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May 23, 2023 Council Highlights

Southeast Grande Prairie Firebreak Construction Update – Progress is being made by crews on the construction of the Southeast Grande Prairie Firebreak, located mainly on crown land, extending east from Evergreen Park, north to Aspen Ridge, south to the Wapiti River and west to Highway 40. Crews completed the initial 30 kilometre line and work will continue to widen strategic locations to protect people and property. The public is being asked to use caution around the Evergreen Ridge Recreation Area and nearby crown land as heavy equipment continues to work.

Cemetery Improvement Grants – Council awarded a total of $48,000 in cemetery improvement grants to 12 local groups for improvements to cemeteries located within the County.

Funding and Sponsorship Requests – Council approved the following funding and sponsorship requests:

  • $3,000 to the Odyssey House for the GrandeCon event, to be held July 14-16, 2023, at the Bonnetts Energy Centre in Grande Prairie.
  • $1,350 to the County Brewers for the use of the Crosslink County Sportsplex baseball diamonds for the 2023 season.
  • $500 to the Sexsmith & District Community Foundation for the Play for Community Golf Tournament to be held on June 23, 2023, at the Morningview Golf Course.

No action was taken on a request for funding from the Peace Country Historical Society for a Cemetery Marker Preservation Project. Council directed Administration to review Policy K7 - Cemetery Improvement Grant and bring the group’s funding request back to a future Regular Council Meeting for decision.

Public Hearings – Council held the following public hearings:

  • For Bylaw 2680-23-016 to redesignate 46.26 acres of land, located approximately 4 km north of Saskatoon Mountain Park, adjacent to Range Road 93 and Township Road 730, from the Agricultural (AG) District to the Rural Industrial – Direct Control (RM-DC) District to accommodate the development of a gas plant facility. Council gave the bylaw third reading.
  • For Bylaw 2680-23-017 to amend Bylaw 2680 by creating a new zoning district, Highway Industrial – Direct Control (RM-DC2), and redesignating a plot of land located approximately 4 km south of the Town of Sexsmith, in the Hamlet of Clairmont, adjacent to Highway 2 and Township Road 730, from the Highway Industrial (RM-4) District to the Highway Industrial – Direct Control (RM-DC2) District to accommodate a salvage yard. Council gave the bylaw third reading.

Policies presented for approval – Council is reviewing all County policies. The following policy was reviewed

  • Council rescinded Policy B23 – Contractor/Visitor Sign In/Sign Out.

Quotes for equipment replacement – Council directed Administration to accept the following quotes to replace current equipment:

  • $894,206 from Brandt Tractor Ltd. for the purchase of one 2024 John Deere 850L LGP Waste Handler Crawler Dozer.
  •  $211,725 from Industrial Machine Inc. for the purchase of one new RPM 217 Loader Mounted Snowblower.

South Peace Regional Archives Annual Update – Council received a report from representatives of the South Peace Regional Archives (SPRA) that outlined a review of operations throughout the past year and plans for the organization’s future.

Council directed administration to advise SPRA to engage with other municipalities for funding and bring the information back to a future Regular Council Meeting for a decision on the organization’s request for additional operating funds for 2024-2026. 

Council Events – Council authorized all Councillors to attend the Sexsmith & District Community Foundation Play for Community Golf fundraiser on June 23, 2023 at the Morningview Golf Course.

Employee Achievements – Council congratulated Carol Gabriel, Director of Corporate Services, on receiving the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (CAMA) Long Service Recognition Award for achieving 15 years of municipal service in a management capacity. This award recognizes and celebrates the dedication to public service and municipal management of its members.

Council also congratulated Nicholas Whitson, Utility Operator, on successfully obtaining the Wastewater Treatment and Water Treatment Level II Certification from Alberta Environment and Protected Area (AEPA) to operate County water and wastewater facilities.

Employee Introductions – Council welcomed new and returning staff to the County, including:

  • Cayla Unger as a Communications Advisor and Kayla Dick as an Internal Communications Advisor with the Communications department.
  • Ray Collier as the Landfill Supervisor, Maria Christiansen as a casual Landfill Scale Operator, Jeremy Hall as a Temporary Heavy Equipment Operator, Myrna Shuman as a Transfer Station Attendant, and Kelly Michalski as a Heavy Equipment Operator with the Technical Services department.
  • Dwayne Lowen as a Project Technologist for the Construction department.
  • Caleb Farnsworth and Max Donnely as Seasonal Information Systems Assistants with the Information Systems department.
  •  More than 50 seasonal employees with the Agriculture, Parks and Recreation, and Public Works departments.

Correspondence – Council supported Administration’s lead to send letters of appreciation to all the individuals, groups and organizations who helped to support the Dunes West Wildfire response.

Council requested that Administration bring back a report to a future Regular Council meeting outlining all of the individuals, groups and organizations that these thank-you letters were sent to.

The next Regular Council Meeting will take place on June 12, 2023. The next Committee of the Whole Meeting will take place on June 1, 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.