The town council of Outlook held their regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday night, November 27. Present was all of council; Donna Smith, Kevin Grotheim, Kyle McLeod, Maureen Applin, Floyd Childerhose, and David Simonson, as well as Mayor Ross Derdall, Administrator Huguette Lutz, Assistant Administrator Rachel Sillers, Superintendent of Municipal Operations Luke Lockhart, Public Works Coordinator Bonnie Pshyk, and Recreation Director Jordy Jones.
A number of topics and items were discussed, including the following highlights.
Delegations
John McPhail and Brian Benson were present, representing Outlook Branch #262 of the Royal Canadian Legion. They spoke of the Legion’s intention to relocate the war memorial arch that has been located at the site of the old swimming pool in the Outlook Regional Park for many years.
If nothing is done, the near 100-year old memorial will simply deteriorate over time and be forgotten. The Legion hopes to “relocate and renovate” with the cooperation of the Town, with tentative plans to move the arch to the greenspace area located at the four-way stop at McKenzie Street and Saskatchewan Avenue. Other hopeful plans include bringing the cenotaph monuments located behind the Legion Hall to the same location, with the end goal being to designate the greenspace area as something of a ‘Veterans Memorial Park’ location.
Council was very much on board with the idea, and a motion was made and carried to support the relocation project. As well, Councillors McLeod and Grotheim were appointed as town liaisons to the Legion throughout the project’s duration.
Old Business/Business Arising from the Minutes
Touching on a number of recent requests from the Outlook & District Heritage Museum, it was said that the Town and the Museum may need to hold a meeting in order to discuss specific issues and the future.
A motion was made and carried to grant the maximum tax exemption for local business Piccolo Pizza following a commercial incentive application.
The topic of a Treated Water Supply Agreement – Eastside Water Pipeline Utility was tabled to the next council meeting.
A third reading was held, after which council carried Bylaw 12(2019) – A Bylaw to Regulate Traffic Within the Town Limits.
Three readings were held, after which council carried Bylaw 17(2019) – A Bylaw to Fix the Rates to be Charged for the Collection, Removal, and Disposal of Recycling Materials in the Town of Outlook.
Three readings were held, after which council carried Bylaw 21(2019) – A Bylaw to Promote Proper Waste Management and to Fix the Rates to be Charged for the Collection, Removal, and Disposal of Solid Wastes or Other Refuse in the Town of Outlook.
Recreation
A motion was made and carried to approve the cost of having the lobby washrooms in the Jim Kook Rec Plex painted, which came to a cost of $2205.00.
A motion was made and carried to approve the purchase of a safety deposit box for use by the swimming pool.
A motion was made and carried to hire two more kitchen workers as needed.
The rink is looking into promoting a reduced coffee price of $1.50 if you bring your own mug, within reason.
Public Works/Transportation
The wood-chipping being done out at the landfill has been completed, and the work done by Titan managed to come in under budget.
A motion was made and carried for the Town to join the Association of Regional Waste Management after a suggestion to join had been made.
Dutch Elm Disease has been detected in the vicinity of the Town, and measures are being taken to keep it away from inside town limits.
An unfortunate slip and fall suffered by someone at the Jim Kook Rec Plex led to talks on what can be done to combat the troublesome ice that forms in the parking lot. The Town is looking to do “whatever it takes” to remedy the situation.
Council will be signing a card to be sent out to the Canadian Armed Forces for the holidays.
New Business
Three readings were held, after which council carried Bylaw 10(2019) – A Bylaw to Establish a Landfill and to Regulate and Control the Disposal of Wastes in the Town’s Landfill.
One reading was held, after which council tabled Bylaw 13(2019) – A Bylaw to Regulate the Commercial Use of Single Use Plastic Bags to the end of February. The Town may also schedule a meeting with retailers to discuss the bylaw.
Three readings were held, after which council carried Bylaw 15(2019) – A Bylaw for the Licensing, Regulating of Direct Sellers and Businesses.
Three readings were held, after which council carried Bylaw 20(2019) – A Bylaw for the Licensing, Regulating of Fire Pits.
Council carried the Town’s Tree Planting and Removal Policy.
Council accepted the WaterWolf Proposed 2020-2021 Budget as submitted.
General
The Town will revisit the possibility of having pedestrian crossing lights installed at Franklin Street. This would require, per the Ministry of Highways, a pedestrian count to be done before it could go forward, similar to when the Town had a motor traffic count done at the four-way stop.
A special meeting will be held on December 2 to discuss drainage pertaining to the Mann Street subdivision project.
Council moved into in-camera discussions after accepting the correspondence. The in-camera agenda included the following items:
- Land – Planning (Fire Hall, Planning Contract)
- Public Works Personnel (Seasonal Personnel, Manager Job Description, Superintendent of Municipal Operations Job Description, Foreman Job Description)
- Recreation Personnel
- Recreation Director Job Description
- Town of Outlook Revised Org Chart
- Employee Appreciation
