Council Clips - September 7, 2021
Committee Bylaw Amendment – Remove Citizen Requirement
In an effort to continue our work on creating a more welcoming and inclusive community, Council approved an amending bylaw allowing all individuals whose primary residence is in Canmore to be eligible to participate on municipal committees. The previous requirement was that all members be a Canadian Citizen.
Heliport Location Study
Following a motion from Council at the June 1, 2021 council meeting, Administration returned to Council to present a report on the scope and budget for a Heliport Location Study. The study would assist in determining if an alternate location for the Canmore Municipal Heliport can be identified within the municipal boundary or within close proximity to town. As the community has grown around the existing heliport, noise and other concerns have been raised by residents. This study, should it proceed, would determine if alternative locations exist that could meet the needs of the community and heliport users over the long-term.
Bus Barn Expansion Project Budget Amendment
During the 2021 budget process, capital project #7189 (a new storage garage) was approved for a total of $200,000 with $100,000 in MSI funding, and $100,000 in federal grants. At that time, this project was identified as a candidate for GreenTRIP funding, but the Town was waiting for confirmation of the extension of the funding. Since the time of that approval, GreenTRIP was extended, and bids for the work came in higher than anticipated. The proposed change would replace the $100,000 in federal grants with $200,000 in GreenTRIP funding. The $100,000 from the Town’s MSI funding remains unchanged.
Advancing Truth and Reconciliation with the Stoney Nakoda Nation
As part of the Council deliberations on the Smith Creek and Three Sisters Village area structure plans, Council directed administration to investigate the development of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Stoney Nakoda Nation. Discussion with a representative of the Nation suggests that prior to the establishment of the MOU, the Stoney Nakoda Nation would like access to lands within the Town of Canmore boundaries for cultural ceremonies. This would help in building relationships that will assist with establishing an MOU in the future. It is recommended this process begin with the appointment of Town liaisons, who will work with appointed representatives of the Nation to identify lands for cultural use and other appropriate subsequent steps in the development of an MOU.
Council appointed the General Managers of Municipal Infrastructure and Municipal Services as the liaisons. Town liaisons would engage with appointed Stoney Nakoda liaisons, and report back to Council as required on progress and next steps.
Outstanding Resolution – Lower Silvertip Wildlife Corridor
In July 2017, Council directed Administration to develop a wildlife management plan for the Lower Silvertip Wildlife Corridor. The lands in question are owned by multiple parties, the corridor is not Provincially designated, and the Town has limited expertise and no real authority when it comes to management of wildlife habitat. This makes the Town’s ability to actively manage the corridor a challenge. Accordingly, Council rescinded their original motion, and instead directed Administration to convene those multiple landowners to determine the most appropriate path forward for the shared management of these lands.
Short Term Rental Accommodation Next Steps
In May 2015, Council directed Administration to undertake a public consultation process to determine if the Land Use Bylaw should be amended to allow residential dwelling to be used for short-term/tourist home rentals subject to clear regulations. Despite multiple reports, studies, and reviews, this motion has never been addressed to Council’s satisfaction and so remains on the Council Resolution Action List. Council rescinded their original motion and directed Administration to work with the next Council on this divisive issue.
Kananaskis Improvement District-Canmore Fire-Rescue Agreement
The Municipal Government Act requires municipalities with common borders to prepare and adopt Intermunicipal Collaboration Frameworks by bylaw or resolution. Kananaskis Improvement District (KID) and Canmore have an approved Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework (ICF) earlier this year, however the final agreement for Fire-Rescue service still needed to be negotiated. Council approved the fire-rescue agreement.
