Medicine Hat Minute: Issue 225

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

📅 This Week In Medicine Hat: 📅

• Council has voted to terminate Chief Administrative Officer Ann Mitchell, who will remain on paid leave for now. The move follows a municipal audit in July that highlighted a dysfunctional relationship between Mitchell, the Mayor, and Council, describing an “untenable working environment.” The termination motion was put forward by Councillor and Mayoral candidate Andy McGrogan. Over the past two years, conflicts between Mitchell and Council led to investigations and a judicial review, culminating in the audit. Council discussed the matter in closed sessions, including a two-hour meeting on September 22nd, before formally voting on the termination.
  
  
• The City of Medicine Hat’s Rec and Ride Youth Pass program, which ran this summer for youth aged 13 to 17, is being hailed as a success. A total of 627 youth purchased the $50 pass, which provided unlimited access to recreation facilities and transit services. Participation at the Big Marble Go Centre saw a 532% increase from 2023, with 70% of pass holders using the facility. Transit usage accounted for 24% of participants, totalling 3,007 trips, while YMCA facilities saw 22% participation with nearly 1,250 combined visits. City and YMCA officials praised the program for promoting accessible, affordable recreation, fostering youth independence, and encouraging long-term transit use. Due to its success, the City plans to offer the program again next year.
  
  
• The City of Medicine Hat is asking residents to suggest locations for a permanent emergency homeless shelter after the Mustard Seed withdrew its application to use 2055 Saamis Drive NW due to concerns about the site’s location. City staff are inviting feedback through the “Community Shelters” webpage and will consider suggestions while ensuring any potential site meets operational needs, is City-owned or available real estate, and is approved by the Mustard Seed. Any chosen site may require rezoning, which involves a Council vote and public hearing, followed by a development permit application. Meanwhile, the Mustard Seed continues operating its community kitchen along Allowance Avenue under a 180-day extension granted in August, but a permanent shelter plan has not yet been finalized.
  
  
• Council has passed a modernized parks bylaw, updating the nearly four-decade-old rules to reflect community values and new technologies. The previous bylaw, originally passed in 1987, received only minor revisions over the years. The updated bylaw, developed since 2022 using data and feedback from the 2022 Parks and Recreation Master Plan, addresses four key areas: protection of park spaces, safety of park and trail users, stewardship of the natural environment, and evolving technology trends. Key updates include rules for drones, e-bikes, and e-scooters, such as a suggested maximum speed of 20 km/h on trails, helmet requirements, a minimum operator age of 12, and no passengers unless the vehicle is designed for it. Safety measures include lights, audible warnings, and passing etiquette. The bylaw also aims to enhance environmental protection, addresses litter and animal waste, sets rules for fires, camping, and encampments, and allows non-commercial harvesting of edible plants like sage. Enforcement now includes over 100 detailed fines for uncooperative or unsafe behaviour, with a focus on education and compliance.
  
  
• The Veiner Centre is set to host two upcoming candidate events for the municipal election. A mayoral candidate forum will take place on October 7th from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm in the Craft Room, focusing on City policies and plans, particularly support for seniors. Following this, a City Council meet-and-greet will be held on October 9th at the Bistro from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm, allowing Council candidates to share their ideas on supporting the city’s aging population.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

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