Policy committee to discuss security, water quality

By Lethbridge Herald on April 9, 2025.

The Oldman River flows under the high level bridge as seen from the west side of the river valley. The Economic and Finance Standing Policy Committee of Lethbridge city council is set to hear a report today on potential water quality concerns for the city because of coal mining in the Eastern Slopes of the Rocky Mountains. Herald photo by Al Beeber

Al Beeber – LETHBRIDGE HERALD – abeeber@lethbridgeherald.com

The Economic and Finance Standing Policy Committee of Lethbridge city council will meet this morning at 9 a.m.

The SPC consists of the mayor and all members of council.

Two presentations and a pair of submissions are on the agenda. The SPC will start with a closed session in which members will discuss three confidential items.

One presentation to be submitted by Chief Financial Officer and treasurer Darrell Mathews and presented by security manager Leon Borbandy will address City Hall and council chambers security recommendations.

Recommendations made by LEA Consulting total more than $3.2 million, the SPC will hear. The recommendations are being made in recognition of the importance “maintaining a safe City Hall for council, the public, and staff,” says the submission.

Administration has reviewed the consulting firm’s work and are recommending that seven items, which it considers the most impactful and cost-effective, be implemented with a phased-in approach during the remainder of the current budget cycle.

The cost of implementing the recommendations will be $50,000 annually after an initial cost of about $300,000.

Council on Jan. 23 last year directed City administration to return to council with a range of options and scope for a potential comprehensive security audit of City Hall’s first floor.

The recommendations made by the consult would have annual costs of $425.000 in addition to the one-time $3.2 million cost.

The SPC will hear that “enhancing security in council chambers is crucial for maintaining a safe and orderly environment where governance decisions can operate effectively.”

Recommendations of administration include:

1) Council chamber enhancements including a four-foot barrier wall with swinging doors to enable public viewing of council while maintaining room openness which the report says “ensures health and safety, permits quick staff access to secure areas during emergencies, and complies with fire and emergency egress codes.” Electronic access controls on the main and side doors of council chambers to prevent theft and damage and to enable a lockdown during emergencies or to restrict access to chambers during close session are also recommended as are increased contracted hours for a security presence during council meetings, security which will be based on risk assessment.

2) Staff I.D. badges and visitor management and screening. These badges and a “robust” visitor management process are essential for enhancing security and maintaining a professional environment, says the City. A requirement for all staff to always wear an I.D. badge with name and photo to combat unauthorized access into non-public areas of City Hall.

3) Security policies and training development which “encompasses establishing clear access control policies, detailed security protocols for meetings based on risk assessments of agenda items, and infrastructure upgrades such as barrier walls and advanced electronic access systems.”

4) Security incident mass notification processes to include email and text alerts for staff during security incidents. The other three recommendations include security contract improvements, a centralized security services workgroup and planning and development for a security services workgroup.

The SPC will also hear starting at 2 p.m. a report on potential water quality concerns for the city because of coal mining in the Eastern Slopes of the Rocky Mountains.

The SPC will hear that in the last decade, selenium concentrations in the Oldman River have ranged from 0.0004 to 0.001 mg/L. After treatment, selenium concentrations were between 0.0003 to 0.001 mg/l which “highlights the fact that the Lethbridge Water Treatment Plant cannot remove selenium (or metals in general) from source water,” the SPC will hear.

“Over the last 10 years, selenium concentrations in Lethbridge’s source water (the Oldman River at Lethbridge) ranged from 0.0004 – 0.001 mg/L. Following treatment, the water entering the distribution system had selenium concentrations ranging from 0.0003 – 0.001 mg/L. This highlights the fact that the Lethbridge Water Treatment Plant cannot remove selenium (or metals in general) from source water. Due to the potential water quality contaminants associated with coal mining, there are potential water quality concerns for the City of Lethbridge should coal mining resume in the Oldman Watershed,” says the report.

Members of the public will be given a chance to speak on all open meeting matters.

Submissions include one by Lethbridge & District Exhibition acting Chief Executive Officer Kim Gallucci on that organization’s monthly financial reporting and another by Waste and Environment General Manager Mandi Parker on Bylaw 6496, an amendment to Bylaw 6146 – the Waste Bylaw.

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