August 25, 2025 Council Highlights

August 25, 2025

Regional Enforcement Services Storage Building Update — Council directed Administration to prepare a business case for the increased scope of the Regional Enforcement Services storage building project for Council’s consideration at the 2026 interim budget meeting. 

Administrative Complex Redesign Update — Council directed Administration to award a five-year agreement to RGO Office Products Edmonton Ltd. for procurement of office furnishings, and to proceed with furnishing option two, in the amount of $396,805, with the additional funding of $99,390 to be added to the 2025 project budget.

County of Grande Prairie 75^th Anniversary — Council directed Administration to prepare a business case for a County of Grande Prairie 75^th Anniversary event for consideration at the 2026 Interim Budget discussion. Council also directed Administration to establish an advisory committee comprised of one Councillor and one public member to support Administration in organizing and coordinating the event, and that the proposed Committee’s scope of work be included in the business case. 

Council Orientation Fall 2025 — Council authorized the extension of the time for orientation training under section 201.1(1)(b) of the Municipal Government Act (MGA) by 90 days. Recent changes to the MGA require municipalities to provide mandatory orientation to Councillors following a general election on a variety of topics and within given timelines. 

Boards and Committees Summary Update — Council directed Administration to bring back the Hythe & District Pioneer Homes Advisory Committee, Maskwa Medical Centre, the Maskwa Medical Centre Building Committee, and the Mountainview Health Complex Committee to a future Council meeting for discussion. Council also recommended that incoming Council review the external Boards and Committees participation prior to the 2026 Organizational Meeting.

County Road Surfacing — Council directed Administration to update Policy N47 – County Road Surfacing to incorporate discussion items and bring back the amended policy on or before the September 22, 2025, Council meeting for consideration.

Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum Update and Funding Request — Council approved the annual operating funding request of $400,000 with a 2.5 per cent escalator for a three-year term (2026 - $410,000, 2027 - $420,250, and 2028 - $430,506) for the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum.

Glen Leslie Cemetery Expansion — Council approved the request from the Glen Leslie Cemetery Volunteer Group for the Glen Leslie Cemetery Expansion and directed Administration to proceed with the necessary steps to complete the expansion of the cemetery based on the recommended preliminary survey proposal.

Bezanson Pop-up Library Pilot Project Letter of Support — Council provided a letter of support to the County of Grande Prairie Library Board for their application to the Community Initiatives Program – Project-based grant stream for the Bezanson Pop-up Library pilot project. 

Peace Library System Master Agreement Update — Council directed Administration to ratify the updated Peace Library System Master Agreement to continue membership in the Peace Library System. 

Ground Level Land Developments Emerson Trail Area Structure Plan Amendment Funding Request — Council approved the funding request from Ground Level Land Developments to amend the Emerson Trail Area Structure Plan in the amount of 50 per cent of actual costs up to $48,439 and to waive the Area Structure Plam Amendment application fee of $5,000, subject to Ground Level Land Developments entering into a written agreement to the satisfaction of the County.

Request for Tree Removal Approved — Council approved the removal of 23 large poplar trees located in a municipal reserve within the subdivision of Wedgewood at a cost up to $30,000 and directed Administration to advise the Wedgewood homeowner immediately adjacent to the reserve. 

Memorandum of Understanding, Sexsmith Ladder 511 — Council approved the Memorandum of Understanding with the Town of Sexsmith for the funding and use of the new Sexsmith Ladder 511 as presented.

Notice of Motion — Council rescinded two motions from the August, 11 Council meeting and made a notice of motion to reconsider the request from GP Pet Pros to upgrade Range Road 72 at a future Council meeting.

Public Hearings:

• Council gave final reading to Bylaw #2680-25-030 to redesignate 4.14 hectares, located east of Range Road 51 and south of Highway 674 approximately 4.5 miles east of the Town of Sexsmith, from the Agricultural (AG) District to the County Residential (CR-5) District.
• Council gave final reading to Bylaw #3257 to amend the Clairmont Heights Area Structure Plan.

Sponsorship Request — Council approved the sponsorship request of $5,000 to Northwestern Polytechnic for the President’s Black and White Ball. Council also directed Administration to purchase four additional tickets. 

The next Regular Council Meeting will take place on September 8, 2025. The next Committee of the Whole Meeting will take place on September 18, 2025.

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.