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City council preview

Council preview – council to receive report on senior services funding model

Oct 6, 2019 | 11:21 AM

Medicine Hat, AB – Medicine Hat city council will be receiving the report on possible changes to senior services at Monday’s regular meeting with staff recommending a transition to a multi-service model to provide services.

During the its Oct. 1 meeting, the Public Services Committee recommended council approve the transition that would include evaluating senior services and issuing a request for proposals from service providers. Committee member Coun. Kris Samraj is on the record as opposed to the recommendation.

In-depth discussion by council on the issue won’t be heard until the matter is up for adoption during the Oct. 21 council meeting, according to city staff.

The issue stems from an August 2016 request by council for staff to examine alternative models for providing services to seniors in the city with staff identifying Medicine Hat as an exception within municipalities with services usually provided by not-for-profit organizations.

Staff identified the move to a multi-service model would fit the fiscal responsibility and community safety components of the city’s strategic priorities.

*This story has been corrected. The original version stated council would discuss the issue at Monday’s regular council meeting. Council won’t be outside of receiving the report on the matter.

Federal grant could see improved storage for city artifacts

The Public Services Committee is recommending the city move its off-site collection of city artifacts and buy specialized lighting equipment following the municipality receiving a $2.25 million grant from the Canadian Cultural Spaces Fund.

If approved by council on Monday, the grant will allow the city’s artifact collection moved from a city-owned building slated for demolition on Marshall Avenue to the city’s Municipal Works building.

Nearly $500,000 would be used to switch to LED lighting at the Esplanade, if council accepts the committee’s recommendation.