SPC Committee on Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services Decisions in Brief
March 8, 2016 Meeting
7.1.1 Interim Report – Climate Adaptation Strategies – Infrastructure
Decision
*The Committee received the information.
Background
*In September 2015, the Committee asked Administration to report back on the following:
-steps for implementing systems in key departments which would evaluate new infrastructure and projects (and retrofits to existing infrastructure/projects) to ensure adequate performance in a variety of weather conditions including extreme events.
-additional information speaking to the adequacy of current funding approaches to dealing with possible changing weather conditions and their impacts on civic assets and services.
*Administration reported there are several measures in place or in progress to prepare for, and respond to, severe weather events in relation to key infrastructure and through the Corporate Risk Program and Corporate Asset Management Plan. Further refinement to asset planning and the retrofitting of existing assets will ensure infrastructure can be resilient during extreme weather events.
*The Major Natural Events Reserve has a zero balance, and there are no regular or budgeted contributions to this reserve.
7.1.2 Civic Operations Centre Construction Update
Decision
*The Committee received the information.
Background
*The construction is progressing as expected and monthly progress reports indicate that all activities are on track.
*In October 2014, City Council approved the award of the Request for Proposal for the COC, Phase One, to Integrated Team Solutions (ITS). This Team will design, build, finance and maintain the new Saskatoon Transit Facility, and design, build, finance, maintain and operate the permanent Snow Management Facility.
7.1.3 8th Street East and Lorne Avenue Sanitary Chamber Installation – Emergency Design Build Update
Decision
*The Committee received the information.
Background
*A new sanitary chamber as well as an upgrade of adjacent infrastructure at the intersection of 8th Street East and Lorne Avenue took place in the fall of 2015. Work began on November 2, 2015, and the infrastructure upgrades and initial temporary restoration of the intersection were completed on December 18, 2015.
*The urgent infrastructure upgrade work has been completed.
*The infrastructure work was completed before the end of 2015 with final restoration of the intersection to take place in the spring of 2016.
*Hydraulic conditions have significantly improved in the sanitary main; aging infrastructure in the intersection have been replaced; and sewer gas emissions have been reduced.
7.2.1 Winter City Strategy Preparations
Decision
*The report will be forwarded to City Council for information.
Background
*In August 2013, City Council adopted the 2013-2023 Strategic Plan. In support of the Quality of Life strategic goal, the Plan specified a set of four-year priorities, including for the City to “provide opportunities for activities in a winter city”.
*There is a growing Winter City movement in North America that is drawing city leaders, community groups and the creative sector together to address specific winter problems as well as developing supportive plans and policies for the vitality of cities in winter.
*Existing City plans and policies already identify many opportunities for improving the local response to winter. Some of these will be acted on immediately as quick-wins in the lead-up to the launch of proposed public engagement to develop a Winter City Strategy in Saskatoon. The strategy will ultimately provide a roadmap for making Saskatoon as vibrant in winter as it is in summer.
7.2.3 Progress Report on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action
Decision
*The report will be forwarded to City Council for information.
*The Committee is also recommending that the language around public acknowledgements (as set out at the bottom on page p.7 of the information report) be circulated to all members of City Council; and that a copy of the report be sent from City Council to the Saskatoon Tribal Council, Metis Nation of Saskatchewan, Central Urban Metis Federation Inc., Office of the Treaty Commissioner and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Background
*In 2015, The City declared July 1, 2015-June 30, 2016 as the year of reconciliation and directed the Administration to work with the Office of the Treaty Commission, and other community groups, leaders and institutions in Saskatchewan, to promote reconciliation in our province.
*The City has made progress on initiatives that respond to the TRC “Calls to Action”.
*A City priority is to develop a long-term plan for increased Aboriginal awareness training for all civic employees.
*The City is working with several community partners on a “Community Action Plan.”
7.2.5 2016 Lead Service Line Replacement Funding
Decision
*The Committee is forwarding a report to City Council supporting the following recommendations:
-That $750,000 be transferred from the Water & Wastewater Stabilization Reserve to the Infrastructure Replacement Reserve – Water and Sanitary Sewers.
-That funding from the Infrastructure Replacement Reserve for Capital Project #1615 – Water Distribution be increased by $750,000, to facilitate an accelerated 2016 Lead Service Line Replacement program as outlined in this report.
Background
*Saskatoon’s approved Level of Service for Lead Service Line (LSL) Replacements includes an annual program replacing LSL’s at the request of homeowners.
*In 2015, there was a sharp increase in homeowner requests, creating a six to seven year backlog of replacements at current funding levels.
*Administration requests City Council approval to transfer funds in the amount of $750,000 from the Water & Wastewater Stabilization Reserve to the Infrastructure Replacement Reserve – Water and Sanitary Sewers.
*A request to fund an additional $750,000 from the Infrastructure Replacement Reserve – Water and Sanitary Sewers to increase the LSL’s replaced in 2016 by 100.