City Council's Strategic Plan 2003

Our quality of life is envied throughout Western Canada - a magnet to continued growth and prosperity. Grande Prairie is the regional service centre and hub for North Western Alberta and the North - for trade, transportation, health, emergency services, education, recreation, entertainment, culture, social services and government services. Our Council is proactive. Together, we are creating a model leading northern city - colourful, clean and beautiful in all seasons, and competitive within our Region, Province and Nation. Community initiative and mature partnerships among preventive and emergency services are earning us our reputation as a safe city. CyberCity is positioning Grande Prairie firmly on the information highway.

Helping to make Grande Prairie 'THE GREATEST PLACE TO BE' by providing, supporting or facilitating municipal services that meet community needs and enhance quality of life for all:

• guiding planning and sustainable development to achieve an aesthetically pleasing city that is safe, practical and economically viable
• ensuring modern, efficient infrastructure to respond to the challenges of growth and economic diversification
• providing safe, convenient, innovative and efficient transportation and public transit services
• providing essential safety and security services to protect our citizens and their property - balancing prevention and emergency response
• supporting the development of parks, recreation, entertainment, and cultural facilities and opportunities - in partnership with community organizations
• coordinating environmental health initiatives and services through environmental stewardship including strategic partnerships with community organizations
• supporting the provision of services to better the social fabric of the community including the betterment of the physical, mental, social and emotional lives of our people
• striving for fairness and equity in the delivery of our services

Our efforts are guided by a commitment to:

• fiscal responsibility – meeting the needs of a growing community through allocation of resources 
• community development - working with and through our community partners wherever possible to encourage self-reliance and empowerment  
• guiding beliefs - by being a customer responsive organization that strives to be the best it can through continuously improving. We value CO-OPERATION, INTEGRITY, FLEXIBILITY, provision of quality service by CARING employees in a FUN atmosphere

The City of Grande Prairie is a regional centre for Northwestern Alberta, Northern British Columbia, the Yukon and Northwest Territories serving a trading population of over 250,000. The strong, diverse economy is bolstered by a variety of sectors including the forest industry, agriculture, oil and gas, manufacturing, housing and the commercial and entertainment industries. Grande Prairie is able to capitalize on the Alberta Advantage of lower tax rates and no provincial sales tax.

The strength of our region is manifest in our facilities. Some of our most notable facilities are: the Regional Airport, Regional College, Peace Library System and the Regional Health Authority Queen Elizabeth II Hospital. Social Service facilities and agencies have a strong regional focus including the Northern Addictions Centre, Grande Prairie Regional Emergency Medical Services, Centre 2000, and the Grande Prairie Regional Agriculture Society. All add to the Northern Regional Centre concept.

City Council enhances and reinforces our Northern Regional Centre by facilitating and stimulating discussions around such diverse topics as: improved land and air based transportation links, tourism, economic development activities, partnership opportunities with other municipalities and activities designed to enhance further growth of our trading and entertainment area.

Council continues to promote strong ties with senior governments.

GOAL:

1.1 To facilitate the improvement of transportation links that focus on Grande Prairie as the hub for airport, bus scheduling, distribution, highway and rail access.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To work with the Airport's Board of Directors to continually update the Airport's business plan.
2. The foundation of a successful relationship between City Council and the Board of Directors of the Airport is financial responsibility, risk management and communication.
3. To work on our transportation links to ensure they enhance our City as a tourist destination.
4. To work with regional and community stakeholders to improve the ground transportation system and trade routes in the area.

1.2 To support initiatives to maintain and improve Grande Prairie as a trading, service, recreational, entertainment, health care and education centre.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To facilitate initiatives to create a distinctive community where people can shop, do business, access a variety of services and professionals, and participate in recreational and entertainment activities.
2. To stimulate and participate in opportunities to market and profile our community.
3. To work with the Community to attract sports, entertainment, cultural and trading activities.
4. To encourage initiatives that enhance the regional role of health care and educational activities in our community.
5. To enhance local/regional collaboration and improve the inter-regional competitive advantage.
6. To plan and implement the transition to our new City Hall.

GOAL:

1.3 To enhance the regional nature of the City by promoting a strong Federal and Provincial Government presence in Grande Prairie and to raise the visibility of Grande Prairie within other levels of government.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To raise awareness of appropriate representatives of other levels of government, as to the viability of Grande Prairie as a Regional Centre for other senior government agencies and services.
2. To regularly meet with our Members of the Legislative Assembly and Members of Parliament.

GOAL:

1.4 To develop innovative partnerships with other regional organizations, working cooperatively to enhance regional initiatives.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To create synergy and alignment on regional initiatives City Council will host annual meetings with a variety of groups such as: Grande Prairie Regional College, School Districts, Mistahia Regional Health Authority and neighboring municipal councils.
2. To achieve a working partnership with municipalities in our region.

GOAL:

1.5 To continue to promote Grande Prairie as a visitor destination stop.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To partner in the operation of Centre 2000 with the Grande Prairie Chamber of Commerce, community groups and the private sector.
2. To work with the Grande Prairie Regional Tourism Association to promote Grande Prairie as a visitor destination.

GOAL:

1.6 To support the continuous learning of our staff and council through an increasing emphasis on training in the City's corporate budget and shared opportunities with educational institutions.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To progressively increase the training budget of the City of Grande Prairie for staff and council professional development.
2. To continue the development of the Community Knowledge Campus in partnership with local school boards and community groups.
3. To actively partner with community organizations or institutions to develop increased access to higher levels of educational opportunities locally.

FOCUS AREA:

The City of Grande Prairie intends to maintain its role as being fiscally responsible. We have pursued an aggressive course of debt reduction and sound financial management for the past ten years. Capital projects have been funded on a pay-as-you-go basis while the City has become very efficient in its operations to obtain this level of fiscal responsibility. Having said this, the realities of becoming a Northern Regional Centre have placed tremendous pressure upon the infrastructure and facilities to the point where serious examinations must be undertaken to balance need with ability to pay. In other words, assessment growth is not matching the needs of our growing regional centre.

Part of the reality of being fiscally responsible is that various needs are fulfilled on a delayed or at best, on a "just in time" basis. This approach creates problems as the tendency to defer maintenance items exists. While the City's debt management policy has been successful and the City's ultimate goal of being debt free one day is very admirable, the current realities suggest we must review our current debt policies. These realities are further reinforced by insufficient provincial grants, which are not likely to improve in the near future.

The City of Grande Prairie has been recognized as the eighth best location in Alberta for investment. Population growth and construction continue at a rapid pace. The city has recently increased in size due to annexation and we continue to partner with organizations in the region to enhance the quality of life for all.

What remains is for a serious look at our ability to fiscally support our growth. We must balance our desire to keep taxes fair and meet the demands being created by today's reality.

GOAL:

2.1 To develop financial systems that result in the efficient and effective utilization of resources.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To maintain a demographic profile (both historical and forecasting) on the City for use in our planning process.
2. To seek out opportunities to conduct pilot projects.
3. To establish a process to deal with shifting priorities resulting in budget adjustments.
4. To conduct a gap analysis with respect to levels of service.

GOAL:

2.2 To lobby the Province to ensure appropriate financial roles and responsibilities of the Province versus municipalities are maintained and equitable funding is established in the areas of education, health, social services, recreation, culture, transportation, tax revenues and debt management.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To lobby the Province to allow a tax collection fee to be included in the school mill rates established for payment of the education requisitions.
2. To work with the Province to reduce education funding from the municipal tax levy and allow transportation infrastructure requirements to become a responsibility of municipalities.
3. To lobby the Province to restructure the Alberta Municipal Financing Corporation to allow for control and management of AMFC to be assumed by the municipalities.
4. To invite Provincial and Federal Ministers that visit the City to meet with Council.

GOAL:

2.3 To review the costs of providing services on a regional basis and move to cost sharing or revenue sharing agreements to ensure equity within the Grande Prairie region.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To foster and stimulate growth throughout the region.
2. To seek, develop and implement regional opportunities.
3. To review our fees, charges and grant policies with respect to regional services.
4. To establish a regionally focused utility corporation.

GOAL:

2.4 To reduce or eliminate red tape and non-value added processes.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To review all policies and by laws when and where appropriate.
2. To review all processes and procedures where appropriate.
3. To rewrite policies and by laws in plain language.
4. To review the tendering practices to ensure an efficient process.

GOAL:

2.5 To continue to lobby for control of property rights within municipal rights-of-ways.

GOAL:

2.6 To support the enhancement of our downtown.

1. To develop a downtown area enhancement plan through the current working group.
2. To promote and facilitate the beautification and cleanliness of our downtown.

GOAL:

2.7 To develop and maintain infrastructure that provides for safe utilities, facilities, and transportation systems, ensuring timely preventive maintenance.

1. To provide adequate resources through financial planning and capital project prioritization to ensure development, maintenance and replacement of infrastructure in a timely manner.
2. To continue with ongoing development and implementation of operating and maintenance management systems integrated with our corporate Geographic Information Systems that provide for cost-effective operations, timely preventive maintenance and life-cycle replacement.

FOCUS AREA:

The City of Grande Prairie is a Smart City with modern and technologically advanced infrastructure to meet the demands of the information age. The Cyber City concept and the joint venture project between the other public and private agencies accelerate our community in the information age. This initiative creates tremendous economic development opportunities and growth.

We are a leader in computer technology and broadband information transfer. Citizens and visitors to our community have instant on-line demands, which are being met. Our business community is pushing the on-line concept and so citizen demands and interest in public information areas are emerging. On-line forums, instant democracy, on going, instantaneous communication links with taxpayers and expanded entertainment demands will continue to improve. The question for us is; "Will we be ready for it?" Our answer is "Yes we are!"

Our presence on the World Wide Web provides our citizens and the world with another method to interact with us when it is most convenient for them. Our involvement in constructing the fiber optic ring in our community will ensure that we not only succeed in the future but also WIN.

From a corporate perspective, the City continues to upgrade our local area networks and tie all major City facilities into a fiber optic network. Together with our leading edge technology backbone, our staff and policy makers have access to timely and accurate information. This is a direct result of our tightly integrated business unit databanks, which are ultimately providing our corporate decision makers with timely information to better prepare them for critical decision making opportunities they are faced with in this global economy.

Grande Prairie has positioned itself with the foundation that will support our success. Smart People, Smart Agencies, Smart Business and Smart Infrastructure.

GOAL:

3.1 To pursue an Internationally Connected Initiative.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To market the internationally connected community initiative to increase public awareness in Grande Prairie.
2. To enhance the City's presence on the Internet with improvements to the City's home page on the World Wide Web, including increased use of images and links to other home pages in Grande Prairie.
3. To work on joint projects within our Community to pursue technology initiatives and funding opportunities (i.e. Alberta Science and Research Council).
4. To enhance public access to Council and provide insight to the decision making process and grow the two-way communication process.

3.2 To continue development of an integrated geographic-based information system database to enhance all geographical-based applications in the City and in the region.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To develop and maintain the integrated Geographic Information System for City use.
2. To develop applications to enhance Geographic Information System use - fire (regional), police, ambulance, assessment, permits, public works utilities, etc.
3. To continue to develop and encourage integrated and compatible Geographic Information System applications for marketing to others.
4. To develop and promote an Internet based economic and tourism GIS application, that is available to the citizens of Grande Prairie and the world.

3.3 To market our website as a system for requests, sale and payment of municipal services to the City and the region.

GOAL:

3.4 To continue to promote Internet use within the community enabling all citizens to participate in our Cyber City advantage.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To increase awareness of public Internet access points in co-operation with the Public Library, the Centre for Business Development and other community partners.
2. To continue to develop an Internet line bill payment system for customer use.

Grande Prairie places high importance on ensuring that our families can walk our streets, play in our parks and shop in our malls and stores in safety. The RCMP and a well-equipped and modern Fire Department provide us with added protection and peace of mind. We have achieved amalgamation of our R.C.M.P. and Bylaw Services providing consistent service to meet community needs. Our Advanced Life Support Regional Emergency service together with the multifaceted Queen Elizabeth II Hospital helps in meeting our emergency medical needs.

A well-developed utilities system ensures a safe supply of drinking water and an efficient sewage system. Our transportation system and line painting program are well maintained and adds to our feeling of safety and security. Our safety codes services have expanded adding gas and electrical inspections to complement building and plumbing inspections provided to ensure a safe built environment.

GOAL:

4.1 To continue to support the RCMP "Community Policing" initiatives and provide visible assurance of safety to the citizens of Grande Prairie.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To ensure the police presence in Grande Prairie is enhanced by encouraging bike and foot patrols by the RCMP.
2. To continue the joint management of operations between the RCMP and Bylaw Enforcement providing wider community coverage for safety.
3. To review the parking lots of all City facilities to ensure adequate lighting is in place to provide security.
4. To review street lighting, pedestrian trails and parks to ensure adequate lighting is in place to provide security.

GOAL:

4.2 To maintain emergency response time of the City's emergency services (fire, police, and ambulance) at agreed standards.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To continue initiatives that enhance fire protection.
2. To work with other municipalities, the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to seek funding from the Federal and Provincial Governments for emergency and police services.
3. To annually monitor, review, evaluate and report on emergency response time standards based on statistical data.
4. To continue evaluation of the emergency co-response system.
5. To continue to make Grande Prairie safe (Fire, Police, Bylaw, Utilities, Roads, Sidewalks) and explore the provision of City services after normal business hours.

GOAL:

4.3 To encourage partnerships and fully coordinated preventive and emergency services (RCMP, Fire, Ambulance, By-law and Dispatch).

OBJECTIVES:

1. To facilitate disaster services training and disaster committee communication sessions at least annually.
2. To encourage the work of Technical Search and Rescue.

GOAL:

4.4 To improve roadway conditions throughout the City.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To reduce or eliminate potholes.
2. To expand the overlay program.
3. To construct new roadways where needed.
4. To work towards the elimination of gravel roads within City limits.

GOAL:

4.5 To encourage the development of expanded Neighborhood Watch and Safe Communities initiatives.

GOAL:

4.6 To improve the provision of snow management services in Grande Prairie.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To review the processes and procedures for snow removal in the downtown area.
2. To change design standards of subdivisions to recognize the reality of the level of service for snow removal and storage.

FOCUS AREA:

Outdoor adventures are plentiful in Grande Prairie: downhill and cross-country skiing, sledding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and hunting.  The lakes and rivers in and around Grande Prairie provide many water sports: boating, canoeing, sailing, kayaking, water skiing, swimming and, of course, great fishing. Outdoor sporting venues like the many golf courses in the area, campground facilities, and passive and active park systems all add to our quality of life. Muskoseepi Park is the jewel of the park system featuring miles of nature trails, a fishing pond, birdwatching, amphitheater, museum, baseball, tennis, basketball, an outdoor pool, picnic areas and playgrounds. Just minutes from the City, Evergreen Park provides exciting sports entertainment such as rodeos, chuckwagon racing, pari-mutuel racing, agricultural shows and much more.

The Crystal Centre, our premier entertainment and recreation venue features one of our communities many hockey rinks. We are proud of our other facilities like the Leisure Centre, Indoor Soccer Centre and Twin Ice Arenas. We support and encourage local groups to be self-reliant success stories like Grande Prairie Minor Hockey, Prairie Art Gallery, Grande Prairie Little Theatre, Centre for Creative Arts, the Curling Club and the Swim Club, to name a few. The Grande Prairie Regional College boasts the only performing arts auditorium in Northern Alberta. The Prairie Art Gallery, our class A art gallery, adds to our cultural enjoyment.

Recognizing there are social responsibilities of both the Federal and Provincial governments beyond that of the City, we will be a strong voice to assure the residents of our community receive fair and equitable treatment. Through community organizations and the Grande Spirit Foundation, we are addressing housing for elements of our population. Through FCSS and funding support for programs, we are working with numerous social agencies and groups to meet identified social needs of our community.

GOAL:

5.1 To advocate to other levels of government and other funders on behalf of our citizens social needs.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To work with our community organizations to create self-reliant and empowered organizations and citizens.
2. To work with social service organizations and other funders to maximize appropriate funding assistance in providing to citizens in need.
3. To advocate a global solution to our social housing needs.
4. To support continued development of health care services in the community.
5. To promote the development of palliative care services including a hospice with the Mistahia Health Authority and other agencies.

GOAL:

5.2 To maintain a process for evaluating the level of City support for Community Groups.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To review the recommendations of any City social needs report.

GOAL:

5.3 To participate in and promote positive actions regarding housing and homelessness based on the needs of the community.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To partner with the Grande Spirit Foundation and other relevant organizations.

GOAL:

5.4 To work with community organizations to support adequate opportunities and facilities for leisure and cultural activities.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To review and implement, where appropriate, the Major Recreation Facilities Plan.
2. To facilitate, review and implement a cultural opportunities and facilities plan.
3. To continue to support a community based model for social and cultural groups.
4. To investigate the feasibility of improved utilization of the Canada Games Arena through capital enhancements.

GOAL:

5.5 To partner with the Grande Prairie Museum on initiatives in the area of archives.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To support a City archives program.
2. To support a regional archives.

FOCUS AREA:

The beauty of Grande Prairie is mainfest in the community pride and dedication creating, nurturing and promoting an even more beautiful and healthy northern City. Grande Prairie is colourful, clean and attractive in all seasons.

The community has an extensive urban forest of trees and shrubs that beautifies, protects from wind, provides shade and improves air quality, all contributing to a healthy, vibrant City. Our Urban Park system features over 1,000 acres of parkland and is constantly expanding for present and future residents and visitors to enjoy. Parks, trails and natural areas provide space to enjoy nature, ensure ecological beauty, maintain clean air and water, and help preserve plant and animal wildlife, most notably, the Trumpeter Swan. The trail network has become an important corridor linking the community and encouraging leisure activity.

Every City entrance creates a first impression of a growing Community offering quality living space. Downtown beautification supports Grande Prairie's image as the 'greatest place to be' with planters, hanging flower baskets, festive lighting and banners adding colour to the excitement of the downtown core. Flower planting is a civic priority, inspiring every property owner to get involved in beautifying the community.

Residents, organizations and businesses have aligned themselves with programs promoting beautification and environmental stewardship through the use of flowers, plants, trees and environmental initiatives. Community pride is exhibited through partnerships and participation in programs such as Communities in Bloom, Downtown Beautification, and facilities such as Centre 2000, Community Knowledge Campus and the Eco Centre.

GOAL:

6.1 To promote year round colour in Grande Prairie.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To support partnerships and implement a beautification theme that promotes the use of flower plantings, pageantry, lighting and coordinated colour schemes.
2. To promote success of the annual Communities in Bloom summer and winter programs.

GOAL:

6.2 To promote beautification schemes in Grande Prairie.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To continue the beautification, landscaping and pedestrian trail system plan.
2. To continue, in conjunction with the Downtown Association, the Downtown Beautification Program.
3. To continue to expand the festive lighting plan for the City.

GOAL:

6.3 To continue the removal of overhead power lines throughout the City to improve the physical attractiveness of the City.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To continue removal of overhead power lines over several years, with recovery of the costs of removal and underground replacement.
2. To incorporate into development requirements, developer relocation of overhead power lines to underground services.

GOAL:

6.4 To improve the cleanliness and appearance of the city.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To review the street and sidewalk sweeping program with a view to enhancing the level of service.

GOAL:

6.5 To develop attractive entry features to the City.

FOCUS AREA:

As the regional centre, the City of Grande Prairie will continue to demonstrate leadership in the efficient management of our eco footprint and the growth of our community, enhancing the sensitive balance between the two. Our quality of life is a key indicator to the successful balance of this equation.

Grande Prairie's vision of sustainable community development is founded on the principles of three pillars: social, environmental and economic. As a City, we role model these principles and inspire private developers to adopt them.

Our community includes healthy, natural areas. Our neighborhoods are safe and accessible. We demonstrate efficient use of resources , land, transportation, and servicing in our planning and development. Wherever possible, we encourage areas to reflect our sense of place.

Physical development protects the quality and integrity of ecosystems, conserves natural resources, preserves cultural heritage and uses infrastructure practices and building design to reduce the consumption of water, energy, and materials. Our City continues to be the regional leaders in energy and water conservation, waste minimization and environmental stewardship.

Grande Prairie has invested over $2 million in Cyber City and electronic services creatively to facilitate our residents and businesses abilities to sustainably grow in this important area.

As a City, we are committed to a co-ordinated community response to the social housing needs for our less fortunate residents. While housing is a senior government responsibility, the City of Grande Prairie will be a leader in bringing needs and resources together.

SOCIAL GOALS:

7.1 To manage growth and develop a "Smart Growth Strategy".

ENVIRONMENTAL GOALS:

7.2 To seek opportunities to minimize the use of chemicals and their impact on our environment.

7.3 To continue our commitment to responsible energy use and to maintaining balance in our local and regional eco systems.

7.4 As a Partner in Climate Protection, to seek opportunities to reduce green house gas emissions.

7.5 To incorporate water and energy conservation features into facilities.

7.6 To ensure our plans for growth incorporate sustainable community principles and encourage responsible public transportation practices.

ECONOMIC GOALS:

7.7 To develop a community energy plan, complete with energy and financial impacts.

7.8 To continue to promote waste minimization with an emphasis on commercial/industrial waste diversion and recycling.

7.9 To support creation of local district heating systems and complete the detailed district heating feasibility study in 2003.