Council Notes
Drumheller Town Council
Regular Council Meeting
Monday, August 19, 2019
Mayor Heather Colberg opened council by thanking the recent movie and TV productions which have filmed in Drumheller this summer.
Councillors Fred Makowecki and Lisa Hansen-Zacharuk were not present at this meeting.
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Council accepted a policy #C-02-19 from the CAO on Relief of Municipal Property Tax on Destructed Improvements, which would allow the town to consider municipal tax relief on properties or improvements that have been destroyed and rendered uninhabitable or unuseable.
Council discussed adding a time limit from the date of the incident to include the entire remaining tax year, plus 90 days. Council also discussed adding a maximum amount or percentage of tax relief, as in its current form it would leave discretion to council to either cancel or refund all or part of a tax. It was noted council discussed this at a previous meeting that the decision up to discretion because municipal tax values can differ widely.
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Council heard a request for decision from Barb Miller, deputy CAO of Drumheller, to develop an intermunicipal development plan which would involve the four surrounding counties (Wheatland, Starland, Kneehill, and Special Areas #2) as a requirement of the Municipal Government Act. It was recommended councillors Tony Lacher and Tom Zariski be appointed to the IDP committee since they already serve on the Municipal Planning Commission.
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Council approved an amended drone policy to say recreational drone use is not permitted on municipal property, where it originally prohibited all recreational use within the entire municipality, which was originally approved last month. Councillor Garbutt recommended a consequence such as a fine be added, with economic development manager Sean Wallace saying this could be added to the Community Standards Bylaw.
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Council heard an update from communications officer Julia Fielding regarding the town’s smart phone app, she said potential developers will be narrowed down this month, and after that a proposal will be brought to council.
Ms. Fielding updated council on work being done on assessing the town’s branding. She said data from surveys and in person interviews has been compiled and will be discussed with those working on the project.
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Council heard an update from Dave Brett, infrastructure director, on work identifying trail and walking path gaps which could be filled. They are creating a map and working with communications to decide how to present a trail system map to the public. Council discussed improving signage on the paths so users can easily find their way throughout the valley.
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