Lethbridge Minute: Bylaw Renewal, Library Pilot, and Standing Policy Committees
Lethbridge Minute: Bylaw Renewal, Library Pilot, and Standing Policy Committees
Lethbridge Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Lethbridge politics
This Week In Lethbridge:
- There are no Council or Committee meetings this week, according to the City’s website. The 2025 Council and Committee meeting calendar is also not available yet.
- Lethbridge Public Library is launching a pop-up library pilot project called BookStop at the Labour Club Ice Centre on the northside. This initiative aims to serve underutilized areas by offering library services in a space identified as underserved in the City's library master plan. The pop-up will allow library members to pick up holds, browse, check out books, and return items. The project is part of a broader effort to better serve northside residents, with the BookStop open until March 2025.
- The City is seeking resident feedback to help update its land-use bylaw, which has been in place since 1986. As part of Phase Two of the Land Use Bylaw Renewal Project, the City has launched a survey to gather input on housing, commercial areas, parking, and downtown development. The survey is open until February 18th, 2025, and is available on the City’s website.
Last Week In Lethbridge:
- Council voted to maintain its Standing Policy Committees (SPCs), rejecting a motion by Acting Mayor Jeff Carlson to disband them. Carlson had argued that SPCs create unnecessary red tape and duplicate efforts, suggesting matters be addressed directly at the Council level. Despite his initial stance, Carlson admitted he proposed the motion "off the cuff" and considered reversing it after hearing mixed feedback. Several councillors, including Belinda Crowson and Ryan Parker, supported keeping the SPC system, suggesting it could be improved rather than removed. Others, like Councillor Rajko Dodic, criticized the SPC model, questioning its effectiveness and public relevance. Ultimately, the majority of Council felt SPCs distribute governance responsibilities effectively and should remain in place.
- Lethbridge Polytechnic announced the closure of its English Language Centre, effective June 30th, 2025, citing federal reductions in international student visa issuance as a key factor. The decision impacts approximately 20 employees and more than 100 current students while also contributing to a projected $10 million budget deficit for the upcoming fiscal year. The closure follows a significant cut to the Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program. Polytechnic President Brad Donaldson noted that other programs might face reductions or eliminations as the institution evaluates enrollment trends and internal efficiencies.
- Council has approved changes to the 2025 municipal election process in response to Alberta's Bill 20. Residents will now need to register to vote, either online by October 1st, 2025, or at voting stations, as part of the new Elector’s List requirement. Ballots will also be hand-counted due to a provincial ban on electronic vote tabulators, a process estimated to take four days. The total cost of the election is expected to rise to over $665,000, nearly double the usual amount, though the City will cover the additional expenses with unused funds. Nominations for candidates are currently open.
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