The town council of Outlook met for a regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday night, May 12.聽 Present were councillors Bob Stephenson, Ryan Husband, Kyle McLeod, Kevin Grotheim, Justin Turton, and Sharon Bruce, as well as Mayor Maureen Weiterman, Administrator Kevin Trews, and Assistant Administrator Rachel Sillers.
The meeting was broadcast on the Town of Outlook Facebook page.
Bylaw
A motion was made to have a second reading of Bylaw No. 3(2021) to amend the Zoning Bylaw regarding density.
Mayor and Councillor鈥檚 Forum
Mayor Weiterman gave the council a reminder to talk to the public about any issues they may have.聽 She noted that she had recently spoke to Grade 8 students.
Public Works Report
Prepared by Luke Lockhart
The crew has started on back alley maintenance, grading, and adding gravel where needed prior to street sweepers being in town soon.聽 They've also started another round of pothole patching, starting on the highways and continuing into the residential areas.
Sidewalk inspections were set to be done this week and next to determine the areas that need attention, and pricing requests will be sent to local contractors.
Brunners Construction were scheduled to do the water main valve replacement on Saskatchewan Avenue and Selkirk Street on Tuesday, May 18, requiring the highway detour to be in place.聽 They also hoped to do some or all of the sewer service connections that require action at this point as well.
Road work is complete for the new development at the landfill, crew has started renovations of the attendant building and have secured pricing for the plumbing portion of the project.聽 There are a few building inspection deficiencies to address on the eco-center, but overall it's said to be moving in a positive direction.
As for general public works notes, it was said that crews have started mowing areas that need it, which will be ongoing now for the rest of the season, and they've also started spraying for dandelions within greenspaces.
Recreation Report
Prepared by Megan Anthony
The Recreation Department has been busy getting many opportunities ready for our community. The RecPlex staff have significantly cleaned up the sportsgrounds by picking up the leaves and tidying up under the trees. Nordic Fencing was out on Wednesday May 5th to inspect the damaged fencing at ball diamond 3 as well as the condenser fence. Insurance has requested an in-person inspection to get a more accurate number on the damages. We are waiting on a new quote and will present it to the CAO upon arrival. The Multisport court is ready for usage so we have been looking into the equipment. We purchased two Basketball hoops from Costco. We will be ordering volleyball equipment as well as shuffleboard equipment as soon as possible.
One of our Beautification workers, Alanna, started on May 3rd. She was busy all week getting the planters cleaned out and tidied up for this year's planting. Our Communities in Bloom volunteer group has been given their supplies and will be ready to help plant. We plan on starting the planting process at the end of May beginning of June. Variety Place has also volunteered to take care of the SkyTrail flower beds. Thank you to everyone who has volunteered their time to help make our community a beautiful place!
The Pool Manager started working April 19th and got a lot of administrative work complete. A few more of our university student staff members and a few high school students started May 3rd and were busy getting the pool cleaned out. Pleasureway came in on Thursday May 6th to de-winterize the pool. The staff will be doing one more spray of the pool and then we will be starting to fill it by Monday May 10th. Swimming Lesson Registrations will be taking place on Monday and Tuesday May 10th and 11th from 5:00-8:00 pm. We are aiming for an opening date of May 22nd. The CAO has approved us to go ahead with the shed from Camp Outlook. All Star
Towing is going to donate their services to the pool and in return we will put up an advertisement for them. Larry Pederson is going to help load the shed onto the flat deck trailer. We will be purchasing some pavestones from Broderick Garden for the base of the shed. This shed will be used as a First Aid Shack as it allows more room for our cot, first aid supplies and easy access to the EMS gate.
Unfinished Business
The Fire and Rescue Partnership with the RM of Rudy was said to expire in December 2021.聽 The RM has expressed a desire for a new model, and the RM and Town have met several times exploring a new relationship.聽 They鈥檝e discussed having a co-ownership as partners.聽 It sounded like as if everyone would like to move forward.聽 Councillor Grotheim brought up the rocky relationship that both have had in the past, and it was said that right now, everyone seems to have a different perspective and putting communication first, 鈥渞eally listening to each other鈥�, as Councillor Turton said.
鈥淭his has gone positively ahead,鈥� said Councillor Stephenson.
It was said that different approaches from perhaps both parties have resulted in a much smoother, more positive relationship today.
The recommended resolutions were two-fold, including the following:
That the Town of Outlook initiate discussions with the Rural Municipality of Rudy #284 to operate a joint fire and rescue service and further, that staff and Town representation on the Protective Services Committee are authorized to negotiate in good faith, on the Town鈥檚 behalf.
That the Town of Outlook expands its Protective Services Committee to include 3 elected representatives from the RM of Rudy #284, to be named by the Council of the RM of Rudy #284 as members of the committee with equal participation and authority as the 3 appointed members of Town Council; further that the Fire Chief and the Deputy Fire Chief of what is currently known as Outlook Fire Department and the CAO of the Town of Outlook and the Administrator of the RM of Rudy #284 or his/her designate will participate in the committee as an advisory capacity.
On the topic of the Civic Centre renovation project, it was noted that funds have been secured through the government's MEEP program.聽 Walker Projects have reviewed five bids that came in.聽 Councillor Grotheim expressed concern that bids didn鈥檛 have specific information as to what work was being done and when, such as electrical and mechanical work.
After some discussion, a motion was made and carried that Council award the renovation project to Leeville Construction at a tendered price of $400,101.72 including applicable taxes.聽 There was a recorded vote on the subject that was asked for by Councillor Grotheim, of which he and Councillor Turton were against, while everyone else voted in favor.聽 Turton was present for the vote and chose to abstain, which Administrator Trew said in an email to this reporter counts as a negative vote.
When discussing the storm water outfalls, the following information came to light:
The Town has applied to use Gas Tax Funding for the Storm Water Outfall Rehabilitation Projects and has been approved for a total of $950,848.54.聽 The Town already has $412,589.74 in its bank account for these projects and will receive an additional $70,421 in August 2021.
The priority estimates from Associated Engineering are:
- Priority #1 Skytrail (overland flow) 鈥� this will be where the Railway Subdivision storm water goes, it may assist Skytrail bridge stability - $413,704
- Priority #2 River Avenue (relocation upslope) - $139,244
- Priority #3 Pancake (3 options) and Tufts (Flow Moderation) (Regional Park) 鈥� there are a few options with Pancake and different pricing, this will be the final project.
Council decided to proceed with the Rehabilitation of the Skytrail Stormwater Outfall in 2021 and that Associated Engineering be contracted to perform the engineering and geotechnical consultation on this project.
New Business
On the topic of the Town's street sweeper equipment, Council has heard that the level of street sweeping has not been acceptable.聽 A motion was made and carried to go with purchasing a 2009 street sweeper.
There was no in-camera discussion.
