
May 8, 2023 Council Highlights
May 8, 2023
Strategic Session for Community Facilities – Council directed Administration to schedule an exploratory session for Council, facilitated by the County’s Community Group Support Coordinator, to determine desired outcomes for community facilities in the County. Findings from this session will be presented at a future Regular Council Meeting.
Property Tax Bylaw – Council gave all three readings to Bylaw 3206 – 2023 Property Tax Bylaw. The bylaw incorporates no increase to the municipal tax portion for all County properties. Properties in the Hamlet of Hythe are in the second year of a four-year plan to align their tax rates with the rest of the County; as a result, residents in the hamlet will see a drop in their 2023 tax rates, compared to 2022. All three readings of the bylaw are required prior to preparing tax notices for mailing in May 2023.
Crosslink County Sportsplex Refurbishments – Council approved the refurbishment of 21 washroom facilities in the Crosslink County Sportsplex. These upgrades are expected to be completed during the second quarter of 2023 for a total cost of $79,000.
Five Mile Hall Repairs – Council approved the purchase of four rooftop units to facilitate replacements at the Five Mile Hall, for a total of $60,000. These upgrades are necessary to maintain air conditioning services in the building throughout the summer months.
Sponsorship Requests – Council approved the following sponsorship requests:
- $2,500 to the Beaverlodge & District Chamber of Commerce for the Beaverlodge Art Walk Event on June 9, 2023.
- $500 to the Filipino Association of Grande Prairie and Area (FAGPA) for the 2023 Binibining Grande Prairie and Little Miss Grande Prairie event.
Public Hearings – Council held the following public hearings:
- For Bylaw 2680-23-015 to redesignate 16.10 acres of land, located approximately 2 km northwest of the Town of Beaverlodge, from the Agricultural (AG) District to the Country Residential (CR-5) District to accommodate the subdivision of one residential lot for country residential use; and to redesignate 15.50 acres in the same location from the Country Residential (CR-5) District to the Agricultural (AG) District to accommodate the consolidation of an existing parcel back into the quarter. Council gave the bylaw third reading.
- The application for Bylaw 2680-23-014 has been withdrawn.
Quotes for equipment replacement – Council directed Administration to accept the following quotes to replace current equipment:
- $545,000 from Finning Canada for the purchase of one 320 Caterpillar Track Hoe.
- $297,068.54 from Brandt Tractor Ltd. for the purchase of one new 2024 John Deere 450P Crawler Dozer, to be delivered no earlier than January 1, 2024.
- $910,000 from Finning Canada for the purchase of one new Caterpillar D6-20 Dozer, to be delivered no earlier than January 1, 2024.
- $237,160 from Finning Canada for the purchase of one Caterpillar 420 Backhoe Loader.
- $359,831.36 from Brandt Tractor Ltd. for the purchase of one new John Deere 524P, to be delivered no earlier than January 1, 2024.
Policies presented for approval – Council is reviewing all County policies. The following policy was reviewed:
- Council approved Policy M3 – Developments or Enhancements of Municipal Reserve Land as presented.*
Soil Conservation Officer, Inspectors Appointed for 2023 Season – Council appointed Kate Winterford as a Soil Conservation Officer; Landon Hedges, Ryan Li, Carson Foshaug, Mitchel Gorman, Robyn Vobeyda, Maria Maxwell, Cheyenne Dolen and Gavin Skarberg as Weed Inspectors; and Kaly Glas and Keegan Pol as Pest and Disease Inspectors for the 2023 season.
Council Events –
- Council authorized all Councillors to attend the Friends of the Grande Spirit Foundation’s Golf Tournament on June 9, 2023, at the Morningview Golf Course.
- Council authorized all Councillors to attend the Transportation and Economic Corridors, Peace Region Golf Tournament on Thursday, July 6, 2023 at the Grande Prairie Golf and Country Club.
Letters of Support – Council directed Administration to write a letter of support for the West Smoky Legion No. 244 for their kitchen renovation project.
Correspondence – Council received an information report on correspondence received and sent by Administration.
Council also directed Administration to send a letter of congratulations to Pam Decker as she retires from her role as the Director of Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) for the Town of Wembley.
The next Regular Council Meeting will take place on May 23, 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.
*UPDATE: Council approved Policy M3 – Developments or Enhancements of Municipal Reserve Land, not Policy M1 – Developments or Enhancements of Municipal Reserve Land as originally published.