Council to hear Uber plans
Two months ago, an Uber representative approached Lethbridge City Council in a bid for changes to allow the rideshare company to launch in the city. At today’s council meeting, city administration will provide two options after researching and consulting with the taxi industry on how to proceed.
Both options would allow Uber to set up in Lethbridge, with some amendments required to the existing Licence Bylaw.
The first, and city recommended option, is to allow provincial authorities and Transportation Network Companies to ensure driver compliance with existing provincial legislation. The second option, preferred by taxi operators, is for the drivers to obtain a municipal business licence as well as meeting provincial requirements.
Also on the agenda, a recently completed 10year Community Reconciliation Implementation Plan will be presented. The Plan was created to bring awareness and educate the community on the harm caused by residential schools, as well as to foster relationships and healing.
It is the result of consultations with many government officials, community organizations, indigenous elders, members of Kainai and Piikani, and more.
Sixteen not-for-profit groups will also be recommended for a total of almost $467,000 in Community Capital Project Grant funds this year. The City has an annual budget of $450,000 under the grant, which supports non-profits to expand/upgrade community-use facilities.
A special gift commemorating the 50th anniversary of the twinning of the Borough of Saint-Laurent, Quebec, and Lethbridge will also come forward for approval. In 2016, a public art exchange was initiated. The recommended piece would be gifted by Lethbridge to be installed in a future public square in Saint-Laurent. They in turn will offer a commissioned piece to be installed at Henderson Lake in the summer of 2018. The $250,000 project is funded by the Public Art budget.
Several business items are also on the agenda, including a request to put the question of whether councillors should be elected by a ward system to a plebiscite at the October 16 Municipal Election. A second business item, if approved, will request the City Manager to gather information and prepare a timeline should changes to a ward system be desired.
A number of bylaws are also up for final readings, including one authorizing the borrowing of $15,750,000 for the design and construction of a Material Recovery Facility, and related storage and equipment required for the implementation of the Residential Curbside Recycling Program.
The regular meeting, open to all, is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. in council chambers at City Hall. A public hearing is also scheduled at 4 p.m. to discuss several land use reclassifications.
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