Medicine Hat Minute: Local Contracts, Task Force, and the Carbon Sequestration Project

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

This Week In Medicine Hat:

• There will be a meeting of City Council this afternoon. As usual, the meeting begins with a closed session at 3:45 pm wherein Council will discuss a Code of Conduct Matter, City Solicitor Matters, the École Les Cyprés Site, and Action Recreation and Wellness Opportunities. At 6:30 pm, when the meeting opens up to the public, the agenda includes an updated Tri-Area Intermunicipal Development Plan and a discussion about giving the secondary permanent commemorative name of “Commerce Way” to a portion of 6th Avenue SE from 1st Street SE to 5th Street SE.
  
  
• Medicine Hat will continue adding "elephant's feet" crossings to its trail network in 2025. These crossings feature dashed white lines and square markings, allowing cyclists to remain on their bikes while crossing roads, unlike standard crosswalks where they must dismount. The City currently has 12 such crossings, mainly on Carry Drive Southeast and Division Avenue South, and plans to add more in future construction seasons.
  
  
• The Neighbourhood Associations of Medicine Hat and Area is working to expand its efforts to create hyper-local community groups in 2025. The organization aims to foster a stronger, more connected community by encouraging residents to form neighbourhood associations. The City supports the initiative, with neighbourhood groups eligible for micro-grants for events like block parties. The umbrella organization helps smaller groups by offering support and coordinating with the City’s Parks and Recreation Department.

Last Week In Medicine Hat:

• A new report showed that two-thirds of City contracts in Medicine Hat over the past two years were awarded to local or regional businesses, totalling $83 million out of $134 million. Despite provincial regulations preventing local preferences in contract tenders, local firms won the majority of awards due to competitive pricing, quality service, and reliability. Approximately $27.3 million went to other Alberta businesses, while $24.3 million was awarded to companies outside the province, including contracts to firms in Ontario and Saskatchewan. City officials said they are pleased with the trend, as it helps keep money circulating locally and supports regional business growth.
  
  
• The City of Medicine Hat has decided to hand over its carbon sequestration hub project, "Clear Horizon," to Imperial Oil, which will now move forward independently. The initiative, aimed at transitioning to a low-carbon economy and attracting carbon-intensive investment, was first discussed five years ago, with the City securing deep geological rights for the project. The City’s energy division had begun initial work with an $11 million budget, but Imperial will take over, with the City recuperating most of the costs. Imperial will continue to evaluate the feasibility of the underground carbon storage hub, with the City protected from direct development costs and risks.
  
  
• Councillor Cassi Hider expressed concerns that the City is in "crisis mode" due to the growing issues of homelessness and vulnerability, as a task force is formed to address these challenges. The task force, set to meet bi-weekly starting March 11th, will include community leaders from various sectors, including non-profits, law enforcement, and public health. The group aims to develop actionable solutions within six months, with a focus on enhancing safety, addressing homelessness, and improving social cohesion.

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