Drumheller Town Council Meetings | DrumhellerMail

Information from Drumheller Town Council Regular Council Meeting Monday, January 20, 2025

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Councillor Tom Zariski announced the Newcastle Park skating trail is now open; this project was a collaboration between the Newcastle Community Association, Badlands Trail Society, and the Town of Drumheller.
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Council approved an eight-week leave of absence for Councillor Lisa Hansen-Zacharuk due to medical reasons ending March 17, 2025.
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Council gave second and third reading to Rosedale 1 Avenue S Road Closure Bylaw 09.24 as part of the Town’s Flood Mitigation project.
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Council gave first reading to 9 Street E East Coulee Road Closure Bylaw 03.25 due to an application made by an adjacent owner to the public. The proposed road closure is currently undeveloped and has significant encroachment from the applicant; the development department has determined the best way to resolve this encroachment is to close the right of way and sell the land to the applicant.
A public hearing was scheduled for February 18, 2025.
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Council gave first and second reading to Development Authority Bylaw 01.25, which will replace the Municipal Planning Commission Bylaw 32-08, which was originally passed in 2008, and will align with current practices. This includes removing a section pertaining to termination of a board appointment due to absences and a term-limit for members; this would also change the appointment authority for the Development Officer from council to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) in line with changes to the Municipal Government Act (MGA).
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Council approved the appointment of Superior Safety Codes Inc. to carry out the Safety Codes Services contract for a three-year period beginning April 1, 2025.
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Council approved the adoption of the Drumheller Resiliency and Flood Mitigation Program financial audits, which have previously been completed separately from the Town’s financial audits, to be included within the Town’s annual financial audit.
This will result in some cost savings due to reduced staffing costs and auditor fees to complete two separate financial audits and presentations to council.
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Council gave first and second reading to Drumheller Valley Sports Committee Bylaw 04.25 to establish the Drumheller Sports Council Task Force, which will align with the Town’s strategic goals and priorities as outlined in the Parks and Recreation Master Plan which was adopted in 2023.
This will be a voluntary committee with the Recreation, Arts, and Culture manager providing administrative support to the committee and will operate within the current department operating budget.

Information from Drumheller Town Council Committee of the Whole Meeting Monday, January 13, 2025

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Legislative Services manager Mitchell Visser and Legislative Services coordinator Angela Keibel presented a briefing note for the Remuneration and Expense Allowance for Mayor and Council. The recommendations of the 2024 Council Remuneration Task Force were previously presented to council during the December 9, 2024 council meeting and Policy LS-C-03 was drafted for council consideration; this policy would streamline and replace three policies regarding council remuneration and expense allowances, attendance at conferences, and travel expenses.
Along with streamlining, administration is also recommending the approval of a four per cent increase to the Mayor and council’s base honorarium; providing each Councillor with an individual training and conference budget; and increasing the meeting per diem from $25 to $50 per meeting. Although while it was initially recommended by administration to implement these changes effective January 1, 2025, following discussion it was the recommendation of council that this change be implemented for the incoming council following the 2025 Municipal Election, and will not impact current council
The policy will be brought back to a future council meeting for consideration of approval.
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Infrastructure Services Director Jared Brounstein presented a briefing note proposing the removal of two outdated and non-revenue generating electric vehicle (EV) charging stations located at the Badlands Community Facility (BCF) and a municipally owned parking lot on 1 Street West. These charging stations were installed through sponsorship of a private resident and ATCO respectively, and were provided for complimentary use and, at the time, was seen as a tourism service. Since their installation, demand for EV charging stations has increased, and the technology for these systems has evolved rapidly. In contrast, newer systems can charge EVs within two hours, the currently installed systems take upwards of eight to 10 hours and the Town cannot recuperate costs for operation and maintenance.
To accommodate a pay-per-use system, the Town would need to replace these systems, however, there are currently no grant programs accepting applications. Other pay-per-use charging stations are available at Western GM (InCharge Energy Charging Station) and Drumheller Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (FLO Charging Station). If the Town were to replace these units with a pay-per-use system, costs per unit range between $100,000 and $400,000; this could be reduced if funding through grant programs becomes available.
It was recommended that the item be brought back to a future council meeting to consider removing the two charging stations.

Information from Drumheller Town Committee of the Whole Monday, December 16, 2024

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Drumheller Mayor Heather Colberg announced the Canada Post strike has now ended; however, due to a backlog of items during the strike there may be delays in mailout items, and to contact administration with any questions.
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    Council gave second and third readings to Rosedale Railway Avenue Road Closure Bylaw 10.24, Midlandvale Community Hall Road Closure Bylaw 18.24, and Cambria 6 Avenue East Road Closure Bylaw 22.24.
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    Council approved the appointment of the standing Deputy Mayor to sit as an alternative representative on the Drumheller and District Solid Waste Management Association (DDSWMA) for a term starting December 16, 2024 until the subsequent Organizational Meeting.
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    Council approved the construction and development of a new Airport Fuel Farm at a total cost of $680,000. Council also approved an additional $300,000 in the 2025 Capital Budget to complete this project.
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    Council approved the transition of the airport’s operating model to a third-party contractor effective February 2025 for a three-year operating and maintenance agreement; this also resulted in council dissolving the Airport Commission and transitioning overall management falling to the Infrastructure Services department effective January 3, 2025.
    This is anticipated to reduce the Town’s overall operating costs by an estimated $90,000 annually, eliminating the position of airport manager.
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    Council approved the 2025 Parade Float Capital Budget of $100,000 and approved concept design number three.
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    Council gave third and final reading of the 2025 Rates, Fees, and Charges Bylaw 36.24.
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    Council gave third and final reading of Assessment of Manufactured Home Communities Bylaw 38.24.
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    Council approved the 2025 Operating and Capital budgets (see story on front page).

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