June 26, 2023 Council Highlights
Art Gallery of Grande Prairie Annual Funding – Council approved renewing the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie’s annual operating funding agreement for the next three years, to provide $86,000 annually in 2023, 2024, and 2025. This is an additional $11,000 from the previously approved amount for 2023. Since 2005, Council has approved annual operating support for the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie, including $75,000 annually for the four-year period of 2019-2022.
Additional Funding Request for the Hamlet of La Glace Community Water Systems Project – Council approved the additional funding request of $34,000 required to complete the Hamlet of La Glace Community Water System Project, bringing the total budget for the project to $239,000.
Water and Wastewater Committee – Council approved the 2023 Annual Working Plan for the Water and Wastewater Committee as presented which includes Administration providing further information on existing water and wastewater infrastructure, current capital and operational costs of water and wastewater systems in each hamlet, consumption data, and cost and rate comparables with Aquatera and other municipalities. The Committee was also directed to seek Council's direction on a strategy for County hamlets to support and encourage future development.
Road Closure Initiated – Council directed Administration to initiate a road closure process by way of bylaw in accordance with the Municipal Government Act. The bylaw will see closure of a Government Road Allowance known as Range Road 54 that lies north of Highway 2 and along the west boundary of NW-16-74-5-W6.
Public Hearings – Council held the following public hearings:
• For Bylaw 2680-23-021 to re-designate 10.73 acres of land, located on the southwest corner of the intersection between Highway 43 and Range Road 73, from County Residential (CR-5) District to the Rural Light Industrial (RM-1) District. Council gave the bylaw third reading.
• For Bylaw 2680-23-022 to re-designate 20.02 acres of land, located approximately 2.0 kilometers west of the Emerson Trail Industrial Park on the north boundary of Highway 672 (Emerson Trail), and on the west boundary of Range Road 63, from the Agricultural (AG) District to the Rural Industrial Direct Control (RM-DC) District. Council gave the bylaw third reading.
• For Bylaw 2680-23-023 to re-designate 11.84 acres of land, located approximately 1.50 miles south of the Hamlet of Hythe adjacent to Highway 43, Township Road 730 and Range Road 110, from the Agricultural (AG) District to the County Residential (CR-5) District. Council gave the bylaw third reading.
• For Bylaw 2680-23-024 to re-designate 10.81 acres of land, located approximately 2.0 miles north of the City of Grande Prairie, 0.5 miles south of Township Road 730, adjacent to Range Road 64 and the west boundary of the Hamlet of Clairmont, from the Agricultural (AG) District to the County Residential (CR-5) District. Council gave the bylaw third reading.
Contracts Awarded:
• Council directed Administration to enter into an agreement with Jones Lang LaSalle Real Estate Services, Inc. for project management services to redesign the County’s Administrative Complex for a total contract value of $461,594.00. The agreement will be structured in separate payments for each phase, with progressions from one phase to the next to be at the County’s discretion.
• Council directed Administration to enter into an agreement with the Allnorth Consultants Ltd. for the 2023 Surface Road Rehabilitation Program for a total contract value of $286,187.13 which was approved in the 2023 budget.
Lease Renewal – Council directed Administration to write a letter to the landlord for office space currently leased by Family and Community Support Services (FCSS), indicating their intent to renew their lease. Council directed Administration to negotiate the terms of the lease and then bring it back to a future Council meeting for review and approval.
Whispering Ridge Community School Access Proposed Improvements – Council approved access plans to improve roadway congestion, including concrete curb and gutter, sidewalk, and median work; asphalt paving; and revision of paint layout with a durable paint. The estimated cost for this project is $300,000. As an additional safety measure, Peace Wapiti Public School Division has indicated that the school will put a crossing guard in place.
Sponsorship Requests:
• Council approved a $500 Stand Sponsorship for the 2023 Annual Greenview Charity Clay Shoot on September 7, 2023 and authorized Councillors to attend the event. Council directed Administration to include future Charity Clay Shoot sponsorship requests from the M.D. of Greenview in the annual Community Assistance budget for the next three years – 2024, 2025, 2026.
• Council approved $1,500 in funding for the First Responders Day hosted by the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #54 in Grande Prairie on September 9, 2023.
Letters of Support:
• Council directed Administration to provide a letter of support to Northwestern Polytechnic (MWP) for their application to the PrairiesCan – Regional Innovation Ecosystem (RIE) program for the Centre of Entrepreneurial Excellence. Council directed Administration to invite NWP’s Board Chair and President to present an update to Council.
• Council directed Administration to provide a letter of support to the Hythe Athletic Association for their grant applicant to the Provincial Community Facility Enhancement (CFEP) Program Large Stream Funding Grant for the replacement of the brine lines at Hythe Memorial Arena.
Event Attendance – Council authorized Councillor attendance at the 7th Annual Stampede Business and Networking Event hosted by Alberta Counsel on July 6, 2023. Council approved costs associated with Councillor Rosvold’s attendance at the Alberta Counsel Post Election Event on June 20. Council directed Administration to work with Alberta Counsel on including event participation in the County’s Advocacy Plan.
Employee Achievements – Council congratulated Daylan Driedger, FCSS Community School Liaison Counsellor, on successfully completing a Master of Science degree in Clinical Psychology from Capella University.
Employee Introductions – Council welcomed new and returning staff to the County, including:
• Sierra LaValley and Amy Badger as Summer Program Coordinator with FCSS.
• Nicole Courtoreille as a Program Assistant for Community Services.
• Charlene Loxam as a Legislative Services Clerk.
The next Regular Council Meeting will take place on July 17, 2023. The next Committee of the Whole Meeting will take place on June 29, 2023.
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.