
September 25, 2023 Council Highlights
Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Foundation Funding – Representatives from the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital Foundation provided Council with an update on the Foundation’s strategic direction, advocacy and lobbying for the next five years. The County committed to providing one million dollars in funding spread over 10 years that started in 2020 with $300,000 released to date for the bedside engagement system. Given significant installation delays for the system, Council recommended the Foundation develop a proposal to redirect funds for the installation of televisions.
Council directed administration to write a letter to the Foundation requesting that a proposal for the installation of television systems be submitted for Council’s consideration to redirect the County’s existing grant funding.
Strategic Planning Facilitation – Doug Griffiths from 13 Ways Inc. provided information to Council on the Strategic Planning Facilitation process.
County Hosting 2023 Water North Coalition Fall Meeting – Council directed administration to accept the request from the Water North Coalition and host the annual fall meeting on October 11, 2023.
Physician Recruitment and Retention – Council directed administrative to review Policy M13 – Physician Recruitment and Retention and bring back recommendations on extending the funding contributions to any family physician who applies, including those from the City of Grande Prairie.
Council Supports Emerson Trail Speed Reduction – Council directed administration to send a letter to Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors requesting a speed reduction on Highway 672 (Emerson Trail) from the west side of Range Road 63 to the existing 60 km/h zone west of Highway 2.
Council Supports Province Tendering Roundabout – Council directed administration to send a letter to the Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors to support tendering of the construction of a roundabout on Highway 43 at the Hamlet of Bezanson to improve the intersection.
Quotes for Equipment Replacement – Council directed Administration to purchase one S650 T4 Bobcat Skid Steer Loader at a cost $79,157.10 from Bobcat of the Peace.
Public Hearings – Council held the following public hearings:
· Council gave first reading to Bylaw 3209 to close a portion of Range Road 54 north of Highway 2 and directed administration to forward the bylaw to the Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors for approval.
· Council gave third reading to Bylaw 2680-23-029 to re-designate 33.08 acres of land, located on Township Road 702A, north of the Wapiti River, east of Range Road 84 from the Agricultural (AG) District to the Country Residential (CR-5) District to accommodate the subdivision of one lot.
· Council gave third reading to Bylaw 2680-23-030 to re-designate SW-14-74-9-W6, located approximately 3.5 miles east of the Hamlet of Valhalla and approximately 4.5 miles west of the Hamlet of La Glace, adjacent to Highway 59 and Range Road 92, from the Country Residential (CR-5) District to the Agricultural (AG) District to accommodate the consolidation of the existing lot into the quarter section and a subsequent farmstead separation.
· Council recessed the Public Hearing for Bylaw 2680-23-031 to the October 31, 2023 Council Meeting pending further information regarding re-designating 35 acres of land located approximately 3.50 miles west of the Hamlet of Teepee Creek, adjacent to Highway 674 and Range Road 42 from the Agricultural (AG) District to the Rural Medium Industrial (RM-2) District to accommodate the subdivision of one industrial lot and future development of a feed mill.
· Council recessed the Public Hearing for Bylaw 2680-23-032 to the October 31, 2023 Council Meeting pending further information regarding re-designating 91.7 acres of land located approximately five miles north of Sexsmith, two miles west of Highway 2, adjacent to Range Road 55 and Township Road 744 from the Country Residential (CR-5) District to the Agricultural (AG) District to accommodate existing agricultural development on the property.
Letter of Support – Council directed Administration to write a letter of support for Aquatera Utilities’ funding application through Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) and Alberta Initiatives for a Waste to Energy Project.
Council Internal Advocacy Committee – Council approved allowing the voting result pop-up window to remain displayed for five seconds before proceeding to the next item on the agenda in Council Chambers.
New Staff Introduction – Council welcomed Buffy MacIntosh as a Community School Liaison Counsellor with FCSS.
The next Regular Council Meeting will take place on October 16, 2023. The next Committee of the Whole Meeting will take place on October 19, 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.