OPENING REMARKS

Councillor Sereda expressed appreciation to Chris and Candace Lorenz and Joe Vickers for organizing the Cold Bones Festival that took place February 7-9, 2025. There were 30 bands playing in 5 venues. She also extended gratitude to everyone who volunteered.

Councillor Zariski announced the Royal Tyrrell Museum’s Speaker Series is running every Thursday at 11:00 a.m. at the Museum’s auditorium or via Zoom. The presentations are on various palaeontological and scientific subjects; they are open to the public, and admission to the presentation is free of charge.

Mayor Colberg announced to residents that Women’s Heart Health Day will be observed on Thursday, February 13, 2025. Community members are encouraged to wear red in support of this important initiative. 

COUNCIL BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

Council accepted as information minutes from the following boards and committees: Drumheller & District Senior’s Foundation, Drumheller & District Solid Waste Management Association, Drumheller Housing Administration, Drumheller Public Library Board, and Valley Bus Society.

DELEGATION: WILD ROSE ASSESSMENT SERVICES

Wild Rose Assessment Services provided a presentation to Council that explained what a property assessment is, how assessments are conducted and prepared, how the Municipal Government Act defines market value, and that regulated value rates are set by the province. They reviewed what is assessed and what is taxable or exempt and the assessment and audit compliance process. Essential dates for property assessments are December 31 (condition date) and July 1 (annual valuation date). Finally, the presentation detailed the assessment complaint process and procedures. The slides begin on page 36 of the agenda, and the presentation is available on our YouTube channel.

Wild Rose Assessment Services will be at the Public Information Open House on Wednesday, March 5, from 4:00pm – 7:00pm at the Badlands Community Facility. 

2024 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT YEAR IN REVIEW

The Manager of Economic Development provided an overview to the Council highlighting the achievements of 2024. The presentation covered various topics, including establishing new businesses, unemployment rates in Drumheller, real estate insights such as vacancy rates, property improvements, rental costs, and the housing market. Additionally, it included updates on permitting activities, policies and bylaws, and significant projects in progress. 

PARKS AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN UPDATE

The Manager of Recreation, Arts, and Culture updated Council about the 2024 deliverables achieved within the Recreation Master Plan and plans moving forward, including joint initiatives with the infrastructure department for 2025 and 2026.

2024 Items included improvements in Newcastle, administrative initiatives such as the Drumheller Valley Sports Committee, and sports tourism.

2025 DOWNTOWN AREA REVITALIZATION PLAN (DARP) - 6 AVE EXTENSION

The Infrastructure Capital Projects Manager provided an overview of the plan to extend 6 Avenue. This project will “bridge” Highway 56 to Railway Avenue East at 2 Street East via the existing intersection and provide a direct link to the downtown core. It will also intersect with the “Rails to Trails” pathway, providing further access to the extensive trail network within the valley. Construction will commence in the coming months, with anticipated completion by the beginning of September 2025.

Council discussion surrounded the safety of the connection of Rails to Trails and the 6 Avenue extension and possible solutions such as enhanced landscaping to delineate trail users to use the designated crossings. There was also discussion about traffic flow onto Railway Avenue and how it could be optimized as a downtown thoroughfare to mitigate traffic at the 5 Street East corridor.   

2025 STREET IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM

The Infrastructure Capital Projects Manager provided an overview of the 2025 Street Improvement Program, a key initiative to rehabilitate roadways, sidewalks, and trail systems to enhance public accessibility and safety. It prioritizes areas identified through road condition assessments and GIS data, ensuring cost-effective and efficient improvements. There are three primary priorities: full roadway resurfacing in Lower Newcastle, full engineering review and reconstruction drawings for 4 Avenue SW, Bankview Drive, and Premier Close, and three separate trail sections proposed to receive paved pathway extensions or establish defined crosswalks.

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