Council Notes

Drumheller Town Council
Committee of the Whole Meeting
Monday, October 22, 2018

Council opened the meeting with a discussion of offsite levies, which are fees developers pay to the town to help cover off-site infrastructure costs. CAO Darryl Drohomerski said the town hired a consultant in 2016 to review the existing offsite levy bylaw, with work completed in 2017. In the coming weeks a reading of the existing bylaw will be scheduled at a council meeting to start the process to review and potentially make changes to the bylaw if needed. A public hearing will be scheduled too. Councillor Tom Zariski said communities without offsite levies may be looked upon more favourably by developers and because development in Drumheller is somewhat slow, perhaps they should look at reducing it. CAO Drohomerski said the only community of similar size to no charge offsite levies is Hanna, but they use a different process to collect funds for infrastructure costs. Deputy Mayor Jay Garbutt asked if offsite levies collected could be used to fund projects outside water and wastewater, and CAO Drohomerski said the new MGA has allowed funds to be alloted to recreational projects. Mr. Garbutt said the discussion will be lively because council often struggles with who should pay for certain costs which arise.
***
Council heard a report from Greg Peters, director of protective services, regarding possible locations for a dog park, which is hoped to be created in spring next year. One new location brought to council is a section near Newcastle Beach. Councillor Lisa Hansen-Zacharuk asked if there is a cost estimate for installing water services, and Mr. Peters said not yet. Councillor Hansen-Zacharuk raised concern over the location being in the floodplain. Councillor Garbutt said this location is the closest to any residence out of the other proposed locations and asked if any decibel testing should be done. CAO Drohomerski said there is possibly a better location at the east end of the Newcastle campground which is further away from houses. Councillor Hansen-Zacharuk said she would hope the dog park would not impede further development of the ball diamonds there. Councillor Zariski said since the park would be closed in late evenings the noise may not be an issue, but councillor Garbutt said noise during the day would be considered a nuisance to nearby residents.
***
Council moved to in camera discussion over labour and land matters.

Council Notes

Drumheller Town Council
Committee of the Whole Meeting
Tuesday, October 9, 2018

Council opened their meeting by congratulating Bill Wulff on receiving the Alberta Seniors and Housing Minister’s Senior Service Award on October 1 in Edmonton. Mr. Wulff has spent years volunteering his time to support seniors, including filing tax returns for individuals at no cost.
***
Council heard a delegation from Donna Tessier of the Drumheller and District Humane Society. The humane society shelter currently has 41 cats there, close to their all time high of 48. Improvements to their facilities include a new washing machine. Workers volunteered at community events such as barbecues and by working for catering and other events in town. Their expenses for 2017-2018 was over $121,000 with just over half of that covered by donations, as $60,000 was donated. They are asking for help with the shelter by asking for additional funding or support from the town. Councillor Fred Makowecki says council recognize the organization’s value to the community. Their presentation referenced a potential agreement years ago of the town donating land to the society for a new shelter. CAO Darryl Drohomerski said there was a potential lot in Rosedale but said there had not been work moving the project forward.
***
Council heard a report from director of protective services Greg Peters on feedback gathered at a recent open house regarding a dog park in Drumheller. They heard a variety of feedback on the three proposed locations but also heard some new location ideas from the public. One location of interest was the plot of land north of the Drumheller Valley Secondary School fields, which is convenient because it can already access water services. Mr. Peters said he wishes to conduct more research into two potential locations before recommending one location to council for their decision. Councillor Lisa Hansen-Zacharuk said since the town doesn’t plan to begin work until spring then it would be advisable to take time in the decision. Councillor Jay Garbutt asked how far the park would need to be distanced from residences and Mr. Peters said he is not aware there is a distance, but the park would have reasonable hours of access. Councillor Tom Zariski said he’s noticed the needs of dog owners depends on each person and their dogs and Drumheller’s first park will not meet every need but in the future the town has the ability to create differently suited
parks in the future. Council will schedule an update on the research in the coming weeks.
***
Council held a roundtable discussion. Councillor Zariski said he has heard discussion regarding people placing fall leaves and, in the winter, putting leaves or snow onto town property or into the street. He asked if council look at part of the existing bylaw could be looked at and if the town can potentially sweep or remove debris from public property. CAO Drohomerski said its possible to begin a fall sweeping program but it would be in addition to work already done in preparation for winter. He also said residents often blow leaves from their property into the streets, which can block
gutters and sewer drainage systems. Councillor Makowecki said there are also safety issues for drivers around high volume of leaves in the street.

***