Council gave second and third reading to Bylaw 250-3 Loan Guarantee Bylaw – Rocky Mountains Cooperative Housing Association and the Rocky Mountains II Cooperative Housing Association. Since 2006, the Town of Banff has guaranteed the mortgages on the properties. The buildings have a total of 141 apartment units, which provide accommodation for 18 community organizations and businesses. At the end of the sub-lease term in 2035, both buildings revert back to the Town of Banff.
Council gave three readings to the Business License Amending Bylaw 351. The bylaw amends the Schedule B fees by increasing non-accommodation fees by 2%. At the 2006 Banff Lake Louise Tourism annual meeting, members approved a standard fixed increase of 2% per year for the Town’s Schedule B business license fees, starting in 2010 for non-accommodation businesses. Schedule B fees are used for destination marketing.
Council adopted the amended 2016 Financial Plan and directed administration to use the document as a guide for the 2016 service review and budget.
Council appointed councillor Corrie DiManno as the Town of Banff representative on the Marigold Library System Board and Ben Berci as the alternate representative.
Council voted for administration to return with bylaw amendments that would allow skateboarding in the currently restricted areas of Banff Avenue before 11 a.m. and after 9 p.m. After receiving a briefing on increased opportunities for skateboarding as a transportation mode, council asked to see a draft bylaw that would allow skateboarding during times when it isn’t as busy in the 100, 200 and 300 blocks of Banff Ave. Council also asked administration to promote skateboarding as an allowed travel mode on multi-use trails and any future cycling routes. This promotion would be included as part of the Trails Master Plan.
Council voted against providing in-kind support to help maintain an ice rink at the train station. The Town currently provides in-kind support to a neighbourhood rink in Middle Springs, and builds and maintains outdoor rinks at The Fenlands and the high school.