OPENING REMARKS

Councillor Zariski reminded everyone that candidates for the Battle River-Crowfoot riding for the 2025 federal election will be at the Badlands Community Facility for a debate on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at 6:30 pm. The 2025 federal election will be held on April 28, 2025.

Mayor Colberg announced that a Special Meeting of Council will be scheduled for Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at 4:30 PM to review and approve the Town of Drumheller’s audited financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024.

She also reminded residents that today is Earth Day and thanked everyone who helped clean up the valley.

AMENDMENT TO BYLAW 04.21 - COUNCIL & COMMITTEE PROCEDURE BYLAW

Council gave third and final reading to Bylaw #17.25 - Amending Bylaw for Bylaw #04.21, which amends Bylaw #04.21 - Council and Committee Procedures Bylaw to permit the conduct of Public Hearings electronically, in compliance with the recent updates to the Municipal Government Act.

SAFETY CODES PERMIT AMENDING BYLAW #08.25

Council gave third and final reading to Bylaw #08.25 - Amending Bylaw for Bylaw #15.24, which amends Bylaw #15.24 - Safety Codes Permit Bylaw. The amendments include: adding a definition for "Construction"; modifying Section 5.2 to shift the authority for determining building permit requirements from the Development Authority to the Permit Issuer; updating Section 17.1 to clarify that permit refunds will only be issued if no work has commenced; and to allow retention of an administration fee to prevent losses due to required payments to an inspection agency.

CAO OFFICE 2025 FIRST QUARTER REPORT

Council accepted as information the 2025 First Quarter Report presented by all departments within the CAO Office, including Legislative Services, Communications, Information Technology, Economic Development, and Human Resources.

EMERGENCY & PROTECTIVE SERVICES 2025 FIRST QUARTER REPORT

Council accepted as information the 2025 First Quarter Report presented by all departments within Emergency & Protective Services, including Municipal Enforcement, Health and Safety, Fire Services, and Emergency Management.

FLEET REPLACEMENT

The Council approved a commitment of $400,000 in funding as part of the 2026 budget year for the procurement of a new single-axle dump truck with full snow and ice control features to be purchased in 2025, with anticipated delivery in late 2026 or early 2027.

This purchase is due to the catastrophic engine failure of one of the Town’s road maintenance trucks, which is no longer cost-effective to repair.

POOL OPERATION FOR SUMMER 2025

Council approved the closure of the Aquaplex indoor pool effective June 1, 2025, to facilitate the completion of essential repairs which have been awarded to Pinnacle Aquatics Group. The pool is anticipated to re-open on September 9, 2025. This closure will address repairs to the hot tub and complete the necessary annual operational maintenance and structural repairs. The outdoor pool will be open by June 1 and will remain open until after the Labour Day weekend. 

AMENDED BUDGET

Council approved amendments to the 2025 Operations and Capital budgets, which include an increase of $408,000 to the 2025 Utility Budget, funded by a transfer of $304,000 from the Water Reserve and $104,000 from the Sewer Reserve. Transfers of $150,000 from the Capital Reserve and $212,280 from the Contingency Reserve have been authorized to fund the capital projects for the Hoodoo Parking – Design Phase and Lehigh Reclamation.   

Additionally, Council approved a property tax increase of 4% recognizing the ongoing instability in tariffs affecting operations and the supply chain.  It is also aligned with comparable rates adopted by other Alberta municipalities. The amended budget will inform the 2025 Tax Rate Bylaw, which is scheduled for approval by Council in May.

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