Council will recommend the Bow Valley Regional Transit Services Commission waive transit fares on Roam for a year for up to eight Syrian refugees living in the area as part of the Bow Valley Syria Refugee Project. Representatives of the project spoke to council as a delegation about how the volunteer-run organization has fundraised $80,000 for a year of living expenses for a family it hopes to bring to the Bow Valley. The organization said waiving transit fees will help the family travel between Banff and Canmore once they arrive and begin the search for employment. The organization will also approach the Town of Canmore about waiving fees.
Council waived off-site levies for the redevelopment of Banff Elementary School. The Canadian Rockies Public School Division had requested council waive the $105,747 fee as very little new square footage will be added to the building during redevelopment. The Municipal Government Act allows municipalities to charge a levy on developments or redevelopments to cover a portion of the cost of constructing or expanding certain municipal infrastructure. In 1992, council had also voted to waive off-site levies when the school was modernized.
Council has asked staff to draft amendments to the snow and ice policy for consideration for increased snow clearing service. Council asked administration to return with amendments to increase the plowing priority level of Bow Avenue to Blue (Priority 2). They’ve also asked for amendments to consider enhancing snow and ice maintenance along pedestrian routes from Cascade House, Mount Edith House, Olympic House and the downtown core. The report will include costs for increase equipment and manpower, or a deferral of other work to conduct this service.
Council adopted an updated Flag Protocol Policy C1001, which expands and simplifies when the flag at Town Hall can be lowered to half-mast. Council also repealed the Logo License Policy C020, Parkade Display Window Policy C041 and Public Transit Advertising Policy C102, as all three are no longer applicable.
Council adopted the 2016 municipal fee schedule and directed administration to prepare any required bylaw amendments to reflect fee changes. These fees deal with municipal services, like administration, business licensing, parking, cemetery, municipal property, street use, land use, planning, and recreation services.
Council received a briefing on the collection and transportation of municipal solid waste. In July 2015, council directed administration to buy equipment to operate an in-house long-haul waste removal service. The service began December 31.
Council received a briefing on the number of permits issued in 2015. Development permit volumes are at five-year highs, and building permit volumes also saw increased levels over previous years. Sign permits were at 10-year highs in 2015.
Council appointed Rosanna Maunder to the Banff Heritage Corporation for a term ending at the 2017 annual organizational meeting.