Deputy Mayor Tom Zariski opened the meeting by addressing concerns about the coronavirus. He noted the town is monitoring the situation and there is no threat to Alberta at this point. There are four confirmed cases in Canada.
He also greeted council with Kung Hei Fat Choy, acknowledging the Chinese New Year.
Zariski congratulated the Badlands Community Facility for its successful women’s retreat and also noted Mayor Heather Colberg has been nominated as top Mayor in Canada.
Councillor Lisa Hansen Zacharuk congratulated the Drumheller Raptors who won a gold medal in hockey tournament play and the Junior DVSS Dynos, who won bronze at a Strathmore tournament.
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Council passed first reading of Bylaw 03.20, the Town of Drumheller- Wheatland County Intermunicipal Development plan and set a public meeting for Monday, March 2 at the regularly scheduled Council Meeting for the Town of Drumheller.
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Council passed first reading of Bylaw 04.20, the Town of Drumheller-Kneehill County Intermunicipal Development plan and set a public meeting for Monday, March 2 at the regularly scheduled Council Meeting for the Town of Drumheller.
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Council passed first reading of Bylaw 05.20, the Town of Drumheller- Special Areas Intermunicipal Development plan and set a public meeting for Monday, March 2 at the regularly scheduled Council Meeting for the Town of Drumheller.
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Council heard a presentation from FCSS coordinator April Harrison on the Drumheller Poverty Reduction Alliance. Poverty reduction has been identified as a council priority. The Alliance was formed and joined the Tamarack Institute’s Cities Reducing Poverty CRP. They have brought together several agencies to create lasting solutions to social programs on a larger scale. She presented a list of anticipated activities and expenses in 2020 to be considered for the budget. This included funds for labour, Tamarack membership, training, and building capacity as well as funds for community engagement. This adds up to about $30,000. Council accepted the report.
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Council adopted the 2020 tax-supported operating budget with a municipal requisition of $9,062,125, adding an increase of about 2 per cent to the Municipal Property Tax requisition. Some of the notable highlights include an enhanced provision to fund a full-time events coordinator, a pilot project in support of a youth centre, enhanced communications strategy, work on a downtown revitalization study, increased provision for economic development, a pilot project in support of poverty reduction and additional funds for community assistance. Corporate Services Director Barb Miller noted the budget reflects a number of known reductions passed by the provincial government. The full impact, however, will not be realized until the end of 2020. With that in mind, the 2021-2023 fiscal plan recognizes the known changes but has been developed through an austerity lens.
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Infrastructure Services director Dave Brett presented a council policy C-02-20 for the town App and how it will be implemented and utilized. This is to ensure effective and consistent response and use of the mobile app by the Town of Drumheller staff, and to document the competent elements of the program including users, levels of service, authorities, responses, work procedures, and reporting. Council approved the policy.
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Council adopted Policy C-01-20 for Persons with Disability Parking on Public Land. This is to set out guidelines for the designation of parking areas for Parking Placards for Persons with Disabilities by the Town of Drumheller. This policy brings the Town of Drumheller in line with the provincial program.
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Council passed first reading of Bylaw 02.20 Land use Bylaw, which amends Land Use Bylaw 10.087 by updating definitions, additions, and deletions of items related to the legalization of cannabis. A public hearing will be set for Tuesday, February 18 at the regularly scheduled council meeting of the Town of Drumheller.
