Drumheller Town Council Meetings | DrumhellerMail

Council Notes from the Regular Meeting Monday, December 13, 2021

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Council Overview
Information from Drumheller Town Council Regular Council Meeting
Monday, December 13, 2021

Deputy Mayor Lisa Hansen-Zacharuk thanked those who participated in the Flood Mitigation Office’s online and in-person meeting on Thursday, December 9 regarding the Downtown Dike D project. She also thanked the volunteers who have helped put together the WinterFest events over the last several weeks.
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Drumheller CAO Darryl Drohomerski presented the 2022 meeting schedule.
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Apex Utilities regional manager Shane Milner gave a presentation to council. Mr. Milner gave council an overview of Apex’s recent name change from AltaGas Utilities and their direction as a clean energy provider. Apex Utilities services southern Alberta including Drumheller, Three Hills, Lethbridge, among other communities.
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Drumheller Public Library Executive Director Emily Hollingshead and Board Chair Samantha Haddon reported on behalf of the library and board. Ms. Haddon gave a recap of services provided in 2021, such as printing, genealogy, and technology tutoring.
In the last three years, the library has begun offering free library cards and has partnered with Greentree Elementary School to secure a $15,000 grant to update the school library’s collection.
The library focused on adapting services to the COVID-19 pandemic, including curbside pick up, in 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected user numbers, however, these began recovering through 2021 and hope to continue climbing into 2022.
Looking ahead to 2022, the library is hoping to rebuild programming. 2023 will be the library’s centennial year, and a special projects committee will be launched for this. Ms. Hollingshead shared they would like to offer teen programming and, in January they are hoping to expand hours to three evenings per week and full days on Saturdays.
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CAO Drohomerski brought back an amendment to the board and committee appointments. Following a discussion with Travel Drumheller, it was recommended the Economic Development manager be appointed to the board rather than a member of council.
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Council passed second and third reading of the 2022 Utility Rate Bylaw. The utility rate bylaw will see water and wastewater services increase by five and two per cent respectively.
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Director of Corporate Services Mauricio Reyes brought the 2022 Service Fee Schedule back to council for approval. There were some amendments following feedback from council, including a $5 youth drop in rate at the Drumheller Memorial Arena and Badlands Community Facility (BCF).
Council moved to approve the 2022 Service Fee Schedule with amendments changing the activation fee to $20 and to waive the activation fee for existing members signing up for the new membership model, provided their membership is continuous.
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Communications officer Erica Crocker presented council with the Drumheller Citizen Budget 2022. A budget simulation exercise was conducted between November 1 and 21 by Ethelo as part of the 2022 budget consultation to gain input from Drumheller residents to identify priorities for town spending. Overall the best scenario which would be widely approved by participants would be to see a two per cent decrease in general government, a five per cent increase in Family Community Support Services (FCSS) and keep funding the same for public works and transportation, garbage collection and disposal, economic development, recreation, parks, arts and culture, and protective services.
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Director of Infrastructure Services Dave Brett presented council with the 2022 Community Clean Up report. The 2021 Community Clean Up was carried out in three components-providing disposal vouchers, the public Kick It to the Curb exchange the weekend of September 10 to 12, and a two-week community clean up by Town staff between September 13 and 24.
Clean up crews noted there appeared to be less material and they were able to complete assigned daily sections early each day. Mr. Brett expressed communications to the public could be improved. The public is also not aware of what items are accepted at no cost at the Drumheller and District Solid Waste Management Association (DDSWMA). Despite these challenges, the voucher system appears to be working well considering 2020 was the first year they were introduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Council went with the recommendation to continue the same program in 2022 with the Kick It to the Curb program to be the weekend of September 9 to 11 and the Community Clean Up collection to run between September 12 and 23.
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Director of Protective Services Greg Peters presented council with the Police Advisory Committee’s terms of reference. The Drumheller Policing Advisory Committee (DPAC) was established by council to receive input from the community regarding public safety and priorities. Any organizations or individuals who wish to voice their concerns about policing are encouraged to contact and present to the DPAC for support, information, and input.
Mr. Peters explained the DPAC will need a maximum of seven citizen members from various entities such as school representatives or trustees, business community representative, youth representative between the ages of 16 and 18, a senior representative 55 and older, and representatives from all ethnicities and minorities. The Drumheller RCMP Detachment Commander, Drumheller CAO, and a recording secretary would be non-voting permanent members of the committee.
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Flood Mitigation project director Deighen Blakely presented council with a request to approve Alchemy Communications to continue the communication and public engagement contract. Alchemy took over communications in June 2021 on an urgent basis following a change in communications and project management. A Request for Proposal was posted and received four applications prior to closing on November 29. The four applicants were scored based on project understanding, key staff qualifications, relevant project experience, budget, and proposal organization.
Council awarded the 2022 Communications and Public Engagement contract for the Drumheller Resiliency and Flood Mitigation to Alchemy Communications Inc. for the amount of $330,000 (excluding GST).
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Councillor Lacher moved for council to move into closed session and adjourn the meeting.

Complete minutes from council meetings can be found on
www.drumheller.ca once they have been adopted.

Council Notes from Committee of the Regular Meeting Monday, December 6, 2021

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Council Overview
Information from Drumheller Town Council Regular Council Meeting
Monday, December 6, 2021

Mayor Heather Colberg opened the meeting and shared council has received emails regarding McMullen Island and Midland Provincial Park; council and administration are trying to work with the province about these facilities.
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Mayor Colberg announced council received a letter from Municipal Affairs regarding the citizen’s flood mitigation petition from earlier this year. Municipal Affairs will not pursue an investigation; however, it has cost the municipality an estimated $10,000 in time and resources during this process (see story, Page 2).
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Chief Financial Officer Mauricio Reyes presented the 2022 Utility Operating Budget and 3-Year Utility Operating Financial Plan to council.
Councillor Pat Kolafa moved for council to adopt the 2022 Utility Operating Budget and 3-Year Operating Financial Plan as presented. Carried.
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CAO Darryl Drohomerski presented council with first reading of the 2022 Utility Rate Bylaw to increase the water and wastewater rates by five and two per cent respectively based on the proposals from the 2022 Utility Operating Budget and 3-Year Operating Financial Plan.
Average users can expect to see water rate increase by approximately 10 cents-from $2.07 to $2.17-per cubic metre, and an estimated 81 cents for monthly meter charges from $16.25 to $17.06 per month. Wastewater rates will increase by approximately five cents per cubic meter-from $2.23 to $2.28; meter charges will also increase with an average user seeing an increase from $13.88 to $14.16 per month.
Councillor Lisa Hansen-Zacharuk moved first reading. Carried.
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Mr. Reyes presented the proposed 2022 Service Fee Schedule for all departments. One of the largest proposed increases is applying a 15 per cent increase on non-resident cemetery fees, such as plot fees; all other cemetery fees are proposed at a three per cent increase. Recreational fees, with the exception of memberships, were also proposed to be increased by three per cent.
The schedule will be brought back to the next council meeting for consideration.
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The Town has applied for a grant from the Alberta Municipal Water Wastewater Partnership (AMWWP) to upgrade the existing Penitentiary Booster station which services the Drumheller Institution and Churchill Co-op water system. The station was built in 1963 and does not have direct communication with the water treatment plant. Due to its age and condition, the capacity is being stressed.
The total project cost is estimated at $1,141,700 and the maximum municipal portion is approximately $713,220. It is recommended this portion be allocated in the 2022 Capital Budget for the Town’s cost share to upgrade the booster station.
Councillor Hansen-Zacharuk moved to reserve the municipal portion in the 2022 Capital Budget. Carried.
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Manager of Recreation, Arts, and Culture Darren Goldthorpe presented council with a proposed Recreation Membership Model - Continuous Monthly Pass for the Aquaplex, Arena, and Badlands Community Facility (BCF) to bring membership fees more in line with other facilities while allowing more flexibility for stopping and resuming memberships (see story Page 3).
Under the new model, a continuous multi-facility family monthly membership would be reduced to $110 per month from $177 while a single-facility family monthly membership would drop to $100, down from $173.25.
Mr. Goldthorpe noted the financial impact of this new model is difficult to determine as there are too many variables. The combined membership budget revenue for the Aquaplex and BCF is estimated to be $153,050 and 213 multi-facility memberships or 232 single-facility memberships would be required.
Councillor Tony Lacher moved for council to approve the new monthly pass model and adjust membership fees effective as of January 1, 2022. Carried.
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Resiliency and Flood Mitigation project manager Deighen Blakely provided an update on the flood mitigation program. Project specific open houses were held on November 18 and December 1 for Midland and Newcastle, and the Dike D engagement is scheduled for Thursday, December 9. The department has applied for Federal Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation funding for five additional dikes on Monday, November 15 and meetings have been ongoing with federal and provincial teams, including Alberta Environment and Parks, Transport Canada, and Navigable Waters.
Submissions for the 2022 communications proposal closed November 29 and submissions are under review.
One-on-one meetings with impacted landowners are currently underway and land agreements are being assembled for partial acquisitions.
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Councillor Lacher moved to adjourn to closed session.

Complete minutes from council meetings can be found on www.drumheller.ca once they have been adopted.

Council Notes from Committee of the Regular Meeting Monday, November 15, 2021

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Council Overview
Information from Drumheller Town Council Regular Meeting
Monday, November 15, 2021

Mayor Heather Colberg opened the meeting, reminding the public of the Festival of Lights and tree lighting on Saturday, November 20, and the upcoming flood mitigation meeting on Friday, November 19.
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Drumheller Fire Chief Bruce Wade provided council with an overview of the Drumheller Fire Department. The Drumheller Fire Department has responded to a total of 168 calls as of November 7, including structure fires, motor vehicle collisions, alarm calls, and medical assist or first response.
There are 44 on-call members among the Drumheller, East Coulee, and Rosedale halls. The department is in the process of putting seven members through additional training to become instructors.
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Manager of Recreation, Arts, and Culture Darren Goldthorpe gave an overview of the Town’s recreation facilities. The Aquaplex, Drumheller Memorial Arena, Badlands Community Facility (BCF) and six baseball diamonds are managed by the department and are used by clubs and organizations for training and competitions, including the Drumheller Dragons, Drumheller Minor Hockey Association, and the Canadian Badlands Aquatic Swim Club. There are also public programs available.
Recreation facilities have faced numerous challenges since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic; all Town facilities are currently under the Restrictions Exemption Program (REP).
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Director of Economic Development Reg Johnston explained how the department helps local businesses grow or improve while also growing the number of businesses in the community. They help answer information requests from local or prospective businesses and connect businesses with various contractors and professionals.
The department also works closely with the film industry, including permitting, drone applications, and connecting with neighbouring jurisdictions such as Alberta Transportation for other approvals. In 2021 a total of nine films, ranging from large productions to small music videos, were filmed in the Drumheller Valley.
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Community Development coordinator Heather Carlson provided an overview of the Community Development and Social Planning department. This department is responsible for events planning and the Family and Community Support Services (FCSS), including seniors and youth programming, and poverty reduction.
The department does collaborative work with various organizations to develop sustainable and locally-driven, preventative initiatives which enhance the wellbeing of individuals, families, and the community. They have helped put together community events such as Summer at the Plaza, and the upcoming Festival of Lights and WinterFest.
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CAO Darryl Drohomerski presented council with a recommendation for all visitors attending in-person meetings at designated meeting spaces in Town facilities to follow the REP. Visitors must provide either proof of vaccination, medical exemption, or private negative COVID-19 test at all Town of Drumheller facilities; these include the Drumheller Municipal Airport terminal, Public Works facility, and Town Hall where meetings are taking place. This will not impact visiting facilities for business purposes outside of designated meeting spaces.
Councillor Zariski moved to adopt the REP for in-person meetings. The motion was carried with three in favour and two against.
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CAO Darryl Drohomerski presented council with the revised 2021 Board and Committee Appointments. During the Organizational Meeting, some committees which came into existence in 2020 were overlooked that are part of the Intermunicipal agreements between Drumheller, Starland, Kneehill, and Wheatland counties and Special Areas Board.
Mayor Colberg and Councillor Pat Kolafa will sit on the Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework Committee, Councillor Tony Lacher will sit on the Intermunicipal Development Plan Board, and it was recommended Councillor Zariski join the Drumheller Revitalization Committee as Secretary, as Mayor Colberg sits on as Board Chair.
Councillor Kolafa moved to adopt the revised appointments as presented. Carried.
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CAO Drohomerski presented council with a request for three appointments to the Drumheller Public Library Board. There is one vacancy and two appointment renewals.
Samantha Haddon and Caleb Brown, who currently serve as Chair and Treasurer respectively, reapplied to the Board having reached the end of their terms, and Jade Scott, who ran for Drumheller Town Council in the October 18 municipal election, applied for the vacant position. Council unanimously voted in favour to appoint the three applicants for a term of three years ending December 2024.
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CAO Drohomerski presented council with a request to appoint Ester Aginaku to the Community and Economic Development Committee for a three-year term ending in December 2024.
Councillor Kolafa moved to approve the appointment of Ester Aginaku. Carried unanimously.
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Councillor Zariski moved for council to move into a closed session to discuss flood department activities. Mayor Colberg adjourned the meeting following the closed session.

Complete minutes from council meetings can be found on
www.drumheller.ca once they have been adopted.

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