Councillors have a lengthy agenda ahead of tonight's general meeting and are expected to discuss a new homeless shelter, Stampede funding, staff expenses and address a looming deadline for two ministerial directives.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
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Several key issues will be discussed tonight during this council’s third-to-last general meeting before October’s election, however two extra public meetings may be approved over the timeline of two directives issued by the Minister of Municipal Affairs.
Council, as well as the CAO, need to complete respectful workplace training by Oct. 1, according to one Ministerial directive.
By that same deadline, council and the CAO must also review a full list of 68 recommendations included in a municipal inspection report and address action taken, or lack there of, for each individual recommendation.
City staff are recommending council approve two additional meetings on Sept. 17 and Sept. 29 in council chambers.
Under new business, members of council will hear the first reading of a new rezoning bylaw that seeks to put a potential new permanent homeless shelter on the outskirts of the city.
Last week, the Mustard Seed and city announced common ground on a potential location for a new shelter, which would be located in a city-owned property located at 2055 Saamis Dr. NW, off Highway 1 near Brier Industrial Estates.
According to a statement released Aug. 28, both parties have agreed to explore the property as a potential location, as the current long-term tenant of the property has decided to relocate.
It’s noteworthy to mention, the first reading of the new zoning bylaw is only the formal introduction of a proposed bylaw.
City staff will also speak on senior administration expenses and are expected to provide a detailed report of expenses with adjustments to specific transaction details.
Council is being asked to approve a motion that provides the audit committee annually detailed reports of senior administrative expenses for each senior leader by account.
This report, if approved, would be presented in open audit committee and flow through to open council as part of the consent agenda.
Redcliff Mayor Dwight Kilpatrick will begin tonight’s session with a verbal update on a regional composting initiative.
The city has recently engaged in discussion with a large environment management company, and talks continue on building a future food waste composting facility.
Following Kilpatrick’s update, the city’s managing director of public services will provide a verbal update on funding requests from the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede, as it looks to replace an aging grandstand and upgrade the grounds.
Joe Hutter and Stampede officials were asked to continue consultations during council’s previous Aug. 18 public meeting following a miscommunication between both sides as a motion to postpone a funding recommendation passed.
City staff will also provide council a presentation on the city’s transportation master plan for information only.
Council is also recommended to approve the City of Medicine Hat’s 2025 Community Spirit Awards as recommended by the Community Vibrancy Advisory Board.
