Highlights from Monday’s meeting of Grande Prairie City Council
Council has asked administration to compile a report on ways to control foxtail, one that would include possible legal actions. Three Northridge residents spoke to council about ongoing problems with foxtail seed filling their yards, endangering pets, blocking dryer vents, ruining sod, and making it so people could not use their yards or barbecues. Protective and Social Services Director Chris Manuel told council they had over 100 active files on foxtail complaints and were ready to levy fines when landowners mowed the foxtail in nearby vacant lots that had been causing the problems.
Council has agreed to send a funding request from the Grande Prairie & District Chamber of Commerce to fall budget talks. A chamber delegation asked at Monday’s meeting for $68,500 in 2023, and $83,500 ins 2024 and 2025, to fund its Regional Workforce Development Strategy. The idea, unveiled in April, is meant to attract skilled people to Grande Prairie. It is a collaboration between the city, chamber, County of Grande Prairie, MD of Greenview and Northwestern Polytechnic. The chamber’s presentation says it will ask the other two municipalities for similar funding amounts and NWP for $10,000 per year over the three years.
Council has approved a deal with Design Works Engineering for naming rights to the twin ice surfaces at the Community Knowledge Campus. The new name, Design Works Centre, becomes official in November. The facility is currently called the Coca-Cola Centre. The new agreement is for 10 years.