CITY COUNCIL DECISIONS IN BRIEF
From the October 26, 2015 Meeting of City Council
6.1 Prohibition of Smoking in City-Operated Public Places
*Council passed Bylaw No. 9312 The Smoking Control Amendment Bylaw, 2015.
*Council also passed a motion that the Administration report back on including an exemption in the bylaw specifically for Aboriginal spiritual or cultural practices or ceremonies, consistent with the provisions in The Tobacco Control Act.
Additional Information:
*The bylaw will come into force on January 1, 2016.
*Another report before the end of the year will be brought to City Council which further amends the Bylaw to prohibit the use of electronic cigarettes in all places where smoking is currently prohibited. The prohibitions, as with smoking, will not allow for an exemption in vaping shops.
8.1.4 City Response to Syrian Refugee Crisis
*Council passed the following motion:
-That the initiatives identified on page 3 of the October 5, 2015 report of the General Manager, Community Services, with no cost implications, including A, C, D, F, G, and H, be supported;
-That the Administration report further with respect to any cost implications of items B and E on page 3 of the report; and
-That the Administration consult with the provincial and federal government on what they are doing in the areas identified in the report, including the issues of transit services and issues around the identified options, and check further with organizations in the community, including faith-based organizations and those supporting refugees, on any updated information for further reporting to the Standing Policy Committee on Planning, Development and Community Services.
Additional Information:
*The City and refugee-serving organizations presently have a number of initiatives underway that assist in welcoming, settling, and integrating refugees and immigrants to the community.
*In recognition of the current Syrian refugee crisis, the Administration has gathered input from key stakeholders in the community and identified several possible initiatives to improve and enhance already existing services, as well as offering new ideas of what the City could do regarding refugee settlement and integration.
8.1.7 Meewasin Valley Authority Northeast Swale Master Plan
*Council passed the following motion:
-That the Meewasin Northeast Swale Master Plan be approved, in principle;
-That the Administration be directed to work with the Meewasin Valley Authority to develop a funding strategy and communication plan, consider potential regulations, and assist with additional implementation planning, reporting back at the appropriate time;
-That the City Solicitor be directed to amend the “Master Agreement” (2007) between the City of Saskatoon and the Meewasin Valley Authority to include the Northeast Swale of this report to City Council, for review and approval; and
-That the Administration report on the process and implications for designating the Northeast Swale as a special conservation area.
Additional Information:
*Meewasin prepared a Plan for the Northeast Swale within city limits to support its objectives of conservation, education, and passive recreation.
*The Plan includes a significant number of proposed amenities: the Greenway (trail and transition area adjacent to urban development), trails, boardwalks, parking, facilities (benches, picnic areas, waste receptacles, etc.), signage, access control, and lighting.
*Development of the Plan has been a collaborative effort between Meewasin, the City, key stakeholders, and the public.
*Meewasin has estimated the total capital cost to implement the Plan at $14 million, split between the swale area proper ($6.1 million) and the Greenway ($8.0 million). An implementation plan and funding strategy will be developed that will also consider annual operating impact (estimated at $186,000 for the City and $192,500 for Meewasin).
8.3.2 33rd Street – Boulevard Removal – Parking and Traffic Operations
*Council passed the following motion:
-That the 33rd Street Corridor Study be adopted as the framework for future traffic improvements along 33rd Street, to be undertaken as funding is made available through the annual budget process;
-That the Administration continue consultations with the 33rd Street Business Improvement District and all abutting Community Associations, regarding the future of traffic improvements along 33rd Street;
-That the Administration continue discussions with stakeholders regarding pedestrian safety measures (pedestrian bulbing) and the number of lanes of traffic between Avenues B and G; and
-That the Administration provide a report regarding implementation of the following:
-Designation of 33rd Street as a minor arterial corridor (not major);
-Single lane traffic from the furthest west corner of Ave B to Ave G;
-Parking limits of two hours from the furthest west corner of Ave B to Ave G, and up to the alleys north and south of 33rdStreet; and
-Pedestrian bulbing / curb extensions from the furthest west corner of Ave B to Ave G with each intersection having two bulbs (one on the north and one on the south side of 33rd Street) at designated crossing areas in consultation with the Business Improvement District and City’s Traffic Division.
Additional Information:
*The 33rd Street Corridor Plan from Idylwyld Drive to Confederation Drive was developed in consultation with the community in response to concerns such as traffic congestion and operations, parking restrictions, and pedestrian safety.
9.1.1 Boychuk Drive and Highway 16 Interchange Funding Application
*Council passed a motion to support the application for a Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component grant for Highways and Major Road infrastructure, for the Boychuk and Highway 16 Interchange, from the New Building Canada Fund, and City Council agrees to meet legislated standards, to meet the terms and conditions of the Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component program, to conduct an open tendering process, to manage the construction of the project, to fund the municipal share of the construction cost, to fund ongoing operation and maintenance costs, and to follow any mitigation measures as required by the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and The Environmental Assessment Act (Saskatchewan).
Additional Information:
*A specific resolution from City Council was required for the application.
*Once approved by the senior levels of government, the City will receive a letter confirming formal approval or approval-in-principle. The City can then proceed to award the project.
*The interchange is estimated to cost $45.15M of which $29.73M has been applied for under the PTIC program. The remaining funding will come from the Interchange Levy and the reallocation of the special levy collected for the Rosewood flyover project that has been cancelled.
11.1 9th Street and Lorne Avenue Resolution of City Council
*City Council rescinded the following Notice of Motion: “That the directional closure be installed at 9th Street and Lorne Avenue/Idylwyld Drive to restrict westbound vehicular usage.”
Additional Information:
*On May 25, City Council resolved that a directional closure be installed at 9th Street and Lorne Avenue (Idylwyld Drive) to restrict westbound vehicular usage.