Highlights from Monday’s meeting of Grande Prairie City Council

Grande Prairie City Council met on Monday. 

– Council asked administration to contact Aquatera and get more information about line inspections in the Mountview neighbourhood. A Mountview resident talked to council about what she called “decades of catastrophic sewer back-ups” that ruined many possessions and displaced her family for several months. She added these floods have hit her home three times. She adds at least 27 homes have been impacted by sewer back-ups. Other people in the area were forced from their homes and are still not able to return. She went on to say that there is “something fundamentally wrong with the stormwater and sanitary infrastructure” in her neighbourhood and “this has been a known problem for years.” She asked that when the results of a drainage study are known, that Mountview needs be deemed critical infrastructure and be funded right away. The delegation also wanted the city to ensure Aquatera approve and fund any sanitary line work needed. This is the second straight council meeting that a Mountview homeowner has talked to council about backed-up sewers and homes flooding.   

– Another delegation from Mission Estates spoke to council about a proposed new trail from the cul-de-sac on 75A Avenue to the Muskoseepi Park trail system. He told council that there is already a paved access three blocks south of the proposed new trail. He adds that there were no significant issues with people hiding or camping in this area. He also said residents did want to see the trees taken down that were cut down and that increased activity that the trail would bring about would distract from the peace and quiet in the neighbourhood. Council voted to accept the report for information. 

-Council approved some changes to the 2026 Capital Budget. That includes waiving of fees totalling nearly $117,500 for the Multi-Sport Dome, most of that a building permit fee. There is also a new $74,000 expense to replace the roof at the Saint Lawrence Centre. Administration says replacing the roof is more cost-efficient than continuing to do repairs. The money will come from a reserve fund.