County Sportsplex - County of Grande Prairie No. 1

County
Connections
June 2011
The County of Grande Prairie No. 1
2011
County Sportsplex
Photo Contest
The County and Watson's
Foto Source present the 2011
Photo Contest "Highlights of
the County".
The County has retained the Workun Garrick
Partnership to provide architectural services and
Kaldon Construction to serve as Construction
Manager. The architect has prepared design
drawings that were used to help define the scale
and scope of the project for budget purposes. The
early renderings and site plans consist of twin ice
surfaces and an indoor soccer pitch.
Visit www.countygp.ab.ca for
information on how to enter.
What’s Inside
The design of the Sportsplex will utilize a preengineered building. Tenders for the structure
were received and the low bidder was Clark
Builders from Red Deer. Consequently, the County
has ordered the steel for the building. Tenders
for the ice plant are still in the evaluation stages.
Decisions on these two important components
were needed in order to allow for the architects
to move forward with the balance of the detailed
design for the facility. It is expected that the
detailed design will be completed by the end of
June to allow for a tender process to occur in July.
Preliminary design work continues on the field
complex that will surround the facility.
Bringing our communities and region cl
oser togeth
e
Site Plan
r
Resident Survey Results 2
Home Support
3
Rural Beautification
4
Agriculture Programs 5
Landfill Information
6
County Financial 6&7
Rural Addressing 8
Enforcement Services 9
Fire Season 10 & 11
County Day Trips 12
County Calendar of Events 13
Enjoy your County Parks 14
Dinosaur Initiative 15
User Input Survey 16
Economic Development 17
County History
18
Bicycle Recycling Program
19
Contact Information
20
County of Grande Prairie
Residents are Happy with
their Quality of Life and
with the County’s
Performance Overall
A new Ipsos Reid study on behalf of the County of Grande
Prairie shows that residents are happy to live in their
community; they feel the quality of life is high, and they
are generally satisfied with their municipal government’s
performance.
Overall, 96% of residents rate the quality of life in the
county as very good (35%) or good (61%). Moreover, more
than twice as many residents say quality of life is improving
versus those who say that it’s worsened (26% versus 12%)
This general sense of pride in the community is further
reinforced by 93% of county residents agreeing that they are
proud to live in the County of Grande Prairie, including 55%
of all residents strongly agreeing with this statement.
There is general optimism about the future of the County
among residents: 93% of residents agree that the County of
Grande Prairie is a community with a bright future and 93%
agree that the County of Grande Prairie is a great community
to raise a family.
Residents are also quite positive about the quality of
programs and services provided by the County of Grande
Prairie. In fact, 85% of residents say that they are satisfied
with the overall level and quality of services and programs
provided by the County of Grande Prairie¸ with Fire (89%),
Agricultural Services (86%), Police Services (84%), Family
and Community Support Services (FCSS) (84%), and
wastewater treatment (82%) receiving the highest individual
satisfaction results across a variety of County services.
County Open House
BBQs
Bring the whole family to a BBQ at one of the County Open
houses! Meet one-on-one with your Councillor and chat
with County staff.
These open houses will provide you an overview about
primary initiatives of the County and allow us to seek
comment/feedback from you.
2
County Staff, who manage citizen contact on a daily basis,
also receive positive feedback from citizens. Specifically,
69% of residents who have made contact within the last 12
months report being satisfied with their experience, while
90% of all residents agree that County Staff are courteous,
helpful and knowledgeable, 81% agree that County staff are
easy to get a hold of when I need them, and 78% agree that
the County of Grande Prairie practices open and accessible
government.
"We are very pleased with the results of our first satisfaction
survey," stated Reeve Everett McDonald. "The County will
use this information to determine key needs and priorities for
the future."
The County undertook a communications review in 2010
that recommended a residential satisfaction survey be
conducted every 3 years. Several new initiatives were
already introduced this year to enhance communications
with residents including publishing this newsletter, County
Connections, 3 times per year, launching social media sites,
hosting open houses in various divisions and refreshing the
website.
The report can be found on the County of Grande Prairie
website at www.countygp.ab.ca.
Monday, June 27
County Municipal
Services Building
1 mile west of Astro Car Sales
on Township Road 724
Tuesday, June 28
Albright Community Centre
Wednesday, June 29
Bezanson Memorial Hall
All three open
houses will
be held from
5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
FCSS Home Support Program
The Home Support Program is a partnership between the
province FCSS (Family & Community Support Services) and
the County of Grande Prairie.
We believe our most valuable resource is our people. We
offer services that allow people to develop their potential
and contribute to their families and communities well being.
We also provide information and referral on programs and
agencies in the Grande Prairie area. Our staff is committed
to providing you with high quality, confidential, nondiscriminatory home support services. They are trained,
skilled workers who provide a high standard of care. All
home support workers have had criminal record checks for
the protection of our clients.
Home Support Workers are recruited for their caring,
compassionate nature. They provide practical in home
support to families and individuals experiencing disruptions
of normal family routine. They can help in situations such as
these:
• Pre or post natal home care
• Supplemental care for seniors
• Pre or post hospitalization
• Home management assistance
• Emotional stress
• Long and short term illness
2011 PROPERTY TAX AND
ASSESSMENT NOTICES
The 2011 property tax and assessment
notices will be mailed on May 13, 2011
and are due June 30, 2011.
As a Home Support Worker, Lois
Semeniuk serves clients of the
County of Grande Prairie around
the perimeter of the city.
Jean Van Dyk serves clients in
Beaverlodge and area.
Home support workers:
• Perform light housekeeping
• Provide meal preparation
• Home management & budgeting
• Drive clients to appointments & shopping
• Provide respite for caregivers of ill or special needs
The fee is based on a sliding scale determined by family
income. There is no charge for an assessment.
If Home Support would serve your needs call:
Molly Weleski – Home Support Coordinator
Support Services
780-532-9727 or 780-567-5599
780-518-3165 cell
The County of Grande Prairie No. 1 Home Support Program
serves the residents of:
• The County of Grande Prairie No.1
• Town of Wembley
• Town of Beaverlodge
Please note that tax notices are mailed only once a year and
to the owner who is on our tax records at that time.
If you have purchased property recently please contact
the County of Grande Prairie Tax Department to
discuss verification of title and payment of the taxes at
780-513-3968.
Payment methods are as follows for property taxes:
All major banking institutions, bank machines,
telephone or internet banking, by mail or in person.
All tax payments must be received on or before
June 30th, 2011 to avoid late payment penalties.
Teresa Boudreault, Beaverlodge FCSS, accepts the
Passionate Heart Award from Kathleen Turner,
County of Grande Prairie FCSS Director and Mitra
Zarie, City of Grande Prairie FCSS
Vision Statement: The County of Grande Prairie No.1 focuses on people, their quality of life and
diversity of opportunity while enabling success through cooperation and progressive leadership.
3
Rural Beautification
Call for Nominations
Our Rural Beautification Tour is set for July 15th, 2011.
This very popular tour offers residents a glimpse into the
diversity of landscapes and the variety of options that can
be considered when planning their own gardens. It is
also an enjoyable way to spend the day with other likeminded people while exploring the hidden gems in our
County. This year’s event focuses on the County East of
Hwy 724, and we are accepting nominations for gardens
you think might qualify. We would like to stress that the
gardens do not have to be “perfect”, but we would like
them to be interesting! One of the comments we receive
is how much variety there is between each site, and that
variety is what we are trying to showcase. There is no
cost to attend the tour, and lunch and refreshments are
provided. We do book up early, so please be sure to call
the County Ag Department at 780-532-9727 to reserve
your spot, or to nominate a garden.
We look forward to receiving your submissions before
June 30th, 2011.
Communities in Bloom
fyi
The County has
launched our
social media sites!
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Watch us on YouTube
4
We have a number of local hamlets participating in the
Communities in Bloom Program again this year. This is an
excellent program that highlights the pride that members
in these small communities have in their hamlet. Valhalla
has been invited to participate in the National Competition
again this year, having received 4 blooms in last year’s
competition. Clairmont and Teepee Creek are also
participating in the Provincial Competition again this year,
after receiving 3 and 4 blooms respectively last year. We
wish them all the best in their efforts this year.
County Ag
Programs for 2011
Once again this year you may notice our spray trucks in
your vicinity. Under the Weed Act, the County is required
to control all noxious and prohibited noxious weeds in our
ditches. For the continued safety of travelers, we also control
brush from obstructing motorists’ view. Spot application
of herbicide to control weeds and brush in County ditches
begins in late May and continues through early October,
weather permitting. Posting of No Spray areas begins in early
May. If you have not received a copy of your accepted No
Spray form by June 15th, please call our office. We would
like to request that if you are a bee-keeper, you advise us
of the location of your hives, particularly if you are moving
them frequently. This will assist us in the choice of herbicide
that may be used in specific areas.
We will be hosting two Weed Information Sessions in
June, to assist ratepayers in learning more about the recent
changes to the Weed Control Act and weeds requiring
control or eradication under the Act. We are also looking for
suggestions as how best to engage ratepayers regarding weed
issues in the County. The first will be held at Saskatoon Lake
Hall on June 21st, and the second will be held at Albright
Hall on June 22nd. There will be a BBQ for all attendees,
so bring your appetite! Both sessions will be held between
5:30 and 8:00 pm, and you are encouraged to bring your
questions and suggestions.
This is a snapshot of the Ag Department’s programs for 2011.
If you have any questions or would like more information,
please don’t hesitate to contact our office by dialing the
Community Services number at 780-532-9727 and ask for
the Ag Department. You may also contact Sonja Raven, Ag
Fieldman directly at 780-538-5585.
Our Roadside mowing program is also set to get underway
in late May through early October, weather permitting. Last
year we mowed the majority of County ditches at least once,
and in some areas, twice. We are striving to achieve the
same results this year, if the weather cooperates! Please take
special care when driving behind a mower, and only pass
when safe to do so.
We have a total of 7 weed inspectors who will be educating
ratepayers about the presence of noxious and prohibited
noxious weeds on their land. Our program focuses on
education and voluntary compliance, and we are pleased
to offer any information we can to assist ratepayers in
understanding the weeds they may have, and how to
effectively deal with them. One weed inspector will be
dedicated to wellsites and other industrial development
within agricultural areas.
Our weed pickers will also be out again this year, hoping
to match last year’s incredible effort of 20,000+ pounds of
weeds hand-picked.
With Alberta Agriculture’s increasing reliance on Counties
and Municipalities to provide timely and relevant data, we
have a seasonal Agricultural Pest and Disease Inspector to
assist with gathering information. We expect this will assist
our agricultural producers by providing local data for Alberta
Agriculture to accurately develop projections for pests and
diseases in our area.
Our Rural Extension Officer, Jill Henry, is available to assist
producers with any Growing Forward programs offered by
Alberta Agriculture, as well as help with the Environmental
Farm Plan so often required by these programs. She will
also be continuing her cooperative efforts with other
agencies in the Riparian Restoration Project that is ongoing
on the Beaverlodge River, as well as continuing to provide
extension services as requested.
5
SALARY AND BENEFITS DETAILS
2010
Joint
Roundup
The County of Grande Prairie
No.1 along with Alberta
Recycling Management
Authority will be holding a
joint roundup on June 11,
2011. The event will take
place from 10 a.m. until 2
p.m. at the Clairmont Centre
for Recycling and Waste
Management and will allow
for the proper disposal of
leftover paint, electronics,
and household hazardous
waste. All materials will be
collected free of charge and
will be recycled in an effective,
secure, and environmentally
safe manner. Products accepted
at the roundup include but
are not limited to televisions,
computers, computer
accessories, latex, water based,
and aerosol paints. For more
information please visit the
County of Grande Prairie web
page under “Recycling and
Waste Management” at
www.countygp.ab.ca.
The County is celebrating
the opening of its fourth
transfer station. Please join
us at one of our four transfer
stations on Saturday June
11, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 6
p.m. for an opportunity to
ask questions, take a tour of
the facilities, and dispose
of refuse. For information
regarding the open houses
on June 11 or for directions
to the transfer stations please
visit the “Recycling and Waste
Management” page at
www.countygp.ab.ca.
6
Total
Total
31,726 106,183
115,761
Reeve – E. McDonald
1
63,904
10,553
Councillor – S. Nelson
2
39,699
8,447
8,913
57,059
56,359
Councillor – L. Beaupre
3
62,217
9.767
21,075
93,059
96,446
Councillor – J. O'Toole
4
42,536
6,389
22,828
71,753
100,092
Councillor – R. Sutherland 4
10,010
1,743
4,756
16,509
–
Councillor – P. Jacobs
5
38,561
6,392
9,581
54,534
66,249
Councillor – L. Dueck
6
46,655
3,855
16,895
67,405
76,169
Councillor – F. Lowen
7
22,523
5,554
4,520
32,597
47,900
Councillor – B. Smith
7
7,166
1,520
3,657
12,343
–
Councillor – R. Harpe
8
51,529
7,980
33,442
92,951
97,604
Councillor – M. Eckstrom
9
44,249
5,160
15,579
64,988
76,987
TOTAL
$429,049
$67,360
$172,972$669,381 $733,567
(1) Salary includes regular base pay, gross honoraria and any other direct cash remuneration.
(2) Employer's share of all employee benefits and contributions or payments made on behalf of employees including
pension, health care, dental coverage, vision coverage, group life insurance, accidental disability and dismemberment
insurance, long term disability, registered savings plan contributions and employment insurance.
(3) Travel allowances and travel costs including mileage and airfare.
HOW WILL RESERVE FUNDS BE USED?
MILLIONS
Transfer Station
Open House
2009
Travel Costs &
County Council
Div. Salary (1) Benefits (2) Allowances (3)
80
Regional Landfill 40%
consolidation
70
Municipal reserve
60
Future equipment
replacement
50
Future infrastructure
projects & rehabilitation
40
Future operational projects
Future grants to
organizations
30
HOW WILL FUTURE DEBT
PAYMENTS BE FUNDED?
8.1% – Local Improvement Levy
22.7% – General Tax Levy
0.5% – Other agreements
68.7% – Reserves and Future Grants
Project debt repayment
20
Tax revenue stabilization
10
Financial stabilization
0
Carry forward project
completions
2010
Reserves are funds set aside to replace assets, respond
to emergent needs, stabilize tax revenue and fund future
operating and capital projects.
2011 BUDGET
A summary of 2011
budget is available
at www.countygp.ab.ca,
Quick links, Budget &
Financial Statements
2010 Financial Highlights (in 000’s)
FINANCIAL POSITION
2010
2009
OPERATIONS:2010
FINANCIAL ASSETS
Cash and temporary investments
$ 76,030
$ 69,840
Taxes and grants in place of taxes
2,843
2,581
Trade and other receivables
5,878
5,069
Loans receivable
3,458
2,500
Investments10,660 9,550
Total financial assets
$ 98,869
$ 89,540
OPERATING REVENUE:
Net municipal property taxes
$51,269
User fees and sale of goods
5,061
Government transfers
6,059
Investment income
1,497
Penalties and costs
589
Insurance proceeds
7
Development levies
1,852
Licenses and permits
2,210
Other1,429
Total Operating Revenue
$69,973
FINANCIAL LIABILITIES
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $
Deposit liabilities
Deferred revenue
Provision for landfill closure and
post-closure
Long-term debt
Total financial liabilities
$
NET FINANCIAL ASSETS
$
5,305
$
1,592
8,540
7,091
1,838
6,977
100
132
32,003 34,900
47,540
$ 50,938
51,329
$ 38,602
›
›
NON-FINANCIAL ASSETS
Tangible capital assets 231,928 212,912
Inventory for consumption
1,159
1,113
Prepaid expenditures
212
271
Total non-financial assets
$ 233,299
$ 214,296
ACCUMULATED SURPLUS
$ 284,628
$ 252,898
(see note below)
Accumulated surplus consists of:
INCREASE
2010
2009
Unrestricted surplus
$
18
$
309
$
291
Reserve funds 8,687
73,743 65,056
Equity in Aquatera Utilities 1,111
10,651
9,540
Equity in tangible capital assets 21,914 199,925 178,011
$ 31,730 $284,628
$252,898
For a complete copy of the audited Financial Statements please contact our office
at 780-532-9722 or visit the County website at www.countygp.ab.ca, Quick Links, Budget and
Financial Statements.
WHAT TYPE OF OPERATING EXPENDITURES DID THE COUNTY INCUR?
29.4% – Salaries, wages and benefits
26.6% – Contracted and general services
  9.1% – Materials, goods and utilities
11.7% – Transfer to other governments, local boards
and other agencies
  2.9% – Bank charges, interest, other
20.3% – Amortization of Tangible Capital Assets
Transfers to reserves and capital purchases not included
HOW WAS EACH MUNICIPAL TAX DOLLAR SPENT?
  0.02 – Legislative
  0.10 – Other general
  0.01 – Tax Sharing Transfer to City of Grande Prairie
  0.09 – Administration
  0.11 – Protective Services
  0.25 – Transportation Services Operations/Maint.
0.005 – Water, Sewer & Waste Mgmt.
  0.01 – FCSS
  0.02 – Planning & Economic Development
0.025 – Agriculture
  0.07 – Recreation, Culture and Parks
  0.29 – Capital & Infrastructure net cost
OPERATING EXPENDITURES:
Legislative
$794
Other general
1,049
Administration, Finance & Assessment
5,816
Protective services
6,155
Transportation and field services
22,798
Water and wastewater services
686
Solid waste management and recycling
1,306
Other environmental - Mountain Pine Beetle 2,352
Family and Community Support Services
1,216
Planning and development
1,267
Agriculture services
1,546
Economic development
1,198
Recreation, cultural and park services
6,246
Total Operating Expenditures
$52,429
Excess of Revenue over Expenditures
Before Other Items
OTHER ITEMS
Contributed assets
Government transfers for capital
Equity consolidation of net subsidiary
operations – Aquatera Utilities Inc.
Gain on disposal of tangible capital assets
EXCESS OF REVENUE OVER
EXPENDITURES (BEFORE CAPITAL)
$17,544
4,805
7,859
1,111
411
$31,730
NET CHANGE IN FINANCIAL ASSETS
Acquisition of tangible capital assets
(25,867)
Contributed assets
(4,805)
Proceeds on disposal of tangible capital assets 1,399
Amortization of tangible capital assets
10,667
Gain on disposal of tangible capital assets
(411)
Net use of supplies inventories
(45)
Net use of prepaid assets
59
NET INCREASE IN FINANCIAL ASSETS
$12,727
CHANGE TO UNRESTRICTED SURPLUS
Net Increase$18
Includes transfer to reserves and debt repayment
7
important to memorize their new address and post it in a
visible location. As well, people using a service provider other
than TELUS need to update their address with that provider.
EMERGENCY
9-1-1
POLICE - FIRE
AMBULANCE
RURAL ADDRESS
LEGAL DESCRIPTION
County of
Grande Prairie No. 1
780 532-9722
www.countygp.ab.ca
Rural Properties
Now Easier to
Find Throughout
the County
Fridge magnets, available at the
County Administration Building,
make it convenient to record and
post a new rural address. The
magnets, along with the rural
or civic address of the property,
were included in information
packages recently mailed to
landowners.
New rural address signs – nearly
7000 in total – are in place
across the County, with the new
addressing system making it easier for emergency services to
find homes and businesses, and helping to reduce response
time in critical situations.
Rural Addressing is part of the County’s Municipal
Addressing system, which ensures every developed parcel in
the County is assigned either an urban/civic or rural address.
“Rural Addressing is key to delivering essential emergency
services in rural areas,” said County of Grande Prairie
Community Services Director Bernie House. “Every measure
that makes it easier for emergency personnel to find an
address can mean the difference between life and death.”
Lynda Caron, rural addressing coordinator for the County
of Grande Prairie said that the new system is really about
ensuring the safety of those in the County, as well as
improving efficiencies today and in the future.
“People – whether commercial vehicles, emergency
personnel or even friends – need to be able to find you,” said
Caron. “It’s important that we reduce any confusion and any
risk by using a standardized system that enables people to
locate property quickly.”
Similar to an urban address that is based off the street
and avenue road network, a rural address is based off the
township and range road network. This makes it possible to
clearly pinpoint the property’s driveway.
All new rural addresses have been imported into TELUS’
911 database, coordinating them with names and phone
numbers. However, Caron reminds people that it is still
8
“The more information people can provide to a dispatcher,
the more quickly emergency services can respond,” said
Caron. “When people call 911, their address may be visible
to the dispatcher only if the call is made on their landline. If
the call is placed using their cell phone, they must provide
their address.”
Signage is a crucial element in the assurance of quick
emergency response. Each rural property owner or residence
should ensure that their address sign, which is located at the
entrance of their property, is clearly visible.
While this signage has already been installed free by the
County for those parcels developed before 2008, landowners
are responsible for sign maintenance and replacement. They
must notify the County if their sign becomes damaged or
disappears so a replacement can be installed.
Residential, commercial or industrial properties developed
after January 1, 2008 will be charged a one-time fee of $155
for their sign and installation.
Most signs display the complete rural address of the property,
though many subdivisions, as well as properties with more
than one house, are an exception. In the case of subdivisions,
green signs are installed at the entrance, indentifying the
entire subdivision address. Lots signs are installed at each
subdivision lot. These will not match the property’s legal lot
number, but will be assigned a preceding unit number.
For those properties with more than one dwelling sharing a
driveway, a lettering system is used. The County has installed
the full address at the end of the driveway, but residents
should install the designated letter on each dwelling. These
letters can be purchased at any hardware store.
While the majority of County subdivisions are assigned rural
addresses, Caron noted that some subdivisions close to the
City, as well as all County hamlets, have civic addresses.
At this time, Municipal Addressing (rural and civic) will be
used only for determining physical location, not mailing
addresses. Canada Post will notify residents if there will be a
change to a mailing address.
Caron said that planning and implementation of the entire
Municipal Addressing system went very smoothly, with the
County meeting its budget and timelines.
She added that the possibilities for the Rural Addressing
system continue to grow, with the County already in talks
with Google maps and Garmin, a company that produces
navigation devices, so people can precisely locate rural
addresses in the County on their computer or GPS.
For more information contact Public Works at 780-532-7393
or e-mail [email protected].
Enforcement Services
Sgt. Dave Campbell sees his job as being as much about
safety and education as it is about enforcing traffic laws.
“We are trying to make this region a safe place to drive, so
everyone gets home in one piece,” says Campbell, who is
one of eight uniformed peace officers who patrol roads in
the County of Grande Prairie enforcing provincial traffic
safety laws.
The mandate of Level 1 Peace Officers in the province of
Alberta is traffic safety, though they do a large number of
other activities such as enforcing other provincial statutes
and regulatory municipal bylaws. The Public Security Peace
Officer program is a provincial program and the officers get
their authority from the province.
Dave has seen and heard just about everything during his
38 years in traffic enforcement, first with 26.5 years RCMP
and for the past 9 years with the County. In addition to his
spending many years as a top level collision investigator,
Dave is also a radar and laser instructor. There isn’t much
with traffic that he hasn’t seen or done!
Peace Officers drive easily identified white vehicles with
red and blue lights, blue and grey stripes on the sides,
County enforcement logos on the doors, PEACE OFFICER
on the sides and rear, 9-1-1 decals, and the Alberta flag on
each side. They wear a uniform similar to the RCMP, but
with a grey stripe on the pants instead of yellow. Like the
RCMP, they have powers of arrest for provincial offences
and warrants, and work evenings, weekends and statutory
holidays. Unlike the RCMP, Peace Officers through-out the
province do not enforce the criminal code.
Campbell advises that County Peace Officers each log about
350 kilometres a shift as they look for traffic safety offences
such as speeding, seatbelts, expired registration or insurance;
overweight commercial vehicles, unsecured loads; and
trucks transporting dangerous goods, and other offences
such as liquor and even litter! In addition to working in the
County, they are also contracted in the regional communities
of Hythe, Beaverlodge, Wembley, Sexsmith and the MD of
Greenview.
County Peace Officers work closely with other enforcement
agencies as well, such as the RCMP, Sheriffs, Fish and
Wildlife, and SRD. You will see them at special events and
also conducting mountain bike, quad, and snowmobile
patrols.
Enforcement Services consists of a patrol division (traffic) and
a bylaw division that looks after animal control and bylaw
infractions. In addition to those RCMP members that work
out of Grande Prairie and Beaverlodge Detachment, the
County also employs 3 Enhanced RCMP members that work
out of the Municipal Services Building on Township Road
724, west of Clairmont. Residents who need to
make a Township Road complaint or speak to a
Peace Officer should contact the Enforcement Services
department at 780-532-9727.
Report a Drug House
The County of Grande
Prairie is now involved
with the highly successful
“Report a Drug House”
program.
Residents and business
owners can now easily -and confidentially -- report
suspicious activities to the
police. A continuous stream
of traffic or an excess of
garbage, for instance, may
indicate illegal drug activity
and should be reported.
To date, three occupants
have moved, two reports
were unfounded and two
remain under investigation.
Residents suspecting a
drug house or witnessing
suspicious activity that
might suggest a drug house,
can call 780-830-5889,
or make an on-line report
via the County’s website,
www.countygp.ab.ca. (Click
on the heading “on-line
services.”) All tips are
confidential.
Residents may also request
a “Report a Drug House”
pamphlet, which contains
guidelines and reporting
criteria.
Administered by the
County Enhanced RCMP
police unit, the program
is a partnership between
the County and the local
RCMP. For more information
on this program or to
request a brochure, contact
780-532-9727.
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In 2010
the County gave
$10,000 to each curling
rink in Sexsmith, LaGlace,
Clairmont, Beaverlodge,
Elmworth, Hythe and Grande
Prairie, and $33,265 to each
indoor ice arena in Sexsmith,
LaGlace, Clairmont,
Beaverlodge, Wembley
and Hythe to assist with
operating expenditures.
9
Fire Season runs from April 1 to October 31
10
Permits can be requested by calling
Fire Services at 780-532-9727
This service is free of charge
COUNTY OF GRANDE PRAIRIE NO. 1
FIRE GUARDIANS
DIVISION 1
DIVISION 7
Bezanson
Walter Gitzel
Ph780-539-3884
Fax780-539-9791
Box 181 Bezanson, AB
T0H 0G0
DIVISION 2
Clairmont
Sharon Nelson
Res780-567-2143
Cell780-814-9731
DIVISION 3
Clairmont-Dunes
Everett Cooke
Ph780-532-9727
Dan Verdun
Ph 780-532-9727
DIVISION 4
East of Wembley
County Fire Office
Ph780-532-9727
DIVISION 5
West of Wembley
Pat Jacobs
Ph 780-354-8376
Alfred Golnick
Ph780-766-2735
RR2 Wembley, AB
T0H 3S0
Fire Permit Forms
Now Available Online
Not sure about fire permit regulations in your area? Log onto
www.countygp.ab.ca and click on fire permits under the Quick
Links section.
The County has 4 different Fire Burning Areas that are displayed
in white, yellow, green and red.
County White Area – fill out a request form - requires a verbal
permit during fire season.
County Yellow Area – contact your fire guardian - requires a
written fire permit during fire season.
County Green Area – contact assigned forest fire guardian requires a written fire permit during fire season from a forestry
fire guardian as this area is designated as the Forest Protection
area.
DIVISION 6
Beaverlodge
Don Pandachuk
Bus780-354-8124
Res780-354-8515
Cell780-228-5162
Box 1 Elmworth, AB
T0H 1J0
Lois Dueck
Res 780-354-2279
Cell 780-296-4300 Hythe
Olaf Harpe
Ph 780-356-2524
Fax 780-568-4172
DIVISION 8
La Glace
Gerry Loberg
Ph 780-356-2403
Box 11 Valhalla, AB
T0H 3M0
Richard Harpe
Ph780-356-2040
[email protected]
Ernest Foshaug
Ph780-568-4172
Box 6 La Glace, AB
T0H 2J0
DIVISION 9
Sexsmith
Fred Hurlock
Ph 780-568-2906
Cary Ungarian
Ph780-568-4738
Mary Ann Eckstrom
Ph 780-568-4091
Cell780-296-4100
Tony Mitchell
Ph 780-933-0098
FORESTRY
Demmit Area
Bill Maile
Ph 780-524-6576
All areas South of
Denmit
John White
Ph780-814-1648
[email protected]
North of Sexsmith
Moira Boomgaardon
Ph780-814-1983
For all Fire Permit related questions or concerns please
call us at the County Fire Office at 780-532-9727
County Red Area – Contact the County Fire Chief or
designate at 780-532-9727 - restricted burn area - requires a
written fire permit year round.
Remember! If a Fire Ban is issued, all burn permits will be
void until the ban is lifted. Notifications will be made through
local media.
For more information go to www.countygp.ab.ca or call the
Fire Office at 780-532-9727.
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Enjoy Your County Parks this Summer!
All County
campgrounds are
open from May 12th
to October 15th.
The County of Grande Prairie offers a variety of recreational
pleasure opportunities; whether for day use or overnight
camping facilities. There are sites to meet every interest; from
dinosaur digs to badlands topography, from heritage villages
to windsurfing to bird watching. The County of Grande Prairie
covers it all with the added bonus that all lakes are trumpeter
swan habitats.
So take your family and friends to visit our parks this summer.
All parks boast golf courses within 20 minutes driving distance.
Bear Lake Park
Pipestone Creek Park
and Campground
25 minutes west of
Grande Prairie, south of
Wembley on the Wapiti
River, is one of the richest
areas for dinosaur fossils
in western Canada, and
the largest site of the
Pacyrhinosaurus (the skull
of one is on display at the
campground). Visit the little
native cemetery and also
view the remnants of the
historic Pipestone Ferry. Be
sure to bring the kids to the
new playground opening
this summer featuring the
coolest dinosaur and nature
themed play structures!
• Museum on site
• Native Burial Ground
• 99 Unserviced Sites
• Washrooms with showers
• $20 per unit/day
• 1 Group Area $75 per day
Saskatoon Mountain
Area (Day Use)
West on Highway 43 to
Range Road 92, then 5 km
north.
• 4 picnic tables and 4 fire
pits
• This viewpoint offers
spectacular views of the
south and west portions
of the County.
• Designated Natural Area
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Kleskun Hill Park
Discover a touch of the
“Badlands” deposited on
the “Grand Prairie” only
15 minutes east of Grande
Prairie on Hwy 43. Enjoy
a unique micro-climate
combined with a protected
natural area, where over
160 flowering planets,
including cacti, grow. The
imprints of the travels of
early pioneer wagons can
still be seen in the park. A
native burial ground pays
tribute to this area, which
was a gathering place for
native people.
• 9 Unserviced Sites
• Washrooms with Showers
• Playground
• $15 per unit/day
Just off Hwy 2, on Mercer
Hill Rd. 20 minutes
northeast of Grande
Prairie
• Ideal Lake for
Windsurfing or Canoeing
• Boat Launch
• Camp Kitchen
• Family Picnic Sites &
Playground
• 4 Remote tenting with
Vegetative Screen
• 16 Unserviced Sites
• $15 per unit/day
On the picturesque
Red Willow River. On
Secondary Hwy 722 south
west of Beaverlodge.
• Rustic Setting
• 5 Picnic Tables with Fire
Pits
• Playground
• Camp Kitchen
Hommy Park
Valhalla Park
Next to Melsness
Mercantile Historic Site,
now a restaurant offering
homemade meals, and a
museum, surrounded by
a heritage garden park
displaying flowers natural to
our habitat.
• Restaurant
• Museum
• Garden Park
•5
Picnic Tables with Firepits
Red Willow Park
Photo credit: Mona Mason
Demmitt Park
Close to BC border, on
Hwy 43
• Camp Kitchen
• 20 unserviced Sites
• $10 per unit/day
On Hwy 43, northeast of
Beaverlodge
• Ideal Family Picnic spot
• Camp Kitchen &
Playground
• 23 Sites
• $20 for power sites /nonpower sites $15 unit/day
• Water supplied by a
flowing well
Pipestone Creek Dinosaur Initiative
Dino Ball Silent Auction
Now online: the listings of all the items to be auctioned off
at the Aykroyd Family and Friends Dinosaur Ball on July 23.
The announcement of the new name has drawn great
attention, with stories appearing in newspapers across the
country.
Four hours of bliss at a top-quality spa, a shimmering,
74-million-year-old ammonite, 18 holes with seven of
your best friends, a painting by renowned artist Peter von
Tiesenhausen, a thrilling jet boat ride on the river, a day with
internationally acclaimed palaeontologist Dr. Philip Currie
himself … and this list is just the beginning. The items are
still coming in daily for the Dan Aykroyd Family and Friends
Dinosaur Ball Silent Auction.
Announcing the Philip J. Currie
Dinosaur Museum
It’s an incredible selection of items – many of which could
never be bought in a store. It’s only through the generosity of
our sponsors that we have such unique, exciting offerings for
you.
Courtesy of
Beauchamp
Photography
It has been in the works a long time
and it’s finally official – the world-class
dinosaur museum to be built in the Peace
Country will be known as the Philip J.
Currie Dinosaur Museum.
Dr. Philip Currie
This is a development that is going to
have a long-lasting, positive impact on
the project and one that is creating a lot
of buzz worldwide.
The original name, the River of Death and Discovery
Dinosaur Museum, had many merits but ultimately it was
too negative for many people. The fact that it was chosen
when the museum’s site was to be overlooking the river also
made it a bit illogical for the new site by the highway.
There was one name that had stood out from the start –
Dr. Philip Currie. Dr. Currie and his wife and scientific
partner Dr. Eva Koppelhus have been involved with the
Pipestone Creek bonebed for over 25 years. A celebrity in
the palaeontology world, Dr. Currie brings an international
cachet to the museum and his personal enthusiasm and
love of Alberta’s natural history will certainly add a fresh
perspective.
We are extremely honoured that Dr. Currie has agreed to
lend his name to this project. This is a man who has been
involved in naming over 25 dinosaur species and even had
three named after him.
Check out the website at www.twoviewsstudio.com/dino to
see what’s available. A big thanks going out to Tomas Krecjar,
the local web designer and volunteer who created the site
for us. New items are being added as they are confirmed
so keep an eye out. The auction itself will take place at the
Dinosaur Ball on July 23, 2011.
News Update from Brian Brake,
PCDI Executive Director
Greetings from all of us at Pipestone Creek Dinosaur
Initiative. The response from coast to coast to the new name
for the museum has been incredible and we are ever so
pleased to have Dr. Phil Currie as our namesake. We are
now able to move forward with our branding and we are
hoping to announce the preferred logo selection in May.
We would also like to extend our heartfelt congratulations
to Walter Paszkowski, PCDI Board Member, for his recent
honour in being awarded the Alberta Order of Excellence.
It is very much deserved, we hope you will join us in
celebrating. Plans for the Ball are going smoothly – 61 of
69 tables have been sponsored and secured with payment
and other interested parties have indicated an intent to
purchase the remaining tables. If you are interested in
viewing the items donated to our silent auction go to www.
riverofdeath.ca and click on silent auction. We have posted
approximately half the items and will continue to post
additional items each week until the ball. To donate to the
auction, call me at (780) 532-2362. I would also like to
acknowledge the generosity of the citizens of Grande Prairie
who have contributed so much to making the visit of the
Aykroyds and their friends special. This is indeed a generous
community. Please stay tuned to our website for details
regarding the ceremonial cornerstone laying in Wembley on
June 10. Have a great dino day.
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Ice Ages to the Digital Age?
County Invites Your Input on Plans for Park
From wireless technology to water
services, County residents and
Pipestone Creek Park users are being
asked for their feedback on improvements
at the Park, which is located south of
Wembley.
The County of Grande Prairie
is inviting people to complete
a short survey to help identify
priorities in developing Pipestone
Creek Park. The survey will be
available at the Park, as well as on the County of Grande
Prairie’s website until October 15.
“Whether people are simply using the Park for day use,
or are planning a week of camping, we want to ensure
that any upgrades to Pipestone Creek Park provide park
users with a great experience,” said County of Grande
Prairie Parks & Recreation Manager Brad Gilbert.
Congratulations to
Walter Paszkowski on a well
deserved honour!
County Economic Development Officer Walter
Paszkowski has been selected this year for
membership in the Alberta Order of Excellence. The
new members for 2011 will receive the province’s
highest honour in recognition of their longstanding
service to a wide range of local, provincial
and national endeavours. Walter has dedicated
his career to strengthening the quality of life and the
opportunities enjoyed by his fellow Peace Country residents
and all Albertans. His distinguished record of public
service includes successful tenures as Mayor of Sexsmith,
as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta and as
Cabinet Minister of a number of key portfolios. He has been
particularly successful in his efforts to encourage excellence
and innovation in the province’s agricultural sector and to
the foster the well-being of rural Alberta communities. The
Lieutenant Governor of Alberta serves as Chancellor of the
Order. He will preside over the investiture ceremony in
Edmonton on Wednesday, October 19.
fyi
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Meet your Community Night
in Clairmont returns in September. For
more information or to save a table
call Coree at the Wellington Resource
Centre in Clairmont 780-567-2843.
“We’re providing people with a chance not only to tell us
what kind of improvements they’d like to see, but we need
their feedback on whether or not they would be willing to
support rate increases for some of these services.”
A Master Plan for the future development of the Park was
completed by the County in September 2008. In 2010,
County Council approved the installation of a new dinosaurthemed playground, a new feature children will be able to
enjoy this summer.
The County is now assessing the long-term viability of
potential park improvements listed in the Plan, which
include adding WiFi service and additional electrical, hydro
and sani-dump services, as well as increasing the number of
pull through and wheelchair accessible sites.
Once the survey is closed, County Parks & Recreation
will design a feasibility study around survey results.
Recommendations will be made to Council in order to set
capital investment priorities.
Those participating in the survey will have the opportunity to
enter a draw for a variety of County merchandise. The draw
will be made at the November 28 Council Meeting.
To complete the survey, visit www.countygp.ab.ca.
Building codes now part of
County administration services
In mid March, the County
assumed responsibility for
providing Safety Codes
services in the areas of
building permits, gas and
plumbing, private sewage
disposal and electrical
services from the previous
provider Alberta Permit Pro.
The County has retained
the services of Rob
Renschler and Neil
Seidner, both qualified
Safety Codes officers.
“We believe there will
be an improved level of
service and coordination
between development
services and the building
sector that will benefit the
County ratepayer,” said
John Simpson, Planning
and Development Services
Director.
Persons and businesses
who applied for permits
with Alberta Permit Pro
will receive any required
service and inspection
from the County.
Business
Visitation
The County of Grande Prairie No. 1 will be conducting
further interviews with businesses located within the County.
This will allow for a better appreciation and understanding
of the present and future needs of our business community.
Adding Value to
the Peace Country
Red Meat Industry
The County of Grande Prairie No. 1 has initiated a series
of meetings to explore the opportunities and constraints
with respect to the value added component of the red meat
industry in the Peace Region.
The red meat industry is a very important part of agriculture
in the County and though we have many good producers in
the area, very little of the local production moves through
the value chain within the region.
In order to develop well planned strategies for the County,
as it continues to grow, it is critical that a good partnership
is maintained as plans are made to accommodate the new
development.
Carl Evans, a student completing his masters at Denver’s
Colorado School of Mines, will once more be conducting
interviews with our business community located within the
County.
The information provided from these interviews will be
important for discussions regarding the future growth and
development of the County as a major supply and service
centre for the entire region.
The interviews will be conducted in June & July and will
only take a very few minutes to complete. They will be
helpful in designing a business community that is both
effective and enterprising in years to come.
Our local meat is of the best quality produced anywhere in
the world and a group of interested producers, processors
and industry representatives are exploring ways of making it
more available to local consumers.
A working committee has been formed to further research
ways and means to expand the value chain locally and thus
capture the many advantages that are provided through the
production processing and marketing within the region.
Meetings will continue throughout the summer to develop
a strategy that will enhance and expand consumer options
when they are purchasing their red meat requirements.
fyi
You can catch up on
information and events
happening in the
County while waiting
for your luggage at the
Grande Prairie Airport!
The County has a monitor display that plays
a powerpoint presentation of photos and
information dedicated to County industry, lifestyle,
activities, scenery and wildlife. We welcome you
to submit any events within the County that you
wish to be advertised on these calendars, free of
charge, to [email protected].
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Books available for
Sale at the County
Office
Glen Leslie Church
Preservation Group
In 1915, people south of the Kleskun Hills banded together to
build a log church near the homestead of Thomas Leslie. Work
was completed that fall and on October 30th, the first service
took place in what became known as the Glen Leslie Church.
Since that day, the church has withered the ravages of time and
remains one of few pre-World War I structures left in the area.
In 2010, it was designated a Municipal Historic Resource by the
County of Grande Prairie.
The Church, however, is in need of repair. Matching funding
for restoration work is available from the Alberta Historical
Resources Foundation, but it can only be accessed if a
restoration group can be formed to oversee operations.
For this reason, several people from east of Grande Prairie
intend to meet this spring to consider forming a society, albeit
informal, to see what we can do. If you would like to see this
church preserved, we would like to hear from you.
Please call:
Wanda Zenner (780-538-2702) or Irene Gitzel (780-539-3884).
Join in the Centennial
Celebration of the
EdsonTrail, July 22 -24
The major event, July 23rd will be the
100th Anniversary Celebration with music,
entertainment, food, displays, and a
Commemorative Guest Book where you can
remember Your Edson Trail Pioneers.
For more information visit www.countygp.ab.ca.
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Grande Prairie of the Great Northland:
The Evolution of a County from
1805—1951
Written by David W. Leonard
The Evolution of a County covers
the growth and development of the
region beginning with the early fur
trade and the challenges facing early
settlers who opened up the last great
piece of agricultural land available for
settlement in Canada. The book provides a vivid description of
the growth and its people prior to 1951.
Hard Cover $45.00
Soft Cover $25.00
Grande Prairie of the Great Northland:
Part Two from 1951—1990
Written by David W. Leonard
Part Two is a continuation of The
Grande Prairie of the Great Northland:
The Evolution of a County, 1805—1951.
This book covers the time period from
1951 when the County was formed
up to 1990. Reeve Everett McDonald
stated “ This is a book that people can
relate to as I can remember many of the events highlighted
in it”.
Hard Cover $50.00
Soft Cover $30.00 A Grande Education: One Hundred
Schools in the County of Grande Prairie,
1910 - 1960
Written by Mary Nutting
This 240 page history of the schools in
the county of Grande Prairie No. 1 tells
unique details and stories about each
school located within the boundaries
of the County of Grande Prairie. In
addition to these stories you will find
the basic history facts as well as the GPS coordinates of all the
original school locations.
$30.00
From Survey To Today - Families that
Shaped the Peace 1909 - 1910
Written by Jillian Wright
The survey of 1909 created the last
great agricultural land rush in North
America and allowed settlers to
become owners of identified pieces of
property. This book is recollections of
the families who are still in possession
of the original piece of property that
was settled upon by their ancestors in 1909-1910.
$10.00
Edson to Grande Prairie Trail,
Commemorative Edition Celebrating
100 Years
Thousands of people used this
miserable trail. This book, if it does not
explain why, will at least try to tell the
story or stories of ‘the trail’. It tells of
the dreams of many different men and
women, dreams of good cheap farm
land, dreams of railroads, dreams of
better futures draw them to the ‘last best west’.
$30.00
Wapiti Corridor Planning Society
The Wapiti Corridor Planning Society (WCPS) was formed
to create a land use plan for the Wapiti Corridor that
accommodates, protects, and balances both current
and future needs of the area from Pipestone Creek to
the Smoky River. It includes the dunes ecosystem to the
southeast of Grande Prairie and the river valley lands to
top of bank along this portion of the Wapiti River.
Over the winter we compiled the stakeholder input that
was collected over the summer and fall, analyzing in
depth four key areas: interests, issues, approaches, and
expectations. The outcome indicates that stakeholders
want to play, live and work (in that order) in the corridor;
they are concerned about all of the improper behavior in
the corridor with motor vehicle (mostly OHV) abuses at
the top of the list; that stakeholders envision a variety of
approaches to resolving issues and that a coherent overall
resolution is somewhat preferred. This overall resolution
would include a guide to land use in the corridor that
incorporates
preliminary plan, we started a third phase of public input
in April, approaching targeted stakeholder groups for their
input. We hope to have the public provide input into the
plan at summer's end.
Further details, including a map showing the boundaries of
the Wapiti Corridor, are available on the website:
www.wapiticorridor.ca.
For additional information:
780-513-3950 (office)
780-539-7686 (fax)
[email protected]
• definition, separation, and designation of uses;
• stakeholder dialogue;
• control methods (deterrents and enforcement);
• some thought about future uses; and
• improvements to corridor usability and safety.
In addition, stakeholders expect to see an overall
resolution that corrects the improper behaviour in the
corridor that incorporates some vision for the area without
challenging existing rights.
So for the preparation of a preliminary plan we have
focused on
• land use zoning in combination with multiple control
methods,
• trail definition with education, signage
• staging areas with facilities, segregated by type of use,
• enhancement to corridor usability and safety, and
• maintenance of existing rights.
We have developed land use zones for the corridor
that build on existing natural features, accommodate
existing uses, and incorporate stakeholder input. With this
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Free program for youth
12-17 years-old in
Clairmont!
Swan City Rotary Club
Bicycle Program
Council has approved a bicycle recycling program at the
County’s waste management facilities to be collected and
picked up by the Swan City Rotary Club. The Rotary Club
will then send the collected bicycles overseas to be used
by the less fortunate families in various countries. Currently
bicycles disposed of at the County’s waste management
facilities are crushed, bailed and recycled along with other
scrap metal materials. If you have an adult or children’s
bicycle that is no longer needed please take it to either the
Clairmont Centre for Recycling and Waste Management
or the West Grande Prairie Regional Landfill. For more
information please visit www.countygp.ab.ca.
The Raquet offers weekly activities. Like the
County's or Wellington Resource Centre's
Facebook page for further details or go to
www.countygp.ab.ca.
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Contact
Information
E-mail:
[email protected]
Address:
10001-84 Avenue,
Clairmont, AB T0H 0W0
County Administration
Building
(Administration,
Assessment, Economic
Development, Finance &
Systems, Planning, Public
Works)
Phone: 780-532-9722
Municipal Services
Building
(Agriculture Services,
Enforcement Services,
FCSS, Fire Services,
Parks & Recreation)
Phone: 780-532-9727
Website:
www.countygp.ab.ca
Office Hours:
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Note:
Closed during
12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
County of Grande Prairie No. 1 Council From left to right: Division 6 Councillor Lois Dueck, CAO Bill Rogan,
Division 3 Councillor Leanne Beaupre, Deputy Reeve Richard Harpe,
Division 4 Councillor Ross Sutherland, Division 2 Councillor Sharon Nelson
Sitting: Division 5 Councillor Pat Jacobs, Reeve Everett McDonald, Division 9 Councillor Mary Ann Eckstrom,
Division 7 Councillor Brock Smith
County of Grande Prairie No. 1 Administration
Bill Rogan Administrator (ext. 157)
780-532-9722
[email protected]
Barry Donovan Chief Assessor
780-532-9722 [email protected]
Bernie House Community Services Director,
780-532-9727
[email protected]
Brad Gilbert Recreation Manager 780-532-9727
[email protected]
Everett Cooke Fire Chief
780-532-9727
[email protected]
Herb Pfau Superintendent of Public Works 780-532-7393
[email protected]
John Simpson Planning & Development Director 780-513-3951
[email protected]
Kathleen Turner FCSS Director 780-532-9727
[email protected]
Lesley Nielsen-Bjerke Communications
780-532-9722
[email protected]
Noreen Vavrek Finance Director 780-513-3961
[email protected]
Shirley Melnikel Legislative Services Manager 780-532-9722
[email protected]
Sonja Raven Agricultural Fieldman 780-532-9727
[email protected]
Steve Madden Environment Manager
780-532-9722
[email protected]
Stuart Rempel Enforcement Manager 780-532-9727
[email protected]
Walter Paszkowski Economic Development 780-513-3956
[email protected] Return undeliverable
Canadian addresses to:
The County of Grande Prairie No. 1
10001-84 Ave., Clairmont, AB T0H 0W0
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