The long path forward for Hat's council
COLLIN GALLANT
The 2013 municipal election was held up as a game-changer, a new broom, and the result, a way to move the city “forward.”
A major shakeup on city council saw six new members elected — including four with no council experience — as voters chose a new start.
Three years later, a reversal of fortune in the oilpatch and city treasury, Hatters will head back to the polls this fall after an ambitious list of priorities played out over this council’s term.
Mayor Ted Clugston posed his 2017 State of the City address in terms of priorities and promises kept. But also, he said, after years of city spending on buildings and amenities, the time was coming to rein in spending and rebuild reserves.
“I’ve been saying that we want for nothing,” he said in February. And as for council’s to-do list, Clugston figures “we got 17 out of 18 done.”
In broad terms, council released its guiding principles in early 2014 noting a growing economy, vibrant communities, fiscal responsibility, sustaining infrastructure and effective government.
That broke down into six strategic priorities of economic development, infrastructure, social wellness, image, long-term fiscal management and, in general, good governance.
. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The biggest single municipal project on the economic development agenda was a proposed city-led private-public partnership to build on the parking lot at 603 First Street. Vacant since the early 1980s, the planned commercial- residential tower was revisited several times, then shelved in mid-2016 when an unnamed private developer stepped back from the project.
There’s no timetable to reopen it, and still no schedule for council’s stated goal of adding or expanding “at least one” heavy
36 industrial operator by the end of 2017.
The downturn in the energy sector has put a hold on the Methanex expansion.
Clugston slyly adds, however, that the term isn’t over yet.
“We’re always talking with major partners and industrials,” he told the News. “But there could be new major industry coming to town.”
Of course, the economic mood in late 2013 and 2014 was quite different in 2015 or 2016.
The price of oil that was over US$100 per barrel, keeping much of the local oilfield hands moving. That collapsed in late 2014, but has stabilized today.
In the meantime, drilling shops closed, unemployment rose and economic confidence soured.
“That’s what absolutely happened with 603 First Street,” said Clugston, who had said he would not seek re-election without major progress on a landmark building. “We were in the middle of an economic downturn, contemplating
building condo development.
“Things move slowly around here,” said Clugston, noting Fire Station No. 2, which opened in January 2017, was approved in late 2012.
“(Back then) things were flying high and, just try to find a construction crew. People say it’s never the right time for government: Either things are going too well and we shouldn’t be competing with the private sector, or things are so poor that we shouldn’t be spending any money.”
NEW DEVELOPMENT
Citing frustration and a lack of focus, council broke off its relationship with the Economic Development Alliance of Southeast Alberta, choosing an outside contracted provider Invest Medicine Hat. The local organization heads up local business attraction, while the city is still a member of the regional Palliser Economic Partnership. (Council similarly awarded a new tourism contract to local group).
Coun. Jim Turner has said the move has paid dividends, that a more aggressive approach was working and has lauded administrators at times for arresting growth in the city budget. But he has also criticized new fees and utility charges, officials say are necessary from a business standpoint.
Coun. Brian Varga as has also lauded a more open government, more willing to consider development projects through the planning commission, which he chairs.
The council group that was ushered in to broaden the tax base, bringing in new industries approved a standing package offer to companies looking to set up new facilities or expand existing ones.
In 2014, council passed a new
attraction policy that would forego some profit margin on utility sales to new or expanded plants, if job creation or other hurdles could be met.
An proposed expansion of Methanex, revealed prior to the 2013 vote, has stayed at planning stage as global business conditions and price remain the largest hurdles.
In terms of city projects, council continued a development off-site subsidy and in the downtown, kept a targeted programming place for replacing roads, lighting, aging pipes and beautifying streets.
Coun. Julie Friesen, a multi-term council veteran, who returned to elected office in 2013, said teamwork has been key to moving some contentious issues toward a conclusion.
“There’s been unity on council,” she said. “Sometimes when there’s division on council that spreads to division in the community.”
She has said she feels council has accomplished a lot, with a major item left on the to-do list — the rebuilding and expansion of the Veiner Centre senior programs building — heading towards construction this year.
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