Council Highlights February 17, 2026

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.

Councillor Cocks highlighted the Family Day events at the Big Marble Go Centre, as well as other community activities. He also thanked Big Marble Farms for their support of the event in ensuring it was free for the community. Nearly 1,700 people attended the event.

Councillor Phaff wished the community a Happy Chinese New Year, with 2026 the year of the Horse.

Mayor Clark offered condolences to the community of Tumbler Ridge following the tragic events of February 10. She invited the community to submit letters or cards that will be included with the letter that City Council plans to send to Tumbler Ridge City Council. Residents who wish to send their condolences can drop off a letter or card in person at the City Clerk’s office on the 3rd floor of City Hall between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., or email them to clerk@medicinehat.ca before noon on Monday, February 23.

Bylaw 4870-2026 Rezoning of 1850 South Boundary Road SW

City Council gave first reading of Amending Bylaw 4870-2026, an application to rezone 1850 South Boundary Road SW from Future Urban District to Direct Control District. The application to rezone the parcel is to facilitate the future development of a mix of uses over a unique site with a variety of constraints/considerations. Direct Control is meant to accommodate the unique constraints and land use considerations for this site, including proximity to and protection of environmentally sensitive areas, and also allows Council to establish parameters for future development proposals over the site.

A public hearing will occur at the March 16 City Council meeting.

Bylaw 4871-2026 Proposed Land Title Designation Change for Berm Infrastructure

Council gave first reading to Bylaw 4871-2026 to change the boundaries of Municipal Reserve and Environment Reserve designated parcels to create Public Utility Lots for the “Berm Lands”. Land designations such as Environmental Reserve, Municipal Reserve and Public Utility Land are different than zoning identified through the Land Use Bylaw. This proposed land designation change does not  contemplate or propose any changes to the existing zoning of these parcels. As this infrastructure will require ongoing operations, maintenance and future work, guidance was received from Alberta Environment and Parks that the appropriate land designation for the Berm.

A public hearing will occur at the March 16 City Council meeting.

Community Vibrancy Advisory Board and Community Funding Framework

City Council approved an updated Community Funding Framework. The framework was updated with an improved scoring rubric that now separates festival and events with a separate rubric, and weights some categories more heavily (i.e., flagship events) while elements of innovation are weighted less.

The changes were in response to a July 2025 motion of Council directing administration to review and improve functioning of the bylaw, after twice amending the recommendations from Community Vibrancy Advisory Board (CVAB) and questioning the eligibility criteria and scoring rubric. The option to adjust the bylaw to make the CVAB the decision-making authority on the grants was examined, but ultimately not recommended as CVAB was consulted and preferred to remain a recommending body.