Brandon Minute: Issue 104

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

📅 This Week In Brandon: 📅

• Brandon City Council is considering a series of governance changes, including increasing Council member pay, reducing the number of Councillors, and revising the ward system. Administration recommended annual pay raises, higher per diems, and increased vehicle allowances, citing that Brandon’s Mayor and Councillors earn less than peers in comparable Alberta and Saskatchewan cities. The proposal would reduce Council from 11 members to 9, with a plan for 4 wards each represented by two councillors, maintaining local accountability while streamlining decision-making. Salaries would be tied to a percentage of the Mayor’s pay, with the Mayor receiving annual 3% increases through 2030 and Councillors set at 30% of the Mayor’s salary. Administration argued smaller Councils improve efficiency, shorten meetings, and strengthen strategic planning without significantly increasing individual workloads. While some Councillors support the changes, there is concern about preserving local representation and managing councillor workloads under a revised system. 
  
  
• City Council is considering borrowing $6.1 million to build a new outdoor aquatic facility, replacing the aging Kinsmen Centennial Pool, which is over 50 years old and frequently experiences mechanical issues. The proposed facility would include two pools, a lazy river, and waterslides, with three potential locations under review. The loan would be repaid over 10 years through general municipal taxes, with a maximum annual repayment of $848,000 at an interest rate of up to 6.625%. Council members emphasized the importance of balancing recreation and infrastructure needs, acknowledging that some residents may be concerned about costs, especially following a 6.7% tax increase in February. 
  
  
• Brandon City crews are in full swing repairing potholes, a process expected to continue through June as fluctuating spring weather causes frequent road damage. Crews use cold-patch mix during early spring, sweeping out moisture and packing the material to extend its lifespan, though repeated repairs are common on busy streets. Priority is given to main roads such as 26th Street, 34th Street, and Park Avenue, while provincial highways and major streets like 18th Street and parts of Victoria and Richmond avenues are handled by the province. Workers rotate between tasks, including pothole repairs and snow clearing, to manage workload. New equipment acquired last year will allow hot-mix repairs starting in mid-May, applying a heated oil barrier that improves adhesion and durability, reducing the need for repeated patching. City staff emphasize that while pothole season will worsen as spring progresses, they are prepared and using improved methods to extend the life of repairs.
  
  
• The proposed subdivision plan for Victoria Avenue in Brandon's west end aims to create a mixed-use development by dividing a lot into three distinct units. The project involves retaining an existing commercial building, constructing a new 120-unit residential complex, and designating space for future commercial use. To proceed, the developer must meet several municipal conditions, including upgrading a public lane for emergency access, maintaining year-round snow clearing, and preserving existing tree buffers. City staff noted the plan aligns with Brandon’s Official Community Plan by encouraging intensification along commercial corridors and adding to the local housing supply. Following the Planning Commission's recent approval of necessary variances and conditional uses, the application now moves to City Council for final consideration. 
  
  
• Mayor Jeff Fawcett is defending the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair, scheduled to start March 30th, despite a measles outbreak linked to a January agricultural event at the same Keystone Centre venue. Manitoba has seen a sharp rise in measles cases since February 2025, with 291 confirmed cases so far this year and 33 hospitalizations reported. Public health officials warn that large gatherings like the Winter Fair could spark further outbreaks, particularly as many attendees remain susceptible. Fawcett stressed the City’s ability to safely host the event and encouraged attendees to get vaccinated, emphasizing personal responsibility to protect themselves and others. The fair is a significant cultural and community event expected to attract over 40,000 people.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

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