Council Highlights October 3 2022

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.

City Council adopted the minutes of the Administrative Committee meeting of September 8, 2022 into the corporate record and passed a motion to direct Administration to submit a Rural Renewal Community Designation application, subject to obtaining the results of the Skills Gap Analysis Report.

City Council adopted the minutes of the Corporate Services meeting of September 8, 2022 into the corporate record and passed the following motions:

1. Adopt new Procurement Policy #0173, to be effective October 3, 2022.
2. Adopt new Spending and Commitment Authority Policy #0174, to be effective October 3, 2022.
3. Rescind Procurement Policy #0118, effective October 3, 2022.
4. Rescind Purchasing Signing Authority Policy #0126, effective October 3, 2022.

City Council adopted the minutes of the Public Services Committee meeting of September 12, 2022 into the corporate record.

City Council adopted the minutes of the Council Employee Committee meeting of September 14, 2022 into the corporate record.

City Council adopted the minutes of the Administrative Committee meeting of September 14, 2022 into the corporate record, with Bylaw #4709 for adoption.

City Council adopted the minutes of the Energy and Infrastructure Committee Meeting of September 15, 2022 into the corporate record.

City Council adopted the minutes of the Public Services Committee meeting of September 26, 2022 as amended, into the corporate record.

City Council adopted the minutes of the Administrative Committee Meeting of September 28, 2022 into the corporate record.

City Council received the minutes of the Municipal Planning Commission meeting of September 14, 2022 for information with Bylaw #4713 for adoption.

City Council received the minutes of the Municipal Planning Commission meeting of September 28, 2022 for information.

City Council approved Bylaw #4711, a bylaw of the City of Medicine Hat to amend Bylaw #3224, a bylaw to authorize the levying of a charge for dishonoured payments. The amendment will see fee increases of dishonoured payment fees from $38 to the following: $40 effective January 1, 2023, and $41.50 effective January 1, 2024. The increases are meant to align with anticipated inflation increases in 2023 and 2024. First and second reading of Bylaw #4711 were given at the September 6 meeting of council.

City Council passed Bylaw #4709, a bylaw of the City of Medicine Hat to amend Bylaw #4617, the Vehicle for Hire Bylaw. The amendments include an increase in maximum allowable fees (from $1.70 to $2 per kilometre) to address inflationary pressures, and a requirement for soft meters in every taxi by no later than November 2022.

City Council passed first reading of Bylaw #4713, a bylaw of the City of Medicine Hat to amend Bylaw #4168, the Land Use Bylaw. The amendment would see the redesignation of 1752 10 avenue SW from Airport District to General Industrial District in the City of Medicine Hat Land Use Bylaw. A public hearing will be held at the City Council meeting on October 17, 2022.

City Council passed first reading of Bylaw #4693, a bylaw of the City of Medicine Hat to amend Bylaw #4168, the Land Use Bylaw. The amendment would see the 155 Ash Ave SE (Arena Lands) rezoned from Community Services (CS) to High Density Mixed Use (MU-HD). A public hearing will be held at the City Council meeting on October 17, 2022.

Following a notice of motion submitted by Councillor McGrogan at the September 6 City Council meeting, Council approved the motion to direct staff to conduct a review of Bylaw #1651 and all related Police Commission policies, and report back to Council with recommendations to enhance transparency and fiscal accountability.