Screengrab from Zoom

By Darren Rathwell

City council ready for next major planning step, says mayor

Feb 7, 2022 | 3:56 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – It’s been months in the making, but work on Medicine Hat’s strategic master plan will push ahead this week.

City councillors will gather to compare notes on their key priorities on Friday and Saturday.

Mayor Linnsie Clark says she is reviewing the election platforms of fellow council members to see which issues they agree upon. And she says there is common ground on setting out a clear approach to how they govern the city.

She says factors they will address in their governance approach are transparency, accountability and public participation.

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And Clark says the last municipal election proved such factors need to be addressed.

“(That is) making sure as an organization, a corporation and as a government that we are having strong governance,” Clark said.

But she adds the question is, “how do we get there, how do we get where we want to go on that governance piece.”

Clark also wants to ensure social and environmental aspects are clearly set out in city planning.

And she wants to focus on supporting residents who are struggling with mental health challenges.

During previous strategic planning sessions bureaucrats outlined the city’s strengths, potential opportunities and possible risks, which gave council “subtext” to work with, the mayor said.