September 9 2024 Council Highlights

September 9, 2024

Electoral Boundary Review Recommendation – Council directed Administration to prepare the Divisional Boundaries Bylaw, based on the existing electoral boundaries, for first reading on September 23, 2024.

Additional Funding, Tender Awarded for Hythe Valve Replacement Project – Council approved the request for $301,340 in additional funding for the Hythe Valve Replacement Project to the existing budget of $550,000, for a total project amount of $851,340. The additional support will be funded by an Alberta Community Partnership (ACP) grant. Council approved awarding the project to Green Acre Ventures Ltd.

Council approved a change in funding source for the Hythe Recreation Facilities Water Supply project to come from general taxation. The $251,340 project had previously funded through the ACP grant.  

Council directed Administration to bring back the Hythe Lagoon Assessment project for consideration to the 2025 Interim Budget meetings in December.

Red Willow Falls Road - Council directed Administration to enter negotiations with the holder of well site LOC771219 for a road and parking lot maintenance agreement at Red Willows Falls.

Road Closure Bylaw Approved – Council gave third reading to Bylaw 3230 regarding closing a portion of Range Road 23 and Township Road 750 and Road Plan 0022501. The Bylaw was amended at second reading to rectify a clerical error to accurately reflect the public hearing dates.

Aeration Trial on Clairmont or Bear Lake - Council directed Administration to provide information on an aeration trial on Clairmont or Bear Lake and report on the status of the weir on Bear Lake. 

County of Grande Prairie Welcome Signs - Council directed Administration to review locations of “Welcome to the County of Grande Prairie” signs on provincial highways within the County as discussed on the 2024 County Road Tour. Council also directed Administration to review locations of Hamlet signs within the County.

Partnership and Sponsorship Request from Grande Prairie Aboriginal Circle of Services (GPACOS) – Council deferred the request for sponsorship from Grande Prairie Aboriginal Circle of Services to the 2025 Interim Budget deliberations and advised the delegation to bring back further information on funding options to a future Council Meeting.

ATCO Gas Franchise Agreement Re-Approval – Council directed Administration to proceed with public notice regarding the re-approval process for ATCO Gas franchise fees for the Hamlet of Hythe for the gas distribution franchise agreement, as required by the Alberta Utilities Commission.

Public Hearings – Council held the following public hearings:

• Council gave third reading to Bylaw #2680-24-028 to redesignate 8.34 hectares of land located in the Crossroads North Subdivision in Clairmont, adjacent to Highway 43 to the north of Range Road 60 to the west, from the Agricultural (AG) District to the Rural Highway Industrial (RM-4) District to accommodate an industrial lot.
• Council gave first reading to Bylaw #3235, Road Closure of a Portion of Undeveloped Government Road Allowance Adjoining the West Boundary of SW-24-70-5-W6 Bylaw and directed Administration to forward the Bylaw to the Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors for approval.

Event Requests - Council approved that any Councillors and the County of Grande Prairie Public Member may attend the Rural Health Professions Action Plan (RhPAP) Health Provider Attraction and Retention Conference on October 8-10, 2024.

Sponsorship Requests – Council approved the following sponsorship requests:

• $5,001 Platinum Sponsorship for the Northwestern Polytechnic President’s Black and White Ball on October 19, 2024.

Staff Introductions – Council welcomed new staff and congratulated those who have been appointed to new roles:

• Kirstie Castillo joined the FCSS team as the new Program Assistant with FCSS Early Childhood Programming.
• Kim White rejoined Cash Control as a Payroll Clerk.
• William Pernal was named the new Digital Content Coordinator with the Communications and Marketing team after previously serving as the Temporary Communications Advisor.

The next Regular Council Meeting will take place on September 23, 2024. The next Committee of the Whole Meeting will take place on September 20, 2024.

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.