News Releases

With the colder temperatures setting in, grizzly bears Mistaya (miss‑TIE’‑yuh) and Koda (KOH’-dah), have started hibernation at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo (Zoo) for the second time.

Preparation for the bears’ hibernation has been underway for several weeks, and the Zoo has worked closely with Dr. Marc Cattet of fRI Research and Deb McWilliams, Wildlife Nutritionist with the Nutritional Advisory Group, to carefully monitor the bears’ diet leading into hibernation.

“We adjusted Mistaya and Koda’s diet to better simulate what a wild grizzly bear would consume in nature,” said Dr. Cattet.  “This adjustment resulted in both bears entering hibernation with body weights similar to what we would expect wild grizzly bears to weigh; around 325 to 350 kg.”

The bears’ second hibernation provides a great opportunity for the Zoo to gather information in relation to conservation, research, and educational initiatives for grizzly bears.  This year, the Zoo will be monitoring the bears’ activity in relation to the den and outside temperatures, which will provide insight into the potential effects a warming climate has on hibernation success.

“While we expect to see a lot of sleeping during late winter when we start to get occasional stretches of warmer days, the bears might wake up temporarily from their hibernation sleep and move around their den for several hours at a time before returning to a hibernating state,” said Dr. Cattet.

Cameras have been installed in the hibernation dens so that the Zoo can closely monitor behaviour, activity levels, and breathing patterns.  Efforts are underway to set up a live camera feed for residents to check in on Mistaya and Koda throughout their hibernation.  The live camera feed will be available in the coming weeks on saskatoon.ca/zoo.

“We are very excited to provide an opportunity for people to get a ‘behind the scenes’ look at what actually happens during hibernation,” said Tim Sinclair-Smith, Zoo Manager.

For more information on the Zoo, please visit saskatoon.ca/zoo.

 

City Council, at its November 20 meeting, gave their support for the Facilities and Fleet Management Division’s capital project initiative that will help modernize City operations by installing global positioning system (GPS) into all civic vehicles. A second initiative to have “How’s My Driving?” decals added to civic vehicles in early 2018, also received positive support.

Corporate-Wide GPS Installation: Civic Vehicles & Equipment

“We’re committed to the safety of our employees, protecting our assets and improving civic operations. GPS will assist with driver safety and working alone scenarios, and will also offer reporting and trending data to enable us to be more efficient in our dispatching and utilization of our vehicles and equipment,” says Troy LaFreniere, Director of Facilities & Fleet Management.

It is estimated that GPS system installation on City vehicles and equipment has the potential to save approximately $500,000 annually in reduced fuel costs. It is expected that after the award of tender, implementation of GPS in civic vehicles will commence mid-2018.

“GPS is a positive new initiative that will assist our City teams with the changing demands of service and in delivering the high standards of performance we’re responsible for every day,” adds LaFreniere.

The addition of GPS on City vehicles and equipment will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) tied to City operations. This initiative will support the City with its long-term goal of managing operations in a smart, sustainable way.

To develop a successful Corporate GPS Policy on vehicle usage and operation, comprehensive planning for the GPS installation initiative will involve all City Unions and Associations.

"How’s My Driving?” Decals

The installation of “How’s My Driving?” decals to civic fleet vehicles will complement the City’s existing safe driving initiatives, such as motor vehicle record checks, recognition programs, safety classes, and driver training. Residents will be made aware of the “How’s My Driving?” decal program when it launches in early 2018.

“We want the addition of the decal program to be positive. We are focusing on forward- thinking behavior, encouraging our drivers to continue to make conscious efforts to drive City vehicles and equipment safely and courteously,” says LaFreniere. “The decal program will encourage and support safe driver behaviour, and allow the City to continue mitigating accident risk.”

The decals will display the City’s logo and telephone number for the public to call. All calls will be coordinated between Service Saskatoon and Fleet Services, and directed to the appropriate civic division for follow-up in accordance with the City’s corporate standards for operator expectations.

Other municipalities and corporations which have adopted similar vehicle decal programs have benefitted from accident reduction, citizen appreciation and empowerment to bring forward compliments and concerns, employees making conscious efforts to improve their driving behaviour, and reduced aggressive driving leading to less wear on vehicles, maintenance and fuel costs.
 

At its November 20, 2017 meeting, Saskatoon City Council approved the Preferred Configuration for a re-envisioned transit system based around Bus Rapid Transit (BRT).  The report brought forward by Administration presents recommendations for an appropriately-sized future Bus Rapid Transit system that will support the City’s anticipated growth.  This approval provides direction to HDR to move forward in developing a Functional Plan that will further refine the scale and cost of the new Bus Rapid Transit System, and anticipated changes to existing transit services.

Starting December 1, the City of Saskatoon and HDR will launch the first round of conversations with the community regarding the Transit Plan project, to identify priorities and key factors that will need to be considered as the project moves into the next phases of design and implementation.  In addition to stakeholder meetings to identify specific functional requirements, the City and HDR have designed three distinct opportunities for the public and stakeholders to weigh in on this new system:

Online Engagement Survey | Opens: DEC 1, 2017 / Closes: DEC 15, 2017

A detailed online engagement survey will be available at https://www.saskatoon.ca/engage/transit-plan.  This survey is open to the public and will be sent to the City’s Citizen Advisory Panel, and to those subscribed to the Plan for Growth Newsletter updates.

Stakeholder Workshops | December 5 / 6, 2017

Stakeholders will be invited to RSVP to a number of workshops hosted by the City and HDR. Inc. designed to help understand the needs of those impacted most by the proposed changes.

Public Open House | December 6, 2017 – 5:30 – 8:00PM | La Troupe du Jour - 914 20th Street West

Join the City of Saskatoon and HDR as we share information on the Bus Rapid Transit Preferred Configuration and how these features are tailored specifically for Saskatoon.  We also want to share information on transit network principles and how the Bus Rapid Transit system will re-shape the Saskatoon Transit network.  We want to work with you to understand how these changes may affect you.

The next round of input on the Transit Plan is scheduled for January 2018.  To learn more, visit Saskatoon.ca/engage.

Background:

A full version of the Saskatoon Bus Rapid Transit Preferred Configuration report is available at saskatoon.ca/growth.  Below is a summary of the key recommendations outlined in the report:

1. Transit Signal Priority (TSP) – The preferred configuration for the Saskatoon BRT is to apply TSP at all beneficial locations.  Transit signal priority measures are considered the foundation of a BRT system. They can provide significant travel time and reliability improvements at a relatively low cost.  TSP uses existing infrastructure to determine the optimum way to limit bus delays at traffic signals.

2. Roadway Geometric Measures – The preferred configuration for the Saskatoon BRT is to apply roadway geometric measures at select beneficial locations.  Congestion within the Saskatoon road network occurs primarily at major intersections and bridge approaches. Geometric improvements such as queue jump lanes, bus bypass lanes, and other similar measures will provide buses with a time advantage at the most critical points along the corridor.

3. Stations – The preferred configuration for the Saskatoon BRT is to develop medium scaled stations that will accommodate 12 to 20 waiting customers in a safe, protected and well lit environment that will be seen as a positive influence on the public realm and adjacent community. Stations should have a common design theme; however, each one would be sized to accommodate the expected customer traffic at specific locations.

4. Customer Systems – The preferred configuration for the Saskatoon BRT customer systems is to provide good destination, wayfinding, route, schedule, next bus information, and security monitoring.  Off board fare processing could be added in the future.

5. Runningways – The preferred configuration for the Saskatoon BRT is to develop a mixed-traffic system with exclusive lanes in select short road sections along 3^rd Avenue in the downtown, Broadway Avenue, and College Drive.

For more information / to sign up for project updates please visit saskatoon.ca/growth.  Learn more about engagement opportunities by visiting saskatoon.ca/engage.

The City of Saskatoon’s power utility, Saskatoon Light & Power (SL&P), has been recognized by the Canadian Electricity Association through its Sustainable Electricity Awards program that promotes leaders in sustainable development and corporate responsibility in the Canadian electricity sector. The award was announced at a ceremony held in Toronto on November 15, 2017.

SL&P was recognized with the Award for Leadership in External Collaboration and Partnerships in recognition of Saskatoon Light & Power’s strong commitment to external collaboration and partnerships with Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and other stakeholders. The Canadian Electricity Association (CEA) represents electricity companies, as well as manufacturers and suppliers to the electricity sector, and acts as the national voice for safe, secure, and sustainable electricity for all Canadians.

“We’re very proud to be recognized for our efforts in collaboration and partnerships,” says Kevin Hudson, Metering & Sustainable Electricity Manager for SL&P. “We strive to be a power utility that forms meaningful partnerships that benefit Saskatoon residents. We’re going to take this award as a signal that we’re working in the right direction and to continue seeking out opportunities to collaborate with Indigenous Peoples, industry, the not-for-profit sector, and other local organizations.”

“All Canadians, regardless of where they may live, deserve to have safe, reliable and affordable electricity,” says the Honourable Sergio Marchi, CEA President and CEO. “It is exactly the kind of leadership and collaborative effort demonstrated by Saskatoon Light & Power that will help bridge the energy gap with Indigenous Peoples and the communities in which they live.”

The award recognized SL&P’s collaboration with Saskatchewan Polytechnic, the Saskatchewan Environmental Society, and the SES Solar Co-operative on the Solar Power Demonstration Project at the Landfill Gas Power Generation Facility. This green energy project is the first of its kind in Saskatchewan, featuring 92 solar panels that produce an average of 115 kilowatt-hours of electricity daily. The collaboration has resulted in both a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the expansion of community solar energy initiatives on a scale that may not have been achievable without the partnership.

On the same day as the CEA award was announced, SL&P signed a Memorandum of Understanding with another community partner, the Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC), to develop a hydropower station at the location of the Saskatoon Weir. In addition to the benefits this project will provide to all Saskatoon residents, this partnership is expected to result in opportunities for the STC’s First Nations member communities in such areas as employment, social program and community infrastructure investment, and training and education.

Saskatoon City Mayor Charlie Clark will formally present the award to SL&P at the City Council meeting on Monday, November 20, 2017.

From the November 14, 2017 Meeting

7.2.1 Saskatoon Airport Authority Agreement

Decision

*The Committee accepted the recommendation that the report of the CFO/General Manager, Asset & Financial Management Department dated November 14, 2017, be forwarded to City Council for information.

Background

*At its meeting of October 23, 2017 when considering the 2018 Preliminary Business Plan and Budget, City Council resolved, in part: “2. That the Administration report back on the current tax agreement with the Saskatoon Airport Authority and other potential options, including information on other municipalities.”

7.2.2 Funding Plans Update

Decision

*That the report of the CFO/General Manager, Asset & Financial Management Department dated November 14, 2017, be forwarded to City Council for information.

Background

* The purpose of the Civic Facilities Funding Plan, Major Transportation Funding Plan and the Federal Gas Tax Allocation Plan is to strategically plan for major projects that leverages a variety of sources of funding. These plans provide some flexibility for the Administration and City Council in the way that groups of similar projects can be planned and funded as needed.

7.2.3 Corporate Asset Management Strategy

Decision

*The Committee will recommend to City Council’s 2018 Business Plan and Budget Review;

1. That the Corporate Asset Management Strategy be approved in principle; and
2. That the Administration report back on the forecast for electric vehicles as they pertain to transit, and include any other impacts to the fleet replacement plan including but not limited to the potential impact of a carbon tax.

Background

* At its February 8, 2016 meeting, the Standing Policy Committee on Finance received the Corporate Asset Management Plan report which outlined a strategy to prepare the following individual asset management plans:

· Buildings and Facilities

· Roads and Sidewalks

· Bridges and Overpasses

· Parks

· Vehicles and Equipment

· Transit

· Water, Wastewater and Stormwater

· Saskatoon Light & Power (SL&P)

The report also indicated that these asset management plans would be tabled with the respective Standing Policy Committee throughout the year, and be consolidated at budget deliberations where decisions on funding levels and condition targets would be established.

8.2.1 Governance Review – Advisory Committees – Governance Structure

Decision

*The Committee will recommend to City Council;

1. That further engagement take place with the following existing Advisory Committees with reporting by February 2018:

a. Street Activity Steering Committee;

b. Cultural Diversity & Race Relations Committee;

c. Advisory Committee on Animal Control; and

d. Traffic Safety Committee;

1. That the following Advisory Committee’s be dissolved and disbanded effective January 1, 2019:

a. Street Activity Steering Committee; and

b. Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Committee;

1. That decisions on dissolving and disbanding the following Advisory Committees be deferred until after the further engagement;

a. Advisory Committee on Animal Control; and

b. Traffic Safety Committee;

1. That the following new Advisory Committees be created effective January 1, 2019:

a. Diversity, Inclusion & Equity Advisory Committee; and

b. Advisory Committee on Community Wellness and Safety;

1. That review of the Naming Advisory Committee, including its name and model, be referred to the Naming Advisory Committee for further engagement and recommendations;
2. That the Social Services Subcommittee no longer be classified as an Advisory Committee;
3. That each Advisory Committee report through a specified Standing Policy Committee or through the Governance and Priorities Committee;
4. That membership of each Advisory Committee include at least one youth member between the ages of 16 – 23 years to engage and involve local youth on issues within the purview of the Advisory Committees’ mandates;
5. That the Administration report back with respect to the viability to ask applicants to any civic board and/or commission to self-identify in an age range;
6. That members of the Administration to attend Advisory Committees be specifically defined in the Terms of Reference and identified as non-voting resource members;
7. That Standing Policy Committees and the Governance and Priorities Committee have the ability to form ad hoc Advisory Committees in addition to the standing Advisory Committees;
8. That Advisory Committees maintain the ability to form subcommittees of existing members;
9. That the Leadership Team Governance Subcommittee report further on:

a. Bylaw and policy amendments required to implement the proposed Advisory Committee structure;

b. Recommended changes to the Terms of Reference, including mandates and composition of the respective Advisory Committees; and

c. Outstanding inquiries referred to the Leadership Team Governance Subcommittee;

1. That consideration of Council membership on Advisory Committees be deferred until such time that recommendations for 13 b. are brought forward;
2. That the Administration report further to the Governance and Priorities Committee with respect to a Transportation Advisory Committee; and
3. That the Administration report back with respect to onboarding and orientation of Committee and Commission members being in place for the 2019 appointment process.

Background

* At the February 13, 2017 meeting of the Governance and Priorities Committee (“GPC”), the Committee resolved: “that the project parameters for the review of governance structures, models, practices and procedures of Advisory Committees, Controlled Corporations, Business Improvement Districts and any other agency, board or commission established by the City of Saskatoon be approved.”