Council Highlights, May 25, 2026

New Dog Parks Approved for the Hamlet of Clairmont — Council directed Administration to develop two new off-leash dog parks in the Hamlet of Clairmont, including one in the Whispering Ridge subdivision. 

 

The Whispering Ridge dog park will be built with an entrance on 149 Avenue, at an estimated cost of $21,830. 

  

The second dog park will be located northeast of the existing baseball diamond in Clairmont, with an entrance on 107A Avenue, at an estimated cost of $18,599. 

 

Council also directed Administration to explore alternative pricing options for benches, waste bins, and signage for both parks. 

 

Maskwa Medical Facility Lending Bylaw Amended — Council tabled second and third reading of Bylaw #3280, the amendment to Bylaw #3232 – Maskwa Medical Facility Lending Bylaw, until the June 8, 2026, Regular Council Meeting to allow time for additional information to be provided, including final loan guarantee terms that address Council’s requests to ATB or the Maskwa Medical Centre. 

 

Maskwa Medical Centre Loan Guarantee Public Engagement — Council directed Administration to move forward with a communications and engagement plan for the Maskwa Medical Centre loan guarantee project. The plan will help inform residents about the proposed project and ask for public input on whether Council should approve the loan guarantee. 

 

Teepee Creek Water Well Drilling Update — Council directed Administration to secure standardized pricing for the Teepee Creek Water Well Drilling Project through an invite-only process and offer the project to all nine eligible service locations based on the lowest-priced submission. Council also accepted information regarding potential project cost variances and directed Administration to provide an update after the first four wells are completed. In addition, Council approved providing Teepee Creek School with the option to have a cistern installed and to further provide $35,000 towards future water hauling needs. 

 

Hythe Arena Cooling System Line Update — Council accepted an update on the Hythe Arena cooling system line project and approved up to $300,000 from the General Operating Reserve to complete the necessary repair and cleanup work. Administration will provide Council with a detailed cost breakdown as more information becomes available. 

 

Water and Wastewater Committee Update — Council directed Administration to take no further action on the proposed 20-year repayment of connection fees. Following Council’s direction, Administration is developing a Water and Wastewater Rate Setting Policy, which will be presented to Council prior to 2027. 

 

Facility Development Permit Application Approved — Council approved the development permit application from Beairsto & Associates Engineering Ltd. on behalf of PMC Peaskie Transloads Ltd., subject to conditions, to develop an Industry/Manufacturing, Large Scale - Frac Sand Trans-Loading facility with three holding bins and one office trailer, located west of Highway 43, north of Highway 671, approximately 4.5 miles north of the Town of Beaverlodge.  

 

Alberta Rural Industrial Caucus — Council approved the County of Grande Prairie’s continued participation in the Alberta Rural Industrial Caucus (ARIC). The County will host the ARIC meeting in August.  

 

Clairmont Detachment Building Project Committee Dissolved — Council dissolved the Clairmont Detachment Building Project Committee since the building will no longer be a County-owned facility.  

 

Divisional Equitable Fiscal Allocation Policy Updated — Council approved Policy C40 – Divisional Equitable Fiscal Allocation as presented. The policy was updated to specify which Divisions are selected when funds are applied from the reserve.   

 

Asset Management Policy Updated — Council approved Policy C39 – Asset Management as presented to reflect updates from the organizational restructure.   

 

Timeline for Schedule of Fee, Rates — Council directed Administration to present the Schedule of Fees, Rates and Charges Bylaw prior to the end of October to allow sufficient time for review, revisions as directed by Council, and implementation by December 31.   

 

Council and Committee of the Whole Date Changes — Council directed Administration to reschedule the following meetings due to scheduling conflicts: 

 

Professional Rural Recruitment Incentive — Council approved the Professional Rural Recruitment Incentive applications for the following: 

Audio Recordings of Council and Committee Meetings — Council rescinded Policy B10 – Audio Recordings of Council and Council Committee Meetings. Audio recordings are now permanently retained under the County’s File Plan Retention Schedule. 

 

Video Recording Storage of Council Meetings — Council directed Administration to use YouTube for storing video recordings of Regular Council, Committee of the Whole, Municipal Planning Commission, Agricultural Service Board, and Family and Community Support Services Board meetings. 

 

Public Hearings: 

Sponsorship Requests — Council approved the following sponsorship requests: 

The next Regular Council Meeting will take place on June 8, 2026. The next Committee of the Whole Meeting will take place on June 25, 2026.  

Council and Committee meetings are available to the public via live stream. Find connection instructions and meeting agendas under the Council icon on the County website.