Council Highlights December 16, 2024

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 received the following items into the corporate record:

• Administrative and Legislative Review Committee Meeting Minutes of December 10, 2024

City Council received the following items for information:

• Police Commission Meeting Minutes of October 16, 2024
• SAMI Steering Committee Meeting Minutes of October 28, 2024
• Municipal Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of December 4, 2024
• Approved Development Permits - September 9 to November 24, 2024
• Southeast Alberta Economic Opportunity Strategy, Implementation Framework and Action Plan
• Administrative and Legislative Review Committee Action Items of December 10, 2024

A public hearing was held for Bylaw 4839 to amend the Electric Utility Bylaw.

City Council approved a motion requesting the Energy, Land and Environment Committee perform a jurisdictional scan related to the kVA range in the medium commercial class.

A public hearing was held for Bylaw 4840 to amend the Gas Utility Bylaw.

Under Unfinished Business, City Council:

• defeated a motion to direct the City Administration to reduce the requested tax rate increase from 5.6 percent to less than 4.0 percent for all departments including the Police Services, further that administration reconsider “New Growth” opportunities which include studies, multiple engagements of external consultants, and partnerships and efficiencies related to the proposed $9.5M composting project as sources for potential reductions, further that the City return with a revised budget that does not consider further withdrawals from the “endowment fund (reserves)” to counter the reduction in tax increases, and identifies clearly to City Council where adjustments were made to the initial proposed budget in order to achieve the reduction to the requested tax rate increase from 5.6% to less than 4.0%.

• defeated a motion directing administration to include HALO in the 2025-2026 budget deliberations for funding from the operating reserves at the cost of $250,000/year for two years.

• approved a motion to remove the Food Waste Compost Facility from the 2025-2026 Capital Budget and directed administration to collaboratively work with our regional partners through the Intermunicipal Committee and provide a comprehensive report through Development and Infrastructure Committee with recommendations to be brought to Council by the end of Q2 2025.

• defeated a motion to remove the Growth Capital Opportunity DI 2025-039 (Landfill Airspace) from the 2025-2026 Operating budget.

• adopted the 2025 and 2026 Operating and Capital budgets as amended, including funding sources and financial reserve transfers from Capital and Medicine Hat Endowment, as described in Section 3.1 and 3.2 of Attachment 1 for:
  • (a) Municipal
  • (b) Rate-Based Utilities
  • (c) Energy Production
  • (d) Land Development and Real Estate;

• Subsequent to the public hearing earlier in the meeting, City Council approved Bylaw 4839 to amend the Electric Utility Bylaw. This amendment introduces a new electric utility rate for 2025. The 2025 electric utility rate change will vary by customer class. The average 2025 residential monthly utility bill will increase by $2.39 for electric utility services.

• Subsequent to the public hearing earlier in the meeting, approved Bylaw 4840 to amend the Gas Utility Bylaw. This amendment introduces a new gas utility rate for 2025. The 2025 gas utility rate change will vary by customer class. The average 2025 residential monthly utility bill will increase by $3.24 for electric utility services.

• approved the following Planning and Development Services 2025-2026 Fees and Charges bylaws, which were read a first time on November 18.
  • Bylaw 4832 to amend the Safety Codes Permit Bylaw;
  • Bylaw 4833 to amend the Business Licensing Bylaw;
  • Bylaw 4834 to amend the Vehicle for Hire Bylaw; and
  • Bylaw 4835 to amend the Amusement Arcade and Billiard Room Bylaw.

• approved the Environmental Utilities 2025-2026 Rate-Based Budget bylaws, which were read a first time on November 18.
  • Bylaw 4836 to amend the Sewer Bylaw;
  • Bylaw 4837 to amend the Water Services Bylaw; and
  • Bylaw 4838 to amend the Solid Waste Bylaw

• City Council approved a resolution to apply for the Local Growth and Sustainability Grant for the Downtown Enhancement and Revitalization Project, as presented.

• approved Bylaw 4793, to amend the Escort Services Bylaw.

Under new business, following a presentation from Brian Maksymetz, consultant with Better Projects, City Council approved $4,100,000 of additional capital (funded from reserves) for the completion of the Water Treatment Plant Residuals Management Facility.

Under committee business, City Council:

• approved public member appointments to the designated Advisory Boards and Commissions as follows:
  • Community Vibrancy Advisory Board
    • Darlene Keeler – 3-year term
    • Christa Buchberger – 3-year term
    • Jessica Whitford – 1-year term
  • Municipal Planning Commission
    • Donald Knudsen
    • Ian Parkinson
  • Police Commission
    • Miles Thorson – 3-year term
    • Greg Keen– 1-year term
  • Public Library Board
    • Nathan Vanderham – 3-year term
    • Megan Hilgendorf – 3-year term
    • Shandra Beaulieu – 3-year term
    • Klaus Mueller – 1-year term
  • Subdivision and Development Appeal Board
    • Werner Fischer
• gave first reading to Bylaw 4841 to amend the Land Use Bylaw. The amendment would see the rezoning of 2, 6, 10, 14, and 18 Sierra Green SW from Low Density Residential District (R-LD) to Medium Density Residential District (R-MD) to accommodate a future development. A public hearing will occur on January 20, 2025.

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