Council Overview
Information from Drumheller
Committee of the Whole Council Meeting
Monday, January 18, 2021

Mayor Heather Colberg thanked the Drumheller Fire Department and staff for the work to putting together and carrying out the annual Christmas Tree Burn last Sunday, January 17 at the Newcastle Recreation Area.
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Communications officer Erica Crocker provided a presentation of the Town of Drumheller Social Media Policy and Guidelines. The Town’s goal is to ensure any communications, including social media, helps advance its philosophy, keeps stakeholders informed and engaged, and complies with all applicable laws and Town policies and guidelines. It outlines the responsibilities of both authorized content providers, as well as personal use.
All employees are responsible for protecting the Town’s brand and reputation. The Town trusts when employees participate in social media, they will act responsibly, exercise good judgment, maintain the highest degree of professionalism, respect confidentiality when communicating any information regarding the town, town business, or town employees. Social media is to comply with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, Intellectual Property Legislation, and Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation. Councillors Jay Garbutt and Tom Zariski pointed out, while council is not bound by the policy, but felt it left councillors unaccountable.
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Chief Resiliency and Flood Mitigation Officer, Darwin Durnie, updated Council on the Flood Mitigation Project. He said Alberta Environment has completed a public engagement portion of its flood study. This will help the office move forward on the engineering and design portion of the project. The study will also help the office identify flood elevations in its planning. The office has received clearance from the Alberta Indigenous Consultation office for the engagement it has done to date, allowing them to move forward on land assembly and construction.
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Director of Protective Services, Greg Peters, provided an update on COVID-19. He noted Premier Kenney announced on Monday morning the province is running out of its supply of vaccines. He says last week residents of Hillview Lodge have received vaccines, but it is very difficult to get numbers of how many people have been vaccinated locally. Provincially COVID -19 case numbers are trending down, but are still elevated. The town is seeing good compliance with the mask bylaw.
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CAO Darryl Drohomerski noted administration is planning to bring a motion to rescind the State Of Local Emergency at the January 25 Council meeting

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

Council Overview
Information from Drumheller
Regular Council Meeting
Monday, January 11, 2021

Mayor Heather Colberg proclaimed January Alzheimer’s Awareness Month.
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Councillor Tom Zariski was sworn in as Deputy Mayor for January and February 2021.
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Council adopted the December 21, 2020, Regular Council Meeting minutes.
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Council passed first reading of Bylaw 01-21 to amend the boundaries of Lot 19 E.R. (Environmental Reserve) in Block 3 containing 6.80 Acres, created by Subdivision Plan No. 811 1554. This is a portion of land the former Public Works shop was located and is no longer required as an environmental reserve. This is to satisfy the conditions of a potential sale of this parcel. A public hearing for the bylaw is slated for January 25.
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Council appointed Sharon Clark to the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (SDAB). Ms. Clark has served on the Municipal Planning Commission for many years and has practiced law for about 35 years.
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Council approved all three readings of Bylaw 18.20 to amend the Cemetery bylaw to add the requirements to use and manage a Scatter Garden. Council also approved a motion to approve the charges for the scatter garden in the amended 2021 service fee schedule.
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Director of Protective Services Greg Peters provided a COVID-19 update to council. Last week Protective Services dealt with two public health complaints; one was unfounded and one was resolved. He noted Health Minister Tyler Shandro outlined the province’s capacity to administer vaccines. The major issue is whether the federal government’s ability to provide the vaccines in a timely manner. The province also expanded the eligibility for vaccines to emergency medical responders and paramedics. Council Jay Garbutt raised the question as to whether Drumheller should continue with a State of Local Emergency because, at this point, the town is not undertaking any extraordinarily measures to deal with COVID-19. Council agreed to revisit this in the near future.
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Communications officer Erica Crocker presented the results of a survey to solicit feedback on the fireworks bylaw. The results overall showed residents would prefer a lower cost for a permit and be able to purchase a permit at a fireworks retailer. The survey and results are on the Town of Drumheller website under announcements’ for the public to review.

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