Council Clips – July 7, 2020
Facility Re-Opening Plans
We are gradually re-opening our facilities with modifications, and in some cases, access will be limited, and the user experience will be different than before the closures.
- Canmore Recreation Centre is open for gymnastics, summer camp and group rental spaces
- Civic Centre opens July 13
- Elevation Place – Fitness, Climbing Gym (and library) opens July 20
- Elevation Place - Aquatics Centre opens early August
- Alex Kaleta Arena at the CRC opens August 4
- Thelma Crowe Arena CRC opens October 1
For more details on the phased re-opening of the facilities and ways to access them, visit https://canmore.ca/covid-19/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-canmore/actions-taken-by-the-town-of-canmore-during-covid-19
2020 Service Level and Expense Reductions
Reductions to the 2020 Operating Budget to lower the overall municipal 2020 tax requirement to 2019 levels resulted in a wide range of service level reductions throughout the organization. We reduced staffing, cut expenses, canceled several capital projects, and reduced reserve transfers. For a full list of how the budget cuts impact the community, visit the Financial Actions section of https://canmore.ca/covid-19/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-canmore/actions-taken-by-the-town-of-canmore-during-covid-19
Land Use Bylaw Amendment – 1 MacDonald Place
Council gave first reading to a bylaw intended to rezone a single parcel located at 1 MacDonald Place in the Three Sisters Area from R1 to R2. A public hearing is scheduled for August 18 at 9 a.m. For more information visit https://canmore.ca/town-hall/bylaws-policy/bylaws-pending-approval
Canmore RCMP Financial Plan
Council accepted this 5-year plan that includes an increase of two police officers to focus on traffic enforcement, crime prevention, and community and school resources, and one municipal support person in the Canmore detachment. To read the report, see item H1a in https://canmore.ca/documents/3983-2020-07-07-council-agenda-regular
Downtown Business Improvement Area Budget Amendment
$20K was transferred from the BIA reserves to fund aesthetic improvements to the downtown area intended to support businesses by creating an inviting and safe place for staff, residents, and visitors. To learn more about Main Street improvements visit Activating Main Street & Town Centre
Town Telephone System Improvements
Existing budgets for telecommunications projects were amended to reduce future expenses and support a new solution for Town phone lines, meeting the needs of employees working remotely to answer telephone calls from the public.
Water and Wastewater Services Agreement
Council directed administration to negotiate a new contract with EPCOR Water Services Inc., who have provided water utility services to Canmore since May 2000. To read the 2019 EPCOR performance report visit Utility Operations.
South Bow River Loop Water Main Construction
This large and complex project will result in the installation a water line between Three Sisters Parkway and Bow Valley Trail via the wastewater treatment plan. With bids coming in over budget, Council approved a reduction in scope that will allow a portion of the project to proceed that will still provide water to the wastewater treatment plan by the end of this year.
Calgary to Banff Passenger Rail Project
Administration provided a briefing about a recent announcement from the Canada Infrastructure Bank and Albert Transportation to fund further analysis of a Calgary-Banff passenger rail project.
