Council Highlights March 1 2021

As a point of privilege, Councillor Varga provided a tribute to local sports commentator, Bob Ridley, who called his 4000 game with the Medicine Hat Tigers on Saturday, February 27. Councillor Varga congratulated Mr. Ridley on this milestone as well as his many years of dedicated service with the Tigers.

Merrick Brown, Director of Emergency Management and HSE, provided City Council a City of Medicine Hat COVID-19 update. Mr. Brown reviewed recent announcements from the province regarding the easing of current health restrictions, and the process required for the City to respond. Full details on guidelines and restrictions that are in place can be found here.

Mike Spicer, Manager of Transit Services, presented to Council on the MHTNow pilot project. Transit Services introduced MHTnow, an on-demand pilot project, in September 2020 to explore opportunities to create a more efficient, flexible and adaptable transit system. The pilot began operating on weekday evenings in the north zone, which includes the northeast and northwest Crescent Heights neighbourhoods, replacing two fixed routes. Data analysis after the first month showed an average wait time under six minutes, travel times averaging nine minutes, and 20% of north zone trips occurring within the zone. Total vehicle mileage on the transit fleet was significantly reduced. The service in the central zone launched in November, replacing two fixed routes with on-demand service in the River Flats and South Hill areas. Early findings show general improvement to rider experience by reduced wait and travel times, and savings to the organization through a significant reduction in mileage travelled, fuel, maintenance and labour costs.

Environmental Utilities Manager of Engineering, Sandra Plank, provided a presentation on water and sanitary mains management. Ms. Plank provided Council an overview of how staff deliberately and systematically oversee a long term strategy to plan, implement, and finance aging infrastructure replacement and or rehabilitation.

Through Administrative Committee, Council received for information Tender Recommendation: EU21-02-South Central Sanitary Trunk Rehabilitation Phase 3. The scope of work under this contract is to carry out trenchless cast‐in‐place‐pipe lining and manhole rehabilitation to renew a portion of the South Central sanitary trunk sewer. Administrative Committee awarded the tender to the lowest bid meeting specification: Insituform Technologies Ltd. in the amount of $1,747,942.00.

Through Public Services Committee, Council approved a statement of acknowledgement, recognition and respect as recommended by the Arts and Heritage Advisory Board. The statement will honour the history of Indigenous and metis peoples in the local area, and is an opportunity to further demonstrate the City’s commitment to reconciliation and healing.

Through Corporate Services Committee, Council approved the 2021 Tax Auction Reserve Bid list for the 2021 Tax Arrears Public Auction. Each year prior to March 31, a tax notification or tax recovery lien must be registered against properties that have tax arrears greater than one year. City of Medicine Hat chooses the last possible legislated date to hold the auction in order to provide the owner the longest time to arrange for payment.

City Council received the Municipal Planning Commission meeting minutes of January 13, 2021 as well as the minutes of the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board meeting of February 4, 2021 for information.

Through the Municipal Planning Commission, Council received the Annual Development Statistics 2020 report for information.