Medicine Hat City Council meeting to include a public hearing and a decision on funding substations

The Electric Utility Distribution’s 2026 Sustaining Capital Asset Budget is requesting an increase of $21,550,000 to cover the replacement cost of the substations, with funding through Capital Reserves recommended.

Agenda documents show that in 2025, the City engaged a third-party to complete a system-wide asset condition assessment of its electrical substations and identified three priority substations, MHS-2, MHS-3, and MHS-5, that require lifecycle reinvestment.

These stations were all originally commissioned in 1984 and are operating with equipment that is at least 40 years old, according to the City.

The assessment showed several deficiencies across the three sites and classified the majority as High Priority.

It also notes that there are no on-hand spares for the 1980’s power transformers and the lead time to manufacturing replacements is long.

In addition, it says that obsolete circuit breakers can create elevated reliability and protection risks.

Also listed are safety risks for live-front equipment and ceramic surge arrestors.

A Replace-in-Kind 69kV modernization strategy is recommended, utilizing dual-voltage transformers and 138kV-rated breakers.

Something the Utility Distribution Systems department says will deliver identical safety and compliance outcomes to a full system upgrade from 69kV to 138kV, while saving or deferring over $100 million.

The first phase of the substation modernization program is focused on the first three high-priority substations. The cost estimate is $45 million from 2026 to 2030.

The agenda shows that $13 million is approved in the 2025–2026 capital budget, before the $21.55 million request.

Another $10.45 million is anticipated to be requested in the 2027–2028 sustaining capital budget.

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Bylaw 4883-2026 – Rezoning 21 Ranchlands Blvd. NE

A public hearing takes place regarding the proposed rezoning of 21 Ranchlands Boulevard Northeast from a neighbourhood commercial district to a medium-density residential district.

The landowner submitted an application to develop a mid-rise medium-density apartment on the lot.

The current neighbourhood commercial zoning permits this, but the developer is looking to avoid the three-storey height limit specific to this zoning.

Second and third readings of the bylaw will be presented to the council for consideration following the public hearing.

Senior Planner Brad Irwin will present during the public hearing.

The property created through a subdivision in 2007 is 2.7 acres. The City says that despite being available for development for approximately 19 years, the parcel remains vacant.

The City received a letter of opposition from a resident in the Ranchlands area, noting their desire to see this developed for commercial use and a lack of business in the area.

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‘Momentum’: Medicine Hat Community Well Being Plan Progress Report

The Community Well-being Plan called Momentum will have a progress report presented by the Manager of Community Supports, Shona Dickie.

A 10-year strategy designed to enhance community well-being with nine objectives listed.

Reduce Poverty in Medicine Hat
Enhance Community Safety
Promote Health and Wellness
Support Lifelong Learning of All Residents
Create and Enhance Economic Opportunities in Medicine Hat
Embrace and Celebrate the Diversity of Medicine Hat
Take Meaningful Action Towards Reconciliation
Empower Residents to be Engaged Participants in the Community
Enhance Organizational Efforts to Support Well-Being

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Development and Expansion Incentive Program

First reading is expected on a bylaw to create a grant, to encourage the expansion of strategic target sectors in Medicine Hat.

The Development and Expansion Incentive Program seeks to create a Development and Expansion Grant intended to encourage commercial and industrial investment and expansion.

Bylaw 4885-2026 would amend the Residential Tax Exemption Bylaw 4851.

The Non-Residential Tax Exemption Bylaw 4886-2026 would repeal and replace the Tax Incentive Bylaw 4667.

Additional program objectives include:

Creating new, high-value permanent jobs for residents.
Encouraging existing businesses to expand within City limits.
Revitalize underutilized or brownfield properties within City limits.

The agenda says the program would offer a combination of a tax exemption and a grant delivered in a tiered, performance-based structure.

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Medicine Hat Economic Development First Quarter Update

A first-quarter report from Medicine Hat Economic Development will be an information brief on the meeting agenda.

The report states that the group continues to implement key projects and initiatives under its strategic priorities.

These are listed as Business and Industry Development, Investment Attraction, Workforce Development, Investment and Growth Readiness, Marketing and Communications and Regional Collaboration.

The report also includes a summary of recommendations for the Council, an update on progress towards Council Strategic Priorities, and details of several activities and achievements.

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Medicine Hat City Council YouTube stream May 19, 2026

by Jesse Gill

Medicine Hat City Council meeting to include a public hearing and a decision on funding substations

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