June 11, 2024 Council Highlights

Operating Assistance Grants –Council awarded $210,870 in operating assistance grants to 59 local organizations and groups. The grant program provides funding to community-based volunteer groups, non-profit organizations, municipalities, schools and sports clubs that provide recreational or cultural services to County residents. Grants were allocated to groups through the following recreation advisory boards:  

Cemetery Improvement Grants – Council awarded a total of $41,920 as follows:  

Maskwa Medical Facility – Council gave first reading to Bylaw 3232 – Maskwa Medical Facility Lending Bylaw and Bylaw 3231 – Maskwa Medical Facility Borrowing Bylaw. Administration will continue to work with the Maskwa Medical Center to develop a proposed loan agreement. The Bylaws will come back to Council for further consideration following the required advertising period. 

Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) Bylaw Approved – Council gave third reading to IDP Bylaw 3227 between the Town of Beaverlodge and County of Grande Prairie. An IDP provides a coordinated approach to land use on the boundaries of municipalities. 

Crosslink County Sportsplex Equipment Replacement – Council approved $40,724.95 for the emergent replacement of the existing ventless fryer with  a mounted vent system and standard fryer in the Over-Time Lounge at the Crosslink County Sportsplex. 

Emergency Operational Funding Request – Council approved $7,000 in emergency funding to the Twilight Club of La Glace to support building operations and directed Administration to work with the Club to look into an appraisal and assessment of the facility and bring the information back to a future Council or Committee of the Whole meeting. 

Alberta Municipalities Membership – Council voted to take no action on the Alberta Municipalities regular membership presentation. 

Honoraria and Expense Reimbursement Approved – Council approved Policy F10 – Council and Board Honoraria and Expense Reimbursement with one amendment, to include meetings with local interest groups by invitation from the County Manager.  

Council Mileage – Council directed Administration to change Council mileage for travel to and from Council meetings from a taxable to a non-taxable expense retroactive to January 1, 2024 and bring related policies for amendments to a future Council meeting.  

Public Hearing – Council gave third reading to Bylaw 2680-24-018 to redesignate 2.85 hectares of land located on the southwest border of the Town of Sexsmith in the Emerson Trail subdivision from the Agricultural (AG) District to the Rural Medium Industrial (RM-2) District.  

Letter of Support – Council will provide a letter of support, as requested by the Grande Prairie Local Immigration Partnership (GPLIP) and City of Grande Prairie, to the federal Minister of Immigration regarding making biometric screening services available in the Grande Prairie region. 

Development and Subdivision Officer Appointment – Sam Love has been appointed Development Officer under the County's Land Use Bylaw and a Subdivision Officer under the Subdivision Authority Bylaw.