Council Highlights August 3 2021

City Planner and Director of Development Services, Amanda Brinda presented to Council on the following bylaws:

Bylaw #4675, a bylaw of the City of Medicine Hat to amend Bylaw #4168, the Land Use Bylaw. The amendment is intended to rezone lots in Coulee Ridge Phase 1 to align the Southwest Map in Land Use Bylaw #4168 with the intended zoning.

Bylaw #4676, a bylaw of the City of Medicine Hat to amend Bylaw #4168, the Land Use Bylaw. The amendment would re-designate 1301 Power House Road SW from Utilities to Open Space.

Bylaw # 4674, a bylaw of the City of Medicine Hat to amend Bylaw #4636, the City of Medicine Hat Municipal Development Plan. The amendment will update the suburban residential growth image (Figure 14) in the plan to reflect the change of Hamptons Phase 3 to a stage 2 development stage.

Bylaw #4678, a bylaw of the City of Medicine Hat to amend Bylaw #4168, the Land Use Bylaw. The amendment would see Lots 19 and 20, Block 1, Plan 181 2507 redesignated from Historical Clay district to Direct Control district.

Following public hearings, City Council approved second and third reading of the following bylaws:

Bylaw #4675, a bylaw of the City of Medicine Hat to amend Bylaw #4168, the Land Use Bylaw. Bylaw #4676, a bylaw of the City of Medicine Hat to amend Bylaw #4168, the Land Use Bylaw.

Bylaw #4674, a bylaw of the City of Medicine Hat to amend Bylaw #4636, the City of Medicine Hat Municipal Development Plan.

Bylaw #4679, a bylaw of the City of Medicine Hat to amend Bylaw #3617, the Hamptons Area Structure Plan. This item has been postponed until the September 7 Council meeting.

Bylaw #4680, a bylaw of the City of Medicine Hat to amend Bylaw #4168, the Land Use Bylaw. This item has been postponed until the September 7 Council meeting.

Bylaw #4678, a bylaw of the City of Medicine Hat to amend Bylaw #4168, the Land Use Bylaw.

Through Administrative Committee, City Council approved an update to the Corporate Trading Resolution, which now designates the positions of City Manager; Managing Director of Corporate Services; Director of Finance; City Treasurer; Treasury & Risk Management Specialist; Treasury & Insurance Officer; and Treasury & Claims Analyst as authorized signatories; and authorizes the City Manager to change the individuals named to those positions. The update was necessary to ensure alignment with job title changes resulting from the recent corporate reorganization.

Through Administrative Committee, City Council approved a recommendation to second the Town of Calmar’s motion to submit a Resolution titled “Creating jobs through remediating and redeveloping brownfields” for submission to the 2021 AUMA Convention.

Through Public Services Committee, Council approved the submission of a formal bid to act as the host community for the 2026 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games, and approved future reserve commitments as follows:

• The provision of a municipal grant issued to the bid committee prior to the games in the amount of $300,000, with $100,000 being issued annually in 2024, 2025 and 2026, funded from operating reserves.
• To act as guarantor for the event for the amount of $2,500,000 which, if called upon, would be funded by operating reserves.

Through Public Services Committee, Council approved the 2019-2022 Community Development Capital Budget Amendment Performance Equipment.

Through Public Services Committee, Council received for information an update on Parks & Recreation Master Planning.

Through Administrative Committee, City Council authorized Invest Medicine Hat (IMH) to complete the sale of 21 Ranchlands Boulevard NE to Vibe Developments Inc. on the following key terms and conditions:

1. purchase price of $850,000.00 or $7.12/square foot
2. the property would be sold “as is, where is”.
3. the sale of the property is using a real estate purchase contract in a form and content satisfactory to the City Manager and City Solicitor.

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

Under notice(s) of motion, Councillor Friesen was granted a notice of motion and moved as follows:

"The City of Medicine Hat acknowledges that we live and work on treaty territory. The City pays respect to all Indigenous Peoples and honours their past, present and future. We recognize and respect their cultural heritages and relationships to the land.

Last year, during excavation taking place as part of routine infrastructure repair, the City discovered remains of an unidentified person of Indigenous descent. This finding reflects internment practices that occurred over the past couple of centuries, and no nefarious or criminal action. A review of archive records note similar discoveries have occurred in our community over the course of time and can be expected in the future.

Recent findings have raised the profile of historical events involving Indigenous populations throughout Canada, and while we the City - and our community - have taken steps to deepen our understanding and forge a strong connection with our Indigenous community and heritage, there is still more to do. Developing a repatriation plan, in consultation with local Indigenous leaders, Elders and Metis Knowledge Keepers, will be a productive step in our growing effort to demonstrate respect and recognition for Indigenous peoples.

With this knowledge, and in light of the growing awareness and understanding around Truth and Reconciliation, I move that management waive the required notice period and be directed to develop a thoughtful plan to address past, present and future repatriation needs in a manner that is respectful, dignified, and culturally appropriate."

Councillor Hirsch was granted a notice of motion and moved that as follows:

"I move that Council directs that a qualified, independent, third party be engaged to review and determine whether the procurement process in relation to the recent request for proposal CMH21-94 Land & Economic Development Services was conducted in accordance with applicable City policies and generally accepted practices related to public procurement in Alberta, and report the results to Audit Committee."

Under new business, Councillor Turnbull brought forward a motion relating to a second COVID Relief Program in an amount of approximately $4.5 million as a rebate to utility accounts on record as of August 1, 2021. This rebate, available to all residential and commercial utility accounts, will be in an amount that is equal between all such accounts; and further, that any utility account holder receiving such a rebate who does not need this support be encouraged to donate their rebate to the Community Warmth program to assist those in need.