Council Highlights June 20 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.

As a point of privilege, Councillor Sharps introduced and welcomed Interim City Manager, Dr. Glenn Feltham.

As a point of privilege, Councillor Robins acknowledged that June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day and read the City of Medicine Hat Statement of Acknowledgement and Respect. "The City of Medicine Hat acknowledges that we live and work on treaty territory. The City pays respect to all Indigenous Peoples and honours their past, present and future. We recognize and respect their cultural heritages and relationships to the land."

Robert Sissons, Manager of Planning and Development Services, presented to City Council on the City Centre Area Redevelopment Plan – North Railway Urban Design Project, and described a collaboration between the City of Medicine Hat and the University of Calgary School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape (SAPL). Six teams of architecture graduate students prepared concepts for potential urban design options and two of the teams presented their concepts to City Council. The intent of the project was to envision urban design opportunities and new innovative strategies for the North Railway area with the potential to incorporate elements of these designs as the Area Redevelopment Plan is formed. The projects will be on display at the Esplanade for public viewing and posted on the City website.

Mr. Sissons also presented on Direct Control Permit application PLDP20220296. The application is for a change of use for the development of an Office Suite as an addition to an existing building at 851 Industrial Avenue SE. The area is located on lands zoned as Direct Control (DC) District. Advertising was done on June 4 and June 11, 2022, and no submissions were received.

Following a non-statutory public hearing, City Council approved Direct Control Permit application PLDP20220296.

Council received the minutes of the Administrative Committee meeting of June 8, 2022 and approved Request for Proposal No. CMH22-56 LM2500+DLE Hot Section Replacement. This award recommendation covers the required engine maintenance on the Hot Section of a LM2500+ turbine. The scope includes shipping to and from site, full teardown and inspection of the hot section of the turbine and all necessary material repairs found. The total estimated contract value is $2,342,842.79.

Council received the minutes of the Audit Committee meeting of June 9, 2022 for information.

Council received the minutes of the Public Services Committee meeting of June 13, 2022 for information, and approved the recommendation that Council direct staff to explore options to recognize how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted Medicine Hat residents and community, and to honour those who played a role in supporting others during the pandemic.

Council received the minutes of the Administrative Committee meeting of June 15, 2022 for information with the Electronic Meetings Bylaw for adoption.

Council received the minutes of the Police Commission meeting of May 26, 2022 for information.

City Council approved first, second and third reading of Bylaw #4710 (as amended), a Bylaw of the City of Medicine Hat to allow council meetings and council committee meetings to be conducted by electronic means. On March 27, 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the province of Alberta passed the Meeting Procedures (COVID-19 Suppression) Regulation, Alta 50/2020. This regulation provided an option for council related meetings to be held electronically to avoid exposing persons to COVID-19. The regulation expired on March 27th, 2022 and municipalities must now pass a bylaw if they wish to continue offering an electronic option for council and committee meetings.

Under new business, Councillor Sharps inquired about a rain barrel program and the Right to Dry movement where residents are encouraged to line-dry their clothing. Administration confirmed there is no City of Medicine Hat regulation in place regarding clotheslines, and that the City could explore a rain barrel program through the HAT Smart program, and that there is a pilot project underway with Parks and Recreation that would provide free rain barrels for residents interested in participating in the Adopt a Tree program.