Neat to Know: April 23, 2024
Please enjoy this week's edition of Neat to Know, a roundup of City news, updates, and other important information. You can expect to see the week's most interesting content and even some that may have not been delivered through our regular channels.
Sustainable action
On Earth Day, we launched a webpage to highlight the various practices and technologies we use to safeguard our natural environment and respond to ever-changing climate conditions. This is just a snapshot and there will be a lot more to add along the way. (We already realized we forgot eBilling! So watch for that update soon.)
Visit medicinehat.ca/SustainableAction
Airport investment is really taking off!
Las week, we shared that the Medicine Hat Regional Airport was awarded a $150,000 Regional Airport Development grant to fund a feasibility study and business case to justify airport capital development and investment opportunities. Well, we're ecstatic to share that the airport has since received another $125,000 investment! This grant comes from the Northern and Regional Economic Development program and will fund the creation of the City's Airport Masterplan, a 20-year strategic vision for growth and development at YXH.
Food waste collection pilot project surveys due Friday
We are into our third week of the food waste collection pilot and still looking for your feedback about the creation of a full-scale food waste collection program!
- Pilot program participants: access your participant only survey through the link provided on the notice delivered with your kitchen bucket
- Community members: access the public survey at medicinehat.ca/foodwaste
Both surveys close on April 26, 2024, let us know what you think!
It's not really spring until the street sweepers are out
We're all waiting with bated breath to hear the familiar sound of our favourite springtime road warriors come down our street. Well, we're happy to announce that, with suitable weather, the formal residential street sweeping program will start Monday, April 29th! School zones were completed during the Easter break and crews have been night sweeping islands and boulevards and day sweeping the main roads and collectors since then. Find your zone on the 2024 sweeping map on our street sweeping webpage.
Construction season has begun!
Short-term pain for long-term gain. That's the motto we live by when taking care of critical infrastructure like your water or sewer pipes. Yes, construction can be an inconvenience, but it is better than the alternate... no one likes a sewer emergency! We take pride in maintaining and upgrading our infrastructure BEFORE something drastic happens.
The 3 Street SE downtown water and sewer upgrade has begun. Crews are currently working in the intersection of 2nd Street SE and 6 Avenue SE and will be moving through the work zone all summer. We were glad to see some local news coverage where the downtown businesses expressed positive understanding around the project.
But we're just getting started. Hold on to your hardhats folks! And thank a construction worker on your journey.
When in drought... we work together
Last Friday, we announced our participation in a water sharing agreement (WSA) across southern Alberta in response to the risk of drought this year. As a participant in the WSAs, the City will continue to collaborate with the other large license holders in the Oldman River sub-basin through regular meetings led by the Government of Alberta, and agree to reduce water use if sever drought conditions develop.
2024 tax rates approved by Council
The 2024 tax rates were passed at yesterday's City Council meeting, two weeks ahead of schedule. We're currently updating the tax estimator tool (so you'll see an "under construction" message if you try to access it), but you can check out the mill rates on our website. Property tax notices are scheduled to be mailed May 21.
National Day of Mourning
Sunday, April 28 at 11 a.m. at Memorial Arboretum Park (bottom of Scholten Hill)
On April 28, we come together to honor and reflect on the lives lost, injuries sustained, and illnesses contracted due to work-related incidents. The National Day of Mourning serves as a poignant reminder for us all to reaffirm our dedication to enhancing health and safety in our workplaces, thereby preventing further tragedies.
In 2023, Alberta mourned the loss of 165 individuals to work-related injuries or illnesses. Shockingly, between 2019 and 2021, over a third of all workplace fatalities in Alberta occurred within the construction industry alone.
Let us stand united in remembrance and commitment to fostering safer work environments for all.
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