Lethbridge Minute: Budget Planning, Bridge Deliberations, and Mocha Cabana Closes

Lethbridge Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Lethbridge politics

This Week In Lethbridge:

• The Economic Standing Policy Committee will meet on Tuesday at 9:30 am. The Committee will receive several presentations from City departments regarding upcoming budget deliberations. The City’s Manager of Communications and Engagement will present the “What We Heard” report regarding community engagement on the budget.
  
  
• On Wednesday, at 9:30 am, there will be a second meeting of the Economic Standing Policy Committee. Day two features additional presentations, including budget requests from Volunteer Lethbridge and the Lethbridge Lodging Association. The Committee will also receive submissions on Affordable and Social Housing Operating Options and a Community Revitalization Levy.
  
  
• On Thursday, there will be a meeting of the Cultural and Social Standing Policy Committee at 1:30 pm. The Committee is set to receive a presentation from the City’s Senior Community Planner on a Heritage Plan Update, which will look to update the current plan so that it includes building partnerships with Indigenous Communities by including them in historic resource matters. The Committee will also receive submissions on Community Wellbeing and Safety Strategy Programming Contract Amendments and the Culture Plan.

Last Week In Lethbridge:

• Council heard a presentation from Stantec, a firm hired by the City of Lethbridge to explore the viability of constructing a third river crossing. A third river crossing will be needed by 2030-2040 according to the firm, but some Councillors say it isn't needed. Just over 60% of voters expressed their wishes for a third crossing in the referendum held at the last election.
  
  
• A longtime staple of Lethbridge’s downtown restaurant scene, Mocha Cabana, has closed. The owners cited the COVID-19 pandemic and the economy as the primary reasons for shutting down. Local business owners responded to the news in shock, yet are not surprised that the current economic environment is putting strain on small businesses. Trevor Lewington with Economic Development Lethbridge said the latest census data shows some hope is on the horizon as the total number of businesses operating in the city has increased beyond pre-pandemic levels.
  
  
• After a public hearing, Council voted unanimously in favour of a land use amendment bylaw that will support physician recruitment. The lots at 950, 954, and 958 - 17 Street South, near the Chinook Regional Hospital, were zoned for Low Density Residential but have been vacant for some time. Now, the property owner can apply for a mixed-use building development permit to house medical and health offices.

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