Neat to Know: December 12, 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.
Heads up readers: NTK will not be published the weeks of December 26 and January 2. We hope you have a happy and healthy holiday season!
It pays to use eBilling
We recently ran a promotion that entered all existing and new eBilling users into a draw to win a $500 gift card, if they signed up before December 12. With the deadline passed, we've now drawn the name of the winning user.
And the winner is.... Tracey LeBlanc. Congratulations Tracey! And, thank you to all previous and new users who have chosen to go paperless and signed up for eBilling!
Did you miss the contest but still want to sign up for eBilling to make the process easier during the ongoing postal service strike? Visit our website to register:
Deck the halls and check the hol...iday closures
It’s beginning to look at lot like... several statutory holidays are approaching! As the holiday season draws near, we want to remind you that the City’s administrative buildings will be closed on:
- Wednesday, December 25
- Thursday, December 26
- Wednesday, January 1
Recreation and cultural facilities may have different holiday hours. Avoid a wasted trip and check out our hours first at medicinehat.ca/HolidayHours.
FOG n' wipes = Cloggin’ pipes
As you prepare for big holiday meals and more visitors later this month, please remember that Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) do not belong in the sewer – neither do “flushable” wipes.
No one wants their holiday and family time to be spent cleaning up a sewer backup! Follow these tips to avoid an unfortunate mess:
- Scrape leftover food off plates and serving dishes into the garbage before washing.
- Pour liquid FOG including gravies, sauces and leftover grease into an empty jar or can; once cooled, throw in the garbage.
- Soaps labeled as “grease fighting” and garburators do not minimize the effects that FOG has on the sewers but instead disperses the FOG further down the lines to recollect, solidify, and possibly causing blockages and sewer backup for you and your neighbours.
- Dispose of “flushable” wipes in the garbage – these wipes are designed with fibres that take a long time to break down in water, causing sewer backups and damaging infrastructure along the way.
By following these tips, you can keep a lot of unwanted materials from wreaking havoc on sewer systems and pipes, to help with a stress-free and mess-free holiday.
Holiday energy consumption
During the holiday season, electricity consumption tends to spike due to various festive traditions. Brightly lit Christmas lights, inflatable decorations, and appliances working overdrive for all those elaborate meals and sweet treats will amplify the load on electricity. Here are ten ways to cut down on electricity usage during the season:
- LED lights: Choose LED lights which use up to 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs.
- Natural decor: Embrace natural decorations like wreaths, pine cones, and plants to minimize reliance on electricity-driven ornaments.
- Timers and sensors: Use automatic timers or motion sensors so lights are only on when you need them.
- Batch cooking: Conserve oven heat and electricity by baking all your goodies in one day.
- Cook efficiently: Use the microwave or toaster oven for smaller dishes; they're more energy-efficient than the oven.
- Unplug devices: Unplug electronics if you leave for the holidays, or when not in use. Even when idle, they can still draw power.
- Lower thermostat: Turn down the heat when guests come to visit. With more people indoors, lower the thermostat to account for body heat.
- Eco-friendly options: Consider eco-friendly or reusable wrapping options to reduce waste and the resources needed for production.
- Energy-efficient appliances: If you're hoping for a new appliance under the tree, as Santa for one that is ENERGY STAR® certified.
- Family Time without Screens: Organize activities that don’t require electricity, like board games, storytelling, or outdoor adventures, to reduce reliance on electronic entertainment.
This holiday, practice mindful energy-saving practices amidst joyful celebrations. Visit our website for more information on conservation and energy efficiency.
Fire safety tip - Keeping an eye on lithium-ion batteries
The holidays are a time for giving, and it’s important to understand the safety risks when gifting electronics or lithium-ion battery devices. Lithium-ion battery-powered devices are everywhere—cell phones, smartwatches, e-bikes, e-scooters, kitchen appliances, and more.
Unbox with Fire and Life Safety Educator, Kelli, to learn a little bit about what you should look for when purchasing electronics:
- Always purchase electronics from reputable retailers and check for certified safety marks
- Only use chargers and accessories recommended by the manufacturer
- Avoid overcharging devices or leaving them plugged in overnight
- If a battery is damaged, swollen, or overheating, stop using it immediately and dispose of it safely
Watch this video to learn about the risks associated specifically with lithium-ion batteries:
Medicine Hat Fire and Emergency Services wishes you a safe and joyful holiday season!
Intake 2 now open - Energy Innovation Challenge
Decentralised Energy Canada (DEC) and the City of Medicine Hat have partnered to launch the Energy Innovation Challenge, a three-year program to empower small and medium Canadian enterprises to bring their decentralised energy solutions to the market.
They want to hear from you if you have an innovative technology that can improve distribution network reliability, resiliency, energy affordability, and sustainability.
Apply now, and you will be eligible for funding up to $500,000.
The second intake application is now open. Applications are due January 9, 2025.
Visit the challenge’s website for the application guide and FAQs.
Program Guide Frequently Asked Questions
Don’t just go with the flow
Attention business and property owners!
Due to the ongoing postal service strike, our Environmental Utilities department has been unable to send out testing notifications for Backflow Prevention Assemblies, which we typically mail. These must be tested, at minimum, once per year to remain in compliance with the City's Water Service Bylaw No. 2379. Where possible, we’re sending these notices by email, but can’t always find an email address for businesses.
Safeguarding Medicine Hat's drinking water is everyone's responsibility, so we're asking business and property owners to check the red tag on their buildings' backflow preventers for a testing due date.
Or, contact Environmental Utilities at 403-529-8176 or eu@medicinehat.ca to find out if your devices are due for testing.
Did you know?
Medicine Hat is now home to approximately 190 kilometres of trail within our Heritage Trail Network!
It's difficult to appreciate just how far 190 kilometres would be when you're walking, cycling, or enjoying your active transportation mode of choice. So, we've gone ahead and done some calculations for you.
What would it be like to travel the length of our Heritage Trail Network in a straight line?
Using City Hall as a starting point, it would be like walking:
- past Havre, MT
- to Gleichen or Vulcan
- nearly to Fort Macleod, Drumheller, or Swift Current, SK
Check out the attached map to see what the 190-kilometre radius of our Heritage Trail Network looks like!
About the Heritage Trail Network
The Heritage Trail Network links major parks and numerous other green spaces throughout the city. These paved, shale and gravel trails provide plentiful opportunities for walking, cycling, mountain biking, jogging, inline skating, skateboarding, sightseeing and bird watching.
Balancing the needs of today with the requirements of tomorrow
The final City Council meeting of 2024 will be held Monday, December 16 in Council Chambers. Council will be discussing the 2025-26 Budget at this upcoming meeting.
The City of Medicine Hat’s 2025-2026 budget proposes a 5.6% property tax increase in 2025 and another 5.6% in 2026. It reflects administration’s commitment to sustained prosperity and well-being of our community, including competitive taxes and utility charges, while ensuring fiscal capacity and flexibility to address the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Read the proposed budget, highlights, business plans, and cases for new growth opportunities on our website.
Busy Weekend at Co-op Place: Elvis is in the building!
December 14-15, 2024 - Co-op Place
Co-op Place is buzzing with excitement! After the unforgettable Marianas Trench concert on Monday, the venue is gearing up for another action-packed weekend.
Saturday brings a Tigers game against the Lethbridge Hurricanes, paired with the fan-favorite Pre-Game Buffet featuring a delicious seasonal menu to fuel your cheers.
On Sunday at 4 PM, don’t miss the most dazzling figure skating event of the year—Stars On Ice! Witness breathtaking performances by legends like two-time Olympic medalist Elvis Stojko, Olympic medalist Kaetlyn Osmond, World medalists Kaitlyn Weaver & Andrew Poje, Canadian champion Keegan Messing, and more.
Learn more and get your tickets at tixx.ca:
New Year’s Eve Fest
December 31, 2024 - Big Marble Go Centre
Give 2024 an epic goodbye at New Year’s Eve Fest at Big Marble Go Centre's FREE total facility take-over event! Join in the fun with family activities all afternoon on Tuesday, December 31 from 1 to 4 p.m. You can grab tickets to score a spot swimming and for Nerf Battles starting December 20 on tixx.ca plus take in all the other festive activities throughout the afternoon! Best of all, the New Year’s Eve countdown! Early bedtimes are no excuse to miss out on the fun. Gather in the lobby to ring in the New Year at 3:45 p.m.
Attention on retention
When Medicine Hat Economic Development received Council approval for its strategy in the summer of 2023, a critical piece was a focus on business retention and expansion.
Hear from Economic Development Officer, Alex Wright, and learn all about their project called BREIS (pronounced ‘breeze’), which stands for Business Retention & Expansion – Industry Specific.
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