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September 23, 2024

Divisional Boundaries and Council Composition Bylaw — Council gave first reading to Bylaw 3236, Divisional Boundaries and Council Composition Bylaw for the County of Grande Prairie No. 1. In July 2021, the Village of Hythe dissolved to become a hamlet within the County of Grande Prairie and a review of the electoral boundaries and number of Councillors was mandated by the Province. Council was presented with a final preferred electoral boundary option at their September 9, 2024 Council meeting which incorporated feedback received through public engagement and achieved a more even population distribution while still prioritizing communities of interest and geographic division size. Council direction at that meeting was for the boundaries to remain status quo and directed Administration to prepare the electoral boundary bylaw using the current boundaries. As required by the Municipal Government Act the Bylaw will be advertised and will receive third and final reading after the 60-day petition period.

Waste Disposal at Clairmont Centre — Council directed Administration to send a request to the partnering municipalities of the West County Grande Prairie Solid Waste Management Authority, the towns of Beaverlodge, Sexsmith, and Wembley, granting residents access to residential waste disposal at the Clairmont Centre for Recycling and Waste Management with the condition that the Authority approve funding and related tipping fee costs.

2024 Tax Sale — Council approved the estimated market value as the reserve bid for seven potential tax sale properties and the terms and conditions for the 2024 Tax Sale being held on October 15, 2024 at the County Administration Building.

City, County to Hold Joint Public Hearing for Intermunicipal Development Plan Bylaw — Council approved a Joint Council meeting with the City of Grande Prairie on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Teresa Sargent Hall, 9839 – 103 Avenue, in Grande Prairie. The IDP is a long-term, strategic plan required by the Municipal Government Act that outlines a vision for development and infrastructure near municipal boundaries. The City-County IDP will coordinate land use planning, economic development, and transportation needs in the areas that join the two neighbouring municipalities.

Bezanson Land Purchase — Council directed Administration to include the purchase of approximately 19.1 acres of land near Bezanson in the application from the Province to Council’s advocacy priorities list. A letter will be sent to the Premier, Minister of Forestry and Parks, MLA for Grande Prairie-Wapiti, and MLA for Grande Prairie, advising on the updated advocacy priorities list in conjunction with the scheduled presentation by the Bezanson Agricultural Society during the Council meeting on October 30, 2024.

Alberta Community Partnership (ACP) Intermunicipal Collaboration Grant Application — Council directed Administration to apply for the $200,0000 Alberta Community Partnership (ACP) Intermunicipal Collaboration Grant to update the Growth and Economic Development Strategy, and will invite the towns of Beaverlodge, Sexsmith and the Wembley, the City of Grande Prairie and the MD of Greenview to join the application.

Emergency Sewer Service Repair in Valhalla — Council approved $100,000 in emergency funding to replace the County’s sewer service from 9935 100 Avenue, Valhalla, to the County’s sewer main, north of Highway 59.

Additional Funding Approved for Property Remediation — Council approved an additional $56,055 for asbestos abatement services to complete site remediation of the former Hythe church property.

Peace Area Riding for Disabled Society (PARDS) Funding Request — Council directed Administration to assess the economic impact of the funding request from PARDS to lease approximately 142 acres of municipally owned land located near Range Road 63 and Township Road 725A, Northwest of Clairmont, and to bring information on potential alternative options to support PARDS operations for Council’s consideration. In her presentation to Council, PARDS Executive Director Shirley McDonald highlighted the organization’s operational needs, noting animal feed as their biggest expenditure.

Support for Town of Sexsmith’s Grant Application — Council voted to support the Town of Sexsmith’s application for a 2024/2025 Alberta Community Partnership grant to support the Regional Stormwater Detailed Design Initiative project.

Development Permit Application — Council approved development permit application for an asphalt processing and storage facility located in the County Industrial Park, approximately one mile south of the City of Grande Prairie at the corner of 39th Avenue and 93rd Street.

Municipal Compensation Comparators — Council directed Administration to add the MD of Greenview to the County’s list of approved municipal comparators and bring the amended Policy L18 - Compensation Philosophy for Council’s approval.

Hamlet Resiliency Strategy — Council received the Hamlet Resiliency Strategy for information and requested it be considered in the Municipal Development Plan (MDP) update.

County Office Closure for 2024 Holiday Season — Council granted permission for County offices to close to the public at 1:00 p.m. on December 24, 2024 through to January 1, 2025, reopening Thursday, January 2, 2025. Council also directed Administration to draft a policy establishing annual County office closures between Christmas Day and New Years Day and to bring it to a future Council meeting for consideration.

Bylaws Approved — Council gave third and final reading to the following bylaws:

  • Bylaw 3220, Joint Assessment Review Board Bylaw.
  • Bylaw 3221, Intermunicipal Subdivision and Development Appeal Board Bylaw.

Letters of Support — Council voted to provide a letter of support for the following projects:

  • To TERIC Power Ltd. for power for the eReserve3 Project to install a 20-Megawatt battery energy storage system nine kilometres northeast of La Glace.
  • To Pivotal Energy Partners to develop a natural gas liquids processing facility in the Wembley area.

Public Hearing — Due to an error in the advertised date, Council tabled the public hearing to redesignate 15 acres of land located approximately four miles north of the Town of Sexsmith, west of Highway 2 on the west side of Range Road 54 from the Agricultural District to the Country Residential District to accommodate a residential lot. The public hearing will be held at the October 7, 2024, Regular Council Meeting.

Event and Sponsorship Requests — Council approved the following sponsorship requests:

  • $1,250 to St. Joseph Catholic High School for the Alberta Schools Athletic Association (ASAA) Alberta Bowl on November 22-23, 2024 in Grande Prairie.
  • Approved Councillors to attend the Friends of the Grande Spirit Foundation Harvest Dine & Dance on October 5, 2024.
  • $1,500 to Peace Area Riding for the Disabled Society (PARDS) (Horseshoe Sponsor) for the 2024 Dine & Dance on November 2, 2024.
  • Approved Councillors to attend the Sexsmith & District Museum Society Fall Supper on October 19, 2024.
  • $3,000 to Grande Prairie Fastball Association (Umpire Sponsor) for the U15A Girls and Boys Western Championships in August 2025 at the South Bear Creek Ball Diamonds upon approval of Association’s bid to host. Council directed Administration to provide the Association with a letter confirming the County’s intent to sponsor the event.
  • Approved Councillors to attend the Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service (STARS) Foundation’s, the Stars Among Us Gala on October 5, 2024.

Staff Introduction — Council welcomed Adam Tremblay as the new Temporary Communications Advisor with the Communications and Marketing team.

The next Regular Council Meeting will take place on October 7, 2024. The next Committee of the Whole Meeting will take place on October 18, 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.