News Releases

The City is pleased to start its development of the first Active Transportation Plan (ATP) for one of the fastest growing communities in Canada.

“There is a growing need for improved options when it comes to how we move around our city,” says Don Cook, Manager of Long Range Planning.  “The Active Transportation Plan will help to meet this need, making active forms of transportation safe, convenient, and attractive choices for our residents.”

Active transportation includes any form of human-powered transportation for all ages and abilities such as walking, jogging, cycling, skateboarding, and persons using mobility aids.

The ATP is a component of the City’s Growth Plan to Half a Million. It will explore how Saskatoon’s current infrastructure and programs support active transportation.  It also seeks to identify how the accessibility and attractiveness of our city’s active transportation options can be improved. 

“Public input will be important throughout the development of the ATP,” Cook says. “All residents are invited to be a part of creating a ‘made in Saskatoon’ plan that will promote personal health and recreation, help manage congestion, reduce  greenhouse gas emissions and  support our city as it grows to half a million people  over the next 30 to 40 years.”

From now until May 29, 2015, the public is invited to share their vision for active transportation in Saskatoon by completing an interactive online survey at www.growingfwd.ca/activetransportation.

In addition to online engagement, a family-friendly public event will be held on Saturday, May 23, 2015, at the Amphitheatre II, River Landing – rain or shine!  All residents are encouraged to stop by the active transportation tent anytime between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to learn more about the project.

Family-friendly Drop-in Discussions
Saturday, May 23, 2015
Amphitheatre II, River Landing (next to the Pump House and South of the Farmer’s Market at the end of Avenue A South)
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The ATP is scheduled to be completed by Spring 2016.

For more information on the ATP or to sign up for project update notifications, please visit www.growingfwd.ca/activetransportation.

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.

NEW

SPADINA CRES E SB CLOSED FROM 25TH ST E TO 24TH ST E
(Temporary traffic light base installation)
Start: April 22, 9:00 a.m. End: April 22, 12:00 p.m.

2ND AVE N SB CURB & MEDIAN LANES CLOSED APPROACHING 23RD ST
(Manohole Repair)
Start: April 22, 9:00 a.m. End: April 22, 12:00 p.m.

24TH ST CLOSED BETWEEN SPADINA CRES & 5TH AVE
(Water main repair)
Start: April 22, 9:00 a.m. End: April 22, 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.

The Water Treatment Plant is in the first stages of commissioning the biggest addition to the plant in more than 50 years. 

After two years of construction, city staff and Graham Construction have begun pre-commissioning of the new water reservoir, high lift pumping station, and Ultra-Violet treatment facility which is located at Avenue H and 11th Street.  This involves methodical testing and operation of numerous pipes, pumps, valves, controls, and monitoring sensors, both individually and as a system, which must integrate with existing plant infrastructure.  Extreme care is taken during this process, and the new infrastructure could be fully operational as early as May 30, 2015.

This infrastructure will further enhance the reliability and safety of the City’s drinking water system.  Saskatoon is one of the first cities in Canada to add ultraviolet to its treatment process to provide an additional barrier to the multi-barrier treatment process.

Many precautions and back-up systems are in place to prevent any adverse impacts to residents during commissioning.

A grand opening event with His Worship Mayor Donald Atchison, Councillors, and provincial and federal representatives from Canada-Saskatchewan Building Canada Fund will be held, with the date to be announced.  Public tours will be made available at that time as well.    

As commissioning proceeds, further PSAs will be issued at key milestones.

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.

NEW SUNDAY

WARMAN RD NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN 7TH AVE N AND CAVERS ST
(Sasktel manhole work)
Start: April 19, 8:00 a.m. End: April 19, 12:00 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.

Pothole repairs are in full swing with crews using 195 tonnes of asphalt to repair the equivalent of approximately 11,000 potholes since hot-mix asphalt became available on April 8, 2015. This measurement is based on an average sized pothole with a 12” diameter and 4” depth.

“With the good weather we’ve been able to get out a week ahead of previous years to begin patching potholes with hot-mix asphalt,” says Pat Hyde, Director of Public Works. “Crews are out 7-days a week inspecting and repairing potholes, but we can’t be everywhere at once. Residents can help us by using the enhanced Report-a-Pothole map to report locations.”

Since the new and improved Report-a-Pothole map was launched on April 2, 2015, 839 locations have been reported. New locations reported on the map are inspected each morning and are rated to determine priority. Pothole repairs are prioritized based on their size, depth, location within the roadway (driving lane, curb lane etc.), and the traffic volume on that street.

“Potholes that cause concern in the driving lanes of high traffic streets and potholes with the potential to cause damage are repaired first,” says Hyde. “This enables us to cover more area on the priority streets faster and we return at a later date to repair the remaining minor potholes.”

The Spring Pothole Blitz is currently focused along many of the same high-traffic streets as the Spring Street Sweeping Blitz programs at which point many of the potholes reported on the map will be addressed. View the schedule at saskatoon.ca/betterroads. Pothole repairs for all remaining streets will follow the Accelerated City Wide Neighbourhood Sweeping program due to begin in early May.

2015 Improvements:

• The standardized use of so called “hot boxes” instead of open-back trucks, to control the temperature of the hot-mix asphalt during patching, will result in better quality, longer lasting repairs.
• Improved work zone set ups including increased signage and protocols will ensure enhanced worker safety and clearer direction for drivers.

If the mild weather continues, we expect the frost to be completely out of the ground in the next few weeks at which point the following programs will begin:

• Inspectors will begin rating back lanes next week to determine the level of repairs required and the Back Lane Maintenance and Reconstruction will begin around June.
• Permanent repairs to Utility Cuts will begin early May. Utility Cuts are excavations required to connect, repair or maintain underground utilities. Cuts have straight edges and can range in size from one foot to more than 10 feet wide and are gravel filled. These are not considered potholes. Residents can view the status of these repairs on the Utility Cuts and Repair Schedule map.

For more information and the visit saskatoon.ca/betterroads.

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.

City of Saskatoon golf courses are ready to welcome golfers for another season.  Holiday Park and Silverwood Golf Courses will open this week, and follow Wildwood Golf Course, which opened Thursday, April 9, 2015.

Holiday Park (Phone:  306-975-3325; 1630 Avenue U South)
Friday, April 17: 12 p.m. (all holes)
 

Silverwood (Phone:  306-975-3314; 3503 Kinnear Avenue)
Thursday, April 16:  12 p.m.  (Front/Lake 9)
Saturday, April 18:  7 a.m. (Back/River 9)

Wildwood (Phone:  306-975-3320; 4050 8th Street East)
Opened April 9

Online tee time reservations are available for Holiday Park and Silverwood starting at 12 p.m., Thursday, April 16 at www.saskatoon.ca/golf.  Golfers are able to book 9 or 18 holes of play for groups of one to four players up to ten days in advance at any of the three municipal golf courses.  Online tee time reservations are not available for same day bookings.  Same day bookings can be completed by phone or in person.  A valid email address is required to make tee time reservations.

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:

• April 18
• May 23
• June 20
• July 4
• August 15
• September 19
• 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.

Leftover paint and empty paint cans are accepted without charge at all SARCAN recycling depots in Saskatoon. Please do not bring paint to Household Hazardous Waste Days unless it is not accepted through the SARCAN program. 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.

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As Saskatoon’s population and economy continues to expand and change, the City wants citizens to share more input and have a better idea about how we could manage the financial demands a growing community places on taxpayers.

“Growth is a natural outcome from a city with a great quality of life,” City Manager Murray Totland says. “To make sure the community continues to prosper and offer that same life quality, we need solid information to help us understand what it costs to run and grow Saskatoon now and for many years to come.”

At its next meeting, the Executive Committee of City Council will receive a series of comprehensive reports that provide key information and strategies on a renewed business plan and budget process.

Totland adds several factors or inputs contribute to the budget of which include a growing population, inflation, capital investments, Council priorities, performance targets, and public input.

Additionally, a portion of the information for Executive Committee is a study by Hemson Consulting which looked at the financial impact of growth, the costs, and benefits of different types of development.

With this knowledge, the City has developed a framework to improve the budget process.

“What we’re proposing is a process for more balanced and accountable budget planning,” CFO Kerry Tarasoff says.  “We want to make strides toward measuring successes, let people have their say about spending priorities and how to make wise investments for our future.”

The planning will be divided into five phases from March until December and will include new elements such as performance measures and greater public engagement.

“Most important is our proposal to open the doors of City Hall and ask our citizens for opinions on City projects and spending plans,” Tarasoff says.  “Planning the budget is more than reconciling a balance sheet; it’s about the process, and although the City’s process has been evolving and improving in the last five years, we’ve found it could be better around transparency, engagement and the technology we use.”

The Hemson study also looked into the issue of rising property taxes and provides some insights into the complexities of the cost of growth and what drives property tax increases: 

• Inflation
• Increased demand for new & replacement infrastructure
• Increased services
• Revenue not keeping pace with growth
• People outpacing property
• Residential property forms a greater share of revenue

“We’ve discovered that growth partially pays for growth, and that we also need to look at ways of adopting less reliance on property taxes as a primary revenue source,” Totland says.  “Right now Development levies do a good job of paying for the development within neighbourhoods and Hemson’s work suggests that there might be an opportunity to consider other ways to fund growth for those larger city wide services without solely relying on the property tax.” 

Budget deliberations are set for November 30 and December 1, 2015.

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.

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NEW

QUEEN ST CLOSED AT 4TH AVE N
(Construction)
Start: April 16, 7:00 a.m. End: April 16, 5:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN 71ST ST W & MARQUIS DR W
(Sign maintenance)
Start: April 16, 9:00 a.m. End: April 16, 10:30 a.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN 25TH ST E TO 24TH ST E
(Irrigation & sod installation)
Start: April 16, 9:00 a.m. End: April 16, 4:00 p.m.

33RD ST W EB LANES CLOSED AT AVE Y N INTERSECTION
(Water connection repair)
Two-way traffic in WB lanes.
Start: April 16, 9:00 a.m. End: April 16, 4:00 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.

Saskatoon Transit has received an award from the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), honoured with a Community Relations Excellence Award for the 2014 Transit Route Changes initiative.

“We’re thrilled to be recognized with this prestigious IABC Gold Quill Award,” says Saskatoon Transit Marketing Manager, Alysha Hille. “In 2014 we really focused on reaching our customers in the right way and making sure we were meeting their communications needs.”

In 2013, Saskatoon Transit heard from transit riders concerned they had not had the opportunity to provide input into the yearly review before transit route changes were implemented. In response, Saskatoon Transit introduced various engagement opportunities where transit riders had their say through face to face interaction, directly impacting the final proposal which was implemented in 2014.

“This process proved to be so successful that it has now become a standard customer consultation process,” says Trevor Bell, Acting Director of Saskatoon Transit. “We have shared this community relations initiative with transit organizations in other cities so that they too can integrate customer feedback into operational decisions.”

The Gold Quill Awards program recognizes business communication excellence globally, and is acknowledged as one of the most prestigious awards programs in the industry. Entries are evaluated against IABC’s standard of excellence, and the feedback from evaluators this year indicated that the standard of work in this year’s awards was some of the best seen in recent years.