Council approved funding for a new incentive program to remove crab apple trees from private property and replace them with native, non-fruit bearing trees. The program, being done in partnership with Parks Canada, aims to reduce the number of crab apple trees in town, which can be a wildlife attractant. Fruit trees are an indirect risk to public safety and increase the likelihood of a bear being relocated or euthanized if it becomes conditioned to seek food sources in town. Letters will be mailed to property owners where the fruit trees have been identified, but the list may not be complete. Homeowners with crab apple trees who wish to participate in the program can call 403.762.1215 before October 31, 2015 to take part. Council approved $6,000 for this program, with Parks Canada contributing $15,000.
Council approved a $24,000 increase to the Old Banff Cemetery gate replacement project. The project was approved as part of the 2015 budget process, but quotes received had exceeded the original contractor pricing estimates due to higher staffing and material costs. The project will replace the old wooden gates which are currently in poor shape, and replace them with a longer lasting iron gate. The additional funding will come from the general capital reserves.
Council approved updates to the Roadway Project Prioritization Model. They adopted land use/design parameters to be used in the asset management approach to prioritizing roadway replacement projects for the 10 year capital budget. They also adopted a list of roadway replacement projects for the 10 year plan.
Council adopted Policy C2000 – Employee Housing Administration and rescinded Policy C047-1 to allow it to be reclassified as Administrative Policy A2000.
Council approved an updated committee appointments policy as well as recruitment profiles and applications. In August, the Governance and Finance Committee directed administration to amend the policy so position description for public members were included at the recruitment phase. Descriptions, as well as a new application profile for each committee, will be created and used to select public members for Town of Banff committees and boards.
Council adopted the 2016 Financial Plan. The financial plan is a document used to guide the 2016 service review and budget process.
Council voted effective Sept. 21, 2015 until April 30, 2016, Councillor Corrie DiManno will be deputy mayor and Councillor Ted Christensen will be acting mayor.
Council voted in favour of reappointing Jess Harding to the Banff Public Library board.
Council voted in favour of placing a link on the Town’s website and a notice on the Town Page in the newspaper, where residents can go to register to vote in the upcoming Federal election, and a phone number to call for information on voting.