Drumheller Town Council Meetings | DrumhellerMail

Council Notes from the Committee of the Whole Meeting of Monday, March 11, 2019

TownofDrumhellerCrest

Council Notes
Drumheller Town Council
Committee of the Whole Meeting
Monday, March 11, 2019

***
Council heard a delegation from Ryan Semchuk, chair of Travel Drumheller, to provide an update of the organization’s work in 2018 and plans for 2019. He highlighted the organization’s social media and internet stats, as well as marketing and promotions being done by Travel Drumheller.
***
Council discussed feedback from the open houses regarding the three different tax incentive bylaws currently being developed, which provide incentive for new businesses in vacant buildings, new commercial developments, and incentives for existing property owners of vacant buildings. One letter was received saying one of the incentives, which would exempt new business from one year of paying property taxes, would affect other taxpayers. Councillor Jay Garbutt said that was a risk needed to be taken to attract new business to Drumheller who might choose to locate elsewhere.
***
Council discussed feedback from the tourism corridor bylaw and the community standards bylaw. Mayor Colberg said she heard feedback suggesting the term ‘reasonable time’ in the bylaw is vague and asked for clarification. Director of Protective Services Greg Peters said that language exists in legislation and laws and said he would be hesitant to come up with a definition of reasonable time because it depends on the context of the situation and business. Councillor Garbutt said that should be communicated
to the public and bylaw will be working with individuals and hope they are doing the best they can do to clean up potential violations. Mayor Colberg agreed people would be asked to show their effort to clean up or fix violations. Councillor Kristyne DeMott suggested when the bylaws are passed it be clearly communicated to the public which bylaws, including the land use bylaw, affect whom and how, and communications officer Julia Fielding agreed. Councillor Fred Makowecki asked whether the tourism bylaw affected all properties adjacent to the corridor routes, and Mr. Peters said it might be good to include properties visible from the corridor.
***
Council held discussions of the operating budget, but a copy of the changes made since last week’s meeting were not provided to the public. Look for these in the council meeting notes next week when they are brought to the regular council meeting.

Council Notes from the Committee of the Whole Meeting of Monday, February 25, 2019

TownofDrumhellerCrest

Council Notes
Drumheller Town Council
Committee of the Whole Meeting
Monday, February 25, 2019

***
Councillors Tony Lacher, Jay Garbutt, and Lisa Hansen-Zacharuk were absent from the meeting.
***
Councillor Fred Makowecki was sworn in as deputy mayor for the months of March and April.
***
Mayor Heather Colberg declared this week to be Freedom to Read Week.
***
Council heard a delegation from ATCO Electric’s Jen Friesen, Nick Peelar, and Patrick Charron about better understanding electricity costs and to field questions regarding customers bills.
***
Council held a review of strategic plan work priorities. Communications officer Julia Fielding said work continues on the Economic Development Strategy and will be brought to council in the near future. FCSS coordinator April Harrison provided an update on work on poverty reduction in the community. CAO Darryl Drohomerski said Drumheller and the surrounding counties are collaborating to meet in the spring to find ways to find greater efficiencies together. CAO Drohomerski said the town plans to install the downtown
plaza in the current Elks building location once it’s torn down. He said they won’t be closing Centre Street this year. Director of Protective Services Greg Peters said the town received $5,000 grant funding to carry out an emergency scenario practice. A scenario has not been decided upon yet. Ms. Fielding said a community profile and promotional piece for Drumheller to be published by Travel Alberta has been drafted and hopes it will be completed by the end of next week.
***
CAO Drohomerski and Mr. Peters lead a discussion over revisions made to the draft Community Standards Bylaw as were recommended by council last week. They removed time limits on fire pits, saying if there is a disturbance due to smoke or noise that other sections is sufficient. Derelict vehicles will be assessed based on the discretion of the CAO. Discussions were held over the Tourism Corridor Bylaw but no major changes were made.
***
Council held discussion over the draft Municipal Emergency Management Bylaw which identifies the powers and roles of officials and individuals in the event of an emergency. It comes to first reading on March 18.
***
Council heard a roundtable discussion from councillor Makowecki regarding Airbnbs. He said there are Airbnbs in the community who registered for business licenses and
development permits, which are required, but a number of others who have not registered. He said council should look how to integrate these businesses so they are accountable and could be marketed to town visitors. CAO Drohomerski said there are 50 Airbnbs in the community and they should be contacted to let them know licensing is required.

Council Notes from the Regular Council meeting of Monday, February 19, 2019

TownofDrumhellerCrest

Council Notes

Drumheller Town Council
Regular Council Meeting
Tuesday, February 19, 2019

***
Council heard a delegation from Travel Drumheller Chair Ryan Semchuk on branding on behalf of the Economic Development Advisory Committee. He shared his knowledge regarding marketing and branding to council on how to establish a successful message to people.
***
Council held second reading of the Community Standards Bylaw. CAO Darryl Drohomerski said the bylaw was changed based on council’s previous recommendations. Acceptable noise levels were worded to be discretionary and does not include provisions to use a noise measuring device, which was previously discussed.
A variety of fines are to be tiered at $250, $500, and $750, respectively.
Councillor Jay Garbutt pointed out a clause saying any amplifying device is not allowed which may disturb residents, saying the downtown plaza would violate this, recommending a time limit be included in an amendment. It was noted signage regulations were included in this bylaw and two others, and recommendations were made to remove it and only include them in the Land Use Bylaw. Discussion was held over provisions for backyard fire pits to cease at 1:00 a.m., with suggestion from Councillor Lisa Hansen- Zacharuk to remove it as other clauses would cover that potential situation.
A motion was made and accepted unanimously to table second reading because of the significant changes proposed by council.
***
Council held first reading of Bylaw 03.19, being a bylaw to amend the Land Use Bylaw to change the former town hall building from community resources district to an R4 residential zoning to allow for apartments to be built there.
***
Council held first reading of Bylaw 04.19 being the Tourism Corridor Bylaw, which would require property owners on priority areas along highways to maintain different standards of appearances, care, and maintenance.
***
Council heard a request for decision from CAO Drohomerski to award professional engineering services for paved roads and bridge structures, for a three year period, to MPE Engineering Ltd.
Engineering fees are included in the Street Improvement Program Capital Budget. Their engineering fees were lower than the next best tender bid and have strong experience in similar projects.
***
Council held round table discussions. Councillor Garbutt said the Drumheller Housing Association is exploring an opportunity which may provide a temporary emergency shelter, as one of the low-housing apartments currently has a vacancy. The association is wondering if the apartment could be used as a emergency shelter, as Drumheller lacks that type of service, but the discussions at this point have just begun and there would need to be collaboration with other community partners.
***

More Articles ...