Hello Everyone,  
 
“Remember that a successful future begins right now”  
 
City Council Meeting, Monday, May 6/13, 7:30 pm with selected agenda items & correspondence since April 15/13. You can obtain complete details on the City Web site.  
 
A) Delegations:  
 
Drew Caldwell, MLA for Brandon East provided an update regarding the Province of Manitoba general investments in Brandon.  
 
Chad Stiles & Alistair Hagan of Manitoba Rodeo Cowboys Association explained the Wheat City Stampede taking place in October, 2013.  
 
Jim Hillis of Helping Hands advised Council of National Hunger Week.  
 
B) Enquiries:  
 
Infrastructure; Immigration; Neighbourhood Watch Program; Gopher Infestation; Street Cleaning & Organic Collection.  
 
C) Announcements:  
 
By-Election for the Meadows Ward Councillor will take place June 26/13, 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. Advance voting on June 20/13. Sites to be announced.  
 
D) General Business:  
 
Brian Kayes gave a current flood forecast report.  
 
Manitoba Rodeo Cowboys Association to receive $21K from the Accommodation Tax Reserve to host the Wheat City Stampede.  
 
Westman Softball Umpires Association will receive $7,500.00 from the Accommodation Tax Reserve to assist in hosting the Super Softball Weekend, July 19-21/13.  
 
Brandon University to receive $4K from the Accommodation Tax Reserve for hosting the Senior Women’s Academic-Administrators of Canada National Conference, May 2-4/13.  
 
The Application to Subdivide 2405 Victoria Avenue to create two parcels in the Commercial Arterial Zone & Residential Moderate Density Multiple Family Zone was heard & approved under By-laws.  
 
The Application to Subdivide 804 Richmond Avenue East & 2001 Douglas Street to create 11 lots & a public road was approved.  
 
The Application to Subdivide 1660-34th Street to create 34 lots & a public road was heard & approved under By-laws.  
 
City of Brandon Water Conservation Plan was provided to Council.  
 
Rideau Park Water Spray Park will be completed by Questic Contracting Ltd at a cost of $415,844.55 dollars.  
 
Allen & Bolack Excavating bid of $1,699,941.06 to carry out Contract A-Road Building & Underground Works was accepted.  
 
Brandon Police Board Members who are not a member of City Council/Administration will receive remuneration for attending a regular/special board meeting. Rate of $75 to $150 per date.  
 
E) Did You Know:  
 
International Compost Awareness Week, May 5-11/13 with the City of Brandon offering free compost to residents of Brandon. Bring your own pails & shovel to the Eastview Landfill.  
 
Household Hazardous Waste has a year round drop off at the Eastview Landfill.  
 
Next Council Meeting is on Tuesday, May 21/13, 7:30 pm.  
 
Sincerely,  
 
Murray

Posted by Murray Blight @ 18:25 | 0 Comments | | PermaLink

Hello Everyone,  
 
Special “Welcome” to our new Victoria Ward residents.  
 
“If you ask someone to do something for you, let them do it their way”.  
 
City Council Meeting, Monday, April 15/13, 7:30 pm with selected agenda items & correspondence since April 2/13. You can obtain complete details on the City Web site.  
 
A) Presentation:  
 
Cory Messel received the Burgess Shield for Best Home Grounds in the Manitoba Good Roads Association 2012 Competition.  
 
B) Committee Reports:  
 
Grants Review recommended the sum of $188,885.00 to groups & organizations for 2013.  
 
Manitoba Good Roads Association recently hosted their Annual Meeting on April 9/13. There is 88 Municipalities in the organization.  
 
Audit & Finance advised that the 2010 Financial Statement has being completed & forwarded to the Province. Year 2011 is near completion.  
 
Western Manitoba $Regional Library is encouraging people to read.  
 
C) Enquiries:  
 
Spray Parks will be open from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm this Summer; Audit & Finance advised there are 46 reserves of money; Request to have benches along the 34th street & Pacific Avenue walk path; Police Service asked to address Youth Crime, specifically tagging & Tours of city property.  
 
D) Announcements:  
 
Secondary Dwelling Units & Boarding House Open House taking place Thursday, April 25/13, between 6:00 & 8:00 pm at the Riverbank Discovery Centre, #1-545 Conservation Drive.  
 
E) General Business:  
 
Brian Kayes provided a Flood forecast & surface run-off update. Indicated similar to 2009. Super sand bags to be placed on 18th street north.  
 
Scott Hildebrand gave a Quarterly Council Update on Road Map for Growth, Budget Update, People in the Workforce & Infrastructure.  
 
F) By-laws:  
 
#7045- Council agreed to close & convey a portion of 19th. street, north of Brandon Avenue.  
 
#7057- Council passed the Levy Property Taxes for 2013.  
 
G) Did You Know:  
 
Brandon Earth Day Celebrations will be held Sunday, April 21/13, between 12 & 4:00 pm in the City Hall Foyer.  
 
Brandon MLS sales & average housing prices can be seen at www.breb.mb.ca/index.php/stats for both historical & year to date.  
 
Next Council Meeting on Monday, May 6/13, 7:30 pm.  
 
Sincerely,  
 
Murray

Posted by Murray Blight @ 10:08 | 0 Comments | | PermaLink

Hello All,  
 
Spring may be here.  
 
Remember that anything worth doing is going to take longer that you think.  
 
Council Meeting, Tuesday, April 2nd, 2013 with selected agenda items & correspondence since March 18th, 2013. You can obtain the details on the City Web site.  
 
A) Presentation:  
 
Ms. Kavanaugh presented a poetry reading in recognition of World Poetry Day, March 21st, 2013. April is recognized as Canadian Poetry Month.  
 
B) Delegations:  
 
Bryan Tannahill of Hockey Brandon provided an update for the recent Tournament of Champions. First organization to utilize funds from the Accommodation Tax.  
 
Brittany Oliver of Enactus Brandon & UCT are coordinating the Annual Community Clean Sweep Program.  
 
Hope Switzer explained Brandon Earth Day Celebrations on April 22nd, 2013.  
 
C) Public Hearings:  
 
Council heard presentations regarding By-law/7042 to rezone property at 1406 Lorne Avenue from residential low density multiple family zone to Residential moderate density multiple family zone. Council later voted to accept the recommendation.  
 
D) Committee Reports:  
 
Police Commission. Keystone Centre, Western Manitoba Auditorium, Joint Task Group, Brandon Urban Aboriginal People`s Council & Rennaissance Brandon.  
 
E) Enquiries:  
 
Flood Update, Victoria Avenue, Pot Hole Line-729-2200, Pedestrian, 8th St Bridge & Community Sweep.  
 
F) General Business:  
 
Council received a current flood update from Brian Kayes. Dike improvements from Ted Snure & general maintenance from Ian Broome.  
 
Council adopted recommended changes from the Minister of Local Government for the 2013 Financial Plan.  
 
Administration will be reviewing & recommending City Council salaries & benefits for 2014.  
 
City Council Code of Conduct was reviewed & adopted.  
 
Perry Roque provided information regarding Share the Road Project Bicycle Corridor. Council agreed to have implemented.  
 
Zenith Paving being awarded the Contract C Paving Works for areas in the city. Cost of $1,042,753.43, including GST.  
 
Accommodation Tax report was received with total collections of $384,369.00 for 2012.  
 
Brandon Downtown Development Corporation changes being heard & discussed. Council representation reduced to two members & additional member at large on the board.  
 
G) Did You Know:  
 
Brandon Fire & Emergency Services 2012 Report on Ambulance Service-Patient Satisfaction Survey was recently completed. Overall responses were pleased with the care & service.  
 
Green Cart Program with the City of Brandon can be seen at greencart at brandon.ca  
 
Eastview Landfill Site Summer hours commence April 2nd, 2013.  
 
Brandon Police Service & Manitoba Public Insurance Road Watch commences May 10th, 2013.  
 
Next Council Meeting will be held, Monday, April 15th, 2013 at 7:30 pm.  
 
Talk to you soon.  
 
Sincerely,  
 
Murray

Posted by Murray Blight @ 13:04 | 0 Comments | | PermaLink

Hello Everyone,  
 
When is it going to quit snowing?  
 
“Criticize the behaviour, not the person”.  
 
City Council Meeting, Monday, March 18/13, 7:30 pm with selected agenda items & correspondence since February 19/13. You can obtain the details on the City Web site.  
 
A) Delegation:  
 
Mr. David Barnes gave a presentation to create a Protected Spaces Network for the preservation of rare and unique ecological habitants. You can visit treesbloodtalks.woodpress.com for further details.  
 
B) Public Hearing:  
 
City Treasure, Mr. Dean Hammond provided details for the recommended 2013 Financial Plan. General Revenues/Expenditures-$74.3M; Utilities Revenues/Expenditures-$18.1M. Total Budget $92.4M. Mill Rate increase from 212 being .98%.. 1st Reading of Tax Levy By-law being April 2/13. 2nd & 3rd Readings being April 15/13.  
 
C) Committee Reports:  
 
Council received reports from the Brandon general museum, Brandon Downtown Development, Brandon Police Board & Poverty.  
 
D) Enquiries:  
 
Lead Water testing; Gang Tagging; Snow Piles/Rear of Riverheights Terrace; Green Acers Lodge; 2010/2011 Financial Statements; Flood Forecast; Line of Credit & Snow Clearing Budget.  
 
E) General Business:  
 
Wheat City Lions to receive a $5K Grant from the Accommodation Tax Reserve. The organization is hosting a Mid-Winter Convention.  
 
Vanessa Hamilton being appointed to the Poverty Committee  
 
Derek Ford & Greg Hutsal being appointed to the Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee.  
 
F) Did You Know:  
 
Brandon Chamber of Commerce Luncheon on Thursday, April 18/13 at the Keystone Centre, UCT Pavilion. Premier Greg Selinger will be providing the State of the Province.  
 
City of Brandon will be conducting another round of residential snow clearing beginning today.  
 
Your Friend & Mine, Marilyn Forsyth is retiring from the City of Brandon. Celebration taking place Friday, March 22/13, 5:00 pm at Houston’s.  
 
Next Council Meeting on Tuesday, April 2/13, 7:30 pm at City Hall.  
 
Talk to you soon.  
 
Sincerely,  
 
Murray

Posted by Murray Blight @ 17:18 | 0 Comments | | PermaLink

Hello Everyone,  
 
“Remember that loving words quickly heal”.  
 
City Council Meeting, Tuesday, February 19/13, 7:30 pm with selected agenda items & correspondence since February 4/13. You can obtain the details on the City Web site.  
 
A) Delegations:  
 
Orval Henderson spoke about the Brandon Community Builders organization who want to build affordable housing for low income families.  
 
B) Public Hearing:  
 
Designation of Municipal Sites, 662-11th street & 706 Lorne Avenue were discussed with both carried under Bylaws #7044 & 7052.  
 
C) Committee Reports:  
 
Personnel Committee advised that the City & Brandon Police Association settled on a one year agreement. Officers receiving a 4.4% & Civilians a 2% wage increase.  
 
D) Enquiries:  
 
Snow Removal, Landfill Dumping, Winter Fest/Pavilions, Code of Conduct & Brandon Inn.  
 
E) General Business:  
 
The reconsideration of grant reduction to the Brandon Downtown Development Corporation was discussed and passed. Renaissance Brandon will receive $50K that is matched by the Manitoba Government. Council deliberated & reduced $50K from the proposed budget. The mill rate remains under 1%.  
 
Councillor Rice will be replacing myself on the Keystone Centre Board. I’ve agreed to replace Councillor Roberts on the Brandon and Area Planning District Board.  
 
Council agreed to have a by-law prepared to adopt a secondary plan for the land in the southwest coroner of the City. An area of 150 acres n the Brookwood Development.  
 
F) By-laws:  
 
#7034- The boundaries of Linden Lanes & Meadows Wards will be known as Meadows-Waverly Ward.  
 
#7039- Amendments to the Land Use & Parking Regulations within the Downtown was passed.  
 
#7055- Amendment to the Planning Commission Terms of Office was passed.  
 
G) Did You Know:  
 
Development Services began distributing sample bottles for residents to test their drinking water.  
 
Winnipeg-based Probe Research Inc conducted a random survey for their thoughts on how the arrival of immigrants to Brandon has impacted the city. 72% agreed was positive. This was an increase of 8% from 2012.  
 
Sanitation Section advised that By-law Enforcement have issued 1098 notices to property owners in having the garbage container removed from the rear lane.  
 
Next Council Meeting will be on Monday, March 4/13, 7:30 pm.  
 
Talk to you soon.  
 
Sincerely,  
 
Murray

Posted by Murray Blight @ 16:14 | 0 Comments | | PermaLink