Council Overview
Information from Drumheller Town
Council Special Council Meeting
Thursday, March 26, 2020

Council took a moment at the beginning of the meeting to recognize some of the “Unsung Heroes” as the town responds to the COVID-19 pandemic. This included everyone from healthcare workers at the Drumheller Health Centre and lodges to grocery store staff who are keeping the town running. They also noted the people who are being responsible and are in self-isolation and are practicing social distancing. Council also lauded the dedication and large scope work that staff and community members at the Emergency Command Centre have undertaken.
They have put Drumheller ahead of many communities in being prepared for the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Council passed a motion to declare a State of Local Emergency. Mayor Heather Colberg explained, “A local authority may, (declare a State of Local Emergency) at any time when it is satisfied an emergency exists, or may exist in its municipality.”
Director of Emergency Management Darwin Durnie explains that Drumheller made the declaration on Friday, March 20, however, this declaration expires every seven days, to keep governments in check. “We have done fantastic as a team, council, and staff standing up and getting ready to take on this battle which is going to worsen,” said Durnie.

Complete minutes from council meetings can be found at
www.drumheller.ca once they have been adopted.

Council Overview
Information from Drumheller Town
Council Special Council Meeting
Monday, March 23, 2020

Mayor Heather Colberg moved directly to a request Mayor Heather Colberg began the Special Meeting by stressing the importance of handwashing, sanitizing, social distancing and self-isolation as the community deals with the Outbreak of COVID-19.
Chief Resiliency and Flood Mitigation officer Darwin Durnie introduced the section chiefs of the emergency response command. He expressed his appreciation for all the hard work by the team.
He then expressed his concern about the circumstances of unacceptable behaviours. He said,“ We have people who are still coming back to Drumheller and not self-isolating and then putting the whole community at risk.”
He says there is an anonymous complaint form available for residents to tell the town or Alberta Health about their concerns over individuals or businesses that are not following social spacing and self-isolation protocols.
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Council passed a motion to approve the proposed Terms of Reference for the Municipal Development Plan, Land Use Bylaw and Design Master Plan Steering Committee; a second motion to approve the proposed Terms of Reference for the Municipal Development Plan, Land Use Bylaw and Design Master Plan Technical Committee; and finally a motion to appoint a Councillor to the Municipal Development Plan, Land Use Bylaw and Design Master Plan Steering Committee..
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Council awarded the contract for development of the Land Use Bylaw, Municipal Development Plan and Flood Resiliency Design Master Plan for the Town of Drumheller to 02 Planning and Design effective March 25, 2020, to December 31, 2020.
Durnie noted the number of interested parties declined to submit a proposal in light of COVID 19. O2 Planning and Design did submit a bid, however, it was over the allocated budget. Administration recommended awarding the contract to O2 Planning and Design and work on negotiating a better deal.
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Durnie addressed some concerns about playground safety due to COVID -19. He explains a number of playgrounds in communities are closed. He says they are being wiped down to establish a benchmark of cleanliness in the community. The discussion will continue as to when and whether playgrounds will be closed in the community.
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Council approved the deferral of utility payments for a period of 90 days with the potential of further concessions, and direct administration to work with account holders to develop an appropriate payment schedule, to coincide with the provincial program.
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Council approved the implementation of the short term property tax pre authorized payment plan relief for qualifying ratepayers until June 1, 2020, and that the town of Drumheller will work with those ratepayers to develop an appropriate payment schedule.