Medicine Hat Minute: Issue 218

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

📅 This Week In Medicine Hat: 📅

• Council will consider proposed salary increases for the Mayor and Councillors in September, following a recommendation from the Administrative and Legislative Review Committee. If approved, the Mayor’s salary would rise from $136,639 to $159,176, and Councillors’ salaries from $45,476 to $52,977, effective for those elected in the October 20th municipal election. Future annual adjustments would follow the Alberta Consumer Price Index, though Councillors may opt out in writing. Per diem allowances remain $200 for events or meetings lasting four hours or more, and $100 for shorter events, but only for activities outside the City region. The Committee also proposed updates to the City’s legal representation and indemnification policy to protect Council members and employees from legal expenses arising from duties performed in good faith. Some amendments were sent back for further refinement. 
  
  
• City Hall is facing another investigation after placing Chief Administrator Ann Mitchell on temporary paid leave, marking the third high-profile probe in less than two years. The City has been dealing with ongoing tensions between Mayor Linnsie Clark, Mitchell, and Council, which a recent provincial audit described as creating an “untenable working environment.” The audit and past investigations highlighted conflicts, code of conduct breaches by the Mayor, and a “culture of fear” reported by some staff, although no egregious wrongdoing was found. Council approved the new investigation in late July, with an investigator tasked to explore all necessary avenues and complete the probe quickly, though details about its focus or subjects remain confidential. Residents and local observers hope the investigation will provide clarity and closure ahead of the upcoming fall civic election. 
  
  
• The City is beginning its annual inspection of the gas distribution network, combining traditional in-person assessments with new technology. Contractors will inspect 7,264 residential and commercial services along 151 km of gas main, using Mobile Guard - a vehicle-mounted “super sniffer” that detects methane levels, identifies their source, and maps their location. The mobile unit will operate nightly from 7:00 pm to 2:00 am, while daytime inspections of individual gas services will run from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm. Contractors will access property exteriors, present identification, and leave notification slips if access is not possible. The technology allows faster and more efficient assessment of main pipelines, helping the inspection process wrap up within three weeks. Residents with questions can contact the City’s Gas Distribution Office. 
  
  
• Renovations at the historic Monarch Theatre, Canada’s oldest surviving purpose-built movie theatre, are ongoing and expected to be completed in time for a late September reopening. This year’s work focuses on exterior details, including tiling around the former Mac’s Cigar Store area and restoring the marquee to its 1935 look, while the interior has been updated with an 11-foot stage extension by removing the front two rows of seats. Future plans include adding a green room for performers and further interior improvements as funding allows. The Monarch 1911 Society, formed by local Rotarians, oversees the project and has secured funding through grants, donations, and partnerships. The renovations address structural damage and enhance the building’s street appeal and usability for performances. The Society emphasizes the importance of preserving the theatre’s historic character while making it functional for modern events. 
  
  
• The City has completed LED lighting upgrades at 12 municipal facilities through the Municipal Climate Change Action Centre’s Community Energy Conservation program, with $430,000 in grant funding. The project replaced 2,357 lights and retrofitted 883 fluorescent tubes, targeting fixtures with high energy use or nearing the end of their life. New LED fixtures use 30% to 50% less power, reducing electricity consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, with some lamps upgraded from 320 watts to 85 watts while producing brighter light. The retrofit is expected to cut lifetime greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 3,662 tonnes and save nearly $98,000 annually in utility costs. Facilities upgraded include City Hall, Co-op Place, the Esplanade Arts and Heritage Centre, the Medicine Hat Regional Airport, and the Police Service building. 

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