Screengrab From YouTube/City of Medicine Hat

By Regan Tate

Council debates when incoming city manager should make recommendations on economic development

Jan 17, 2023 | 1:37 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – City Council defeated a motion at Monday’s night council meeting calling on the incoming city manager to make economic development the top priority as soon as she starts.

Ann Mitchell assumes her new role as city manager on Feb. 6. Mayor Linnsie Clark presented the motion related to Invest Medicine Hat. The motion directed Mitchell to bring forward recommendations on economic development two weeks later at the Feb. 21 council meeting.

Clark stated “it is critical to our community that we progress with respect to economic development. I think we all hear from members of our community that this is really important.” Clark added she doesn’t think council has time to delay this any further.

Councillors Alison Van Dyke and Robert Dumanowski supported the motion. Dumanowski said it signals “front and centre to our city manager, who likely is watching this meeting right now, that this is an important item before this council, before this community.”

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Coun. Shila Sharps said “I want this more than anything…..I do believe that a month before the new city manager starts is the worst possible timing.” Sharps thinks Mitchell needs some time to get adjusted to her new role first so she can then make educated decisions.

Clark defended the timing noting Mitchell would have the ability to ask for more time if she was not ready to make recommendations to council.

In the end the motion was defeated 5-3.

Invest Medicine Hat connects entrepreneurs and investors to land development, real estate, incentives, and investment opportunities in the community.

In 2021, the city planned to contract out Invest Medicine Hat. 3 city staffers formed a private company to bid on the contract. Controversy over the bid prompted them to pull out. The move trigged an independent third party review of the bidding process. That review found the procurement was done in accordance with city policies.