Coming Up: Jan 14

Council meets Monday night at 6:30.

The most significant agenda item: Council is currently pursuing a debt refinancing strategy which will impact our community for decades. Council may pass the bylaw which enables refinancing on Monday. I am strongly opposed to the current plans and hope Council will hear more from the community before debate (both from people who are for and against it).

Other agenda items include:

Sign Bylaw Ammendments: among other things these would increase the allowable size of billboards and allow limited third parting advertising on electronic freestanding signs
Neighbourhood Enhancement Grants and Community Group Funding: Council will be discussing amounts to award to local organisations for community projects
Aquatera Dividends for 2018

Additionally, on Tuesday the Community Living Committee will be discussing the Grande Prairie Storm and possible City assistance.

Following is more information and my take on agenda items.

Guest UserJanuary 13, 2019Debt, signs, community funding, school board, stormComment

Coming Up: Council and Committee of the Whole Meetings

Council meets Monday night at 6:30. The agenda includes approval of the Northern Lights Area Structure Plan and a Borrowing Bylaw to enable Council’s debt refinancing strategy.

There will also be a Council Committee of the Whole meeting on Wednesday. The purpose of this meeting is to determine Community Group Funding allocations for 2019.

Following is more information and my take on agenda items.

Guest UserDecember 16, 2018Debt, community fundingComment

Coming Up: Dec 3

Council meets Monday night at 6:30. The agenda includes approval of the 2019 budget, land for a potential Catholic School Board bus maintenance facility, updates to sign bylaws, and a loan for a new Elders Caring Shelter.

Following is more information and my take on agenda items. One matter I am very unsure of: a proposal to increase the allowable size of billboards. I would love to hear your thoughts.

Guest UserDecember 2, 2018Debt, budget, school board, supportive housing, billboards Comments

Day 3 of Budget Deliberations

Yesterday Council completed budget deliberations.

I am very excited about the budget as it stands right now. It increases investment in policing, roads, and accessibility. It funds next steps at the Leisure Centre and for Hillside Renewal. At the same time, it incorporates a tax decrease.

I’ll be making a shorter post on my blog with the most important highlights later today. Following is a detailed report on Day 3 of our deliberations.

Guest UserNovember 17, 2018budget, Debt, refinancing, downtownComment

Day 2 of Budget Deliberations

Today, Council had its second day of budget deliberations.

At the end of yesterday, management was tasked with finding additional savings in the proposed budget. They worked late into the night to do that. I was thankful for their work- it set us up well to have great discussion today.

I’m happy to report that my goals going into the budget are currently all accomplished (although Council may still make changes)…

Guest UserNovember 15, 2018budget, DebtComment

Budget Deliberations: Day 1

Today Council had a day of budget deliberations.

I was excited to see management propose a budget that would come with a 3% tax decrease. We learned about and voted on portions of it. We’ll resume deliberations tomorrow. Following is what has happened so far.

Guest UserNovember 14, 2018budget, DebtComment

Update: Jan 15 Council Meeting

Last night we had our first Council meeting for the new year. It was fun getting back to work! All recommendations passed without any major amendments. However, there are two topics worth expanding on:

Guest UserJanuary 16, 2018Debt, Bear Creek Pool, CKC, Hughes LakeComment

INFO

HELP