The City of Medicine Hat says the public can now apply to sit on a one-off community task force it launched earlier this month as part of an effort to respond to social disorder.
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READ: Medicine Hat’s one-off community task force receives council support
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Members of the Resilient and Inclusive Community Task Force are expected to participate in two-hour meetings that take place bi-weekly for the next six months. Residents have until March 26 to apply to occupy one of two seats reserved for the public, via the city’s committee page.
Public services managing director Joe Hutter, the city’s staff representative, said the panel had its first gathering March 12 and reaffirmed the need to have public members at the table.
“We’re looking for individuals who are passionate about our community and want to share their expertise as we develop our strategy and actions,” Hutter said.
Mayor Linnsie Clark and Coun. Cassi Hider, along with Hutter, make up the city’s contingent on the task force. Medicine Hat’s two MLAs, Premier Danielle Smith and Justin Wright, have seats, too.
Other members include local MP Glen Motz, Medicine Hat Community Housing Society, The Mustard Seed, Medicine Hat police, Alberta Health Services and the Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce.
Council last October narrowed down its list of goals for the term to four objectives it sees as achievable before the fall municipal election.
One of the items called for the city to lead an “urgent response to social disorder” that looped in the Alberta government and Medicine Hat community at-large.
To that end, staff created the terms of reference as a starting spot for the panel that was approved by council in early February.
The task force was charged with five objectives in the terms that council passed.
It must come up with plans and actions within six months “to reduce the impacts of homelessness, mental health, addiction and poverty, balancing individual and community needs.”
The actions should rely on “data, best practice, and engagement”, write staff, including “a willingness to be innovative in creating made-in-Medicine Hat solutions.”
The efforts should be coordinated among various stakeholders, including governments, non-profits and community groups, according to the staff report.
A fourth goal requires the task force to keep tabs on how well the implemented strategies are going.
The group is asked to also “engage with the community to raise awareness and foster cooperation.”
Decisions at the roundtable will be made by consensus or, if required, majority vote, according to the proposal.
The task force has deadlines, too.
It is required to submit monthly progress reports to city council for awareness and communication to the broader community.
The group will be asked to submit an annual report to summarize activities, achievements and recommendations.
Along with political and community leaders, two spots on the task force are reservef for members of the public.
