Council Highlights - September 15, 2025

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. 

Under Councillor Announcements:

• Councillor Hirsch announced that he will not seek re-election this fall and shared some highlights from his time as a councillor.
• Councillor Van Dyke shared an update regarding research that will be lead by the Inter-City Forum on Social Policy committee, a provincial group of which she is a member. The study will determine best practices for shelter locations in municipalities as there is little research in this area. 
• Councillor Sharps shared her recent experiences at events including Citizen Walk About (hosted by CORE Association and Southern Alberta Individualized Planning Association) to celebrate inclusion, the grand opening of the Dunmore Equestrian Centre in Cypress County, the BILD Parade of Homes and Medicine Hat Fire Services Open House at Station 3, which included a Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service.

City Council received the following items into the corporate record:

• Public Services Committee Meeting Minutes of August 25, 2025

City Council received the following items for information: 

• Community Vibrancy Advisory Board Meeting Minutes of June 25, 2025
• Public Services Committee Action Items of August 25, 2025

Mayor Clark opened a public hearing regarding Bylaw 4854 - Rezoning of 620 Porcelain Ave SE. Jim Genge, Superintendent of Planning and Rebecca Arabsky, Intermediate Planner provided a presentation outlining a proposal to reconfigure the split-zoning of 620 Porcelain Avenue SE from Mixed Use District, Business Industrial District, and Future Urban Development District to Business Industrial District and Direct Control District. They City of Medicine Hat received an application to rezone the land to facilitate the development of a campground that would be a mix of fully serviced and limited-service campsites. Following the public hearing, City Council approved Bylaw 4854.

Under Delegations, City Council received a presentation on urban hens from Kristen Mann. Ms. Mann outlined her thoughts on the benefits of urban hens. Following the presentation, Council approved a motion directing administration to bring back the necessary bylaw amendments to permit urban hens by the end of Q4 2025 for Council’s consideration. 

Under Unfinished Business, City Council:

• Approved several motions related to recommendations outlined in the Municipal Inspection Report. The full list of recommendations can be found in the agenda package. Note that recommendations related to the Council Code of Conduct bylaw were removed as the Government of Alberta repealed all Council Code of Conduct bylaws in Alberta, and recommendations to change briefing note nomenclature, establish identifiers for each decision of Council, and tracking councillor departures upon declaration are already complete.
  • Seek a legal opinion regarding adopting a bylaw to establish the size of City Council at nine members.
  • Maintain the title of Managing Director within the organization.
  • Maintain the current Travel and Expense Policy.
  • Maintain the current process for approval of CAO travel expenses.
  • Update Council orientation to align with change to the MGA.
  • Revise Council orientation to provide comprehensive, role-based governance training near the beginning of the orientation process.
  • Consider designing, offering and delivering voluntary workshops for citizens who may be interested in running for Council.
  • Consider designing a governance refresher program throughout the council term to reinforce the orientation topics.

Discussions on the Municipal Inspection recommendations will continue at the September 29 meeting.

• Adopted the Chief Administrative Officer’s (CAO) performance review as presented in Closed Session on August 19, 2024.
• Passed Bylaw 4856 to amend the Residential Tax Exemption Bylaw, which allows for a multi-year tax incentive program for multiple unit housing projects in the City. The amending bylaw expands the definition of Multiple Unit Residential Development to include backyard suites and secondary suites.
• Received a presentation from Rochelle Pancoast, Managing Director of Energy, Land and Environment and Travis Tuchscherer, Director of Energy Marketing and Business Analysis, on Rate Review Committee and Alternatives. The presentation included rate governance options for Council’s consideration. Following the presentation, City Council approved a motion to defer the item until Administration is able to provide additional information related to three scenarios (regular utility rate setting, changing rate class within our distribution system, major capital expenditure in our energy production) and costs related to each of the six suggested options at a Regular Meeting of City Council in Q1 2026.
• Approved a motion directing administration to proceed with the preliminary design of the multi-use trail Between Desert Blume and Heron Crossing, to a maximum cost of $70,000 to be funded by operating reserves. The action is to be completed by the end of Q1 of 2026.
• Approved a motion to approve amendments to Appendix A of Council Remuneration Policy 8043, as presented, to adjust remuneration for Council members for the upcoming Council term effective November 3, 2025.

Under New Business, City Council:

• Approved a motion to install non-standard crosswalk pavement markings at the crosswalk between City Hall and Riverside Veterans’ Memorial Park, as a tribute to veterans, with the City covering the cost of installation. Further, Council directed administration to develop a non-standard crosswalk pavement marking policy for Council consideration by the end of Q1 2026.
• Approved the sale of 21 Ranchlands Boulevard NE for the negotiated sales price of $655,000 to Span West Building Corporation. The Property is a 2.73-acre parcel of bare land zoned Neighbourhood Commercial and has been listed on the open market since 2016 with an asking price of $890,500. Since its listing, the City has received three formal offers (in 2017, 2021, and 2022); however, none of the purchasers were able to fulfill the conditions of the sale. The potential purchaser has expressed interest in acquiring the property for the development of apartment-style condominiums. The proposed development consists of two four-storey buildings, each containing 24 residential units (48 units in total), along with parking to accommodate residents.
• Received a presentation from Manager of Land and Real Estate, Randi Buchner, on an updated policy. Following the presentation, Council approved a motion to rescind Acquisition and Sales Policy 0151 and approve Land and Real Estate Policy 0188. The new policy will set authorization thresholds and guidelines for real estate transactions, ensuring effective and efficient management of the City’s land inventory. It aims to strategically meet community needs while balancing adaptability to market conditions and financial sustainability.
• Approved a motion directing administration to amend the mandatory stop time for Council meetings from 11 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. in the Procedure Bylaw.
• Gave first reading to Bylaw 4861 to amend the Procedure Bylaw. The proposed amendments address these previous council motions.

At the February 3, 2025, Regular Council Meeting Council resolved as follows:

Council directs the City Manager to present amendments to the Procedure Bylaw to provide clarity in such areas as Notice of Motion, written inquiries, and any other area that requires additional amendments by Q2 2025.

At the August 18, 2025, Regular Council Meeting, Council resolved as follows:
Council directs administration to draft the following amendment for Council’s consideration to the Procedure Bylaw 4725; that Regular Council meetings start at 4pm with a closed session at the end of the Orders of the Day. The amendments are to be presented for Council’s consideration at the August 18th Council Meeting.

Council directs administration to draft the following amendment for Council’s consideration to the Procedure Bylaw 4725: that the composition of the Agenda Review Committee reflects the following; Mayor (Chairperson), Deputy Mayor, and Acting Mayor. The City Manager (or designate) and the City Clerk will participate in an advisory capacity. The amendments are to be presented for Council’s consideration at the September 15th Council Meeting.

Under Committee Business, City Council:

• Approved the Arts and Culture Recognition Program as per the Community Vibrancy Advisory Board recommendations.
• Gave first reading to Bylaw 4859, a bylaw to provide for the regulation of the City’s parks. The proposed bylaw would replace the Bylaw 2527 to align with the Parks and Recreation Master Plan to appropriately manage the popularity of City parks and trails to address current needs and unique qualities of parks and open spaces. In addition to the priorities identified in the plan, societal changes such as airborne technology, electric bikes, and wheeled conveyances, combined with an increased presence of encampments, require that the current bylaw be updated.
• Approved a motion to rescind Policy 0141 – Accessible Special Transit for Persons Who Qualify and approve Policy 0185 Adaptive Transportation Services. The original policy was approved by Council in 2008. Over time, service adjustments and client care expectations have led to a gap between policy and practice, including industry best practice. To improve the quality, safety and efficiency of the service, Medicine Hat Transit commissioned a consultant review of the City’s adaptive transportation service. The review gathered feedback from clients, drivers, caregivers, agencies, and the public. Additionally, the consultant’s report surveyed other transit systems of similar size and scope and sought to determine industry best practice for this type of service and determine relevant gaps.

Under Notices of Motion, Councillor Sharps gave notice of the following motion:

WHEREAS the City of Medicine Hat adopted a Whistleblower Policy (Policy 8046) to provide a mechanism for employees and volunteers to disclose wrongdoing;

AND WHEREAS best practices in municipal governance emphasize transparency, accountability, and protection for individuals who disclose wrongdoing;

AND WHEREAS other Alberta municipalities, including Calgary, Grande Prairie, and Edmonton, have adopted whistleblower systems that allow anonymous, third-party reporting and extend eligibility beyond employees to contractors and in many cases the public;

AND WHEREAS independent, anonymous reporting mechanisms increase public confidence, reduce the risk of retaliation, and strengthen organizational culture;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Administration be directed to:

1. Review Policy 8046 – Whistleblower Policy, and recommend amendments to:

• • Extend eligibility for whistleblower reporting to include contractors, suppliers, and members of the public.
  • Introduce an independent, third-party reporting mechanism that allows for anonymous disclosures.
  • Strengthen anti-retaliation protections for whistleblowers.
  • Provide annual, anonymized reporting on the number and types of disclosures received and outcomes to council

2. Bring forward an updated Whistleblower Policy to Council for approval by Q4 2025 year

Committee Meeting Agendas and Minutes www.medicinehat.ca/AgendasMinutes 

Live Meetings https://www.youtube.com/CityMedicineHat

Next City Council meeting to be held in Council Chambers in City Hall on 
Monday, September 29, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.