September 22, 2026 Council Highlights

By County of Grande Prairie - Sep 22, 2026

September 21, 2026

Council Accepts Recreation Roadmap — Council accepted the Recreation Strategic Plan as presented by RC Strategies, which included public engagement activities between January and February 2026 to help inform the development of the strategy. The proposed plan included:

Guiding values and priorities for Recreation and Culture within the County.

A decision-making framework to guide future recreation provision and investment.

Consideration of current and future recreation and sport participation trends, population growth, and changing community needs.

Intersection Upgrades A-Go — Council awarded the Range Road 53 Intersection upgrade project contract to Knelsen Sand & Gravel Ltd. in the tender amount of $1,163,126. The estimated total cost for the contract is $1,415,293. Due to provincial requirements, the upgrade project is required before any additional development can happen in the area, to help improve traffic safety.

New Viewing Area Takes Flight — Council directed Administration to allocate $8,140 for the development of a 16’x16’ viewing deck and boardwalk southeast of the Lake View Seniors Housing, across 113 Avenue. The proposed Clairmont Lake viewing site will provide residents with an accessible way to enjoy the scenic wetlands and lake area.

Renewing the Fleet for 2027 — Council approved the 2027 Equipment Replacement list, which includes the replacement, refurbishment, and disposal of pieces of equipment including: trucks, mowers, loaders, and trailers.

Cemetery Grant Program Receives Refresh — Council approved Policy K7 — Cemetery Support Grant as presented. The updated policy includes a name change, clearer language on the purpose of the funding, location requirements, updated application dates, and terminology.

Keeping Pace with Changing Media — Council gave first reading to Bylaw #3283 — Advertising Bylaw Including an amendment that two or more advertising methods are used to promote public hearings. The bylaw enables the County to adapt its current advertising to meet local needs and pursue alternative advertising options. The bylaw also removes references to media outlets that are no longer in operation.

Road Closure Amendment — Council amended Bylaw #3284 — Road Closure of a Portion of Undeveloped Road Allowance Lying West of Pt. NW-19-70-10-W6 to revise the proposed description of the road closure area to reflect the final surveyed area, in place of the original estimated area.

Sewer Line Addition — Council approved adding the advancement of the replacement of an underground sanitary sewer line on 98th Avenue in Hythe to an existing construction contract for an additional $750,000.

Replacement Broiler Brings the Heat — Council approved the allocation of $206,599 (excluding GST) for an emergency replacement of the existing boiler located in the main County Administration Building. The new broiler will bring much-needed heat over the winter months.

Council To Serve a Warm Welcome — Council directed Administration to organize and host the 2027 Northern Alberta Medical Program (NAMP) barbecue in May 2027, helping new students feel welcome in the community. Northwestern Polytechnic runs the program, which aims to improve access to healthcare professionals across the region.

New Well Off the Table — Council directed Administration to take no action on a request to fund the creation of a private well source to serve the Hythe Carwash & Laundromat Ltd. and nearby buildings in the Hamlet of Hythe. The unlicensed water well is not an authorized municipal service, and the nearby old Hythe firehall has its own cistern that water could be drawn from if needed.

No Action on Water North Request — Administration received a request from the Water North Coalition (WNC) to continue to provide administrative support for the upcoming Spring meeting. Council directed Administration to take no action on the WNC request.

Request for Snow Removal — Council directed Administration to take no action on a request for snow removal by the Stonegate Condominium Corporation. The corporation wanted snow removal services on the private roads within the two cul-de-sacs in the gated Stonegate Condominium within the Wedgewood subdivision.

Public Hearings:

Council gave second reading to Bylaw #2680-26-037 to redesignate land located west of Range Road 111 and south of Highway 43, within the Hamlet of Hythe from a Rural Medium Industrial (RM-2) District to a Rural Heavy Industrial (RM-3) District.

Council gave second reading to Bylaw #2680-26-038 to redesignate land located approximately east of Highway 43 and south of Highway 672, immediately south of the Hamlet of Hythe from a Rural Light Industrial (RM-1) District to a Rural Industrial - Direct Control (RM-DC) District.

Council gave second reading to Bylaw #2680-26-039 to redesignate land located approximately east of Range Road 63 and 0.5 miles south of Highway 672, four miles southwest of the Town of Sexsmith within the Emerson Trail Industrial Area from an Agriculture (AG) District to a Rural Medium Industrial (RM-2) District as amended.

Council gave second reading to Bylaw #2680-26-040 to redesignate land located approximately southwest of Highway 43 (100 Avenue) within the Hamlet of Hythe from a Comprehensive Commercial (CC) District to a Rural Medium Industrial (RM-2) District.

Council gave final reading to Bylaw #2680-26-041 to redesignate land located approximately south of Highway 674, west of Highway 733, and by the east boundary of Teepee Creek from an Agricultural (AG) District to a Country Residential (CR-5) District as amended.

Sponsorship Requests — Council approved the following sponsorship requests:

$5,000 (Gold Sponsorship) to the Northwestern Polytechnic for the President’s Black & White Ball on October 17, 2026.

Silent auction item valued up to $150 for the Alberta Northwest Palliative Care Society for the Sports and Skorts Bingo fundraiser on October 15, 2026.

Council to purchase tickets at a cost of $125 per person for the Peace Area Riding for the Disabled Society (PARDS) Beyond the Saddle 2026 Dine & Dance on November 7, 2026.

Council to purchase tickets at a cost of $65 per person for the Sexsmith & District Museum Harvest Fall Supper on October 24, 2026.

The next Regular Council Meeting will take place on October 5, 2026. The next Committee of the Whole Meeting will take place on October 16, 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.