Delegations

Bear Creek Folk Festival presented as a delegation.

The Grande Prairie Downtown Association presented as a delegation in regard to their budget.

Bylaw C-1260-115 - Amendment to the Land Use Bylaw

Councillor Minhas provided a notice of motion at the last Council meeting requesting a reconsideration of the March 9th vote on Bylaw C-1260-115.

Council supported his request and those members who attended the original public hearing voted to pass Bylaw C-1260-115 at second and third reading.  This bylaw rezones 8.8 hectares of land from Small Lot Residential and Medium Density Residential in order to farm the land prior to future developments.

CAO Update

The City Manager provided an update on the City’s COVID-19 response and operations within each service area.

Economic Update

The Manager of Economic Development provided an update on economic supports for businesses during COVID-19. Highlights include:

• The launch of the Business Resiliency Taskforce with the County of Grande Prairie and Grande Prairie and District Chamber of Commerce
• Development of a resource directory at grandeprairiechamber.com/covid-19-business-resiliency/
• Free weekly webinars from subject matter experts
• The #LoveLocalGP social media contest to support local businesses
• The Business Advisory Services Voucher Program 

Borrowing Bylaw C-1424 - Operating Line of Credit - COVID 19

Council approved Borrowing Bylaw C-1424 to open a line of credit for the City’s operating budget as part of the response to COVID-19.

ICF Update

Council directed the Mayor to write the County of Grande Prairie and the Minister of Municipal Affairs requesting to proceed to the mediation stage of the Intermunicipal Collaboration Framework.

The City intends to set up mediation dates, in-person or remotely, beginning in June 2020 and to complete the agreement, in its entirety, by March 31, 2021.

FCM Sustainable Communities Award

Council directed the Mayor to write a letter that supports the submission of the Transit Solar Project to the 2020 FCM Sustainability Awards.

2020 Large Scale Tourism Grant Funding

Council allocated 2020 Large Scale Tourism Grant Funding in the following amounts:

• $75,000 to the Bear Creek Folk Music Festival
• $25,000 to the Grande Prairie BuckWild PBR event

Bylaw C-801F - Amendment to the Downtown Business Revitalization Zone Bylaw

Council approved an amendment to the Downtown Business Revitalization Zone Bylaw.

Business Improvement Area Assessment and Tax Bylaws

Council approved the following bylaws:

• Business Tax and Assessment (2020) Bylaw
• Downtown Business Improvement Area Business Tax (2020) Bylaw
• Downtown Business Improvement Area Business Tax Rate (2020) Bylaw

2020 Supplementary Property Assessment and Tax Bylaws

Council approved the 2020 Supplementary Property Assessment and Tax Bylaws.

Social Housing Definitions

Council approved Land Use Bylaw C-1260-111 to revise six use definitions to improve clarity around social types of housing and facilitate the permitting process.

Bylaw C-1260-116 passed first and second reading. Third reading will be considered at a future Council meeting.

Offices in the General Industrial District

Land Use Bylaw Amendment C-1260-117 - Offices in the General Industrial District was defeated at second reading.

Committee as Development Authority

Council approved a Land Use Bylaw amendment to correct references to the Infrastructure & Protective Services in the LUB.

Radius Measurement for Limited Uses

Bylaw Amendment C-1260-119 Radius Measurement for Limited Uses passed first and second reading. Third reading will be considered at a future Council meeting.

School Site Guidelines

Council approved amendments to the Municipal Development Plan to enhance the design and integration of school sites into new neighbourhoods. They are also intended to enhance pedestrian safety around schools, particularly by controlling the locations of residential driveways and vehicles backing across sidewalks onto roads.