Grande Prairie Minute: Tax Increase, Outdoor Patios, and Fiscal Framework Advocacy

Grande Prairie Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Grande Prairie politics

This Week In Grande Prairie:

• Tuesday is Committee Day at City Hall. Meetings begin at 9:00 am with a meeting of the Public and Protective Services Committee. A representative from STARS air ambulance will provide the Committee with an annual update on the organization - a condition of having received funding in 2023. The report notes that within the City and County, STARS averages 54 missions flown per year. The Financial and Administrative Services Committee will meet at 10:00 am to finalize the tax rate bylaw (more on this below!).
  
  
• The Operational Services Committee meets at 10:15 am to discuss the redesign and reinstallation of service club signs at the new City boundaries. Funding will come from the Transportation Department’s operating budget and the clubs include the Lions, the Elks, the Shrine Club, and Scouts Canada, among others. The Invest GP Committee meets at 10:45 am. The Committee will receive a report regarding the use of The Bowes at the Bonnetts Energy Centre - the report notes that, in 2023, The Bowes hosted 50 unique bookings, with 37 events over 250 guests, and that the majority of those events were profitable. Administration suggests that the purchase of a portable sport court could increase use of the facility.
  
  
• The Strategy and Communication Services Committee meets at 11:00 am. The Committee will discuss advocacy around the Local Government Fiscal Framework - funding that municipalities receive from the Province. The current LGFF rules don't take into consideration the fact that certain municipalities use different methods to offer basic services - in Grande Prairie’s case, the Municipally Controlled Corporation Aquatera is used for water, waste, and garbage services. Aquatera owns these systems, so they're not counted as assets for the municipalities in their financial reports. Unlike other municipalities in Alberta that get recognition for these assets, the Grande Prairie region doesn't, but the Committee will discuss whether to ask the Province to revise the rules. Finally, to wrap up Committee Day, Council’s Committee Of The Whole will meet at 11:15 am. The entirety of the meeting will be held in-camera (in secret), so the general public will have no information about what this meeting entails.

Last Week In Grande Prairie:

• Council has approved a tax increase to offset a budget shortfall caused by the decision not to proceed with a stormwater utility. This decision came after community feedback indicated a preference against the utility model, leading to a tax hike of 3.97% instead of the previously approved 3.28%. The shortfall of $3,073,823.00 is being addressed through various measures, including using reserves and operating surplus, although a motion to cover the entire amount through property taxes was defeated.
  
  
• Council has introduced a new policy offering four options for businesses seeking to open outdoor patios, ranging from sidewalk setups to street-based patios with a $100 fee for all options. Mayor Jackie Clayton clarified that this fee is not for cost recovery but rather to manage liability and ensure adherence to standards. While concerns about downtown parking were discussed, an evaluation by the Downtown Association indicated sufficient public parking availability, making patio-related parking impacts minimal. Businesses can apply through the City by submitting required documentation like building photos, site plans, and proof of liability.
  
  
• The City of Grande Prairie has initiated an online survey for residents to provide input on potential improvements to the Lawn Bowling Facility in Muskoseepi Park, with funding allocated in the 2024 capital budget. Plans include replacing the current outdoor turf, enhancing amenities, and considering new activities and entertainment offerings. Residents have until May 9th to participate in the survey and share their preferences for the facility's future development.