Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the City Council held on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 in City Council Chamber at 12:30 PM. 

PRESENT: 

Mayor HyggenDeputy Mayor Schmidt-RempelActing Mayor CrowsonCouncillor BeeberCouncillor CampbellCouncillor DodicCouncillor DoriaCouncillor ParkerCouncillor Wolfe

ABSENT: 

OTHERS:

Bonnie Hilford, City ClerkRyan Westerson, Legislative Services ManagerLloyd Brierley, City ManagerDarrell Mathews, Chief Financial Officer and TreasurerCarly Kleisinger, Director of Community ServicesJoel Sanchez, Director of Infrastructure ServicesBrian Loewen, Director of Legal ServicesRobert Ulrich, Director Corporate ServicesNicole Mitton, Director of People and Partner Services

Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at 6:30 P.March 10. - 10:30 P.March 10.

1.

ROLL CALL

2.

CALL TO ORDER

2.1

Acknowledgement Statement

2.2

Recognitions

1. Councillor Dodic, re: Dr. Zielke and Cardiac Care Centre for Lethbridge; 
2. Councillor Campbell, re: Franco Alberta Flag Raising, Young Kings Hockey Team, Pro Squash event at Lethbridge Polytechnic, Moonlight Run, Sweeny Todd; 
3. Councillor Wolfe, re: Chamber of Commerce events, AgExpo, Black History Month at Galt Museum, Lethbridge Police Service Cadet Graduation, Streets Alive donation from Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints - $405,000.
4. Deputy Mayor Schmidt-Rempel, re: Chamber of Commerce New Member Orientation, International Women's Day Conference and University of Lethbridge International Women's Day Leadership Conference, Grand Opening of Neighbourhood Chef;
5. Councillor Beeber, re: Myeloma Flag Raising, Woods Home Coldest Night of the Year Walk; 
6. Acting Mayor Crowson, re: Rotary Agricultural Scholarship - 3 recipients; 
7. Councillor Doria, re: Black History Month, Job Fair at Excite Lethbridge, International Women's Day luncheon with Member of Parliament Thomas; 
8. Mayor Hyggen, re: Dr. Zielke and Cardiac Sciences Centre, University of Lethbridge Philosophy students, Chamber of Commerce International Women's Day Conference, Recognizing Councillors Crowson, Doria and Schmidt-Rempel.

3.

ADOPTION OF AGENDA

• Moved By Acting Mayor Crowson

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Agenda of the Regular Meeting of City Council on March 10, 2026 be adopted as presented. 

  
  

  In Favor (9):

  Mayor Hyggen, Acting Mayor Crowson, Councillor Beeber, Councillor Campbell, Councillor Dodic, Councillor Doria, Councillor Parker, Deputy Mayor Schmidt-Rempel, and Councillor Wolfe

  
  
  
  CARRIED (9 to 0)

4.

CONSENT AGENDA

• Moved By Deputy Mayor Schmidt-Rempel

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT the minutes of the following Meetings of City Council be approved, and the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized to sign the same: 

  • Special City Council Meeting - 2026-02-10; and
  • City Council Meeting – 2026-02-24; and

  FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT City Council receive for information the Status of Directed Resolutions for March 10, 2026:

  FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT City Council approve the following Community Issues Committee recommendation:

  4.4 Recommendation of Community Issues Committee - Bylaw 6512 - Amendment to Bylaw 5270 - Noise Bylaw

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT City Council provide first reading to Bylaw 6512 – Amendment to Bylaw 5270 - Noise Bylaw. 

  4.5 Recommendation of Community Issues Committee - Parade Resourcing

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT City Council amend the 2023-2026 Operating Budget by reallocating the annual grant amount of $6,500 for Lethbridge & District Exhibition – Parade Float to the City Council Operating Budget for the 2026 and 2027 years and allocate $6,500 from the 2023-2025 City Council carry forward, for a total of $13,000, to fund a City of Lethbridge parade float; and

  FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT City Council refer any ongoing parade resource funding to the 2028-2031 Operating Budget deliberations. 

  
  

  In Favor (9):

  Mayor Hyggen, Acting Mayor Crowson, Councillor Beeber, Councillor Campbell, Councillor Dodic, Councillor Doria, Councillor Parker, Deputy Mayor Schmidt-Rempel, and Councillor Wolfe

  
  
  
  CARRIED (9 to 0)

4.1

Special City Council Meeting Minutes - 2026-02-10

4.2

City Council Meeting Minutes - 2026-02-24

4.3

Status of Directed Resolutions - 2026-03-10

4.4

Recommendation of Community Issues Committee - Bylaw 6512 - Amendment to Bylaw 5270 - Noise Bylaw

4.5

Recommendation of Community Issues Committee - Parade Resourcing

5.

PRESENTATIONS

6.

OFFICIAL BUSINESS

6.1

Parking Enforcement Improvement

With unanimous consent of Council, Sarah Amies - Executive Director of the Downtown Business Revitalization Zone (DBRZ) answered questions of Counci.

• Moved By Councillor Wolfe

  WHEREAS the City of Lethbridge maintains a Parking Reserve intended to support the long-term sustainability of municipal parking infrastructure, technology, and operations; and

   WHEREAS ensuring the financial sustainability of the Parking Reserve requires regular evaluation of both cost-recovery practices and cost-efficiency measures; and

  WHEREAS the Parking Reserve is being depleted due to revenue shortfalls, and corrective action is required to ensure sufficient reserves are in place to manage future lifecycle costs for the parking program; and

  WHEREAS parking enforcement activities play a significant role in both generating parking-related revenue and incurring operational costs; and

  WHEREAS Council approved changes to parking fines in 2023 based on feedback gathered from community engagement, and parking revenues have continued to decrease since those changes were implemented;

  THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that City Council direct Administration to:

  1. Explore and evaluate options to increase cost recovery from parking enforcement and residential parking permits, including but not limited to:

  • Enhancements to enforcement practices, technologies, or deployment models;
  • Adjustments to fine structures, compliance tools, or payment methods, as permitted by legislation; and
  • Opportunities to improve compliance and voluntary payment rates.

  2. Identify opportunities to reduce costs related to parking enforcement while maintaining service effectiveness, public safety, and fairness, including operational efficiencies, alternative service delivery models, or technological solutions.

  3. Assess the financial implications of the identified options, including projected impacts on revenues, operating costs, staffing, and the Parking Reserve.

  4. Consult internally and, where appropriate, with relevant external partners or comparable municipalities to identify best practices and innovative approaches; and

  Report back to Council no later than to the June 16, 2026 Community Issues Committee with a summary of findings, analysis, and recommended options, including implementation considerations and timelines. 

  
  

  In Favor (7):	Mayor Hyggen, Councillor Beeber, Councillor Campbell, Councillor Dodic, Councillor Doria, Councillor Parker, and Councillor Wolfe
  Opposed (2):	Acting Mayor Crowson, and Deputy Mayor Schmidt-Rempel

  
  
  
  CARRIED (7 to 2)

6.2

St Laurent Exchange Program - Funding Increase Request

• Moved By Councillor Dodic

  WHEREAS:

  a. In 1967, as part of a Centennial project, the Canadian Federal Government encouraged municipalities from the ‘West’ and the ‘East’ to enter into city-to-city twinning arrangements; and

  b. Lethbridge embraced the project and since 1967 has been in a formal twinning relationship with the borough of Saint-Laurent, which is part of Montreal, Quebec; and

   c. The communities of Saint-Laurent and Lethbridge are of a similar size in terms of population; and

  d. The details of the program are attached to this Motion and which is information that was posted on the City of Lethbridge Website on January 1, 2026. Additionally, a photo from 1967 depicting the launch of the exchange program is attached; and

  e. The exchange has occurred every year since 1967 except for two years when the COVID pandemic prevented the exchange from occurring; and

  f. Since 1967, more than 330 residents have participated in this exchange and anecdotal information from the participants has indicated that their experience has been extremely positive and they have enduring memories of the experience; and

  g. The hosting budget for Lethbridge with respect to the exchange has remained at $25,000 for at least the past 15 years and has never been adjusted for inflation, whereas, the current budget for Saint-Laurent has been $60,000; and

  h. The relationship between the two communities is a tradition that is worth maintaining and should be continued and fostered; and

  i. There should be equity vis a vis the financial contributions from each community to continue the exchange program and to ensure that the experience for the participants is comparable as they visit their twin City and surrounding area:

  NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City of Lethbridge, 2026 and 2027 operating budget allocations for the exchange program between Lethbridge and Saint-Laurent be increased by $25,000 in each year, totaling up to $50,000, to be funded as a one-time allocation from Council Contingencies; and

  FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT the $25,000 annual increase together with yearly Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) be referred to the 2028-2031 Operating Budget deliberations as a new initiative. 

  
  

  In Favor (8):	Mayor Hyggen, Acting Mayor Crowson, Councillor Campbell, Councillor Dodic, Councillor Doria, Councillor Parker, Deputy Mayor Schmidt-Rempel, and Councillor Wolfe
  Opposed (1):	Councillor Beeber

  
  
  
  CARRIED (8 to 1)

7.

BYLAWS

8.

COMMITTEE SUBMISSIONS

9.

ADMINISTRATION PRESENTATIONS

9.1

Provincial Budget Impacts to the City of Lethbridge (Verbal)

• Moved By Mayor Hyggen

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT  City Council receive this presentation as information. 

  
  

  In Favor (8):	Mayor Hyggen, Councillor Beeber, Councillor Campbell, Councillor Dodic, Councillor Doria, Councillor Parker, Deputy Mayor Schmidt-Rempel, and Councillor Wolfe
  Opposed (1):	Acting Mayor Crowson

  
  
  
  CARRIED (8 to 1)

10.

ADMINISTRATION SUBMISSIONS

10.1

2026 Public Auction Reserve Bids

• Moved By Councillor Doria
  BE IT RESOLVED THAT City Council: 

  1. Establish the terms and conditions outlined in Attachment 1, and
  2. Set the reserve bids for each parcel of land and designated manufactured home as detailed in Attachment 2, to offer for sale at the Public Tax Auction scheduled for Thursday, April 2, 2026, at 11:00 A.M. in the Culver City Meeting Room at City Hall. 
  
  

  In Favor (9):

  Mayor Hyggen, Acting Mayor Crowson, Councillor Beeber, Councillor Campbell, Councillor Dodic, Councillor Doria, Councillor Parker, Deputy Mayor Schmidt-Rempel, and Councillor Wolfe

  
  
  
  CARRIED (9 to 0)

11.

ADMINISTRATIVE INQUIRIES AND RESPONSES

11.1

Asset Management follow up inquiry

To be responded to on March 24, 2026.

11.2

Compliance with Access to Information Act (ATIA) and Protection of Privacy Act (POPA)

12.

CITY COUNCIL UPDATES

12.1

Acting Mayor Crowson - Council Updates - 2026-03-10

12.2

Deputy Mayor Schmidt-Rempel - Council Updates - 2026-03-10

12.3

Councillor Doria - Council Updates - 2026-03-10

13.

PUBLIC HEARING - 3:00 P.M.

14.

CONFIDENTIAL REPORTS

• Moved By Deputy Mayor Schmidt-Rempel

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT we do now enter a Closed Meeting at 2:58 P.M. to discuss confidential matters with respect to items 14.1 and 14.2 as per Sections 28 (Local Public Body Confidences) and 29 (Advice from Officials) of the Access to Information Act.

  
  

  In Favor (9):

  Mayor Hyggen, Acting Mayor Crowson, Councillor Beeber, Councillor Campbell, Councillor Dodic, Councillor Doria, Councillor Parker, Deputy Mayor Schmidt-Rempel, and Councillor Wolfe

  
  
  
  CARRIED (9 to 0)

• Moved By Councillor Dodic

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT we do now adjourn the Closed Meeting at 3:35 P.M.

  
  

  In Favor (9):

  Mayor Hyggen, Acting Mayor Crowson, Councillor Beeber, Councillor Campbell, Councillor Dodic, Councillor Doria, Councillor Parker, Deputy Mayor Schmidt-Rempel, and Councillor Wolfe

  
  
  
  CARRIED (9 to 0)

14.1

Ratification of Representatives to Economic Development Lethbridge Board of Directors (ATIA Sections 28 and 29)

(City Manager, City Clerk, Legislative Services Manager)

• Moved By Councillor Beeber
  BE IT RESOLVED THAT City Council ratify the following representatives to the Economic Development Lethbridge Board of Directors, in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding (2016) between the City of Lethbridge and Economic Development Lethbridge, for a 2-year term effective immediately, and ending at the 2028 Economic Development Lethbridge Annual General Meeting;

  • Nnamdi Chiadikobi - Environment Sector; and
  • Gerry Saguin - Multi-Cultural Sector; and

   

  FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT City Council direct that the closed session discussion and documents with respect to the Ratification of Representatives to the Economic Development Lethbridge Board of Directors remain confidential pursuant to Sections 28 (Local Public Body Confidences) and 29 (Advice from Officials) of the Access to Information Act.
  
  

  In Favor (9):

  Mayor Hyggen, Acting Mayor Crowson, Councillor Beeber, Councillor Campbell, Councillor Dodic, Councillor Doria, Councillor Parker, Deputy Mayor Schmidt-Rempel, and Councillor Wolfe

  
  
  
  CARRIED (9 to 0)

14.2

City Manager Quarterly Check-in (Verbal) (ATIA Section 29)

(City Manager)

• Moved By Mayor Hyggen

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT City Council direct that the confidential discussions with respect to the City Manager Quarterly Check-In remain confidential pursuant to Section 29 (Advice from officials) of the Access to Information Act.

  
  

  In Favor (9):

  Mayor Hyggen, Acting Mayor Crowson, Councillor Beeber, Councillor Campbell, Councillor Dodic, Councillor Doria, Councillor Parker, Deputy Mayor Schmidt-Rempel, and Councillor Wolfe

  
  
  
  CARRIED (9 to 0)

15.

CITY COUNCIL NOTICES OF MOTION

15.1

Green Shirt Day

To be heard March 24, 2026.

16.

ADJOURNMENT

Mayor Hyggen declared the meeting adjourned at 3:38 P.M.