News Releases

From the September 11, 2017 Meeting 

7.1.1 Construction & Design, 2015/2016 Annual Report

Decision

*A report of the Acting General Manager, Transportation & Utilities Department, was received as information.

Background

*Construction & Design is a service provider to the City of Saskatoon that delivers municipal infrastructure projects; provides regulatory oversight; maintains infrastructure records; and provides expertise, advice and guidance on municipal infrastructure. Administration is proud to present the first annual report demonstrating a variety of successful municipal projects.

7.2.5 Service Saskatoon – Open Data Update Report

Decision

*The Committee will recommend to City Council:

1. That the City engage in an Open Data program;
2. That the Administration be directed to develop a detailed strategy to implement the recommendations outlined in the MPATH report, and report back by April, 2018.

Background

*The original Open Data Catalogue pilot project was presented to City Council on August 15, 2012. The pilot project received approval for $40,000 for a capital project to engage with the local develop community and to establish a beta site to publish City data sets.

The catalogue was populated with a number of data sets that were static in nature. Static data sets in the current catalogue are not consistently updated, and as a result, the information may not be current and accurate. The process of creating, uploading, and maintaining data sets is currently a manual process. Prior to publishing the new data set, a pre-Personal Information Assessment is prepared and submitted to City Clerks prior to loading it to the open data catalogue. Currently, there are no dedicated resources for the Open Data program.

7.2.6 Climate Change Mitigation Business Plan - Opportunities

Decision

*The Committee will recommend to City Council:

1. That the information pertaining to Climate Change Mitigation Business Plan be received; and
2. That the allocation of Corporate Performance Department Capital Funding of $20,000, in addition to $80,000 of Federation of Canadian Municipalities grant funding, be referred to the 2018 Business Plan and Budget deliberations to support development of the Business Plan.

Background

*In November 2015, the City became a signatory to the Compact of Mayors, now known as the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, which commits the City of Saskatoon to address climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Within three years of becoming a signatory, Saskatoon is required to develop and submit an action plan for demonstrating how the City will deliver on its promise to mitigate emissions.

At its meeting on June 26, 2017, City Council resolved, in part:

1. That the greenhouse gas emissions reduction target for the City of Saskatoon (corporate) be adjusted to utilize 2014 as the base year, specifically, a reduction of 40% below 2014 levels by 2023; and a reduction of 80% below 2014 levels by 2050.

2. That the recommended reduction targets for the community proposed by the Saskatoon Environmental Advisory Committee be adopted.

The driver of a large pickup, which last September struck a City crew truck, has been fined and prohibited from driving for a year.

Following a guilty plea in Provincial Court, the accused was sentenced March 29 and ordered to pay a fine of $2,100 plus a $900 victim surcharge for a total fine amount of $3,000.

The driver will also be on probation for a year following the license suspension.

City workers were painting crosswalks along College Drive when it happened near Munroe Avenue in the early morning of Friday, September 2, 2016.

One worker had just stepped out of the truck to set up the work zone when he heard a loud vehicle approaching. Luckily, the worker managed to jump to the side before the pickup collided with the City half-ton.

The second City worker in the driver’s seat hit his head on the steering wheel from the impact.

The crash had so much force it pushed the City truck ahead another 10 metres (see photos below).

A reminder to motorists, City crews are out this week line painting on high traffic roads during evening and overnight hours starting at 7p.m. until 7a.m. The City asks motorists to proceed with caution around these areas, and to respect work zones.

 

As a result of the City’s most recent periodic review of speed limits, Administration is proposing changes to the speed limits on 8 sections of Saskatoon roadways. Additionally, new speed limits are being proposed for 4 sections of roadway that are either new or about to experience new uses and travel patterns.

Many of the changes being proposed are in the vicinity of the North Commuter Parkway in anticipation of the bridge’s opening in 2018. The maximum allowable speed is determined based on road classification (e.g. commuter or residential), adjacent land use, reported driver behaviour, and safety concerns.

“Our objective is to establish speed limits that help keep the flow of traffic moving as quickly as is safe,” says Jay Magus, Acting Director of Transportation. “The speed limits need to be reasonable based on the road classification and design so that drivers aren’t experiencing unnecessary frustration, but are also able to navigate the roadways at a speed that keeps them in control.”

Some of the changes being proposed are as follows:

• Speed reduction from 60 km/h to 50 km/h:

• Central Avenue north of Somers Road to Agra Road
• McOrmond Drive from Fedoruk Drive to east of Lowe Road
• Millar Avenue from 60^th Street to 71^st Street

• Speed increase from 50 km/h to 60 km/h on Fedoruk Drive from Central Avenue to McOrmond Drive
• Speed reduction from 80 km/h to 60 km/h on Zimmerman Road north of Highway 16

The proposed changes will be considered by the City’s Special Policy Committee on Transportation later today (Sept. 11). If adopted, the changes are expected to take effect this fall.

Saskatoon Transit buses will leave the Special Events stop downtown (at 23^rd Street and 2^nd Avenue, outside 2^nd Avenue Lofts) to service the Canadian Country Music Awards (CCMA) at SaskTel Centre on Sunday, September 10^th at the following times:

3:30 p.m.

3:45 p.m.

4:10 p.m.

4:25 p.m.

4:45 p.m.

Return buses will depart directly after the show.

Saskatoon Transit encourages everyone taking in pre-award show events at Prairieland Park to consider using Transit.

• CCMA Rock’n Country Cabaret - Friday, September 8

• Route 1 from the downtown terminal to the Exhibition grounds at 6:31 p.m. and every hour until 11:31 p.m.  The last trip is at 12:14 a.m.
• The last bus leaving Hilliard Street and Ruth Street to get other buses is at 11:48 p.m.
• Route 19 runs from downtown to Lorne Ave and Ruth Street at 7:16 p.m. and every hour until 11:16 p.m.
• The last bus leaving Taylor Street and Lorne Avenue will be at 12:05 a.m.

 

• SiriusXM FanFest - Saturday, September 9

• Route 1 runs from downtown hourly before 10:31 a.m. then every half hour until 5:31 p.m.
• Route 19 runs from the downtown terminal hourly before 11:16 a.m. then every half hour until 5:46 p.m.

Transit route information can be found at transit.saskatoon.ca, or by calling the Transit Information Line at 306-975-7500.  Citizens can also plan their trip on the Transit or Google Maps App on their mobile device.  

 

For more information about Saskatoon Transit, visit saskatoontransit.ca or follow @StoonTransit on Twitter. Plan your route in advance using any of the following tools: Saskatoon Transit Trip Planner, Google Transit Trip Planner, or the Transit App on your mobile device.

The City is approximately five months into the construction of two new interchanges on Saskatoon’s east side. The Saskatoon Interchange Project, which involves the construction of an interchange at Boychuk Drive and Highway 16 and an interchange at McOrmond Drive and College Drive, began in April.

“Projects like these interchanges not only help people get around faster and more safely, they help drive our economy today and lay the foundations of growth tomorrow,” says the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. “I'm pleased that work is well underway. Working together, the City, province and the federal government are achieving results for the community.”

The governments of Canada and Saskatchewan are each contributing up to $10,960,885 to the Boychuk Drive and Highway 16 Interchange through the Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component – National and Regional Projects.

“The Government of Saskatchewan is pleased to play a role in helping improve safety for motorists and easing traffic congestion in Saskatoon by investing over $10.9 million toward the Boychuk Drive and Highway 16 project,” says the Honourable Larry Doke, Minister of Government Relations.

The Boychuk Drive and Highway 16 interchange is scheduled to open in the summer of 2019.

“At the Boychuk Drive and Highway 16 Interchange, the temporary intersection is functioning allowing the permanent works to proceed,” says Mike Gutek, City of Saskatoon Special Projects Manager of Major Projects and Preservation. “There is much work ahead, with only 25% complete so far, however it has been a good start.”

At the McOrmond Drive and College Drive interchange site, required underground service work is ongoing and a temporary intersection and adjoining roads, which will be in place until the new interchange opens, will open Sunday, September 10. All traffic movements will be maintained, however delays are anticipated and the City encourages drivers to allow themselves extra time, consider alternate routes, or travel outside of peak hours. 

“While work on this interchange is behind schedule, the contractor is working to finalize a plan to be back on track for an October 2018 completion. These are risky projects and if the schedule is not met, the contract has consequences, although typically only monetary,” Gutek says.

Surrounding developers are funding 100 per cent of the McOrmond Drive and College Drive interchange. Once open, both interchanges will ease traffic flow and also include pedestrian and cyclist pathways.

Drivers are reminded that the speed limit through both construction sites is 60 km/h.

Visit saskatoon.ca/interchanges for project updates, alternate route maps, and to see 3D renderings.

September 5, 2017 Meeting
 

7.1.2 Request for Direct Sale of Former Railway Spurline

Decision

*The Committee approved the direct sale of former railway spurline land located west of Wentz Avenue between 47^th and 48^th Street, to several adjacent property owners and for the preparation and execution of the necessary agreements.

Background

*Development in the North Industrial area began in the 1950’s. In 1966, the City and Canadian National Railway Company (CNR) entered into an agreement for the provision of rail service throughout the North Industrial area. The area was subdivided with many 54’ wide corridors for CNR to construct and operate railway spur trackage, known as spurlines. Although CNR provided rail service via these spurlines, the City retained ownership of the land. Since demand for rail service has declined, many CNR rail service siding agreements have been cancelled resulting in several spurlines being abandoned and left vacant. At its meeting held on April 21, 2008, City Council approved the direct sale of an abandoned railway spurline between 48th and 50th Street in the North Industrial area.

7.1.6 Proposed Elk Point Neighbourhood

Decision

*The Committee will be forwarding the report to City Council with recommendations that the information be received and forwarded to the SPC on Planning, Development and Community Services for information, and that there be consideration of a review by the internal auditor of the approval process relating to this matter, and that the costs to audit this matter be provided prior to approval to proceed with such an audit as this would be an addition to the audit plan.

Background

*At its meeting on May 1, 2017, the Standing Policy Committee on Planning, Development and Community Services received an information report on the Proposed Elk Point Neighbourhood Concept Plan. During the review of the plan, it was noted that significant development activity had occurred within the Elk Point boundary. The Committee resolved that the wetland section of the report be forwarded to the Saskatoon Environmental Advisory Committee (SEAC) for their feedback before the report goes to City Council. In addition, further information has been requested from the Administration regarding improvements within the Elk Point development area.

September 5, 2017 Meeting
 

7.2.1 Innovative Housing Incentives

Decision

*The Committee is forwarding a report to City Council in support of recommendations in the submitted report.

Background

*At its March 27, 2017 meeting, City Council allocated $370,000 within the Affordable Housing Reserve to be used for capital grants to support the creation of affordable rental units in 2018. At its August 14, 2017 meeting, the Standing Policy Committee on Planning, Development and Community Services approved funding of $88,375 toward two affordable rental housing projects, leaving $281,625 available for further capital grants in 2018.

7.2.4 Downtown Development Incentives

Decision

*The Committee is forwarding a report to City Council to recommend that the proposed amendments to Vacant Lot and Adaptive Reuse Incentive Program Policy No. C09-035, as noted in the report, be approved, to be applied to the City Centre area.

Background

*At its May 29, 2017 meeting, the Standing Policy Committee on Planning, Development and Community Services received an information report regarding a variety of measures to incentivize infill development. One of the items raised within that report was amendments to the Incentive Program to improve clarity for Downtown developments by providing a five-year tax abatement for all developments, without a vacancy requirement. The last amendments to the Incentive Program were completed in 2014, as a result of the City Centre Plan.

7.2.6 Fire Services Service Level

Decision

*The Committee is forwarding a report to City Council in support of the recommendations in the submitted report. The Committee is also recommending that the Administration provide a report specific to the Saskatoon Fire Department service level for response times for enforcement of the Property Maintenance and Nuisance Abatement Bylaw, in collaboration with the Community Services Department.

Background

*At the May 15, 2017, meeting of the Governance and Priorities Committee, the Administration committed to bring forward a series of service level documents on core services. Fire Services was identified as one of the core service lines to bring forward for consideration prior to the 2018 Business Plan and Budget deliberations. Moving to defined service levels supports Service Saskatoon by focusing on citizen centric service and clearly defining “what you can expect from us”.

City Council recently directed its Administration to move forward with developing options for a city-wide organics program to help keep valuable resources out of the landfill.

“Organics represents our single biggest opportunity to reach our target of diverting 70 per cent of our waste from the landfill,” says Brenda Wallace, Director of Environmental and Corporate Initiatives. “This approval is an important next step. We will be launching a series of community discussions in the fall to gather input on the design of our future organics program.”

Preliminary results from a recent Waste and Recycling Survey completed for the City by Insightrix in July 2017 indicate 79% of residents strongly or somewhat support city-wide organics collection for all households.

“A successful waste diversion program, which would include diverting organics, is critical to deferring the closure of the landfill,” Wallace says “It would cost an estimated 26 million dollars to close the existing landfill and 100 million dollars to establish a new one.”

More information on the City’s Waste Diversion Plan can be found on saskatoon.ca/wastediversion.

Exploring options for a city-wide organics program supports the Strategic Goal of Environmental Leadership; this includes the four-year priority to promote and facilitate city-wide composting and recycling as well as the long-term strategy to eliminate the need for a new landfill and to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions tied to City operations. It also supports the Waste Diversion Performance Target to divert 70% of waste by 2023.

From the August 28, 2017 Regular Meeting of City Council

6.1       Municipal Heritage Property Designation – Third Avenue United Church

Decision

*City Council passed Bylaw No. 9413 The Third Avenue United Church Heritage Designation Bylaw, 2017.

Background

*At the January 23, 2017 Public Hearing meeting, City Council resolved that permission be granted to introduce Bylaw No. 9413 and give same its first reading. City Council referred the item to the Municipal Heritage Review Board.

*At the November 28, 2016 regular meeting of City Council, the City Solicitor was instructed to bring forward a bylaw to designate 304 3^rd Avenue North as a Municipal Heritage Property under the provisions of 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.

9.5.2   2018 Business Plan and Budget Update – 30 Day Challenge 

Decision

*City Council resolved:

1. That the idea “Removal of Dedicated Snow & Ice Levy” be received as information;

2. That the Administration report back to the Standing Policy Committee on Finance regarding the Amusement Tax;

3. That the idea “Implementation of a Secondary Suite Fee” be received as information;

4. That the Administration report to the Standing Policy Committee on Planning, Development and Community Services regarding decreased watering of parks/green space;

5. That the Administration report on temporary reduction to the annual allocation to RCE for 2018 Budget deliberations;

6. That the Administration report on the discontinuation of printing and mailing the collection calendar for 2018 Budget deliberations;

7. That the idea “Bi-weekly garbage collection” be received as information and referred to the discussion around waste as a utility;

8. That the Administration report to the Standing Policy Committee on Finance regarding additional billboards on City rights-of-way;

9. That the idea “Waste as a Utility” be received as information;

10. That the letter dated August 15, 2017 from Keith Moen, Executive Director of the NSBA be referred to the Administration for further analysis and dialogue with the NSBA, following up with implementation where applicable.

11. That Administration report back about creating a process similar to the 30-Day Challenge to solicit public feedback about efficiency and savings with City operations.  This could be modeled on the Cut Red Tape process previously implemented by the City of Calgary.

Background

*At its June 19, 2017 meeting, the Governance and Priorities Committee received the 2018 Budget Update report from the CFO/General Manager, Asset and Financial Management Department. The report outlined that the current projected property tax increase for 2018 was 6.48%, and that the Administration was working on several strategies to develop ideas and help mitigate this property tax impact.

9.6.1   2016 Annual Report – Shaping Our Financial Future

Decision

*City Council received the information.

Background

*City Council approved the City of Saskatoon Strategic Plan 2012-2022 in February 2013. In early 2014, the Strategic Plan was updated to reflect the priorities of the newly elected Mayor and Councillors for this City Council’s term. The 2013-2023 Strategic Plan includes seven Strategic Goals, 10-year strategies, and 4-year priorities that represent how the City will operationalize the vision for each Strategic Goal. The Strategic Goals guide City Council’s decision-making and policy-making. The 2016 Annual Report – Shaping Our Financial Future aligns with the goals set forth in the Strategic Plan 2013-2023. It also reports on the progress of the City’s investment activities, projects, and services that were implemented as outlined in the 2016 Corporate Business Plan and Budget.

9.7.1 City Entrance Signs

Decision

*City Council Resolved that the remaining four City Entrance Signs, proposed to be created as per the Highway Entrance Features Concept Plan, not be constructed; that $374,229.74 be returned to the Reserve for Capital Expenditures; and that funding continue to be provided to maintain the existing City Entrance Signs.

Background

*At its August 14, 2017 meeting, the Standing Policy Committee on Planning, Development and Community Services requested that the Administration report back on options to construct up to four scaled-down versions of City Entrance Signs that would complete the Highway Entrance Features Concept Plan project.

9.8.2 Award of Environmental Consulting Services ­– Corridor Growth Plan – Brownfield Renewal Strategy

Decision

*City Council resolved that the proposal submitted by Dillon Consulting for environmental consulting services to complete the Corridor Growth Program – Brownfield Renewal Strategy, at a total estimated cost of $150,000 (including taxes and disbursements) be accepted.

Background

*Effective September 15, 2016, several Growth Plan projects received approval for federal funding support through Phase 1 of the Federal Public Transportation Infrastructure Fund (PTIF). The City and the Government of Canada will share in a total contribution of $7.65M towards these projects through the PTIF. City Council, at its meeting held on June 26, 2017, considered the Growth Plan to Half a Million – Brownfield Renewal Strategy report and approved the direction of the Corridor Growth Program – Brownfield Renewal Strategy work and funding model. The Brownfield Renewal Strategy was included in the Growth Plan’s Ten-year Action Plan, it aims to: assess and prioritize corridor brownfields; recommend an appropriate redevelopment incentive program; and, provide contamination management plans for the future development.

9.11.1 Proposed Amendments to Bylaw No. 7531, Saskatoon Board of Police Commissioners Bylaw

Decision

*City Council passed Bylaw No. 9460, The Saskatoon Board of Police Commissioners Amendment Bylaw, 2017. Council also resolved that the Administration request of the Provincial Government that quorum be addressed in the next update of The Police Act.

Background

*At its meeting held on March 27, 2017, City Council adopted the recommendation of the Governance and Priorities Committee that two additional members-at-large be added to the composition of the Board of Police Commissioners beginning January 1, 2018, and that the City Solicitor prepare the necessary amendments to The Saskatoon Board of Police Commissioners Bylaw.

Public Hearing August 28, 2017

5.2.1 City of Saskatoon – Debt Limit

Decision

*City Council resolved that pursuant to Section 133 of The Cities Act, the Administration be authorized to request the Saskatchewan Municipal Board to re-establish the debt limit for the City of Saskatoon at $558M.

Background

*On October 15, 2014, the SMB advised the Administration that the debt limit was established at $558M. The debt limit was calculated based an amount equal to the City’s own source annual revenue. This is consistent with the SMB’s calculation for municipalities. Own source revenue comes from property taxes, utilities, user fees and earnings on investments. Own source revenue does not include conditional or unconditional grants, grants in lieu of property taxes or SaskPower surcharges. The $558M is based on the calculation from 2013 Financial Statements. This debt limit is subject to review by December 31, 2017.

6.1 - 6.9 Proclamations and Flag Raisings

Decision

*City Council approved all proclamations and flag raising requests as set out in Section 6 and authorized the City Clerk to sign the proclamations, in the standard from, on behalf of City Council.

1. Waste Reduction Week

2. United Way Month

3. National PKD Awareness Day

4. World Mental Health Day

5. Drive Electric Week

6. Right to Know Week

7. Environmental Public Health Week

8. Poverty Awareness Week

9. Biotech Week

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo released an exciting new video ‘Caring for Cougars’ following a recent health check on cougars Malcolm and Jethro.  

“Our mandate is to focus on conservation, research, and education” says Tim Sinclair-Smith, Zoo Manager.  “This video provides an opportunity for people to learn more about what goes on when a captive animal visits the vet.  It demonstrates that our facility emphasizes the importance of quality health programs and does more than simply display animals.”

The Zoo has a longstanding partnership with the Western College of Veterinary Medicine focusing on animal health at the facility.  Sinclair-Smith says there are many benefits to highlighting the educational aspects of the animal health program:

• Veterinary students have the opportunity to learn wild animal care skills; and
• It shows school students the detailed, in-depth nature of a wild animal physical exam.

Cougars Malcolm and Jethro came to the Zoo in 2009 and are currently taking up residence in the PotashCorp Ark exhibit.  Cougars are best known for their agility and long powerful bodies.  Their long hind legs allow them to hunt in high speed bursts and are known to use their long tails to steer as they run.

The ‘Caring for Cougars video’ is showcased on the City’s YouTube, Twitter and Facebook pages.  It is also highlighted on saskatoon.ca/zoo and will be played in the Children’s Zoo and Discovery Centre as part of a public education initiative.  

Zoo Hours
Reminder:  the Zoo will be switching to winter hours on Tuesday, September 5, 2017.

• Forestry Farm Park gates will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• The Zoo will be open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Parking fees will not be charged effective on September 5.