The Mail had the opportunity to catch up with Her Worship Mayor Heather Colberg to get an update on some of the major accomplishments and challenges of 2019, and to look forward to what is in store for 2020.
1. There has been a lot of progress on the flood mitigation file, with the receipt of the federal funding, the establishment of an office. Can you give a brief update on what the next steps are ie. budget, plans, public input, and construction?
We are pleased the Resiliency and Flood Mitigation Office is now established. The grant agreements are being finalized. A Greenhouse Gas Assessment, Climate Impact Assessment, and Indigenous Consultations must be completed before we can start. We anticipate these consultations and assessments will be concluded by late spring.
Existing berms have started to be inspected to determine critical maintenance areas for this year’s flood season. In March, we will start implementing a flood alert system and we are working on dedicated communication tools in the event of an emergency. At Monday’s council meeting, we passed the land acquisition policy and purchasing policy. We are pleased with the progress to date.
2. Another big front there has been work on is the downtown improvements. The plaza has been established, what are the next steps and what can we expect to see?
The Town of Drumheller is working with O2 Planning & Design to develop a Downtown Area Revitalization Plan, which will bring together a plethora of data and previous studies into one global plan. The plan will be created in such a way to identify components that are easy to achieve as well as components that will be implemented as funding becomes available. This is a transformational opportunity for Drumheller to drive traffic to the Drumheller Valley. Additionally, our Storefront Enhancement Grant continues to benefit businesses that wish to improve the appearance of their storefronts. Along with the plan, it will be incorporated with the design of the flood mitigation program so we carry a similar look throughout the valley.
3. Business-wise, there have been some changes in the core. There have been some great additions such as Valley Brewers and Black Mountain Roasters. At the same time, we are still seeing a few empty storefronts and a few businesses closing. What can we do to/what are we doing to find sustainability?
Alberta, and Canada, has experienced vast declines in new business start-ups and new investment. Drumheller is fairing, on a per capita level, better than most.
Creating stability is not an easy task considering the provincial and national economies. Drumheller is taking steps to diversify the economy through strategic plans that include the Downtown Area Revitalization plan, modernizing our Land Use Bylaws, reorganizing the development department where economic develop leads, creation of an Economic Development reserve to assist with sustainability, cutting edge economic development incentive programs. In addition, a new foreign direct investment program to attract investment from outside Alberta’s borders is underway, developing sector strategies based on realistic goals in consideration of our resources as well as the development of new marketing collaterals to better promote Drumheller as an attractive investment location will bolster the economy. One of the biggest challenges is making Drumheller investment ready and all the aforementioned will go a long way to improving our economy.
We have also been attracting events to drive traffic downtown through events like the carnival, plaza events, filming, Festival of Lights, etc. It is so exciting to have events such as East Coulee Springfest, Wayne Stock, Boogie in the Badlands, Blessing of the Bikes and more. We can continue to create more events to attract people to the valley so our businesses downtown and throughout the valley continue to strive. We encourage business owners to continue to supply unique and exciting products, decorate their stores, create an experience so both residents and visitors stop and visit. As well with the help of people and committees in the community will continue to strive to bring more event to the Valley
4. Beyond sustainability in the service and retail sector. What efforts are being made to expand economic opportunities for residents?
One of the biggest successes in terms of Economic Development is installing KPI’s. Since Sean Wallace took the position, he has implemented some private sector processes to measure investment attraction and since last April, we have approximately 68 million in new investment leads hoping to turn into opportunities. I am a strong proponent in the belief “if you can measure it – you can manage it.” Also laying the groundwork with progressive economic development policies that form the bases of directed economic development activities will mean success in the future. Waiting for a phone call is no longer an option for Drumheller, we have to be aggressive, agile, responsive and proactive….this is the way we are operating now.
5. Municipalities are facing a tough budgeting year, whether it be from cost escalation, loss of tax base, cost being passed down to municipalities, and the reduction of MSI funding. Last year, council passed a very efficient budget with minimal cuts to programming. What can residents expect from this upcoming budget? What will be the council’s priorities?
Since last year, communities like Drumheller have experienced cuts to social programming with the elimination of the CBI program as well as other reductions in funding from the Province. In spite of this, the town is looking to maintain existing programs where possible, however, some capital works, such as road repairs, which receive MSI funding, may see less work being completed in 2020 than previous years. Council wants to expand the community events programming as we see this as a great way to bring residents and visitors to our Valley, with the hopes they may want to set up a business and live here. Of course, economic development is the forefront of Council as the goal is to grow the community and realize our potential.
6. The town is exploring moving the annual clean up to the fall, rather than the spring. How will this benefit the town?
The cleanup program is very labour intensive, utilizing all Public Works staff except the absolute minimum required to keep the water/wastewater treatment plants and the ice plant and surface at the arena operating. This results in all other tasks being postponed until the clean up is completed. By rescheduling the clean up to the fall, the Town will be able to better utilize our resources and staff for the preparation of parks, recreational facilities and infrastructure for the opening and use during spring and summer seasons. This includes activities such as baseball diamond preparation, spring flood response preparation, berm, dyke and ditch inspection, town beautification and roads and sidewalk cleaning and maintenance.
7. Last season the town did a pilot for parking at the hoodoos and appears it was a success. Are there thoughts of expanding it? Are there other ways the town can look at generating revenue to help pay for amenities that are enjoyed by residents and visitors alike?
For 2020, we will continue to operate pay-for-parking at the Hoo Doos. We want to ensure last summer wasn’t an anomaly with respect to visitors paying for the site usage as well as improve our processes before we look to other sites in the valley. We have been in discussions with the Minister of Culture and Tourism about implementing a user fee at the Tyrrell Museum with those funds collected being used by the town for infrastructure improvements that benefit visitors and residents alike. We believe it is a great idea, but we need to convince the Minister and their staff.
8. It looks like the summer ended with some good news about the fountain. What are the plans for the Fountain and Spray park?
The Town intends to operate the fountain in 2020 in the same manner as it was operated in fall 2019 while the Downtown Area Revitalization Program (DARP) and Flood Mitigation and Climate Adaptation (FMCA) programs are underway in the park. The spray park will be receiving maintenance in the early spring so it is ready for use and enjoyment by the public come the May long weekend.
9. What do you consider one of the greatest successes in 2019?
Without question, we believe the announcement of federal and provincial funding for flood mitigation and climate adaptation is our biggest success. This will make the community a better place to live and work and will make it more resilient to weather changes for decades to come.
10.Aside from some of the issues identified above, what do you consider the biggest challenge facing the community in 2020?
I think working with the many departments of the Provincial government. Culture and Tourism, Transportation, Environment, Infrastructure, etc., with the financial challenges they face and how they are intertwined with the town (museum, main roads, and bridge, flood mitigation) will be a challenge to get them to make improvements over the next few years. I understand why the provincial government has to implement these adjustments so it is up to our municipalities to work with what we have. I look at it like a private business. Dollars in and dollars out have to be accounted for.
I am excited for 2020, there have been so many positive things in the past year with flood mitigation funding, seniors housing announcement for additional rooms to SL4, bringing in our Economic Development manager and more. The best part is we have had great support from our community members. Many are getting involved on different boards and committees to help make positive change to the Valley.
