Photo credit: Curtis Galbraith

By Emily Keller

city council

City Council members off to AUMA convention and other council highlights

Sep 23, 2019 | 8:34 PM

This week is the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association Convention in Edmonton, where members of council will be representing Grande Prairie.

The convention will see over 1,100 municipal leaders and officials will discuss issues such as infrastructure, municipal taxation and the upcoming federal election.

City Councillor Dylan Bressey says it is a good way to advocate for the city and discuss issues that council has been dealing with.

“We’re going to be talking about transportation needs in our city, especially the need to twin Highway 40 south of the city, and also talking to the government about it’s commitment to help people who are struggling with addictions and mental health, and how to get them proper support so they can become healthier individuals, and so we can minimize community impact of these problems we have.”

The convention runs from September 25 to September 27.

Meaningful Mementos

Remembering Someone You've Lost at Christmas

Dec 03, 2024

Seasonal Sorrow

How Do You Get Through The Holidays When You're Grieving?

Nov 01, 2024

Upcoming Events at Oliver's

Grief & Loss and Estate Planning Seminars

Oct 02, 2024

Other Council Highlights:

Council approved a motion to have Administration research and prepare a recommended list of designated election sign locations, or to present a different solution. The results will be presented to a future committee for further discussion.

Council approved Community Group Funding for 2020, where $4.6 million will go to 40 different groups and organizations in Grande Prairie.

Council will be moving forward with the new design features based on the community feedback. A combination of the city’s logo and a swan will be incorporated. Staff will begin detailed drawings and create an RFQ for the installation of both features.

The Grande Prairie Fastpitch Association went before council to thank the city for their help and support with the recent Men’s and Master Men’s Fastpitch Championship that was hosted at South Bear Creek Park. They said they had around 6,000 attendees over the five days of the tournament.

A concerned citizen presented to council regarding Supervised Consumption Sites and the current encampments that were moved from Rotary House. Kristopher Arcand noted that his intent is to raise awareness about the problems these issues create in a community, such as a bad influence for children and the increase in drug paraphernalia in the city. Council says funding for Supervised Consumption Sites is more of a provincial issue, and that they were unable to do much more than what they are doing now.

The Local CUPE Union went before council to urge them to keep public city services in-house and to not contract them out. Many in the audience were there to discuss the City’s changes to the Dave Barr Community Centre daycare.