Council Highlights September 7 2021

Mayor Clugston presented the Government Finance Officers Association Triple Crown Award for 2019 to Lola Barta, Director of Finance; Colleen Graham, Director of Corporate Communications; and Vanessa Bonneville, Manager of Accounting. The City of Medicine Hat continues to participate in and receive recognition for its financial, budget, and annual reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA). This prestigious award recognizes governments that have received all three Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) awards in one year: The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, the Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award and the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, with only four municipalities in Alberta, and 11 across Canada earning the award.

Amanda Brinda, City Planner and Director of Development Services, presented on Bylaw #4679, a bylaw of the City of Medicine Hat to amend Bylaw #3617, the Hamptons Area Structure Plan. The amendment is proposed to support the development of a new low-density residential subdivision in the City. First reading of Bylaw #4679 was given on July 5, 2021. On August 3, 2021 Bylaw #4679 was postponed until September 7, 2021.

Director Brinda also presented on Bylaw #4680, a bylaw of the City of Medicine Hat to amend Bylaw #4168, the Land Use Bylaw. The amendment would align the zooming of Hamptons Phase 3 to the Hamptons Area Structure Plan. First reading of Bylaw #4680 was given on July 5, 2021. On August 3, 2021 Bylaw #4680 was postponed until September 7, 2021.

Following a public hearing, City Council passed second and third reading of Bylaw #4679.

Following a public hearing, City Council passed second and third reading of Bylaw #4680.

Through Corporate Services Committee, City Council approved Policy 0171, Loans and Loan Guarantees, and rescinded Policy 0105, Loans to Organizations for Community Projects. The updated policy better reflects current City structure and practices, approves four guiding principles (adherence to requirements, municipal benefit, equity, ability to pay), updates the roles and responsibilities of the various stakeholders, aligns with provisions within the Municipal Government Act, extends the maximum length of loans and loan guarantees to 20 years, and stipulates that a loan agreement between the parties will be required.

Through Administrative Committee, Council approved the 2021 Community Spirit Award recipients as follows:

• Awards of Service for Community Inclusion – Derek Whitson
• Awards of Service for Compassion – Helen Snortland
• Awards of Service for Compassion – Medicine Hat Curling Club
• Awards of Service for Environment – Gerry Ehlert
• Awards of Service for Environment – MH Interpretive Program
• Awards of Service for Sports/Recreation – Medicine Hat College Rattlers
• Awards of Service for Volunteerism – Nicholas Samuelson
• Awards of Service for Volunteerism – Prairie Gleaners
• Award of Excellence – Heart of Medicine Hat – Martha Munz Gue

The recipients will be celebrated during a ceremony on October 20.

Through Administrative Committee, City Council approved the COVID Relief Program – Condo Utility Credit, providing residents who pay utility fees through their condo fees the same rebate ($136) that individual utility account holders received through the COVID Relief program approved by Council on August 3, 2021. The City expects condominium associations to pass the rebate on to their residents though their monthly condominium fees.

Through Administrative Committee, City Council approved the Alberta Pound and Rescue Services (APARC) building acquisition, relocation, and retrofit new facility. The current facility is not suitable, is undersized and requires upgrades to the heating and ventilation system to meet animal shelter standards. The decision will see an increase to the tangible capital budget of $960,000 funded by infrastructure reserve and community capital to acquire an existing vacant building at the airport, relocate the building to 3184 Gershaw Drive SW, and retrofit/develop to meet the intended purpose. The decision also prompts the cancellation of $500,000 from the City Operations 2017 budget, as the scope of the original project will not proceed as initially approved.

City Council received, for information, the minutes of the Municipal Planning Commission meeting of June 25, 2021.

Under new business, Audit Committee Chair Councillor Hirsch provided an update on the review of the procurement process for Land & Economic Development Services. A qualified, independent, third party – Deloitte Canada – is now engaged to determine whether the procurement process in relation to the recent request for proposal CMH21-94 Land & Economic Development Services was conducted in accordance with applicable City policies and generally accepted practices related to public procurement in Alberta. Council will provide an update on the review at the October 4 City Council meeting.