May 5, 2025 Council Highlights (1)

May 5, 2025

Provincial Grant Application for FireSmart Coordinator — Council directed Administration to apply for the Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta (FRIAA) grant for $200,000 to support a regional FireSmart Coordinator position for a two-year term in partnership with regional municipalities. The County will contribute up to $22,500 this year, $55,000 in 2026, and $22,500 in 2027. Council directed Administration to bring back an evaluation of the position at the end of the term if it is approved.

Letters of Support for Provincial Community Facility Enhancement Program — Council directed Administration to provide letters of support to the Hythe Athletic Association for their grant application for the replacement of the brine lines at Hythe Memorial Arena and Peace Area Motor Sports Association for upgrades to the Hythe Motor Speedway.

Road Closure Bylaw — Council gave final reading to Bylaw #3247 – Road Closure of Road Plan 863 EU, within a property located approximately 2.05 miles south of the Hamlet of Goodfare, adjacent to Township Road 722 to the north and Range Road 121 to the east, for the purposes of re-aligning the road plan with the constructed road.

Range Road 100 Base Paving Contract Awarded — Council directed Administration to award the tender of $1,894,513.66, excluding GST to Knelsen Sand & Gravel Ltd. for the Range Road 100 base paving contract, from Highway 667 to Highway 43.

Range Road 61 Base Paving Contract Awarded — Council directed Administration to award the tender of $1,023,969.24, excluding GST, to Wapiti Gravel Suppliers for the Range Road 61 base paving contract, from Highway 668 south 1.1 kilometres to the Big Mountain Haul Road.   

Public Hearings — Council held the following public hearings:

• Council gave final reading to Bylaw #2680-25-019, a textual amendment to the Land Use Bylaw #2680, to include manufactured homes, modular homes, and single detached dwelling units as discretionary uses under the Confined Feeding Operations (CFO) District.
• Council gave final reading to Bylaw #2680-25-020 to redesignate 4.22 hectares of land located approximately 5.73 miles northeast of the Town of Sexsmith, adjacent to Range Road 51 to the east and Township Road 744 to the north, from Agricultural (AG) District to the Country Residential (CR-5) District.
• Council gave final reading to Bylaw #2680-25-021 to redesignate 14.96 hectares of land located approximately 1.51 miles northeast of the Town of Wembley, adjacent to Range Road 81 to the west and Township Road 715A to the north, from the Agricultural (AG) District to the Country Residential (CR-5) District.

Fourth Annual Cultural and Musical Heritage Festival Sponsorship Awarded — Council awarded $500 to the Filipino Association of Grande Prairie and Area for the fourth annual Cultural and Musical Heritage Festival on June 14, 2025.

Staff Introductions — Council welcomed new staff member Amy Doole as a temporary Payroll Clerk in the Cash Control department and congratulated Bridget Basnett on being appointed to a permanent position as a Customer Service Representative in the Cash Control department.

Council welcomed the Agricultural department’s new and returning seasonal staff members:

• Weed Inspectors: Ryan Li, Chloe Hedges, Falyn Bexson-Quinn, Kara Frith, Danika Cadieux, Elizabeth Cruz, Brooke Herzog, and Alanna Norman.
• Pest and Disease Inspectors: Jessica Shaver and Jax Drader.
• Vegetation Management: Paige Wells, Jessica Lock, Taniesha Humbke, Kiarra Saunders, Jill van der Giessen, Alissa Rondeau, Sadie LaValley, and Nola Clarke.
• Legislated Mowing Operators: Gary Downes, Marvin Friesen, Hunter Chevallier, and Zachary Wilson.
• Beautification Mowing Operators: Kaitlyn Sandul, Sierra Petke, Chace Kyle, Jett Fogle, Laurel van der Giessen, Ethan Keddie, Harrison Patrick, Bryce Bogdanek, MacKinnon Barrett, Sarah Dyrkach, Gavin Wasylciw, Jordon Rappel, Jarred Oliver, Heather Holtz, Heather Burrin, Kara Rodomske, Rachel Perry, Breanne Gibbs, Brooke Bogdanek, Trey Stephenson, Amanda Pelster, and Serene Pelster.

The next Regular Council Meeting will take place on May 20, 2025. The next Committee of the Whole Meeting will take place on May 22, 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.