Council Notes
Drumheller Town Council
Regular Council Meeting
Monday, January 22, 2018Mayor Heather Colberg called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.
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MP Kevin Sorenson, MLA Rick Strankman, and Alberta Fire Commissioner Kevan Jess presented federal and provincial awards to firefighters in the area.
These were presented to both current and retired Drumheller firefighters; Craig Comstock, Joe Gerlinger, Peter Gruber, Frank Kalman, James Martin, Bob Repas, Rick Schinnour, Jeff Gerlinger, Merv Smith, Steven Wade, Doug Stanger, Duane Bolin, Bruce Wade, Luigi Vescarelli, Blain Zacharuk, Bill Bachynski, John Gallagher, and Vince Seitz.

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A public hearing commenced for proposed Bylaw 13.17 to amend the Land Use Bylaw 10.08 by redesignating Lots 39 and 40, Block 24, Plan 1712473 in the Town of Drumheller from the Central Commercial District to DT (Downtown Transition) District. These lots were formerly known as Lots 18, 19, and 20 and Block 24, Plan 3099AD.
Cynthia Cvik, CEO and Director of Planning of Palliser Regional Municipal Services explained the bylaw and what is being considered. She said they recommend that council give second and third reading to Bylaw No. 07-13 as amended to rezone Lots 39 and 40, Block 23, Plan 1712437 from Central Commercial District to Downtown Transition District.
No submissions for or against the proposal were collected to the Town of Drumheller.
Council closed the public hearing. This subject will be revisited in two weeks

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Summer Manca and Julia Fielding of the Economic Development Advisory Committee brought forth a delegation on the final presentation of downtown beautification techniques and revitalization concepts.
The advisors committee with stakeholders to come up with unique potential ideas for the downtown area.
They took a few different concept considerations, with a focus on economic activity, community gathering space, balance local and tourist needs, marketing opportunities, flexible and season use or programming.
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Council adopted an amendment to policy C-01-14, to align remuneration of annual per diem to term of election and to update and/or remove outdated information.

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The 2018 Fee Schedule proposed for adoption includes the following changes; 2 per cent increase to Recreation Access and Facility Rental Fees, Aquaplex, BCF entrance & memberships, pool, ice, ball diamond, conference/room rentals, 2 per cent increase to cemetery fees, and $25 increase to airport hanger land lease fees.
Bulk sewage disposal fee rate increases effective January 1 and May 1 were previously adopted as part of the 2017 fee schedule. These increases, along with the proposed October 1 increase represent the third year of a phased in approach taken in the 2016 bulk sewage disposal rates that had unknowingly gone unchanged for a number of years.
The necessary increase identified, were imposed by taking a staggered approach (before and after tourist season) over a three year period in order to minimize the financial impact to ratepayers due to sheer volume.
The overall 2018 Tax supported budget reflects a 2 per cent increase in user fees.
Council adopted the 2018 Fee Schedule as presented with the amendment to exclude the airport fees at this time.
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A request for the authorization to write off uncollectible 2015 business license account balances against allowance for bad debt was brought forward.
Administration recommended that council approve the write off of uncollectible 2015 business license fees against the allowance for bad debt.
Councillor Lisa Hansen Zacharuk made the motion to authorized the write off of the 2015 Business License fees that remain outstanding.
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Councillor Jay Garbutt brought the Sandstone Manor 2018 Budget to attention.
Council accepted the 2018 Sandstone Manor budget as presented.
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Councillors Garbutt and Tom Zariski presented a draft version of the Vision, Mission, and Values statement.
He explained that input came from many diverse areas of employment at the Town.
Councillor Garbutt noted that this draft is still a work in progress and any input is welcome.

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Meeting adjourned at 7:24 p.m.

    It was an emotional moment in provincial court in Drumheller as 45-year-old Jason Dixon was sentenced to 9 months in jail, and also publicly acknowledged the trauma he suffered as a teen, playing hockey in Swift Current for the infamous Graham James.
     Dixon appeared in court on Friday, January 19 for sentencing. He pleaded guilty to impaired driving causing bodily harm.
    At about 8:30 p.m. on September 9, 2016, Drumheller RCMP received reports of an erratic driver. A short time later, there was a report of a head-on collision on the North Hill of Highway 9. The car Dixon was driving crossed the centerline and collided with an oncoming truck. Dixon was taken by STARS Air Ambulance, while the driver of the truck was taken by ambulance to the Drumheller Health Centre.
     Investigation revealed that Dixon was travelling at a high rate of speed and he had a Blood Alcohol Concentration of .260, more than three times the legal limit. Dixon has a prior record that includes four previous alcohol-related convictions.
    Crown Prosecutor Ron Pedersen indicated a range of sentencing for this crime is between 15 and 21 months and recommended a sentence of 18 months  in jail, noting the mitigating circumstance of a favourable pre-sentence report, an early guilty plea and that Dixon has already begun pursuing counselling.
     Defense for Dixon, Colin Kloot, noted that Dixon had a stable family life growing up and a promising hockey career. At the age of the 14, he began playing for coach Graham James. He was continually sexually abused. This has left him an emotional wreck with mental health and addiction issues.
     Dixon’s allegations regarding James have not been proven in court. In 1997 James pleaded guilty to 350 sexual assaults including those where former NHL player Sheldon Kennedy was the victim, and again pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting Theo Fleury in 2011.
     Dixon addressed the court and said the evening of the collision, his intention was to meet with Sheldon Kennedy who was also abused by James.
    Judge Gashler asked Dixon about his future for dealing with his addiction issues and why he felt he has been unsuccessful in staying sober.
    Dixon replied that after he was taken out of an induced coma following the collision, it was the first time he ever spoke about the abuse he endured. He has never dealt with this before.
    Kloot noted that Dixon’s experiences could not be deemed as mitigating circumstances, however, they need to be taken into consideration when sentencing. He submitted that given Mr.Dixon’s circumstances a sentence of nine months was appropriate.
    Gashler disagreed with Kloot’s assessment that Dixon’s circumstance is unique.
    “In Western Canada, given the love of hockey, the predation of Graham James is a mark on society that is broad, deep and hurtful, and probably not over,” noted Gashler.
    In sentencing, Gasler likened victims of sexual assaults to residential school survivors and agreed nine months incarceration was a suitable sentence. This will be followed by two years of probation, with conditions that he receives recommended counselling.