July 18, 2025 Committee of the Whole Highlights

July 18, 2025  

Municipal Development Plan Update — The Committee received an information update from Administration on the Municipal Development Plan (MDP) update, a key component of the larger Plan Your County initiative. The MDP serves as an overarching document for guiding future growth and development within the County and will inform related planning documents, such as Area Structure Plan updates and the Transportation Master Plan. The updated MDP was developed based on three phases of public consultation, along with various studies and detailed analysis. The final phase of consultation included interviews with Councillors, five public information sessions, and outreach to technical stakeholders through circulated materials and targeted meetings. A summary ‘What We Heard Report’ recapping consultation activities and feedback will be available at www.engagecountygp.ca.  

Requests for New or Enhanced Recreation Infrastructure — The Committee directed Administration to present additional information at a future Committee of the Whole meeting regarding developing an internal process for County residents who wish to submit requests for new or enhanced recreation infrastructure projects in County-owned green spaces.  
 
Winter 2024-2025 Report on Recreational Use of Stormwater Ponds — The Committee received an information report from Administration summarizing another successful season of maintaining stormwater ponds in County subdivisions for winter recreational use, supported by volunteer groups.  

After four years of operating the program, County Recreation and Culture staff noted that volunteer ice safety training, ice monitoring reporting, and overall compliance are going well. Volunteers remained dedicated during the past season of above-average temperatures. Two ice safety training sessions were held for new and returning volunteers, in collaboration with Grande Prairie Technical Search and Rescue. Volunteer groups from Carriage Lane Estates, Maple Ridge Estates, Westlake Village, and Whispering Ridge participated in the program.  

Grande Prairie Public Library 2024 Annual Report — The Committee received an information report from Grande Prairie Public Library (GPPL) representatives, outlining 2024 funding sources and library use statistics related to County residents. The County Library Board provides annual funding to GPPL, including $330,560 in 2024, to support access for County residents. 

County Library Board 2024 Annual Report — The Committee received the 2024 County Libraries Annual Report and mid-year financial update as information. The County of Grande Prairie Library Board delivers library services to County residents through community libraries in Elmworth, Hythe, La Glace, and Valhalla; library outreach to Clairmont and Horse Lake; and through annual grant funding with partner libraries in Beaverlodge, Grande Prairie, Sexsmith and Wembley. The Board is exploring outreach service in Bezanson and will meet with community members to build support for their application to the province’s Community Initiatives Program Project-Based grant stream. 

Policies Amended — Members of the Council and Board Remuneration Committee presented a report on their review of Policy F10 – Council and Board Member Honoraria and Expense Reimbursement and Policy L4 – Travel Expense Reimbursement. The Committee of the Whole directed Administration to make the proposed changes and present the amended policies at a future Council meeting. 
 
The next Regular Council Meeting will take place on August 11, 2025. The next Committee of the Whole Meeting will take place on August 21, 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.