council update, 27 November 2011

Hello everyone:

What perfect weather for hunkering down and preparing for meetings.  Good thing, because this time of year is incredibly busy for council. 

BUDGET MEETINGS

As I mentioned in my last email to you, we have two budget meetings this week (Monday and Wednesday, 9 am – 12 noon).  Both will be focussing on the capital budget.   You are very welcome to attend these meetings – they are open to the public.  You can see all the background information for these meetings at this link:
http://www.banff.ca/town-hall/finance/budget_2012.htm

Just scroll to the bottom of the page to see the current approved projects, the proposed new projects, the state of the Town’s capital reserves, and so on.

A few highlights to note:

Having done a thorough ranking of all the roads projects based on the current condition of the infrastructure, administration is proposing that we re-do the timing on some of these projects.  In the proposal, Cave Avenue reconstruction comes first in 2013, followed by the 300 block of Banff Avenue in 2014-15, Otter Street in 2015-16, and St Julien in 2017.  The roadway condition assessments and the very detailed costing sheets are in the public documents.  I’m pleased and impressed to see the level of objective assessment that has gone into this.

The town’s capital reserves are definitely looking healthier.  While we have an “infrastructure deficit” like pretty well every municipality in Canada, we are in a much better position than most and our trend is toward improvement, not toward increasing problems.  You may be interested in the “Debt” headings in the Capital Reserves document - you’ll see that 2012 is the last year of the debt for Banff Refreshing.

Some interesting new projects are proposed for council’s consideration.  These include major work on the library entryway, fencing for an off-leash dog park, Legacy Trail connections, a new “columbarium” (a place for cremation urns) at the Old Cemetery, etc.

COUNCIL ON MONDAY

You can see the whole package for council’s meeting on Monday at the following link:
http://www.banff.ca/Assets/PDFs/Town+Hall+PDF/Council+Agendas+PDF/2011+Agendas+PDF/council-agenda-111128.pdf

Land Use Bylaw working group

This group of dedicated volunteers has met 10 times, for three hours per time, in recent weeks.  We owe them all a debt of gratitude!  Chair David Bayne is bringing their final report to council tomorrow.  You can read the full report starting on page 3 of the package.

On the question of whether we should have spot zoning for gas stations and grocery stores, their consensus recommendation is no.  They feel that there is not an evident problem at present, and that even if there were, spot zoning would not be an effective approach.

On the question of whether we should attempt to control formula fast food establishments, they did not reach consensus.  However, a portion of the group felt that quotas might be worth exploring.  This would mean that the Land Use Bylaw would specify the total number of FFR establishments that would be in town at any given time, or would say “of our total restaurants, only X% may be FFR”.  This idea is interesting, because it does not involve the Town meddling in each and every individual transaction, and it provides long-term clarity over what will and will not be allowed, now and in the future.   I look forward to further exploration of this approach.

On the question of housing and parking requirements for new development, the group provided input rather than recommendations.  The ideas and questions that they raise will be valuable in the further development of the land use bylaw.

Off-leash dog park briefing

Council received input from 438 people on this issue.  Starting on page 46 of the package, you can see the results of the survey and discussion of the two proposed locations.  This is a briefing to help Council decide what to put in the capital budget for this project.  I’m inclined to think that the industrial compound location is the more workable one.  Kudos to all the folks who said they would help with donations, fundraising, or keeping the dog park clean!

Tax exempt status

Starting on page 121 of the package, you can see the report on all the properties in Banff that could potentially be taxable (or partly taxable) but at present receive tax exemptions from the Town of Banff.  Council has decided that it’s reasonable to review these exemptions once every three years to see whether they should be continued.    Each property has provided a background information document on their application for tax exemption.

There are many more tax-exempt properties in the town (schools, churches, etc) but they are not on this list because they are not potentially taxable.

Letters regarding Banff Tea Company

Council has received input from 20 people about the Banff Tea Company and the possibility that David’s Tea may be considering renting a Banff location.  I read every word, and you, too, can read these letters and emails, starting on page 154 of the package.

All the best until next time -- Leslie