Brandon Minute: Bus Refurbishment, Crime Stoppers, and a New City Manager

Brandon Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Brandon politics

This Week In Brandon:

• There will be a meeting of City Council this evening at 7:00 pm. The agenda includes a Borrowing Bylaw for the Sportsplex project, as well as a zoning bylaw update.
  
  
• Brandon is progressing with the retrofit of its transit fleet, with around five buses currently being refurbished, and the remaining ones set to be retrofitted over the next two years. This mid-life refurbishment aims to extend the buses' useful life by an additional 8 - 10 years, with refurbishment costs ranging from $250,000 to $350,000 per bus, compared to nearly $900,000 for new ones. The City is also exploring the possibility of transitioning to electric buses, with federal funding discussions underway to support the infrastructure. While retrofitting provides more time to evaluate electric bus systems, the need for fleet replacement became urgent after several buses were out of service last year.
  
  
• The Manitoba government is buying and renovating apartment buildings as part of a plan to reduce homelessness, aiming to clear encampments starting in February. The initiative involves working with municipalities and community agencies to offer support services like addiction treatment, with $175,000 allocated to Brandon. Premier Wab Kinew has set a target to eliminate chronic homelessness within seven years, focusing on relocating those in encampments to available housing.

Last Week In Brandon:

• Brandon City Council has appointed Dave Wardrop as the new City Manager, effective March 17th, 2025. Wardrop brings over 30 years of experience in municipal leadership, including roles as Chief Administrative Officer and Director of Winnipeg Transit, where he managed significant projects like the Southwest Transitway. Wardrop will replace Acting City Manager Terry Parlow, who will continue as Chief of Emergency Services.
  
  
• At a presentation for community members, the City told attendees that plans for downtown revitalization are moving along, including the proposal of a 90-unit residential building on a vacant lot at Ninth Street and Princess Avenue. While the project is still in the planning stages, City officials are working on obtaining the necessary permits. Efforts to enhance the downtown include revitalizing vacant properties and improving storefronts. The City also says it is addressing public safety concerns and social disorder, with police efforts aimed at increasing visibility and responding to downtown hot spots.
  
  
• Brandon Crime Stoppers (BCS) received recognition for its role in supporting local policing efforts, having provided 394 tips in 2024 that led to solving 120 cases and arresting 46 individuals. The collaboration between BCS and the Brandon Police Service (BPS) resulted in significant seizures, including $182,165 worth of drugs and stolen property. BCS, a community-driven program, also celebrated its success in offering financial rewards for tips and has contributed $186,290 in rewards since its inception in 1985. Despite often being mistaken as a police program, BCS operates as a volunteer-run initiative supported by the community, sponsors, and fundraising events.