Council to meet in closed session on ‘energy division’ matter

By Medicine Hat News on October 17, 2024.

@MedicineHatNews

City council will meet tonight in closed session to discuss an “energy division” matter.

The unusual meeting will be held under “committee of the whole” protocols, a looser format that typically allows council members greater latitude to discuss topics and question administrators.

Only the general area of discussion is made known on the agenda published Wednesday, with the specific contents cited as privileged under privacy rules pertaining to third-party business interests, preliminary advice from officials and information that could put the city at a disadvantage in business dealings.

The “committee of the whole” process is relatively new at Medicine Hat city hall, though more common this year as council scheduled four such meetings next month to discuss the 2025-2026 city budget.

New energy division discussions occur after two lengthy presentations were given in open committee and council meetings last month on the division’s view and potential strategies for the energy transition to lower carbon production. The division is also set to receive this fall a third-party report into the city’s power business model.

In open committee business this afternoon, members of the development and infrastructure committee will hear a proposed update to the city’s escort bylaw that came under scrutiny last winter in a court challenge.

King’s Medals tonight

A public ceremony tonight at the Medicine Hat College Theatre will see 12 Medicine Hatters receive King Charles III Coronation medals. The medals were created to recognize “outstanding Canadians of all ages and walks of life who have made a difference I their communities.”

Medals allotted to the federal constituency will be presented to the here-to-fore unnamed recipients by Member of Parliament Glen Motz beginning at 7 p.m. at the Eresman Theatre. The public is encouraged to attend.

11
-10