Lethbridge Minute: Scotties Bid, Water Plan, and a Public Safety Event

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

This Week In Lethbridge:

• On Tuesday, at 12:30 pm, there will be a meeting of City Council. Councillor Schmidt-Rempel will introduce an Official Business Motion to invite representatives from Lethbridge College, Red Crow Community College, and the University of Lethbridge to a Governance Standing Policy Committee meeting. The purpose of that meeting will be to discuss retention rates for graduates, efforts to keep graduates in the community, and how Council can help support those efforts. A second Official Business Motion will be brought forward by Mayor Hyggen and Councillor Schmidt-Rempel relating to physician recruitment. The motion would authorize the Mayor to send a letter to the Health Minister advocating for specific recruitment efforts in Lethbridge for both family physicians and specialists, as well as authorize Council to allocate $15,000 toward a marketing and recruitment campaign in collaboration with Alberta Health Services and Economic Development Lethbridge.
  
  
• The Safety and Social Standing Policy Committee will meet on Thursday at 1:30 pm. The Committee will receive two presentations - one from the Lethbridge Public Library regarding their 2023 Report to the Community, and another from Community Social Development regarding updates to the Community Wellbeing and Safety Strategic Plan and the funding disbursement process. An update from the Downtown Lawlessness Reduction Task Force will also be provided.
  
  
• Registration is open for our Public Safety Town Hall event on May 31st at 6:00 pm at the German Canadian Club. Mayor Blaine Hyggen and Councillor John Middleton-Hope will be in attendance to address community concerns and outline the steps the City is taking to enhance safety in Lethbridge. You’ll have the opportunity to voice your concerns, ask questions, and engage directly with local leaders about the issues that matter most to you. Tickets are $10 and go directly to offsetting the costs of putting on events like this. You can purchase yours online here.

Last Week In Lethbridge:

• The Economic and Finance Standing Policy Committee voted 7-1 to recommend supporting the Lethbridge Curling Club's bid to host the 2026 Scotties Tournament of Hearts, despite concerns from the City’s Chief Financial Officer. The Committee recommended approving $400,000 towards the event if the Curling Club secures the bid for the event. Funding for this would come from the Municipal Revenue Stabilization Reserve, leaving about $4 million in the fund, although some Council members expressed reservations due to other financial priorities such as the water treatment plant and ongoing drought concerns. The Curling Club emphasized its track record of hosting major events in Lethbridge, including previous successful curling championships.
  
  
• The City has introduced a Water Conservation Plan and Strategy aimed at reducing overall water use by 20% by 2030, with reductions planned at the City level too. Measures include reducing the frequency of fleet and transit vehicle washing, adjusting street sweeping practices, and limiting hydrant flushing to operational needs. Other departments like Parks & Cemeteries and Recreation & Culture will also contribute to water reduction efforts, focusing on irrigation management and green space maintenance. The Plan's progress will be monitored, and further actions may be discussed in an upcoming Council meeting.
  
  
• The Government of Alberta has allocated $2.2 million to CONCEPT Investment Partners for a senior affordable housing project in Lethbridge, part of a larger $66 million funding effort for housing initiatives province-wide. The project, situated at the former Seasons Lethbridge Retirement Community, will be known as The Edwards, and will create 50 housing units, with 37 designated as affordable. The renovation work is extensive, covering everything from mechanical systems to new kitchens and cabinetry, with a focus on energy efficiency and reducing carbon footprint. Applications for units are expected to open in the next month or so, with move-in ready units anticipated by July or early August.

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