MINUTES of the Regular Meeting of the City Council held on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 in City Council Chambers at 12:30 PM

 

1.

 

PRESENT:

 

Mayor

Blaine Hyggen

 

Deputy Mayor

Rajko Dodic

 

Acting Mayor

Nick Paladino

 

Councillor

Mark Campbell

 

Councillor

Jeff Carlson (departed at 3:34 P.M.)

 

Councillor

Belinda Crowson

 

Councillor

John Middleton-Hope

 

Councillor

Ryan Parker (departed at 3:11 P.M.)

 

Councillor

Jenn Schmidt-Rempel

 

 

 

OTHERS:

 

Acting City Clerk

David Sarsfield

 

Legislative Officer

Megan Kling

 

City Manager

Lloyd Brierley

 

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Darrell Mathews

 

Director of Community Services

Carly Kleisinger

 

Director of Corporate Services

Rob Ulrich

 

Director of Infrastructure Services

Joel Sanchez

 

Director of Legal Services

Brian Loewen

 

Director of People and Partner Services

Nicole Mitton

 

2.

 

 

2.1.

 

 

2.2.

 

 

 

2.2.1.

Deputy Mayor Dodic, re: Bringing Hearts Home Campaign  - Getkate Family Financial Gift

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2.2.2.

Councillor Campell, re: U13 Girls Basketball at 2025 Alberta Indigenous Games in Edmonton

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2.2.3.

Councillor Carlson, re: Appreciation to Canadian Firefighters and Emergency Services

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2.2.4.

Councillor Schmidt-Rempel, re: LFGA Open Range Days, University of Lethbridge Chancellor’s Dinner, Congratulations to Michelle Day Miles and Liam Nixon.

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2.2.5.

Councillor Middleton-Hope, re: Remembering LPS Superintendent Glen Mickelson, Memorial for Acting Sergeant Paul Smith and Constable  Calvin Byam

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2.2.6.

Councillor Crowson, re: Congratulations to Our Lady Assumption receiving International Baccalaureate Designation, Successful Environment Week for Environment Lethbridge, Lethbridge Tourism Community Showcasing, Upcoming Farmers Markets

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2.2.7.

Acting Mayor Paladino, re: Annual Industry Apprenticeship Scholarships, Praised Legacy Park Pavilion Functionality

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2.2.8.

Mayor Hyggen, re: Congratulations to LCI and Winston Churchill Rugby Teams, Congratulations to Nycea Hazelwood and Mehnaz Kahn 2025 Canada Wide Science Fair winners, Seniors Week Celebrations, Bringing Hearts Home - Getkate Family Financial Gift

 

 

3.

 

 

Acting Mayor Paladino:

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Agenda of the Regular Meeting of City Council on June 10, 2025 be adopted as amended, to include:

 

•         14.1 - Community Social Development Grant Agreements Presentation; and

•         A new item 14.4 - Land Matter (Verbal) (FOIP Sections 21 and 24).

 

In Favour:   Mayor Hyggen, Acting Mayor Paladino, Councillor Carlson, Councillor Campbell, Councillor Crowson, Deputy Mayor Dodic, Councillor Middleton-Hope, Councillor Parker, Councillor Schmidt-Rempel

 

--------------- CARRIED

 

 

4.

 

 

4.1.

 

 

 

4.1.1

 

 

4.2.

 

 

 

4.2.1

 

 

4.3.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.3.1

 

 

 

4.3.2

 

 

 

4.3.3

 

 

4.4.

 

 

 

4.4.1

 

 

 

4.4.2

 

 

Deputy Mayor Dodic:

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:

 

•         City Council Meeting – 2025-05-27

 

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT City Council receive for information the Status of Directed Resolutions – 2025-06-10, with the following amendments:

 

•         That Council defer the date of return of the New Council Policy – Disposition of Vehicles to the June 26, 2025 meeting of the Governance Standing Policy Committee; and

•         That Council defer the date of return of the New Council Policy – CAO Hiring Policy, to the July 24, 2025, meeting of the Governance Standing Policy Committee; and

•         That Council defer the date of return for the Council Policy - Naming Policy to a Governance Standing Policy Committee meeting in Q3 2025; and

•         That Council defer the date of return for the Council Policy- Naming Policy and the Nikka Yuko – renaming of Visitor Centre and Pavilion Tea House to a Governance Standing Policy Committee meeting in Q3 2025; and

•         That Council defer the date of return for the Amendments to the Lethbridge Police Commission Bylaw – Bylaw 5969 to the June 26, 2025 meeting of the Governance Standing Policy Committee; and

•         That Council defer the date of return for the Policies and Procedures – Outcomes of LDE 3rd Party Review from Q2 2025 to the September 11, 2025 meeting of the Economic and Finance Standing Policy Committee.

 

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT City Council approve the recommendations contained within the following Standing Policy Committee Reports:

 

4.3.1 Recommendation of Governance Standing Policy Committee – Snow  and Ice Control Service Level Change Implementation – Phase 2 &  Windrow Assistance Service (WAS) Information Update

 

BE IT RESOLVED THAT City Council:

 

  1. Direct Administration to proceed with Option 1 on a trial basis for the 2025/2026 winter season, and
  2. Direct Administration to report back on the results of the four-year trial of Snow and Ice Control Services Level Changes at a Governance Standing Policy Committee in spring of 2026.

 

4.3.2 Recommendation of Governance Standing Policy Committee - Update   – Sweeping Service Level Review

 

BE IT RESOLVED THAT City Council directs Administration to proceed with Option 1 for all sweeping programs with existing funding within the 2023-2026 Operating Budget.

 

4.3.3 Recommendation of Governance Standing Policy Committee – CC-60  Public Participation Policy

 

BE IT RESOLVED THAT City Council approve the amended Policy CC-60 Public Participation Policy, as provided in Attachment 1.

 

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT City Council provide first reading to the following bylaws:

 

4.4.1     Bylaw 6489 – Land Use Bylaw Amendment re: 2425 30 Street West

4.4.2     Bylaw 6491 – Land Use Bylaw Amendment re: 2401 Westside Drive West

 

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT City Council direct Administration to hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at 3:00 P.M. for the following bylaws:

 

•         Bylaw 6489 – Land Use Bylaw Amendment re: 2425 30 Street West

•         Bylaw 6491 – Land Use Bylaw Amendment re: 2401 Westside Drive West

 

In Favour:   Mayor Hyggen, Acting Mayor Paladino, Councillor Carlson, Councillor Campbell, Councillor Crowson, Deputy Mayor Dodic, Councillor Middleton-Hope, Councillor Parker, Councillor Schmidt-Rempel

 

--------------- CARRIED

 

 

5.

 

 

 

6.

 

 

6.1.

 

 

Councillor Schmidt-Rempel Councillor Crowson:

WHEREAS the Municipal Government Act (section 3 a.2) notes fostering the economic development of the municipality is one of the purposes of the municipality; and

 

WHEREAS Council does not have an up-to-date Economic Development Strategy, which is essential to provide clear direction to Administration and our service providers; and

 

WHEREAS as part of the Development Based Initiatives project, Administration is developing an updated Economic Development Strategy for the City of Lethbridge which will include considerations identified in the closed workshop conducted with Economic & Finance Standing Policy Committee members on June 12, 2025.

 

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council direct Administration prepare a presentation for the July 10, 2025 Economic & Finance Standing Policy Committee that includes identification of the need for any temporary resources to complete and implement the strategy as well as other potential development-based incentives as directed from the closed-session workshop; and

 

FURTHER, BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council direct Administration to invite the City’s fee-for-service-funded partners, Economic Development Lethbridge and Tourism Lethbridge, to attend the July 10th meeting.

 

In Favour:   Mayor Hyggen, Acting Mayor Paladino, Councillor Carlson, Councillor Campbell, Councillor Crowson, Deputy Mayor Dodic, Councillor Middleton-Hope, Councillor Parker, Councillor Schmidt-Rempel

 

--------------- CARRIED

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6.2.

 

 

Councillor Schmidt-Rempel Councillor Crowson:

WHEREAS City Council has a broad mandate to provide good governance, to develop and maintain a safe and viable community, and to supply desirable and/or necessary services to the community; and

 

WHEREAS a municipality functions at its fiscal best when it operates within a framework of well-planned and implemented financial policies; and

 

WHEREAS over time, the City of Lethbridge has developed efficient and innovative financial programs which have allowed the City to monitor and control the direction, allocation and usage of its financial resources; and

 

WHEREAS these fiscal programs guide the City of Lethbridge towards achieving its vision of being a healthy, attractive and economically viable city; and

 

WHEREAS many of these financial programs are principles and practices.

 

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT that Council direct Administration to develop a Long-Term Financial Sustainability Framework to formalize the longstanding financial principles and practices that guide the organization in making financial decisions that ensure its long-term financial sustainability while allowing for flexibility for future Councils to achieve their strategic vision; and

 

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT Administration present the new Long-Term Financial Sustainability Framework to Economic & Finance Standing Policy Committee for consideration by the end of Q1 2026.

 

In Favour:   Mayor Hyggen, Acting Mayor Paladino, Councillor Carlson, Councillor Campbell, Councillor Crowson, Deputy Mayor Dodic, Councillor Middleton-Hope, Councillor Parker, Councillor Schmidt-Rempel

 

--------------- CARRIED

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6.3.

 

 

Councillor Crowson:

BE IT RESOLVED THAT City Council receive the Requests from the Public to Present verbal update for information.

 

In Favour:   Mayor Hyggen, Acting Mayor Paladino, Councillor Carlson, Councillor Campbell, Councillor Crowson, Deputy Mayor Dodic, Councillor Middleton-Hope, Councillor Parker, Councillor Schmidt-Rempel

 

--------------- CARRIED

 

 

7.

 

 

 

8.

 

 

 

9.

 

 

 

10.

 

 

 

11.

 

 

 

12.

 

 

12.1.

Councillor Schmidt-Rempel, re: May 28 – Lethbridge Police Commission, June 5 – Intercity Forum on Policy

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12.2.

Councillor Carlson, re: 2025 Federation of Canadian Municipalities Conference

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12.3.

Mayor Hyggen, re: Alberta Mid-Size Cities Mayor’s Caucus

 

 

 

 

13.

 

 

 

14.

 

 

Councillor Campbell:

BE IT RESOLVED THAT we do now enter a Closed Meeting at 1:24 P.M. to discuss confidential matters with respect to item 14.1,14.2, 14.3, and 14.4 as per Sections 16 (Trade Secrets of a Third Party), 17 (Harmful to Personal Privacy), 21 (Harmful to Intergovernmental Relations), 24 (Advice from Officials), and 25 (Economic Interests of the Municipality) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

 

In Favour:   Mayor Hyggen, Acting Mayor Paladino, Councillor Carlson, Councillor Campbell, Councillor Crowson, Deputy Mayor Dodic, Councillor Middleton-Hope, Councillor Parker, Councillor Schmidt-Rempel

 

--------------- CARRIED

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Councillor Crowson:

BE IT RESOLVED THAT we do now adjourn the Closed Meeting at 4:11 P.M.

 

Absent: Councillor Carlson, Councillor Parker

 

In Favour:   Mayor Hyggen, Acting Mayor Paladino, Councillor Campbell, Councillor Crowson, Deputy Mayor Dodic, Councillor Middleton-Hope, Councillor Schmidt-Rempel

 

--------------- CARRIED

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14.1.

 

 

(City Manager, Deputy City Clerk, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, Director of Community Services, Director of Corporate Services, Director of Legal Services, Director Infrastructure Services, Director of People and Partner Services, Government Relations Manager, General Manager of Community Social Development, Legislative Officer)

 

Gaitaine Croxford and Donnell Iosifelis from Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada were in attendance for this item.

 

 

Councillor Campbell:

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council direct that the closed meeting discussions and materials with respect to the Community Social Development Grant Agreements (Verbal) remain confidential pursuant to Sections 16 (Trade Secrets of a Third Party), 21 (Harmful to Intergovernmental Relations), 24 (Advice from Officials), and 25 (Economic Interests of the Municipality) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

 

Absent: Councillor Carlson, Councillor Parker

 

In Favour:   Mayor Hyggen, Acting Mayor Paladino, Councillor Campbell, Councillor Crowson, Deputy Mayor Dodic, Councillor Middleton-Hope, Councillor Schmidt-Rempel

--------------- CARRIED

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14.2.

 

 

(City Manager, Deputy City Clerk, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, Director of Community Services, Director of Corporate Services, Director of Legal Services, Director Infrastructure Services, Director of People and Partner Services, Government Relations Manager, Legislative Officer)

 

 

Mayor Hyggen:

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council direct that the closed meeting documents and discussions with respect to the Recognition of Citizen Achievements remain confidential pursuant to Sections 17 (Harmful to Personal Privacy), and 24 (Advice from Officials) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

 

Absent: Councillor Carlson, Councillor Parker

 

In Favour:   Mayor Hyggen, Acting Mayor Paladino, Councillor Campbell, Councillor Crowson, Deputy Mayor Dodic, Councillor Middleton-Hope, Councillor Schmidt-Rempel

--------------- CARRIED

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14.3.

 

 

(City Manager, Deputy City Clerk, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, Director of Community Services, Director of Corporate Services, Director of Legal Services, Director Infrastructure Services, Director of People and Partner Services, Government Relations Manager, Legislative Officer)

 

 

Councillor Crowson:

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council direct that the closed meeting documents, discussions, and reports, with respect to the Recommendation from Governance Standing Policy Committee - Update on Government Relations Strategy remain confidential pursuant to Sections 21 (Harmful to Intergovernmental Relations) and 24 (Advice from Officials) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

 

Absent: Councillor Carlson, Councillor Parker

 

In Favour:   Mayor Hyggen, Acting Mayor Paladino, Councillor Campbell, Councillor Crowson, Deputy Mayor Dodic, Councillor Middleton-Hope, Councillor Schmidt-Rempel

--------------- CARRIED

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14.4.

Land Matter (Verbal) (FOIP Sections 21 and 24)

 

 

(City Manager, Deputy City Clerk, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, Director of Community Services, Director of Corporate Services, Director of Legal Services, Director Infrastructure Services, Director of People and Partner Services, Government Relations Manager, Legislative Officer, Urban Revitalization Manager, Interim Land Development Manager)

 

Councillor Schmidt-Rempel:

BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council direct that the closed meeting documents and discussions, with respect to the Land Matter remain confidential pursuant to Sections 21 (Harmful to Intergovernmental Relations) and 24 (Advice from Officials) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

 

Absent: Councillor Carlson, Councillor Parker

 

In Favour:   Acting Mayor Paladino, Councillor Campbell, Councillor Crowson, Deputy Mayor Dodic, Councillor Schmidt-Rempel

 

Opposed:   Mayor Hyggen, Councillor Middleton-Hope

--------------- CARRIED

 

 

15.

 

 

 

16.

 

Mayor Hyggen declared the meeting adjourned at 4:16 P.M.

 

Mayor

 

City Clerk

 

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