Council Highlights March 4 2024

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.

City Council approved a motion to add a discussion about Agenda Review to the agenda.

City Council adopted the following items into the corporate record:

• Administrative and Legislative Review Committee Meeting Minutes of February 13, 2024

City Council received the following items for information:

• Municipal Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of February 21, 2024
• Development Permits Approved by the Development Officer from January 8-14, 2024

Robert Sissons, Manager of Planning and Development Services presented to Council on Bylaw 4806 to Amend the Land Use Bylaw to Rezone 19 Stober Bay SE to Mixed Use District. First reading occurred on February 5, 2024. The intent of the amendment is to accommodate future medium density residential use. The land is currently vacant.  Following a public hearing, City Council approved Bylaw 4806.

Under unfinished business, City Council passed Bylaw 4800 to amend the Emergency Management Bylaw. The amendments are administrative in nature including naming updates to address organizational and nomenclature changes.

Under new business, City Council passed Bylaw 4807 to amend the Procedure Bylaw. The amendments will allow for the adjustment of the start time or cancellation of Closed Council meetings based upon the anticipated amount of time agenda items will require (to be determined at Agenda Review).

City Council approved a motion to direct administration to provide suggested amendments to the Procedure Bylaw that create a Council Agenda Review group that includes the City Manager, City Clerk, Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and Acting Mayor.

Under committee business, City Council gave first readings to the following bylaws.

• Bylaw 4805 Code of Conduct. The bylaw has been updated to reference:
  • A provision for members of the public and City employees to make complaints against members of council;
  • Use of social media by council members;
  • "Discrimination" and "Harassment" are now included as prohibited behaviours;
  • Pecuniary interest;
  • Conflict of interest language;
  • A deadline of 90 days for making a Code of Conduct complaint;
  • The completion of an initial assessment of a complaint must be done within 30 days of receipt of a complaint unless not practically possible in the circumstances;
  • Upon receipt of a complaint by an external investigator, an investigation must be completed within 90 days unless not practically possible in the circumstances;
  • Any formal complaints received within two months before a general municipal election would not be dealt with until after the first organizational meeting of Council following the election;
  • The complaint process has been revised to improve and clarify procedures.
• Bylaw 4808 to amend the Land Use Bylaw. The amendment would rezone the 800 block of 2 Street SE (lots 6 - 20 inclusive) from Community Services District (CS) to Medium Density Residential District (R-MD) to allow the Land and Real Estate department to obtain Council authorization to sell the lots and ultimately receive a future development proposal that aligns with the vision of the Municipal Development Plan. A public hearing will occur on April 8, 2024.
• Bylaw 4809 to amend the Land Use Bylaw. The proposed amendment would see 830A Balmoral Street SE rezoned from Medium Density Residential District to Neighbourhood Commercial District to accommodate a proposed change of use and a future residential development proposal. A public hearing will occur on April 8, 2024.
• Bylaw 4810 to amend the Land Use Bylaw. The proposed amendment would see the rezoning of Lot 37, Block 3, Plan 3204M to Medium Density Residential District, in order to accommodate future development. A public hearing will occur on April 8, 2024.