City Council Decisions in Brief
From the November 28, 2016 Meeting
8.1.5 Municipal Heritage Property Designation – Third Avenue United Church
Decision
*The City Solicitor has been instructed to bring forward a bylaw to designate 304 3rd Avenue North as a Municipal Heritage Property under the provisions of the The Heritage Property Act with such designation to include the exterior of the building, as well as two interior elements, being the hammer-beam rafters and Casavant organ.
*$2,500 will be allocated from the Heritage Reserve for supply and installation of a recognition plaque for the property.
Additional Information
*Ms. Peggy Sarjeant, President, Saskatoon Heritage Society had addressed the SPC on Planning, Development and Community Services regarding the heritage designation of the Third Avenue United Church to include exterior elements and interior elements such as the hammer-beam rafters and Casavant organ.
8.1.6 Renaming Request – ‘Gordie Howe Park’ to ‘Gordie Howe Sports Complex’ and Naming Advisory Committee Quarterly Report
Decision
*The report was received as information and Gordie Howe Park will be renamed Gordie Howe Sports Complex.
Additional Information
*This is in a response to a report from the SPC on Planning, Development and Community Services. The committee was advised that the Naming Advisory Committee also reviewed and supported the renaming.
8.1.7 Age Friendly Saskatoon Initiative: Implementation and Evaluation Report
Decision
*City Council received the report as information.
*The City will apply for membership in the world Health Organization Age-Friendly Global Network.
*The City will continue its collaboration with the Saskatoon council on Aging.
Additional Information
*Age-Friendly Saskatoon has focused on getting key community stakeholders working together to support efforts that advance the dignity, health, and independence of older adults. Age-Friendly Saskatoon is consistent with the City aspiration for a desirable quality of life for all residents and will help in promoting an inclusive community; in particular, the inclusion of all older adults in community life.
8.1.8 Innovative Housing Incentives – Quint Development Corporation – 204 to 216 Avenue O South
Decision
*City Council approved funding of 10% of the total capital cost of the construction of 26 affordable rental units at 204 to 216 Avenue O South by Quint Development Corporation, estimated at $556,717, subject to the availability of funds in the Affordable Housing Reserve and the approval of this project under the Provincial Rental Development Program
*City Council recommends a five-year abatement of the incremental property taxes for the 26 affordable rental units be applied, commencing the next taxation year, following the completion of construction.
Additional Information
*In November 2015, City Council set the 2016 target for the 2013 – 2022 Housing Business Plan at 400 units across the attainable housing continuum, of which 32 units are targeted to be affordable rental units. To date, City Council has committed funding of $384,548 in support of 32 affordable rental units. Innovative Housing Incentives – Quint Development Corporation – 204 to 216 Avenue O South. At its June 27, 2016 meeting, City Council approved the rezoning of 204, 208, 212, 214, and 216 Avenue O South from RM1 to RM2 by agreement to facilitate a townhouse development on this site.
8.3.1 2017 Neighbourhood Traffic Management Reviews
Decision
*City Council decided the eleven neighbourhoods selected for 2017 traffic reviews, as part of the Neighbourhood Traffic Management Program, will include Queen Elizabeth, Exhibition, Buena Vista, Erindale, Arbor Creek, Pleasant Hill, Dundonald, North Park, Richmond Heights, Silverwood Heights, and Wildwood.
Additional Information
*The process includes a strategy to review concerns on a neighbourhood-wide basis by engaging the community and stakeholders in first identifying specific traffic issues, and secondly, developing joint recommendations that address the issues.
*Neighbourhoods selected for reviews are based on Councillor input, collision history, number of concerns received, and number of existing temporary traffic calming devices.
8.3.3 Building Better Sidewalks – Sidewalk Programs Overview
Decision
*Administration has been directed to eliminate the practice of using asphalt overlays on concrete sidewalks and funding for this service level change be from reallocation of existing funding within the roadway and sidewalk preservation program.
Additional Information
*An explanation on how the City selects sidewalks for repair, the criteria considered when determining the type of sidewalk repair required for a particular section, as well as various other FAQs and phone numbers for residents to report faulty sidewalks, is available at Saskatoon.ca/sidewalks. The webpage also contains a printable PDF about sidewalk repair/replacement criteria, and indicates when the City is assessing and marking sidewalks to address locations for future preservation work.
8.4.1 Aquatic Invasive Species: Response to PARCS
Decision
*City Council received the report as information.
*Administration will provide a report with more detail in terms of specific local impacts and resources required.
*The report will be referred to the Saskatoon Environmental Advisory Committee to review and report back to the Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities, and Corporate Services with input.
Additional Information
*The City receives drinking water from the South Saskatchewan River. Lake Diefenbaker, upstream of the city along the river, is at risk for aquatic mussel infestation.
*The City does not currently have programming targeted at educating residents about aquatic invasive mussels as it is a member of the South Saskatchewan River Watershed Stewards (SSRWSI), which receives funding from the province to carry out an awareness campaign about aquatic invasive mussels within our watershed.
The province has installed a sign outside of city limits on Highway 11 to Prince Albert and has offered additional free highway signs to the City to help raise awareness of aquatic invasive mussels.
9.6.1 Proposed Sale of Former Police Service Headquarters
Decision
*City Council approved the proposed sale of the former Saskatoon Police Service Headquarters property at 130 and 140 - 4th Avenue North to Duchuck Holdings Ltd. at a purchase price of $10.7M based on the terms and conditions outlined.
*There will be a five-year tax abatement of the full taxes for 130 - 4th Avenue North (building site), subject to the completion of a renovation or redevelopment of the property sufficient to constitute a change of predominant use to housing, office, structured parking, or a combination thereof.
*The five-year tax abatement will take effect in the next taxation year following completion of the renovation or redevelopment
Additional Information
*The former property at 130 and 140 - 4th Avenue North had been listed for sale since September 2013 by two real estate brokerage firms, first with Colliers International, and more recently, ICR Commercial Real Estate. The initial list price was $15.6M which was based on market sales and a very active real estate market at that time.