EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE DECISIONS IN BRIEF

October 19, 2015 Executive Committee Meeting

7.2.1 2016 Business Plan and Budget

*The Preliminary 2016 Business Plan and Budget was received and tabled.

Background

*Citizen input, inflation, population growth, City Council priorities, service level changes, and performance measures were considered in proposing total operating expenditures of $457.1 million. Of this, $443.8 million is tax-supported-operating expenditures.
*Tax-supported operating expenditures represent about 97% of total operating expenditures in 2016.
*To help pay for operations and ensure a balanced budget, the property tax increase of 3.95%, equates to an additional $5.40 per month on a property assessed at $325,000.
*From October 19 to November 13, citizens can share their funding priorities and preferences with City Council at saskatoon.ca/citizenbudget
*City Council will deliberate the budget November 30, December 1 and 3.

7.2.2 The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action and the City of Saskatoon’s Response

*The report outlines the City’s response to the TRC Calls to Action relevant to Municipal Government and has been forwarded to City Council for business plan and budget deliberations.
* Administration will provide Executive Committee with regular updates outlining successes as well as outstanding items, along with an update of events that occurring in Saskatoon throughout the year recognizing the Year of Reconciliation

*Administration will report to Executive Committee with a plan for increased professional development and training for employees, with a long-term target of 100 percent participation

*The City has ongoing initiatives that are making strides toward the TRC’s Calls to Action and additional actions and estimated costs to address the recommendations have been identified.
*The City will collaborate with the Office of the Treaty Commissioner and other Aboriginal organizations and community partners to develop an action plan for reconciliation.

Background

*The City already has a number of practices in place to boost Aboriginal inclusion including:
-Aboriginal Cultural Awareness Training offered to all employees. The training is mandatory for Saskatoon Police Service employees.
-“Profile Saskatoon Grant” of $150,000 and in-kind organizing support for 2016 World Indigenous Business Forum and International Indigenous Music and Cultural Festival.
-Partnership with Saskatoon Tribal Council, Gabriel Dumont Institute and other organizations on the delivery of the Urban Aboriginal Leadership Program to build capacity leading to employment.

7.2.3 Remai Modern Art Gallery of Saskatchewan

*The Committee received the project update and will receive another one by the end of 2015.
*The Contractor projects building construction to be complete in the late third to early fourth quarter of 2016 which will result in the Gallery opening in early 2017.
*The project schedule continues to be negatively impacted by delays resulting from drawing corrections and clarifications.
*The project continues to face cost increases and budget pressure, primarily due to the negative cost impact of the drawing corrections and clarifications.

Background

*City Council approved the construction of a new Art Gallery. Smith Carter Architects and Engineers Inc. (Now Architecture 49) were hired in 2010 to design, tender and administer the construction.
*A construction contract was awarded in 2013 to Ellis Don Corporation, with a target for completion in September of 2016.

7.2.4 Traffic Bridge Span Arrangement

*The Committee received the report.
*The new Traffic Bridge is proposed to be a four span arrangement, with new reinforced concrete piers constructed around the existing piers within the river.
*Graham Commuter Partners is proceeding with necessary regulatory approval applications to facilitate construction to commence in the South Saskatchewan River.

Background

*At its meeting on September 8, 2015, City Council approved the award of the Project Agreement for the North Commuter Parkway and Traffic Bridge to Graham Commuter Partners.
*GCP and the City are currently working through the Commercial Close and Financial Close process, which is targeted to be achieved on or around October 23, 2015.