Council Highlights May 15 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.

Jace Anderson, Executive Director of the Destination Marketing Organization, presented the Tourism Medicine Hat 2022 Annual Report. 

City Council adopted the minutes of the Corporate Services Committee Meeting of April 27, 2023 into the corporate record.

City Council adopted the minutes of the Public Services Committee meeting of May 8, 2023 into the corporate record and approved a recommendation from the Community Vibrancy Advisory Committee to award the Community Vibrancy Grants as follows:

Southern Alberta Pop Up Parks Association
A series of events focusing on community engagement and capacity building throughout the summer, including mural painting, workshops and performances. $7,000

Medicine Hat Skateboard Association
July 1st Beat the Heat festival with a focus on families to bring community together and showcase athletic, arts and cultural groups in Medicine Hat. $6,000

Saamis Employment and Training
A week-long celebration open to the public including teepee display and demonstration pow wow to promote Indigenous arts and culture, bridge cultural gaps and promote Truth and Reconciliation. $5,500

Medicine Hat Jazz Society
Support for annual Medicine Hat JazzFest activities, specifically free daytime outdoor concerts on the front lawn of the Esplanade and three shows presented for elementary school children. $5,000

RoadWorn Productions & Management
Porchfest 2023 will be a free presentation of local musicians performing from Southeast Hill porches. Support is specifically targeted at artist performance recognition. $5,000

Medicine Hat Mural Fest
Week-long mural festival featuring local and out-of-town artists to revitalize downtown spaces, enhance infrastructure, create community dialogue and contribute to local placemaking. This year’s event will expand to include artist talks and a summer concert series. $5,000

Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce
Midnight Madness 2023 – stores open late downtown to encourage local business support. Event includes retail promotions, annual tree lighting, and family focused activities and attractions. $3,992

Health Connections Association of South Eastern Alberta
To bring ‘Addictions Don't Discriminate’ to Medicine Hat. The free, interactive exhibit is aimed at reducing stigma and increasing awareness about substance use and addiction, featuring personal stories and themed booths. $3,700

Keskikeymowin Planning Committee (Medicine Hat Public School Division)
Keskikeymowin (Sharing Our Culture) activities will allow grades 4 and 10 students from the Medicine Hat Public School Division to participate in a variety of activities that develop a knowledge and understanding of, and respect for, the histories, cultures, languages, contributions, perspectives and experiences of First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples. $3,500

Medicine Hat Vintage Trailer Rally
Three-day gathering of vintage trailers in the Gas City campground, showcasing Medicine Hat to visitors and offering a new experience to the community via public open house. $2,000

Medicine Hat Fibre Arts Society
Four free Learn to Weave workshops and four demonstrations at community events throughout the City to teach and demonstrate the art of lap weaving. $1,500

REDI Enterprises
Events during the month of June, Canadian Brain injury Awareness Month, to teach residents of Medicine Hat how to prevent, recognize, and minimize the effects of brain injury. Events will be held at various locations throughout the city catering to community members of all ages. $1,168

Medicine Hat Public Library
A project to champion the value of play for adults and facilitate free opportunities for adults in the community to reconnect through play with each other and to build community. $640

Total $50,000

City Council received the minutes of the Municipal Planning Commission of May 10, 2023 for information and gave first reading to the following bylaws.

• Bylaw 4771 to amend the land used bylaw to rezone the subject lands (401 Southlands Blvd SE) from Community Services District to Medium Density Residential District. A public hearing will take place at the June 5, 2023 meeting of City Council.
• Bylaw 4786 to amend the Land Use Bylaw to rezone the subject lands (79 Cuyler Rd SE) from Community Services District to Medium Density Residential District. A public hearing will take place at the June 5, 2023 meeting of City Council.
• Bylaw 4788 to amend the Land Use Bylaw to rezone the subject lands (2802 13 Ave SE) from Open Space District to Mixed Use District. A public hearing will take place at the June 5, 2023 meeting of City Council.

Under new business, City Council reviewed a tax incentive refusal appeal and approved a motion to confirm the decision of the CAO to refuse non-residential tax incentive application 400-031223.