Neat to Know: August 20, 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.
On Fridays, we were RED!
This campaign is a reminder and an opportunity for us all to show support and raise awareness for the brave men and women serving overseas. By wearing red, we acknowledge their sacrifice and commitment.
Stay updated with local Fire Safety information, education, and more by following Medicine Hat Fire and Emergency Services on Facebook, Instagram or YouTube.
Trap-Neuter-Return
The first Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program in Medicine Hat’s history is now in effect!
The City has approved a joint proposal submitted by the Medicine Hat SPCA and Persian Dreams and Canine Themes Rescue Society.
TNR programs humanely trap feral cats and return them to the place they were trapped once spayed or neutered, and in good health. These programs are implemented as a means of effectively controlling feral cat populations.
Downtown weed control program
City staff will be performing a weed control program in downtown Medicine Hat from 4 to 6 a.m. on Friday, August 23.
This program will be performed by spot spraying. This process is precise and efficient, and the City expects no concerns to residents or pets. Signage will be posted 24 hours in advance. There will be no effects to motorists.
Save the date for the next Municipal Mingle!
You are invited to the fourth Municipal Mingle: an in-person public engagement event, scheduled for Thursday, September 12 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Towne Square.
This in-person event is an opportunity to interact with representatives from various City departments and ask questions about existing and new initiatives. There will also be food trucks, games, a snow plow, sander, and fire truck on-site!
Participating departments:
- Environment Utilities – Update on Food Waste Pilot Program and Water & Sewer Capital Projects
- Community Development, Community Supports team – Update on the Community Well-Being Plan
- Environment, Land and Gas Production, Land and Real Estate team – Information on single family residential lots and multi-family lots
- Planning and Development Services – Update on the Land Use Bylaw Refresh
- Medicine Hat Fire and Emergency Services – Public education, demonstrations, and Fire Truck
- Communications, Engagement and Marketing – Ways to engage with the City
- Economic Development – Learn about the Rural Renewal Program, business retention program, incentive information, and business attraction plans
- Finance, Financial Control and Reporting team – 2025/26 Budget
- Environmental Strategy and Compliance with Strategy and Analysis – Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP)
- Executive Leadership – Ask Me About Local Government
- Airport – Promotion of local scheduled air service
- Municipal Works, Operations team – Snow and ice control program, equipment show and tell: snow plow and sander
- Municipal Works, Engineering team – MioVision Traffic Camera Display
Pickelo Kitchens will be onsite with fresh artisan bowls. Gluten free and vegetarian options available.
Bonus! Attend Municipal Mingle and enter in a draw to win two tickets to Sam Roberts Band and the Strumbellas and local band Vanity Trip live at Co-op Place on September 13, 2024!
E After Dark: In Our Nature
This Saturday! August 24, 2024 from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Esplanade Arts and Heritage Centre
Join us this Saturday to celebrate art exhibition In Our Nature by embracing all things botanical. In Our Nature features the work of seven Canadian artists: Alana Bartol, Bryce Krynski, Heather Shillinglaw, Jay Mosher, Tyler B. Jordan, Rocio Graham and Julya Hajnoczky whose works are inspired by the natural world.
Dress up in botanical-inspired attire, enjoy a demo from Sway Aerial Fitness, dance to the music of DJ Cookie and explore the "foraging station" to customize your complimentary mocktail and more. All this for FREE!
Tickets are not required for complimentary Gallery Experience.
Block Party @ Towne Square - Celebrating Music
August 24 from Noon to 4 p.m. (drop in) at Towne Square, 603 First Street SE
At this Saturday's Block Party, we're celebrating Music! Join us for a drum circle with Medicine Hat Local Immigration Partnership, drop-in play/sing with MH Music Lessons and listen to a demo from the MH Symphonic Society Community Orchestra, enjoy food from four food trucks, listen to the music of Logan Straub, and bring the kids for bouncing in the bouncy castles.
Micro-surfacing has potential for major benefits
The City will begin a pavement preservation pilot project Thursday in NE Crescent Heights as we explore innovative ways to maintain our roadways. The project covers nine blocks of the neighbourhood, and uses a technique called micro-surfacing.
So, what is micro-surfacing?
Micro-surfacing is less intrusive and less expensive than other common road rehabilitation methods.
The process is designed to seal, protect and prolong the life of asphalt surfaces, while providing a smooth, durable, skid-resistant surface. Micro-surfacing is an effective road rehabilitation process for crack repair, rut filling and/or surfacing the entire roadway. It provides significant improvements to the road to maintain quality and enable safe travel for residents.
Read more on the pilot project and how its success will be determined here:
Dunmore Road Hill construction
The railway tracks are getting removed at the bottom of Dunmore Road Hill this weekend, so motorists will have to choo-choo-choose an alternate route.
Dunmore Road Hill will be closed August 24 and 25 for this work, as part of a two-weekend project. Northbound traffic on Dunmore Road SE will be re-routed down College Drive over the weekend. The road will be re-opened Monday morning by 6 a.m.
The second weekend closure will be September 7 and 8 to accommodate bridge overlay.
3 Street SE Update
The 3 Street SE Downtown Utility and Surface Upgrades project has shifted construction zones to increase efficiency and maintain project timelines.
The intersection of 6 Avenue SE and 3 Street SE temporarily re-opened to motorists and the 500 block of 3 Street SE closed this past weekend.
Separating work on the 500 and 600 blocks of 3 Street SE will eliminate overlap between infrastructure replacement and road construction, which involve separate crews.
Budgeting for a municipality: Part 3
This is the third in a five-part series that delves into the distinct considerations municipalities must take into account during budget planning. When planning a municipal budget, it's essential to recognize the unique nature of municipalities. They operate differently from businesses and other levels of government for various reasons.
Typically, a City only has two main options when it comes to balancing its budget, savings or taxes. Thus, the City is limited in the services it can provide by the amount of property taxes it is able to collect. The taxpayer’s tolerance for paying property taxes puts an upper limit on how much the City is able to do.
When in drought: It's time to rock!
There’s still time for a backyard renovation this summer and your landscaping choices can make a huge difference in the amount of water you consume.
- Consider replacing a portion or all of your lawn with rocks, mulch and drought tolerant plants.
- Xeriscape landscaping is not only beautiful, but it will save you time, energy, money and help to conserve our valuable water resource.
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