Reeve's Message
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WINTER 2019 Interim Budget Meetings Pg. 3 Regional Fire Service Update Pg. 11-12 Agriculture Programs Pg. 18-19 County Property Inspections Pg. 23 Community Standards Bylaw Pg. 3-5 Fire Safety Pg. 13 Dust Control Pg. 19 A Season of Great Landscaping Pg. 24 All About Enforcement Pg. 6-8 Recycling & Waste Management Pg. 13-16 Parks & Recreation Programs Pg. 19-20 Farm Building Code Pg. 25 Snow Removal Pg. 9-10 Growing the North Pg. 17 Family & Community Services Pg. 21-23 Crosslink County Sportsplex Pg. 26-27 Reeve’s Message We’re heading into a new season, and Enhanced RCMP officers, bringing our new total to eight for the County that means we are positions. These roles will commence in the new year, preparing for annual interim budget with the two individuals working out of the Beaverlodge deliberations. Responsible fiscal detachment with Beaverlodge RCMP Officers. Their focus management and a commitment will be on rural crime within the west area of the County. to growing the County by investing These additional resources will also allow our current on what matters most to residents Enhanced RCMP Officers to focus their efforts on policing and businesses guide our decision- the balance of the County. Read more about the County’s making. This includes investing Regional Enforcement Services work in keeping our in critical operations, services and communities safe on pages 6,7 and 8. programs that support a strong sense We’re also looking forward to the 2020 opening of the La of well-being, as well as partnerships and initiatives that Glace Fire Hall. The new hall will accommodate larger, more promote innovation and responsible, sustainable growth. modern equipment and include a dedicated training area. We’ll also be considering the current economic environment Infrastructure investments in our hamlets support the well- and government policies (particularly on the heels of two being of rural communities, helping them prosper and thrive elections), which both influence budget talks. into the future. Read through the following pages of this issue of During our consultation with the Peace Wapiti School Connections to dive deeper into some of the priorities Division Board, they had identified a need for a rural school underway or on the table for discussion. Budget deliberations site. Upon further discussion with the Five Mile Community are open to the public, so join us starting December 4th. Agricultural Society, it became evident that there was BUILDING STRONG, SAFE AND an opportunity for the County to purchase the hall and HEALTHY COMMUNITIES surrounding lands to accommodate future growth. The County’s acquisition of the hall and lands will take effect Safe and healthy communities is about weaving public on December 31. A search for an operator of the facility safety and wellness expectations and practices into policies, is underway. As there is an interest in developing a future programs and infrastructure. school on the site, Council felt it was important to plan Fostering safe communities is a main priority for Council. ahead, to ensure that the site use complements future plans There are challenges to policing that the County and rural for the nearby lands. municipalities face, which is why we developed the first and Road safety also plays a critical role in the overall well- one of the most comprehensive models of service delivery being of the residents and businesses across the entire for enforcement in the province. This model offers a full level region. In our last budget, the County committed 53.3 per of enforcement services ranging in responsibilities and allows cent of the entire budget on our transportation network the County to address the varied and complex demands our which includes capital and operational costs for capital municipality faces. road construction projects, the bridge program and road We recognize that our community’s needs are becoming maintenance program. While the wet conditions presented greater and to better address these growing complexities, several unexpected setbacks for work this year, any delayed in August, Council approved funding for two additional construction projects will be completed next year. countygp.ab.ca 1 Council also approved an additional $5 million to repair you to everyone who provided their feedback for the service Spring Creek Road. Some preliminary work has commenced, through our most recent evaluation survey. and we have applied for a permit through Fisheries and Once again, we’re pleased to partner in the Growing the Oceans Canada to move forward with the remainder with the North Conference. As the largest economic development rest of the project. conference in northwestern Alberta, having an event of this Road safety extends to our winter season and a new season of caliber right at our back door is a tremendous opportunity snow removal. Our crews aim to clear County roads as quickly for industry leaders and local entrepreneurs. Stay tuned for as possible. A new temporary parking ban process is now in an exciting announcement from the MD of Greenview, the place in Clairmont and select subdivisions to ensure crews County of Grande Prairie and the City of Grande Prairie can safely and efficiently plow roads in those neighbourhoods. regarding the Tri-Municipal Partnership. It’s easy for residents to stay in the know about County snow ADVOCACY removal and temporary parking bans 24-7. Simply visit www. countygp.ab.ca/snowremoval. Thanks for your cooperation as Council received the findings of a cost-benefit analysis of we work to keep our roads safe for everyone. the proposed twinning of the first 19-kilometre stretch of Highway 40. The proposed project is expected to generate RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES a net social benefit of approximately $483.7 million over 30 Don’t let the snow stop you from participating in some great years, and most importantly, improve overall safety of those recreation opportunities throughout the County. On page using this busy highway. Additional benefits include travel 20 you can learn more about how the County can help your time cost savings. While initially, the provincial government neighbourhood build an ice surface and find out what’s had originally announced construction would start, the available in our County parks over the winter. And don’t miss study indicates that Alberta Transportation is projecting the Winter Family Frostival event over the Family Day long a 2022 start, with the road fully operational in 2024, no weekend! For more details, see page 19. announcement has since been made on a project start-date. We continue to advocate for a commitment to a timely start I’m also very proud of the enhancements to our Recreation to the project. Fee Assistance Program. This program aims to reduce financial barriers for low-income families and individuals in We also continue our advocacy efforts around a number accessing fitness and recreation activities. Today, even more of other priorities, including local highway projects, the County residents will be able to access subsidies for local Beaverlodge Healthcare Centre, the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur state-of-the-art facilities. Museum, rural crime and more. I also want to remind you about the local support services In closing, I would like to thank our CAO Joulia Whittleton available for those dealing with anxiety, depression and for her leadership in her new role. Over the past six months, mental health issues. This is especially important for our Joulia has proven to be a strong and capable leader who farming sector, which has experienced a great deal of stress brings staff together to work toward the common goal of due to weather over this past year. Visit the Suicide Prevention moving the County forward. We appreciate her great work. Resource Centre website for information about supports. As we head into this holiday season and new year, take the REGIONAL COOPERATION AT WORK time to enjoy all that it brings. On behalf of County Council, I wish you and yours a very safe and Merry Christmas and a The County recently signed an Intermunicipal Collaboration happy, prosperous new year. Framework (ICF) agreement with the Municipal District (MD) of Greenview and an Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) agreement with Birch Hills County. In many ways, these agreements are “good neighbour agreements.” ICFs define how neighbouring municipalities will work together with respect to service delivery and cost-sharing. IDPs establish the framework for cooperative and coordinated land use planning, economic development, and servicing County Office and transportation, while maintaining autonomy for each community to decide how to best manage their services. We Holiday Hours continue to work with our neighbours to complete these ICFs by the targeted date of April 1, 2020. Visit engage.countygp. The County Offices will be closed from noon on December 24 ab.ca to learn more. to December 26, 2019 for Christmas break as well as on New Year’s Day on January 1, 2020. All essential services will be We’re approaching year two of the Rural Transportation maintained during office closures. Pilot Project, which provides public transportation on the County Connector from the City to the communities of Hythe, Regular office hours will resume Thursday, January 2, 2020. Beaverlodge, Wembley, Sexsmith and Clairmont. Thank If you have any questions, please contact 780-532-9722. 2 Community Standards Bylaw Continues to Support Community Vitality and Well-being How do I Report a Community The County’s Community Standards