Here are the highlights from the City Council meeting held on August 26, 2019:
Council Endorses Mayor Given Involvement with AUMA
City Council endorsed Mayor Given to run for a second term as a Board Director for the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association. The position provides the opportunity for the Mayor to sit on a number of panels and committees such as the Power and Natural Gas Consumers Panel, ALERT Civilian Advisory Committee, Joint Operating Committee, and the Municipal Governance Standing Committee.
CUPE Collective Agreement
The City of Grande Prairie and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Local 787 have agreed to terms of a Collective Agreement for a three-year term from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021.
Pursuit of Excellence Committee
City Council appointed Morgan Reid Dunphy to the Pursuit of Excellence committee to fill a vacant position until the end of 2020.
Complaint Adjudication Committee
City Council approved the Terms of Reference for a Complaint Adjudication Committee. The committee plays an important role in reviewing complaints received by the City regarding the breach of the Council Code of Conduct.
The committee will also have the authority to appoint an independent third party adjudicator/investigator if the committee deems it necessary to investigate a complaint. The committee will consist of three public members appointed by Council for a term of 3 years, with possibility of one re-appointment of 3 years.
Independent Legal Advice for Council
Council approved a policy and procedure outlining the steps for City Council to obtain independent legal advice.
Policy 122 and Procedure 122.1 are closely tied to the Council Code of Conduct. They only require City Councillors to get independent legal advice if there is a conflict of interest or pecuniary interest.
Bylaw C-1395A - Fees, Rates, and Charges Bylaw Amendment
City Council amended the Fees, Rates, and Charges bylaw. The amendments add a minimum cost of $220 to the lot grading service for commercial/industrial lots, as well as update some costs for childcare at the Dave Barr Community Centre.
Bylaw 1260-109 - Amendment to the Land Use Bylaw
City Council gave second reading to an amendment to the Land Use Bylaw. The amendment would see a section of land adjacent to existing farmland in the Trader Ridge area currently zoned for commercial use changed back to urban reserve. Third reading will occur at a future City Council meeting.