Back to SearchFire Services Annual Report – Fire Chief Dan Verdun presented Council with the 2020 Annual Fire Services Report. The report provides insight into the operations of the regional fire services and the benefits to the region and our ratepayers, highlights include:
- Responded to 1589 calls for service Regionally, 531 medical calls, 260 motor vehicle collisions, and 86 fire investigations.
- A record number of fire permits were issued in 2020 totaling 2653. The increase is attributed to the Provincial isolation protocols due to the pandemic.
- Three new fire tenders were received and placed into service that provide an enhanced ability to supply (shuttle) water to fire incidents. These units assisted in successfully mitigating three substantial fires in early 2020.
- Jonathan Hoag was promoted to Lieutenant of the Teepee Creek Fire Service after five years of service. Tyler Choboter was promoted to Station Captain of the LaGlace Station. Captain Choboter has a great depth of experience in LaGlace and in Clairmont/Dunes as a former member.
- The goal in 2021 is to remain highly proactive to the ongoing personnel needs related to the pandemic and to ensure uninterrupted service delivery.
Intermunicipal Agreements and Partnerships
The County of Grande Prairie and the MD of Greenview entered into a partnership for upgrades to the regional fire training centre. The MD of Greenview has agreed to partner with the County in this initiative and will provide a financial contribution in the amount of $250,000 for design, access and use of the training facility. A committee consisting of personnel from both agencies and rural stations will work collaboratively to ensure that the needs of both agencies are met. Council will send a letter of thanks to the MD for their support of the partnership.
The County of Grande Prairie and the MD of Greenview have collaborated on combining three emergency service agreements into one reciprocal Mutual-Aid Fire-Rescue and Technical Services Agreement for the provision of emergency and technical services benefitting both jurisdictions. Highlights of the approved agreement are:
- Reciprocal provision of fire services upon request by either party with the understanding that either party can deny the request based on critical factors such as; available resources and staffing, needs of their respective jurisdiction, or request out of scope for training or levels of service.
- An understanding that at any time resources can be recalled by the responding party as need requires.
- An understanding that any resources provided will be under the care and control of the responding party.
- Hold harmless for both parties.
- Maintenance of appropriate liability coverage by both parties.
- A dispute process in place for resolution.
- A provision that for technical service of a specialized type provided by the County can be billed back to the MD of Greenview at the ratified bylaw rates.
La Glace Community Water System Project – Beairsto Associates Engineering Ltd. (BASE) provided Council with an update summary and drawings for the La Glace Community Water System project. With 60% of the detailed design completed to date, BASE presented various options, the pros and cons for each including associated costs and utilization of grant funds. Council approved the 99th Street alignment option which utilizes the existing infrastructure, provides the ability for more houses to connect, is cost effective and makes the best use of grant money, and allows for a small number of additional residents to connect to the system. The County received stimulus funding under the Alberta Water/Wastewater Partnership in 2020 in the amount of $750,000 to cover 75% of the project costs. Administration will proceed with developing an Issue for Tender Drawings.
Tender Awards
Council awarded the contract for the Five Mile Hall School Site Water & Sanitary Servicing Underground to Excalibur Mechanical Ltd. for $1,747,921.05.
Council awarded the contract for the Erosion and Drainage Issues on RR 44 to Hi-Drive Contracting Ltd. for $700,741.40.
Correspondence – Council will send a letter to the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry expressing concerns regarding reduced and eliminated grants, and other changes within Alberta Agriculture that have resulted in downloading more work to municipalities without recognition or compensation. This request was supported by the County’s Agricultural Service Board.
Council will send a letter to the Minister of Health advocating for the recognition of Firefighters/Medical First Responders (MFR) as first responders with a prioritization for these responders to get immediate access to the COVID-19 vaccines.
Public Hearing – Council held a public hearing for Bylaw 2680-21-008 to redesignate 21.22 acres of land, located approximately 2.5 miles west of the City of Grande Prairie ½ mile north of Highway 43, and adjacent to Range Road 74 from an Agricultural (AG) District to a Country Residential (CR-2) District to accommodate the subdivision of five lots for country residential use. To address public concerns, administration is recommending that a no build zone caveat be registered on proposed Lots 1 and 2 to protect wetland areas. Council gave the bylaw third reading.
Subdivision Time Extensions – Council approved subdivision time extensions for SW-28-71-8-W6 and Plan 9624372 Lot 1 NW-36-70-7-W6 to allow the applicants time to complete the conditions of approval.
Notices of Motion – A request will be presented to council to consider waiving development permit fees for any county restaurant facility wishing to operate a patio during the summer of 2021 as a gesture to assist business owners in remaining operational during the pandemic. This request will be presented at the next council meeting.
A request will be presented to council to request information on the advancement of Division 4’s Divisional Allotment from the 2022 budget year to 2021. The funding advancement is for the completion of two miles on Range Road 74 from Highway 43 South to Township Road 712. This request will be presented at the next council meeting.
Divisional Boundary Bylaw – Council approved first reading of the Divisional Boundaries Bylaw. A municipality is required by bylaw to establish ward/divisional boundaries in accordance with the Municipal Government Act. The bylaw will be advertised for two weeks prior to receiving second and third reading.
Property Tax Bylaw – Council gave first reading to the 2021 Property Tax Bylaw with amendments, including the removal of the waiving of the three (3%) percent penalty. To avoid penalties, taxes must be paid by the last business day in June. Second and third reading of the bylaw will be presented at the next council meeting.
Auditor’s Report – The County’s auditors, Metrix Group LLP, presented the County’s Audited Financial Statements and the audit findings report for 2020. The auditors noted that the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the County as of December 31, 2020 and the results of the operations and cash flows were in accordance with the Canadian public sector accounting standards. They also noted that there were no significant control deficiencies. The approved financial statements will be available to the public online by May 1, 2021.
Census – Council fully supports the 2021 federal census and encourages all residents to complete their census questionnaire online at www.census.gc.ca. Census data is vital for planning schools, hospitals, daycares, family services, transportation, skills training for employment, and supports numerous municipal programs. Census collection will begin on May 3, 2021.
Pipestone Creek Campground and Philip J. Currie Museum Summer Initiatives – Council received an update on the community initiatives planned on a one-year pilot basis for summer 2021 to promote both venues. These include:
- The day use area of Pipestone Creek will be used by the Museum as a base for summer day camps. Reasonable access to the County’s day use rental gazebos will be provided at no charge.
- The County will offer a 15% discount on camping fees at Pipestone per night for registered participants in the TWoSE Expedition Dinosaur program.
Aquatera Board – Council supported the recommendation by the Aquatera Board for upcoming Director appointments. Appointments will be made at the Annual General Meeting in June 2021.
Agriculture Hall of Fame Recognition – Council extended an invitation to Walter Paszkowski to attend an upcoming council meeting to be formally recognized for his induction into the Alberta Agriculture Hall of Fame. Members of the Agricultural Service Board will be invited to attend. Mr. Paszkowski was nominated by the County of Grande Prairie for his lifelong contributions and outstanding support for agriculture and the rural communities that support it.
Community Contributions – Council approved community assistance funding in the amount of $1,500 for the 8th Annual Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Alberta Shoot for the House event to be held on September 11, 2021. The goal of the event is to raise $250,000 to support Peace region families with sick and seriously injured children. The County provided previous support to the RMHC in 2016, 2017, and 2018.
Denim Day Proclamation – Council declared May 11, 2021 as National Denim Day in the County of Grande Prairie in support of the CURE Foundation. The CURE Foundation has been powering the fight against breast cancer by investing in programs for prevention and early detection, improving treatment and supporting patients and their families. For more information or to get involved visit www.curefoundation.com.
Historical Art Show – Council received a request for financial assistance for the production of a historical book and video presentation in conjunction with the Historical Art Show titled “Ten Dollars and a Dream”. The historical art show will be a visual, contemporary, and historical view showcasing local history within a select area of the County created in art. The art is expected to be displayed for approximately a year starting in March 2022, items will also be available for sale. Sponsorship funds and proceeds from the sale of the books will also assist in funding the archives. The group plans to seek funding from the City of Grande Prairie, corporate sponsorships, and Heritage and Tourism grants. Council decided not to support the project at this time.
The next Regular Council Meeting will take place on May 3, 2021. A Committee of the Whole Meeting will take place on May 27, 2021.
Council and Committee meetings can be accessed electronically through the County website at www.countygp.ab.ca/events.