Council Highlights May 28, 2024

Video and minutes 

• Following a lengthy Public Hearing on Bylaw 6438 (714-7 Street South and a portion of 620-7 Avenue South), Lethbridge City Council voted 5-3 (Councillor Rajko Dodic recused) to defeat second reading on the proposed rezoning
• As part of the Consent Agenda approval, Council voted unanimously to provide a letter of support, as well as $400,000 in cash and in-kind services, to support the Lethbridge Curling Club in its bid to host the 2026 Scotties Tournament of Hearts. The event would be held from January 23 to February 1, 2026, at the ENMAX Centre and feature the top 18 women’s curling teams from across Canada, including at least two or three Alberta-based teams. Read the full news release here
• Council voted unanimously in favour of second and third readings for Bylaw 6445 – Amendment to Bylaw 3999 – Water Services Bylaw. Read the full news release here
• Council voted unanimously to approve changes for the 2027-2030 Capital and the 2028- 2031 Operating budget process that includes the following:

1. By Quarter 3 2025 conduct Operating Budget deliberations and approval of the budget for 2027 (stub year)
2. In 2026, conduct Capital Budget deliberations for the 2027-2030 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) following by approval of the Capital Budget
3. In 2027, conduct Operating Budget deliberations for the 2028-2031 Operating Budget would occur in 2027. In addition to this process, the current Operating Budget would require a “stub year” for 2027 to be approved in 2025
4. For future budget processes, continue to stagger the Capital and Operating budget deliberations by one year
5. As part of the resolution, Council also rescinded item #6 from the City Council resolution on August 24, 2021, that was approved as: Direct the City Manager to start in 2026 the ongoing process to debate the 4-year Operating Budget and the 4-year Capital Improvement Program in the same year

• After being pulled from Consent Agenda, Council divided a motion from a Recommendation of Economic and Finance Standing Policy Committee - Motion Arising re: Affordable and Social Housing Capital Funding Request - Lethbridge Housing Authority.

1. Council voted unanimously to defer payment to August 31, 2024, for the servicing costs associated with bringing utilities services to the parcel for the project at the 416 Stafford Drive North
2. Council then voted 7-2 to direct Administration to request the Lethbridge Housing Authority to provide additional information regarding the funding allocation request of up to $1,050,000 for the Lethbridge Housing Authority (LHA) for their Supportive Housing Project located at 416 Stafford Drive to the November Economic and Finance SPC Annual Budget Review for consideration
3. Councillor Rajko Dodic will be bringing an Official Business Motion to the June 11 City Council meeting, where Council will allow representatives from the LHA and the public to speak at the meeting

• From an Official Business Motion from Councillor John Middleton-Hope, Council voted 7-2 to direct Administration to prepare a report outlining the feasibility, costs, benefits and control mechanisms to implement a free 15-minute ongoing grace period for parking stalls at the front of City Hall, located on the south side of 4 Avenue between Stafford Drive and 11 Street, and report back to the July 11, 2024, Economic and Finance Standing Policy Committee meeting
• As part of the Consent Agenda approval, the following items were also carried: Recommendation of Economic and Finance Standing Policy Committee - Downtown Lethbridge Business Revitalization Zone - Major Event Support Grant Funding Amendment, Recommendation of Economic and Finance Standing Policy Committee - Opportunity Lethbridge 2023 Annual Report & Lethbridge Land 2024-2027 Work Plan, Recommendation of Economic and Finance Standing Policy Committee - Status of Directed Resolutions - City Council and Standing Policy Committees Overview, Recommendation of Economic and Finance Standing Policy Committee - Council Policy Update and Recommendation of Safety and Social Standing Policy Committee - Community Wellbeing and Safety Strategic (CWSS) Updates and Funding Disbursement Process