The town council of Outlook met for a regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, April 24, with an adjusted afternoon start time of 4:00 pm. Present was all of council; Donna Smith, Kevin Grotheim, Kyle McLeod, Maureen Applin, Floyd Childerhose, and David Simonson, as well as Mayor Ross Derdall, Assistant Administrator Rachel Sillers, and Public Works Coordinator Bonnie Pshyk.
Absent was Administrator Tina Douglas and Recreation Director Jordy Jones.
A number of topics and items were discussed, including the following highlights.
Delegations
Leah Larson of Volunteer Services at the Outlook & District Health Centre made a presentation to council on behalf of the Alzheimer Society of Canada, asking if the town would be interested in becoming what’s called a ‘dementia-friendly community’. Essentially, the initiative would help raise awareness and understanding within Outlook of those in the community who are living with dementia, which according to Larson amounts to at least 40 people.
It’s estimated that ten more people in Saskatchewan develop a form of dementia every 24 hours, according to statistics provided by Larson.
Larson asked council to perform an exercise aimed at putting them in the shoes of someone with dementia, asking them to close their eyes while Leah put them through a mental scenario that simulates the daily troubles and sometimes confusion that those affected experience.
Should the Town wish to hold a public awareness meeting, Larson said the Alzheimer Society will host meetings and provide guidance and training to help with the community initiative.
Larson noted that ways in which Outlook can help those living with dementia include things such as clearly-marked ‘men/women’ signage for locations such as public washroom facilities, as well as at local businesses and retail locations. As well, Larson noted that some with dementia carry cards with them that they hand over to retailers that signals they live with it, which allows businesses and employees to show better empathy and understanding in dealing with them.
Mayor Derdall and council agreed that it was a good idea to help Outlook become a community that is more understanding of dementia.
“You can count on our support, no question about it,” he said.
Recreation
Talks pertaining to quotes for flowers this year were deferred to a committee meeting, but it was learned that Broderick Garden Centre came in at $1500, and Spring Creek came in at $2220.
A motion was made and carried for Jordy to hire a new summer student after a previously lined up person had to decline the position.
Public Works
It was said that dust suppressant is “desperately needed” for McKenzie Street North after several complaints had come in. The Town is moving forward with using the services of Davidson-based C4 Outdoors to perform the work.
A motion was made and carried to provide washroom facilities at the town landfill.
New Business
The Town has been asked to review their mileage rates by the CRA following the CRA’s newly recommended rates of 58 cents per kilometre for the first 5000 km driven and 52 cents per kilometre thereafter. The changes came after the recent implementation of the federal carbon tax. The Town’s current rate is 50 cents per kilometre. Council decided to revisit the topic in the fall depending on the outcome of the federal election.
The fee for the Civic Centre was waived for a Highlighter Helpers event.
There have been complaints about the Town’s regulations related to open fire pits. Councillor McLeod shared information from Melfort and Nipawin about the regulations in those communities to see if Outlook can perhaps learn on how to approach the situation.
“Our bylaws are out to lunch,” Councillor Grotheim said.
“Big time,” McLeod agreed.
The information was passed along to the Protection Committee, and the topic could come back with some options by the next council meeting.
The costs associated with deck permits in town will be reviewed.
Council moved to in-camera discussions after moving the correspondence, which included the following topics:
Administration Committee Meeting Minutes – April 15, 2019
Personnel CAO Resumes
Media Inquiry
ICIP EOI Submissions
Personnel – Landfill Operator
Tetra-Tech EOI Clarification
Environmental Site Assessment Proposal
Regional Water Utility Feasibility Study – Engineering Services Proposal
