The town council of Outlook met for a regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday night, May 23. Present was all of council; Donna Smith, Kyle McLeod, Maureen Applin, Floyd Childerhose, and David Simonson, as well as Mayor Ross Derdall, Acting Administrator Sylvia Klotz, Rachel Sillers, Recreation Director Jordy Jones, and Superintendent of Municipal Operations Randy Antoniuk.
A number of topics and items were discussed, including the following highlights:
- Council accepted the resignations of Administrator Dean Pickering and Financial Director Steven Brown, roles that Klotz and Sillers have seemed to fill for the time being. Mayor Derdall expressed disappointment at the loss of both men and questioned why they would have accepted the positions to begin with if they were unsure that their families would be willing to relocate to Outlook, a sentiment echoed by members of council.
- Moving forward, council would like to have more involvement in any development in town, whether residential or commercial, citing a desire to be more informed.
- Town crews have begun repairing potholes around town and completed street sweeping, and have also started cutting grass around town and cleaning up behind the museum.
- There is concern over garbage flying around out at the landfill due to some people taking their trash out there without putting it in garbage bags first. The goal is to keep the landfill as efficient and “clean” as possible, at least for a landfill, and the town hopes the public will help in that goal.
- In discussing general upkeep and doing one’s part to make the town look better, Ross believes a number of businesses need to take better care of their boulevards and corners, hoping that they would take the same level of care that one would for their home lots.
- The multi-cultural group in Outlook is going to incorporate, which will allow them to apply for funding, and they may also look into being added to Outlook Donor’s Choice. The group will also be hosting a picnic on Canada Day in the trees behind the ball diamonds at the Rec Plex in Outlook.
- A banquet for the Outlook fire department is set for Friday night, June 15. There was discussion on whether to promote it as a fundraiser or an appreciation night since a number of awards and medals will be handed out. Watch for advertising and details coming soon.
- Jones intends to start a social media page for Outlook’s recreation board to keep people informed of what sports and activities are going on in town and in the area.
- After concerns of needles being found at the Outlook Kinsmen Park came forward, as well as on social media, the area has been checked and will be rechecked going forward.
- The town will establish a pricing model for would-be advertisers after learning that a 24” x 24” space for advertising on the floor of the new swimming pool building will cost $245.
- Council passed a motion to give $1500 to the Lake Diefenbaker Zebra Mussel Task Force, which was recently formed in order to spread awareness of the invasive species and the potential harm they could bring to the region. Council recognized the major problem they pose and hopes the group is successful in helping to fight them from becoming a presence in Lake Diefenbaker.
