The former media table has been cut off in recent council meetings. Eli J. Ridder/CHAT News

By Eli J. Ridder

Medicine Hat says council chamber changes are for ‘safety and security concerns’

Jul 3, 2024 | 12:44 PM

The City of Medicine Hat says recent and upcoming changes to the council chambers are in response to “safety and security concerns” submitted by staff due to the gray areas between the public and other areas.

Staff acknowledged the changes publicly for the first time Tuesday and revealed plans for now-removed former media table positioned above the council floor.

The original media table, located in a semi-circle area overlooking the council horseshoe, was blocked off and removed in recent months.

Members of the media were then asked to sit at a smaller table located on the chamber’s top walkway, above the public gallery and further from council.

There was backlash from some reporters when the original seating area was cut off during a spring council meeting, apparently out of nowhere. Council was not consulted before the decision was made, councillors told CHAT News.

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It was, however, during a time of high tensions during the public council meetings after council placed sanctions on the mayor.

Others have blamed the aggressive approach by those affiliated with Community TV, a local media organization.

Stanchions have also been added to the stairs leading from the public gallery to the chamber floor, where media used to conduct interviews at the end of meetings.

Councillors and the mayor have been required to enter the public areas of the chamber for media interviews.

Other changes include moving communications staff to the council floor and repositioning the speaker’s podium and staff tables to provide better sightlines for those seated at the horseshoe.

The city generally avoided speaking publicly to the changes made in the chamber until Tuesday’s council meeting, when they revealed there is plan for further measures with work scheduled for August.

The next set of updates includes the addition of a public presentation podium in the first row gallery area, replacing the staff presentation podium and updating card access control system on the chamber’s perimeter doors, staff said.