Medicine Hat Minute: Issue 249

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

📅 This Week In Medicine Hat: 📅

• The Public Services Committee will meet today at 2:00 pm. On the agenda is the Medicine Hat Public Library’s 2026-2030 Plan of Service. The Plan outlines a vision to expand its reach, support more residents, and strengthen community connections. Based on input from over 450 community members, the Library says it aims to increase geographic access through additional service points, prioritizing engaging diverse, underserved, and underrepresented groups by offering affordable programs, events, and opportunities for intergenerational and intercultural interaction.  Strategic goals focus on Expansion, Support, and Connection, with objectives to improve access, inclusion, and community engagement.
  
  
• Medicine Hat is moving forward with plans to redevelop the former Riverside School site, which was demolished in January, into 19 new low-density residential lots. The Municipal Planning Commission approved first reading to rezone 201 Second St. NW from Direct Control to Low Density Residential. Staff say that the development would maintain the area’s low-density character and preserve community identity. Heritage elements from the school, including the James Marshall Mural, exterior entrance stones, and main entry doors, will be incorporated into future projects, while over 500 bricks have been kept by residents as mementos. The developer plans to build bungalow-style homes targeting senior citizens, though some residents had preferred the site be turned into parkland or green space. A public hearing on the rezoning is scheduled for May 4th, after which Council will decide whether to proceed. 
  
  
• Council unanimously voted to return a draft whistleblower policy to staff for further refinement. Originally proposed by former Councillor Shila Sharps, the policy aims to enable anonymous third-party reporting for both employees and the public while strengthening anti-retaliation protections. Mayor Linnsie Clark raised concerns about broad wording and requested that reports be brought directly to Council. Additionally, Council delayed a presentation on urban hen options, which include creating a new bylaw, amending existing animal ownership rules, or rejecting the program.
  
  
• Council has decided to retain full authority to set electric and gas utility rates, rejecting the creation of a rate review committee. Council will continue regulating rates under the City’s bylaws, with fees presented annually. Mayor Linnsie Clark was the only dissenting vote, noting that outside consultation could offer additional expertise and public input, while other Councillors emphasized that Council already has the necessary skills and resources. In other decisions, Council approved a potential budget committee to streamline annual budgeting and explore priority-based approaches, and interim City Manager Joseph Hutter will remain in the role until October as the City continues its search for a permanent CAO.
  
  
• Medicine Hat is relaunching the City Centre Vibrancy Program in April to support local businesses and property owners in improving the visual appeal of commercial spaces downtown. The program offers a combination of grant funding and interest-free loans through a partnership between the City of Medicine Hat and Community Futures Entre-Corp. Eligible improvements include facade upgrades, signage, lighting, accessibility features, and other enhancements that make the city centre more welcoming. Each applicant can access up to $30,000 in total funding: a $15,000 grant from the city and a matching interest-free loan of up to $15,000, with the City covering the loan’s interest costs. Applicants must own or operate a commercial property within the designated city centre boundaries. Applications open online on April 1st, 2026, at 8:00 am and will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

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