Medicine Hat Minute: Sea Cans, Organizational Meeting, and Power Line Upgrades

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

This Week In Medicine Hat:

• Today, at 6:30 pm, there will be a City Council Organizational Meeting. The agenda includes the 2025 Council Meeting Schedule and 2025 Provisional Consolidated Meeting Schedule, as well as the appointment of Council members to various bodies.
  
  
• The agenda lists today’s Regular City Council Meeting as beginning with a closed session at 3:45 pm and opening up to the public at 6:30 pm, but that seems to conflict with the Organizational Meeting, so we’re not entirely sure on the timing. The agenda suggests that Council will be discussing the Employee Business Expense Policy, the Vehicle Allowance and Mileage Reimbursement Policy, and the Heritage Resources Committee Bylaw. Also on the agenda is the City of Medicine Hat 2024 - 2026 Strategic Plan.
  
  
• There will be a Council Committee of the Whole Meeting on Tuesday at 3:45 pm, as well as a meeting of the Audit Committee on Wednesday at 2:00 pm. No agenda is available yet for either meeting.

Last Week In Medicine Hat:

• The City has submitted a plan to the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) to upgrade 40-year-old power lines along the city's eastern boundary as part of a ring reinforcement project. The proposal includes two preferred and alternate routes to improve power capacity from the city's north to south, affecting areas like Northlands, Altawana Drive, and S. Boundary Road. Public consultations were held earlier this year, and the AUC will now evaluate the plan. If approved, the 24-kilometre line upgrade would double capacity and be completed by 2029. No timeline for feedback or decisions has been set.
  
  
• City officials have recommended the removal of eight sea-can market pods in Towne Square due to their contribution to safety concerns and illegal activities like vandalism and drug use. The pods, installed in 2022 for community events, have been frequently broken into and used as shelters, costing the City over $21,000 for cleanup this year. City staff believe the pods could serve a better purpose elsewhere and suggest relocating them at an estimated cost of $20,000.
  
  
• The Public Services Committee received a presentation from Medalta, outlining the organization’s significant financial challenges. Medalta has made tough decisions, including reducing market events and canceling its annual Black and White Gala, which will be replaced with a new event in February 2025. Despite these struggles and some costly vandalism, Medalta increased event offerings in 2023, welcoming over 11,400 attendees. Looking forward, Medalta plans to launch a new archaeology program and continue expanding its Heritage Clay District.

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