March 24, 2025 Council Highlights

March 24, 2025

Hommy Park Management Plan and Lease Transfer — Council received an update from Administration regarding the Hans O. Hommy Memorial Society’s desire to transfer the ownership of Hommy Park’s recreation lease to the County. The Society highlighted its challenges with aging volunteers and limited capacity over the years. Mr. Milton Hommy was in attendance and Council thanked him and his family for their dedication and hard work over the decades. Council approved the Hommy Park and Campground Management Plan as presented and directed Administration to request that the Society transfer the Provincial Recreational Lease 88024 to the County.

Bezanson School Grade 6 Fieldtrip — Council received presentations from Bezanson School Grade 6 students about their community’s needs, as a part of their Social Studies unit on local government. Students observed the meeting proceedings of a Regular Council meeting and toured the County Administration Building.

Minimum Municipal Tax Levy — At the Council meeting on March 10, 2025, Council directed Administration to bring back further cost analysis on a minimum tax levy up to $100 that includes the full cost of conducting tax assessments on the properties. After determining that the cost to produce an assessment notice is between $85 to $95 Council directed Administration to include a $100 minimum tax levy in the 2025 Tax Rate Bylaw for Councils consideration at final budget.

Municipal Census and Electoral Boundary Review Funding — Council took no action regarding the project change order and overage for the Municipal Census and Electoral Boundary Review project.

Teepee Creek Stampede Association Funding Request Deferred to Final Budget — Council deferred to final budget a request from the Teepee Creek Stampede Association for an additional $15,000 in annual operating funding for the three-year term of 2025 to 2027. The Association requested the increase to their previous $20,000 in annual funding to address the challenges of inflation, facility repair costs, staffing, building usage, and insurance. Council will re-evaluate the Association’s financial position before operating funding is confirmed for 2026. Council directed Administration to bring a comprehensive review of all mid-size facilities under Policy K14 -Operating Assistance Facilities to final budget deliberations in April.

Crime Prevention Work Plan — Council received a presentation from Administration on the Crime Prevention Committee’s updated 2024 Crime Prevention Work Plan and approved the proposed 2025 work plan as presented. This year’s plan aims to build on the progress of the 2024 plan by focusing on community engagement through crime prevention townhalls, stakeholder and partner collaboration opportunities, and data-driven proactive decision making/resource allocation.

Letter of Support for Alberta Forest Products Association — Council directed Administration to provide a letter of support to the Alberta Forest Products Association (AFPA) in their efforts to enhance competitiveness, improve supply chains, and promote the use of Alberta forest products at home. In his presentation, the AFPA Program Director highlighted challenges facing the industry due to significant trade barriers, supply chain issues and global competition.

Community Futures Grande Prairie Travelling Board Show Meeting — Council approved hosting the Community Futures Grande Prairie Travelling Board Show at the County Administrative Building from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on April 24, 2025.

Public Hearings — Council held the following public hearings:

• Council gave final reading to Bylaw #2680-25-018 to redesignate 5.26 hectares of land located approximately three miles south of the Town of Wembley on the east side of Range Road 83 from the Agricultural (AG) District to the Country Residential (CR-5) District.
• Council gave final reading to Bylaw #2680-25-016 to redesignate 5.38 hectares of land located approximately 0.5 miles west of Highway 733 on Township Road 725, north of the Hamlet of Bezanson from the Agricultural (AG) District to the Country Residential (CR-5) District.
• Council gave final reading to Bylaw #2680-25-012 to redesignate 12.9 hectares of land located approximately 0.23 miles west of Elmworth, adjacent to Highway 722, and Range Road 114 from the Agricultural (AG) District to Rural Industrial Direct Control (RM-DC) District to accommodate a Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) production facility.
• Council gave final reading to Bylaw #2680-25-017 to redesignate various parcels of land located approximately seven miles southwest of the City of Grande Prairie, west of Range Road 73 and South of Township Road 704. Redesignations include: 2.93 hectares from the Country Residential (CR-2) District to the Country Residential (CR-5) District; 5.66 hectares from the Residential Condominium (RC) District to the Country Residential (CR-5) District; 17.93 hectares from the Residential Condominium (RC) District to the Intensive Recreation (IR) District; 12.75 hectares from the Residential Condominium (RC) District to the Agricultural (AG) District to accommodate a subdivision for a boundary adjustment.
• Council gave final reading to Bylaw #2680-25-014 to redesignate 4.05 hectares of land located approximately 6.4 miles west of the Town of Beaverlodge, east of Range Road 113, and north of Township Road 722 from the Country Residential (CR-3) District to the Country Residential (CR-5) District, and to redesignate 2.02 hectares of land from the Agricultural (AG) District to the Country Residential (CR-5) District, to accommodate a boundary adjustment.   

Staff Introductions — Council welcomed Maryna Poslavska to her new position as an Accounting Supervisor with the Cash Control department. Poslavska previously served as an Accounting Clerk in the same department. Council welcomed new staff member Emma Newhook as a new temporary Tax Roll Clerk with the Cash Control department.

The next Regular Council Meeting will take place on April 7, 2025. The next Committee of the Whole Meeting will take place on March 27, 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.