October 30, 2024 Council Highlights
October 30, 2024
Cellular Upgrades at the County Community Services Building — Council approved a five-year rental contract for a new distributed antenna system (DAS) to enhance cellular service at the County Community Services Building. Council directed Administration to proceed with the procurement process of the equipment and that the project be included in the 2025 operational budget.
Playground Grant Funding Policy Approved — Council approved Policy K20 – Playground Grant Funding as presented. The policy addresses playground projects on land not owned by the County and outlines the parameters for playground project applications. Council directed Administration to bring back recommendations on an internal process for recreation infrastructure project requests on County land to a future Committee of the Whole meeting for discussion.
Intermunicipal Development Plan Bylaw — Council gave final reading to Bylaw #3237 City of Grande Prairie and the County of Grande Prairie Intermunicipal Development Plan Bylaw. The bylaw’s focus is to provide a process for the two neighbouring municipalities to address future land uses, transportation networks and other topics of mutual interest.
Hythe ATCO Electric and Gas Franchise Agreements — Council directed Administration to maintain the ATCO Electric and ATCO Gas franchise fees for the Hamlet of Hythe at the current rates.
Vehicle Fleet Audit and Mobile Equipment Base — Administration conducted a comprehensive fleet audit and developed an inventory of mobile equipment by department. The County operates a fleet of vehicles and mobile equipment essential for delivering services across departments. Council approved the mobile equipment inventory list as presented.
2025 Equipment Replacements — Council approved the 2025 Equipment Replacement list as presented and directed Administration to begin the equipment procurement process. The list includes necessary County equipment, such as fleet vehicles, lawn mowers and graders.
2025-2029 Capital Replacement Plan for Regional Fire Services Apparatus — Council approved a five-year (2025-2029) Capital Replacement plan for Regional Fire Services’ firefighting apparatus, as presented by Administration. Firefighting apparatus describes any vehicle that has been customized for use during firefighting operations.
Accessible Transportation Funding Agreement — Council directed Administration to enter into a three-year (2025-2027) agreement with the City of Grande Prairie at $160,000 per year to deliver accessible transit. The service is open to residents with a disability who cannot use regular transit services and live within five kilometres of the City of Grande Prairie, within the Hamlet of Clairmont and the Lakeview Seniors Housing Complex.
Tenders Awarded:
- Teepee Creek Firehall Project — Council awarded the $158,220.70, excluding GST, Teepee Creek Firehall engineering/consulting contract to Beairsto & Associates Engineering Ltd., as recommended by the Teepee Creek Firehall Building Project Committee. Council directed Administration to engage a "Clerk of the Works" to support the Fire Chief with the Teepee Creek Firehall Building Project, as recommended by the Teepee Creek Fire Hall Committee.
- 98th Street Project — Council approved the request for additional funding for the 98th Street Road construction and underground infrastructure project to Green Acre Ventures Ltd. in the tender amount of $3,375,635, excluding GST. The estimated total cost of the contract including contingency, engineering, and any other associated costs is $3,754,870 excluding GST.
Compensation Philosophy Policy Amended — Following direction from Council at the Council meeting on September 23, 2024, Administration amended Policy L18 – Compensation Philosophy to add the Municipal District of Greenview as a comparator. Council approved the policy as presented.
Financial Reserves Amended — At the Committee of the Whole meeting on September 20, 2024, Council provided amendments for Administration to incorporate in Policy C27 – Financial Reserves. The updates included creating a new reserve for all non-Aquatera projects and revenues, and that Community Investment Fund reserves be restricted to only Aquatera projects. Council approved the amended policy as presented.
2024 County Open House Events Report — Administration presented the annual County Open Houses report to Council. Council directed Administration to host the 2025 County Open House events at Saskatoon Lake Hall, Goodfare Hall and the replacement Harry Balfour Community School on June 16, 18 and 19, 2025.
Letter of Support to Rural Development Network — Council provided a letter of support to the Rural Development Network regarding advocating the province for additional funding to support rural communities in addressing housing insecurity and to participate in the Alberta Housing and Service Needs Estimation study.
FCSSAA Board of Directors Nomination — Council nominated Councillor Brian Peterson to run for election to serve on the Family and Community Support Services Association of Alberta (FCSSAA) Board of Directors. The organization plays a critical role in advocating for family and community support services throughout Alberta.
Remembrance Day Ceremonies – County Councillors will lay wreaths at Remembrance Day ceremonies on Monday, November 11, in Beaverlodge, Hythe, Sexsmith, Wembley, and at the Bonnetts Energy Centre and the Grande Prairie Cenotaph in the City of Grande Prairie.
2024 Third Quarter Financial Reports — Council received an information report from Administration outlining the County’s 2024 third quarter financial reports.
Public Hearings — Council held the following public hearings:
- Council gave final reading to Bylaw #2680-24-033 to redesignate 2.2 hectares of land located approximately 5.9 miles northwest of the Town of Wembley, adjacent to Range Road 90, from the Agricultural (AG) District to the Country Residential (CR-5) District.
- Council gave final reading to Bylaw #2680-24-034 to redesignate 4.0 hectares of land located approximately 2.05 miles south of the Town of Wembley, adjacent to Range Road 83 A and Township Road 710, from the Agricultural (AG) District to the Country Residential (CR-5) District.
- Council gave final reading to Bylaw #2680-24-038 to redesignate 0.93 hectares of land located approximately 1.6 miles south of the City of Grande Prairie and Township Road 704 A in the Dunes subdivision, from the Country Residential (CR-1) District to the Rural Estate (RE) District.
Monkman Homestead Preservation Society Presentation — Council took no action on the request from the Monkman Homestead Preservation Society for the creation of an additional parkland area at Cutbank Lake.
Sponsorship Requests — Council approved the following sponsorship requests:
- $5,000 for the Wapiti Nordic Ski Club to host the 2025 Alberta Cup Race Series from January 24 to 26, 2025.
- Donation of one used laptop from surplus County technology assets, valued at approximately $150, to the Spring Lake Ski Hill Association in accordance with the County’s Disposal of Surplus Assets and Goods Policy.
Staff Introductions — Council welcomed the following new staff to the County:
- Kurt Schleiter joined the Regional Fire Service as the new Fire Prevention Officer.
- Marina Ciarniello joined Transportation and Utilities as a new Administrative Assistant.
The next Regular Council Meeting will take place on November 12, 2024. The next Committee of the Whole Meeting will take place on November 28, 2024.
Council and Committee meetings are available to the public via live stream. Find connection instructions and meeting agendas under Council Meetings on the County website.