Council Highlights January 20, 2025

Under Councillor Announcements:
• Councillor Hider reminded the community of the upcoming Jam Pail Bonspiel on February 19 and 20. This annual event has occurred for the past 60 years and offered grades 3-6 students a recreational opportunity through the February school break.

• Councillor Sharps offered accolades to Kollectiv Cycle for their 4th Annual Betty White Day on January 16. Kollective offers free classes for the day instead encouraging all participants to make a donation to APARC, as animal welfare was an important cause to Betty White. In total, $4,042 was raised.

Selena McLean-Moore, Director of Economic Development was joined by Deloitte representatives, Paul Blais, Managing Director of Economic Advisory and Rebecca Taylor, Senior Associate of Economic Advisory to present the Southeast Alberta Economic Opportunity Strategy, Implementation Framework and Action Plan.

Sandra Moses, Planner, provided a presentation on Bylaw 4841, a bylaw of the City of Medicine Hat to amend the Land Use Bylaw. The bylaw would see the rezoning of lots 2, 6, 10, 14 and 18 Sierra Green SW to Medium Density. Following a public hearing, City Council passed Bylaw 4841.

Under New Business:
City Council approved the following motion related to the Council sanctions imposed against Mayor Clark at the March 21, 2024 Special Council Meeting and the subsequent ruling of August 26, 2024 by Justice Nation:

That sanction 4 of the sanctions be referred back to Closed Council on February 3 for deliberation.

City Council gave first reading to Bylaw 4846, a bylaw to update the Tri-Area Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) and to repeal IDP Bylaw 4605. John Popoff, City Planner, Director of Development Services, and Ted Nestor, Senior Planner, provided a brief introduction to City Council on Bylaw 4846 to repeal IDP Bylaw 4605. A joint public hearing (with Cypress County and Town of Redcliff) will occur on February 12 at Medicine Hat College.

Councillor McGrogan gave notice of the following motion: That City Council directs the City Manager to evaluate Council Committees (internal and external), prepare and present recommendations including the 6 recommendations from the October 7th report that was presented to Council with implementation schedule no later than Q2 2025.

Councillor Sharps gave notice of the following motion: That City Council Council refer back to Administration the business licensing fees in Bylaw 2339 specifically highlighting any changes that resulted in increases greater than inflation.