Council Highlights February 3, 2025

This summary provides a brief overview of City Council meetings and does not reflect all discussion and debate. For full details, download the agenda package or watch the full meeting on the City of Medicine Hat’s YouTube channel .

Under Councillor Announcements:

• Councillor Sharps expressed gratitude for the invitation from Mayor Andrew Prokop of the Town of Taber, Reeve Tamara Miyanaga of the MD of Taber, Mayor Jack Van Rin from Coaldale, and MLA Grant Hunter to attend their State of the Region event on January 25. Public engagement has been a cornerstone of projects such as their Transportation Master Plan and the proposed Land Use Bylaw, demonstrating the council's commitment to involving residents in decision-making and planning for the future. Additionally, the importance of the hamlets within the MD was highlighted, as they serve as thriving community hubs fueled by the passion and dedication of local volunteers. The recent developments in residential and commercial lots indicate a growing appeal for families and businesses alike, reinforcing the area's economic potential.
• Councillor Sharps recognized the students, teachers, parents and volunteers for the Crescent Heights High School musical theatre production of "Shrek." Sharps acknowledged the dedication and passion of individuals like Jennifer Davies who is the director and has taught at CHHS for 25 years, community leader Natasha Carvalho who has been volunteering at the production for 10 years, music director Curtis Perrin and vocal director Jocelyn Walter for their commitment to fostering youth talent in the community. Sharps praised the remarkable talent and enthusiasm of the cast and crew and thanked them for enriching our community.

City Council received the following items into the corporate record: 

• Administrative and Legislative Review Committee meeting minutes of January 14, 2025
• Municipal Planning Commission meeting minutes of January 15, 2025
• Development and Infrastructure Committee meeting minutes of January 16, 2025

City Council received the following items for information: 

• Medicine Hat Police Commission Meeting Minutes - November 20, 2024
• Development Permit Application – PLDP20240804 Change of Use –Community Shelter and Community Social Services
• Development Permits Approved - November 25 to December 29, 2024
• Canyon Creek/Heron Crossing Multi-Use Trail Follow Up
• Transportation Master Plan/Active Transportation Strategy/Transportation Safety Strategy Status Report
• Administrative and Legislative Review Committee Action Items - January 14, 2025
• Development and Infrastructure Committee Action Items - January 16, 2025

Under New Business:

• Managing Director of Public Services, Joseph Hutter, presented proposed terms of reference for a Resilient and Inclusive Community Task Force Team. The increasing incidents of public disturbances, anti-social behaviour, sleeping in public, indecent acts, and visible illegal drug use have raised concerns among local community members. Addressing these issues requires a coordinated and comprehensive approach. The team’s purpose is to develop and implement strategies and actions to bolster community capacity, enhance community safety and promote social cohesion. Following the presentation, City Council approved the terms of reference.
• City Council gave first reading to Bylaw 4847, the Borrowing Bylaw. This bylaw would allow the City to incur indebtedness by way of issuing debentures in the amount of $51,732,000 for debenture-funded capital projects approved by Council in the 2025-2026 budget.

City council approved the following motions:

• to postpone any decision related to the Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede (MHES) request for capital funding until the Province has made a decision on future funding for MHES following the Province’s sustainability assessment on provincial agricultural societies.
• to direct the City Manager to evaluate the Council Committees (external and internal), receive feedback from Council, and prepare and present recommendations which may include the six recommendations from the October 7, 2024 report that was presented to Council, no later than Q2 2025.
• to direct administration to review the business licensing fees in Bylaw 2339, specifically highlighting any changes that resulted in increases greater than inflation, by end of Q1 2025.
• to appoint Garth Rowe as the third member of the Assessment Review Board effective February 4, 2025 to December 31, 2025 and David Leflar as an alternate member effective February 4, 2025 to December 31, 2025.
• to appoint Kingsgate Legal as the Integrity Commissioner for the purposes of the Council Code of Conduct Bylaw 4805, for a two-year term, commencing February 4, 2025. At the September 16, 2024 meeting, City Council approved amendments to Bylaw 4805 Council Code of Conduct, and directed administration to begin the selection process for an Integrity Commissioner. A request for proposals was posted to the Alberta purchasing site and the City’s website on October 24, 2024 and closed November 14, 2024. The selection process was conducted in two phases, first by the members of the Administrative and Legislative Committee, procurement supervisor and City Solicitor. All four proponents met the mandatory requirements and were able to present to City Council in the closed session of January 6. The proponents were then reviewed and evaluated by each member of Council. Procurement staff collated the scores in Stage 1, and the City Solicitor collated the scores in Stage 2 and confirmed the proponent with the highest score was Kingsgate Legal. They will begin providing this service to the City of Medicine Hat on February 4, 2025 with an agreement in place until February 4, 2027.
• to direct administration to provide Mayor Clark with the same building access that was initiated prior to the sanctions imposed at the March 21, 2024 Special Council meeting. Correspondence with the City Manager continues to be copied to all of City Council to ensure effective communication, and the Deputy Mayor and/or Acting Mayor will be invited to attend Agenda Review meetings.
• to direct legal counsel to respond to the costs proposal made by the Applicant as discussed during closed session.

Councillor Sharps gave notice of the following motion:
Whereas purpose of a procedural bylaw is intended to facilitate the meeting of City Council and various other committees. Whereas discussion has taken place regarding clarification required for aspects of the Procedure Bylaw. Recommended motion: That City Council directs the City Manager to present amendments to the Procedure Bylaw 4725 to provide clarity in such areas as Notice of Motion, written inquiries, and any other area that requires additional amendments, by Q2 of 2025. 

With the required two-thirds majority, Council agreed to address the topic immediately and approved the motion.

Councillor McGrogan gave notice of motion related to a review of electrical transformer upgrades.