Council Highlights February 1 2021

Merrick Brown, Director of Emergency Management and HSE, provided City Council a City of Medicine Hat COVID-19 update. Mr. Brown reviewed details of the public health measures currently in place as well as Alberta Health’s plan for easing of restrictions. Full details on guidelines and restrictions can be found here.

Through Administrative Committee, City Council approved the 2021 City Centre Development Agency budget. Under the Municipal Government Act (MGA) and associated regulations, the City acts as a tax collection agency on behalf of the Business Improvement Area (BIA) and collects requested business tax revenue from ratepayers located within the BIA. Revenue is then transferred to CCDA for operations. The CCDA requests $94,000 in tax revenue be collected from BIA ratepayers. As per Council direction, the 2021 CCDA budget does not include a $100,000 grant request. These funds have been redirected toward waterfront redevelopment, to be managed by Invest Medicine Hat on behalf of the City, to pursue Council’s vision. To alleviate CCDA financial pressures, the City will forgive the $60,000 interest free Monarch Theatre loan currently in place between the City as lender and the CCDA as borrower.

Through Administrative Committee, City Council received for information RFP recommendation: EG20-151 Supply & Delivery of Selective Catalytic Reduction & Related Equipment. The objective of the project is to fulfill a requirement for the Unit 17 Combustion Turbine Generator Project at 5270 Box Springs Road NW. Administrative Committee awarded the tender to the best-evaluated bid meeting specification: Peerless Mfg. Company for $3,625,412, subject to an agreement satisfactory to the City Solicitor and City Manager.

Through Corporate Services Committee, City Council received the 2019 Municipal Indicators Report. Annually, Alberta Municipal Affairs reports on 13 defined financial, governance, and community indicators for each municipality across Alberta. A municipality’s risk is assessed based on these indicators with each indicator having a defined benchmark. The City of Medicine Hat did not trigger any of the 13 risk indicators defined in the report.

Through Administrative Committee, City Council awarded RFP CD20-51: Senior Centre Operating Model to Kerby Assembly for a term of three years, with options to renew up to 12 additional years (15 years total), subject to successful negotiation of an agreement with Kerby to the satisfaction of the City Manager and City Solicitor. This external contract is expected to provide an increase in the number and diversity of seniors services to local seniors and to reduce the City’s operating costs, thereby increasing wellness and quality of life in Medicine Hat and improving sustainability of the City organization.

City Council approved a recommendation to add Airport Drive SW to the Names Registry and to rename a portion of Viscount Ave SW to Airport Drive SW. The decision supports the strategic development of the YXH Gateway, and provides an intuitive reference to the airport location.

City Council received the January 21, 2021 minutes of the Medicine Hat Police Commission meeting for information.

Councillor Hirsch was granted a notice of motion and requested that City Council send a letter to Premier Jason Kenney requesting a regional approach to COVID-19 restrictions as a result of the low COVID-19 infection and hospitalization rates in Medicine Hat. Council approved the request.