Lethbridge city councillors address doctor shortage, undesirable public behaviour at meeting – Lethbridge

Lethbridge City Council passed a number of resolutions at Tuesday’s meeting in line with the Gateway to Opportunity 2022 Action planwhere the health and well-being of its residents is a top priority.

Council votes for the first time unanimously to allocate $15,000 from contingency funding to a GP recruitment and marketing campaign, in partnership with the Chinook Primary Care Network, Alberta Health Services, and Development Lethbridge Economic Development.

As part of that resolution, the council also directed the city manager to continue exploring partnership and partnership opportunities with AHS and CPCN and report back, as well as write to Alberta’s health minister Advocating for and funding an academic teaching clinic. in Lethbridge.

“Council is continuing to demonstrate our commitment to Lethbridge residents with the shared goal of recruiting and retaining GPs in our community,” said Mayor Blaine Hyggen.

This action follows an update and proposed action plan presented April 27 to the permanent policy committee on culture and society on the ongoing shortage of physicians in the region. area.

The Council also passed a new Public Places Law on Tuesday. The law will go into effect on July 1, 2022, and is intended to act as a platform to clearly communicate community expectations for respectful behavior.

The second and third readings of Bylaw 6280 were unanimously adopted after recommendations from the standing public safety policy committee.

When enacted, the law will provide a broader definition of public space than the city’s previous Bylaw Street. It will also list some unwanted behavior, including littering, graffiti, urinating in public, spitting, fighting, bullying, handling, weapons, and fireworks.

A standard $300 fine will be imposed on all such violations.

According to the city, the aim is not to start increasing ticket sales, but instead to adopt community policing techniques that will engage and educate people to prevent this behavior from happening. right from the start.

In another unanimous vote on Tuesday, the council also passed a resolution that would see six more melon football fields added to Legacy Park.

Construction will begin in late 2022 or early 2023. Once completed, there will be dozens of courts for players to choose from.

“The 12 yards will include wind resistance and an operating model and usage agreement, and access to the courts will be developed through discussions with the city,” said city manager Robin Harper. Lethbridge Rugby Club to ensure access for both the club and the public. general manager of entertainment and culture.

The project was approved as part of the 2022-2031 Capital Improvement Program budget. But before moving forward, the city conducted public participation in Get Lethbridge Join website in November and December 2021, with a total of 601 responses.