Medicine Hat City Council

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There is a lot of talk about the MGA lately, and a lot of you might be left wondering... what is that?! Here we break do...
10/02/2023

There is a lot of talk about the MGA lately, and a lot of you might be left wondering... what is that?! Here we break down to help you understand how this documents affects every person in Alberta.

What is the MGA?
The MGA stands for the "Municipal Government Act." It's like the rulebook that guides how our local government (municipalities) operates in Alberta.

How does it work?
Imagine it as the playbook for your favorite sports team. It lays out the rules and strategies to ensure everyone plays fair and works together effectively.

What does it do?
The MGA does three main things:

1️⃣ Powers and Responsibilities: It defines what municipalities can and can't do. Like how much they can tax, what services they provide (like water and garbage collection), and how they plan for growth.

2️⃣ Decision-Making: It outlines how decisions are made in local government. This includes how we elect officials, conduct meetings, and involve the public in important choices.

3️⃣ Accountability: It ensures transparency and accountability. This means making sure that your local government is doing its job well and spending your tax dollars wisely.

Why does it matter?
The MGA is important because it shapes how your community runs. It affects everything from the quality of your roads to how your local parks are managed. It's all about making sure our communities are safe, functional, and fair for everyone.

So, the next time you hear about the MGA in Alberta, remember it's like the rules of the game that keeps our local government on track!

Today, we recognize and reflect on the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. This day is a vital step towa...
09/30/2023

Today, we recognize and reflect on the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation in Canada. This day is a vital step toward acknowledging the painful history of Indigenous peoples and working together to build a more inclusive and just future.

Why is it important to recognize this day?
This day serves as a reminder that we must confront our country's past, marked by the painful legacy of residential schools and colonialism. By acknowledging the truth, we can pave the way for healing, reconciliation, and a stronger, more united Canada.

What can we do to honour the calls to Truth and Reconciliation?

Educate Ourselves: We can start by learning about Indigenous history, culture, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's findings. Knowledge is the foundation of understanding and empathy.

Listen and Amplify: Actively listen to Indigenous voices, stories, and experiences. Amplify their perspectives and struggles, providing them with a platform to share their truths.

Support Indigenous Communities: Contribute to Indigenous-led initiatives, organizations, and businesses. This can help address the economic disparities that many Indigenous communities face.

Advocate for Change: Encourage policy changes that prioritize Indigenous rights, land stewardship, and access to essential services like clean water and education.

Participate in Reconciliation Events: Attend local events and ceremonies that promote healing, dialogue, and unity between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

Challenge Stereotypes: Challenge stereotypes and biases in your own thinking and within your community. Promote a respectful and inclusive dialogue.

Engage in Meaningful Conversations: Engage in open and respectful conversations with family and friends about the importance of reconciliation and what it means for our shared future.

Remember, reconciliation is a journey, not a destination. Let's commit to taking meaningful steps every day to build a more equitable and inclusive Canada for all. 🌟 Together, we can make a difference.

09/28/2023

Mark your calendars! 🗓️ Our regular Council Meeting is just around the corner on Tuesday, October 3, and here's what's on the agenda:

1️⃣ We'll kick things off with updates from various committees: Corporate Services, Administrative and Legislative Review Committee, and Corporate Services.

2️⃣ The Medicine Hat Stampede delegation will be joining us to present their insights to the council.

3️⃣ Let's talk energy! We'll be diving into COMCO Energy Rate Offerings with Bylaw 4796 sponsored by the Energy, Land, and Environment Division. Administration is recommending:

a) Council to give First Reading to Bylaw No. 4796, and amend Bylaw No. 2244.
b) Receive information on the draft amending Bylaw, including:

- That COMCO sets the interim best market electric energy rates based on a quarterly reset of the wholesale one year forward curve (’12 month strip’).
- That all current customers on contracts will be transferred to the new best market default rate, however, the customer would have 30 days after the effective date of the bylaw amendment to revert back to their contract if they choose.
- This interim best market electric energy default rate approach will be maintained until replaced by decisions informed by the pending COMCO Business Review.

4️⃣ Next up, a recommended Amendment to Bylaw 4797 - the Procedure Bylaw. This update accommodates recent division changes and ensures timely approval of items on the council agenda.

5️⃣ We're proposing to extend our support to the 2023/2024 Alberta Community Partnership Grant Highway 3 Regional Water and Wastewater Concept Development Study Project. Our resolutions back the Town of Coaldale's and the Town of Taber's grant applications. These studies play a pivotal role in the development of the Highway 3 corridor as a global food hub for agri-food processing facilities in partnership with the Government of Alberta.

6️⃣ Stay tuned for a notice of motion to review of the Unsightly Property Bylaw. Councilor Sharps brought this forward on September 18, 2023, and the motion is to direct administration to review Bylaw 3117, focusing on vacant and derelict properties. The aim is to address this pressing issue and report back to Council with enhanced options and solutions.

7️⃣ Committee Business:

Corporate Services Committee proposes the scheduling of open Committee of the Whole meetings for capital budget deliberations in July 2024 and additional meetings for operating and consolidated budget deliberations in October-November 2024.

Administrative and Legislative Review Committee is proposing a refined selection process for prospective members of Boards, Committees, and Commissions. They're proposed resolution will have administration reaching out to these entities to gather essential input for 2024 appointments that include core competencies required by each respective group. These core competencies will then be used to develop a skills matrix to inform the selection of individuals by council to the board, committee, or commission they are seeking to join.

Join us in person at Council Chambers on Tuesday, October 3, at 6:30 PM, or catch the live stream and replay on our City of Medicine Hat YouTube Channel.

Mark your calendars for the next council meeting on October 16, 2023.

09/26/2023

How does a proposed bylaw become law? Here is a quick rundown of the steps we take in accordance with the MGA in Alberta.

🔍 Step 1: Identification of the Issue
It all begins with identifying a problem or an issue within a municipality. This could range from traffic concerns, zoning regulations, public safety matters, financial matters, etc.

🗣️ Step 2: Public Consultation
Input from residents is crucial on many bylaws! Municipal governments actively seek community feedback through meetings, surveys, informal feedback and public hearings to gauge opinions and gather suggestions.

📋 Step 3: Drafting the Bylaw
Based on community input, experts and policymakers draft the bylaw. This legal document outlines the rules, regulations, and penalties pertaining to the issue at hand and may regulate, prohibit and impose requirements and/or fees.

🤝 Step 4: Council Discussion
The drafted bylaw is presented before the municipal council. Elected representatives deliberate the bylaw and sometimes make amendments to ensure it aligns with the community's needs.

📝 Step 6: Legal Review
Legal experts scrutinize the bylaw one final time to ensure it complies with provincial and federal laws.

🗳️ Step 5: Council Vote
Once satisfied, the bylaw is put to a vote. A majority vote by council members is needed for three distinct and separate readings in order for the bylaw to take effect (i.e. to be adopted by council).

🏞️ Step 7: Provincial Approval
In Alberta, certain bylaws may require approval from the provincial government before being adopted, especially if they relate to matters of broader provincial interest.

📢 Step 8: Public Notification
The finalized bylaw is made public through various means, ensuring residents are aware of the changes and how it may impact them.

📅 Step 9: Implementation
After all these steps are completed, the bylaw is officially implemented and can be enforced. Everyone to whom the bylaw applies is expected to comply with the new regulations.

🔄 Step 10: Review and Amendments
Municipalities periodically review, amend and even repeal bylaws to adapt to evolving needs and concerns, ensuring they remain effective and relevant.

If you're curious to see how this works in practice, you can watch all past council meetings via the City of Medicine Hat YouTube Channel (link in comments). You can also watch the meetings as they happen by attending in person at City Hall or streaming online live through the YouTube Channel.

Councillors Sharps and McGrogan, as well as Linnsie Clark - Mayor of Medicine Hat, were delighted to attend the Medicine...
09/23/2023

Councillors Sharps and McGrogan, as well as Linnsie Clark - Mayor of Medicine Hat, were delighted to attend the Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter AGM and see the exciting new plans for the expansion of the Phoenix Safe House.

Although it is a service we wish we didn’t need, this critical piece of support is crucial to the safety of individuals in our community. Thank you to this incredible organization for all they do.

Councillor Cassi Hider, Councillor Andy McGrogan, and Linnsie Clark - Mayor of Medicine Hat were delighted to join Wild ...
09/14/2023

Councillor Cassi Hider, Councillor Andy McGrogan, and Linnsie Clark - Mayor of Medicine Hat were delighted to join Wild 94.5 - Medicine Hat's New Country and Root Cellar Food and Wellness Hub for Brown Bag Lunch Day. Even Larry from Special Transit dropped by to make his donation! Shout out to Larry!

Executive Director Melissa Mullis let us know the Root Cellar feeds 1500 kids a day through this program. This fundraiser is one of the primary ways the Brown Bag Lunch program is funded, so if you can contribute head to South Country Co-op’s 13th Avenue location where they will be on site until 6 PM!

We look forward to seeing you this evening at the Medicine Hat Public Library for the next instalment in our Town Hall s...
09/13/2023

We look forward to seeing you this evening at the Medicine Hat Public Library for the next instalment in our Town Hall series.

Written questions have been submitted in advance, however you will have an opportunity to submit a question from the floor to our moderator.

See you tonight at 6:30 PM!

Somewhere deep in the recesses of the Grande Prairie Public Library is a case of 90’s Hip Hop CD’s (Hello, Beastie Boys)...
09/12/2023

Somewhere deep in the recesses of the Grande Prairie Public Library is a case of 90’s Hip Hop CD’s (Hello, Beastie Boys) thanks to our very own Councillor Ramona Robins. She was a member of their youth advisory board, and bucked the trend of the suggestions of the country music her peers were listening to at the time to make absolutely sure that the youth of Grande Prairie were able to enjoy the delicious beats of the hip-hop genre of the day.

In fact, libraries have played an integral role in Councillor Robins life, having worked at least 5 libraries all the way through school, and currently serves as Council’s representative on the Medicine Hat Public Library.

In a full circle moment, Councillor Robins, along with Alison Van D**e - Medicine Hat City Councillor, Councillor Allison Knodel, and Linnsie Clark - Mayor of Medicine Hat, was on hand to celebrate the opening of the Honeycomb House- a designated teen space with both designated and drop-in programming in the Medicine Hat Public Library.

It was a packed house as they enjoyed a BBQ, Live DJ, Youth Fair and more while touring this innovative and welcoming new space.

We highly recommend you check out the Honeycomb House, and all the other great things going on at the MHPL. Congratulations to the team on an amazing job well done.

We are looking forward to the next Council Town Hall hosted this time by the Medicine Hat Public Library on Wednesday th...
09/11/2023

We are looking forward to the next Council Town Hall hosted this time by the Medicine Hat Public Library on Wednesday the 13th of September.

To submit your question for the town hall, head to https://forms.gle/KJ7VV83o7K4D4yvn7

The Medicine Hat Public Library will be hosting a town hall next Wednesday, and we want to hear from you!Linnsie Clark -...
09/08/2023

The Medicine Hat Public Library will be hosting a town hall next Wednesday, and we want to hear from you!

Linnsie Clark - Mayor of Medicine Hat , Councillor Cassi Hider, Allison Knodel: Medicine Hat City Council, Councillor Andy McGrogan, Councillor Ramona Robins, Shila Sharps City Councillor, and Alison Van D**e - Medicine Hat City Councillor will be on deck to talk about municipal matters and to discuss questions submitted by Hatters.

Questions can be submitted at https://forms.gle/KJ7VV83o7K4D4yvn7

See you next Wednesday!

A fun fact about Councillor Andy McGrogan is that he is an absolute wizard in the kitchen. His culinary prowess and love...
09/03/2023

A fun fact about Councillor Andy McGrogan is that he is an absolute wizard in the kitchen. His culinary prowess and love of good food made him the perfect Judge for the Golden Sheaf Park Annual Chilli Cook-off!

Congratulations to Tara and Derek on their amazing Chilli, and for claiming the title as the 2023 Golden Sheaf Park Chilli Cook-off Champions! They really brought the heat. 😉

A big thanks to all the competitors for making this a super fun, and delicious, day.

The Medicine Hat Drug Coalition hosted a BBQ and memorial service yesterday for International Overdose Awareness Day at ...
09/01/2023

The Medicine Hat Drug Coalition hosted a BBQ and memorial service yesterday for International Overdose Awareness Day at the Medicine Hat Public Library. This event, attended by Shila Sharps City Councillor, Alison Van D**e - Medicine Hat City Councillor, Councillor Andy McGrogan, and Linnsie Clark - Mayor of Medicine Hat, was a smashing success.

International Overdose Awareness Day aims to raise awareness of overdoses and end overdose deaths, reduce stigma around these topics, and acknowledge the worldwide grief felt by friends and families of those lost or left behind.

Addiction does not discriminate, and an accidental overdose could happen to anyone. Events like these that spread awareness, provide lifesaving Naloxone kits and a lesson on how to use them, and honour the lives and loved ones of those who have been lost, are crucial steps our community can take to end these devastating occurrences that can end in serious health complications and death.

Thank you to Kym and her team, the wonderful volunteers who give their time, and the Medicine Hat Drug Coalition and supporting business and organizations for holding this important event for Medicine Hat.

Address

580 1st Street SE
Medicine Hat, AB
T1A8E6

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30am
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30am
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+14035298181

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