Council Highlights May 17 2021

Merrick Brown, Manager of Support Services in Emergency Services, provided City Council a City of Medicine Hat COVID-19 update, including the positive impact that further restrictions have had both locally and provincially. Full details on vaccine information, guidelines and current restrictions can be found here.

Through Public Services Committee, Council approved eligibility criteria for the Priority Programming for 2022-2023 Family & Community Support Services Funding Allocation. In addition to the general funding criteria for FCSS funding, as outlined by the Province of Alberta, submissions demonstrating support for the following areas of need in the community will be prioritized:

• Services for children/youth and families
• Volunteer development programs that support and/or impact the entire community
• Mental health supports focusing on unmet needs
• Programming focused on inclusivity supports for immigrants, newcomers and refugees
• Programs/projects that increase neighbourhood leadership opportunities

Through Public Services Committee, City Council received for information an update on Parks and Recreation Master Planning, and the City’s rationale for embedding a conscious demeanor regarding innovation and technology within the strategic plan.

Through Corporate Services Committee, City Council received the following bylaw for adoption: Bylaw #4669, the 2021 CCDA Business Tax Rate Bylaw; and Bylaw #4671, the 2021 Supplementary Property Tax Bylaw.

Through Administrative Committee, City Council approved Airport Electrical Visual Aids Replacement/Capital Budget Amendment. The amendment includes an addition to the 2021 Tangible Capital Asset Budget for $1,007,622 to replace airfield electrical visual aids, of which 95% ($957,241) will be funded by the Government of Canada’s Airport Capital Assistance Program (ACAP), and $50,381 by the City of Medicine Hat (Internal Loan). The airport proactively identified this program, and Transport Canada approved the application and will fund the project at 95%.

City Council received the minutes of the April 28 Municipal Planning Commission meeting for information.

City Council passed first reading of Bylaw #4668 a Bylaw of the City of Medicine Hat to amend Bylaw #4168, the Land Use Bylaw. The amendment would see 29 5 Street SE rezoned from low density residential to medium density residential.

Item 7.2, Bylaw #4669 a Bylaw of the City of Medicine Hat to provide for the rate of tax payable for the year 2021 in respect of the City Centre Development Area, was withdrawn from the agenda.

City Council approved first, second and third reading of Bylaw #4671 a Bylaw of the City of Medicine Hat to authorize the Council of the City to impose a 2021 supplementary property tax.