Here are the highlights from the City Council meeting held on March 11, 2019:
Councillor Clyde Blackburn Leave of Absence
City Council supported Councillor Clyde Blackburn by approving a leave of absence until June 3, 2019, allowing him to focus on his health.
Eastlink Centre and Dave Barr Community Centre Rate Changes
City Council approved a 15%-25% decrease in fees. The membership fee structure was reviewed and the changes were made to better align the Eastlink Centre membership fees with other comparable facilities and encourage growth in sales and higher retention rates. The following membership fee reductions are being made:
- Family, Adult and Senior Memberships - 15%
- Student Memberships – 20%
- Youth and Child Memberships – 25%
The new fee structure is:
| Annual Prepaid | Six Month Prepaid | Annual (Monthly) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Family | $1325.50 | $802.00 | $121.50 |
| Adult | $662.75 | $401.00 | $60.75 |
| Senior (60+) | $487.00 | $294.75 | $44.75 |
| Student | $458.25 | $277.25 | $42.00 |
| Youth (13-17) | $429.75 | $260.00 | $39.50 |
| Child (3-12) | $310.25 | $187.75 | $28.50 |
Adjustments to the Dave Barr Community Centre childcare fees were also approved with one amendment. The After School Care fulltime rate will be increased in phases over two years ($350 effective September 1, 2019; $420 effective September 1, 2020). The remaining fees were approved as presented.
Appointment of Chair for Economic Development Strategic Planning & Advisory Committee
Councillor Jackie Clayton was appointed as the chair of the Economic Development Strategic Planning & Advisory Committee.
Resource Communities of Canada Coalition
Council voted to support the Resource Communities of Canada Coalition. The Coalition is made up of communities who rely on resource based economies. The Coalition will work to: advocate for a responsible resource industry, ensure the municipal perspective is being heard on issues impacting resource development, and share factual information regarding resource development interests.
Arbour Hills 2 Outline Plan
Council gave third reading to the Arbour Hills 2 Outline Plan Amendments and Land Use Bylaw C-1260-101. The changes proposed by the developer, re-designate 4.0 ha from General Residential to Small Lot Residential and 5.3 hectares from Small Lot Residential to General Residential. The Amendment would allow for narrower lots in next phase of development.
Arts Development Funding Guidelines Amendments
Council approved the proposed amendments to the Arts Development Funding Guidelines. The amendments limit individual project funding requests to be no more than 20% of the entire project budget. And individual arts scholarships to be no more than $1,400.
Annual Park Improvement Grant Allocation
City Council approves the Annual Parks Improvement Grant Program. The funds granted are as follows:
- Signature Falls Neighbourhood Association - $14,350.00 to be applied towards the supply and installation of multi-use/multi-season play surface within Hibbs and Fredette Family Park (SF#1) located in the Signature Falls Neighbourhood.
- Cobblestone/Riverstone Neighbourhood Association - $3,150.00 to be applied towards the supply and installation of three waste receptacles in 3 parks (R.H. Watcher, C.S. Hook and Cpl. Archie Harvey) in the Cobblestone Neighbourhood.
- Country Club Neighbourhood Association - $2,500.00 to be applied towards the supply and installation of an edible orchard within a neighbourhood park in the Country Club Subdivision.
Appointment of Inspector Under the Province of Alberta’s Agricultural Pests Act
City Council appointed Caleb Benson, an employee with the Parks Department, as the City of Grande Prairie’s Inspector under the Province of Alberta’s Agricultural Pests Act. The Act allows an inspector to be appointed by a municipality under to carry out the Act and its regulations. The Community Living Committee will hear appeals related to the enforcement of Alberta’s Agricultural Pests Act.
Delegations
Proclamation - Council proclaimed March 11, 2019 as World Plumbing Day in recognition of the important role plumbers and plumbing play in safe water and sanitation.
Special Olympics – A delegation representing Special Olympics Athletes from Grande Prairie came to Council to celebrate the success of special Olympic athletes participating in the Canada Games in Red Deer earlier this