OUTLOOK - The Town of Outlook has released its Strategic Plan, a document that outlines the Town's goals, plans, and the methods for carrying them out.
The Plan is dated from 2022 until the year 2031, looking ahead at the next decade in the community, and carries the slogan, "Redefining How We Pivot".
A thorough outline shows how the Town intends to carry out their plans. What follows is the Plan itself:
Strategic Plan
2022 - 2031
"Redefining How We Pivot"
Outlook strives to bring together people, partnerships and endless possibilities for a progressive and proud community!
To that end, at the Town of Outlook, we endeavour to be both efficient and effective while incorporating the following key values in everything we do:
Integrity:
Our team humbly celebrates our successes and takes ownership of our missteps, we will do the right thing even when no one is watching!
Competent:
We exercise our best judgement in everything we do and, are not afraid to adapt or pivot when necessary; above all, we approach projects, tasks and people with a purpose!
Approachable:
We will listen for the small voices that may be too timid to speak up, our carriage will be one of dignity and we will always listen with an open mind and open heart!
Representative:
Our team seeks to be diverse in both Council and staff, filling in any gaps that occur with appointments to committees and staff with the highest regard to democratic governance for the people it serves!
Respect:
Our team approaches people with respect, trust and honesty; with our respectful approach we aspire to be respected!
Call To Action:
Upon election to office in November of 2020, Council of the Town of Outlook began to set forth a path to Outlook’s success. It immediately became clear that, in order for the path to be forged with intention, Council would need to include its various stakeholders (staff, ratepayers, partners, and community members) in the formulation of a well thought out, made in Outlook, strategic plan.
The local resources used as the basis of this Strategic Plan are the Official Community Plan (2014), as well as the various existing bylaws of the Town of Outlook.
“We have a strategic plan. It’s called ‘doing things’” – Herb Kelleher
“We need to avoid getting lost in the weeds, we need more focus and less reaction” – Councillor Ryan Husband (April, 2021)
“For years I have thought and struggled with, why can’t we do better – I joined Council to help this place that I love be the best it could be, and that is AWESOME – we need to set it up to see what good looks like and then DO IT and not rehash it over and over” – Deputy Mayor Kyle McLeod (March, 2021)
“If you want my advice, don’t overburden yourself with too many goals, start with what you can achieve and then achieve those goals, nothing is achievable unless you start” – Doug Griffiths (October, 2021)
“The process can and will be productive, efficient and effective, we can do it in house and we can adapt to the needs of our community and our team” – Councillor Justin Turton (June, 2021)
“Whatever we do, we need to keep it simple and make it happen, then not cost a whole bunch of money” – Councillor Bob Stephenson (July, 2021)
“Strategy is a fancy word for coming up with a long-term plan and putting it into action” Elie Pidot
“The chamber (of commerce), the Park, the Museum and the other community groups count on the Town to be a leader and work with them towards a goal to have events and an economy that is the best it can be” – Councillor Sharon Bruce (July, 2021)
“We can not be afraid to dream big, maybe even huge – we can bring it back to what is affordable and achievable, but why should anything NOT be possible?” – Councillor Kevin Grotheim (March 2021)
“Town Council and staff need to know where we are going, if we have a strategic plan, it can drive so much of what each of us does – on Council and as a staff” – Mayor Maureen Weiterman (May, 2021)
“Greatness is not where we stand, but in what direction we are moving…” – Oliver Wendell Holmes
Methodology:
August 2021 - Vision and Mission – Council and Executive Team – SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis, identify possible mission, vision and values statements
August/September 2021 – Presentation to Public of Vision and Mission along with values
October 2021 – All staff meeting, presenting vision, mission and values statements; facilitated by Doug Griffiths, writer of 13 Ways to Kill Your Community; brainstorm 100 great ideas for the Town of Outlook
November 2021 – Council and Executive Team – glean SMART Goals (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, timely) from the “great ideas”
December 2021 – Present Draft Strategic Plan to the public for feedback
*January 2022 – Finalize Strategic Plan – Identify timelines, tasks, stakeholders and annual balanced scorecard
Raw Data:
The raw data collected throughout this process has been used to formulate the strategic plan but is not a part of the strategic plan. The raw data includes:
Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats identified by Council and the Executive Team in August, 2021
Draft Mission and Vision Statements with various values identified
Survey results of initial survey regarding draft values statements
More than 100 ideas generated by Staff presentation
Draft strategic plan for public consumption
*Draft Timelines, tasks, stakeholders and Balanced Scorecard
*Outstanding at draft writing of strategic plan
General Goals Broken Down By Function:
At the November 10, 2021 Committee of the Whole meeting, Council chose their top 5-7 general goals of each of the traditional function areas of the Town of Outlook in hopes that a common theme would arise. These are the traditional function areas and the top 5-7 general goals:
Governance:
Education/Communication of Public – transparency, expanded online presence, expanded non electronic communication (brochures, newsletters, mailouts)
Relationship building – with community groups, with stakeholders, with other governments
Appreciation – celebrating achievements of staff, community members, volunteers, etc
Improve our office space – update logos, beautify town hall complex, incorporate values and brand (Irrigation Capital) into decorations
Promote social groups, service clubs, etc
Planning and Development:
Commercial/Industrial Subdivision – complete Railyard Subdivision phases 1b and 2, sales of lots, pricing of lots
Highway Commercial Subdivision – South side of Highway, complete drainage plan, work on North side of Highway as well, extending Railway Avenue to the grid road, possibly biking/walking trails east of Town
Residential Subdivisions – Complete and Tie in Mann Street from Saskatchewan Road to Conquest Avenue; complete College South Subdivision
Bring Bounty Theater into use with opportunity for small business use for Pop up shop or business expo
Diversified Housing as infill
Opportunities guide for businesses not currently in Outlook, work with Mid Sask Community Futures and develop business plans, even develop property to present to entrepreneurs and investors to bring to Outlook
Develop Franklin as a Community Hub with boutiques, park, town square, satellite parking elsewhere within walking distance to Franklin and Saskatchewan Avenue.
Safety and Protection:
Community Safety Officer – including bylaw enforcement
Expanded community presence by all safety and protection departments – at community events, in schools and simply being visible
Newer Fire and Rescue Equipment and Building – Expand relationships with other municipalities, build new fire hall
Succession planning for Fire and Rescue Membership – Possibly Jr. Membership, recruitment, attract demographics that are not traditionally represented
Emergency Plan Committee – Formalize, possibly include others that wish to be included
Highway 15 – Work with Ministry to Rehabilitate, prepare for rehabilitation, work to have changes to accommodate subdivisions, replace underground infrastructure
Public Works:
Landfill – Complete cell decommissioning, build better tipping area, expand service area, expanded waste diversion activities – recycling more materials including plastic shopping bags, shingles, etc.
Change Solid waste collection and transportation in Outlook – examine automated system for collection and disposal
Sidewalks – enhanced maintenance, including snow removal and weed control
Water and Sewer Lines as well as storm sewer lines – replace any reasonably requiring replacement in next 10 years before completing paving projects over top
Water Intake Project – complete project, involve stakeholders West Side, East Side, Rudy Landing, Riverside Golf Course
Tourism/Economic Development:
Property Tax Incentives overhaul – incentivizing storefront enhancements, new commercial builds, expansion, new arms length ownership, succession planning of business ownership or new business in existing building
Community Development Department – Recreation, Tourism and Economic Development – develop champions from within Outlook and grow the department, build upon successes and expand its reach
Walking Trails – expansion, identification, advertise
Build on Success of River and Rail Event
Brand Ourselves as a Destination, promote the brand – online advertising, you tube videos, print and media, banners, Communities in Bloom
Skytrail and Orange Bridge – Change these from looming liabilities to assets
Expand Chamber of Commerce and Mid Sask Relationship with the Town
Recreation:
Development of Sports Grounds around Jim Kook Recplex, Van Raay and Community Pool, Co-op Community Rink – formalize parking, pave parking areas, plan for expansion of activities within current footprint, include Skate Park, apply for grants
Embrace Community Champions and help them achieve great things
Recognize and celebrate historical championships and sports figures
Signage for Recreation – Online, QR Code, signage into Town at highways turnouts, filters for various locations
Playgrounds and Play Pockets – develop, repair, update, replace buildings as necessary, access donations from Engineers to help with required stamp on volunteer built buildings; expansion of library use, embrace the community library and promote it
Maintain current facilities and plan for eventual upgrades, and replacement
Community Events – Folkfest style, rodeos, celebrations, picnics, make use of existing facilities
Summary of Strategic Goals for Town of Outlook:
Enhance Partnerships and Engage Stakeholders – Embrace champions, build on successes for community development, engage service groups and special interest groups, partner for community events, expand waste diversion partners, expand service area/strengthen existing partnerships and explore new ones with landfill and protective services, build relationships with other local governments and authorities
Expand Communications with residents, visitors and prospective investors – Use more social media, expand print media, work at informing and educating the constituents, broadening and updating the website as the base of all virtual communication, relying on it to be accurate and timely, develop brochures, activities guides, “how to” guides
Develop, Maintain & Replace Infrastructure – Repair and replace utility infrastructure, environmental infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, governance infrastructure, safety infrastructure, recreation infrastructure; develop subdivisions, develop communities within the subdivisions, plan for growth, embrace change
Embrace our brand as the Irrigation Capital of Saskatchewan – expand our product, develop the brand, we are a destination, build on this, expand it and SELL IT
Celebrate our successes – acknowledge our failures, put them to rest; partner to throw community events, use the facilities, embrace and celebrate success stories, champions, reinitiate annual community awards
The Path Forward:
Discuss, amend, distribute the draft plan to the public
Receive input from the public
Finalize Plan
Turn the 5 Goals to the Executive Team so that each of them can find their place in the goals, identify specific projects, additional stakeholders necessary and develop a balanced scorecard.
The Town of Outlook is also asking people to participate in a 5-minute survey regarding the strategic plan. You can click the link and complete the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MKNX8FG
