Council Highlights December 19 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.

On behalf of Council, Councillor Hirsch offered a tribute to former City of Medicine Hat Mayor Ted Grimm, who passed away on December 10, 2022.

Councillor Hider offered a tribute to Curtis Noble, a City of Medicine Hat firefighter who passed away on December 15, 2022.

Under new business, City Council appointed Ann Mitchell as the new City Manager. Ms. Mitchell will vacate her current position as Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Lethbridge County where she has served in the role since 2018 and will commence in her new role on February 6, 2023.

Under new business, City Council appointed Managing Director of Strategic Management and Analysis, Rochelle Pancoast, as the acting City Manager effective December 22, 2022 until February 6, 2023.

City Council adopted the minutes of the Corporate Services Committee of December 5, 2022 into the corporate record, with the Demand Operating Facility – TD Bank item for consideration. Following the approval of the minutes, City Council passed first reading of Bylaw 4719, a bylaw of the City of Medicine Hat to amend Bylaw 3914, a bylaw to increase the City’s demand operating facility at TD Bank to $75 million.

City Council adopted the minutes of the Public Services Committee Meeting of December 12, 2022 into the corporate record and approved the Medicine Hat Community Housing Society Affordable Housing Land Donation Request. The approval will see the City of Medicine Hat donate the land at 1482 5 Avenue Southeast to the Medicine Hat Community Housing Society for use in the development of affordable housing, as well as associated tasks to facilitate the transaction.

City Council adopted the minutes of the Economic, Land and Strategic Planning and Development Committee of December 13 into the corporate record.

City Council received the minutes of the Police Commission Meeting of November 24, 2022 for information.

Under unfinished business, City Council passed the following motions related to City of Medicine Hat 2023 and 2024 budgets:

1. the 2023 and 2024 Energy Business Unit Commodity-Based (COMCO), Environmental Utilities, Gas and Electric Distribution and Municipal Tangible Capital Asset Budgets as presented at the November 7, 2022, regular Council meeting
2. the 2023 and 2024 Energy Business Unit Commodity-Based (COMCO), Environmental Utilities, Gas and Electric Distribution, Municipal and Invest Medicine Hat Operating Revenue and Major Operating Expenditure Budgets as presented at the November 7, 2022, regular Council meeting.
3. the transfer of the 2022 projected Free Cash Flow of $83.8M as follows: $25.3M to the Heritage Savings Reserve and $58.5M to the Restricted Reserves in accordance with Policy 0169, the Distributable Funds / Dividend policy.

Under unfinished business, City Council approved the following appointments to City of Medicine Hat commissions, committees, and boards for three-year terms ending December 31, 2025. 

Assessment Review Board
Council voted to continue recruiting for the vacant position

Combative Sports Commission

• Jared Killkenny
  Council will continue recruitment for the remaining vacancy.

Community Vibrancy Board

• Brooks Sadden
• Deanna Haysom
• Dylan Giles
• Mary Tulip

Municipal Planning Commission
Council voted to continue recruiting for the vacant position.

Police Commission

• Sarah Scahill

Public Library Board

• Simone Harty
• Kyle Pudwell
• Tanya Ridgedale

Subdivision & Development Appeal Board

• Cathy Acton
• Alfred Steinke

Under unfinished business, City Council passed the following bylaws to amend fees that are set to expire on December 31, 2022.

• Bylaw 4728, a bylaw of the City of Medicine Hat to amend the Amusement Arcade Billiard Room Bylaw.
• Bylaw 4729, a bylaw of the City of Medicine Hat to amend the Escort Services Bylaw.
• Bylaw 4730, a bylaw of the City of Medicine Hat to amend the Licensing Bylaw.
• Bylaw 4731, a bylaw of the City of Medicine Hat to amend the Safety Codes Permit Bylaw.
• Bylaw 4732, a bylaw of the City of Medicine Hat to amend the Vehicle for Hire Bylaw.

Under unfinished business, City Council passed a resolution regarding development service and encroachment fees, establishing a new schedule of fees effective January 1, 2023.

Under unfinished business, City Council adopted the minutes of the Energy and Infrastructure Committee Meeting of November 17, 2022 into the corporate record and approved a capital budget amendment in the amount of $73,910 to proceed with the design and paving of an existing gravel lane between Calder Cres SE. Following the approval, City Council approved Bylaw 4714, a bylaw of the City of Medicine Hat to authorize the undertaking and completion of a local improvement and the imposing of a local improvement tax with respect to the local improvement.

Under unfinished business, City Council adopted the minutes of the Public Services Committee Meeting of November 28, 2022 into the corporate record and approved a motion to amend the Fair Entry Policy: The amendments will see the addition of transit to the fair entry program; an increase in the subsidy rate for eligible services from 50 per cent to 75 per cent, and an increase in the maximum user fee assistance per eligible resident per year for recreation and Esplanade education programs. Council also defeated a motion to direct administration to report back with options to amend Bylaw 3935, the Responsible Animal Ownership Bylaw, to address the definition and determination of “vicious dog”, how rehabilitation may be considered, and a jurisdictional comparison with bylaws of other municipalities in Alberta, to a future Public Services Committee meeting.

The next Council meeting occurs on Monday, January 16, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers.