Outreach approach showing encouraging results

By Lethbridge Herald on September 20, 2024.

Mayor Blaine Hyggen – FROM THE HALL –

All the signs of autumn are here: the weather is starting to change, pumpkin spice aromas are filling hallways – and Lethbridge city council has returned to its regular schedule of meeting.

This week, in our first meeting back from summer, council discussed several important matters including the latest updates from Lethbridge & District Exhibition (LDE). The report included a financial summary until July 31, 2024, as well as a new year-end forecast, which both showed positive improvements from previous estimates. As a City Council, we know we have some important decisions ahead regarding the budget for LDE. But we are encouraged by the good work we’ve seen so far to reduce the deficit.

Their top event of the year, Whoop-Up Days in August, saw attendance surpass 40,000 people with a new record number of people taking in the Pro Rodeo. It’s these attractions that make Lethbridge vibrant, not just for our residents but for visitors who come here and stay in hotels, eat in restaurants, shop and explore our beautiful community. This builds both the culture and economy of our city.

On Tuesday, council also received the Encampment Strategy update – which recaps the June 14 to August 26 reporting period. Throughout the summer months, the City’s Encampment Response Team (ERT) has been busy responding to calls and providing outreach services for individuals experiencing homelessness in our community.

While the revised Outreach approach approved by council in July was only operational in the month of August, early results are very encouraging. Staff have been able to provide a variety of supports to individuals in encampments who face navigation challenges, such as substance use, mental health issues and other barriers to housing.

On behalf of city council, I want to thank our Community Social Development team for their ongoing efforts to help the most vulnerable members of our community. We are excited to see the team providing increased connection with social supports and helping with transitioning individuals out of encampments and into stable shelter and housing options.

The Encampment Strategy, initially approved by city council in May 2023 and operationalized in June 2023, is the guiding framework for City administration, in partnership with LPS, to provide the community a coordinated and consistent response. It recognizes the importance of balancing the needs and protection of the dignity of the most vulnerable while maintaining public safety, health, order, and safe and enjoyable parks and green spaces for all residents.

In May, council approved several updates to the Encampment Strategy. Within the strategy is a commitment to clear and consistent communication and reporting to Council and the community through bi-monthly updates to City Council in regularly scheduled Council meetings with aligned media availability.

That strategy is one example of our City staff being extremely busy moving forward Council’s priorities and working to make our community an even better place to call home. The excellent leadership of our City Manager is a key factor in achieving these goals.

That is why I am pleased to say that in July, city council unanimously agreed to a new contract with our City Manager – Lloyd Brierley. This is a six-year contract ensuring Mr. Brierley’s extensive experience in both the private and public sector will continue to guide our staff and support residents until at least 2030.

This consistency and stability to the organization is something council was seeking as we navigate the new challenges and opportunities our city faces. I want to thank Mr. Brierley for his tireless efforts to better our community and support City staff who deliver the programs and services we rely on every day.

During Council Updates on Tuesday, I also provided a recap of my recent trip to Timmins, Ontario, alongside Police Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh, for the Municipal Leadership on Substance Use Summit.

It was hosted by the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction and focused on issues and challenges surrounding substance use across the country. It was an honour to attend the conference and to speak on some of the strategies that we have within our community and our province.

Every community sees struggles stemming from addictions, so the event was a useful way to share best practices and ideas to tackle those issues. The goal remains the same everywhere: to help people in the community get the help they deserve.

Physicians also play a vital role – and council continues to actively assist in recruitment efforts. I want to thank Dr. Kirstin Derdall for sharing her story with the National Post in a story that ran earlier this week.

“Lethbridge is a wonderful community to live in and practice for physicians in all stages of their career,” she says in the article. “Its population has seen a steady growth over the past decade so this, in combination with a number of physicians retiring, has created a lot of opportunities for physicians in town.”

Medical professionals looking for additional information on living and working in Lethbridge are encouraged to inquire about the city’s health care recruitment initiatives.

A few final notes this month:

* I want to again thank all those who attended and sponsored the third annual Mayor’s Community Barbecue where we fed more than 1,400 people last month.

* Thanks to Wajima Takehiko, Consul General of Japan, and Seishin Oyama, president of the Okinawa Canada Association, for their recent visit to City Hall. Twenty years ago, we forged a bond of friendship with Haebaru, Japan – a partnership built on mutual respect, cultural exchange and shared aspirations for prosperity and understanding. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Mayor Masayuki Akamine, the government of Haebaru, and all those who have contributed to strengthening our friendship over the years.

* Thanks to Anyang City, China, for 20 years as our sister city

* Congratulations to the Chinese Free Masons, who recently celebrated 100 years in Lethbridge

* The 19th annual Mayor’s Luncheon for Business and the Arts is set for Wednesday, October 9, at the Sandman Signature Lethbridge Lodge. It will recognize and honour individuals, organizations, and companies who have significantly contributed to the vibrancy of the arts in our city

*  Next week is the latest Alberta Municipalities Conference, where Council members will meet with provincial ministers and continue to advocate for the supports we need in our city to best serve our residents.

As always, please be safe kind to one another.