CITY COUNCIL DECISIONS IN BRIEF
From the September 28, 2015 Meeting of City Council
8.3.7 College Drive Classification
*The report outlined the transportation access strategy for the Brighton neighbourhood between the Canadian Pacific Railway overpass and McOrmond Drive.
*An intersection on College Drive will provide an important connection to the Brighton neighbourhood now and in the future.
*The configuration of the McOrmond Drive and College Drive interchange will provide a higher level of service to neighbourhoods north of College Drive.
*A funding plan has been developed for the revised interchange which results in development paying for 100% of the interchange.
*City Council approved.
8.3.9 Uber Technologies Inc.
*The City, like Regina has, will ask the Province to regulate Transportation Network Companies such as Uber and others currently operating unregulated.
8.4.4 Public Space Recycling
*Administration will continue to develop a long-term plan for the Public Space Recycling program and report back with program options by April 2016. The RFP issued in July 2015 has been canceled.
8.5.1 Second Quarter Results – Corporate Business Plan and Budget - Sustaining the Saskatoon Advantage
*The report presented the City’s second quarter results and shows 2015 budget projections are indicating a 0.28% unfavourable deviation from budget. The Administration will be taking all reasonable measures to bring in a balanced budget at year-end.
*The key projects outlined in the 2015 Corporate Business Plan and Budget are on track and initiatives are progressing well.
8.5.2 2016 Business Plan and Budget Process – June Public Engagement Results
*More than 250 residents participated in online engagement and an Open House in June to learn more about how the City prepares its budget and provide input on spending priorities and future investments.
*Most participants in the June Public Engagement Activities and in the 2015 Annual Civic Services Survey prefer: to balance the 2016 budget using a combination of user fees and property taxes increases versus service reductions or eliminations; spending increases for the maintenance of major roadways, snow and ice, street crime, and affordable housing; and funding decreases for arts and cultural groups.
*Participants in the June Public Engagement activities identified roads/sidewalks, spending efficiencies, crime/policing, and transit services as the top priorities where City Council should focus its attention for the 2016 Budget.
9.6.2 Prohibition of Smoking in City-Operated Public Places
*This will be considered at the October meeting of City Council. Item deferred to October 26.
9.9.1 Community Support Program Pilot Project – Review for Permanent Status
*The pilot project has been made permanent.
*CSP key indicators of success show positive movement.
*Data shows a reduction in duplication of services, with less calls requiring attendance by police and other service providers.
*The Street Activity Baseline Study (SABS) Update 2015 results show that perceptions of safety fell slightly and that there is a consensus among their respondents that the CSP should continue.
*The CSP has been recognized as a contributor to the image of safety for the Downtown and for its potential to play a key role in overall community safety.
*Ninety percent of surveyed business respondents would like to see the CSP continue, and 69% are prepared to support the program through property taxes. The majority of responding community and involved service providers also support continuation of the program.
*Two of the three Business Improvement Districts (BID) boards support continuation of the CSP.