Council Highlights March 15 2021

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.

Nigel Forster, Geospatial Services Superintendent, Utilities Business Development & Support, provided a demonstration to Council on a new interactive, online map of major construction projects. Residents will be able to use this map to see important infrastructure upgrades and learn more about each one. Each project on the map includes a description, an expected start and end date, and information about the project cost and funding source.

Jon Sookocheff, Economic Recovery Officer with Invest Medicine Hat, updated Council on Medicine Hat Business Innovation Grant (MHBIG). In May 2020, Council approved the $2M MHBIG to support local businesses as part of the $8.2 million COVID-19 relief program. Mr. Sookocheff shared details on the economic impact of the grant, as well as testimonials from grant recipients. The first three $500,000 tranches were allocated during 2020, and the criteria and application for the final tranche will be announced in the coming weeks.

Based on a letter received from MP for Medicine Hat-Cardston-Warner, City Council passed a motion calling on the House of Commons to establish a national three-digit suicide and crisis hotline.

Through Administrative Committee, City Council received for adoption the Resolution and Bylaw Regarding Disestablishment of the City Centre Development Area.

Through Public Services Committee, City Council approved the purchase of an Attack Digital Fire Training System, funded by third party donors. This system will reduce the cost of out-oftown training, reduce exposure of firefighters to harmful toxins and reduce the amount of toxic smoke released into the environment. The device allows firefighters to train in a safe, realistic environment to improve their skills and abilities, while enhancing their overall safety when responding to incidents.

Through Administrative Committee, City Council approved the sale of 79 Cuyler Road SE for $415,000. The purchaser will acquire the asset on an ‘as is, where is’ basis. The proposed development is a 40-42 unit multiple resident housing rental development consisting of three townhouse style buildings.

City Council, through Administrative Committee, City Council authorized the City to provide certain abandoned bicycles, currently owned by the Medicine Hat Police Service, to the Rotary Club of Medicine Hat. The proposed agreement facilitating this initiative will have a three (3) year term. The bicycles will be transferred to Rotary Club for $1 on an “as is” basis. Rotary Club will indemnify the City, service the bicycles and donate the bicycles to the Medicine Hat and District Food Bank for distribution to clients who currently do not have transportation. This is an extension of an agreement approved by Council in December 2020.

Through Administrative Committee, City Council received the Invest Medicine Hat Annual Report 2020 for information. The IMH Annual Report summarizes economic development, business retention and expansion, and investment attraction efforts undertaken by IMH during 2020.

City Council received the minutes of the February 18 Police Commission Meeting for information. City Council passed first reading of Bylaw #4664, a bylaw of the City of Medicine Hat to disestablish the City Centre Development Area. A vote of business improvement area taxpayers is required to disestablish the City Centre Development Area. The vote will take place on May 13, 2021 with an advanced poll option on May 11.