Council Overview
Information from Drumheller Town
Council Meeting
Monday, May 25, 2020

Dry Canyon Collectables was presented the Cindy Amos Tourism Champion Award by Shelley Rymal of Canadian Badlands.
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Mayor Heather Colberg proclaimed June 1-7 as Seniors Week in Drumheller and June 1 as Correctional Services of Canada Appreciation Week and granted it Freedom of the Town.
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Council adopted the minutes from May 11 Regular Council Meeting and the May 11 and May 19 Special Council Meetings.
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CAO Darryl Drohomerski provided an explanation of the State of Local Emergency(SOLE) to clear up miscommunication on what SOLE is. He explained that declaring SOLE creates powers including, but not restricted to, acquiring or using personal property, controlling or prohibiting travel, evacuation, entering buildings without warrant, demolition or removing trees, crops or structures, fixing prices, and conscripting people. Currently there are 64 municipalities in Alberta that are currently under SOLEs. He says the province is still under a Public Health Emergency and currently Alberta is on Stage 1 of a three-stage relaunch program. Extending the Town of Drumheller’s SOLE reduces the need for weekly procedural renewal during the pandemic and provides the ability to reinstate control measures rapidly if conditions change. It does not mean that local businesses are closed.
Councillor Lisa Hansen Zacharuk expressed that she would like to see the barricades removed and to abandon the SOLE, because of concerns that it may be driving business away from the community and social and mental health of the community. Councillor Fred Makowecki agreed and wondered how to balance standing up our defenses to COVID and also being welcoming to visitors. Councillor Kristyne DeMott and Tony Lacher also agreed it is time to lift the SOLE and barricades. Councillor Jay Garbutt disagreed stating the community is nowhere near the end of the crisis. A SOLE is not unique or the sole cause for fatigue over measures. A SOLE brings heightened awareness and also gives the municipality the authority to enforce orders, and noted these decisions should be made based on science, not on feeling. Councillor Tom Zariski congratulated and thanked the staff and contractors in the EOC. He noted that he is a senior and as Chair of the Drumheller and District Senior Foundation he represents a group who are at a greater risk. He feels a SOLE allows the community to react swiftly and COVID-10 still poses a real threat.
Council agreed to keep the SOLE in place, but review it weekly, and will begin to remove the road closure signs.
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Council also discussed reopening playgrounds and recreation facilities. They are planning to have all outdoor recreation facilities open by Saturday May 30 by noon. There will still be signage and encourage users to follow safety protocols. See story on www.drumhellermail.com.
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Council approved a Request for Direction to waive rental for an emergency shelter space. They are working with the Big Country Antiviolence Association,the Drumheller Housing Authority and the Rotary Club to prepare a suite to use as an emergency shelter.
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Council approved a Request for Decision to abate ice rental fees for the 2020-2021 Drumheller Dragons season and to phase in ice rental fees over the next four years, at a cost of $66,2291.50. Economic Development manager Sean Wallace in the request noted a conservative estimate of economic gains for the community due to the presence of the Drumheller Dragons is, at minimum, $1 million annually. See story on www.drumhellermail.com.

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

Council Overview
Information from Drumheller Town Council Meetings
Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Special Council Meeting May 19
Council renewed its State of Local Emergency (SOLE) to August 11. Council had been extending the SOLE every 7 days. The province passed legislation to allow municipalities up to 90 days.
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Committee of the Whole Meeting May 19

Mayor Heather Colberg took a moment to recognize the Town of Drumheller’s Public Works crew during National Public Works Week.
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FCSS coordinator April Harrison presented a report on the department. She provided an overview of FCSS. It is a unique program in Canada that provides preventative social services and promotes independence over social assistance. It is 80/20 funding split with the province based on population with considerations for median income. It focuses on prevention and early intervention. In 2018, 164 volunteers supported their programs contributing 981.25 hours. 4151 participated in FCSS programs.
She reviewed its changing priorities in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. These include food security, mental health and addictions, transportation to shelters, family violence, housing and homelessness, children with disabilities, information about supports, access to technology, and support for youth and seniors. Many of these align with previous priorities outlined. It was successful in securing a grant for support during COVID-19 and along with other community organizations have applied for more.
Harrison asked for direction from council on whether FCSS should continue with plans as outlined to offer preventative social programs that meet identified needs during this crisis and beyond, and whether the council has the appetite for future discussion regarding FCSS structure such as forming a board, different reporting expectations or other priorities council would like FCSS to work on.