Lethbridge public meetings in 2023
15 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Special Meeting Of City Council
City Council provided first reading to Bylaw 6411 regarding a Land Use Bylaw Amendment for 416 Stafford Drive North. A public hearing on the matter is scheduled for September 19, 2023, at 3:00 P.M.
- Approved first reading of Bylaw 6411 Land Use Bylaw Amendment for 416 Stafford Drive North (6-0)
- Scheduled public hearing for Bylaw 6411 on September 19, 2023 (6-0)
City Council
City Council allocated funds for a Film Liaison and creative industries cluster and accepted a $665,618.10 federal grant for gang and gun prevention. Council also approved a land use amendment for 1304 6 Avenue South and defeated a proposal to study wrought iron fencing for Galt Gardens.
- Approved $319,505 for a 2.5-year Film Liaison position and $461,065 for a 3.3-year EDL position (Carried)
- Accepted $665,618.10 federal Building Safer Communities Fund grant for gun and gang initiatives (Carried)
- Approved Bylaw 6405 land use amendment for 1304 6 Avenue South (Carried)
- Defeated proposal to examine costs for a wrought iron fence at Galt Gardens (4-5)
- Passed first reading of Bylaw 6406 (Electronic Transmission of Documents) and Bylaw 6407 (Clean Energy Improvement Tax) (Carried)
- Scheduled public hearing for Bylaw 6407 for October 17, 2023 (Carried)
- Approved July 11, 2023 meeting minutes (Carried)
Safety And Social Standing Policy Committee
The committee approved the meeting agenda and the minutes from May 11, 2023. Members voted to recommend that City Council receive the Lethbridge Police Commission Annual Plan as information.
- Adopted amended agenda removing Item 6.1 (Enhanced Safety Measures for Galt Gardens) (4-0)
- Approved May 11, 2023 meeting minutes (4-0)
- Recommended City Council receive the Lethbridge Police Commission Annual Plan as information (4-0)
City Council
Council approved municipal tax cancellations for two redevelopment projects and a compassionate grounds request. The Animal Welfare Committee was transitioned to a standing committee, and a broader review of all city boards and commissions was directed.
- Approved 6-year municipal tax cancellation for 601 6 Ave South
- Approved 6-year municipal tax cancellation for 411 3 Ave South
- Approved $189.65 tax cancellation for 43 Kootenay Pl W on compassionate grounds
- Adopted Honorariums for Boards, Committees and Commissions policy retroactive to Jan 1, 2023
- Approved transition of Animal Welfare Committee from 'Ad-Hoc' to 'Standing'
- Directed City Clerk’s Office to conduct a review of all Boards, Commissions and Committees (BCCs)
- Postponed Water and Wastewater 2022-2031 CIP budget amendments to Sept 13, 2023
- Directed Administration to draft rate bylaws with annual increases of 6.5% for Water and 7.5% for Wastewater for 2024-2026
Assets And Infrastructure Standing Policy Committee
The committee approved the meeting agenda and the minutes from the June 1, 2023 meeting. Members also received a status of initiatives report and a Land Use Bylaw Renewal Project update for information.
- Adopted the July 6, 2023 meeting agenda (Carried)
- Approved June 1, 2023 meeting minutes (Carried)
- Received Status of Initiatives – 07-06-2023 as information (Carried)
- Recommended Council receive the Land Use Bylaw Renewal Project update for information (Carried)
Advocacy Advisory Committee
The Advocacy Advisory Committee recommended that City Council adopt a new Advocacy Framework and rescind the previous 2021 version. The committee also recommended that Administration create a prioritized Advocacy Plan for the 2023 Alberta Municipalities Convention based on downtown advocacy input.
- Recommended City Council rescind the August 24, 2021 Advocacy Framework (3-0)
- Recommended City Council adopt the new City of Lethbridge Advocacy Framework (3-0)
- Recommended City Council direct Administration to prepare a prioritized Advocacy Plan for the September 22, 2023 meeting (3-0)
- Approved April 28, 2023 meeting minutes (3-0)
- Adopted meeting agenda as amended (3-0)
City Council
Council approved the Shelter Development Strategy and reallocated $100,000 for its execution. Two land use bylaw amendments were passed following public hearings, and the ATCO Franchise Agreement was approved. Council also confirmed the mandate of the Yates Memorial Centre as a community theatre.
- Approved Shelter Development Strategy and reallocated $100,000 for its execution (Unanimous)
- Confirmed Yates Memorial Centre mandate as a community theatre (Unanimous)
- Approved Bylaw 6400 ATCO Franchise Agreement (Unanimous)
- Approved Bylaw 6402 Land Use Amendment for 618 6 Avenue South to allow massage therapy spa (Unanimous)
- Approved Bylaw 6403 Land Use Amendment for 1730 10 Avenue South for care facilities and mixed-use (Unanimous)
- Passed first reading of Bylaw 6405 (1304 6 Avenue South) and Bylaw 6408 (Traffic Bylaw harmonization) (Unanimous)
- Scheduled Public Hearing for Bylaw 6405 for July 25, 2023 (Unanimous)
- Accepted 2023 Census verbal report for information (Unanimous)
Governance Standing Policy Committee
The Governance Standing Policy Committee recommended updating the city's standing policy committee structure and disbanding the Advocacy Advisory Committee by October 31, 2023. The committee also recommended a new honorarium policy for boards and commissions and a comprehensive review of all city boards, commissions, and committees.
- Recommended adoption of City Council Policy for Honorariums for Boards, Committees, and Commissions retroactive to January 1, 2023
- Recommended amendments to Bylaw 6250 to update Standing Policy Committees Structure
- Recommended disbanding the Advocacy Advisory Committee effective October 31, 2023
- Recommended amendments to Animal Welfare Committee Terms of Reference to change it from 'Ad-Hoc' to 'Standing'
- Recommended City Clerk's Office conduct a review of all current Boards, Commissions, and Committees (BCCs)
- Referred term limitations and stipends for Council members on BCCs to Administration for 2024 report
- Recommended amendment to City Council Policy CC17 regarding City Manager Performance Review
- Defeated recommendation to forward the review of Councillor Representation Rotational Models to Council (2-2)
Economic And Finance Standing Policy Committee
The committee recommended that City Council allocate $480,000 from the federal Reaching Home portfolio to various housing and mental health initiatives. A proposed amendment to the Water and Wastewater Capital Improvement Program budget was postponed to September. Two motions regarding the Lethbridge Oldtimers Sports Association Henderson Project were defeated.
- Recommended $200,000 for a needs assessment and strategic updates to housing and wellbeing strategies
- Recommended $90,000 annually for four years to Blood Tribe Department of Health for the PSN project
- Recommended $170,000 for the Canadian Mental Health Association to purchase two vehicles
- Recommended $20,000 for an Integrated Coordinated Access Engagement Service Fair
- Postponed Water and Wastewater 2022-2031 CIP budget amendment and rate bylaw recommendations to September 13, 2023
- Defeated motion to refer LOSA Henderson Project to Administration for review of other options
- Defeated motion to refer LOSA Henderson Project to Administration for CIP summary and cost identification
- Accepted Tax Rate Review and Lethbridge Destination Management Organization Update as information
Cultural And Social Standing Policy Committee
The committee recommended that City Council reallocate $100,000 from Council Contingencies to the Shelter Development Strategy and rescind a 2022 resolution regarding a community care campus. Other actions included recommending a mandate for the Yates Memorial Centre as a community theatre and requesting a draft Civic Culture Plan by Q1 2024.
- Recommended reallocating $100,000 from Council Contingencies to the Shelter Development Strategy (4-0)
- Recommended rescinding the April 5, 2022 resolution for a community care campus (4-0)
- Recommended City Council confirm the mandate of Yates Memorial Centre as a community theatre (4-0)
- Requested a complete draft of the Civic Culture Plan by the end of Q1 2024 (4-0)
- Recommended Council direct Administration to provide quarterly updates on the Shelter Development Strategy (4-0)
- Referred review of Joint Use Agreements regarding indoor courts to Administration for October 2023 (4-0)
- Requested an update from the Lethbridge Social Helping Organization Coalition in Q4 2023 (4-0)
- Approved May 18, 2023 meeting minutes (4-0)
City Council
Council approved the adoption of a sanctioned trail network in the river valley and amended the Land Use Bylaw for 2910 16 Avenue North. The City Manager was also encouraged to provide complimentary parking at City Hall during the last week of June for tax payments.
- Approved adoption of sanctioned river valley trail network
- Approved Bylaw 6401 Land Use Bylaw Amendment for 2910 16 Avenue North (unanimous)
- Encouraged City Manager to provide complimentary parking at City Hall during the last week of June (unanimous)
- Approved minutes from City Council Meeting 05-30-2023
- Deferred Lethbridge & District Exhibition Project Update to July 11, 2023
- Deferred Reconciliation Lethbridge Advisory Committee Terms of Reference to October 17, 2023
- Deferred Legal and Other Considerations in Land Use Bylaw to end of Q1 2024
- Invited community groups to the June 23, 2023 Advocacy Advisory Committee meeting
Special Meeting Of City Council
City Council met in a special session to continue a governance seminar and receive a project update. Both items were discussed in a closed session, and the specific details of these discussions remain confidential.
- Added Lethbridge & District Exhibition Project Update to the agenda (8-1)
- Adopted the amended agenda (9-0)
- Entered closed session at 1:09 P.M. (9-0)
- Adjourned closed session at 2:10 P.M. (9-0)
- Resolved to keep City Council Governance Seminar discussions confidential (9-0)
- Authorized Mayor and City Manager to proceed with confidential direction regarding Lethbridge & District Exhibition Project (9-0)
- Resolved to keep Lethbridge & District Exhibition Project discussions confidential (9-0)
Assets And Infrastructure Standing Policy Committee
The Civic Works Standing Policy Committee recommended the adoption of a sanctioned trail network in the river valley. The committee also provided strategic direction for the Climate Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan and requested a draft Parks Master Plan by early 2024.
- Recommended Council direct Administration to proceed with a sanctioned river valley trail network (4-0)
- Referred Climate Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan back to Administration with specific vision and guiding principles (4-0)
- Recommended Council receive the Transportation Master Plan Draft Executive Summary for information (4-0)
- Referred Parks Master Plan engagement feedback to Administration with a request for a complete draft by end of Q1 2024 (4-0)
- Approved May 4, 2023 meeting minutes (4-0)
Governance Standing Policy Committee
The Governance Standing Policy Committee referred a proposal to Administration to create a one-page visual regarding the restructuring of committee mandates, memberships, and spending authorities. The proposed changes include combining several committees and rescinding the Advocacy Advisory Committee.
- Approved agenda (3-0)
- Approved April 27, 2023 minutes (3-0)
- Received Status of Initiatives for May 31, 2023 as information (3-0)
- Referred to Administration to report back on June 22, 2023 with a visual for combining Advocacy Advisory Committee into Governance Standing Policy Committee (3-0)
- Referred to Administration to report back on June 22, 2023 with a visual for combining Community Safety and Cultural committees into a Social and Safety Standing Policy Committee (3-0)
- Referred to Administration to report back on June 22, 2023 with a visual for delegating authority up to $75,000.00 per item for five specific standing policy committees (3-0)
- Referred to Administration to report back on June 22, 2023 with a visual for rescinding the Advocacy Advisory Committee (3-0)
- Referred to Administration to report back on June 22, 2023 with a visual for setting Audit Standing Policy Committee to four meetings per year or as needed (3-0)
City Council
City Council directed administration to apply for the Housing Accelerator Fund and explore repurposing Exhibition Park pavilions for indoor recreation. Council also approved the demolition of the Manie Opera Society building and reduced the scope of the D-23 Outdoor Sports Court project.
- Approved application for Housing Accelerator Fund with 15% growth rate commitment (9-0)
- Allocated $1.5M from reserves as matching funds for Housing Accelerator Fund risk management (9-0)
- Approved feasibility study to repurpose Exhibition Park pavilions for recreation (9-0)
- Approved up to $50,000 for pavilion feasibility study (8-1)
- Reduced D-23 Outdoor Sports Court scope from two courts to one smaller court (9-0)
- Approved demolition and backfilling of Manie Opera Society building at 318 2 Avenue South (6-3)
- Adopted Lethbridge Land 2023-2026 Work Plan (9-0)
- Granted first reading to four land use and redevelopment bylaws (9-0)