News Releases

The COVID-19 pandemic has had wide and deep effects on City work and finances; as a result, the Administration has developed a comprehensive strategy to mitigate the impacts.

“The pandemic has been like nothing most of us have ever experienced in our lifetimes,” says City Manager, Jeff Jorgenson.

“The impacts of the pandemic have had a profound impact on the City’s finances. While sobering, we feel the situation is manageable, thanks to the prudent financial management practices in place. The proposed strategy the Administration is presenting to City Council on Monday includes a balance of:

• maintaining civic services;
• reducing expenditures;
• utilizing fiscal stabilization reserves; and
• continuing to work with other orders of government on solutions.

“The strategy we are recommending will need to be gradual and will take time. If the financial response is too severe, our diverse economy and citizens will be negatively affected. By maintaining services as much as possible, we can continue providing citizens with the quality of life they deserve and expect.”

Jorgenson says the City plays an important role in our local economy with our capital programs, which are essential to maintenance of the City’s assets like streets, roads, and underground utilities. 

“Deferral of these important capital works would only result in the City falling behind in infrastructure renewal. Through proposed continuation of our capital programs, the City will continue to serve an important role in keeping our community working and continue the important investments in our infrastructure.”

The financial details are outlined in a report set for discussion at the meeting of City Council Monday, April 27.

In the wake of the provincial government’s plan to re-open the Saskatchewan economy, the report looks at three financial impact scenarios of when physical distancing restrictions could be lifted and services reopen.

The total estimated negative impacts of COVID-19 on the City of Saskatoon for the three scenarios are:

• Restrictions End June 30 – approximately $32.2 million
• Restrictions End September 30 – approximately $52.7 million
• Restrictions End December 31 – approximately $68.6 million

However, there are offsetting savings attributable to item such as fuel cost reduction, reduced workforce, reduced bulk power charges, and utility stabilization reserves. With these savings included, the preliminary projected preliminary deficits would be:

• Restrictions End June 30 – Deficit of approximately $20.2 million
• Restrictions End September 30 – Deficit of approximately $32.0 million
• Restrictions End December 31 – Deficit of approximately $43.0 million

Through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the federal government is being asked to consider a relief program for the municipal sector, but the outcome of the request is uncertain.

However, the Administration has proposed several options to manage the remaining COVID-19 shortfall, including:

• Hiring freeze;
• Non-essential spending freeze;
• Travel and training reductions;
• Cost reductions for park maintenance due to reduced staffing levels; and
• Use $2.8M of fiscal stabilization reserve in 2020; hold remaining $2M for 2021.

Factoring in these savings totalling $9.5 million for 2020, the remaining projected deficit would be reduced to:

• Restrictions End June 30 – approximately $10.1 million
• Restrictions End September 30 – approximately $22.0 million
• Restrictions End December 31 – approximately $32.9 million

If the Administration’s recommended strategy is approved, the City will have offset the majority of the negative impacts of COVID-19.  For example, for the September 30 Scenario, savings of $32.7 in total will offset the $52.7 million of negative COVID-19 impacts, resulting in a net projected deficit of $22.0 million.

As the situation continues to evolve, the Administration will be able to update financial projections. Additionally, ongoing discussions with other orders of government on possible assistance are occurring.  Considering this, the Administration is not recommending substantive changes to infrastructure renewal or service delivery strategies other than those outlined in this report.

If there is a remaining deficit that is not covered by relief packages, the Administration recommends City Council consider making adjustments to the 2021 operating and capital budgets.

“Taking this approach will allow the City to adapt to the ever-changing landscape in front of us, and will allow us to provide an economic stimulus role – this year – in 2020 – with construction and other capital projects already in the budget,” Jorgenson points out. “We’ll then be able to continue working with the other orders of government on relief solutions.”

Read the full report here. 

The City supports the provincial government’s Re-open Saskatchewan plan with a reminder that we all need to keep physical distancing and established protective health measures in place while it slowly unfolds.

“The whole country will be watching us. Our success will rely on everyone taking this virus very seriously and following all of the precautions. We want Saskatchewan to succeed in this careful and phased re-opening,” says Mayor Charlie Clark.

“Between now and May 4, I believe there are three key areas of risk that we will need to work with the Province on: ensuring and supporting businesses that re-open to be able to follow the rules and have the equipment necessary to remain safe; greater clarity around the rules for social gatherings; and fixing ongoing gaps in the vulnerable population strategy that is continues to see too many people remaining unsafely on the streets.”

Released a day ago, Thursday, April 23 the Re-open Saskatchewan plan is a five-phase plan aimed at slowly lifting restrictions so more businesses can re-open and more employees can go back to work.

City Manager Jeff Jorgenson says the City has done many things to flatten the curve of COVID-19 cases in Saskatoon.

“We’ve made many staffing and service changes so that our employees can safely deliver services to our community, and will continue to be vigilant. The province has not changed its direction to citizens and employers with respect to social distancing, so nothing has changed in that regard,” he says. “With the provincial plan now launched we are working on plans and options for opening our golf courses and campground.”

Emergency planners will continue to play a central part as the Re-open plan rolls out, says the Director of Emergency Management Organization.

“The bottom-line is: we are all continuing to live under a State of Emergency and a Public Health Order,” says Pamela Goulden-McLeod. “We have to keep practicing physical distancing measures so that all the hard work we’ve done as a community is not put as risk while we slowly re-open the economy.”

A package of administrative reports focused on the pandemic response will be later today placed on the City Council Agenda for its meeting Monday, April 27.

The City will move to weekly garbage collection as soon as operationally possible.  Following a decision at a special meeting Wednesday, City Council has directed the Administration to change an earlier decision to extend bi-weekly garbage pick-up.

For the time being, bi-weekly garbage (black cart) collections will stay in place, with the expectation to move to weekly collections by mid-May.

The earlier decision to maintain bi-weekly collections was designed to minimize COVID-19 transmission risk as new workers came on.  With the direction from Council, solutions will be found to provide weekly garbage collection and guard the health of the City’s core workforce with the following considerations:

• The health and safety of our staff and residents are a priority. Waste Operations will continue to implement enhanced physical distancing and sanitation procedures to guard the health and safety of our staff and of Saskatoon residents.
• We recognize with many residents now working from home, there will inevitably be an increased accumulation of household waste. Tonnages are being monitored. 
• We are taking all the necessary precautions to prepare for what is to come and will adapt as the situation continues to evolve. 

The Green Cart (Yard & Food Waste) Program will proceed as planned, with seasonal operations beginning on Monday, May 4.

We will be opening of the City Compost Depots at the same time as the Green Cart Program - ensuring physical distancing and sanitization procedures.

We will monitor the residential garbage collection program as it begins operations to ensure that the health and safety priorities are being met.

Updates will be provided should any adjustments to the program be deemed necessary.

Saskatoon Transit is cooperating with a police investigation following a stabbing incident in and around a Transit bus last night.

“We applaud the quick actions of our Operator and grateful that they are safe,” says Director of Saskatoon Transit, Jim McDonald. “Fortunately, incidents like this involving a Transit bus are very rare and our service remains a very safe way to get around.”

Two people, male and female were already on the bus when another male and female got on at Appleby Drive. The four riders were the only passengers on the bus.

A short time later at Avenue T and 20th Street, a fight broke out between the two groups. The Operator called emergency; stopped the bus and opened the rear doors allowing the passengers to get out. A man appeared to have been stabbed to his chest area and a woman was cut on the face. 

The injured people got back on the bus until paramedics arrived. Ambulance staff took a man and woman to hospital for further treatment.

“We again ask everyone to please only take Transit when necessary – that is, to go to work, get groceries, medicine or for medical appointments not related to COVID-19 symptoms,” McDonald says. “Our buses are running to get medical staff, first responders and other essential workers where they need to go so they can help the rest of us.” 

McDonald adds that avoiding unneeded trips provides Operators and necessary travellers the physical space they need for a safe ride.

The Operator was not involved and is safe; anytime following a serious incident, employees are removed from their shifts and offered counselling and other supports.

Once police were finished their investigation on the bus, it was sent for an established deep cleaning procedure any time bodily fluids are present on a bus.

Police have requested the on-board security video. There is no word on arrests, Public Health Order violations or criminal charges.

The City is taking further steps to adjust its workforce to respond to the impacts COVID-19 has had on its employees and certain services.

“How we deliver our work has changed for every single employee,” says City Manager Jeff Jorgenson.  “The primary focus of the City has been the safety of staff and our community.  It is now time to focus also on the difficult issue of adjusting staffing levels to meet work demands.”

The Community Services department is affected the most, as all Leisure Centres are shut down likely until at least mid-summer. Further, to comply with the need to keep as many people home as possible, the City will not be staffing-up as usual this summer.

Services in many areas will be adjusted so that seasonal staffing levels can be lowered and meet physical distancing requirements for those who are still at work.

“In order to achieve this, we have developed a strategy that is intended to reduce or possibly eliminate the need for involuntary layoffs of permanent employees most affected by the Leisure Centre and civic building closures,” Jorgenson says.

Here is an explanation of the City’s approach:

A voluntary layoff program will be rolled out this week starting with CUPE 59 members.

“We have heard that employees throughout the City are interested in a temporary layoff, because they have family or personal needs, and at this time would like to be out of the workforce.  We are starting with CUPE 59 because they are most affected by the Leisure Centre closures,” he says. 

Staff from anywhere within CUPE 59 and interested in participating will be able to request a temporary layoff, and it will be accommodated if possible. As important services must continue, not all requests will be granted. Division Directors will have discretion, however it’s hoped this will free up positions – some of which can be filled by CUPE 59 members who currently have no work due to Leisure Centre and civic building closures. These are people who work in the Leisure Centres or were in-person customer service representatives. 

Yesterday 54 members of CUPE 59 received telephone calls to advise them they would be receiving layoff notices. Again, over the next four weeks, it’s hoped virtually all those affected will be offered alternate work opportunities such as:

• positions vacated by people choosing to take voluntary layoff,
• seasonal opportunities in the Parks Division,
• non-traditional work such as “Physical Distancing Ambassadors” throughout the City to encourage citizens to follow social/physical distancing in parks and on pathways, and to keep an eye on play structures to make sure safety tape and signing remains in place,
• possible administrative support to some local service providers who are working furiously to support Saskatoon’s most vulnerable citizens.

“While I can’t guarantee that everyone will be re-deployed, we are doing our best to create opportunities for employment.  We need to be fiscally responsible as well as a compassionate and responsible employer.”

In the coming weeks Jorgenson adds, the City will be expanding the voluntary layoff program to other areas of the City and will work with the various unions and staff associations. 

“We must continue providing our important civic services, but we are balancing that with our desire to support staff through this unprecedented pandemic situation.”

*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.
*The COVID-19 vaccination site at Prairieland Park is ongoing. For access directions see the site map. Be prepared for slower moving traffic in the area and remain patient. Traffic will be monitored; routes and traffic signals will be adjusted as needed. 

NEW

22ND ST W EB LANES CLOSED FROM AVE V S TO AVE W S
(Water main repair)
Start: April 7, 8:00 a.m. End: April 8, 5:00 p.m.

22ND ST W WB CURB & LEFT TURN BAY CLOSED AT AVE W S
(Water main repair)
Start: April 7, 8:00 a.m. End: April 8, 5:00 p.m.

22ND ST W EB & WB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED FROM AVE T N TO AVE Q N
(Streetlight replacement)
Start: April 7, 9:30 a.m. End: April 7, 3:30 p.m.

ATTRIDGE DR EB & WB VARIOUS LANES CLOSED FROM INNOVATION BLVD TO CENTRAL AVE
(Streetlight work)
Start: April 7, 1:00 p.m. End: April 7, 3:00 p.m.


ONGOING

RUTH ST W EXPECTED DELAYS AT ST HENRY AVE
(Vaccine drive thru)
Start: April 5, 6:00 a.m. End: Ongoing
 

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.

The Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo lost a long-time member of its pack on Sunday April 6, 2020. Eleven-year-old Jethro the cougar died from hypertrophic cardiac disease. Jethro had been a resident of the Zoo since 2009.

“We are all heartbroken by this unexpected news,” says Jeff Mitchell, Zoo Manager.  “Jethro was a beloved member of the Zoo and an amazing ambassador to Saskatoon and the visitors at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo. Our thoughts are with everyone who loved Jethro, particularly his keepers and those who visited him at the Zoo, who are sure to feel his loss deeply.” 

Jethro was found Sunday morning unresponsive. Upon examination, he had passed overnight. Jethro's necropsy (animal autopsy) performed by veterinarians of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan revealed hypertrophic cardiac disease. It’s a thickening of the heart muscles that is hereditary, usually shows no signs or symptoms but can lead to sudden cardiac arrest. It will take several weeks to get the full testing and necropsy reports back.

Cougars have a life expectancy of 9-13 years and range from the north Yukon down to the Andes Mountains in South America. They are classified as Least Concern on the endangered species list but are considered endangered in several provinces in Canada.

Preliminary year-end financial results for the 2019 fiscal year yield a surplus of $518,343, a favourable variance of 0.10% from the overall 2019 budget of $510.36 million, pending City Council approval. The Administration is recommending that this surplus be transferred to the Fiscal Stabilization Reserve.

“The transfer of funds to the Fiscal Stabilization Reserve is an annual process based on Council Policy, which offsets any tax-supported operating deficits incurred in a year,” says Kerry Tarasoff, Chief Financial Officer. “With continued fiscal management, accountability, and transparency, we are pleased to be in a surplus position, which allows for the strengthening of this important Reserve, especially as we start to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020.  With a solid financial position, City Administration will look to support core services, and continue to make important financial decisions throughout 2020.”

To reach a corporate surplus of $518,343, the Administration is recommending a transfer from the Snow and Ice Management Contingency Reserve be applied to the 2019 Snow and Ice Program deficit of $646,610. This would mitigate any mill rate impact and reinforce the City’s Fiscal Stabilization Reserve to a balance of $4,775,438, as at December 31, 2019. This transfer would create a 2019 year-end balance of $2,965,154 in the Snow and Ice Management Reserve.

“Last year, we had several variables in terms of weather extremes, which increased the need for more fleet vehicles on the roads, and overtime hours to keep roads safe and maintained for all residents,” says Tarasoff.

A report to the Standing Policy Committee on Finance details a 0.33%, or $1,708,242, favourable variance for revenue, while expenditures were overspent by 0.23% or $1,189,899, both marginally higher than budget resulting in the overall 0.10% surplus.

A summary of significant variances include:

Surpluses:

• Municipal Revenue Sharing Grants: $1.6 million surplus due to the revision of the Provincial Sales Tax (PST) formula that the Province of Saskatchewan tabled in its March 2019 Budget.
• General Revenues: $766,100 from higher than anticipated interest earnings, lease revenues, commission revenues, and returns on investments.

Deficits:

• Waste Handling Services: $1.3 million deficit due to a shortfall in Landfill revenue and increased expenditures in the Green Cart and Compost Depot programs.
• Parking Ticket Revenue: $802,500 deficit, mainly related to increased compliance, due to the ease of parking application technology.
• Snow and Ice Management: $646,610 deficit due to the number of extreme winter/icy conditions in early 2019, resulting in increased street sanding.
• Facilities Management: $459,900 deficit resulting from salary-related expenditure increases to standby and after-hours emergency response pay.
• Leisure Centres: $531,100 deficit as paid admissions experienced a decline in sales revenue partially due to temporary Leisure Centre closures.

Saskatoon Utility Results:

The following Utility surpluses and deficits have been transferred to or funded by the applicable stabilization reserve, as stipulated in Council Policy No. C03-003, Reserve for Future Expenditures:

• Saskatoon Light & Power - $1,071,307 million surplus
• Storm Water Management Utility - $747,250 surplus
• Waste Water Utility - $480,305 surplus
• Water Utility - $3,295,737 million deficit
• Waste Services Utility - $612,440 deficit

Saskatoon’s Boards Results:

The City’s Boards, including the Saskatoon Police Service (SPS), all posted surpluses in 2019 with the exception of Remai Modern.

• SPS posted a surplus of $305,333 which is incorporated within the civic year-end results.
• SaskTel Centre has a preliminary surplus of $1,356,154 million.
• TCU Place has a preliminary surplus of $1,198,528 million.
• Remai Modern reported a $259,462 deficit. This amount has been included as part of the City’s year-end results within the Arts, Culture and Event Venues Business Line.

Both TCU Place and SaskTel Centre surpluses are held within their respective organizations and applied to their own stabilization reserves. These are not included within the City’s final year-end results.

Visit saskatoon.ca/budget for additional information and finance-related reports.