Grande Prairie council hears dispatch centre to save city $3M annually
City staff say the combined Public Safety Communications Centre, set to be fully operational October 21, will cut costs through shared staffing and technology. Council also approved rezoning near Cobblestone and new rural secondary suite rules.
Grande Prairie City Council received a staff report Monday estimating the new Public Safety Communications Centre, which combines police, fire and 911 dispatch, will save the city $3 million per year through shared staffing, consolidated supervision, and shared facilities and technology. The centre, based in the City on 99 building downtown, is expected to be fully operational October 21.
Staff also presented a mid-year budget update showing a projected surplus of about $2.85 million as of June 30, driven by a nearly $3.7 million surplus in the policing budget, a $632,000 surplus in Development Services, and more than $500,000 in extra recreation facility revenue. Transportation showed a $1,862,000 shortfall due to higher-than-expected snow removal costs earlier in the year.
Council approved zoning and Land Use Bylaw changes for 11 hectares of land east of Cobblestone, allowing 100-150 low-density and multi-family homes, with wetland studies underway and an existing west-side path to be preserved. Council also approved bylaw changes permitting secondary and backyard suites in rural areas within city limits, capped at three bedrooms and 1,400 square feet unless fully within a basement.
Council directed administration to report back on low-cost fixes for a sunken road in Westpointe causing water pooling and icy conditions, an issue a resident has raised for three straight years; the city says a permanent fix would require a future road rehabilitation project. Councillor Grant Berg also noted a pediatrician originally from Libya is relocating to Grande Prairie. Council's next meeting is September 14.
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