OUTLOOK - The town council of Outlook met for a regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday night, September 8. Present were councillors Justin Turton, Sharon Bruce, Bob Stephenson, Ryan Husband, and Kyle McLeod, as well as Mayor Maureen Weiterman, Chief Administrator Kevin Trew, and office clerk Crystal Fisher.
Absent was Councillor Kevin Grotheim.
The meeting was broadcast live on Facebook.
A number of topics and items were discussed, including the following highlights.
Council went in-camera for a discussion on staff before the meeting, a personnel matter about the creation of a new position.
Bylaws
In discussing Bylaw 10: Joint Protective Services, it was said that the RM of Rudy has indicated their wishes to partner with the Town on it. There was some talk on equipment needs that may be required. The first reading of the bylaw was held and carried.
In discussing Bylaw 11: Business License, it was noted that the reaction to this particular bylaw has been "mixed", as experienced by Town of Outlook office staff who have been busy on the phones with the matter. It was said that the bylaw is partly being done in order to accumulate funds that in turn, will be redirected back to help fuel economic activity in Outlook. The structuring of the bylaw is said to be comparable to the town of Rosetown, and there will be different fees depending on the type of business (home-based, for example). The second and third readings of the bylaw were held and carried.
Communications
Council carried a request from the Outlook Regional Park concerning a Halloween event, in which a portion of Camp Outlook will be rented.
Reports of Administration, Staff and Committees Requiring Decision
The swimming pool in town is creating a reimbursement policy for staff, and a recommendation came down for the Town to adopt the policy. The Town is being asked to reimburse a percentage of costs. The policy was carried.
Mayor and Councillor's Forum
Monday mornings with the Mayor was introduced by Mayor Weiterman. Residents can pop in to the town office building on Monday mornings from 9-12 to speak with the mayor about topics important to them.
New Business
School zone signs came up in discussion, specifically a request that was made to extend the school zone at Conquest Avenue to as close to McKenzie Street as possible. After some further discussion, the topic will be taken back for the possible creation of a bylaw.
The Outlook Heritage Museum asked for a noise bylaw extension due to an event being held over the Thanksgiving long weekend. The request was that Council accept waving the normal "quiet time" for the events and the request was carried and granted, with the new time being 1:00 am.
The meeting was a rather quick one, concluding after 45 minutes.
Recreation Report
Prepared by Recreation Director Megan Anthony
1. Van Raay and Community Swimming Pool:
- The swimming pool season is officially over as of August 31st. We will have McGills come out to empty the pool of water as well as drain our Olympia room pit. Rafoss Plumbing and Heating will be in to turn off the boilers as well as winterize the pool house. Pleasureway will also be out to winterize the pool and mechanical room.
- Once all of that is completed, we just have some final administrative work to do and the pool season will be complete.
2. Jim Kook Rec Plex:
- Over the month of September, the Rec Plex staff will be preparing for the winter season.
- Two staff members will be attending the Arena Operators Course level 1 in Swift Current September 20th-21st.
- We are hiring for Kitchen staff as well as Rec Staff.
- We have a guy coming out from Martensville to train our staff on how to make Curling Ice. He will help us with the install and painting as well as show us how to do maintenance.
3. Kinsmen Park and Museum:
- The Kinsmen Park Program was very successful this year! We had lots of positive feedback in regards to our programming.
- The Museum has seen a lot more people since the Outdoor Market has started which is nice to see. We are working on creating a welcoming environment for people to join as friends or board members.
4. Beautification:
- Our summer student is done for the summer as of Monday August 30th, 2021.
- The Rec Staff will cover watering for the remainder of the summer as needed.
- This year we created a Communities in Bloom committee and the feedback I received was that they are interested in picking out the flowers for next season. I am hoping to have them meet up again in October to assist in the flower selections as well as planning the season out so everyone is aware of their responsibilities and what is going on. I am hoping to plan some other kinds of activities related to the beautification of the town for other community members to participate in.
Public Works Report
Prepared by Superintendent of Municipal Operations Luke Lockhart
Transportation:
- Sidewalk sections that were to be replaced are done, we will be looking at pouring some accessibility ramps in areas where there are none, some trip hazard remediation, and some overcoating of badly spalled sidewalk.
- DLN has completed the patching, we will be doing some overlays on portions of the highway with our remaining patch budget, also they are near ready to do the work on Conquest Ave, Reid Cres, Prairie Ave, and Aspen Dr.
- Our second round of street sweeping will commence on September 1st, expected to take 2 days.
- We will be conducting our annual asphalt paving index in the near future to determine areas for fixing next year.
Utilities:
- See August Water report
Environmental Health:
- Landfill operations have been running smooth for the most part with the new location and scale; we will be placing a sign order to assist the public with directions, some road work will have to be done to accommodate 2 way traffic more efficiently.
- Mcgills have started hauling leachate to the city of Saskatoon waste water facility, we will be required to send another set of samples to the lab as per the city’s request.
General Public Works:
- Our summer students are all done for the year.
- Compost pickup has picked up a bit with the rains that we have had.
- Clay hauling took a few days break as it was to wet to haul.
- We have put together the dog and cat kennels at the depot building.
- Our final branch pickup of the year is scheduled for next week.
