Council Notes
From the Committee of the Whole Monday, April 11, 2016
A Special Council Meeting was held where Infrastructure Services Manager Al Kendrick presented a Request for Decision to award NCA Aquatics with the project to line the Aquaplex pool with prefabricated stainless steel panels, which will reduce cleaning and operational disruptions. The proposal from NCA Aquatics is in the amount of $775,000, with funds for the project already approved in the 2016 Capital Budget. Councillor Kolafa asked about differences in pool closures due to cleaning. Kendrick said the difference in downtime would be from one month to about 10 days. Delivery of materials is estimated around early September. Council unanimously approved.
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Council heard from Canadian Badlands Ltd.'s administrative manager, Lonna Hoggan and Bob Long who provided an annual update to council.
Hoggan said that Travel Alberta reports an increase in visitation from 11.5 to 34 per cent due to stay-cations.
Canadian Badlands is developing a scenic touring route and currently working on signage.
Canadian Badlands conducted an experiential assessment with the Atlas Coal Mine.
Hoggan reported that Senior Living Magazine did an article on Drumheller.
Hoggan said impact from Canadian Badlands marketing campaign resulted in 2.4 million impressions made through social media. Launched #mybadlands on Twitter.
Bob Long said $4.9 billion tourist dollars spent in Alberta, 29.4 million person visits, and an increase of 2.4 per cent in overnight stays. For Canadian Badlands' region there was 750 million spent in tourism, 4.5 million visits, and around 9,000 people employed in tourism.
Mayor Yemen asked about Annual General Meeting registration and Hoggan said registration was down, but overall was content with the numbers.
Councillor Zariski asked about the absence of Alberta golf promotion marketing, with Hoggan saying she would report to Travel Alberta. Long said that there seems that the government shows intent to do something but doesn't really believe what they say. Says now is the time to capitalize on the Canadian market's low dollar and gas prices to increase American tourism.
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Councillor Sharel Shoff reported on Palliser Planning as a board member.
Shoff said Drumheller is working on revising offsite levy bylaws, which would allow the municipality to charge subdivisions and developments for cost of construction and expansion, and requesting assistance in mapping offsite levy zones.
Nine subdivisions approvals this year, compared to 13 in 2015.
The Annual General Meeting will be held in Hanna in June.
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Councillor Lisa Hansen-Zacharuk reported that she had received concerns from residents about the home-based business licences. Residents had expressed concern that licensing is invasive because it requires describing where vehicles are parked around the home and where the office is primarily located, but upon further investigation Councillor Hansen-Zacharuk found that this information was necessary.
Hansen-Zacharuk relayed a concern from seven businesses that business licensing costs have increased over the decade without a substantial amount of service being provided in return. Mayor Yemen said the prices from 2015 have been reduced by $75.
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Councillor Kolafa asked about reducing the cost of business licenses for buskers in order to promote a vibrant downtown and parks. Community Services Director Paul Salvatore said buskers have been turned towards a micro-business license in order to have a record of buskers and the businesses playing in front of, in conjunction with bylaw services. The annual fee is $51.50. Kolafa said there is no merchandise involved and it is an entertainment service. Salvatore said the town was trying to promote buskers as value added to downtown and have been encouraging buskers on the town website. Mayor Yemen suggested there be zero fee for buskers or a nominal fee to cover paperwork expense and for there to be a record in town files.
