Here are City Council highlight for the meeting held May 3, 2021:

Delegations

A representative from STARS presented to Council with a request for operational funding and organizational update on COVID-19 and related missions, proactive successes in the midst of the pandemic, mission volume statistics pertinent to Grande Prairie and area, new fleet campaign status and the upcoming arrival of an H145 helicopter for the Grande Prairie base.

The Mighty Peace Watershed Alliance presented an organizational update.

Roger Durnford and Bill Broderick presented as delegates regarding the Combined Heat and Power Units being installed at the Community Knowledge Campus.

Correspondence

Mayor Clayton sent a letter to Alberta Health Services requesting a status update on the opening of the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital.

Bylaw C-1430A - Amendment to the Downtown Phase 4 Borrowing Bylaw

City Council gave first reading to an amendment of the Downtown Phase 4 Borrowing Bylaw.

The proposed amendment allows administration to better manage cashflows for the project, adds the long-term repayment option of quarterly for greater flexibility and reduces interest expense over the term of the loan.

Grande Prairie High Performance Sports Centre Business Case

Council received the Grande Prairie High Performance Centre business case for information.

Grant  Recommendations

Council approved funding allocations in the following amounts:

• Arts Development Individual Project Funding to Mariah Braun and Chris Beauchamp in the amount of $1,400.00 each;
• Arts Development Scholarship Funding to Mark Guerrero in the amount of $1,400.00;
• Arts Development Festival Funding to the Bear Creek Folk Festival, "UnFestival Live!", in the amount of $14,000.00;
• Pursuit of Excellence Coach Funding to Sheila White in the amount of $353.00, Christopher Nelissen in the amount of $470.00, and Breanna Gordon in the amount of $437.50;
• Pursuit of Excellence Official Funding to Rick Murray in the amount of $300.00; and
• Pursuit of Excellence Clinic Funding to the Peace Region Alberta Dressage Association in the amount of $1,000.00, and the Peace Region Pony Club in the amount of $1,000.00.

Activity & Reception Centre Update

Council approved proceeding with the opening of Activity & Reception Centre located in the Smith neighbourhood as a City operated facility until 2024.

Grande Prairie Energy Strategy

Council adopted the Grande Prairie Energy Strategy.

Policy Review

Council approved revisions to Policy 113, Idle Reduction and Policy 215, Environmental Responsibility; and repealed Policy 216, Environmental Risk Management based on required updates and areas of amalgamation.

Utility Bylaw C-1365B Amendments

Council approved amendments to the Utilities Bylaw. Aquatera is proposing these adjustments in the rate schedule based on their 2021 Business Plan and long-term Capital Program.

Bylaw C-1395F - Amendment to the Fees, Rates and Charges Bylaw

Council approved amendments to the Fees, Rates and Charges Bylaw  to include a Drone Use permit fee for all drones weighing more than 250g.

Land Purchase

Council approved the purchase of the land described as Plan 7517BP; Block 2; The most southerly fifty-six (56) feet in width throughout Lot 9.

The lot's purchase allows the lands to be consolidated into the adjacent Muskoseepi/Bear Creek Park corridor, increasing the City's parkland reserves and protecting development setbacks along the Bear Creek corridor.

Infill Housing Options in the RT District - Bylaws C-1260-121 and C-1370A

Council approved amendments to the Land Use Bylaw and Hillside Area Revitalization Plan.

The proposed amendments support a greater variety of infill housing options within the currently allowable densities.