The windows of Medicine Hat city council chambers are framed by a bounty of crab apples on the north lawns of city hall. Council members will meet for the first time since mid-July tonight. -- News Photo Collin Gallant.
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A lengthy agenda for tonight’s return to regular city council meetings could be capped by the issue of whether to call for provincial government review in an effort to settle a year-long disagreement between council members over how staff handled a corporate re-organization.
The issue led to disciplinary action taken against Mayor Linnsie Clark when council said the mayor disrespected staff when discussing the issue at a council meeting in August 2023.
One year later, a judicial review of council’s handing of a code of conduct complaint against Clark was upheld, though most sanctions were quashed as being “unreasonable.”
That means Clark will again chair the council meeting that begins at 6:30 p.m. at council chambers. It will also be broadcast live on the city’s YouTube channel and Rogers cable channel 10.
She told the News that she is keeping “an open mind” about a provincial review, and plans to discuss the entire issue in regularly scheduled closed portion of the meeting in afternoon.
In the open portion, council will take up the issue among a lengthy list of regular business that ends with Coun. Andy McGrogan introducing a notice of motion to have the province review city’s handling of the corporate reorganization.
Clark’s legal team argued in court that council had turned a blind-eye to what Clark argues was a mishandling of a series of layoffs, promotions and transfers in July 2023.
Since the judicial review, Clark’s supporters continue to press the issue of administrative actions as the root cause.
A majority of councillors have told the News and other media that they feel the mayor kept the controversy alive by failing to work with council on the issue.
A “notice of motion” simply announces that a motion will be put on the next meeting agenda, but can be debated that night with enough support. Several such notices have moved forward this term.
That was to feature some discussions of options presented in a whole-council meeting of council with Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver on July 25.
Council hasn’t meet in open meeting since mid-July, owing to a typical summer break and the Aug. 19 meeting cancelled due to a lack of items.
This week, council will be asked to approach financial backing of a bid to host the 2026 Memorial Cup tournament in city. Operational support, including additional buses and the use of Co-op Place arena, would total about $600,000, while cash support of about $1.2 million is suggested.
Among other items:
– Communications staff will run through the city’s MyMH website in partial response to a budget request from Clark to examine creating a 3-1-1 service for citizens;
– Emergency management officials will provide info on local support provided to Jasper during the recent wildfire emergency;
– A presentation will be received by council explaining the new “extended producer liability” system in the province that could provide funding for city’s to operate recycling programs that are no paid for by utility fees.
– Three public hearings will take place, including two redevelopment proposals, and the issue of adjusting offsite levy development fees.
