Council voted to trial user-pay parking at five surface lots in the downtown core this summer. The lots represent 17% of the available parking in Banff. The trial will run from August 1 to October 31 at: Bear Street – 100 block next to Town Hall Bear Street – 200 block across from the Bison Courtyard Beaver Street – 100 block behind the Clock Tower Mall Beaver Street – 100 block behind the Mount Royal Hotel Beaver Street – 200 block behind the Visitor Centre Parking rates will be $2 per hour from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m., seven days a week. The pilot project will cost $25,000 and will be funded by the revenue generated from user-pay parking. Council gave three readings of the Traffic Bylaw Amendment Bylaw No.4 to allow for the user pay parking trial. Council also asked administration to return with a report on options for a survey that could be conducted with visitors using the pay parking lots. Council voted to implement a vendor supplied advanced Licence Plate Recognition (LPR) technology parking enforcement system and parking data collection program in the downtown core. The LPR technology can be mounted in a vehicle or used as a hand-held device for time limit enforcement. The costs of the program will be funded by user-pay parking revenues. Council directed administration to draft amendments to the Water System Bylaw that assign ownership of the curb stop cap, stem and telescopic box to the property owner and pro-rate the cost of repairs between the property owner and the Town based on the number of years each party has been responsible for the infrastructure. The Town would retain the option of transferring ownership back to the homeowner once each individual curb stop is located and the underground valve is confirmed to be in working order. In March 2010, a bylaw came in effect which transferred the Town’s responsibility for the condition of the curb stop cap, stem and telescoping box to the property owner. In October 2013, a homeowner noted that the Town did not test the working of the infrastructure prior to turning over to the homeowner, and so did not know if it was working. It was suggested by the homeowner that the costs of repairs be shared with the Town on a pro-rated basis and Council agreed. Council received a briefing on the first quarter financial statements. The current forecast is projecting a year-end deficit of $121,487. Administration will continue to monitor and look for ways to reduce the forecasted deficit either through increasing revenues or decreasing expenses before the end of the fiscal year. Council voted to allocate the legacy funds raised from the Banff/Canmore Alberta Winter Games to the Banff Community Foundation, as per a recommendation from the games’ public committee. The money will be part of a games legacy fund.