Valuable Volunteers
Mayor Dwight Logan recognized three longstanding volunteers with the George Repka Award – Jerry Petryshyn and Lynne Coulter and Donna Coulter.
The award is named after George Repka, the first elected Mayor when Grande Prairie became a City. He made a substantial contribution of time and effort to the betterment of our community.
Since 1987, this distinction has been bestowed on individuals who have significantly contributed as volunteers to the improvement of the quality of life within the community in the areas of recreation, culture or social services.
Previous winners have included an array of community builders and leaders from a variety of backgrounds.
Jerry Petryshyn has taught history at Grande Prairie Regional College for 32 years and now serves as the Dean of Health and Wellness. He’s also an author. Jerry is a graduate of York University in Toronto and received his Ph.D from the University of Western Ontario in London.
His list of contributions to our community includes:
National Historic Sites and Monuments Board
Grande Prairie Museum Board Member
Chairman of the 2005 History Centennial Project, which produced the two-volume Alberta Encyclopedia.
South Peace Regional Archives Steering Committee
Grande Prairie Heritage Building Inventory Committee
Faculty Member rep on GPRC Board of Governors for two terms.
President of the GPRC Faculty Association
Member of the Grande Prairie Library Board
Member of the Alberta Press Council, 2004-2008, Vice Chair, 2007-2008
President of the Ukrainian Catholic Church from 1994-2006
Lynne and Donna Coulter have been heavily involved in volunteering for several different organizations in the community. They have each been active in the Lions Club for more than 35 years. They saw a need in our community and envisioned the Lions Learning Centre.
Their involvement has included:
Lions Park
Grande Prairie Regional College Bursaries
CNIB
Society for Support to Pregnant and Parenting Teens
BRIDGE Network
Sri Lanka Foster Child Program
QEII Hospital Foundation
Alberta Diabetes Research
Canadian Red Cross
Grande Prairie and District Burn Society
Camp Tamarack
Grande Prairie Public Library
Putting the I in Innovation
City Council adopted a brand based on the City’s innovative culture by accepting the Final Report from Consultant Great Destination Strategies.
Administration was directed to report back with an implementation strategy that includes budget implications and priorities. Part of this process will be to examine the connection between the brand and other processes, including the new Municipal Development Plan, the 100th Anniversary celebrations, the website redesign, the Multiplex construction, and the Business Visitation Program.
The Brand Statement is: Opportunities Through Innovation. This is not a slogan, rather an illustration that innovation has touched all aspects of community life.
A Brand Alliance Group, comprised of community leaders and representatives of community groups, will assist in having the brand integrated throughout the city.
Development Plan Receives Approval
Second and Third Readings were given to Bylaw C-1237 to adopt the Municipal Development Plan. The Bylaw was given First Reading in December and the public hearing was set over to Monday’s meeting for amendments to be considered.
Council heard presentations from several individuals and organizations during the public hearing and addressed concerns through a number of amendments to the Plan.
The Plan guides growth over the next 20 years.
Focus Areas include: Growth Management; Urban Design; Residential Development, Neighbourhoods and Housing; Economic Development; Commercial Development; Industrial Development; Parks, Recreation, Community Services, and Heritage; The Natural Environment; Community Mobility; Infrastructure; and Inter-Municipal Planning.
The Plan includes an implementation strategy.
Nuclear Presentation
Council heard a presentation from Joanna Moen, on behalf of Nuclear Free Alberta and concerned citizens, along with Alura Henault and Kora Morris of SPOC (Stop Polluting Our Community), requesting Council investigate passing a bylaw declaring Grande Prairie a Nuclear Free-Zone.
The issue was referred to the next Environment Committee Meeting on Feb. 1.
Pipeline Update
Kevin Brown, Enbridge Community Relations Co-ordinator, provided Council with an update on the Northern Gateway project.
The project, which would involve oil being transported from Bruderheim, Alberta to Kitimat, B.C. in a dual pipeline project, is expected to enter the approval process in March and could take three years. Plans call for oil to go through 36” pipe to the west coast, destined for Asian markets while condensate would go to Edmonton from Kitimat via a 20”pipe.
Should the project proceed, Grande Prairie would be an integral service centre.
Land Use Bylaw Amendment
A public hearing date of Feb. 22 was set to consider C-1100-157 to amend the Land Use Bylaw to rezone Lot 1, Block 4, Plan 062-1904 (10122-124 Ave.) from Commercial Transition (CT) zoning to Arterial Commercial (CA). This amendment would enable the location of an automotive rental facility.
Public Hearing Set
A public hearing was scheduled for Feb. 22 to consider Bylaw C-1100-156 to rezone property from Residential Transition (RT) to Mixed Use Development (MX). This would permit the development of an affordable housing complex. The affected properties are at 10405-and 10407 102 Street and 10132-104 Ave.
Digital Sign Display
Council gave approval to sign permit application S09-0286 for a billboard sign and static display on the north face and a static display on the south face, located at 9401-108 Street, on the Canfor property.
Development Authority
Council approved the appointment of Kim Brock as a Development Authority to perform development powers and duties on behalf of the City, in accordance with Land Use Bylaw C-1100.
2010 Capital Plan Amendment
A Capital Plan amendment was approved to include the 102 Street Redesign Feasibility Study.
Municipal Government Day Theme Approved
Council approved Celebrating Safe Communities as the theme for Municipal Government Day, scheduled for June 9 at Muskoseepi Park. The event features family entertainment, City information and equipment displays, and Municipal Olympics.
Aquatera Request
Council agreed to a waiver of dividends as requested by Aquatera. This has an impact of $450,000 for the municipality.
Public Member Honorariums
Council voted to continue the City’s existing honorarium practice where only public members appointed to the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board and the Assessment Review Board receive honorariums.
Multiplex Vendor
Council approved the award of RFP 28-400-09 to Jugo Juice to operate the snack kiosk and catering services at the Aquatics and Wellness Multiplex. This is the first commercial partner for the facility, due to be opened in Summer 2011. The project is nearly 50 per cent complete.
Board and Committee Appointments
Ralph Gray was appointed to the Grande Prairie Public Library Board for the remainder of a term ending Dec. 31, 2011.
Hywell Williams was appointed to the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board for a one year term, ending Dec. 31, 2010.
Tab Pollack, Karen Prokopowich and Jason Sawatzky will serve on the Council Remuneration Review Committee.
