City Matters, November 2013

Resourceful spirit, Growing Opportunity

City MattersYour City ~ Your News

www.cityofgp.com

Nov 2013

Celebrating 100 Years

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City Matters Your City~ Your News

Neighbourhood Association UpdateIn January an official Neighbourhood Association launch was held at the Royal Canadian Legion attended by Mayor Bill Given and several members of Council. The event was highly promoted and attended by media, including being telecast on Eastlink TV.The first key area of focus was to assist the Pinnacle Neighbourhood Association with its compliance and regain momentum. An Annual General Meeting was held, Board elected and Special Resolutions filed to amend outdated bylaws to include Pinnacle West in Association boundaries.

In March the neighbourhood of Mission held an information session, elected a board and approved bylaws. Incorporation papers were received in June and Mission became the second Grande Prairie Neighbourhood Association.

Information sessions were held in May and June for Mountview and Copperwood. Both neighbourhoods identified their Boards and submitted their application to

Service Alberta. Mountview received their incorporation papers and are now the 3rd Association. Also, in June, the neighborhoods of O’Brien Lake and Royal Oaks held information sessions about the value of an association and the formation process. Since then, they have both formed Board of Directors, and sent their applications in. O’Brien Lake received their confirmation during the summer.

Work is being done with all five of these new Neighbourhood Associations on their next steps to secure insurance, bank accounts and receive their operating grants. A residential survey has been developed to assist all six associations in getting input from the community on where they should concentrate their efforts. A Strategic Plan Outline has been developed to enable them to keep focused and see successes. They’ve been advised that within their first year to keep their plan simple and not take on too much on.

The following Neighbourhood Safety Teams have been identified to transition to Neighbourhood Associations:

Avondale North and Highland Park.

Independent enquiries on associations have also been received from Crystal Lake, Ivy Lake and South Patterson. Cobblestone held an information session November 7.

Much work has been done to promote and communicate the Neighbourhood Association initiative. The Neighbourhood Association website can now be found at www.cityofgp.com under the Residents tab or on Facebook at Grande Prairie Neighbourhood Associations.

Along with improving general awareness, templates and toolkits have been created to help with the formation process, as well as for the success of new Boards. Some of these include; Getting Started and an Up and Running Toolkits, Bylaw Templates, sample agendas, communication plans, meeting plans, contact lists & resources, grant information.

City Matters Your City ~ Your News

2013-2017 City Council

Mayor Bill Given

Councillor Jackie Clayton

Councillor Dwight Logan

Councillor Kevin McLean

Councillor Kevin O’Toole

Councillor Lorne Radbourne

Councillor Helen Rice

Councillor Rory Tarant

Councillor Chris Thiessen


Grande Prairie Gears Up for CentennialOn April 30, 1914, Grande Prairie was officially incorporated as a village, beginning the journey to becoming the urban centre of the Peace Country it is today. In that century, the community has grown from its original population of less than 1,000 residents to a vibrant of over 55,000. A 100th birthday is a momentous occasion to celebrate and Grande Prairie is planning a year filled with activities and parties.

“We’re organizing a yearlong celebration to highlight Grande Prairie’s vibrant and rich history while acknowledging the diverse cultures and nationalities that are an integral part of Grande Prairie’s current and future growth and success,” says David Olinger, Manager of Marketing and Communications.

“The year will kick off with Centennial First Footings festivities at Muskoseepi Park which we expect will bring the residents and visitors together to mark this anniversary. We really want to build momentum for a yearlong celebration of not only what made Grande Prairie the success it is today,

but what’s making it a leader for tomorrow.”

Coun. Helen Rice, Chair of the 100th Anniversary Committee echoes these sentiments. “It’s going to be a fantastically exciting year,” she says. “Our 100th anniversary is a lifetime event and between the City and all our partner community groups, we have a special year planned.”

Centennial Celebrations get underway on Dec. 31 with the Kickoff. Planned activities include ice skating on the pond, snow shoeing, sleigh rides, hot chocolate and, of course, fireworks!

Historical characters will make appearances throughout the evening.

In April, the official date of incorporation will be marked with a 1914-inspired city council meeting.

Councillors will dress in period costume and discuss hot topics of the time including the upkeep of wooden sidewalks and keeping chickens fenced.

Guests will also enjoy cake and other goodies to mark Grande Prairie’s official birthday.

Also in April, the City will unveil a legacy piece of the commemorations when 100 parks are named in honor of the century. The park names, suggestions for which

are being solicited from the community at large, were selected for their historical significance relating to Grande Prairie history.

May brings the Innovation Conference, presented by the City of Grande Prairie, Community Futures and the Centre for Research and Innovation. The conference will highlight the entrepreneurial spirit of Grande Prairie and allow local and national innovators to share ideas and maybe even the next big thing! There will be a breakfast mixer, rotating quick talks, and a keynote speaker.

Summer will feature many festivities around the city. The 100 Years of Pioneers in partnership with the County of Grande Prairie and the Grande Spirit Foundation is set for June 5. Seniors from Grande Prairie and the surrounding communities are in for an afternoon of entertainment and celebration at TEC Centre at Evergreen Park.

The Century Play runs June 12-16 in Muskoseepi Park. The production is the result of the work of hundreds of community members and the GP Century Play Society, established specifically to produce the production. Artistic direction will be provided by Annie Smith


Dec 31 Kick-off Celebration in Muskoseepi Park

April 100 Years 100 Parks

April 28 100 Anniversary Council Meeting

April 30 Official Date of Incorporation

May Innovation Conference

June 5 Seniors Day; 100 Years of Pioneers

in partnership with the County of Grande Prairie and the Grande Spirit Foundation

June 12-16 The Century Play

August 1-3 Homecoming Weekend

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The Homecoming Weekend is the focal point of the anniversary celebrations. Residents are encouraged to invite friends, family and former residents to return to see the growth and development Grande Prairie has experienced.

On Friday August 1 the weekend will open with a Community Builders Mixer. It will include the unveiling of a History Book profiling 200 Community Builders who helped build and grow Grande Prairie.

Saturday August 2nd will be Heritage Day! It starts with a parade and features a village carnival held at Grande Prairie Museum as well as the finals of the Soap Box Derby put on by a local Rotary group.

Muskoseepi Park will be full of food and artisan vendors along with musicians, entertainers and storytellers. The weekend wraps up on Sunday August 3rd with a Family Picnic in the Park and a fun run. Closing ceremonies are scheduled for 8 p.m. and will be followed by fireworks!

Further community events can be found on the Centennial Event Calendar at www.wegonorth.com


Snow Removal Program At A GlanceWhen do you begin getting ready for Winter Operations?

Transportation Services anticipates Winter Operations by purchasing sand and salt in late summer/early fall. Crews are assigned winter shifts within the first week of November. Depending on the severity of the winter, Transportation Services may supplement City owned-equipment with contractor equipment.

How do the Contracted Trucks Assist with Snow Removal?

Contractor equipment assists with hauling windrows and snow piles in residential areas.

When Does Your Snow Removal Program Start?

The Snow and Ice Control Program is initiated as soon as there is significant snow accumulation. Given the potential for extreme weather changes in the north there may be some transition at start-up as City crews will be assigned road maintenance work for as long as conditions permit.

What is the Size of Your Snow Removal Fleet?

• 5 Trucks for snow hauling (up to 12 with contracted equipment)

• 6 Graders• 4 Sanders/Plows, plus one

for alleyways• 6 Loaders with angle

blades• 2 Snow Blowers (1 main

and 1 back up)• 1 Sidewalk unit• 1 Bus stop unit

How do I Find Out When Equipment Will be in My Area?

Due to extreme northern winter events equipment may have to divert from residential areas to Priority I and Priority II roads to ensure safe passage for emergency vehicles and morning commuters. Garbage days and extremely low temperatures may also inhibit snow removal efforts. If weather conditions are favourable, you will know that we are about to be in your area when temporary No Parking A-frame signs are posted on your street. When signs are posted we ask that you remove your vehicles so crews can safely clear the roads. These signs are typically posted 24 hours in advance. To find out where we are, you may phone our Snow Removal Hotline at 780.538.0354 or visit our website at www.snow.cityofgp.com.

How Does Equipment Move Through Residential Areas?

The City is divided into sections of north and south by a continuous cycle with morning crews assigned to the north and afternoon crews assigned to the south. Transportation Services tracks where equipment has been in residential areas. A chart of our rotation with start and completion dates can be found at www.snow.cityofgp.com. At the start of each season the area that was at the bottom of the chart will be moved to the top. This ensures that each area has the opportunity to move up in the rotation. You may also call our Snow Removal Hotline at 780.538.0354 for more information.

What Are the Snow Plowing Priorities?

After a major snowfall, snow is removed on a priority basis as follows:

Priority 1 - Major arterials: 100 St, 84 Ave., 68 Ave., Resources Rd, Hwy 40 - Wapiti Road, etc.

Priority 2 - Transit Bus Routes and Major Collector Roadways: Crystal Lake Dr., Mission Heights Dr., Poplar Dr., Royal Oaks Dr., etc.

Priority 3 - Local Roads & Lanes (residential areas): The City provides dedicated snow and ice control on local roads


and lanes in residential areas. Weekday mornings in north side neighbourhoods (north of 100 Ave.) and weekday afternoons in southside neighbourhoods (south of 100 Ave.) Go to www.cityofgp.com/snow removal to find out how we move through the City.

The Highway 43 Corridor (portions of 100 Ave., 108 St., 116 Ave. and 100 St.) is under the control of Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation and will be maintained to the standards established through their maintenance contractors.

A map of priority roads can be found at www.cityofgp.com/snow removal

What is my Responsibility for Snow Removal and Ice Control on the Sidewalk Along my Property?

Traffic Bylaw #C-1166: Every occupant, or owner, of property adjacent to a sidewalk, shall remove, or caused to be removed, and cleared away, any snow or ice from the adjacent sidewalk

and the removal shall be completed within 24 hours following the most recent deposit of snow or ice. Do not dispose snow on City Property. Snow removed from sidewalks and private lanes must not be placed within the City’s roadways.

What Challenges Does the Snow and Ice Control Program Face?

• Extreme melt / freeze conditions

• Extreme low temperatures • Hard snow and ice pack• Tightly built subdivisions• More vehicles parked on

street

Frigid temperatures and rapidly changing weather conditions can slow down snow removal progress.

I live on a Priority II road, What Do These Permanent Parking Ban Signs Mean?

These signs indicate that when Transportation Services declares a parking ban you cannot park on the Priority I or Priority II road from 7:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m., weekdays,

until the ban is lifted. Parking Bans can be declared anytime between Nov. 15 and April 15. Parking Bans are lifted once weather conditions improve and areas have been cleared. Parking Bans are declared by the Transportation Services Manager or a designate.

How Will I Know a Parking Ban has been Declared/Lifted?

Residents can keep informed on the status parking bans in various ways:

Winter Parking Hotline – 780.538.0354www.snow.cityofgp.comFollow the City’s Facebook/Twitter Radio Stations

Where Can I Park During a Parking Ban?

Transportation Services appreciates the patience of citizens during parking bans. We make every effort to complete Priority II snow clearing as quickly as possible. Here are some suggestions:

• Park in driveway or neighbour’s driveway

• Park on nearby Priority III street

• Park in alleyway if you have access

How Many Times Does Residential Get Cleared?

During normal conditions, residential areas receive two rotations of snow removal


with a third reserved for missed areas and picking up missed piles. Depending on conditions, Priority I and II roads will receive the most clearing activities. Extreme conditions may require the City to hire additional contracted equipment to maintain residential areas in a safe and passable condition.

Does the Snow and Ice Control Program Include Alleyways?

Transportation Services has one dedicated truck that clears alleyways. Depending on the conditions, alleyways can typically be cleared within a couple of weeks. Extreme melt/freeze conditions may slow down this process.

Do You Have a Program for Trails?

Trails are cleared in much the same way as our roads with trails along Priority I roads maintained first.

Where Does the Snow Go?

Priority 1 and 2 - Snow will normally be plowed to the middle of the road and hauled to the City Snow Dump or will be pushed over the curb and onto the City-owned boulevards.

Sidewalks on Both Sides - snow will either be plowed to the middle and removed or plowed and stockpiled to the sidewalk on the even numbered side of the road on even years or the odd

numbered side of the road on odd years. 2013 / 2014 is an odd year.

Sidewalk on One Side Only - snow will generally be plowed to the side without a sidewalk. Snow will be pushed over the curb and onto the City-owned boulevards.

No Sidewalk - The snow will be plowed to both sides.

Why Can’t You Stockpile Snow in the Easements?

Easements must remain clear of dumped snow for drainage and to facilitate spring run-off.

Snow Removal At A Glance con’t

Transportation Services 2012/2013 Winter Season Statistics:

• 266 cm of snow• 25,000 truckloads of snow hauled• 3,000 tonnes of salt used• 8,000 tonnes of sand used

Documents

City Matters, November 2013