Brandon Minute: New Contract, Westoba Place, and a Poverty Reduction Strategy

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

This Week In Brandon:

• There are no meetings at City Hall this week. The next meeting of Council will take place on October 7th.
  
  
• Brandon City Council is taking steps to acquire the former Esso gas station at 402 Rosser Ave., which has been vacant for over a decade, by appointing an officer to make a reserve bid in an upcoming tax sale. The property owner owes $89,044.22 in tax arrears, and after failing to demolish the remaining structures, the City took action last year to remove the above-ground elements. Although environmental concerns remain due to the site’s history, City officials believe they can manage the risks better than private developers. The upcoming auction is scheduled for October 17th, and the City plans to explore options for the site’s future use, aiming for a development that benefits the community.
  
  
• There is a new five-year contract for enhanced-911 operators between the City and the Brandon Professional Firefighter Paramedics Association. The agreement includes a 2% wage increase starting January 1st, 2024, followed by 1.5% increases on January 1st and July 1st for the subsequent years through 2028. Council approved the contract unanimously, with the exception of Councillor Shaun Cameron, who abstained due to a potential conflict of interest.

Last Week In Brandon:

• Brandon has been selected to contribute to the NDP's new poverty reduction strategy, a move welcomed by the City's Housing and Wellness Coordinator. The government will hold interactive workshops in October and November to gather community input, with three sessions scheduled on October 21st, targeting stakeholders, Indigenous communities, and the general public. Housing, Addictions and Homelessness Minister Bernadette Smith emphasized the importance of hearing directly from rural residents, who make up 40% of the Province's population. The City hopes the discussions will address root causes of poverty, particularly food security and accessibility to social services. The Manitoba government is also reaching out to over 800 organizations for their insights as part of this engagement process.
  
  
• The Keystone Centre celebrated the unveiling of upgraded seats at Westoba Place with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, attended by various dignitaries including Municipal and Northern Relations Minister Ian Bushie. The new seats, worth over $2 million and designed for enhanced comfort, replace older 16-inch seats with more spacious 20-inch options, and include features like cup holders. The project, involving collaboration from multiple local and provincial partners, aims to improve the spectator experience and encourage greater attendance at events. Community leaders expressed optimism about the facility's future, highlighting its significance to Brandon and the potential for hosting major events.
  
  
• Brandon City Council has approved the sale of several City-owned lots on Sixth Street North to Habitat for Humanity for just $1, facilitating plans to build up to 26 affordable homes. These properties, located in the Assiniboine Gardens area, will enable Habitat to construct homes in two phases, with the first phase potentially starting in 2026. The new homes will be two-storey, single-family units designed to accommodate the area's high water table. Additionally, discussions are underway for the development of more lots nearby, as Habitat aims to increase its annual home production.