Council Highlights June 15, 2026

Jun 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 Varga recognized the Special Olympics delegation in attendance in the gallery and reminded the community both of the event and the need for volunteers. Community members can sign up at https://www.socmedhat2026.ca/volunteers.  

Mayor Clark acknowledged World Elder Abuse Day, which is recognized annually on June 15. This year’s theme is “Be Bold, Age With Attitude” to challenge ageism and advance older adults' rights. 

Interim City Manager Hutter welcomed the new City Clerk, Amanda Peterson to the City of Medicine Hat.

City Council received the following items for the corporate record. 

  • Governance Committee Meeting Minutes of May 12, 2026 

  • Public Services Committee Meeting Minutes of May 25, 2026 

  • Governance Committee Meeting Minutes of May 29, 2026 

  • Budget Committee Meeting Minutes of June 2, 2026 

  • Energy, Land and Environment Committee Meeting Minutes of June 4, 2026 

  • Development and Infrastructure Committee Meeting Minutes of June 4, 2026 

City Council received the following items for information. 

  • Food Waste Organics Composting

  • Medicine Hat Police Commission Meeting Minutes of April 15, 2026

  • Medicine Hat Resilient and Inclusive Community Task Force Meeting Minutes of May 6, 2026

  • Governance Committee Action Items List – May 12, 2026

  • Public Services Committee Meeting Action Items – May 25, 2026

  • Development and Infrastructure Committee Meeting Action Items – June 4, 2026

  • Energy, Land and Environment Committee Meeting Action Items – June 4, 2026 

Councillor Varga spoke to the Public Services Committee meeting minutes:

  • Highlighting the importance of the Fair Entry program in supporting low-income households with access to transit. He expressed appreciation for the federal grant, which covers the majority of the cost associated with reduced transit fees. 

  • Commending the work of Parks and Recreation on the flower planters throughout the community and in their tree-planting efforts through the Growing Canada’s Community Canopies Grant.  

 

Special Olympics Canada Summer Games Medicine Hat 2026 

Natalie Sauer, Games Chair and Director of Administration, and Kara Brake, Games Manager, provided a presentation to City Council on the national games occurring in Medicine Hat in August 2026. Ms. Sauer and Ms. Brake summarized the activities that will occur, the impact of this significant event on the community, and the continued need to volunteers to make the event a success. Volunteer sign-up is available at https://www.socmedhat2026.ca/volunteers. 

Hedging Policy Amendments 

City Council approved amendments to the Hedging Policy Administration. The amendments better reflect the City’s current organizational structure, operational environment, and evolving risk management practices. These amendments ensure the Policy and Procedure remain relevant, streamlined, and aligned with current operational realities. 

Grand Slam of Curling Sponsorship and Budget Amendment Request 

Gillian Reimer, Manager of Marketing and Creative Services, summarized a sponsorship opportunity with the Grand Slam of Curling event being held at Co-op Place in November. Following the summary, City Council approved a budget amendment of $25,000 to enable a $50,000 sponsorship opportunity. The remaining $25,000 will be funded through existing budget. The sponsorship package will provide the City of Medicine Hat national broadcast exposure, international streaming visibility, digital and social media reach, and more.   

Airport Strategic Plan – Phase 1 Airport Master Plan Project 

Logan Boyd, Airport Manager, provided a presentation that summarized the project. The development of an Airport Master Plan was approved by City Council in the 2024 Budget Update. Once complete, the Airport Master Plan will establish a realistic long-term vision and strategic direction for Medicine Hat Regional Airport (YXH), guiding the optimal use, development, and management of the airport asset and positioning the facility to yield the most social and economic value for region. 

Following the presentation, City Council adopted the Phase 1 - Airport Strategic Plan of the  Airport Master Plan Project.  

Bylaw 4888-2026 to remove the reserve designation from a portion of Lot R4 (reserve) Block 6 Plan 7610522 and designate a portion of Lot 1 Block 6 Plan 7610522 as Municipal Reserve 

Council gave First Reading to Bylaw No. 4888-2026 to facilitate the following: 

  1. Direct a designated officer to notify the Registrar of Land Titles that the appropriate provisions of the Municipal Government Act, R.S.A. 2000, Chapter M-26, have been complied with and to request the Registrar to remove the Reserve designation from such portion of the lands legally described as Lot R4 (Reserve), Block 6, Plan 7610522, highlighted in blue diagonal shading on Attachment #1 for the purposes of a sale; and 

  1. Designate such portion of the municipal lands legally described as Lot 1, Block 6, Plan 7610522 highlighted in purple diagonal shading on Attachment #2 as Municipal Reserve. 

The Department of National Defence (DND) currently leases land from the City of Medicine Hat that spans two legal parcels as referenced above. DND is seeking to purchase the leased lands from the City. To facilitate this, a newly subdivided parcel has received conditional approval. The proposed parcel will combine portions of both Lot 1 and Lot R4 to align with the 5-acre area currently under lease. As part of the subdivision, approximately two  acres of Lot R4 will have its reserve designation removed and be included in the parcel to be transferred to DND. Concurrently, approximately two  acres of unused land from Lot 1 will be redesignated as Municipal Reserve land and incorporated into the remaining Lot R4. 

Zoning is established through the Land Use Bylaw. The area currently under lease is zoned Community Services. The remainder of the newly subdivided parcel will be assigned the same zoning through upcoming amendments to the Land Use Bylaw. 

A public hearing will be held at the July 6 meeting.  

Water Management & Adaptation Strategy Grant Funding 

Manager of Environmental Strategy and Compliance, Adria Coombs, provided a presentation to Council, summarizing the purpose of the strategy. The need for a coordinated Water Management Strategy was identified in the Environmental Framework approved in 2024.

Following the presentation, Council approved a budget amendment of $245,000 for the City of Medicine Hat’s Water Management & Adaptation Strategy (WMAS), increasing the existing budget of $325,000 to $570,000. The increase will be fully funded through approved grant funding of: 

  1. $105,000 from the Federal Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Green Municipal Fund, Climate Ready Plans and Processes funding stream; and 

  1. $140,000 from the RDAR (Results Driven Agricultural Research) – Irrigation Targeted Call of $140,000. 

Councillor Cocks provided notice of the following motion, which will be discussed at the July 6 meeting: 

WHEREAS Medicine Hat has a direct and continuing interest in the protection of clean water and the integrity of Alberta’s watersheds, 

AND WHEREAS the City of Medicine Hat wishes to reaffirm the City’s commitment to the protection of clean, safe, and reliable water resources for current and future generations, 

AND WHEREAS exploration and mining for coal raises concerns relating to water quality, runoff, land disturbance, tailings, and cumulative impacts on downstream users and the agrarian economy; 

AND WHEREAS water security and economic development are core municipal concerns, 

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Mayor, on behalf of Council, forthwith forward a letter to the Premier of Alberta, the Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, the Minister of Municipal Affairs, and any other provincial or federal officials expressing Council’s concern regarding any coal-related activity that may jeopardize watershed protection and drinking water security. 

Committee Meeting Agendas and Minutes
medicinehat.ca/AgendasMinutes 

 Next City Council meeting to be held in Council Chambers in City Hall on
Monday, July 6 at 6:30 p.m.

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