Four public hearings, alcohol consumption in parks, and policy changes in busy Medicine Hat City Council agenda

Bylaw 4875-2026 – Rezoning 800 Gershaw Dr. SW

The next rezoning application is for 800 Gershaw Dr. SW from a mixed-use district to a highway-commercial district. Zoning that would match the adjacent properties.

An application by the landowner was submitted to allow future motor-vehicle-related uses at the property. The site was last used for motor vehicle services and sales and has sat vacant since 2023.

A first reading was completed during the council meeting on April 7, 2026. Second and third readings are expected to be considered following the public hearing. No written submissions were received in opposition.

Bylaw 4876-2026 – Rezoning 2 & 6 Sierra Grn. SW

A rezoning application for 2 and 6 Sierra Grn. SW in the Saamis Heights area of the city would allow New Tab Homes to build a single detached house on each parcel of land. They look to change the property from a medium-density residential district to a low-density residential district. The lots were rezoned by the council from low-density residential to medium-density residential in January 2024. A written submission in favour of the change was received.

A first reading was completed during the council meeting on April 7, 2026. Second and third readings are expected to be considered following the public hearing.

Bylaw 4877-2026 – Rezoning 2 & 4 Ranchero Pl. NE

Rezoning from a low-density residential district to a medium-density residential district is under consideration for 2 and 4 Ranchero Pl. NW, in the far corner of Ranchlands.

The landowner is looking to facilitate future development of the site for attached housing with secondary suites. The site is currently vacant and not developed. Two submissions of opposition were sent in on parking concerns related to the lack of an alleyway behind the property.

A first reading was completed during the council meeting on April 7, 2026. Second and third readings are expected to be considered following the public hearing.

2025 Municipal Election Report

Information items before the public hearing include the 2025 Municipal Election Report.

Changes under the Local Authorities Election Act, including a ban on vote tabulators and the introduction of a permanent electors register, leading to longer counts and higher costs.

City of Medicine Hat officials say 367 workers and 32 reserve workers were trained to support voting and a full manual count, with results finalized four days after election day. This was about double the 195 workers hired for the 2021 election.

The total cost was $447,877.04, exceeding the $400,000 budget. City staff say that the extra costs were absorbed by underspending elsewhere in the 2025 budget.

Alcohol Consumption in Designated City Parks – Pilot Project

Up for discussion and approval is a pilot program to allow alcohol consumption in designated park areas from July 1 to Sept. 30, 2026.

A notice of motion sponsored by Coun. Cheryl Phaff for this during the April 20, 2026, meeting.

The City says that both Calgary and Edmonton have conducted pilot projects in the past.

In the 2021 pilot in Calgary, there were minimal enforcement issues reported and positive public feedback, leading to the permanent adoption in many sites, including picnic sites and some open areas.

In Edmonton, a multi‑year pilot was completed in 2021 and 2022 in designated picnic sites. Evaluation showed high compliance, low safety concerns, and strong public support. Edmonton has since expanded permitted areas permanently at picnic sites.

City administration says they would prefer a July 2, 2026, start date to avoid beginning on a day with heavy park usage.

A report back to the council at the conclusion of the pilot would offer findings and include data on enforcement issues, safety impacts and community feedback, as well as recommendations on whether to expand, modify, or discontinue the program.

Whistleblower Policy 8051-2026

The administrative committee recommends that the council approve an updated Whistleblower Policy effective June 15, 2026.

The purpose of the policy is to ensure that the City provides a safe, confidential way for individuals to report concerns about serious Wrongdoing without fear of Retaliation and to promote ethical conduct, protect public resources, and ensure that concerns about integrity are addressed reasonably and promptly.

Several changes are outlined through a 15-page document, including assurances that the identity of an individual making a report remains anonymous.

A budget amendment of $100,000 funded through operating reserve is said to cover the financial impact for any third-party administrative fees and additional costs for reports received and investigations performed.

Fraud Policy 8042 and Whistleblower Policy 8046 would both be recinded effective June 15, 2026.

Procedure Bylaw Amendment

Administration has prepared Bylaw 4887-2026 to amend the Procedure Bylaw.

They say the document includes:

Minor housekeeping amendments
Amends the table of contents to correct page numbering to reflect the current bylaw structure
Clarifies that a quorum, as defined, is not required for the Agenda Review Committee
Provides the Agenda Review Committee with authority related to adjusting Orders of the Day and approving Requests to Address Council
Provides authority to the City Clerk to correct typographical, grammatical, and formatting errors that do not materially affect the principle or substance in published agendas and minutes
Formalizes the current practice of recording and posting the videos of Standing Committee meetings
Establishes the Mayor as the official spokesperson for the council
Adjusts the process related to the Request to Address Form to reflect the Agenda Review Committee as the approval authority.
Establishes the Budget Committee pursuant to resolution 2026/055 as a Standing Committee with an end date.
Combines the functions of the Administrative and Legislative Review and Government Relations Committee and the Council Employee Committee into a single committee called the “Governance Committee” and enhances clarity in the Standing Committees’ Terms of Reference.

Third Party Grant One-Time Operating Initiative Requests

The City says funding would be allocated to the project “Opportunity is Calling in Medicine Hat,” a marketing campaign to attract professionals and entrepreneurs to live and work in Medicine Hat.

It adds that the project includes three key priorities: Leveraging Tourism Medicine Hat’s “Move to Medicine Hat” website for the attraction of entrepreneurs and professionals, building on the success of Community Futures Entre-Corp’s Talent Ambassador Program to connect entrepreneurs and professionals with local businesses and employment opportunities through their job board, and building a City of Medicine Hat Leadership Ambassador Program, equipping City Council, Executive Leadership, and local employers with strategic messaging to champion workforce attraction.

The administrative committee is recommending that Council approve a budget amendment for third-party grant activities.

This includes $123,000 for a new 2026 One-Time Operating Initiative (OTOI). Funding would be through a third-party grant of $111,000 and $12,000 in third-party funding from Tourism Medicine Hat.

It would also include the reallocation of $99,000 in unused operating funds from the 2023 MOE – Settlement, Integration & Language Project (SILP) to the new 2026 OTOI.

The total cost of this program, according to City officials, would be $222,000.

Inter-Municipal Committee Orientation and Working Regionally Workshop

Administration recommends that the council support a request from the Intermunicipal Committee (IMC) to collaborate and proceed with a two-day Tri-Area regional workshop facilitated by a third party, with the City of Medicine Hat’s contribution, not to exceed $7,500.

The IMC includes representatives from the City of Medicine Hat, Town of Redcliff, and Cypress County.

To support the workshop, Cypress County has suggested a budget of $7,500 per municipality, which they approved at a meeting on April 7, 2026. The amount was also discussed at a meeting in April by the Town of Redcliff’s council.

Should all three Councils approve allocating $7,500 towards this initiative, $22,500 in total would be available for professional services.

Privacy Management Policy 0193-2026

A Privacy Management Policy is being recommended as the City says public sector operations are shifting from primarily document-based records to more data-driven, system-enabled environments.

With information now collected and processed across multiple digital platforms, integrated systems, analytics tools, and third-party services, it introduces new and broader privacy risks that require clear and consistent governance.

The Alberta government updated its access and privacy legislation in June 2025. At that time, the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP) was rescinded and replaced by the Access to Information Act (ATIA) and the Protection of Privacy Act (POPA).

The Protection of Privacy Act’s intent is to allow individuals to control how their personal information is collected, used, and disclosed by a public body; provide individuals with the right to request correction of their personal information held by a public body; and regulate the creation, use, and disclosure of data, including data derived from personal information and non-personal datasets.

Public bodies are expected to establish a formal Privacy Management Program that demonstrates accountability, transparency, and ongoing risk management.

City documents state that Privacy Management Policy 0193-2026 would represent its commitment to the requirements of the Protection of Privacy Act.

Land Use Bylaw Refresh 4853-2026

The Municipal Planning Commission (MPC) recommends that the council give first reading of the Bylaw to complete the Land Use Bylaw Refresh project.

The MPC says it will address key land-use issues and align zoning and regulations with community expectations and the policies of the Municipal Development Plan.

Arts and Culture Recognition Program Naming

The Community Vibrancy Advisory Board is recommending that the council approve its recommendation to name the Arts and Culture Recognition Program award the “Arts and Culture Legacy Award”.

It’s also recommended to name the program location at the Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre the “Arts and Culture Legacy Gallery”.

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The public meeting gets underway at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers.

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Medicine Hat City Council YouTube Stream – May 4, 2026

by Jesse Gill

Four public hearings, alcohol consumption in parks, and policy changes in busy Medicine Hat City Council agenda

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