News Releases

Regular Meeting:

Award of Tender – Hyde Park and Caswell Hill Off-Leash Recreational Areas (p.2)

City Council approved:

* The tender submitted by Wilco Contractors SW Inc., for the construction of the Hyde Park and Caswell Hill Off-Leash Recreational Area projects, at a total estimated cost of $139,280; and

* That the City Solicitor be requested to prepare the appropriate agreement and that His Worship the Mayor and the City Clerk be authorized to execute the agreement under the Corporate Seal.

New Contracts with Cosmopolitan Industries Ltd. (p.2)

City Council Approved:

* That the City of Saskatoon (City) enter into the following Agreements negotiated with Cosmopolitan Industries Ltd. (Cosmo):

  a)  the Winding Down Agreement;

  b)  the Agreement for Sale; and

  c)  the Multi Unit Residential Recycling Agreement.

* That the City Solicitor be requested to prepare the appropriate contracts and that His Worship the Mayor and the City Clerk be authorized to execute the agreement under the Corporate Seal;

* That the Multi Unit Recycling Fee for 2016 be reviewed as part of the 2016 Business Plan and Budget deliberations; and

* Approve the report of the General Manager, Corporate Performance Department, as amended, with an Agreement for Sale price of $745,875, instead of $650,000.

2013 Annual Report – Investing in a 21st Century (p.3) 

City Council received:

* That the City of Saskatoon 2013 Annual Report – Investing in a 21st Century City be as information.

2013 Report of Service, Savings, and Sustainability: How the City of Saskatoon is Improving Productivity (p.3)

City Council received:

* That the 2013 Report on Service, Savings, and Sustainability: How the City of Saskatoon is Improving Productivity, as information. 

Street Name Change from Avenue O South to Columbian Place (p.7)

City Council Approved:

* That City Council consider proposed Bylaw No. 9203, A bylaw of The City of Saskatoon to change the name of a certain street in the City of Saskatoon as shown on Plan Nos. F5554,101995667, and 102036642.

* That the City Solicitor be requested to prepare the documents required to change the Plans and that His Worship the Mayor and the City Clerk be authorized to execute these documents under Corporate Seal. 

Public Hearing:

Proposed Stonebridge Neighbourhood Concept Plan Amendment (p.1)

City Council Approved:

* That the proposed amendment to the Stonebridge Neighbourhood Concept Plan, as outlined in the report of the General Manager, Community Services Department dated July 22, 2014, be approved.

Flag Raising Requests (p.4)

The Arthritis Society – Month of September

Brazilian Canadian Bridge City Cultural Society Inc. – Brazilian Independent Day – September 7, 2014

PROCLAMATIONS:

October 9, 2014 – ‘Family Business Day’: The Canadian Association of Family Enterprise, Saskatoon Chapter

October 12 – 18, 2014 – ‘Poverty Awareness Week’: Saskatoon Anti-Poverty Coalition / Passion for Action Against Homelessness

September 26 to October 3, 2014 – ‘Biotech Week’: Ag-West Bio

September 20, 2014 – “Run for Humanity Day”: Humanity First Canada

September 18, 2014 – Shinerama Day: Saskatoon Business College 

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The City of Saskatoon (City) provides a wealth of opportunities for citizens to participate in and enjoy the benefits of sport, recreation, and park activities. These activities contribute to the high quality of life residents and visitors enjoy; they are also essential to individual and community health.

To sustain and enhance that quality of life, the City is developing a Recreation and Parks Master Plan (Master Plan). The Master Plan will provide an overall framework to guide the development, delivery, and continuous improvement of recreation and parks programs, services, and facilities.

Saskatoon has experienced significant change and growth since 1996, when the current Public Recreation Policy was put in place. As of March 2014, Saskatoon’s population is estimated to be 253,000, up from 194,000 in 1996. Combined with aging recreation infrastructure, changing participation patterns, as well as a shifting social and economic fabric, the City feels it is timely to develop a Master Plan and has hired a consulting team led by RC Strategies and PERC to assist in its development.

The City has identified that consultation with the community is critical to the development of the Master Plan. Community partners, organizations, and residents will be provided with opportunities to share their thoughts and ideas. To gather the thoughts of citizens, a random telephone survey will be held in the fall of 2014.
There will be other opportunities for citizens and community organizations to provide input on the City’s engagement website at www.shapingsaskatoon.ca and through many other channels over the coming weeks and months. 
“Recreation and parks services and programs help improve our overall health, strengthen families, and enhance our entire community,” said Director of Community Development, Lynne Lacroix. “I strongly encourage everyone to provide their input and have their say about the new Master Plan when given the opportunity. Together we can help shape the provision of recreation and parks services in the city for years to come.”

The Master Plan is scheduled for completion in early 2015.  For more information about the Master Plan process, please contact the City at 306-975-2289.

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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Just six weeks following the confirmation of project funding, the City is pleased to announce it has embarked on the first of a two-stage procurement process for the North Commuter Parkway and the new Traffic Bridge, both part of the City’s Bridging to Tomorrow initiative.

A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) has been issued to secure a private sector partner that will design, build, finance, operate and maintain this important project.

“The RFQ stage is crucial as it gives us the information we need to ensure the best teams with the best experience and qualifications move on to the Request For Proposals (RFP) stage, where they'll provide more details like bridge designs and roadway alignments for the projects," says Dan Willems, the City's Bridging to Tomorrow Project Manager. "This procurement process is very comprehensive and will clearly identify the most qualified private sector partner to work with the City on this important project."

The RFQ, which will remain open until September 10, 2014, will lead to a shortlist of up to three proponents who will participate in the RFP process.

A video that provides additional information regarding concepts for the North Commuter Parkway and the Traffic Bridge may be viewed on the City’s YouTube channel at  http://www.youtube.com/user/saskatooncitynews.

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.

For Immediate Release: July 21, 2014

NEW

CIRCLE DR NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE & SB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT HWY 16 CLOVERLEAF
(Paving)
Start: July 21, 7:00 p.m. End: July 22, 6:00 a.m.

20TH ST W EB & WB LANES CLOSED FROM AVE C S TO AVE D S
(Water line Installation)
Start: July 22, 7:00 a.m. End: July 23, 6:00 p.m.

MILLAR AVE WB EXIT MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED UNDER WARMAN RD OVERPASS
(Lighting repairs)
Start: July 22, 9:00 a.m. End: July 22, 12:00 p.m.

ONGOING

CENTRAL AVE NB & SB LANES CLOSED FROM 111TH ST W TO GRAY AVE
(Water main lining)
Traffic will be detoured via Egbert Avenue
Start: July 15, 9:00 a.m. End: August, 5, 6:00 p.m.

3RD AVE N NB & SB LANES CLOSED FROM 25TH ST E TO 26TH ST E
(Sewer Lining)
Start: July 4, 9:00 a.m. End: July, 25, 6:00 p.m.

20TH ST W EB LANES CLOSED FROM AVE G S TO AVE F S
(Streetscaping)
Two way traffic will be accommodated in the westbound lanes.
Start: July 2, 9:00 a.m. End: July, 30, 6:00 p.m.

8TH ST E EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM MUNROE AVE S TO CUMBERLAND AVE
(Water main lining)
Start: June 23, 9:00 a.m. End: July 29, 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 check our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map, find traffic detour information on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. you can also follow us on Twitter @cityofsaskatoon and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

For Immediate Release: July 21, 2014
 

Due to a planned service interruption by the City’s internet service provider, the City of Saskatoon’s website, www.saskatoon.ca, will not be available Wednesday July 23, 2014 overnight between 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. (July 22-23 overnight). While the website will not be affected for the entire duration, access cannot be guaranteed during the planned servicing time.

The service interruption may affect Saskatoon Transit Click & Go service. Transit users can use Phone & Go or Google Transit during the interruption.  

The City will continue to share information with the public, as needed, through Twitter, Facebook and the City blog. As part of our focus on continuous improvement we aim to consistently provide high-quality services to meet the needs of Saskatoon citizens. We apologize for any inconvenience due to this interruption.

For Immediate Release: July 18, 2014
                                           

IDYLWYLD DRIVE NORTHBOUND NEAR 25TH STREET, JULY 18-21 

Beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, July 18, Idylwyld Drive northbound curb (outside) lane will be closed just north of 25th Street to accommodate a driveway installation.

The lane is expected to re-open by 6:00 a.m. on Monday, July 21.

IDYLWYLD DRIVE FROM 20TH STREET TO SID BUCKWOLD BRIDGE, JULY 19-21

Beginning at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 19, Sunday, July 20 and Monday, July 21, Idylwyld Drive northbound and southbound median (inside) lanes will be closed from 20th Street to the Sid Buckwold Bridge while crews repair the guardrail.

The lanes are expected to re-open by 4:00 p.m. each day.

24TH STREET FROM SPADINA CRESCENT TO 4TH AVENUE, JULY 19

Beginning at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 19, 21st Street will be closed from Spadina Crescent to 4th Avenue for the Brits by the Bus event.

The road is expected to reopen by 6:00 p.m. the same day.

CLARENCE AVENUE NORTHBOUND OVERPASS OVER CIRCLE DRIVE, JULY 20

Beginning at 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 20, Clarence Avenue northbound over the Circle Drive overpass will be closed while crews patch pave the road.

Two-way traffic will be set in the southbound lanes. The work is expected to last one day. 

MILLAR AVENUE FROM 51ST STREET TO 56TH STREET, JULY 20

Beginning at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 20, Millar Avenue will be closed from 51st Street to 56th Street while crews work on underground utilities.

The work is expected to last one day.

UNIVERSITY BRIDGE EASTBOUND CURB LANE, JULY 20

Beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 20, the University Bridge eastbound curb (outside) lane will be closed while crews patch pave the road.

Two-way traffic will be set in the westbound lanes. The work is expected to last one day.

PRESTON AVENUE TURN BAYS TO INNOVATION BOULEVARD, JULY 20-26

Beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 20, the following road restrictions will be in place while crews pave the turning lanes from Preston Avenue to Innovation Boulevard:

- Preston Avenue southbound right turn lane to Innovation Boulevard will be closed
- Preston Avenue northbound left turn bay to Innovation Boulevard will be closed

The work is expected to last one week.

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 on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @cityofsaskatoon and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

For Immediate Release: July 18, 2014

22ND STREET UNDER CIRCLE DRIVE OVERPASS, JULY 21 

Beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, July 21, the following road restrictions will be in place while crews repair some lighting.

9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

- 22nd Street eastbound and westbound curb (outside) lanes will be closed under the Circle Drive overpass

11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

- 22nd Street eastbound and westbound median (inside) lanes will be closed under the Circle Drive overpass

IDYLWYLD DRIVE BETWEEN 8TH STREET & 20TH STREET, JULY 21

Starting at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, July 21, Idylwyld Drive northbound and southbound median (inside) lanes will be closed between 8th Street and 20th Street while crews on the concrete centre median.

The work is expected to last one day.

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 on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @cityofsaskatoon and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

For Immediate Release: Thursday, July 17, 2014
                                             

The City of Saskatoon today unveiled a new interactive map making it easy for citizens to find out when utility cuts will be repaired. 

“Roads, sidewalks and landscaping may be affected by utility cuts and this new online map gives citizens access to a four week rolling schedule for asphalt, concrete and landscape repairs,” says Pat Hyde, Director of Public Works. “We really want to help residents to understand what a utility cut is and that the maintenance and repair process for utility cuts is quite different than that of repairing a pothole.”

Utility cuts are excavations required to connect, repair or maintain underground utilities such as water, sewer, natural gas, electricity or telephone services. The utilities are often located more than 8 feet deep. Cuts have straight edges and can range in size from one foot to more than 10 feet wide.

Once the underground work to utilities is completed, the excavation is filled with gravel.  Roads are maintained as required with a grader until they can be permanently paved.  Typically, utility cuts can only be permanently repaired, from May to October, when the ground has defrosted, and when hot-mix asphalt is available.  This process is required to allow the ground to settle and prevent the permanent asphalt layer from sinking.                                                             

Since early June crews have repaired 410 utility cuts. There are approximately 650 still to be repaired.

“2014 has seen the third highest number of water main breaks on record, due to the severity of the winter and the impact of deeper than normal ground frost,” says Hyde. “In addition, as Saskatoon continues to grow, there is more construction and more infill development in established neighbourhoods, which means more utility cuts are required to connect underground services.”

With such a high number of utility cuts to pave this year, the City has employed contractors to help repair the roads faster, reducing the inconvenience to motorists.

To access the Utility Cuts and Repair Schedules map go to saskatoon.ca/go/maps. Find more information about road repairs by clicking on Building Better Roads at saskatoon.ca.

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 on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @cityofsaskatoon and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on 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 the garbage or recycling, poured down the drain or toilet, or released into the environment.

To ensure household hazardous materials are safely disposed of or recycled, the City of Saskatoon coordinates regular Household Hazardous Waste Days for residents to drop-off these materials.  On July 19, 2014 and the days listed below, a temporary site is set up at Credit Union Centre parking lot (101 - 3515 Thatcher Avenue) from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Household Hazardous Waste Days:
July 19
August 16
September 20
October 18
November 15
December 20

Accepted Materials include:
· pesticides
· automotive oil
· prescription medicine
· batteries
· aerosols
· poisons
· propane cylinders
· household cleaners
· mercury-containing items
· electronics (accepted by the Electronic Producer Recycling Association)

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 Day unless it is not accepted through the SARCAN program.  Find out what is accepted through SARCAN’s paint program at www.sarcan.ca/pages/paint.

For a complete list of accepted and non-acceptable materials, visit www.saskatoon.ca and click on “H” for Household Hazardous Waste Days.

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.

For Immediate Release: July 17, 2014
 

IDYLWYLD DRIVE FROM 20TH STREET TO SID BUCKWOLD BRIDGE, JULY 18 

Beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, July 18, Idylwyld Drive northbound and southbound median (inside) lanes will be closed from 20th Street to the Sid Buckwold Bridge while crews repair the guardrail.

The lanes are expected to re-open by 3:00 p.m. the same day.

IDYLWYLD DRIVE NORTHBOUND NEAR 25TH STREET, JULY 18

Beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, July 18, Idylwyld Drive northbound curb (outside) lane will be closed just north of 25th Street to accommodate a driveway installation.

The lane is expected to re-open by 3:00 p.m. the same day.

20TH STREET & 4TH AVENUE INTERSECTION, JULY 18

Starting at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, July 18, the following road restrictions will be in place at the 20th Street and 4th Avenue intersection while crews repair a manhole:

- 20th Street eastbound lanes will be closed approaching 4th Avenue
- 20th Street westbound median (inside) lane will be closed approaching 4th Avenue
- 4th Avenue southbound lanes will be closed approaching 20th Street
- 4th Avenue northbound median (inside) lane will be closed approaching 20th Street

The lanes are expected to re-open by 6:00 p.m. the same day.

51ST STREET OVERPASS OVER IDYLWYLD DRIVE, JULY 18

Beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, July 18, 51st Street westbound and eastbound median (inside) lanes will be closed on the overpass over Idylwyld Drive while crews repair an expansion joint.

The lanes are expected to re-open by 3:00 p.m. the same day.

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 on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @cityofsaskatoon and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.