Lethbridge City Council is resuming sessions after their summer break, with several items on the agenda to review.
One of the agenda items on the consent agenda is deciding on extra funding for Graffiti Abatement outside the boundaries of the Downtown BRZ. Ahead of the summer break, the downtown organization proposed a one-time payment of $51,562 to the Safety and Social Standing Policy committee to address what the BRZ describes as an increasing rate of tagging in the city.
According to the report presented to the committee, “While the appearance of such tags is detrimental to the buildings and commercial enterprises, they are further problematic when associated with gang-related activity and the establishment of ‘territory’. Graffiti often
serves as a rebellious act against societal norms and authority. Some artists use it as a form of protest, challenging the system and making their voices heard. By defying rules and boundaries, they reclaim spaces for their own narratives.”
The reason for the payment is to cover the costs of the graffiti removal that is done outside of the regular duties that are already established for crew members. The one-time payment would allow the BRZ to hire someone for six months to do graffiti abatement along with back alley clean up in the area.
Along with making decisions regarding the graffiti abatement, council also will be reviewing recommendations put forward by the Safety and Social Standing Policy Committee regarding the childcare needs assessment that has been conducted over the past year. Council is being asked to implement the Childcare Needs Assessment as is and consider $151,000 in ongoing Annual Funding at the 2028-2031 Operating Budget Deliberations.
Other items being brought forward during the first council meeting back includes the monthly update from the Lethbridge and District Exhibition and an update from administration on the city’s encampment strategy.
