Council indicated that they would transfer $15,000 annually to the Heritage Reserve Fund at their regular meeting of October 22, 2012.
The fund was established alongside the heritage program at the time of incorporation in 1990, and serves to provide financial incentives to property owners for the protection and restoration of heritage properties.
Most recently, St. Georges in the Pines received a $50,000 matching grant from the fund. Council had asked staff for options on rebuilding the fund. In the end, they selected to contribute annually from the General Reserves during budget deliberations. Council will formally vote to approve the transfer during the 2013 budget debate.
At the same meeting, Council requested an amendment to the taxi bylaw to permit the conversion of five taxi licenses to fuel efficient vehicles in 2013, and a further three licenses per year for the next seven years. Staff worked with Banff Transportation Group, which operates the two taxi companies in Banff, to devise the schedule of conversion. After seven years, 80 percent of the taxi licenses in Banff would be eco-friendly, as defined by Transport Canada's fuel consumption guide.
Council expressed appreciation to the Banff Transportation Group for their commitment and enthusiasm to the conversion, and the principles behind using more fuel efficient vehicles in Banff National Park.
Council voted to increase their compensation by three per cent. The increase is a $4,400 impact to the Town's operating budget. Council also directed administration to convene a public committee to review the council compensation policy.