The town council of Outlook met for a regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday night, March 13. Present was all of council; Donna Smith, Kevin Grotheim, Kyle McLeod, Maureen Applin, Floyd Childerhose, and David Simonson, as well as Mayor Ross Derdall, Administrator Tina Douglas, Assistant Administrator Rachel Sillers, Public Works Coordinator Bonnie Pshyk, Acting Superintendent of Municipal Operations Luke Lockhart, and Recreation Director Jordy Jones.
A number of topics and items were discussed, including the following highlights.
Recreation Report
The recent ‘Go Out and Play’ Challenge that Outlook took part in saw roughly 65-70 profiles registered by participants, and the community accumulated approximately 40,000 minutes of physical activity. It certainly wasn’t enough to win the top prize of $10,000, but the number was still seen as impressive. Jones also noted that typically it’s the smaller communities who have better success of “rallying the residents” in order to win such an event.
There have been many inquiries about lifeguard positions at the new swimming pool, which pleased both Jones and council. It’s estimated that the pool will need between 12-15 lifeguards.
Outlook’s entry in the Kraft Hockeyville contest is being largely seen as a “trial run” for this year’s competition because they missed out on creating social media buzz about the Jim Kook Rec Plex and getting people engaged, something that the judging panel looks for with each entry.
Jordy has applied for five grants for this year, and he is also looking into applying for three or four more of them. He did receive a $1000 grant for the Trans-Canada Trail, and he may look into scheduling a clean-up day for the trail area in the near future.
Sask in Motion will be returning to Outlook for another meeting on March 27; a follow-up to the previous symposium that was held back on November 28 at the Civic Centre related to putting a bigger spotlight on physical literacy in the community.
A motion was made and carried to waive the fees for the Rec Plex for a Scouts Cub Car Rally.
Public Works
The work tender for sewer work at residence locations on Semple Street has been posted and made available, and there appears to be much interest.
Luke and fellow Town employee Kelton MacDonald are interested in attending a mental health seminar that will be held in Kindersley, believing it could be effective and helpful. Council made and carried a motion to pay for the two to attend the seminar.
The Policy for Procedures for Water Disconnection Due to Non-Payment has been revised and updated.
So far, there appear to be no frozen storm drains around town, which has never happened before, and Luke said that everything is flowing as it should.
Council commended Luke and all the workers on the work being done around town as the weather continues to shift.
General
A motion was made and carried for the Town to participate in a Chamber of Commerce booklet.
Bylaw 04/19 had three readings and was carried. The bylaw reads as follows: to provide for authorization for the temporary use of storage structures on private property.
The Handi-Van has been taken to the Esso station for safety service and an installation of a master switch. As well, the Town was notified that local resident Lyall Campbell may have some ideas for van usage that he could discuss with them, as the Town believes the vehicle is underutilized in the community.
Lagoon
Pshyk spoke on the topic of the town lagoon, noting to council that customers have been notified that it was closed until a firm decision has been made on its future usage. It was said that council needs to establish a cost and verification system very soon. It was also noted that the potential number of gallons that would be dumped into the lagoon per year is approximately 22,000.
Councillor Simonson spoke up and said he believed council acted too hastily at the previous meeting as it related to deciding who would have future access to the lagoon, and also questioned why the Town is suddenly “shutting out” other locations that are on the edge of the community, such as Western Sales and Outlook Regal.
“To me, it’s like we’re slamming the doors to others,” said David.
Simonson believed that the Town should be working with the RM of Rudy more on the issue in the hopes of coming to an amicable agreement. However, before the discussion on the lagoon continued, Councillor Applin noted that the topic should be moved to an in-camera discussion, which council agreed to.
Council moved to in-camera talks after accepting the correspondence.
