November 15, 2021 Council Highlights

Council Adopts Recreational Use of Stormwater Ponds Policy – Parks and Recreation Administration presented refinements to the Recreational Use of Stormwater Ponds Policy as recommended by Council following the initial presentation on October 4, 2021. The approved policy is a one-year pilot project for the winter 2021/2022 season. A maximum of four ice surfaces within residential neighbourhoods will be identified and County resources will provide oversight and regular ice thickness testing. Community volunteers will need to apply for approval to take responsibility for snow clearing and maintenance of stormwater pond ice surfaces. Council also directed Administration to bring a report back to Council in the second quarter of 2022. 

Evergreen Park Update and Payroll Request – Council received a report on Evergreen Park operations and the impacts of COVID-19 restrictions. Council approved an additional funding request of up to $193,000 to cover payroll for Evergreen Park management until December 31, 2021. This brings the total funding request for the period July - December 2021 to a total of up to $893,000. 

Annual Report Highlights Art Gallery of Grande Prairie Benefits – 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. Presentation of the annual report is included in the gallery’s annual operating funding agreement with the County. In their report, Executive Director Jeff Erbach and Christine Quinn, Chair of the Board highlighted the gallery’s cultural, social and economic benefits. A current show, Passion Projects, featuring the works of world-renowned artists Pablo Picasso and Marc Chagall, is drawing tourists from throughout Alberta.  

Council Reviews Community Foundation of Northwestern Alberta’s 2021 Vital Signs Publication – Laura LaValley, Chief Executive Officer with the Community Foundation of Northwestern Alberta presented the Vital Signs 2021 publication which was partially supported by a $20,000 County of Grande Prairie Community Assistance grant. The publication aims to identify local priorities and support informed decision-making and action by exploring the quality of life and well-being of the region, its communities and citizens. Ms. LaValley noted that the pandemic has magnified existing issues and inequities while creating new ones. Statistics included in the report were collected from the County of Grande Prairie, City of Grande Prairie, Alberta Health Services North Zone, Athabasca-Grande Prairie-Peace River Economic region, Alberta Transportation Region 8, and Division 19.  

County Donates Vehicle to Town of Wembley – Council approved donating a used patrol vehicle to replace an aging emergency vehicle in service with the Wembley Fire Department, directing Administration to deal with the necessary vehicle transfer details. The donation mirrors the County’s past practice of repurposing used patrol vehicles for fire department use in local municipalities.   

Tender Awarded for Range Road 74 – Council awarded the $1,306,930.52 contract for improvements to Range Road 74 to PME Incorporated. The estimated total cost of the project is $1,895,438.80. 

Support for Intersection Upgrade – Council directed Administration to send a letter to Alberta Transportation in support of constructing a traffic circle at the intersection of Highway 733 and Highway 43 and to request a detailed design for Council review. 

FCSS Annual General Meeting – Councillors Karen Rosvold and Brian Peterson were appointed as voting delegates at the Family and Community Support Services Association of Alberta (FCSSAA) virtual Annual General Meeting (AGM) on December 3, 2021. Council provided their voting recommendations on the three resolutions being presented at the AGM.  

National Child Day – Council proclaimed November 20, 2021 as National Child Day in the County of Grande Prairie. 

Hythe Tree Drop Festival – Council reviewed the request for assistance for the annual Christmas Tree Drop Festival in Hythe. Approval was given for Public Works staff to install the tree base, install and later remove street barricades at the site, and then remove the tree. Council also directed Administration to share information about the Community Assistance Grant program with the Hythe & District Agricultural Society for the 2022 event. 

Staff Introduction – Council welcomed Phil Schwemler as a new mechanic on the Public Works team. He replaces retiring staff member Art Rigby and brings a broad range of experience to the role.  

Two Directors Receive Long Service Awards – Council congratulated Dale Van Volkingburgh, Director of Public Works for 40 years of service. Nick Lapp, Director of Planning and Development was recognized for 15 years of service. Both Directors received pins and certificates.  

Municipal Partnership Bonspiel Attendance – Councillor Chrenek will represent Council at the Municipal Partnership Bonspiel being held at the Grande Prairie Curling Centre on November 19-21, 2021. 

Council Holds Public Hearing for Bylaw – Council held a public hearing for Bylaw 2680-21-040 to redesignate 17.98 acres of land located approximately four miles east of the Town of Sexsmith, a half mile north of Township Road 732 and adjacent to Range Road 51 from an Agricultural (AG) District to a Country Residential (CR-5) District to allow for the development of two lots for country residential use. Council defeated the bylaw on second reading. Council directed Administration to bring back to Council the details of the process or policy for a landowner to appeal a Farmland Assessment (Agricultural Valuation) Rating. 

Land Redesignation Request – Council gave third reading to Bylaw 2680-21-037 to redesignate 14.55 acres of land located directly east of Range Road 65, 0.5 miles south of Highway 672, and roughly 1.7 miles northwest of the Hamlet of Clairmont from an Agricultural (AG) District to a Country Residential (CR-5) District. The Bylaw received first reading on November 1, 2021 with amendments for the proposed lot to include the northeast corner. 

Subdivision Time Extension Requests – Council granted approval for the following subdivision time extension requests: