Council Highlights July 4 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.

Director of Finance, Lola Barta, presented the 2023-2024 Key Budget Assumptions to Council. Her presentation described the City’s current financial status and possible options for a pathway forward to achieve and fund a sustainable budget gap in advance of the development of the 2023-2024 budget later in 2022.

Council received the minutes of the Administrative Committee meeting of June 29, 2022 for information and approved the Key Budget Assumptions – 2023-2024 with the added direction that staff undertake further examination on options such as service level adjustments and their associated impacts.

Following a public hearing, City Council approved second and third reading, as amended, of Bylaw #4667, a Bylaw of the City of Medicine Hat to provide for partial exemptions from taxation under Part 10, Division 2, of the MGA, pursuant to Section 364.1 and 364.2 of the MGA – also cited as the Tax Incentive Bylaw. First reading of the bylaw was given on June 6, 2022. The Tax Incentive Bylaw is meant to encourage the development or redevelopment of brownfields that support the diversification of the local economy and positively contribute to community economic development, and encourage large-scale commercial or industrial development that will result in tax assessment and job creation for the city.  

Council received the minutes of the Corporate Services meeting of June 23, 2022 for information.

Council received the minutes of the Public Services Committee meeting of June 27, 2022 for information, with Bylaw #4706, the Medicine Hat Cenotaph Municipal Historic Resource Designation Bylaw for adoption. Council also approved a recommendation that Council direct management to prepare a plan to determine next steps and measurable milestones, relevant considerations, and resources required to make progress on recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Recommendations Committee. The ad hoc committee was established to develop recommendations, for City Council consideration, to address the spirit and intent of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report and calls to action and includes local Indigenous leaders, Elders, and Metis Knowledge Keepers.

Council received the minutes of the Council Employee Committee meeting of June 28, 2022 for information.

Council received the minutes of the Municipal Planning Commission meeting of June 22, 2022 for information. Council also approved a motion to direct administration to further investigate a 24 hour shelter solution in Medicine Hat following the withdrawal of the Mustard Seed’s development permit application for a change of use to convert to an overnight shelter.

Council received the minutes of the Police Commission meeting of June 23, 2022 for information.

City Council approved first, second and third reading of Bylaw #4706 a Bylaw of the City of Medicine Hat to designate the Medicine Hat Cenotaph as a Municipal Historic Resource.

Under New Business, City Council approved an $11 million budget transfer (funded through a combination of reallocated working capital and potential third-party funding) to support early-stage evaluation for Project Clear Horizon, a proposed carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) hub in the Medicine Hat region.

Under new business, City Council approved a resolution to amend Policy 0146 - Local Representation and Indemnification of Council Members and Employees. The amendment will grant the City Manager the discretion to indemnify or otherwise conditionally commit to paying certain legal fees in any situation where the City Manager determines it is appropriate to do so, in accordance with the Procedure of the Policy.

Committee Meeting Agendas and Minutes
www.medicinehat.ca/AgendasMinutes

Watch City Council meetings live at:
https://www.youtube.com/citymedicinehat