News Releases

Council gave three readings to Bylaw 381 – Fees and Charges Bylaw Amendment No. 1 (Festival and Special Event Fees) and approved changes to the Festival and Events Policy C5001. The bylaw and policy set fees for temporary, seasonal, and non-resident special events, as well as provide criteria for fee exemptions for community/non-profit events. Council voted to review the fees again in September 2017.

Council adopted the Trails Lighting Policy C7002 and accepted the Town of Banff Trails Lighting Policy Report prepared by Lees & Associates as a guide for trail lighting in Banff. The documents list trails where lighting could be appropriate and the type of lights and their brightness. With the adoption of the policy, council can now consider any trail lighting projects that arise during budget. Each will be considered individually by council. Council also directed administration to return with a report outlining options for replacing the vandalized handrail lighting on the pedestrian bridge that fit within the Trails Lighting Policy.

Council directed administration to transfer any unrestricted surplus beyond what is required to fully fund the budget stabilization reserve to fire and fleet reserve, with the remaining balance going to the general capital reserve. The fire and fleet reserves showed annual contribution shortfalls for 2017. There is approximately $269,000 in additional unrestricted surplus that will be allocated to these reserves.

Council approved changes to the employee Housing Incentive Purchase Program that will allow staff purchasing in the Town of Canmore to take advantage of the incentive. Approval was a legislative formality to authorize the acquisition of interest in lands within the municipal boundaries of the Town of Canmore for the purpose of granting a second mortgage to eligible employees under the Housing Incentive Purchase Program policy. Council also directed administration to return with a report on amending the policy that would provide an increased amount for a second mortgage for purchasing in Banff over Canmore.