OUTLOOK - The town council of Outlook held a regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, December 14. Present were councillors Kyle McLeod, Bob Stephenson, Sharon Bruce, and Kevin Grotheim. Councillor Ryan Husband joined in the meeting online and then appeared in-person, while Councillor Justin Turton had to leave prior to the meeting. Also present were Mayor Maureen Weiterman, Chief Administrative Officer Kevin Trew, and Assistant Administrator Rachel Sillers.
The meeting was broadcast live on the Town of Outlook Facebook page, albeit with some noted sound issues.
A number of topics and items were discussed, including the following highlights.
Bylaws
The second reading was held and carried for Bylaw 21(2022) Public Notice. The third reading will be held at the next meeting.
As well, the second and third readings were held and carried for Bylaw 22(2022) Joint Board of Revision.
Reports of Administration
A non arm's length payment was carried for Councillor Husband in the amount of $76, who attended a recent SaskPower meeting.
Discussing the transfer of outstanding balances, it was said that a few residences in town owed funds, including ones on Pangman Street, Park Avenue, Maple Place, and Douglass Street. It was hopeful that the payments would be made by the end of the year.
Council then discussed approval of a balanced score card, which was carried out on November 25. This involved looking at strategic goals for the community, and results from it were shared at the recent open house at the Civic Centre held earlier this month. As well, the results will also be shared online on the Town website. Council accepted the findings.
Unfinished Business
Council accepted and carried the new Cell Phone Reimbursement Policy, which was thoroughly discussed at the last meeting. Set to become effective on January 1, 2023, the new policy will see senior officials and higher-ups in the Town government receive up to $40 covered for their cell phones, and up to $20 covered for every other permanent employee.
As well, Council accepted and carried the new Council Remuneration Policy, which is also set to take effect on January 1. Similar to numbers from the communities of Rosetown and Assiniboia, though still coming in lower than them, the new numbers break down as follows:
Mayor - from $7200 to $8400 per year.
Councillors - from $3600 to $4800 per year.
New Business
Discussing a land purchase at 102 McKenzie Street North in town, it was said that the Town saw a need for dedicated parking spaces for the town offices building. One year ago, Prairie Centre Credit Union did an appraisal and the land came in at $70,000, while the assessed value of the property was also said to be $104,000. The CAO completed negotiations with the owner of the property, and the purchase price of the property is recommended at $73,500, with the Town paying all closing costs. A motion was made and carried to follow through with the land purchase.
Council then discussed the town's 2023 Operations Budget and 10 Year Capital Plan. Starting first with Fire and Rescue, both the Budget & Actual as well as the capital plan were carried.
Moving to the budget's salary grid approval, both the CPI release and 2023 salary grid at 2.6% were approved.
After some further discussion, Council accepted and passed the 2023 Operations Budget and the 10 Year Capital Plan. Mayor Weiterman was happy to see that the town's budget talk was done right now at the end of the year, as opposed to when the budget would become a topic of conversation when we're already four or five months into the year.
To close the meeting, the contract of the CAO was discussed, and Councillor Grotheim made a motion to give the CAO an increase of 3.5% effective January 1, 2023. The motion was accepted and carried.
