Council Notes
Drumheller Town Council
Regular Council Meeting
Monday, May 28, 2018
Mayor Heather Colberg made a proclamation celebrating Correctional Service of Canada’s 183rd year in operations. The Drumheller Institution opened 51 years ago and made June 1 as Correctional Service of Canada Appreciation Day. She also made a proclamation on Seniors Week from Sunday, June 3 to Saturday, June 9.
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Rural Physicians and Practitioners (RhPAP) South East Zone Consultant Lara Harries gave a presentation on Alberta’s Rural Health Professions Action Plan. It is a renewed rural health plan and is a non-government organization but they are completely funded by the Alberta Ministry of Health.
RhPAP puts their focus on the sustainability of physicians as well as all areas of healthcare professionals in rural communities.
She explained they also support and encourage them to continue medical education and are a community voice to the provincial government on issues related to rural health workforce and physicians resource planning.
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Council passed first reading on an amendment to the Land Use Bylaw in regards to cannabis retail stores, where they defined terms such as ‘cannabis retail store’ and ‘cannabis cafe.’ They also set regulations on where cannabis retail stores may be located, prohibiting them from existing within 300 metres of any other cannabis retail store, 150 from school sites, and not within 100 metres from any hospital. CAO Darryl Drohomerski said the town plans to host an information session on retail cannabis in the latter half of June.
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The Town of Drumheller 2017 and 2018 Capital budgets included an annual allocation of $500,000 for a total of $1,000,000 after two years. This was set in place to purchase a new Ladder/Pumper Truck. On March 21, the Request for Proposal for supply and delivery of this new truck was posted on the Town website and the Alberta Purchasing Connection site. Tow proposals were submitted by the deadline on April 12. Commercial Emergency Equipment Co. (CEE) of Surrey, B.C., gave an estimated sum of $1,059,961,36 while Rocky Mountain Phoenix (RMP) of Red Deer gave an estimate of $987,560,000 in total.
Both submissions are trade show models where CEE has a 2017 model while RMP has a 2018 model. Delivery from CEE would be 60 days while RMP would not be delivered until October once trade show season finishes. The CEE model is a single axle unit with a 107’ ladder. The RMP is a tandem axle unit with a 109’ ladder. All other specifications are similar between the two models.
Drumheller Fire Department Fire Chief Bruce Wade mentioned there was not a phone system that was an initial requirement. This would be a first response vehicle to any and all calls. He said that a single axle truck would eliminate future mechanical problems as well.
Council unanimously voted against the purchase of the Ladder/Pumper Truck for the Fire Department from Rocky Mountain Phoenix fo $987,560. Council made a new motion to direct administration to put out a new tender with specific requirements.
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For over 20 years, the Canadian Badlands Passion Play has hosted an annual golf tournament as a fundraising event for the organizations. Last year, the town provided $1,000 towards the Passion Play. Council approved the sponsorship of the Canadian Badlands Passion Play 21st annual Golf Tournament in the amount of $1,000.
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In an RFD the Drumheller Housing Administration requested that the municipal portion of the 2018 property taxes be cancelled for Sandstone Manor.
Council moved to approve the cancellation of the 2018 Municipal Tax levied against the Drumheller Housing Administration in the amount of $9,972.15.
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Administration is seeking approval to process special per diem payment. On Monday, April 23, a SOLE was issued as flooding occurred causing a local state of emergency. The Incident Command Centre (ICC) was initiated on Monday, April 23 and operations ceased at approximately 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 25. Based on these events and her role as ICC Liaison, Mayor Colberg is eligible for three days per diem.
Council approved three days per diem for Mayor Colberg from April 23 to April 25 as per town policy.
