MINUTES OF THE CITY OF GRANDE PRAIRIE

COUNCIL MEETING

Monday, October 16, 2023 at 3:00 P.m. - 7:00 P.m.

Council Chambers, City Hall

PRESENT

• J. Clayton, Mayor
• M. O'Connor, Councillor
• W. Bosch, Councillor
• G. Berg, Councillor
• K. O’Toole, Councillor
• W. Pilat, Councillor
• D. Bressey, Councillor
• G. Blackmore (virtual), Councillor
• C. Thiessen, Councillor

ALSO PRESENT

• S. Bourke, City Manager
• A. Miller, Deputy City Manager
• D. Whiteway, Chief Financial Officer
• B. Glavin, Chief Operating Officer
• D. Lemieux, Chief Public & Protective Services Officer
• J. MacEachern, Chief of Staff
• J. Freeman, City Solicitor
• L. Hanson, City Clerk
• S. Cajolais, Executive Director of Recreation & Culture

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

The Mayor called the meeting to order at 3:12 p.m.

2.

ADOPTION OF PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

2.1

City Council Meeting

• MOVED by M. O'Connor

  Council adopt the minutes of the City Council meeting held October 3, 2023, as presented.

  For: (9)

  D. Bressey, Mayor J. Clayton, W. Pilat, C. Thiessen, K. O’Toole, G. Berg, G. Blackmore, W. Bosch, and M. O'Connor

  CARRIED (9 to 0)

3.

ADOPTION OF AGENDA

• MOVED by C. Thiessen

  Council adopt the Agenda as presented.

  For: (9)

  D. Bressey, Mayor J. Clayton, W. Pilat, C. Thiessen, K. O’Toole, G. Berg, G. Blackmore, W. Bosch, and M. O'Connor

  CARRIED (9 to 0)

4.

DELEGATIONS

4.1

Rising Above

Mel Siggelkow and Julie Pravitz, representatives of Rising Above, were present to request funding for a new building to expand their residential addiction treatment facility. 

4.2

Brooke Blaikie

Brooke Blaikie, representative of the Mission Heights Neighbourhood Association, was present to discuss naturalization within the Mission Heights area. 

5.

REPORTS

5.1

Grande Prairie Public Library Operational Funding Request

S. Cajolais, Executive Director of Recreation and Culture, presented Council with information regarding the Grande Prairie Public Library's request for operational funding. The Grande Prairie Public Library Board has provided a breakdown of three different budget scenarios and associated impacts. 

Debra Normington, Chair of the Grande Prairie Public Library Board, and Hailey McCullough, Acting Executive Director of the Grande Prairie Public Library, were present to provide additional information and answer questions.

• MOVED by D. Bressey

  Council refer the Grande Prairie Public Library funding request for 2024-2025 to budget deliberations.

  For: (9)

  D. Bressey, Mayor J. Clayton, W. Pilat, C. Thiessen, K. O’Toole, G. Berg, G. Blackmore, W. Bosch, and M. O'Connor

  CARRIED (9 to 0)

6.

COMMITTEE BUSINESS

6.1

Financial & Administrative Services Committee

• MOVED by D. Bressey

  Council adopt the minutes of the Financial & Administrative Services Committee meeting held October 10, 2023, as presented.

  For: (9)

  D. Bressey, Mayor J. Clayton, W. Pilat, C. Thiessen, K. O’Toole, G. Berg, G. Blackmore, W. Bosch, and M. O'Connor

  CARRIED (9 to 0)

6.1.1

Meeting Highlights

Councillor Bressey provided highlights from the Financial & Administrative Services Committee meeting.

6.2

Invest GP Committee

• MOVED by W. Pilat

  Council adopt the minutes of the Invest GP Committee meeting held October 10, 2023, as presented.

  For: (9)

  D. Bressey, Mayor J. Clayton, W. Pilat, C. Thiessen, K. O’Toole, G. Berg, G. Blackmore, W. Bosch, and M. O'Connor

  CARRIED (9 to 0)

6.2.1

Meeting Highlights

Councillor Pilat provided highlights from the Invest GP Committee meeting.

6.3

Strategy & Communication Services Committee

• MOVED by G. Berg

  Council adopt the minutes of the Strategy & Communication Services Committee meeting held October 10, 2023, as presented.

  For: (9)

  D. Bressey, Mayor J. Clayton, W. Pilat, C. Thiessen, K. O’Toole, G. Berg, G. Blackmore, W. Bosch, and M. O'Connor

  CARRIED (9 to 0)

6.3.1

Meeting Highlights

Councillor Berg provided highlights from the Strategy & Communication Services Committee meeting.

6.4

Public & Protective Services Committee

• MOVED by D. Bressey

  Council adopt the minutes of the Public & Protective Services Committee meeting held October 10, 2023, as presented.

  For: (8)	D. Bressey, Mayor J. Clayton, W. Pilat, C. Thiessen, K. O’Toole, G. Berg, G. Blackmore, and W. Bosch
  Absent (1)	M. O'Connor

  CARRIED (8 to 0)

6.4.1

Indoor Climbing Wall Project

• MOVED by D. Bressey

  Council approve the location of the Indoor Climbing Wall at the Activity and Reception Centre, as recommended.

  For: (9)

  D. Bressey, Mayor J. Clayton, W. Pilat, C. Thiessen, K. O’Toole, G. Berg, G. Blackmore, W. Bosch, and M. O'Connor

  CARRIED (9 to 0)

6.4.2

Proposed Recreation Facility Site Options

• MOVED by D. Bressey

  Council select preferred site layout(s) from Options 3, 4 & 5 for the proposed recreation facility to guide the public engagement program.

  For: (9)

  D. Bressey, Mayor J. Clayton, W. Pilat, C. Thiessen, K. O’Toole, G. Berg, G. Blackmore, W. Bosch, and M. O'Connor

  CARRIED (9 to 0)
• Amendment:
  MOVED by W. Pilat

  Council amend the motion to strike Option 3.

  For: (6)	W. Pilat, C. Thiessen, K. O’Toole, G. Berg, W. Bosch, and M. O'Connor
  Opposed: (3)	D. Bressey, Mayor J. Clayton, and G. Blackmore

  CARRIED (6 to 3)
• MOVED by W. Pilat

  Council direct Administration to remove parking options from the public engagement process.

  For: (4)	W. Pilat, C. Thiessen, G. Berg, and G. Blackmore
  Opposed: (5)	D. Bressey, Mayor J. Clayton, K. O’Toole, W. Bosch, and M. O'Connor

  DEFEATED (4 to 5)
• MOVED by C. Thiessen

  Council direct Administration to, during the public engagement process, show a potential extension of the existing parking lot in Option 4 and potential east to west parking in Option 5. 

  For: (9)

  D. Bressey, Mayor J. Clayton, W. Pilat, C. Thiessen, K. O’Toole, G. Berg, G. Blackmore, W. Bosch, and M. O'Connor

  CARRIED (9 to 0)

6.4.3

Coordinated Care Campus Phase 3 Roof Replacement

• MOVED by M. O'Connor

  Council approve up to $780,000 to replace the roof at the Coordinated Care Campus from the Financial Stabilization Reserve. 

  For: (9)

  D. Bressey, Mayor J. Clayton, W. Pilat, C. Thiessen, K. O’Toole, G. Berg, G. Blackmore, W. Bosch, and M. O'Connor

  CARRIED (9 to 0)

6.4.4

Meeting Highlights

Councillor Bressey provided highlights from the Public & Protective Services Committee meeting.

6.5

Operational Services Committee

6.5.1

Playground Strategy

• MOVED by W. Bosch

  Council approve the Playground Strategy as presented in Attachment 1. 

  For: (9)

  D. Bressey, Mayor J. Clayton, W. Pilat, C. Thiessen, K. O’Toole, G. Berg, G. Blackmore, W. Bosch, and M. O'Connor

  CARRIED (9 to 0)

6.5.2

Naturalization Update

• MOVED by W. Bosch

  Council direct Administration to:

  - Adjust the Boulevard Naturalization Pilot Program to return areas adjacent to residential private property to pre-pilot mowing rotations; and

  - Adjust the Boulevard Naturalization Pilot Program to return the south portion of the 84 Avenue pilot area to pre-pilot mowing rotations to avoid future tree conflicts with existing overhead power and snow storage capacity.

  For: (9)

  D. Bressey, Mayor J. Clayton, W. Pilat, C. Thiessen, K. O’Toole, G. Berg, G. Blackmore, W. Bosch, and M. O'Connor

  CARRIED (9 to 0)

  Councillor Blackmore left the meeting at 5:34 p.m.

  
  
• MOVED by W. Bosch

  Council direct Administration to adjust city-wide locations of naturalization outside of the Boulevard Naturalization Pilot Program to accommodate FireSmart principles where possible as presented in Attachment 4. 

  For: (8)	D. Bressey, Mayor J. Clayton, W. Pilat, C. Thiessen, K. O’Toole, G. Berg, W. Bosch, and M. O'Connor
  Absent (1)	G. Blackmore

  CARRIED (8 to 0)
• Amendment:
  MOVED by D. Bressey

  Council amend the motion to add "and to remove from the Naturalization program areas of the Mission Heights Ravine where it is safe to mow.

  For: (8)	D. Bressey, Mayor J. Clayton, W. Pilat, C. Thiessen, K. O’Toole, G. Berg, W. Bosch, and M. O'Connor
  Absent (1)	G. Blackmore

  CARRIED (8 to 0)
• MOVED by W. Bosch

  Council direct Administration to bring back options and budget implications, in Q1 of 2024, to adapt the two remaining years of the Boulevard Naturalization Pilot Program to include aesthetically enhanced naturalization where desirable volunteer species do not appear.

  For: (8)	D. Bressey, Mayor J. Clayton, W. Pilat, C. Thiessen, K. O’Toole, G. Berg, W. Bosch, and M. O'Connor
  Absent (1)	G. Blackmore

  CARRIED (8 to 0)
• MOVED by W. Pilat

  Council direct Administration to bring a report to the appropriate Standing Committee regarding when and how special levies can be used, which ones are currently being used in the City, and information on any significant projects in the City's history that have been funded through this process.

  For: (8)	D. Bressey, Mayor J. Clayton, W. Pilat, C. Thiessen, K. O’Toole, G. Berg, W. Bosch, and M. O'Connor
  Absent (1)	G. Blackmore

  CARRIED (8 to 0)

6.5.3

Meeting Highlights

Councillor Bosch provided highlights from the Operational Services Committee meeting.

6.6

Council Committee of the Whole

• MOVED by M. O'Connor

  Council adopt the minutes of the Council Committee of the Whole meeting held October 11, 2023, as presented.

  For: (7)	D. Bressey, Mayor J. Clayton, W. Pilat, C. Thiessen, G. Berg, W. Bosch, and M. O'Connor
  Absent (2)	K. O’Toole, and G. Blackmore

  CARRIED (7 to 0)

7.

CORRESPONDENCE

8.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

8.1

Borrowing Bylaw C-1468

• MOVED by C. Thiessen

  Council give second reading to Borrowing Bylaw C-1468.

  For: (8)	D. Bressey, Mayor J. Clayton, W. Pilat, C. Thiessen, K. O’Toole, G. Berg, W. Bosch, and M. O'Connor
  Absent (1)	G. Blackmore

  CARRIED (8 to 0)

  Bylaw C-1468 was read for the second time.

  
  
• MOVED by C. Thiessen

  Council give third reading to Borrowing Bylaw C-1468.

  For: (8)	D. Bressey, Mayor J. Clayton, W. Pilat, C. Thiessen, K. O’Toole, G. Berg, W. Bosch, and M. O'Connor
  Absent (1)	G. Blackmore

  CARRIED (8 to 0)

  Bylaw C-1468 was read for the third time and finally passed.

  
  

9.

DELEGATION BUSINESS

9.1

Rising Above

• MOVED by D. Bressey

  Council refer the Rising Above request to budget deliberations.

  For: (8)	D. Bressey, Mayor J. Clayton, W. Pilat, C. Thiessen, K. O’Toole, G. Berg, W. Bosch, and M. O'Connor
  Absent (1)	G. Blackmore

  CARRIED (8 to 0)

9.2

Brooke Blaikie

• MOVED by C. Thiessen

  Council receive this for information.

  For: (8)	D. Bressey, Mayor J. Clayton, W. Pilat, C. Thiessen, K. O’Toole, G. Berg, W. Bosch, and M. O'Connor
  Absent (1)	G. Blackmore

  CARRIED (8 to 0)

10.

NOTICE OF MOTION

11.

RECESS

The meeting recessed from 6:00 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.

12.

DELEGATIONS (6:00 PM)

12.1

Dustin Archibald

Dustin Archibald and Sam Elwood, representatives of the Peace Country Progressive Alliance, were present to discuss inclusivity in the community. 

13.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

14.

DELEGATION BUSINESS

14.1

Dustin Archibald

• MOVED by M. O'Connor

  Council receive this presentation for information.

  For: (8)	D. Bressey, Mayor J. Clayton, W. Pilat, C. Thiessen, K. O’Toole, G. Berg, W. Bosch, and M. O'Connor
  Absent (1)	G. Blackmore

  CARRIED (8 to 0)

15.

COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS

Councillor Thiessen was busy with Deputy Mayor duties. A discussion was held at the Water North Coalition meeting regarding the lack of qualified certified water operators across both the province and country. He attended the annual WPAC summit in Drumheller and a Finance Committee meeting with Grande Spirit Foundation. Discussions were held at the Family & Community Support Services (FCSS) gathering with lots of great ideas. He attended the Engage GP event at the Eastlink Centre and brought greetings at the Sisters in Spirit Walk. Congratulations to everyone involved in the State of the Region this year.

Councillor Bressey attended his first Executive Committee meeting with Alberta Municipalities and the Future of Municipal Governance Webinar regarding CAO's in Alberta. Free transit passes are being handed out to students and the children have been very excited. Thanks to Transit staff for all their hard work and assistance to the community. 

Councillor O'Toole outlined the various ongoing initiatives from Community Futures of Grande Prairie. Discussion at the Alberta Bilingual Municipalities meeting centred on funding. He attended the Alberta Municipalities convention, a meeting with the University of Alberta, a meeting with ATCO, the Alberta Winter Games site visit, and the Engage GP event at the Eastlink Centre. He attended the Stars gala, a meeting regarding the D'Coy Hub project, and the State of the Region. 

Councillor Bosch noted that the Engage GP event was very busy. She attended the State of the Region, a tour with potential new doctors of the City, and the Support the Girls Fashion Show and Fundraiser. She was a guest judge at the Soundcheck event; congratulations to all who participated. 

Councillor O'Connor attended the Engage GP event, the fall Intermunicipal meeting, the State of the Region, and Small Business Week Walkabout. 

Councillor Berg attended the fall Intermunicipal meeting, the Engage GP event, the State of the Region, and the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre Spirit Seekers Youth Conference.

Councillor Pilat highlighted ongoing initiatives at the Grande Prairie Public Library. He attended a Nitehawk Board meeting and discussed the successful events held this season. 

Mayor Clayton attended many events already mentioned. Thanks to everyone who supported the State of the Region. She met with the Chief Operating Officer of Invest Alberta to discuss opportunities for our region. She attended the fall Intermunicipal meeting. She met with the Chief Executive Officer of Explore Edmonton and read a proclamation at Probus. Since September 15, 5 new doctors have begun working at the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital. She brought greetings at the Soundcheck event and the Spirit Seekers event. 

16.

ADJOURNMENT

The Mayor declared the meeting adjourned at 6:52 p.m.