Blaine Hyggen conducts first State of the City address as mayor of Lethbridge

In the Chamber of Commerce-hosted virtual event, Hyggen said after being sworn-in, council’s first month mainly focused on orientation and strategic planning. The mayor remarked that he’s “really excited to see how our council is already working together.” He noted there’s been a lot of energy and engagement from every member of the new city council.

“We’ve received context from city administration about the big pieces of work underway and the challenges we may have before us.”

Hyggen cited council’s ‘Gateway to Opportunity 2022 Action Plan’ as a guide to moving the city forward this year.

READ MORE: City launching “Gateway to Opportunity 2022 Action Plan”

“Lethbridge residents can expect a new approach for city council in 2022, one that clearly articulates priorities, creates transparency, reports performances and builds community trust.”

He noted that some of the key work identified to address in 2022 includes “supporting provincial partners in health care with family physician recruitment and retention, establishing a Community Wellbeing and Safety Strategy task force, a review of the cityLINK transit system, enabling support and examining opportunities for an emergency shelter, establishing a regional economic development and tourism strategy and establishing an Indigenous resource hub.”

READ MORE: Well-being in focus as part of proposed Indigenous Resource Hub in Lethbridge

Hyggen said during this four-year term, council will develop action plans annually and will report progress to the public every three months.

“We also intentionally updated the language to move away from the term ‘strategic plan’ to ‘action plan’, which showcases that this will be a results-based, living document.”

DOCTOR SHORTAGE

Hyggen addressed the growing concern over the lack of family physicians in Lethbridge and in southern Alberta. He said the city is working with Alberta Health, “who recruit family physicians”, and Alberta Health Services, “who provide the other health services in our community, which are also being impacted by the family doctor shortage.”

“Even though the municipal government does not have jurisdiction over health care in Alberta, we want to look at what other things that we can do as a city to attract new doctors.”

He remarked that, “a healthy and thriving community has to include a strong base of family doctors.”

READ MORE: Calls for action plan to address doctor shortage in Lethbridge continues

READ MORE: Lethbridge-East MLA says doctor shortage being addressed

Hyggen added that in December, a resolution was passed to refer the issue to the City Manager, to continue developing an action plan that would be brought back to council at a later meeting.

COMMUNITY SAFETY

The mayor commended the work of the Lethbridge Police Service in their efforts to keep the community safe and cited their ‘Stop the Op’ campaign, which advocates for reducing opportunities for would-be criminals in the city.

“We can reduce theft in our communities if we remove the opportunities for crime. By understanding how a lack of opportunity leads to less crime, we can begin to change the face of Lethbridge forever.”

Hyggen said the Crime Severity Index is on a “downward trend in Lethbridge, as it is in many parts of the country.”

“The city has a role of ensuring a clean and safe community, facilitating partnerships and advocating other orders of government for the services that we require.”

He added that when it comes to the drug crisis in Lethbridge, “the city is one partner in the response as we work to support the provincial government and agencies who provide the programs and services related to addictions and mental health in our community.”

Hyggen said he has spoken with Alberta’s Minister of Community and Social Services Jason Luan about the need to get more resources into Lethbridge to aid those battling addictions and mental health issues.

“We’ll always advocate for the resources we need, but council does not direct the Lethbridge Police Service, that is the role of the Police Commission. The city funds LPS, so that will be a discussion for all of council when we begin the budgeting process.”

CityLINK TRANSIT NETWORK & BROADBAND

Hyggen touched on the cityLINK Transit Network, which launched last summer. Many residents have raised concerns about the effectiveness of the transit system.

The mayor said, “on January 6, members of the Civic Works Standing Policy Committee voted unanimously to postpone to its February 3 meeting the potential approval of the cityLINK Network redesign results in order to gather more public feedback before proceeding with any further decisions and direction.”

Residents can provide feedback online, by calling 311 and by registering to speak in person at the February 3 meeting.

READ MORE: City asking for feedback on cityLINK redesign before February 3

LETHBRIDGE AIRPORT & FIRE STATIONS

Hyggen took time to give kudos to the Lethbridge Airport. Despite challenges caused by COVID-19, there is a lot to be excited about at YQL, including a string of new renovations. The mayor said the city’s investment and work to acquire provincial and federal grant funding for the renovations will be a big boost for the airport going forward.

READ MORE: Lethbridge Airport upgrades complete as passenger traffic increases

“The airport is key to the continued growth of our economy. The investment we put into our airport also positions our city and region in a competitive place for business attraction and retention for years to come.”

Last week, council endorsed the Airport Incentive Framework.

“The approval of this framework touches on several key items outlined in council’s Action Plan for 2022, including the airport performance and governance evolution, which will help us achieve the strategic goal of economic prosperity.”

Hyggen also noted that the new Fire Station No. 5 opened June 21, 2021 and construction came under the budget of $10.3 million.

“The addition of a second fire station located in the south end of West Lethbridge will improve response times for the west side of the city. Further, the location of additional firefighting resources will dramatically improve the time it takes to assemble enough resources, both firefighters and equipment, to deal with residential and wildland fires.”

Hyggen congratulated soon-to-be-retired Fire Chief Marc Rathwell and new incoming Chief Greg Adair.

READ MORE: New Fire Chief announced for Lethbridge

ENTERTAINMENT EXPANSION & EDUCATION

In his State of the City, Hyggen noted the importance and excitement around the work on Festival Square in downtown Lethbridge as well as the expansion taking place at Exhibition Park – the new Agri-food Hub and Trade Centre.

READ MORE: Construction work to begin on Festival Square in downtown Lethbridge

READ MORE: Festival Square construction paused for winter, resuming in the spring

On the Exhibition Park work, Hyggen said, “the project will create 400 construction jobs with an estimated 50 incremental jobs after completion. The estimated ongoing economic impact to Lethbridge and southern Alberta will grow to $90 million annually.”

“This project is a huge economic catalyst that will lead to greater investment and job creation, as agricultural industries further develop within the city and the region. We are proud to be recognized as part of Canada’s premier food corridor and look forward to strengthening that position with this project.”

The new Bunka Centre at Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden was also given a mention. Hyggen said it will help advance the tourism industry at Nikka Yuko and Henderson Lake Park.

Hyggen said he is looking forward to continuing to work with Lethbridge’s two post-secondary institutions, the University of Lethbridge and Lethbridge College, “to leverage the work they do to bring focus to how they’re changing the game of technology and innovation on the world stage.”

RECONCILIATION

After mentioning the City of Lethbridge’s new branding, the mayor touched on the city’s continued efforts on reconciliation.

He said the city’s efforts focus on four key areas: health and wellness, including housing, education, justice, racism and discrimination; economic development and employment; community planning, including land use planning and the environment; cultural resource management and emergency response; and communications.

“The purpose of the MOU is to establish stronger communications, planning and opportunities for joint advocacy in between the City of Lethbridge and the Kainai/Blood Tribe to advance issues of common interest and resolve issues of common concern.”

READ MORE: City approves partnership of understanding with Kainai/Blood Tribe

Hyggen noted the permanent raising of the Blackfoot Confederacy Flag is another piece of Lethbridge’s efforts in reconciliation.

He said, “seeing the flag flying permanently outside City Hall is a visual reminder of the history of the land that we’re located on.”

“We hope the visual sparks conversation, questions and encourages our community to engage in meaningful opportunities.”

In November, the City launched a new land acknowledgement video, which can be seen below, courtesy of the City of Lethbridge’s YouTube channel.

(Video: CityofLethbridge on YouTube)

“The City of Lethbridge is proud to publicly recognize and officially observe the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, deepening our commitments to the truth and reconciliation.”

Like last September, Hyggen confirmed that City of Lethbridge facilities will continue to close on September 30 going forward to observe the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. Additionally, October 4 has officially been declared as the Sisters in Spirit Day in Lethbridge.

Hyggen remarked that, “the Sisters in Spirit vigil honours the lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.”

“Supporting grieving families provides opportunities for healing and is a movement for social change, encouraging education and understanding related to the missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, and two-spirited persons.”

City council also approved the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls recommendations and work plan, which follows the commitment to address the 94 Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

“Council voted to advance the Indigenous Placemaking Strategy a year ahead of its originally schedule start. Council had previously approved this strategy that includes a review and audit of the public spaces, markers and language used by the City as part of the 2022 to 2031 Capital Improvement Program.”

A survey is available through the City addressing the naming of city-operated spaces and facilities, via getinvolvedlethbridge.ca.

CITY FINANCES

Hyggen remarked often, he hears people ask what it costs to operate the city on a day to day basis. The mayor said, “22 per cent is protective services – that’s police, fire and EMS. 19 per cent is electric, 19 per cent infrastructure and transportation services, 15 per cent leisure and human services.”

“These four areas comprise about 75 per cent of our annual operating budget, so where does the revenue come from to fund the operating budget?”

He explained that 43 per cent comes from sales and goods and services, which includes utility service charges and user fees for recreational and cultural activities. 35 per cent comes from the municipal portion of one’s property taxes “and other municipal levies.”

Hyggen said, “in 2019, there was a 1.82 per cent municipal tax increase, which was the lowest in 20 years. For 2020, we adapted and created a zero per cent municipal tax rate increase, and now that will continue for 2021 and 2022.”

“These adjustments will be applied to the municipal portion of the residential property taxes. Individual properties may see a tax change on their bills for other reasons, such as change in property assessment, the value of your home, business or multi-family complex, an increase to the Green Acres Foundation budget or to the Alberta school budget and new construction or demolition.”

The mayor noted that the previous city council directed a reduction in the size of the corporation by 60 full-time equivalent positions. He said implementation of the organizational restructure started last June and “has resulted in a consolidation of departments from 35 to 22 and a reduction of 61 FTEs [full-time equivalent].”

READ MORE: City of Lethbridge cuts 61 full-time equivalent employees

He added that, “nearly half the FTE will be realized by cutting positions kept vacant during the pandemic as a result of prudent planning and hiring restraint. Residents should not notice any additional service level changes due to workforce adjustments beyond those associated with the Fall 2020 budget reduction initiatives.”

“The staff reductions are estimated to result in a salary savings of approximately $4.28 annually.”

Hyggen remarked that the corporate workforce changes are helping the city “align structure with strategy in order to be an effective as possible.”

“These are important initiatives as the City faces possible cuts in provincial and federal grants while pushing forward with COVID recovery.”

The mayor also touted some of the Capital Improvement Program-approved projects, including the Henderson Ice Centre upgrade, Legacy Park pickleball courts and renovations at Fritz Sick Pool.

READ MORE: Council approves 2022-31 capital project recommendations

Hyggen said last year, council approved a different budgeting process, “that will align the approvals of four-year cycle of operating budget and the Capital Improvement Program into the same year.”

“This will be a change from a previous practice where council debates and approves a four-year budget cycle every two years, alternating between CIP and operating budget…this change will help council provide greater budgetary oversight, better connect the capital and operating budgets and help council strategically focus on revenues and expenditures.”

This spring, the City of Lethbridge 2021 annual report will come to city council. Past annual reports can be accessed here. In November, council will undergo its next operating budget deliberations.

Hyggen concluded his presentation by noting the resignation of City Manager Craig Dalton, and the need for a new individual to take over the role.

READ MORE: Council developing plan to find new City Manager

He mentioned the upcoming 2022 Tim Hortons Brier. The national men’s curling championship will be held March 4 to 13 at the ENMAX Centre in Lethbridge. Hosting the competition in March will make Lethbridge just the fourth city to host all four major Season of Champions curling events (the Tim Hortons Brier, the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, the World Men’s Championship and the World Women’s Championship).

READ MORE: Lethbridge to host 2022 Tim Hortons Brier

Hyggen closed by saying that “Lethbridge is the gateway to opportunity.”

“I want our council to be a source of continued optimism. We will strive to be an open, accountable and transparent group of leaders. We will address the concerns of all our residents, whether you voted for us or not. We aim to be good financial and environmental stewards for future generations and hope to leave our city in a better place in four years than it is today.”

by Justin Goulet

Blaine Hyggen conducts first State of the City address as mayor of Lethbridge

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