MINUTES OF THE CITY OF GRANDE PRAIRIE

OPERATIONAL SERVICES COMMITTEE

-
Council Chambers, City Hall
MEMBERS PRESENT
  • W. Bosch, Committee Chair
  • C. Thiessen, Councillor
  • J. Clayton, Mayor
MEMBER(S) ABSENT
  • K. O’Toole, Councillor
ALSO PRESENT
  • G. Berg, Councillor
  • D. Bressey, Councillor
  • M. O'Connor, Councillor
  • W. Pilat, Councillor
  • S. Bourke, City Manager
  • B. Glavin, Chief Operating Officer
  • D. Whiteway, Chief Financial Officer
  • J. MacEachern, Chief of Staff
  • J. Freeman (virtual), City Solicitor
  • A. Van Beekveld, Council Committee Coordinator

1.
CALL TO ORDER

 

The meeting was called to order at 10:53 a.m.

2.
DELEGATIONS

 

3.
REPORTS

 

3.1
Service Area Update
Brian Glavin

 

B. Glavin, Chief Operating Officer, presented Committee with an update on the current and projected activities planned throughout the service area:

  • Energy & Environment - The annual Drop & Swap is scheduled for October 21 at Ernie Radbourne Pavilion; clothing will be accepted for donation October 18-20.
  • Engineering - Concrete work is starting this week at 112/112A Avenue and 93 Street and is anticipated to be complete before winter. The Slope Repair in Muskoseepi park north of 68 Avenue is nearing completion, with some minor landscaping to be completed in spring 2024. The Drainage project at Range Road 64 begins today; it is anticipated that all major work will be completed this year, with landscaping to be completed in spring 2024. The Spillway project is mostly complete with some minor clean-up and deficiencies expected to be completed before winter. Aquatera has a few projects that are expected to be complete before winter. 
  • Facilities - The Eastlink Aquatics area is on schedule to open as planned, with the exception of the 25m pool.
  • Transit - Late Night ridership continues to increase, with an average of 20 rides per day between 9pm-11pm. 
  • Parks - Fall turf fertilizing is ongoing. The 100 Avenue Tree Groves are complete. The International Paper Tree Grove is awaiting signage installation. Residents can now apply for the neighbourhood rink program online.
  • Transportation - Equipment being converted from summer to winter operation, with plow trucks now ready. Focus is currently on repairs of potholes in advance of winter weather.

3.2
Playground Strategy
Brian Glavin

This item has attachments. 
1.Playground Strategy Report.pdf
2.Attachment 1 - City of Grande Prairie Playground Strategy.pdf

K. DeVries, Director of Parks, presented Committee with information regarding playgrounds in the City. The proposed Playground Strategy represents a comprehensive approach to addressing the renewal of existing playgrounds and the development of alternative amenities within neighbourhood parks. 

  • MOVED byC. Thiessen

    Committee recommend Council approve the Playground Strategy as presented in Attachment 1. 

    For: (3)J. Clayton, C. Thiessen, and W. Bosch
    Absent (1)K. O’Toole
    CARRIED (3 to 0)
  • MOVED byC. Thiessen

    Committee direct Administration to bring back a report regarding the triggers that would implement the decommissioning of playgrounds within the City. 

    For: (3)J. Clayton, C. Thiessen, and W. Bosch
    Absent (1)K. O’Toole
    CARRIED (3 to 0)

3.3
Naturalization Update
Brian Glavin

This item has attachments. 
1.Naturalization Update.pdf

K. DeVries, Director of Parks, presented Committee with information regarding the Boulevard Naturalization Pilot Program. The pilot has showcased potential benefits but also challenges in harmonizing ecological objectives with community preferences and operational logistics.

  • MOVED byC. Thiessen

    Committee recommend Council direct Administration to:

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

    - 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; and

    - 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: (3)J. Clayton, C. Thiessen, and W. Bosch
    Absent (1)K. O’Toole
    CARRIED (3 to 0)
  • MOVED byC. Thiessen

    Committee direct Administration to bring a report to Council regarding a change of use from Environmental Reserve to Municipal Reserve in the Mission Heights neighbourhood.

    For: (3)J. Clayton, C. Thiessen, and W. Bosch
    Absent (1)K. O’Toole
    CARRIED (3 to 0)

4.
CORRESPONDENCE

 

5.
OTHER BUSINESS

 

6.
BYLAW & POLICY REVIEW

 

7.
OUTSTANDING ITEMS LIST

This item has attachments. 
1.16 OSC OIL October 10 2023.pdf

The Committee reviewed the Operational Services Committee Outstanding Items List for October 10, 2023.

  • MOVED byC. Thiessen

    Committee receive the October 10 Outstanding Items List, as amended, for information.

    For: (3)J. Clayton, C. Thiessen, and W. Bosch
    Absent (1)K. O’Toole
    CARRIED (3 to 0)

8.
ADJOURN

 

The meeting ended at 11:48 a.m.

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