November 14, 2023 Council Highlights

November 14, 2023 Council Highlights

Rural Policing Planning Committee – Council established an ad-hoc committee pursuant to Bylaw 3205 – County Owned Facilities Building Committee Bylaw for the Clairmont Detachment Building Project and appointed Councillors Chrenek, Balderston, and Beaupre to the committee for the duration of their terms or the project. Council disbanded the Rural Policing Planning Committee due to overlap with the ad-hoc committee and the Crime Prevention Committee. 

Contract Awarded for County Administrative Complex Redesign – Council approved the County entering into an agreement with FWBA Architects for prime consultant services to redesign the County’s Administrative Complex to address staff accommodations and space needs at a total contract value of $688,950, excluding GST.  

County, Town of Wembley Home Support Program Service Agreement Renewed – Council approved renewing the Home Support Program Services Agreement between the two municipalities for a three-year term expiring December 31, 2026.  

Grande Prairie Regional Recreation Committee Funding Renewed – Council approved renewing the County’s contribution to the committee's Coordinator position and 2024 operating budget at a cost of $24,260, the same amount approved in 2023. The funding will be included in the County’s 2024 Interim Budget.  

2024 Schedule of Fees, Rates and Charges Approved – Council approved the 2024 Schedule of Fees, Rates and Charges as presented and directed Administration to bring the 2024 Schedule of Fees, Rates and Charges Bylaw for Council’s approval. 

Concern for Exemptions in 2023 AgriRecovery Program – Council directed Administration to draft a letter of concern regarding the exemption of portions of the County of Grande Prairie in the 2023 AgriRecovery Program for livestock producers to the federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the provincial Agriculture and Irrigation Minister, the local Member of Parliament and MLAs, Rural Municipalities of Alberta, Agriculture Services Boards of Alberta, and the Association of Alberta Agricultural Fieldman.  

Notice of Motion – Council made a Notice of Motion regarding the cost of illuminating two intersections off the highway at Webster Corner. The motion will be brought forward at the next Council meeting.  

Feedback on Hawker Waterline Cost Recovery Fees – Council received information from a County resident regarding cost recovery fees in place for connecting a residence to the existing Hawker Waterline.  

North Peace Bracket Racing Association Update – Council received an information update from the association on proposed event plans and ongoing facility improvements, including investigating an option for installing sound suppression panels on race weekends. The association hosts six race weekends per year at the Beaverlodge Airport on property zoned as the Beaverlodge Airport Direct Control (BA-DC) District. As the delegated authority, Council must approve developments on the property, including future race dates. Council tabled the five-year development permit for races scheduled from 2024 to 2028 to the Regular Council Meeting on December 18, 2023.  

Public Hearing – Council gave third reading to Bylaw 2680-23-038 to re-designate 6.89 acres of land located directly north of Horse Lake Reserve 152B, 0.5 kilometres south of Highway 43, and adjacent to Range Road 120 from the Agricultural (AG) District to the Country Residential (CR-5) District to accommodate a boundary adjustment of an existing country residential lot. 

Sponsorships Requests – Council approved the following requests:  

Procedural Bylaw Approved – Council gave third and final reading to Bylaw 3211 Procedural Bylaw as presented. The bylaw regulates the proceedings of Council, Committee of the Whole, and Council Committee meetings.  

Additional Funding Request for Replacement Equipment – Council approved additional funding in the amount of $62,795 to purchase a 2022 Sourcewell Tandem and $19,795 to purchase a 2022 Sourcewell Tridem. The cost increase is due to supply chain issues following the initial approval of the purchase.  

Proclamation – Council proclaimed November 19-25, 2023 as National Addictions Awareness Week in the County of Grande Prairie. Council directed Administration to add National Addictions Awareness Week to Policy F16 – Proclamations Schedule A – Standing Proclamations and bring the amended policy for Council’s review and approval at the next Regular Council Meeting. The Reeve or designate will attend the launch of the ‘Opioids Don’t Discriminate’ exhibit and jointly read the proclamation with the City of Grande Prairie Mayor or designate.  

Letters of Support – Council approved providing letters of support to the following: 

Staff Introductions – Council welcomed new staff and congratulated those who have been appointed to new roles: 

The next Regular Council Meeting will take place on November 27. The next Committee of the Whole Meeting will take place on November 30, 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.