Council approved a municipal property tax increase of 6.21%. An average home, with an assessed value of $385,390, will see an increase of approximately $115. The commercial to residential mill rate split was set at 4:1. The tax rate bylaw will now be drafted and returned to council for approval at their May 25 meeting. Council approved spending $6,900 for the production and design of an information handout on summer traffic and parking that will be distributed at the east gates entrance to Banff National Park. The handout will encourage park visitors coming to the townsite to park their vehicles, walk, bike or take public transit in town. Approximately 250,000 handouts will be distributed between June and September. Funding is coming from the budget stabilization reserve. Council voted to appoint Coun. Corrie DiManno to the Bow Valley Immigration Partnership’s (BVIP) civic & political participation working group. The working group aims to improve the civic and political literacy and participation of Bow Valley immigrants. Council and the public were also invited to attend a community forum on Wednesday, May 20, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at The Fenlands. The forum will allow participants to comment on the draft settlement strategy prepared by the BVIP and will include roundtable discussions on their strategic priorities. Council received a briefing on the snow removal efforts following the heavy snowfall experienced November 27 to December 12, 2014. Approximately 60 cm of snow fell during that time, and 58,050 kilograms of winter grit was applied to roads. The total cost to remove snow and ice between November 27 and December 12 was $112,238.72.