Council Overview
Information from Drumheller Town Council
Regular Council Meeting
Monday, March 6, 2023
Drumheller Mayor Heather Colberg opened the meeting, and council made some opening remarks and announcements.
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Rails to Trails fundraising taskforce Chair Jason Blanke and Secretary Lana Philips presented council with a request to extend the taskforce term until May 31 to allow them to continue fundraising and acting in an advisory capacity on the project.
The taskforce has successfully raised some $282,000 to help support amenities for the CN Rails to Trails pathway system, which will see the conversion of former CN Rail right-of-ways into an active transportation network. The taskforce has also secured sponsorship of three of five stations along the trail, the Main Station, and the Midland Bridge.
Council unanimously approved the extension of the Rails to Trails fundraising taskforce term.
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Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Darryl Drohomerski presented council with a revision to a road closure bylaw for East Coulee and recommended setting a public hearing for April 3.
Council repealed first reading of the initial road closure bylaw and gave first reading of the amended road closure bylaw.
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CAO Drohomerski presented council with a resolution for expropriation for lands on the south side of the Star Mine Suspension Bridge in Rosedale; these lands are privately owned and it was noted the landowner has, so far, only been willing to negotiate a lease agreement.
This item previously came before council in October 2022; however, the original resolution is now four months old and could take an additional four months once submitted to Land Titles. It was recommended council approve a new resolution approving expropriation to avoid further delays.
Council approved the new resolution for expropriation.
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Town of Drumheller Development Officer Antonia Knight presented council with third reading of the Municipal Development Plan (MDP) and Land Use Bylaw (LUB).
The amendments will align the documents to the current flood mitigation program, including reducing the top width of berms from six metres to 4.5 metres, freeboard from 0.75 metres to 0.5 metres, and increase the design rate of flow designated by the Alberta government from 1,640 cubic metres per second (cm/s) to 1,850 cm/s.
The LUB also addresses amendments regarding bylaw changes to the Tourism Corridor, Employment, and Downtown Area districts.
Council gave third reading to the amended both documents.
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Drumheller Resiliency and Flood Mitigation Office (DRFMO) project director Deighen Blakely presented council with an update on the flood mitigation project.
One-on-one landowner consultations have been completed for all projects which were scheduled in 2022. The East Coulee berm is currently out for tender, and it is anticipated the Downtown berm will be posted for tender later this month.
Currently 22 of 27 properties in floodway areas which were targeted for buyouts in Nacmine, Rosedale and Lehigh have been acquired, with five properties remaining in Lehigh.
Tree clearing will begin later in the week to allow for construction of berms over the summer, and it is anticipated wood chips and firewood will be made available to the public once this work is completed. Construction work on East Coulee, North Drumheller, and Downtown Drumheller will resume once the ground thaws.
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Ms. Blakely also presented council with an overview of the alternate alignment for East Coulee, which was previously noted by CAO Drohomerski. Based on discussions with landowners, public consultation, and cost reviews it was recommended to amend the alignment, which will result in an estimated savings of $175,000.
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Capital Project manager Kelcie Wilson presented council with a briefing note on the CN Rail to pedestrian bridge conversion for the Midland Bridge.
Part of the work involved requires the bridge to be inspected and registered with the province; all bridges, including culverts over five feet, must be registered with the province and have a Bridge File number. However, railway bridges are exempt, and the conversion of the Midland Bridge and other former CN Rail bridges will need to undergo in-depth and rigorous inspection before work to convert them to pedestrian bridges can be carried out.
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Council adjourned to a closed session.
Complete minutes from council meetings can be found on www.drumheller.ca once they have been adopted.