April 8, 2024

Spring 2024 Wildfire Preparedness – Due to high wildfire risk and to reduce response times, Council directed Regional Fire Service to bring in staff as required for a total cost of up to $425,000 to be prepared for the 2024 wildfire season.

Administrative Complex Redesign Schematic Design – Schematic design options for the potential Administrative Complex redesign were presented to Council to address future staffing accommodation needs. Council directed Administration to proceed with Option C1 as presented to guide the design development phase. A preliminary construction estimate of $9,079,647 will be included for consideration in the 2025 fiscal plan.

Wetland Replacement Program Project - Council directed Administration to proceed with submitting a proposal to the Government of Alberta for the 2024 Wetland Replacement Program (WRP) project near the Red Willow River to a maximum estimated cost of $400,000.  The project would commence subject to full funding approval.

2024 Tax Season Additional Operating Hours - Extended service hours will be offered to provide greater convenience to ratepayers during the upcoming tax season:

  • June 17 to 25, 2024: Open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (including the lunch hour)
  • June 26 to 28, 2024: Open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (including the lunch hour)

North Kleskun Community Society - Council approved the 2024 Capital Grant funding request from the North Kleskun Community Society (formally known as the Emmaus Church and Cemetery Society) in the amount of $39,250 for improving the building water and septic system.

Bear Lake Campground Improvements - Council approved reallocating up to $30,572 of the Bear Lake Improvement Capital funds towards the purchase and installation of trees, shrubs, and landscaping materials. The project will provide shade and privacy for campground guests while defining individual campsite boundaries.

Old Bezanson Townsite Day Use Hours - Council directed Administration to amend the current Old Bezanson Townsite day use hours to include Thursday and Friday access from 9:00 a.m. to
8:00 p.m. for the 2024 season, with outcomes to be reviewed in the 2024 Campground Report.

Alberta Day Event - Council directed Administration to proceed with planning an event for Alberta Day on September 1, 2024 with a budget of up to $10,000. The County will apply for a provincial grant, if available, to offset event costs.

Additional Funding Request for Equipment Replacement Purchase - Council approved a request for additional funding for the purchase of four 2-ton trucks in the amount of $56,000 to be added to the existing budget of $366,000 for a total amount of $422,000.

County of Grande Prairie 2023 Property Assessment and Tax Notice Error - Council directed Administration to send out amended 2023 Property Assessment and Tax Notices to all unpaid accounts with the correct amount owing and waive the three per cent tax penalties for any accounts fully paid according to the Notices provided before April 8, 2024.

Industry Advisory Committee (IAC) Membership – Councillor Bob Chrenek was appointed as the Agricultural Service Board Representative to AgKnow’s IAC. The IAC will focus on improving access to mental health services and adapting resources to align with the needs of farmers and rural veterinarians.

2024 County Road Tour – Annually, County Administration hosts a tour for County Council, City of Grande Prairie Council and staff to view numerous sites of interest including capital projects, construction, water and wastewater, recycling, waste management, and operations activities to highlight completed and ongoing projects. The 2024 County Road tour will take place on August 20th.

Bylaws Approved – Council gave third reading to Bylaw 3209 regarding closing a portion of government road allowance located at Range Road 54 north of Highway 2 along the west boundary of NW-16-74-5-W6. The road closure is occurring as the land is no longer required for public travel.

Public Hearings

  • Council gave third reading to Bylaw 2680-23-001 to redesignate 3.80 hectares (9.38 acres) of land located west of Teepee Creek adjacent to Township Road 712 and Range Road 90 from Agricultural (AG) District to Intensive Recreation (IR) District to accommodate an RV campground.
  • Bylaw 2680-23-033 to redesignate 2.06 hectares of land located south west of Teepee Creek and south of Secondary Highway 674 was recessed to the May 13, 2024 Council meeting to allow the applicant time to address concerns with the sewage disposal system.  
  • Bylaw 2680-24-004 to redesignate 9.32 hectares of land located 0.5 miles south of the Town of Sexsmith, east of Highway 2, and north of Township Road 732 from Agricultural (AG) District to Highway Industrial (RM-4) District was recessed to the May 13, 2024 Council meeting to allow administration and the applicant time to review stormwater management and proposed boundaries.
  • Council gave third reading to Bylaw 2680-24-012 to redesignate one acre of land east of Highway 43 and north of Township Road 730 located about 1.5 miles south of the Hamlet of Hythe from Agricultural (AG) District to Country Residential (CR-5) District to accommodate the subdivision of one country residential lot.

Budget Council Meetings will take place from April 17 to 19, 2024. The next Regular Council Meeting will take place on April 22, 2024. The next Committee of the Whole Meeting will take place on April 25, 2024.

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