Council Notes
From the regular meeting of Council of the Whole Monday, Sept. 12, 2016
Mayor Yemen received a letter from the Honourable Ralph Goodale, federal Minister of Public Safety, in response to an earlier request from the Mayor's office, asking for added compensation to the town for providing assistance to the Federal Penitentiary by the local RCMP detachment. Mr Goodale assured the mayor that he takes the protection and security of Canadians "very seriously", and, has asked the warden of the penitentiary and the Commanding Officer of RCMP's K Division, to meet with him to find a solution to the issue.
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Council also received a letter from Lacy Williamson of the Badlands Hellraisers derby group, asking for permission to utilize the former tennis courts area to build a new roller derby track, and pay for it by fundraising efforts by the group.
Council has previously promised the land to the curling rink group for the eventual construction of a new curling rink building.
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A letter has been received by Council from the owner of Drumheller Chrysler, in the hopes of building a new access to their location on Highway 9 South by allowing traffic through what is now the centre median, as presently, southbound traffic must turn right on Highway 9, then make a u-turn at the end of the block.
In 2004 Council asked for an opinion and clarification on the matter from Hanna's Tony Chelick, operations manager for the central district of Alberta Transportation. Mr. Chelick replied in a letter to the town, that a recent traffic study done on town roads, concluded that no changes to the present scenario be implemented. There is also provision for a service road to be constructed in front of businesses along Highway 9 where none presently exists, with access to the service road provided at existing intersections. Council wishes to reopen discussions to explore options.
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Drumheller-Stettler MLA Rick Strankman attended council to inform them of his efforts and the government's policy on the proposed Flood Mitigation lobbying currently underway. Councils position is that the province is responsible for 100 percent funding for flood mitigation as per previous agreements.
Council is also looking for updated flood mapping from the province that will allow the Town to proceed with remedial efforts under the new guidelines. Strankman echoed the Mayor's frustration in the delay that has come about subsequent to a previous meeting with Minister Brian Mason earlier this spring. He is fearful that, despite the funding approval for remediation, being done, that the Province has not given any timelines to either he, or the Town.
The Mayor chastised Mr. Strankman in that he is the voice from this area in the legislature and that Strankman has been unable to provide any answers to the Town.
Councillor Garbutt asked the MLA not to wait any longer for remediation to the Ft. McMurray, before holding the Province to task. He reiterated to Strankman that the Province continues to put off this local situation, despite an earlier urgency that was prior to the June fires in Ft. Mc Murray.
Mr. Strankman told Council he probably would not be able to ask questions in the Legislature until sitting resumes, presumably at the end of October.
Mr. Strankman did ask Council for better communication on when they speak to the provincial departments, that he be informed.
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Council has received a letter from Craig Stewart, Operations Manager for the Central Region, Alberta Transportation, saying they would not allow a proposed road closure of airspace on First Avenue in East Coulee to proceed.
An expression of concern has also been sent to Alberta Transportation from East Coulee resident Don Gerlinger.
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