Medicine Hat council approves first reading of proposed Mustard Seed shelter rezoning

The navigation and wellness area would typically serve about 30 people a day, with capacity for up to 50.

Services could include housing and system navigation, mental health and wellness support, recovery coaching, health-care referrals and help accessing identification and benefits.

Plans also include a commercial kitchen capable of preparing about 250 meals a day.

Drew Barnes, who attended the meeting, said he was very disappointed that City Council agreed to pass first reading, adding that council could have saved time and money given the level of opposition.

Barnes argued the city should consider a different approach, pointing to a model in Red Deer involving a large facility in an industrial area where multiple agencies provide services.

“More of the same solution is not going to work, so something different has to be done,” Barnes said.

He said the proposed facility in Red Deer brings multiple agencies together in one location, which they believe could be a better approach for Medicine Hat.

Barnes suggested a similar facility could be built on the outskirts of Medicine Hat, bringing together services for people experiencing homelessness and offering programs such as job training, animal husbandry and agriculture.

Other concerns Barnes raised were about social disorder in the community, saying they believe the current approach is not working.

“People are concerned about the continual and the growth and the social disorder,” Barnes said.

“People are concerned about the fact that we keep spending more and more money and moving these things around, and the problem only gets worse.”

Barnes called for a longer-term solution involving all levels of government, saying existing efforts have not adequately addressed the issue.

The Municipal Planning Commission had recommended against the rezoning.

Council’s first reading does not approve the shelter itself.

If the rezoning moves forward, a separate development permit application would still need to be considered by City Council.

A public hearing is scheduled for Dec. 7, and residents who want to provide written submissions must send them to the City Clerk by Nov. 30 at 4:30 p.m.

Anyone who previously submitted comments on the proposal will need to resubmit them for inclusion in the public hearing package.

Residents can also contact the City Clerk to arrange to speak at the hearing.

Council also dealt with several other items Monday, including approving the retention of Parlee McLaws LLP to represent the City and Council in a judicial review proceeding before the Alberta Court of King’s Bench.

The matter was listed as a legal item on the agenda, with the court file identified as 2608 00476.

The motion to retain the law firm was passed.

Council also approved changes to its meeting schedule for November and December, with the regular council meeting planned for Nov. 16 instead taking place Nov. 17.

An additional regular meeting was scheduled for Dec. 8 at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers. No further discussion was recorded before the motion was approved.

An item concerning collective bargaining with the Medicine Hat Police Service’s senior officers was added to the agenda.

Council ratified a memorandum of agreement reached between the city and the Senior Officers Association on Oct. 25.

The agreement covers the period from Jan. 1, 2025, to Dec. 31, 2027, and includes general wage adjustments of 3.75 per cent effective Jan. 1, 2025, another 3.75 per cent effective Jan. 1, 2026, and 3.5 per cent effective Jan. 1, 2027.

The wage adjustments are consistent with those reached in the agreement covering other sworn police service members and are generally in line with adjustments for senior police officers in other Alberta municipalities.

The city says the retroactive wage costs will be managed within the approved budget, with no budget amendment required.

Council approved the agreement.

by Jett Schwaier

Medicine Hat council approves first reading of proposed Mustard Seed shelter rezoning

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