April 25, 2022 Council Highlights

Tender Awarded for La Glace Community Water System – Council awarded the contract for the La Glace Community Water System distribution system to Mainline Construction (2014) Ltd. for $895,099.75 and awarded the contract for the Water Treatment Plant (WTP) component to Norwest Construction and Management Ltd. for $670,990.58. The estimated total cost of the project to ensure fully compliant, safe drinking water for the Hamlet of La Glace is $1.8 million, including contingency, engineering and any other associated costs. The cost to the County will be offset by a projected $560,000 grant from the Alberta Municipalities Water/Wastewater Partnership equating to 75 per cent of the estimated cost of the WTP portion of the project. Council directed Administration to add a discussion to a future Committee of the Whole meeting around the development of infrastructure projects, both above ground vertical projects and underground water and sewer projects, that are built in the County of Grande Prairie. 

Tender Awarded for 2022 Overlay Program – Council awarded the 2022 Overlay Program contract to Knelsen Sand & Gravel Ltd. for $1,298,324.57. The estimated total cost of the contract is $1,400,047.53 including contingency, engineering and any other associated costs. Overlay work is defined as adding a new layer of pavement and can also include minor spot fixes and milling the surface on occasion.  

Funding, Equipment Donation Approved for Technical Search and Rescue Association – Council approved operational assistance in the amount of $25,000 annually for the three-year term of 2022-2024 to the Grande Prairie Technical Search and Rescue Association. Council also approved a donation from the Enforcement Services department of two quad ATVs with a combined value of $15,000 which were scheduled for disposal in 2021. In addition to providing vital search and rescue service in the region, the Association provides free training and equipment to the County, if required, including the recent AdventureSmart course for members of the public as part of the County’s recreation programming. Historically, the County supported the Association with an annual $22,500 grant from 2016 to 2019.   

2022 Property Tax Bylaw – Council gave third reading to Bylaw 3185 – Property Tax Bylaw. The bylaw incorporates no increase to the municipal tax portion for all County properties, except for properties in the Hamlet of Hythe which will be brought in line with the rest of the County over the next four years. All three readings of the bylaw are required prior to preparing tax notices for mailing in May 2022.  

2021 Audited Financial Statements – Council approved the 2021 Audited Financial Statements as presented. The audit was completed by Metrix Group LLP. The 2021 financial statements will be made available at www.countygp.ab.ca.  

Sprucewood Park Resurfacing Tender Cancelled – Council cancelled the tender award for the Sprucewood Park Resurfacing project and will continue to discuss the type of resurfacing application. 

Contract Awarded for Replacement Graders – Council approved entering into an agreement with Finning Canada to purchase two 2023 Cat® graders at a total contract value of $1,310,295 with GST. Council directed Administration to bring back information on grader attachments to a future Council meeting. 

Council Supports Local MADD Awareness Campaign – Council approved placing a crashed car throughout the County as part of an upcoming Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD Canada) awareness campaign on the consequences of impaired driving. Representatives from the MADD Grande Prairie and Area chapter will seek approval from the County’s Public Works department, in consultation with the Parks and Recreation department, on safe locations for a local towing company to relocate the car throughout the duration of the campaign.    

Beaverlodge Art Walk Event Sponsorship – Council awarded $2,500 to the Beaverlodge Art Walk event on June 10, 2022 in response to a funding request from the Beaverlodge & District Chamber of Commerce, to be directed to the rental of tents for local artisans and a bouncy castle.  

National Volunteer Week Proclaimed – Council proclaimed April 24-30, 2022 as National Volunteer Week jointly with the City of Grande Prairie in recognition of volunteerism which supports the many programs and facilities that improve residents’ quality of life, building stronger communities within the region. This year’s theme is ‘Empathy in Action’. 

National Public Works Week Proclaimed – Council proclaimed May 15-21, 2022 as National Public Works Week. The Alberta Public Works Association (APWA) has announced “Ready and Resilient” as the theme of this year’s event. As part of the event, schools will be invited to design a flag, with all flags being displayed in the County Public Works building.  

Grande Prairie Public Library Board Appointment – Council appointed Division 7 Councillor Brian Peterson to the Grande Prairie Public Library Board to provide the required municipal representation from the County of Grande Prairie. The term will expire on October 25, 2022. Council appointments to Boards and Committees are conducted annually at the Organizational Meeting. 

Public Hearing Dates, Venue Approved – Council set June 14-15, 2022 as the approved dates to reconvene the public hearing for Bylaw 2680-21-001. The public hearing will be held at Evergreen Park starting on June 14 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and June 15 from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Bylaw 2680-21-001 proposes an amendment to the County Land Use Bylaw to change the zoning of land currently held as a Provincial Miscellaneous Lease by the Saddle Hills Target Sports Association. The proposed zoning (IR – Intensive Recreation) would facilitate the development of a shooting range and accessory uses.  

Staff Introductions – Council welcomed new Financial Services staff. Janelle Newson is a new Customer Service Representative with the County and Denielle Biendarra has moved into the role of Assessor I after serving approximately two years in the Public Works department. 

The next Regular Council Meeting will take place on May 16, 2022. The next Committee of the Whole Meeting will take place on April 28, 2022. 

Council and Committee meetings are available to the public via live stream. Find connection instructions and meeting agendas through the events calendar on the County website.