Council Highlights October 5, 2026

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.

Councillor Reynish reminded Council of Fire Prevention Week, and shared that this year’s focus is on lithium, rechargeable batteries and using them safely to reduce risk of fire. 

Mayor Clark advised that it is Employee Disability Awareness month and acknowledged City employee Kevin Nugent who received the 2026 Changemaker Award. 

City Council received the following items for the corporate record

• Public Services Committee Meeting Minutes of September 14, 2026

• Governance Committee Meeting Minutes of September 15, 2026

• Energy, Land and Environment Committee Meeting Minutes of September 17, 2026 

Development Permit 20260649 - 1222 Allowance Ave 

Brad Irwin, Senior Planner, and Robert Sissons, Manager of Planning, provided a presentation outlining an application to change the use of a portion of 1222 Allowance Avenue SE to an Industrial Operations Minor. An application for a development permit has been submitted for a portion of the existing warehouse property located at 1222 Allowance Avenue SE. The applicant proposes to establish a local package distribution and trans-shipment facility operated by a logistics contractor for Amazon, serving residential and commercial customers within approximately a thirty-minute driving radius of the City of Medicine Hat. The proposed operation falls under the land use definition of Industrial Operation, Minor pursuant to Land Use Bylaw No. 4853. The development permit would be subject to the following conditions: 

1. 1. Initiation of construction of the development or the commencement of the land use must be within one year from the date the Development Permit was issued by the development Authority. Consistent construction progress must be maintained, or at the discretion of the Development Authority, the Development Permit may be cancelled. The development must be completed in its entirety within two years from the commencement of construction. At the discretion of the Development Authority, extensions to completion of construction may be granted.
      
      
   2. The development must be completed in its entirety and must conform to Site Development Plans and any other application materials or reports submitted by the applicant and approved in writing by the Development Authority (or any future revision to such plans approved in writing by the Development Authority). Unless otherwise stated, all conditions of development approval must be completed prior to the commencement of construction.  
      
      
   3. The approved development and use must not cause an excessive nuisance to surrounding properties, including noise, dust, odour, glare, or traffic congestion, at any time, to the satisfaction of the Development Authority. 
      
      
   4. The fire hydrants on site will need to be operational prior commencement of the use. 
      
      
   5. The emergency access gate will need to be upgraded and fully function prior to commencement of the use. 
      
      
   6. If private waste collection, submission of a declaration of private waste collection prior to commencement of the use. 

Following the presentation, City Council approved Development Permit 20260649.

US Tariffs, the financial impacts and procurement mitigation strategies

Council carried a motion to waive the notice period and approved the following motion. 

WHEREAS  tariffs and changing international trade conditions may result in increased costs, supply-chain disruptions, and other financial impacts to the City of Medicine Hat; 

AND WHEREAS the City of Medicine Hat has existing procurement practices intended to achieve best value, maintain competitive sourcing, and mitigate supply and pricing risks;

AND WHEREAS Council would benefit from information regarding identifiable tariff-related costs and the measures being undertaken by Administration to mitigate potential financial and operational impacts;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council directs Administration to continue to monitor and track identifiable financial impacts to the City of Medicine Hat arising from U.S. tariffs and related trade measures, and to continue exploring procurement and supply-chain mitigation opportunities, including Canadian and alternative suppliers where operationally appropriate, economically advantageous, and consistent with the City of Medicine Hat’s procurement obligations; and further, that Administration report back to Council with updates on identifiable tariff-related financial impacts, mitigation measures undertaken, and any additional recommendations requiring Council consideration when appropriate.