Council gave first and second reading of the Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) Bylaw. Chief Financial Officer and Director of Community Services Victoria Chan explained the Town currently has a council committee which is made up of the seven members of council, and the bylaw helps specify the responsibilities of the committee to carry out the provincial FCSS program to approve the budget and grant applications. The bylaw also establishes a minimum of two meetings per year, however, Ms. Chan explained the committee currently meets on average on a monthly basis.
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Council gave third and final reading to 2025 Utility Rates Bylaw 35.24. Ms. Chan explained this bylaw will increase the utility rate for water servicing by five per cent, and a six per cent on wastewater utility rates. She noted there were no inquiries or feedback received by administration from the public.
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Municipal Enforcement manager Trent Kure provided an update on the 2024 Paid Parking program. The program ran from May until the end of October 2024 and brought in a total of $118,696.02; after deductions, which include wages and program costs through HotSpot, the program net $72,654.42 in its first season of operations (see story Page 5).
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Council gave first and second reading to Fire Bylaw 25.24.
Drumheller Fire Chief Derian Rosario explained this bylaw has been in place for 17 years and requires updates to align with changing industry practices and standards. A draft of the bylaw was previously presented to council during the September 9, 2024 council meeting and underwent legal review and consultation prior to coming back for consideration.
Under the new bylaw there would be provisions such as for regulating fireworks, and authorizing the Town to declare a Fire Advisory, Restriction, or Ban based on escalating fire risks. It also allows the department to charge for service calls and false alarms.
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Council held a public hearing regarding the Lehigh road closure bylaw. There were no public participants and no written submissions received by administration prior to the public hearing.
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Director of Infrastructure Services Jared Brounstein presented council with a request for direction regarding the Town’s wayfinding assessment. A wayfinding assessment and implementation plan has been completed and there is a proposed capital investment of $486,910 to install new way-points throughout the Town to provide directions.
It was recommended this capital investment be phased in over a two-year period beginning in 2026 with major map kiosks and major direction signage completed during this year, and remaining minor directional signage and trail markers installed in 2027.
Council directed Mr. Brounstein to bring back to council at a future date additional signage options due to the significant proposed costs outlined in the report.
