Council Highlights May 30, 2023

Video and minutes

• Lethbridge City Council voted unanimously to amend the 2022-2031 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) project D-23 Outdoor Sports Court. Based on a unanimous recommendation from the Economic Standing Policy Committee meeting on May 17, the project will reduce its initial scope from two courts to one court at a reduced size of 185’ by 85’. The updated project will remain within the previously-approved budget of $900,000. With a location at Legacy Park, the project will now move to the next phase of design, with construction and opening timelines to be determined. Read the full news release here
• From an Official Business Motion by Acting Mayor Ryan Parker, Council voted unanimously to direct administration, subject to written approval of the Lethbridge and District Exhibition, to explore the feasibility of repurposing the pavilions for recreational multipurpose opportunities and report back to City Council by the end of Q4, 2023. Council also voted 8-1 to provide up to $50,000 for this feasibility study, to be funded from existing Recreation and Culture operating funding
• From a submission from Ross Kilgour, Community Planner, Council voted 6-3 to direct Administration to issue a heritage Intervention Approval, effective June 13, 2023, for the demolition and backfilling of the Manie Opera Society building (318 2 Avenue South). This decision will provide the building owner’s time to find possible solutions
• As part of the Consent Agenda approval, based on recommendations from Cultural and Social Standing Policy Committee, Council voted unanimously for:

1. Direct Administration to apply for the Housing Accelerator Fund
2. Support the recommended housing supply growth rate commitment of 15% and the 11 action plan initiatives presented on page 7 of the report, to include in the City of Lethbridge’s Housing Accelerator Fund grant application
3. Commit the allocation of $1,500,000 from the funding held in reserve as matching funds for future projects from the 2022-2031 Capital Improvement Program adopted at the June 1, 2021, meeting of Council as a backstop to manage risk if the City is unable to meet the requirements of the Action Plan
4. Direct Administration to pause intakes for the Affordable and Social Housing Capital Grant and return to the Social and Cultural Standing Policy Committee before the end of Q4 2023 with strategic amendments to Policy CC49: Affordable and Social Housing Capital Project Grant

• Council voted unanimously to accept as information a verbal Encampment Strategy Update from Carly Kleisinger, Director of Community Services