The town council of Outlook met for a scheduled meeting on Tuesday night, November 14. Present were all councillors; Donna Smith, Maureen Weiterman, Kyle McLeod, Maureen Applin, Floyd Childerhose, and David Simonson, as well as Mayor Ross Derdall, Superintendent of Municipal Operations, Randy Antoniuk, and Acting Administrator, Laurie Lemon. Absent with illness was Recreation Director, Jordy Jones.
A number of topics and issues were discussed, including the following highlights:
- Council recommended that the gates in the work area of the swimming pool be closed for safety reasons during the winter season.
- Greg Sarvis, a delegate at the meeting representing Riverbend Co-op, spoke to council regarding a potential property lease agreement, and the topic was tabled to the next meeting.
- The debit/credit machine to be used at the Outlook landfill is in the office, and it’ll be introduced for use by patrons after some training.
- Acting administrator Lemon asked for an intern administrator to be brought in to fulfill duties until a new full-time administrator can be hired.
- In the Rec Report, a quote is set to be sent to three electricians to get lights in the curling rink fixed.
- Jones is looking at options for jackets for rec employees.
- The rink is said to be crazy busy these days, which is great, and the facility is seeing more usage this year compared to last year.
- Jones is awaiting correspondence from engineers as it relates to the SkyTrail.
- There will be updated signage on Outlook’s part of the Trans-Canada Trail per the stipulations that were associated with receiving grant money.
- The Superintendent’s Report noted that new water meters are being installed, and Antoniuk wants to have them in by the end of November.
- Councillor Childerhose made a motion to pass the bill to the town to pay for accommodations for locum practitioners as it relates to the Health Foundation, which was originally getting the bill for it. It was approved and made retroactive to January 2017.
- The town received a proposal for a possible 2018 outdoor rodeo event sanctioned by CCA that would require at least 20 acres of land. Council discussed possible locations for such an event, including utilizing the annexed land by John Bob Farm Equipment or the parcel of land between Cross Street and LCBI. Councillor Smith is set to obtain more information on what’s required and bring the topic back to the next meeting.
- The Sandy Shores lake development company is looking to obtain landfill services in town, with development in the area growing at a speedy rate and more services being required.
- A moderated public meeting is set to be held on Thursday night, November 30 at the Civic Centre where the people of Outlook can come and ask questions of the mayor and/or town council, as well as share their comments and any concerns they may have.
- Councillor Applin brought forward a resolution relating to seeking restitution in the event of vandalism. She touched on the psychological impact that comes with seeing town property and amenities defaced and damaged, on top of the physical impact, and she feels that the fine option program for such offenders isn’t working. Council moved to submit the resolution to SUMA for their review.
- Council then moved to an in-camera session to discuss a number of private matters, including the recent exit of former administrator, Trent Michelman.
