City council has a full agenda heading into Monday's meeting, including two public hearings, a presentation from REDI and several issues for date including urban hens and the adoption of a new whistleblower policy.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
bmiller@medicinehatnews.com
Residents who may be impacted by two upcoming Land-use Bylaw changes have an opportunity to speak before a decision is made at an open council meeting Monday night.
City staff are asking councillors to adopt changes to the boundaries of city-owned Municipal Reserve and Environmental designated parcels to create Public Utility Lots for existing berm infrastructure to accommodate ongoing maintenance.
Council is also being asked to adopt rezoning changes that would change 1850 S. Boundary Rd. SW from Future Urban District to Direct Control District for the purpose of developing a mixed-use site.
Members of the public will have the opportunity to make a five-minute oral presentation to councillors at each respective public hearing before both bylaws will be given their second and third readings for approval.
Urban hens
On Monday, council will be presented staff research surrounding backyard hens.
Councillors will review three options regarding an urban hen project that could allow Hatters to house a few in their backyards; creating a bylaw following best practices to allow residents to raise 2-6 urban hens, a wording change in the current Responsible Animal Ownership Bylaw that removes chickens from a list of prohibited ‘livestock,’ or not proceeding at all with urban hens.
Advocates have sought allowance of backyard hens for several years, dating back to 2015, and the subject most recently came up for discussion at council in September 2025.
Whistleblower policy
Council will review and possibly adopt changes to a whistleblower policy that would allow anonymous third-party reporting at city hall.
Last October the previous council set forth a motion to introduce an independent third-party mechanism that allows for anonymous disclosure and better protection for whistleblowers.
Since that time changes to the policy have been proposed, including extended eligibility, strengthening anti-retaliation protections and providing council annual reporting.
If council adopts the new policy it will also need to approve a budget amendment for $100,000 to be funded by operating reserves.
Energy Innovation extension
Councillors will decide Monday whether to approve $460,000 to expand the city’s involvement in the Energy Innovation Challenge.
In 2023 the city contributed a share of $850,000 to host the challenge in collaboration with Decentralized Energy Canada and other partners, including Prairies Economic Development, APEX Alberta, Emissions Reduction Alberta and Natural Resources Canada.
For the city’s contribution of $850,000 to the total $2.4-million project, five successful applicants of small and medium-sized businesses innovating the energy sector were invited to Medicine Hat to demonstrate small-scale pilot projects.
Decentralized Energy Canada reached out to the city expressing an interest in expanding the program for another 18 months to allow for an additional intake of applicants for between two to three demonstration projects at the cost of $460,000.
Other items:
– Representatives from REDI Enterprises will provide a presentation;
– Council will consider adopting changes to the Dishonoured Payments Bylaw that would reduce the 2026 fee from $44 to $10.
– Possible approval to develop a new policy on non-standard crosswalk pavement markings.
– A report on rate governance operation for council to consider through the rate review committee.
