Brandon Minute: Remembrance Day, Development Charges, and the Green Business Award

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

This Week In Brandon:

• There are no meetings at City Hall today, as it is Remembrance Day. Brandon Legion Branch 3 is holding a Remembrance Day ceremony today at the Keystone Centre. Doors open at 9:00 am.
  
  
• Today, Brandon Transit will operate on holiday hours from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, with the Transit Information Centre closed. Several City facilities will be closed, including the A.R. McDiarmid Civic Complex, City Hall, Community Sportsplex, Civic Services Complex, Eastview Landfill, and Parks Complex. Regular City hours will resume tomorrow.
  
  
• Police are investigating after drugs were found inside a box of chocolates in a food hamper at Samaritan House Ministries. A client opened a Toffifee box and discovered two small bags containing cannabis and methamphetamine. While the shelter no longer packs the hampers, a staff member accompanies clients as they select their items. Police are continuing to investigate the source of the contaminated donation, and are taking additional steps to ensure no further drugs are present.

Last Week In Brandon:

• Living Simply Kitchen has been awarded the 2024 Green Business Award by the City of Brandon and the Brandon Chamber of Commerce for its commitment to sustainability. Known for its weekly meal prep services, the business introduced an innovative glassware exchange program to minimize single-use packaging. It also focused on reducing food waste and sourcing locally to cut emissions.
  
  
• Council announced that it would be reviewing an increase in Development Charges (DCs) to fund essential off-site infrastructure for future growth. DCs currently support infrastructure such as roads, water, wastewater, and drainage to accommodate a projected 20 years of ity expansion. The existing DC framework, established in 2019, mandates periodic reviews, and the City has enlisted Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. to assess funding needs for growth. Council will hold public hearings on amendments on December 16th.
  
  
• The City has partnered with Fusion Credit Union, the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB), and the Province of Manitoba to improve water and wastewater infrastructure. The partnership includes a nearly $43 million investment from the CIB, which will save the City an estimated $30.6 million over time. Key projects include upgrading the Water Treatment Facility and expanding the Southwest Brandon Wastewater Servicing, which will support up to 2,300 new housing units. All infrastructure will remain publicly owned and operated by the City.