Lethbridge Minute: Encampment Updates, Street Sweeping, and the First Monthly Report

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

This Week In Lethbridge:

• The Safety and Social Standing Policy Committee will meet on Thursday at 1:30 pm. The Committee will be presented with an overview of the Encampment Strategy, covering a 2023 Year In Review and upcoming strategic updates for 2024. The Committee will also receive a presentation on the 2023 Galt Museum & Archives Annual Report. There will also be a presentation - and a confidential discussion - on properties of concern, subject to the minimum property standards bylaw.
  
  
• Nominations are open for the 2024 Community Builders Awards. Lethbridge MP Rachael Thomas is inviting residents to recognize individuals making notable contributions to the community. The awards highlight those who selflessly dedicate time, talent, and resources to improve others' lives, across categories like youth leader, adult leader, not-for-profit leader, and business leader. A panel of community members will select the recipients, who will be honoured at a fall ceremony. Nominations are open until May 17th, with forms available at Thomas' office in Lethbridge or online.
  
  
• Street sweeping season is underway. Crews are busy clearing streets of sand, dust, dirt, and other debris. Work is taking place on weekdays between 7:30 am and 3:30 pm, and parking restrictions will be in effect during these hours. Vehicles obstructing sweepers may receive $50 parking tickets. Work should wrap up by late June or early July.

Last Week In Lethbridge:

• Council received the first of the monthly reports they demanded from Lethbridge & District Exhibition (LDE). The report highlighted the success of the recent Ag Expo and noted a better November through February deficit than expected at $341,194, though this includes revenue from the Ag Expo. LDE informed Council that they have secured 25 new events within the past two months, and have 120 events planned for the 2024 fiscal year with a goal of 200 total events. Mayor Blaine Hyggen said he was pleased to see steps being taken in the right fiscal direction. The MOU between LDE and the City of Lethbridge requires these monthly updates. 
  
  
• A Council Committee was presented with a Water Conservation Plan and Strategy, which outlined plans to decrease water use by 20% by 2030, with updates to the Water Rationing Action Plan also under consideration. Reservoir levels are significantly below normal, and the Province is currently in the fourth stage out of five in water shortage management. There are a series of voluntary, economic, and regulatory measures under consideration locally, aimed at instigating long-term shifts in water usage behaviour. These include adjusting water rates based on usage, incentives and rebates for items like rain barrels, water-efficient toilets, and "xeriscaping" - a type of landscaping that requires less irrigation. Proposed changes to the Water Bylaw will be presented to Council as a whole in the near future.
  
  
• The Lethbridge Sport Council has introduced a new volunteer recruitment website to assist sport and recreation organizations post-COVID. Supported by federal funding, this initiative aims to enhance volunteer engagement in sports. It features sections for organizations to post opportunities, volunteers to sign up, and community groups to post announcements. The website is being launched in conjunction with the commencement of National Volunteer Week, which runs from April 14th to 20th.

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