News Releases

The bridge maintenance work on Idylwyld Drive over 19th Street overpass has been extended and is now expected to be complete by the end of November.

Since work started earlier this Fall, it has become evident that some of the minor concrete repairs are more extensive than originally anticipated and additional work and timeframe is required to complete these repairs. Key structural components are being repaired, which is necessary to ensure the bridge continues to be safe and structurally sound well into the future.

To complete this work, there will be lane restrictions on Idylwyld Drive overpass over 19th street in both directions as well as lane restrictions on 1st Avenue ramp under Idylwyld Drive.  Access to Sid Buckwold Bridge will be maintained at all times, however, drivers should expect some delays.

Please note: Restrictions on Idylwyld Drive are required to restrict heavy load while repairs are carried out under the overpass. Therefore, drivers will not see workers on Idylwyld Drive.

The City apologizes for the inconvenience and thanks drivers for their continued patience and cooperation while this work is carried out.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information and subscribe to Traffic Detour Service Alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert.

NEW

CIRCLE DR S WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED APPROACHING LORNE AVE
(Crash cushion repair)
Start: October 20, 9:00 a.m. End: October 20, 1:00 p.m.

22ND ST W EB & WB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANES CLOSED FROM AVE T N TO AVE T S
(Concrete work on median)
Start: October 20, 9:00 a.m. End: October 21, 4:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR NB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED APPROACHING 22ND ST
(Crash cushion repair)
Start: October 20, 12:00 p.m. End: October 20, 6:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR NB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED APPROACHING 33RD ST
(Crash cushion repair)
Start: October 20, 3:00 p.m. End: October 20, 5:00 p.m.

ONGOING

AIRPORT DR NB/SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANES CLOSED AT CLAYPOOL DR
(Road construction)
Claypool Dr WB closed from Airport Dr to McClocklin Rd
Start: September 15, 7:00 a.m. End: October 27, 6:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N NB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 39TH ST W TO CIRCLE DR E
(Sewer cleaning)
Start: September 29, 9:00 a.m. End: October 29, 3:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N/HIGHWAY 16 NB & SB LANE RESTRICTIONS FROM 51ST ST E TO MARQUIS DR W
(Hwy 16 flyover repair)
Hwy 11/12 SB median lane closed at overpass
Start: July 13, 9:00 a.m. End: October 31, 5:00 p.m.

HWY 16 WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT ZIMMERMAN RD
(Road reconstruction)
Start: September 16, 7:00 a.m. End: November 15, 5:00 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: IDYLWYLD DR NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED APPROACHING 1ST AVE
(Bridge maintenance)
Start: October 13, 7:00 p.m. End: November 23, 7:00 a.m.

IDYLWYLD DR SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN 19TH ST & SID BUCKWOLD BRIDGE
(Bridge maintenance)
1st Ave SB curb lane closed between 19th St & Sid Buckwold Bridge
Start: September 14, 7:00 a.m. End: November 23, 6:00 p.m.

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

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information and subscribe to Traffic Detour Service Alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

In a new budget planning process this year, the City launched a number of Shaping Our Financial Future public engagement opportunities. Citizens were able to provide input on their priorities and preferences for more than 70 civic services and programs they rely on every day. That information has helped to create the Preliminary 2016 Business Plan and Budget which outlines the City’s future investment plans.

“Most participants in both the 2016 Annual Civic Services Survey and the June Public Engagement activities said they prefer to balance the budget using a combination of user fees and property tax increases instead of service reductions or cuts,” said City Manager, Murray Totland. “Citizens told us they want more spending when it comes to things like maintaining major roadways, transit, street crime, and a growing population.”

In addition to valuable public input, City Administration also considered factors such as inflation, population growth, City Council priorities, service level changes, and performance measures. Considering all factors, the Preliminary 2016 Operating Budget proposes:

• Total operating expenditures of $457.1 million, which is an increase of $22.5 million, or 5.2%, over the 2015 approved Operating Budget. Of this, $443.8 million is tax-supported-operating expenditures which is an increase of $22.5 million or 5.3%, over the 2015 approved Operating Budget.

“Tax-supported operating expenditures represent about 97% of total operating expenditures in 2016,” says Kerry Tarasoff, Chief Financial Officer & General Manager of Asset and Financial Management. “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.”

The proposed property tax increase would generate an additional $7.47 million, which would go toward debt repayment on future traffic noise projects, Building Better Roads, and expenditures relating to all other programs and services, including eight additional police constables in 2016.  It should be noted other City operations are holding the line on a greater hike with a -0.51% budget decrease.

On the capital side, the City is investing $177.2 million in various capital projects (buildings, roads, bridges, sidewalks, water lines) which is a reduction of over $48 million (27%) from 2015.

“The Shaping Our Financial Future engagement plan does not end with today’s tabling of the 2016 Business Plan and Budget,” says Tarasoff. “Now the City is providing citizens another opportunity to have their say on the 2016 Budget through Citizen Budget - our new interactive and educational online tool.”

From October 19 to November 13, citizens can share their funding priorities and preferences with City Council at saskatoon.ca/citizenbudget. Importantly, the public feedback gathered through Citizen Budget will inform City Council and Administration on residents’ budget priorities.  It will help Councillors determine what services and programs people value most when they discuss the 2016 Corporate Business Plan and Budget November 30, December 1 and 3, 2015.

Visit saskatoon.ca/financialfuture to view 2016 Budget at a Glance, and a full array of other budget documents.

NEW

CLARENCE AVE N NB/SB CLOSED FROM TEMPERANCE ST TO AIRD ST
(Water valve replacement)
Start: October 19, 7:00 a.m. End: October 19, 4:00 p.m.

PRESTON AVE S SB CLOSED FROM CORNISH RD TO STONEBRIDGE COMMON
(Construction)
Use Hunter Rd/Cornish Rd
Start: October 19, 9:00 a.m. End: October 21, 5:00 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: 33RD ST E EB LANE CLOSED & WB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 7TH AVE N TO 8TH AVE N
(Sanitary sewer lining)
Start: October 19, 7:00 p.m. End: October 20, 6:00 a.m.

ONGOING

IDYLWYLD DR N NB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 39TH ST W TO CIRCLE DR E
(Sewer cleaning)
Start: September 29, 9:00 a.m. End: October 29, 3:00 p.m.

AIRPORT DR NB/SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANES CLOSED AT CLAYPOOL DR
(Road construction)
Claypool Dr WB closed from Airport Dr to McClocklin Rd
Start: September 15, 7:00 a.m. End: October 27, 6:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N/HIGHWAY 16 NB & SB LANE RESTRICTIONS FROM 51ST ST E TO MARQUIS DR W
(Hwy 16 flyover repair)
Hwy 11/12 SB median lane closed at overpass
Start: July 13, 9:00 a.m. End: October 31, 5:00 p.m.

HWY 16 WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT ZIMMERMAN RD
(Road reconstruction)
Start: September 16, 7:00 a.m. End: November 15, 5:00 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: IDYLWYLD DR NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED APPROACHING 1ST AVE
(Bridge maintenance)
Start: October 13, 7:00 p.m. End: November 23, 7:00 a.m.

IDYLWYLD DR SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN 19TH ST & SID BUCKWOLD BRIDGE
(Bridge maintenance)
1st Ave SB curb lane closed between 19th St & Sid Buckwold Bridge
Start: September 14, 7:00 a.m. End: November 23, 6:00 p.m.

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

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information and subscribe to Traffic Detour Service Alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

NEW

8TH ST E EB CLOSED FROM ALBERT AVE TO CLARENCE AVE
(Water main repair)
Start: October 17, 7:00 a.m. End: October 17, 5:00 p.m.

CLARENCE AVE S CLOSED FROM 8TH ST E TO 15TH ST E
(Tree pruning)
Start: October 17, 8:00 a.m. End: October 18, 6:00 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: WARMAN RD SB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT 33RD ST
(Sanitary sewer lining)
Start: October 17, 7:00 p.m. End: October 18, 6:00 a.m.

CIRCLE DR S EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED APPROACHING CIRCLE DR S BRIDGE
(Guardrail repair)
Start: October 18, 7:00 a.m. End: October 18, 4:00 p.m.

8TH ST E EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM CAIRNS AVE TO WIGGINS AVE S
(Water main valve repair)
Start: October 18, 8:00 a.m. End: October 18, 5:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR S FREEWAY SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 4TH ST E TO NIDEROST ST
(Lightpole replacements)
Start: October 18, 7:30 a.m. End: October 18, 2:30 p.m.

22ND ST E EB CLOSED FROM 1ST AVE S TO 2ND AVE S
(Traffic pole replacement)
Start: October 18, 8:00 a.m. End: October 18, 5:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR S SB OFF-RAMP TO 11TH ST LANE RESTRICTIONS
(Guardrail repair)
Start: October 18, 1:00 p.m. End: October 18, 4:00 p.m.

ONGOING

IDYLWYLD DR N NB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 39TH ST W TO CIRCLE DR E
(Sewer cleaning)
Start: September 29, 9:00 a.m. End: October 29, 3:00 p.m.

AIRPORT DR NB/SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANES CLOSED AT CLAYPOOL DR
(Road construction)
Claypool Dr WB closed from Airport Dr to McClocklin Rd
Start: September 15, 7:00 a.m. End: October 27, 6:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N/HIGHWAY 16 NB & SB LANE RESTRICTIONS FROM 51ST ST E TO MARQUIS DR W
(Hwy 16 flyover repair)
Hwy 11/12 SB median lane closed at overpass
Start: July 13, 9:00 a.m. End: October 31, 5:00 p.m.

HWY 16 WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT ZIMMERMAN RD
(Road reconstruction)
Start: September 16, 7:00 a.m. End: November 15, 5:00 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: IDYLWYLD DR NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED APPROACHING 1ST AVE
(Bridge maintenance)
Start: October 13, 7:00 p.m. End: November 23, 7:00 a.m.

IDYLWYLD DR SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN 19TH ST & SID BUCKWOLD BRIDGE
(Bridge maintenance)
1st Ave SB curb lane closed between 19th St & Sid Buckwold Bridge
Start: September 14, 7:00 a.m. End: November 23, 6:00 p.m.

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

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information and subscribe to Traffic Detour Service Alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

To ensure that all Saskatoon residents have access to vote during the federal election, Saskatoon Transit will be offering free service on October 19, 2015.

Individuals are not required to take any advance action to use the free service; when boarding a bus, you will simply be granted free access by the operator. For new riders, we recommend planning your trip in advance using our Online Trip Planner, Google Transit or the Transit App on your mobile device. These applications will allow you to find the stop closest to your polling station and will map out the route for you.

For more information about Saskatoon Transit, visit saskatoontransit.ca or follow @StoonTransit on Twitter. You can also 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.

Beginning on Monday, October 19, the City will commence its annual fall street sweeping program. The fall sweep is designed to remove fallen tree foliage on the roadway in selected neighbourhoods to reduce the potential for spring flooding where the leaves can block catch basins. 

The neighbourhoods that have been identified for fall sweep include: Buena Vista, Caswell Hill, City Park, Holiday Park, King George, North Park, Nutana, Riversdale, Varsity View and Westmount. These older neighbourhoods feature heavier tree canopies and therefore contribute most of the fallen leaves.

Bright yellow ‘No Parking’ signs will be set out on scheduled routes at least 36 hours in advance of sweeping. As some neighbourhoods are split over multiple days in order to provide parking options, residents are encouraged to check the Fall Sweeping schedule on the City of Saskatoon website. The program is also weather dependent - rain, snow, or temperatures that fall below -5 degrees Celsius could cause a cancellation to all or parts of the sweeping program.

Residents are reminded to move their vehicles by 7 a.m. on the posted sweeping day to avoid a ticket and/or relocation to a nearby street. Relocated vehicles can be found using the Find My Vehicle! application on saskatoon.ca or by calling the Public Works Customer Service Centre at 306-975-2476.

Residents are also reminded not to push leaves from their boulevard, sidewalk or yard onto the street. City Bylaws prohibit doing so as excess leaves can cause spring flooding. Excessive leaves placed onto the street may require sweepers to bypass that street. The City will investigate reports of residents pushing leaves onto the street and may issue a Bylaw Notice. Bylaw violations can be reported to the Bylaw Inspector at 306-975-3193.

Subscribers to the City’s green cart service can place loose, un-bagged leaves and other yard waste in their green cart. Residents can also use one of the City’s free compost depots, which are open until November 6.

Please visit saskatoon.ca/street-sweeping for the latest street sweeping schedules; or sign up for street sweeping service alerts for notifications of cancelled or incomplete sweeping areas. 

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

Household hazardous waste requires proper disposal to reduce risks to humans and animals, and prevent pollution of our land, water and air. These materials should not be placed in your garbage or recycling bins, poured down the drain or toilet, or released into the environment.

To ensure household hazardous materials are safely disposed of or recycled, the City coordinates regular Household Hazardous Waste Days for residents to drop-off these materials. A temporary site will be set up at SaskTel Centre parking lot (101 - 3515 Thatcher Avenue) from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., on the following dates in 2015:

2015 Household Hazardous Waste Days:

• October 17
• November 21

For a complete list of materials accepted at HHW Days, please visit Saskatoon.ca/hazardouswaste. A number of items can also be returned to local retailers for convenient and safe disposal or recycling – for current opportunities in the community, please visit Saskwastereduction.ca.

Please do not bring paint to Household Hazardous Waste Days. Leftover paint and empty paint cans are accepted without charge at all SARCAN recycling depots in Saskatoon. A complete list of paint/paint products accepted at SARCAN locations can be found at www.sarcan.ca/pages/paint.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

- 30 -

A report summarizing the City’s proposed plan to address more Aboriginal inclusion in the community will go to Executive Committee on October 19.  The report outlines the City’s response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s (TRC) Calls to Action relevant to municipal government.

“Several of the TRC Calls to Action are immediately actionable by the City to improve upon our current relationships with our Aboriginal residents,” says Gilles Dorval, Director of Aboriginal Relations.  “We’ve also identified ongoing efforts that will help us to move towards achieving full reconciliation through embedded best practices for Aboriginal inclusion in how we provide services.”

The City already has in place a number of practices to boost Aboriginal inclusion:

• Aboriginal Cultural Awareness Training is offered to all City employees and is mandatory for Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) employees. 
• “Profile Saskatoon Grant” of $150,000 and in-kind organizing support for the 2016 World Indigenous Business Forum (WIBF) and International Indigenous Music and Cultural Festival to be held in Saskatoon.
• 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.

The report to Executive Committee also responds to the Statement of Reconciliation from Canada’s Big City Mayors.  It identifies additional programs for the City to undertake moving forward, which include collaborating with the Office of the Treaty Commissioner (OTC) and other Aboriginal organizations as well as community partners to develop a unified action plan for reconciliation.

“The City is working closely with the OTC and other partners to develop a holistic action plan for reconciliation and increased Aboriginal inclusion,” Dorval says.  “The action plan will include a set of measures to evaluate progress and to report to stakeholders, Aboriginal citizens and the community-at-large.”

Proposed next steps include:

• identifying opportunities for social enterprises;
• reviewing City policies and programs with an Aboriginal lens;
• connecting Aboriginal people with employment and economic opportunities through Phase Two of the Saskatoon Aboriginal Employment and Economic Partnership; and
• holding events to educate Aboriginal development corporations and businesses on City processes for land and procurements opportunities.

The City is also collaborating with the Conference Board of Canada for an event in Saskatoon on December 3, 2015 with the OTC and other Saskatchewan leaders to discuss best practices and opportunities for further advances in reconciliation.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action and The City of Saskatoon’s Response report supports the City’s goal “Quality of Life” by identifying actions for enhancing Aboriginal well-being and participation in our community. 

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

NEW

NIGHT WORK: 33RD ST E EB/WB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANES CLOSED FROM QUEBEC AVE TO 1ST AVE N
(Sanitary sewer lining)
Start: October 16, 7:00 p.m. End: October 17, 6:00 a.m.

ONGOING

NIGHT WORK: 33RD ST E EB/WB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANES CLOSED FROM IDYLWYLD DR N TO QUEBEC AVE
(Sanitary sewer lining)
Start: October 15, 7:00 p.m. End: October 16, 6:00 a.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N NB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 39TH ST W TO CIRCLE DR E
(Sewer cleaning)
Start: September 29, 9:00 a.m. End: October 29, 3:00 p.m.

AIRPORT DR NB/SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANES CLOSED AT CLAYPOOL DR
(Road construction)
Claypool Dr WB closed from Airport Dr to McClocklin Rd
Start: September 15, 7:00 a.m. End: October 27, 6:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N/HIGHWAY 16 NB & SB LANE RESTRICTIONS FROM 51ST ST E TO MARQUIS DR W
(Hwy 16 flyover repair)
Hwy 11/12 SB median lane closed at overpass
Start: July 13, 9:00 a.m. End: October 31, 5:00 p.m.

HWY 16 WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT ZIMMERMAN RD
(Road reconstruction)
Start: September 16, 7:00 a.m. End: November 15, 5:00 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: IDYLWYLD DR NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED APPROACHING 1ST AVE
(Bridge maintenance)
Start: October 13, 7:00 p.m. End: November 23, 7:00 a.m.

IDYLWYLD DR SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN 19TH ST & SID BUCKWOLD BRIDGE
(Bridge maintenance)
1st Ave SB curb lane closed between 19th St & Sid Buckwold Bridge
Start: September 14, 7:00 a.m. End: November 23, 6:00 p.m.

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

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information and subscribe to Traffic Detour Service Alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.