Mid-year budget requests, legacy funds for two events among highlights of Grande Prairie City Council meeting

Also, $300,000 is being moved from 911 Grant funding into upgrades for the fire department and 911 call centre to meet needs for new technology, according to CRTC regulations. The project wad first delayed from 2015 to 2020, then put on hold because of what the city refers to as “limited information and guidelines ” from the CRTC. The city had already transferred $200,000 from the 911 Grant in 2021 for this project and the delays mean another $300,000 transfer is needed.

The third concerns work at the Montrose Cultural Centre. The boiler and ventilation is scheduled to be done this year; electrical, lighting and building envelope work next year and the floor of Teresa Sargent Hall, ventilation and art gallery building envelope work in 2026. The city would borrow the money for the work scheduled for 2025 and 2026. The total project cost is $4.794 million dollars, with borrowing to cover $3.374 million. Money for the work being finished this year had already been approved.

FireSmart Grant Applications

Council approved having city administration send in two funding applications to the Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta’s FireSmart program.

One would be for vegetation management work in the Bear Creek Corridor.

The association gave the city a $200,000 grant for similar work in the South Bear Creek area last year. That work is ongoing.

The second application is for public education on FireSmart, including doing home assessments. A similar application last year was turned down.

Climbing Wall at Activity and Reception Centre

City Council has approved having $220,000 legacy money from the Alberta Winter Games set aside for the climbing wall project at the Activity & Reception Centre.

Administration says the money would not actually be distributed until a new Capital Plan is approved at fall budget talks.

City Hall had previously provided $115,000 with the climbing club also expected to come up with some money to pay for a $400,000 feature.

The city says it will invite representatives from the club to speak to city politicians at a future meeting. Grande Prairie hosted the Alberta Winter Games in February.

Legacy Fund for Indigenous Sports Council of Alberta

Council approved having a legacy fund from the 2024 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships distributed to local groups and communities through the Indigenous Sports Council of Alberta.

This will see $12,500 going into a grant fund to buy equipment for individuals, another $9,000 to an equipment fund for community centres and schools, plus $16,000 to a fund to help athletes compete at events held outside of Alberta.

The money is set aside for Indigenous, Metis or Inuit residents who live within 100 kilometres of Grande Prairie or who live in Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, Horse Lake First Nation or Duncan’s First Nation.

Grande Prairie hosted the 2024 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships in May.

Rezoning Request east of Resources Road

Council approved a rezoning request for some land along the east side of Resources Road, located across from the area roughly between 69A and 74 Avenues. The rezoning allows for different setbacks for future development.

There would still be a 50 metre setback from the railway tracks. A lot of the existing trees will be removed. The city says a study has been done that shows the trees could be cut down and not hurt any environmentally sensitive areas. A portion of land at the south end of the property was carved out and saved because it was environmentally sensitive.

Builders say what they call “consumer options” would go up on the land that would be cleared.

Urban Agriculture added to Land Use Bylaw

Council approved adding a definition and regulations for Urban Agriculture to the Land Use Bylaw. This would allow the growing of plants in the ground, on rooftops, or in raised beds that someone could sell or give away, rather than just for their own use.

There are 18 different zoning categories where this would be allowed. Growing livestock or any intensive agriculture would not be allowed. This new regulation does not affect any livestock operations on land that is already zoned agricultural.

Council will have a summer break over the first two weeks of August. The next city council meeting is scheduled for August 26.

by Curtis Galbraith

Mid-year budget requests, legacy funds for two events among highlights of Grande Prairie City Council meeting