Council update, September 12, 2009
Hello everyone:
I hope that you got a chance to see the two amazing community events yesterday!
Huge kudos to the over 150 men who volunteered to walk around Central Park in high heels to raise money for YWCA programs to help women. This was not just a super fundraiser, it was a fabulous community get-together -- well done, YW. And the warden centennial ride down Banff Avenue ... well, I don't think I was the only one in the appreciative crowd with a major lump in my throat. By the way, huge kudos to Bob Haney for still fitting into his 1972 uniform!
I happened to chat with two tourists who had chanced upon both events. They felt they had had a chance to see the real heart of Banff, and they sure liked what they were seeing.
EVENING COUNCIL MEETING
Just a reminder that Monday's council meeting is at 7 p.m. If you have a question about an item on the agenda, or if you want to see what a council meeting is like (maybe you're thinking of running next year), here's an opportunity that doesn't require you to be away from work during the day. Council is trying this evening meeting idea three times this year, to see if it is something the community would like us to continue.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE COUNCIL AGENDA FOR MONDAY
You can see the council package by clicking on this link:
Water main and valve replacement
Council is being asked to create a new capital project to cover water main and valve replacement and repairs (report is on page 25 of the council package). Repairs would take place at Squirrel and Lynx, Whiskey Creek, 300 block of Squirrel, 100 block of Cave and Marmot Street. Valves would be replaced on Railway Street, Banff Ave 400 block, and Caribou Street (that work is already underway). The idea is to take care of leaks and potential leaks, and cut down on the number of future emergency repairs. The good news is that this can be funded from the money saved by not building a sixth well -- something we were able to postpone indefinitely because of people's and businesses' successful water conservation efforts.
Two replacement garbage trucks
Council is being asked to move the money forward from a planned 2010 purchase to cover one of these trucks -- the other is already budgeted. This seems to make sense, as $15,500 was spent on repairs in this year. You can see the report on pge 27 of the package.
Banff Housing Corporation -- Peyto Place purchase
Council is being asked to confirm that we will guarantee a loan for the BHC while they purchase and resell 10 units in Peyto Place. Since our last vote, I have been asked why I support a purchase that will not actually add new housing units. While it's true that this purchase doesn't increase the number of housing units, it does increase the number of units available at bleow-market prices. I agree that the ideal is to have units that are both new and below market, but our opportunities to do that are becoming fewer. You can read the report on page 29 of the package.