Council Highlights May 1 2023

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.

Mayor Linnsie Clark presented two awards on behalf of the Government Finance Officers Association to City representatives Lola Barta, Director of Finance, and Colleen Graham, Director of Corporate Communications: The Canadian Award for Financial Reporting (CAnFR) for the year ending 2021 along with the Award for Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting (PAFR) for the year ending 2021. The Canadian Award for Financial Reporting Program was established to encourage municipal governments throughout Canada to publish high quality financial reports and to provide peer recognition and technical guidance for officials preparing these reports. Its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a municipal government and its management. The Popular Annual Financial Report Award is awarded to recognize cities and local governments for producing a high quality annual financial report by extracting information from their comprehensive annual financial report. The annual report is specifically designed to be readily accessible and easily understandable to the general public and other interested parties without a financial background.

Under new business, City Council approved motion to prepare a loan bylaw for Council’s consideration, for the purpose of supporting the installation of a new temporary ice plant and ice mats at the Medicine Hat Curling Club pursuant to the financial information in the briefing note.

Robert Sissons, Manager of Planning, introduced Bylaw 4778, to rezone the subject lands (Lot 14, Block D, Plan 9911151) from Medium Density Residential District to Community Services District. First reading occurred at the April 17 meeting of Council.

Following a public hearing, City Council passed Bylaw 4778.

Robert Sissons, Manager of Planning, introduced Bylaw 4784 to amend the Land Use Bylaw to rezone the subject lands (29 - 5 Street SE) from Medium Density Residential District to Low Density Residential District.

Following a public hearing, City Council passed Bylaw 4784.

Under unfinished business, Lola Barta, Director of Finance, introduced Bylaw 4779, the 2023 Property Tax Bylaw. Following the presentation, City Council passed Bylaw 4779; approved the Education, Cypress View Foundation and Designated Industrial Property requisitions in the 2023 Municipal Services Operating Budget; and amended the 2023 Tax Revenue Budget for new physical growth by increasing to $85,304,278 from $84,796,000.

City Council passed Bylaw 4780, the 2023 Supplementary Property Tax Bylaw. The Supplementary Property Tax Bylaw provides for equity amongst property owners. When newly constructed or renovated homes and buildings are completed and/or occupied, the property owners receive municipal services. Supplementary tax revenue contributes towards the cost of providing these services.

City Council adopted the minutes of the Economic, Land and Strategic Planning and Development Committee meeting of April 25, 2023 into the corporate record.

City Council adopted the minutes of the Public Services Committee meeting of April 24, 2023 into the corporate record.

Next City Council meeting to be held in Council Chambers in City Hall on Monday, May 15, 2023 at 6:30 p.m.