Mayor Tony Miglecz opened the meeting by running the idea of a Drumheller  Valley Parks Cooperative past council; he stated such a cooperative  would handle tourism in the river valley and possibly region while  Drumheller could focus solely on municipal concerns.

Coun.  Mike Hansen moved that council approves Phase I of the Drumheller  Valley Parks Cooperative Initiative, as presented, seconded by Coun.  Maddie Miller, passed.

Director  of Infrastructure Services Jared Brounstein presented the second  quarter update for his department, which included reports on  SeeClickFix, utilities, facilities, operations and capital projects.

In  his presentation Brounstein noted over 900 potholes had been repaired  in the second quarter and 33 capital projects were currently active. He  added that four capital projects had been completed.

During  discussion it was noted the current trade war between Canada and the  United States could have impacts on Infrastructure Services as  Brounstein noted many parts and supplies come from south of the border.

Coun. Travis Hardy moved the report be accepted as information, seconded by Coun. Hansen, passed.

Director  of Recreation and Community services Mike Ziehr presented an  application for tax abatement under Town Bylaw # 19.19 Non-residential

Development Incentive Bylaw, the first such application under this bylaw.

This  bylaw affects commercial properties and it was noted a new commercial  building had been developed in Drumheller; Ziehr’s report noted the  application was for a two-year abatement and calculations called for  relief of $8,087.65 per year but he also pointed out year two could be  different based on provincial assessment numbers.

Coun. Tom Zariski moved that council grant this application, seconded by Coun. Miller, passed.

Ziehr  presented a second tax incentive request, which included a list of 10  properties under the Residential Development Incentive Program. Ziehr  observed the town received two new ones for 2026, but two which were  eligible never applied.

Ziehr  stated if all requests were granted tax incentives from 2023 to 2026  total over $23,000. Again, he pointed out that any future predictions of  tax abatement could be affected by changes in the Government of Alberta  assessment.

Coun.  Cheryl McNeil moved that Council approves the abatement of the  municipal portion of property taxes outlined in Residential Development  Incentive Program (consolidated) Bylaw # 13.20 for the ten Tax Roll  properties presented at the council meeting, seconded by Coun. Hardy,  passed.

Ziehr  also requested councillors send a letter to the Minister of Environment  and Protected Places to voice concern about delays to the provincial  government’s delays in updating provincial flood mapping.

Ziehr  stated Drumheller has been waiting since May for updated flood mapping  and the delay is hindering a lot of development in the municipality as  permits can’t be granted until updated flood mapping is in place.

Coun.  Miller moved that the Town of Drumheller council send a letter to the  Government of Alberta regarding updated flood mapping as requested,  seconded by Coun. Hansen, passed.

By Stu Salkeld, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Original Published on Sep 02, 2026 at 10:41

 

This item reprinted with permission from   The Drumheller Mail   Drumheller, Alberta

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