City Councils Address Budgets, Projects, Public Services

City councils in Grand Forks, St. Cloud, Brandon and Grande Prairie approved or advanced a range of infrastructure, public-safety and community initiatives. Grand Forks certified special assessments for a $12.7 million drainage project, prompting objections from some residents who disputed the assigned benefits, and approved funding changes for elevator work at the Alerus Center. St. Cloud approved a three-year, $205,000 police video-collaboration system, while also addressing utility updates, land-use matters and a proposed school. Brandon approved a two-year conditional-use permit for a youth safe space and advanced tourism, park, aquatic-center and digital-parking plans. Grande Prairie reviewed rising crime figures in some categories, considered police budget requests and referred a proposed $1.5 million city contribution to a community hub renovation to upcoming budget deliberations.