Live streaming of council meetings
On September 23, the Town of Banff began live streaming video and audio of Council meetings to provide local residents and businesses greater opportunities to learn about the decisions that affect them. The meetings will be recorded and posted on the banff.ca website the day after meetings to provide people in Banff with a convenient method to follow up on the business of Town Council. Although the video does not replace the meeting minutes as the official record of the meetings, the videos provide context around the discussions that lead to direction from council on issues in the town site. The live streaming on council day is available at banff.ca/live and recordings of past meetings are posted with minutes of the agenda at https://banff.ca/AgendaCenter/Agendas--Minutes-Banff-Town-Council-14.
Council approves Municipal Heritage Designation for the MacKenzie Residence
Banff Town Council designated the MacKenzie Residence, located at 202 Beaver Street, as a Municipal Historic Resource for its connection to Flora and George Mackenzie, and the Luxton family, and due to its architectural significant as representative the early post-war residential developments on Beaver Street. The designation elevates protection of the home, which is identifiable by its bottle-glass stucco exterior; front-gabled roof with half-timbering in the front gable; a front porch with front-gabled roof and centred recessed entry. The designation was requested by the property owners, the Eleanor Luxton Historical Foundation. Council also approved a one-time grant of up to $50,000, paid over three years to support conservation efforts. The foundation is matching funding from its own fundraising efforts and is seeking a grant from the Province of Alberta.
Council requests budget discussion on the Banff sign
Town Council provided administration with several items they would like discussed in budget deliberations, in addition to reviewing all the services and programs provided by the Town of Banff. One key topic council identified for debate is the possibility of relocating the Banff letters sign from its location at the west entrance on Norquay Road. The move is considered as a potential mitigation for traffic congestion, which is primarily caused by CP rail crossings near the same location. This year, the Town has applied several traffic-calming measures, added a crosswalk and reduced the speed for vehicles coming off the highway. However, the congestion and traffic flow remain a concern. Budget deliberations begin in late November for the 2020 year.
Town of Banff to Celebrate Pride Week
Banff is celebrating Pride Week October 1 – 6, with a variety of activities for all ages. Events kick off with the annual Rainbow Walk from Bear Street to the Banff Community High School, where the rainbow flag is raised for the week. Other activities include a Pride Potluck, the Rainbow Reels at the Lux Cinema, a tribute at the Canmore Eagles hockey game, a Pride Party, and Pride in the Park picnic and entertainment. A number of other events can be found on the Banff Pride Facebook page.