City Hall lobby opens June 15 for some in-person services; online transactions still encouraged to help limit lineups, keep safe
Starting June 15 and in line with Phase 3 of the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan, the City of Saskatoon is set to resume some front counter services for the Corporate Revenue Customer Service and Bill Payment Centre located in the lobby of City Hall. The City will offer in-person service in the lobby 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday, closed Holidays. City staff will dedicate the first hour of each day from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. for assisting seniors, vulnerable persons and persons with a disability, however no one will be turned away during the first hour. Residents are still encouraged to use the City’s convenient online services to help limit lineups of people physically accessing City Hall.
“Like many other municipalities, we continue to follow the orders and advice of public health officials and continually reassess our services through each phase of the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan to ensure we're meeting the expectations of our staff and citizens. With new safety protocols and procedures in place, we appreciate everyone's patience as we carefully open the City Hall lobby for citizens to access our Payment Centre, Customer Service and Collections counters starting next week,” says Mike Voth, Director of Corporate Revenue.
As City Hall operations are guided by the requirements of the current Provincial Health Order, physical distancing, enhanced sanitization protocols and limits of 15 people inside the City Hall lobby will be in place. The use of a non-medical face mask is encouraged if you are visiting City Hall. Please help all of us stay safe, do not enter City Hall if you have COVID-19 related symptoms or have been in contact with an ill individual.
Visitors to the City Hall lobby will notice it has been slightly modified with:
- New in-person safety measures that include a hand-sanitizing station before entry;
- Physical distancing and directional traffic signage reminders; and
- Physical plexiglass barriers installed at service counters to allow for the protection of our City employees and safer interaction with our customers.
In keeping with public health guidelines, member of the public entering the City Hall lobby should avoid touching shared surfaces in the building like handrails, garbage cans and benches, and also refrain from putting personal items onto the Corporate Revenue Customer Service counters.
The only public entrance to services in the lobby will be via City Hall’s main entrance doors located off 3rd Avenue North. All customers will be greeted by a Customer Service Ambassador or Security staff member who will provide assistance and direction. With the lobby’s current limited capacity, customers may be asked to line-up physically distanced outside of the entrance doors until they can be safely accommodated.
"We are entering Phase 3 keeping the health, safety and well-being of our employees and citizens our top priority," adds Voth. "City Hall hasn't been the same without the comings and goings of citizens since closing March 19, 2020. While our employees have been working hard providing great customer service online and by phone, especially on property tax-related questions, starting next week we’ll be ready to assist those customers who absolutely need to meet with us face-to-face.”
Some examples of in-person transactions offered at the Payment Centre include property tax and utility bill payments, and bylaw and parking ticket payments. Payment methods include cash, cheque or debit; credit cards are not accepted. The public will be kept updated as additional in-person services become available, visit saskatoon.ca for latest updates.
With the busy property tax payment season ahead, citizens may pay their 2020 Property Tax at their financial institution or use City Hall’s front entrance drop box to deliver a cheque. Whenever possible, the public is encouraged to email revenue@saskatoon.ca or contact a customer service representative at 306-975-2400 with property tax-related or other inquiries. Visit saskatoon.ca/propertytax for information on payment deadlines.
At this time, City Council meetings continue to be held via teleconference and streamed live at saskatoon.ca/live-meeting. A new online meeting platform enables the opportunity for continued public participation.
Residents can expect information regarding the re-opening of additional City facilities in the days and weeks ahead.
For the latest updates on City services including a list of convenient online services, please visit saskatoon.ca/covid-19.