Council Highlights December 15, 2025

The Consent Agenda is used by City Council to streamline meetings by grouping routine, non-controversial items - such as approval of previous minutes, standard reports, and minor administrative actions - into a single agenda item. These are approved in a single motion without discussion, though any member can request an item be removed for separate consideration. This process saves time and lets Council focus on more complex issues.

City Council received the following item for the corporate record. 

City Council received the following items for information.

Bylaw 4865 To Amend the Gas Utility Bylaw 

The utility rate bylaws set the 2026 rates for all gas and electricity charges (set annually for administration, distribution, etc.) as well as the commodity rate formulas (commodity rates are announced monthly go gas.) First reading occurred on November 17, 2025. 

Mayor Clark opened the public hearing, and Rochelle Pancoast, Managing Director of Energy, Land and Environment referenced the introduction and presentation provided prior to commencing the public hearing for Bylaw 4864, the Electric Utility Bylaw as both bylaws were reviewed in the presentation. 

Following the public hearing, City Council approved Bylaw 4865, the Gas Utility Bylaw.  

Business Arising from Closed Session – December 8 Collective Agreement Ratification

City Council ratified the contract between the City of Medicine Hat and the Medicine Hat Police Association with an expiry date of December 31, 2027. The contract includes a 3.75% wage increase for both 2025 and 2026 and a 3.5% wage increase for 2027.

Collective Bargaining between the City of Medicine Hat and the Medicine Hat Police Association  

City Council approved an operating budget amendment of $270,133 in 2025 and $606,168 in 2026, funded through operating reserves, to fund the January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2027 collective agreement settlement between the City of Medicine Hat and the Medicine Hat Police Association. 

New Interim City Manager Appointment

City Council approved a motion to authorize the Mayor to appoint an Interim City Manager effective January 1, 2026 or earlier. Current Interim City Manager Aaserud has shared her intention to move back to the City Clerk role on January 1, 2026, necessitating the need for a new interim placement while the Council Employee Committee completes the search for a permanent City Manager.

Rezoning Bylaws

Bylaw 4862 Rezoning 1064 1 St SW

Council gave first reading to Bylaw 4862, an application to rezone 1064 1 Street SW from Mixed Use to Medium Density Residential. This change is in response to a September 2, 2025, City Council resolution directing administration to bring forward a land use bylaw amendment for Council’s consideration, for 1064 1 Street SW to be rezoned to Medium Density Residential, and that height of development on the property be restricted to a maximum of 10.5 metres or two stories and managed through the conditions of a purchase and sales agreement between the City and the potential purchaser.