(CHAT News file photo)

By Alex McCuaig

Closed Council Meeting

No response from mayor following closed council meeting on COVID-19

Mar 27, 2020 | 6:14 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – There is still no word from the mayor regarding actions the City of Medicine Hat is considering or will be taking in light of the COVID-19 pandemic following a closed-door meeting Friday afternoon.

Requests for comment to the mayor’s office as well as Coun. Julie Friesen were not responded to as of Friday afternoon. Councillors Jamie McIntosh and Kris Samraj referred CHAT TV to Mayor Ted Clugston.

Coun. Phil Turnbull did comment on the meeting stating there was a number of suggestions put forward on how best to deal with the situation, highlighting the city can’t borrow funds under provincial legislation except for capital projects.

“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the City of Medicine Hat has an obligation to do whatever it can to help our citizens through this very trying time,” said Turnbull.

Turnbull said he can’t reveal information discussed during the in-camera meeting but said they will be presenting further information at the next council meeting on April 6.

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“Yes, there’ll be some layoffs. No question, temporarily until we see where this whole coronavirus crisis goes,” said Turnbull, adding councillors will be getting more information shortly on details of that situation.

The city’s closed-door meeting comes as the province announced a sweeping range of restrictions in light of the COVID-19 pandemic from closing provincial parks, limiting public gatherings to 15 people and an order to shutter dine-in restaurants, though take out will still be available. Additionally, a slew of city events were either postponed or cancelled in the city in the past week.

But the city did announce it will be administrating a portion of $14 million in provincial funding earmarked for municipalities outside Calgary and Edmonton to assist charities and non-profits who support vulnerable Albertans.

Shona Dickie, superintendent of community support services, says the funding applications will be received and reviewed by the city and available through the Family and Community Support Services Grant Program.

The intent of the funding is to boost social support organizations in the city that may be required due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including helping seniors, crisis lines or groups which will assist emotional or mental well-being.

“Whatever agencies are seeing as gaps that they’d like to address or that they need additional funding for, they can apply,” said Dickie.

More information on that fund and the application process can be found on the city’s COVID-19 webpage.