By Curtis Galbraith

City Hall

City Council meeting highlights

Sep 19, 2023 | 6:00 AM

Grande Prairie City Council held its regular meeting Monday afternoon.

– Council gave a round of applause to Tenille Townes after Mayor Jackie Clayton told those gathered that the Grande Prairie-raised artist had won the Canadian Country Music Association Female Artist of the Year award for the fifth year in a row. Tenille’s version of O Canada plays before every council meeting.

– Council heard a presentation from an Ottawa-based company called Food Cyclers. A representative talked to the city about a pilot project that would see municipalities help people buy the company’s machines and use them for food waste rather than putting it in the garbage. These machines break the waste down to five per cent of its original weight. It can then be used as fertilizer in gardens. Council agreed to have administration compile a report, including how this might impact Aquatera as it collects methane from the landfill and uses it to help run the wastewater treatment plant. Some on council expressed concern about the possible cost to the city. A report will come to a future standing committee meeting.

– Councillor Chris Thiessen told the meeting that transit ridership in Grande Prairie has gone up 25 per cent compared to the same time last year. He also reminded everyone that anyone 17 and under can now take transit for free.