Lethbridge Minute: Sport Volunteers, Nuisance Alarms, and an Expanded Reporting System

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

This Week In Lethbridge:

• On Tuesday, at 12:30 pm, there will be a City Council meeting. Councillor John Middleton-Hope will bring forward an Official Business Motion to review the fee-for-service arrangements with Economic Development Lethbridge and Tourism Lethbridge. The review will assess if these entities are achieving their objectives effectively and efficiently, and if the cost-benefit ratio is favourable for the City. It will also determine whether the agreements have clearly defined performance metrics aligned with the City's priorities. Councillor Rajko Dodic will also bring forward an Official Business Motion, this one aimed at approving $1,050,000 in funding approval for the Lethbridge Housing Association's new supportive housing project. Council will also discuss spending $1,426,500 to purchase a new fire engine.
  
  
• The Downtown Lawlessness Reduction Task Force will meet on Thursday at 7:30 am. On the agenda is a presentation regarding the unwanted activity, such as drug use, brandishing of weapons, and starting of fires, that take place outside the Landmark condo building at 515 6 Street South. Another presentation will be provided by a resident of the Landmark building regarding the increased use of nuisance alarms and the noise pollution they cause. The Task Force will also review a short-term strategy for Galt Gardens, aimed at improving safety and usability in the area. Additionally, there will be a discussion on a bylaw enforcement budget initiative, outlining proposed changes and funding requirements to enhance enforcement efforts downtown.
  
  
• Also on Thursday, at 12:30 pm, there will be a meeting of the Economic and Finance Standing Policy Committee. The Committee will receive a presentation on the modernization of Galbraith Elementary School, and review several submissions, including the Economic Development Lethbridge Annual Report, the Lethbridge and District Exhibition Monthly Financial Report, and a Lethbridge District Exhibition Memorandum of Understanding Update. The meeting will conclude with an in-camera discussion regarding land purchases and a land development matter.

Last Week In Lethbridge:

• The Lethbridge Police Service (LPS) has expanded its online reporting system for minor, non-emergency crimes. The updates include a new category for traffic complaints and increased thresholds for theft and mischief reports from $5,000 to $10,000. Citizens can report various incidents online, such as lost property, damage, and theft under $10,000, and non-emergency traffic complaints. These changes aim to allocate police resources more effectively to handle serious and complex cases. Online reports can be submitted here.
  
  
• Statistics Canada's Labour Force Survey revealed that Lethbridge saw a notable increase in employment last month, with the unemployment rate improving from 6.4% in April to 5.8% in May 2024. The Lethbridge Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) added 1,100 net jobs, and the local population grew by 500 to approximately 116,300. Provincially, Alberta's unemployment rate rose to 7.2%, with a loss of 20,400 jobs overall. Nationally, Canada added 27,000 jobs, but the unemployment rate remained steady at 6.2%.
  
  
• The Lethbridge Sport Council has launched the Volunteer Sport Hub, a new initiative funded by the Government of Canada Community Services Recovery Fund. This website aims to streamline volunteer recruitment for sports and recreation organizations in Lethbridge. According to the organization, sports volunteerism differs from regular community volunteering, as many involved are parents deeply engaged in their children's activities. The Hub allows volunteers to match their skills and interests with specific opportunities and seeks to alleviate burnout among regular sports volunteers and expand opportunities to the wider community. You can check out the website here.

-----

Donate:

Common Sense Lethbridge doesn't accept any government funding and never will. We think you should be free to choose, for yourself, which organizations to support. If you're in a position to contribute financially, you can make a donation here.

-----

Share:

If you're not in a position to donate, we understand, but if you appreciate our work, you can help by spreading our message. Please forward this email to your friends, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and help make sure every Lethbridgian knows what's really going on at City Hall.