Council Highlights April 18 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.

Lola Barta, Acting Managing Director of Corporate Services, presented to City Council on the 2022 Property Tax Bylaw. Ms. Barta provided three options to City Council as it relates to setting municipal property tax rates for 2022 and recommended option three where the mill rate for each class would be increased equally for a 3.4% change to median assessment. Ms. Barta also recommended that Council adopt the revised Education, Cypress View Foundation, and Designated Industrial Property requisitions in the 2022 Municipal Services Operating Budget, and that Council consider giving first, second and third reading to Bylaw No. 4701, the 2022 Property Tax Bylaw, thereby approving the 2022 Property Tax Rates.

Council viewed a video presentation of the Chief Financial Officer Report from Managing Director of Corporate Services, Dennis Egert. Mr. Egert shared some of the external factors that are creating budget challenges and the City’s corporate strategy in addressing them, as well as highlights from 2021 Financial Report relating to the City’s financial health and investment performance.

Following a public hearing, City Council approved second and third reading of Bylaw #4695, a bylaw of the City of Medicine Hat to close roads in the City of Medicine Hat. The road closure will see the lane/road west of 511 Spencer Street SE closed to consolidate Spencer Street lots 203, 301, 507 and 511 in order to market the entire property. This registered road/lane is undeveloped, and the subject lands have been declared surplus to the City’s road network needs.

Council received the minutes of the Administrative Committee meeting of April 6 with Bylaw #4701, the Property Tax Bylaw and Bylaw #4702, the Supplementary Tax Bylaw for adoption; and approved Tender CMH22-04 Gershaw Drive Interchange – Landscaping and Irrigation.

Council received the minutes of the April 6 Audit Committee meeting for information and approved the Audit Committee Terms of Reference – 2022 Review, the Reappointment of KMPG LLP as External Auditors for 2022 and the 2021 Financial Statements.

Council received the minutes of the Public Services Committee meeting of April 11 for information and approved the designation of the Cenotaph as a Municipal Historic Resource. With the designation, no person will be allowed to disturb, destroy, alter, restore, or repair the regulated portions except in accordance with the provisions of the proposed bylaw which will now be drafted in support of the approved designation.

Council received the minutes of the Administrative Committee meeting of April 13 and approved the Forest Resource improvement Association of Alberta Grant Proposal Council Resolution and the Towne Square Medicine Hat operating budget amendment. A Council resolution is required to receive a $15,000 grant to offset the costs associated with developing a simulated wildfire response and evacuation scenario. The Towne Square operating budget amendment of $100,000 will support the start of operations for Towne Square with the expectation that the net impact to the City budget is zero as the revenues collected from events and parking are expected to offset the operating costs of the space.

Council received the meeting minutes of the Police Commission meeting of March 24 for information.

Council approved first, second and third reading of Bylaw #4701, a bylaw of the City of Medicine Hat to authorize Council to impose a property tax for the year 2022 and to exempt certain property from taxation for the year 2022.

Council approved first, second and third reading of Bylaw #4702, a bylaw of the City of Medicine Hat to authorize the Council of the City to impose a 2022 supplementary property tax.

Council received responses to property tax questions that were asked during the April 4 meeting of City Council and necessitated further investigation.

Committee Meeting Agendas and Minutes
www.medicinehat.ca/AgendasMinutes

Watch City Council meetings live at:
https://www.youtube.com/citymedicinehat