Medicine Hat Minute: Apology Made, Inspection Requested, and a Managing Director Hired

Medicine Hat Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Medicine Hat politics

This Week In Medicine Hat:

• The Public Services Committee will meet this afternoon at 3:45 pm. The Committee will hear from HALO as they present a 2023 Financial Report. The Managing Director will also provide a Service Area Update, which will include Truth & Reconciliation Day, an opening update for the Big Marble Go Centre, and an ice surface update.
  
  
• The Administrative and Legislative Review Committee will meet on Tuesday at 4:00 pm. No agenda is available for this meeting yet.
  
  
• Medicine Hat will host the 2025 Annual National Student Unmanned Aircraft Competition from May 9th to 11th, 2025, marking the first time the event will be held in Alberta. The competition, organized by the Aerial Evolution Association of Canada, has previously been focused in eastern Canada. Approximately 150 students from 15 post-secondary institutions will participate, showcasing their skills in drone building and flight.

Last Week In Medicine Hat:

• The City of Medicine Hat has requested a municipal inspection from the Alberta government following a heated debate among Council members. The proposed audit aims to address ongoing conflicts between the Mayor, Council, and City Manager. While some Councillors supported the inspection for its potential to uncover issues and reset council dynamics, others, like Ramona Robins and Alison Van Dyke, were concerned about the costs and impact on City operations. Ultimately, Minister of Municipal Affairs Ric McIver will make the decision as to whether an inspection is conducted.
  
  
• Mayor Linnsie Clark was back in the big chair, taking charge of the City Council meeting after most of her sanctions were lifted by a Calgary judge. The judge found that an apology to City Manager Ann Mitchell was a reasonable sanction, and Clark offered one to the City Manager. Clark acknowledged causing hurt and received applause from the public gallery. In response, Mitchell accepted the apology but requested it be extended to the community and organization, which led to jeers from the gallery.
  
  
• The City has appointed a new Managing Director of Public Services. This addition is part of a series of recent leadership changes at City Hall. The City has revealed that Joseph Hutter will fill the role, and he will begin on October 1st. He is currently the Chief Administrative Officer of Nobleford and a former Legislative Clerk at Cardston County. Hutter will replace Brian Stauth, who will remain until the end of the year to complete ongoing projects.

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