The open house will take place inside the lobby of the Esplande Arts and Heritage Centre downtown Medicine Hat. Eli J. Ridder/CHAT News

By Eli J. Ridder

Medicine Hat holding ‘municipal mingle’ open house Thursday evening

Sep 12, 2024 | 3:00 PM

The public will have a chance to speak to over a dozen departments and services during the City of Medicine Hat’s first “municipal mingle” since spring.

The open house will run from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday in the front lobby of the Esplanade Arts and Heritage Centre downtown.

Safira LaChapelle, public participation specialist for the city, said the resident engagement event provides an opportunity for the city to build trust with taxpayers.

“There’s a lot of complicated things going on and so just being able to talk to somebody and understand a little more about the background of why certain things are the way they are, that really helps,” LaChapelle told CHAT News on Wednesday.

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She added it’s a “harder world to live in” when there is mistrust between people but the municipal mingle is a way to build up relationships.

Safira LaChapelle, public particpation specialist, says the open house is an opportunity for people to engage with the city. Ross Lavigne/CHAT News

“It’s an important opportunity for relationship building, building awareness of the different things that are going on, but also an opportunity for people to connect and exchange on the various initiatives that we do have within the city.”

The 2025-26 budget planning team, those leading the food waste pilot project, Medicine Hat Economic Development, energy efficiency incentive organizers and emergency services are among the 14 programs, departments and teams available at the mingle.

The open house will also mark the start of a new “name the fleet” campaign by the city.

Residents will be able to submit and vote on names for 15 of the city’s winter maintenance vehicles over the coming weeks.

Those at the municipal mingle can submit their ideas in-person but an online submission process will remain open until 5 p.m. on Oct. 11, organizers said.

Municipal Works operations superintendent Jamie Motz says the campaign aims to spark smiles and inform residents. Ross Lavigne/CHAT News

The best suggestions will be placed on a list of finalists for residents to vote on. The winning names will go on one of 11 sanders or four graders.

Municipal Works operations superintendent Jamie Motz explained the goal is to spread cheer and inform Hatters.

“The campaign is just to really bring some cheer to the winter service that we do and to also help educate residents on the snow and ice control program,” Motz said.

“That’s that what the Municipal Works operations team will be talking about at the upcoming municipal mingle.”