to play the game. During the program the students will learn the rules of golf, golf etiquette, and proper golf play techniques, while working in a structured environment. Although with this program we are focusing on the sport of golf we are also teaching these youth skills of discipline, commitment, responsibility, teamwork, and fair play as they begin to increase their self-esteem, and are given the opportunity to learn a lifelong sport. The youth will receive 4, one hour group lessons, 1 individual teaching session and 2 free rounds of golf at Taurus Golf. Students will also receive a brand new set of Jazz golf clubs with golf bag to use during the sessions and after graduation will be presented with these clubs if they have perfect attendance.
The program this session includes youth from Meadows School, New Era School, Youth for Christ and Earl Oxford School.
Sportsplex Update
Sportsplex staff attended the Recreation Connection Conference held in Winnipeg February 25 to 27, 2009. Perry Roque was elected to the Recreation Connection Board of Directors as Director at Large. Kathleen Beaton has spent the past two years working with the conference committee to make the conference a success and will continue to be involved with this provincial committee.
Recreation Connection Manitoba held two workshops in Brandon during the month of February, Safe Ice Resufacer and Operator & Ice Maintenance workshop. Two of the Sportsplex Facility Operators attended this workshop as well many arena operators from around the Westman area.
Ray Bodar was at the Sportsplex for 2 days February 26 & 27 working with Jeff Elliott, Facility Operator, as part of the CBOP (Commercial Building Optimization Program) with Manitoba Hydro. Ray will review our mechanical system and make recommendations on energy efficient improvements for the building.
The Bluefin Swim Club will be hosting the Provincial Junior Swim Meet beginning Friday, March 6 and continuing until Sunday afternoon. 200 competitors are expected.
News for March 2nd
Update from the Mayor
On Monday, February 23, I was pleased to attend a supper at Remington’s held in acknowledgement and appreciation for the organizers of the
Winter Festival Committee. This annual wind-up to conclude the 2009 Winter Festival is an excellent opportunity to identify and discuss Strengths,
Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (S.W.O.T.) in regards to this year’s festival and also to entertain ideas for next year.
We are thankful for this group of people who volunteer their time and talents to ensure another successful Winter Festival.
Update from the City Manager
I had the opportunity to speak at a Kiwanis Club meeting this week regarding the City’s list of projects to be submitted under the Building
Canada Infrastructure Program, as well as answer a number of questions surrounding various City issues.
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
Karen Warren attended a media training session learning how to deal with the media in emergency situations. Instructor, Randy Hull,
shared his knowledge and experiences. Randy is the Emergency Preparedness Coordinator for the City of Winnipeg.
Emergency Communications E911/Police dispatchers, Linda Poole and Karen Warren, attended sessions on February 18th and 19th that
provided “Operator” training towards the integration of radio dispatch consoles into the emergency dispatch centers. The software based
network-enabled radio consoles help to assure continuous, high-quality communication.
Linda and Karen also attended the radio “Console” training session, February.
Economic Development
Since the closure of the Beaubier Hotel, the 7th Street Access Centre housing developer has noted increasing difficulty in finding housing
solutions for those with very limited income. Her clients are in need of housing for a variety of reasons some within their control while
others due to circumstances outside of their control. She has also noted an increasing number of immigrants seeking assistance in finding
housing due to family reunification. While client needs and situations are not unique to her regular client load, they are being complicated
by a combination of factors, some of which are listed below:
• Brandon’s rental market continues to be extremely tight which is driving housing costs up significantly. The number of
people seeking rental accommodations far exceeds the stock. Much of the rental stock “available” is priced in the $900 - $1200
range, well outside the affordability of Brandon’s non-working, or low to middle income wage earners.
• In the past six months, rooming house costs have increased from around $350 / room to $400 – $450 per month. Affirmation of the
impact of demand exceeding supply.
• An existing rooming house is shutting down within the next month, removing 7-10 rooms from the market place.
• The shelter at 1202 Rosser has had a couple of long term stays rather than their traditional short term stays,
since support teams have been experiencing difficulty finding long term housing solutions for individuals in the shelter units.
• Two of the units at 1202 have undergone renovations and were therefore not available (they will reopen within the next few days).
• Westman Recovery has implemented a more focused eligibility criteria limiting housing to those with alcohol addictions.
• The Hillcrest Motel and Mr. Bees are full and all other hotels are too expensive for individuals on Income Assistance.
Housing stakeholders are currently brainstorming temporary housing solutions and continue to struggle immensely with the growing demand for affordable housing.
Human Resources
The City of Brandon has initiated a Health and Wellness Committee for the purpose of assuring a continued healthy workplace.
The first meeting is scheduled for Friday, February 27. Watch for further updates.
SPORTSPLEX
The second and final weekend of Tournament of Champions was held at the Sportsplex on the weekend of February 21st with the bantam and midget groups participating.
Westman Speedskating Association hosted the Provincial speed skating short course competition at the Sportsplex on Sunday, February 22nd.
Brandon Racquetball Association is holding their Classic Racquetball Tournament at the Sportsplex starting Friday, February 27th and running through to Sunday, March 1st.
Parks
Another long, cold winter has come and gone. Well, almost gone....
The Parks Department wishes to inform Council that the Manitoba Hydro Powersmart Waterfall of Lights display will be turned off for the season on Monday.
The skating oval lights will remain on for another week or two, weather dependant of course.
Please enjoy a final walk, skate or drive through the Waterfall of Lights display this weekend!
CEMETERY
City of Brandon Municipal Cemetery Administration wishes to inform the public that in accordance with our new maintenance standard protocol, spring clean-up of the cemetery will begin April 15th.
All items must be removed from every grave in the cemetery, all: artificial flowers; ornaments; solar lights; plant hooks; stuffed animals; etc. must be cleaned off. Only headstones should remain.
Please have all items removed before April 15th. Items that remain after this date will be removed by Cemetery Maintenance Staff.
It is important to note that City of Brandon administration will be reviewing the Cemetery By-laws throughout 2009 and regulations governing what is permitted on graves may be changing. Before placing any item at the resting place of a loved one, (flowers contained in a vase are permitted in all sections) it is advised to check the City of Brandon website www.brandon.ca or to contact the cemetery office at 729-2150. Please remember, no glass of any kind is permitted on graves in the cemetery at anytime.
For future reference semi-annual clean-up dates will be April 15 and October 15 of each year.
Thank you so much for your cooperation as we strive to achieve the highest of maintenance standards for our beautiful and historic cemetery.
Police Service Update
Last year the Brandon Police Service identified three goals to achieve, those being a new strategic plan, planning for our new
building and incorporating Compstat as our service delivery model. We are pleased to report that we were successful in achieving
all of our stated goals with the following results:
• Strategic Planning: During the spring of 2008, two Strategic Planning sessions took place, where the strategic goals of:
delivering high quality service; enhancing organizational development to meet future needs; promoting internal and external relationships
through proactive communications strategies; and ensuring sustainable service through sound fiscal management were developed. Each of these
goals identified a number of strategic actions that are currently being acted upon.
• New Building: Earlier in the year the Service received permission to develop preliminary plans for our new building at 10th Street and
Victoria Avenue. Calnitsky Associates Architects were awarded the tender and met with Police Service personnel to develop a preliminary design
for the renovation. Upon completion a cost analysis
was conducted and forwarded to City Council in order for a Local Improvement By-law to be drafted.
• Compstat: Commencing January 1, 2008, the Service moved to the Compstat service delivery model. Several organizational changes took place
including dividing the City into two policing districts as well as staffing moves and changes in order to facilitate the concept. Regular meetings
and crime mapping were also employed in order to identify any emerging or new crime trends.
During 2008, the Service also made achievements on many other operational and administrative fronts. Preliminary statistical data indicates a reduction
in the overall crime rate for the City which is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our members.
2009 promises to be a year of change, from the anticipated legislative changes of a new Provincial Police Act to moving closer to occupancy in our new
facility at 10th Street and Victoria Avenue, the year will be busy on many fronts. Accordingly the following goals have been established:
1. New Building: A Public Hearing on the Police Station Local Improvement project took place on January 5, 2009, followed by the first reading of
By-law 6919, authorizing the City to borrow $12,994,000.00 to finance the project. Second reading of the By-law took place at the January 19th meeting of
City Council which was passed unanimously. The project now needs approval from the Provincial Municipal Board, before returning to City Council for third
and final reading. Once this is achieved, tendering for the project can take place. Currently detailed plans are being developed. It is expected that
considerable consultation will be required once the tender is awarded which will no doubt require further design detailing and input from the Police Service.
2. Strategic Planning: As mentioned earlier, the Police Service developed a forward thinking strategic plan which focuses on service delivery, organizational
development, relationship building and fiscal management. In order for the plan to move forward, identified strategic actions need to be developed and implemented.
As a result several strategic actions will be prioritized as objectives to be achieved in the coming year. Specific members of the Service have or will be assigned
these strategic actions for development.
3. New Police Act: On February 4, 2009, Provincial Justice Minister Chomiak announced that the Province is seeking public input on a new Provincial Police
Act, to replace the current Act that is nearly 80 years old. It is anticipated that the new Act will be introduced in the Manitoba Legislature sometime this spring.
The main emphasis of the new legislation is; the establishment of a civilian police commission to oversee the rules and standards of policing; the development of an
independent unit of experienced investigators with a civilian director to investigate allegations of serious incidents involving police officers; and the establishment of
police boards to oversee local police. There is no doubt that this new Provincial framework for policing will require significant action and response from the Service.
Therefore the Service must be prepared for any anticipated changes that may be legislated.
Fire & Emergency Services
Staff members of our Department are in medical training this week which is being conducted by Training Officer, Scott Hemstad.
After an article appeared in the Brandon Sun outlining the hazards of old carbon tetrachloride containers used as fire extinguishers our
Department has received and disposed of a number of these units.
Smiling Johnny
Seniors for Seniors will be featuring "Smiling Johnny" on Thursday April 23 for $20. Western style supper at 6PM with the concert to follow.
Welcome to all members, friends and community members! Call the office for tickets 571-2050.
Spring Flooding Outlook
With favorable or average conditions there is expected to be little flooding. With worst case scenario there could be flooding like we had in
2005 and 2007 with water over some of the recreational walking paths, Queen Elizabeth Park, Elinor Kidd Park, golf course, Optimist Soccer Park.
Daylight Savings Time
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME
RESUMES MARCH 8
Daylight saving time returns to Manitoba early on the morning of Sunday, March 8, when clocks across the province will be advanced one hour.
Under the Official Time Act, daylight saving time takes place on the second Sunday in March and continues until the first Sunday in November.
This is the third year the province is following the extension of daylight saving time instituted by the U.S. government in 2007.
Previously, Manitoba had observed daylight saving time from the first Sunday of April until the first Sunday in October.
The official time change to daylight saving time occurs at 2 a.m., Sunday, March 8 at which time clocks should be set ahead to 3 a.m.
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