Neat to Know: November 28, 2024
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Please enjoy this week's edition of Neat to Know, a roundup of City news, updates, and other important information. You can expect to see the week's most interesting content and even some that may have not been delivered through our regular channels.
Energy Business Review: Recommendations
Representatives from KPMG LLP (KPMG) presented their analysis of Medicine Hat’s energy business at a special open City Council meeting on Monday, November 25.
Read the report Watch the meeting
The review recommends four strategic actions:
- Establish a rate review committee to support Council in its role of approving energy distribution and commodity rates
- Expedite the abandonment or sale of the natural gas production assets
- Establish an independently governed Municipally Controlled Corporation (MCC) to own and operate the distribution businesses (both natural gas and electricity) and electricity generation business
- Develop an MCC dividend policy
Following the presentation, Council passed a motion to request staff to consider and evaluate the KPMG review and bring recommendations forward.
A special open City Council meeting has been scheduled at 4 p.m. Thursday, December 5 in Council Chambers to hear staff recommendations. Learn more, including FAQs about the recommendations, on Shape Your City at the link below:
WestJet flight schedule changes are near
Previously announced WestJet flight schedule changes will come into effect starting next Thursday, December 5. The new schedule on WestJet’s YXH–YYC route will have a slightly later departure from Medicine Hat, and arrive back home in the evening:
Medicine Hat to Calgary
- Depart: 7:30 a.m.
- Arrive: 8:16 a.m.
Calgary to Medicine Hat
- Depart: 6:35 p.m.
- Arrive: 7:30 p.m.
WestJet notes the change provides a more convenient schedule and allows travellers returning to Medicine Hat to connect through Calgary from 30-plus destinations in their network, reducing long layovers in Calgary. The Medicine Hat departure time still allows travellers to access WestJet’s bank of connecting flights out of Calgary each morning. For more information and to check flight times, visit the WestJet Flight Schedule page at YXH.ca.
2026 Memorial Cup
There were a few of hanging heads yesterday when we learned Medicine Hat was unsuccessful in our bid to host 2026 Memorial Cup.
Mayor Linnsie Clark offered this statement to the Tigers announcement:
We are grateful to the CHL for the opportunity to present our bid and extend our heartfelt congratulation to the community of Kelowna on their success. Thank you to everyone involved in creating our Memorial Cup bid. Without your hard work and dedication we wouldn’t even have been in the running. We’ll get ‘em next time! Go Tigers!
Our staff were really excited to welcome people from all over western Canada to Co-op Place for the tournament. City Council showed their desire to bring this tournament to Medicine Hat by pledging $1.95M to supplement the $2M from the Government of Alberta. We know Medicine Hat Tigers could have held a world class event that garnered a significant financial boost to the region. Thanks to the community for their enthusiasm! This is just the beginning and we look forward to supporting the Medicine Hat Tigers organization when they try again.
Goat path closure in effect
To (sort of) quote Gandalf from Lord of the Rings, “you shall not path!”
The goat path trail in NE Crescent Heights will be closed until further notice due to safety concerns performing snow removal on the steep slopes. There are still several nearby routes to use in place of the goat path, but we’ll continue working to find an alternative, safe solution for snow removal on this section of trail.
Thank you for your understanding as we prioritize staff safety!
Seacans removed - What's next? Sign up!
On Monday, November 18, 2024 Council approved the removal of the seacans to revert the Towne Square area to a public programming area. Administration has moved the seacans offsite. Work will begin by developing a rubric to evaluate community benefit and value to the tax payer. The City will then begin a formalized submission process to accept and evaluate proposals to repurpose the seacans. You can read the What We Heard report below for information about the initial input suggested by the community.
If you are a community organization who would like to receive notification when the process to submit a formal proposal is ready, please sign up to the seacan contact list below.
What We Heard report Sign up - Seacan contact list
Food Waste Collection Pilot – Phase 2 engagement summary
The second pilot participant survey results indicated that 82 per cent of pilot participants were actively using their kitchen buckets for food waste instead of disposing of food waste in the garbage. Participants generally expressed satisfaction with the size of the kitchen bucket and the quality of the educational materials provided. Significant concerns among respondents included messiness, pest control and additional assumed costs. Despite these concerns, there was a high level of support for a future city-wide food waste collection program, with 92 per cent of pilot participants indicating that they would likely use the program if implemented city-wide.
Name the Fleet is complete!
Our Name the Fleet signage is in, and some have already been installed, including the Star Wars themed names in the video shared on our social media!
Our sanders and graders are working through the winter wonderland that blew through the city last weekend.
Watch out for the 15 names installed on our snow and ice control fleet as they navigate around the community this winter!
Did you miss seeing the winning names for the 11 sanders and four graders in our snow and ice control fleet? Want to know more about how our snow and ice control program works, including what our priority routes are, and where they are? Visit the program page for more information.
The snow and ice control program is an essential service to permit safe and efficient travel for vehicles during winter months. We hope you drive safely and thank you for your patience as we continue this work over the winter.
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Black Friday sales on Tixx!
Friday, Nov 29 at Noon and ends Sunday, Dec 1 at 11:59PM
For one weekend only get 50% off ticket prices on a selection of 16 shows including Monsters and Mayhem 2025, Laila Bialia – Winter Songs & Holiday Classics, Stars on Ice – Holiday, the Irish Rovers, and more! Quantities are limited so get them while they last!
E by Candlelite
Saturday, November 30, 7:30 PM, Esplanade Arts and Heritage Centre
Experience the enchanting allure of "E by Candlelight," a mesmerizing concert where music meets the soft glow of flickering candles. Step into a world of tranquility and elegance as local musicians Kaylyn Légaré on violin and Christine Bootland on cello, come together under the illumination of countless candles. This evening invites you to unwind and indulge in a sensory journey like no other.
Join a City Board, Commission or Working Group!
We are looking for volunteers to lend their passion and expertise to a variety of volunteer groups. This is an excellent chance to have a positive impact in your community while enhancing your own professional development. We are currently seeking applicants for:
- Assessment Review Board
- Combative Sports Commission
- Working Group for Accessibility and Inclusion
The deadline to apply is December 2, 2024.
Final 2025-2026 budget presentation
Did you know that we've spent over 23 hours deliberating the 2025-2026 budget with Council and Administration in public? That is on pace to quadruple the amount of hours we spent on the last budget, showcasing our commitment to developing the City's budget openly and transparently.
Staff will present the final consolidated budget at the regular City Council meeting on Monday, December 2 for deliberation.
Monday, December 2
6:30 p.m.
Council Chambers
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