OUTLOOK - The town council of Outlook met for a regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday night, September 25. Present were Councillors Sharon Bruce, Kyle McLeod, Ryan Husband, and Justin Turton, as well as Mayor Maureen Weiterman and Chief Administrative Officer Kevin Trew. Absent was Councillor Bob Stephenson, while Councillor Kevin Grotheim appeared via Zoom call.
The meeting was broadcast live on the Town of Outlook's official Facebook page.
A number of topics and items were discussed, including the following highlights.
Presentations and Recognitions
Mayor Weiterman first recognized the fact that Councillor Stephenson was absent because of a death in the family, as Bob's brother Don had passed away. Weiterman expressed condolences to Stephenson and his family on behalf of both the council and the Town.
As well, Weiterman made the proclamation of the month of October being Donor's Choice Month. The annual fundraising campaign collects monies that are designated by donors to benefit a number of community initiatives and organizations in Outlook.
Bylaws
In bylaw discussions, first up was Bylaw No. 05 (2024) Public Disclosure Bylaw, which after some further chat had its second reading. It'll be brought back to Council for its third reading, likely by the next meeting.
As well, Bylaw No. 06 (2024) Animal Keeping Bylaw was set for its second reading. Being updated due to the obvious presence of animals associated with the Outlook Riverbank Rodeo, some questions were asked by councillors on some of the language being used with the hope that all the right proverbial T's were being crossed and i's were being dotted. After some final discussion, the bylaw passed its second reading.
Finally, Council looked at Bylaw No. 07 (2024) Repeal of Certain Bylaws, which was set for its first reading. Trew explained that the Town had been combing the archives and looking at bylaws that were either outdated or seemed to no longer apply to the community. After some discussion, it was decided to also hold the second reading of the bylaw after the first one had passed, at which point Council did hold the second reading. It's expected that the third reading will be held at the next council meeting.
Delegations
Appearing as delegates at this meeting were members of the Riverbank Rodeo Committee - secretary Arielle Annala, chair Lee Ponto, and Christian Moulding, who wanted to speak with Council following the expiration of their five-year land use agreement, as the rodeo had been held just south of LCBI High School in the northwest part of town.
The trio was looking to seek confirmation of a new land-use agreement and the approval of moving the rodeo event to the southern grounds of the Jim Kook Rec Plex.
The event was said to make a significant economic impact on the town on a yearly basis since it was created, and in its short history, the Riverbank Rodeo has already garnered a solid reputation among others in the circuit for attracting both spectators and sponsors.
In speaking to Council, the committee was seeking a land use agreement for 25 years, a length of time which was said to be because of the group's planning purposes over the coming years to see their complete vision for the would-be rodeo grounds come to fruition.
In discussion, Councillor Husband asked what the event's revenue sources were, and it was said that the vast majority of funds come from admission gates and what contestants put into the purse by way of entry fees. As well, sponsorship fees help the event move along in a very significant way.
It was asked how clean the area would be kept, as that portion of the Rec Plex grounds is also very close to where people walk their dogs, and it was said that things would be kept very well-maintained and closed off.
Mayor Weiterman said she likes the possibilities that moving the rodeo to the Rec Plex grounds brings, noting that it may open the door for other events to be held both on the grounds and in the rink during upcoming rodeo weekends. It was also said that there's an opportunity to further along other organizations in addition to the rodeo and make the Rec Plex grounds a marquee location for other events in the community.
The proposed 25-year length of the agreement was also discussed, and it was said that with the move to the rink grounds, there likely won't be any significant changes or additions in those first few years as the committee learns what they have and decides what they can do.
It's expected that a decision on the rodeo grounds will be made public within the next few weeks.
New Business
In discussing an appointment to the Community Development Advisory Committee, Lee Ponto was appointed to the group after a motion was made and carried.
Council then moved the final portion of their meeting to an in-camera discussion on land, and Mayor Weiterman recused herself and handed her gavel over to Councillor Husband.
