BANFF – The Banff Housing Corporation’s board of directors looks set to get a shakeup.
The Town of Banff is looking to put a senior administrator on the board as a voting member instead of the municipality’s housing sustainability manager who is currently a voting member but also the administrative liaison with Banff Housing Corporation (BHC).
And while traditionally the board has only had one town councillor sit as a voting member, council appears keen to have two representatives, much like other commissions and committees like the development appeal board, municipal planning commission and regional transit and waste organizations.
“Because of the importance of housing in our community, it might be worthwhile expanding that if possible,” said Coun. Barb Pelham during the June 24 annual BHC shareholders meeting.
Coun. Chip Olver, who is the current council representative on the BHC and was forced to miss several meetings due to a family emergency, said the board has talked about the advantage of having two councillors.
“That would be welcomed,” she said.
According to the BHC bylaws, unless otherwise determined by a general meeting, the number of directors shall be a minimum of six and capped at seven and must include a senior Town of Banff administrator, at least one council member, and at least four public members.
In recent times, the voting administrative position on the board has been held by Sharon Oakley, the Town of Banff’s manager of housing sustainability, but also acts as the liaison between the Town and the BHC.
As part of a $25,500 annual contract with the BHC, the service also includes overseeing the BHC portfolio, providing ongoing direct supervision and support for BHC employees, coordinating and conducting the annual performance management process for employees among other duties.
Olver said the history of a senior administrator on the board has changed over time, noting at one point the town manager was on board, as was a senior member of the corporate services team, and now the housing sustainability manager.
“Where it becomes a little complex compared to the previous senior administrators on the board is that Banff Housing Corporation has a contract with the Town of Banff to provide some administrative support,” said Olver.
“So now our senior administrator on the board is also the one providing some administrative support and the board would like to see another senior administrator on, and the person providing administrative support to continue in that role, and that will provide clarity in the positions.”
Town Manager Kelly Gibson said the issue is under review.
“The structure of BHC has changed over the years and we are reviewing to see whether there should be a separate member from administration on the board,” he said.
Issues over BHC board operations, and other concerns related to BHC fee increases, specifically the seller’s fee increasing for both price-restricted and equity share homeowners, have also been raised by Lauren Brierley, a local realtor who sat on the BHC board for about four years until last October, and bought a BHC home in May this year.
In a letter to the board, she said BHC is currently operating like a committee, not a corporation, and BHC board members should be directing and advising BHC staff.
“After speaking with board members as well as participating on the board I can assure you that BHC staff are directing the narrative and topics at the board meeting,” she wrote in her letter.
“When a discussion comes up that is not in line with BHC staff agenda, it is dismissed never to arise again. Currently, the BHC staff are selecting the topics/conversations and the direction of the board.
“Yes, the BHC has done some great things such as providing exceptional quality developments, removing the developers’ profit, as well as creating much-needed rental units. However, our community voices are not being heard on this board.”
