Drumheller Town Council Meetings | DrumhellerMail

Council Notes From the regular meeting of Monday, Sept. 19, 2016

Town of Drumheller Crest

Council Notes From the regular meeting of Monday, Sept. 19, 2016

Infrastructure director Daryl Drohomerski updated Council on the Aquaplex modernization. He proposed that since the change to the timeline of the pool modernization has now affected the cost, administration proposes to revisit the bid with the contractor to understand why it is substantially higher than initially projected. Another alternative council agreed upon was to reject all proposals and to retender the project in hopes of getting a more competing bidding process.
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The Council passed a motion to keep Superior Safety Codes Inc. as the Town of Drumheller and Palliser Municipal Services Safety Code Services Provider. Ray Romanetz explained that Superior Safety has provided this service for the last 8 years. Superior Safety Codes Inc. will continue to provide safety codes services such as building, gas, electrical, plumbing, fire and private sewer system inspections and permit reviews.
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Council received an update from the Director of Community Services Paul Salvatore regarding the Wayfinding Signage. The Wayfinding Signage Committee came up with a concept for a sign that better matched the budget. The hopes for this signage is to get people moving around Drumheller and bring them to key points in the community. One main point being the different dinosaurs around town. The Committee has approached and was well received by the Chamber of Commerce's Dino Arts committee to potentially include their "Dino Walk of Fame" on each of the signs. Part of discussion with the designer was to include possible scientific representation of good examples of dinosaurs that are significant to Drumheller's palaeontological past. The Royal Tyrrell Museum has offered to consult on the descriptions of these dinosaurs.
Councillor Jay Garbutt said that this is very different than the original plan for the "Dino Walk of Fame" which originally was to draw more people to the downtown core. The Wayfinding Committee has moved away from the purpose of providing safety with these signs towards more for entertainment.
Salvatore provided the Council with an example of the proposed sign. He said that the committee and the designer took into consideration the possibility of the signs getting damaged and the cost of replacement. They have also taken into consideration the cosmetic aspect of the signs and hope to find a design that is attractive and unique to match our desert like climate.
Romanetz assured Salvatore that the Council has worked on projects with the Dino Arts committee before and looks forward to doing so again.
Salvatore said that pending any weather or other unforeseen circumstances the project is expected to commence in the next 4-6 weeks.
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A request for decision on a Regional Emergency Services consultant being made by Greg Peters, Director of Protective Services. Peters states that Starland, Kneehill and Wheatland counties and Special Areas #2 have been approved for funding to complete a regional emergency services master plan. After reviewing 11 firms and their quotes the committee, which consists of Greg Peters, the Fire Chief and Wheatland County's Disaster Services Coordinator, recommended awarding the contract to Behr Energy Services Ltd. Council agreed to award the development of a regional emergency services master plan to Behr Energy Services.
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Councillor Sharel Shoff provided an update on Community Futures. According to Shoff the Young Entrepreneurs camp was a success and they are looking to do this again next year. The group running this program is hoping to expand and be able to use the area around the suspension bridge for the young entrepreneur camps. She also did a brief report on Palliser Municipal Services.
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Council went in-camera to discuss land matters and a personnel matter. When they returned to the meeting, council approved an Employment Agreement Fixed Term between the Town of Drumheller and CAO Ray Romanetz. Council unanimously thanked him for his years of service.

Council Notes From the regular meeting of Council of the Whole Monday, Sept. 12, 2016

Town of Drumheller Crest

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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Council Notes From the regular meeting of Monday, August 22, 2016

Town of Drumheller Crest

Council Notes

From the regular meeting of Monday, August 22, 2016

Councillor Tom Zariski was sworn in as Deputy Mayor for the months of September and October.
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Mayor Terry Yemen said they have received letters from Hanna, Stettler, and other municipalities who have sent letters for the Red Deer River Municipal Users Group regarding flood mitigation, and expects over 60 letters from group members to be sent to the province in their lobbying efforts for provincial assistance in funding flood mitigation efforts.
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Mayor Terry Yemen formerly introduced Daryl Drohomerski as the town's new director of infrastructure. CAO Ray Romanetz said Mr. Drohomerski brings years of experience which will benefit the town. Mr. Drohomerski said he's enjoyed his time here so far and is looking forward to working with council in the future.
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Council gave first reading to Bylaw 14.16, being a bylaw to amend Land Use Bylaw 10.08 by redesigning Lot 11, Plan 3867HU within the SW 28-28-19-W4M in Rosedale, being the former location of the Rosedale golf course, from an "Urban Transitional" district to "Residential Cottage District." Mr. Romanetz said this is just the start of discussions at a public hearing if this reading is passed. The public hearing would be scheduled for October 17. Councillor Sharel Shoff moved first reading, seconded by councillor Lisa Hansen-Zacharuk. Councillor Shoff said she wants to make sure everyone understands this is necessary to get the item on the table to be discussed and evaluated for pros and cons. Councillor Tara McMillan recommended for the next meeting a list be prepared to see the number of different uses each zoning designation permits, which is available on the town's website www.dinosaurvalley.com under the Land Use Bylaw section. Mayor Terry Yemen said any letters addressed to council will be read aloud, although abbreviated, at the hearing. Council passed first reading unanimously.
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Infrastructure director Daryl Drohomerski provided council an update on infrastructure projects completed this summer. The water replacement has finished for 2016 other than minor deficiencies. The asphalt pavement program is largely complete minus some landscaping work. The Aquaplex pool lining project has two tenders closing later this week, with evaluations then taking place, and a decision will be requested from council at the next meeting. The concrete meridian work being done on Highway 9 South is nearly complete. The Elks Trail project behind the BCF has seen a rubber walkway installed as development of the recreation area continues.
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Director of Protective Services Greg Peters said Tough Mudder organizers said the event was a success. Drumheller RCMP said activity in relation to the event required minimal call for service and Drumheller Fire had none.
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