News Releases

From the Monday, November 6 Meeting of the SPC on Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services

7.2.2 Utility Scale Solar Power Plant

Decision

*The Committee will recommend to City Council;

1. That Parcel M, Plan No. 102221525 (a 13 acre undeveloped parcel located along Circle Drive South near Montgomery Place) be set aside for a solar power plant;

2. That Administration proceed with community engagement and report back to City Council with options to finance, build, and operate the solar power plant;

3.  That the options be referred to SREDA for evaluation of benefits to the economy;

4.  That Administration report back on opportunities for Virtual Net Metering or Feed-in Tariff programs as an opportunity within this program; and

5.  That the report of the Acting General Manager, Corporate Performance Department, dated November 6, 2017, be forwarded to the Saskatoon Environmental Advisory Committee for information.

Background

*City Council, at its meeting held on April 25, 2016, received the report Saskatchewan Polytechnic Solar Demonstration Partnership at the Landfill Gas Power Generation that provided a facility for construction of the Solar Power Demonstration Site, and on June 22, 2015, received the report Net Metering Program on providing customers with the ability to generate their own electricity. In 2016, SL&P built the Saskatoon Solar Power Demonstration Site with its partners SES Solar Co-operative Ltd., Saskatchewan Polytechnic, and the Saskatchewan Environmental Society. The demonstration site was the first step for SL&P to prepare for a larger solar power plant.

7.2.3 Storm Water Flood Resiliency

Decision

*The Committee will recommend to City Council;

1. That a Home Flood Protection Program pilot project be developed for high flood risk areas in 2018;
2. That $200,000 be allocated in 2018 from the Storm Water Capital Reserve to fund the pilot Home Flood Protection Program;
3. That the Administration refine infrastructure options with funding strategies and report back by mid-2018; and
4. That the Administration approach the Province through its Provincial Disaster Program to partner in this opportunity.

Background

* At its meeting held on August 28, 2017, City Council approved four recommendations regarding the Storm Water Utility Business Plan, as presented by the Administration, and made four additional directives to address surface flooding in high-risk flood areas:

“1. That the Storm Water Utility focus resources on maintenance and preservation of existing storm water assets;

2. That $3 million be maintained in the Storm Water Utility’s capital reserve to protect strategic public infrastructure from damage caused by riverbank slumping and other emergency storm water repairs;

3. That the Equivalent Runoff Unit used for Storm Water Management charges be increased by $13.50 annually from 2019 to 2022, and utilized for projects to maintain and preserve storm water infrastructure;

4. That the temporary Flood Protection Program be extended and phased out by $13.50 annually from 2019 to 2022;

5. That the Administration report prior to 2018 budget consideration on the impact of an increase to the ERU to generate funds for flood mitigation;

6. That the City identify this situation as a further request for Federal Funding;

7. That the Administration report on a funding and infrastructure strategy to systematically deal with the top risk priority areas.

8. That the Administration report back outlining possible incentives to residential and/or commercial/industrial property owners to promote demonstrated onsite storm water management not only for new development/infill development, but for retrofit with possible emphasis on established and flood-prone areas.”

7.2.4 Options for Expanding Special Needs Garbage Collection

Decision

*The Committee will recommend to City Council that the report of the Acting General Manager, Corporate Performance Department, dated November 6, 2017, be received as information and forwarded to the waste consultations.

Background

*City Council at its meeting held on October 23, 2017, considered the Special Needs Garbage Collection Service report and resolved, in part:

“3. That the Administration report at 2018 budget deliberations outlining the potential for and impact of accepting new applicants to the Special Needs Garbage Collection Service for the interim term prior to the results of the Waste Utility consultation and resulting updated Waste Management and Services implementation.”

7.2.5 Congested Front Street Collection Level of Service

Decision

*The Committee will recommend to City Council that the matter of level of service for congested front street collection be deferred to the 2018 public engagement and discussion on the expanded waste utility business model.

Background

*At its meeting held on June 12, 2017, the Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services deferred consideration of the Options for Collection – Front Street Garbage and Recycling on Streets with Significant Parking report and to be brought back prior to discussions on the 2018 Business Plan and Preliminary Budget. At its meeting held on September 25, 2017, City Council considered the Waste Handling Service of Level report and resolved, in part:

“4. That all other service level changes be considered during the development and implementation of waste utility options.”

7.2.8 Integrating the Recovery Park Project with Required Saskatoon Regional Waste Management Centre Projects

Decision

*The Committee will recommend to City Council that the Administration continue with preparation and planning for the Recovery Park project and defer procurement until a comprehensive funding plan is in place for the Landfill Capital Investments as outlined in the report of the Acting General Manager, Corporate Performance Department, dated November 6, 2017.

Background

*On August 17, 2011, City Council considered and approved the Integrated Landfill Management Plan to extend the life of the landfill. For a variety of reasons, most notably private landfill competition and a long-standing internal business model where residential waste is received at the landfill with no associated revenue, revenue actuals have been significantly below planned projections. On November 28, 2016, City Council consolidated $7M in capital funding for the construction of Recovery Park. On May 23, 2017, City Council approved the issuance of a Request for Proposal(s) for the design and construction of Phases 1 and 2 of Recovery Park, which included a new landfill scale. On August 28, 2017, City Council approved procuring specialized design services for the scale house and occupied buildings associated with Recovery Park.

7.2.9 Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional Waste Diversion

Decision

*The Committee will recommend to City Council;

1. That $156,000 be transferred from the Waste Minimization Reserve to Capital Project #2184 - Waste Characterization for the development of the Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional Waste Diversion Strategy; and
2. That the report of the Acting General Manager, Corporate Performance, dated November 6, 2017, be forwarded to the Saskatoon Environmental Advisory Committee for information.

Background

*City Council, at its meeting held on May 23, 2017 received the Waste Diversion Opportunities report identifying various tools and approaches to improving waste diversion in Saskatoon. In that report, Administration indicated a future report on the current role of the City in ICI waste management and specific opportunities for future programs that target this sector would be prepared.

7.2.12 Winter City Strategy Update

Decision

*The Committee will recommend to City Council that the report of the Acting General Manager, Corporate Performance Department, dated November 6, 2017, be received as information.

Background

*City Council, at its meeting held on January 23, 2017, received the Saskatoon Winter Strategy Update report which provided an update and more detailed description of the components of a Winter City Strategy for Saskatoon. The Strategy was described as an intentional effort by the City of Saskatoon and community stakeholders to celebrate what makes Saskatoon unique as a four-season place that is inviting, vibrant and prosperous, even in the coldest months of the year.

The City of Saskatoon and Saskatoon Tribal Council have signed an official Memorandum of Understanding regarding the development of a new hydropower generation station at the location of the Saskatoon Weir. City Mayor Charlie Clark and STC Tribal Chief Mark Arcand signed the agreement at TCU Place this morning during the First Nations Power Authority 2017 Western Canadian Indigenous Renewable Energy Forum.

“Partnerships like this are opportunities to put the concept of Reconciliation into action,” says His Worship Charlie Clark, City of Saskatoon Mayor. “This project gives us a chance to learn the best way to generate renewable power for future generations, where we can create economic opportunity for the Tribal Council and City of Saskatoon while also preserving the integrity of our cherished river valley.” 

“The TRC Calls to Action state that Indigenous peoples should receive equal opportunity to access lasting sustainable benefits from economic development projects,” says Tribal Chief Mark Arcand. “The hydropower project’s equal ownership model exemplifies the true spirit and intent of reconciliation.”

First Nations Power Authority (FNPA) is an Indigenous not-for-profit advisory service with a mandate to support Indigenous communities and businesses in advancing their active investment in the power sector.  For this project, FNPA, via its’ 10-year Master Agreement with SaskPower, supports STC activities in this project as a facilitator, a developer and an owner’s representative throughout the development process, to ensure Indigenous interests are maximized. 

While pre-feasibility studies concluded this project was technically feasible, economically viable, and would cause no significant environmental disruption, the next step will be a full feasibility study for a jointly owned hydropower station at this location.

Some of the benefits of this project will include:

• Expanding the City’s clean-power generation program to hydropower;
• Restoration and upgrade of the current weir infrastructure;
• Construction of a river crossing for pedestrians and cyclists that will be wider, safer and more accessible than the current one on the CP Rail Bridge;
• Opportunities for First Nations employment, training and education;
• Generation of investment returns that will enable the STC to support community infrastructure and social programs in member communities.

The total estimated cost of the project is between $60 and 65 million, which is expected to be funded by the STC and private-sector partners, off-set by revenue generated by the power station and funding from other green-energy funding sources.

For more details and preliminary renderings of the hydropower site, visit saskatoon.ca/hydropower.

From the November 6, 2017 Meeting of the SPC on Transportation

7.2.2 Plan for Growth – Bus Rapid Transit Preferred Configuration

Decision

*The Committee carried unanimously a motion to recommend to City Council that the preferred configuration and conceptual network for the Bus Rapid Transit system, as outlined in the report of the General Manager, Community Services Department dated November 6, 2017, be approved as the basis for further engagement and design.

Background

*At its July 26, 2017 meeting, City Council awarded a contract to HDR for Bus Rapid and Conventional Transit Planning, Design, and Engineering Services. The major deliverables of this project include:

a) Existing Conditions Assessment;

b) a BRT Functional Plan;

c) BRT Station Design;

d) BRT Detailed Design;

e) a Park and Ride Study and Concept Design;

f) a Transit System Plan; and

g) an Implementation Plan.

7.2.3 Protected Bike Lane Demonstration Project – Evaluation Next Steps

Decision

*The Committee carried a motion to recommend to City Council:

1. That a provision for protected bike lanes be included in the Downtown All Ages and Abilities cycling network;
2. That the Administration develop a Downtown All Ages and Abilities cycling network (including protected bike lanes) in concert with other downtown policy and planning initiatives in 2018;
3. That the existing protected bike lanes on 23^rd Street (from Spadina Crescent to Idylwyld Drive) and 4^th Avenue (from 20^thStreet to 24^th Street) be retained until the Downtown All Ages and Abilities cycling network is developed; and
4. That the report of the A/General Manager, Transportation & Utilities Department dated November 6, 2017 be forwarded to the Traffic Safety Committee for information.

Background

*City Council, at its meeting held on March 23, 2015, resolved:

“1. That the protected bike lanes be installed on 23rd Street (from Spadina Crescent to Idylwyld Drive) as a demonstration projects in 2015; and

2. That the protected bike lanes be installed on 4th Avenue (from 19th Street to 24th Street) as a demonstration project in 2016; and

3. That the curb parking be installed on the north side of 24th Street between Ontario Avenue and Idylwyld Drive.”

The Growth Plan, endorsed by City Council in 2016, provides guidance for civic investments in infrastructure and support programs over the short, medium, and long term that will shape growth patterns and increase transportation choices, in order to achieve the social, economic, and environmental aspirations of the community. The Active Transportation (AT) Plan, endorsed by City Council in 2016, also identified the need to improve cycling for people of all ages and abilities, and recommended the Administration develop a Downtown AAA network.

7.2.4 Winter Road Maintenance – 2018 Snow & Ice Maintenance Program Options

Decision

*The Committee carried unanimously a motion to recommend to 2018 Preliminary Business Plan and Budget deliberations:

That Option 1 be implemented as outlined in the report of the A/General Manager, Transportation & Utilities Department dated November 6, 2017.

Background

*The City of Saskatoon Winter Road Maintenance Level of Service document was included in the 2016 Budget package which resulted in City Council approval of a five year incremental mill rate increase of 0.55 mills per year of additional funding. City Council, at its meeting held on March 27, 2017, considered the 2016-2017 Winter Road Maintenance – Operations Update report and resolved, in part:

“2. That the Administration look into and report back on the possibility of further snow clearing activities during snow events on Priority One Streets.

Due to budgetary pressures in April 2017, the mill rate increase was deferred. Over the spring of 2017, Administration conducted a comprehensive engagement study to identify winter maintenance improvements that would most significantly improve accessibility across different transportation modes including passenger vehicles, transit riders, cyclists, and sidewalk users. City Council, at its meeting held on August 28, 2017, considered the Snow and Ice Management Service Level report and resolved, in part:

“2. That Option 2 as outlined in Attachment 2 of the report of the A/General Manager, Transportation & Utilities Department be recommended to the 2018 Preliminary Budget and Business Plan deliberations; and

3. That the Administration report on phasing in Option 5 on reducing corporate costs related to snow management facilities for the 2018 Preliminary Budget and Business Plan deliberations.”

The City is repairing multiple locations where water main pipes have cracked due the quick drop in temperature that started on Sunday. Since Monday at 12 pm there were 9 water main breaks across the city, resulting in water service interruptions in most cases.

“This cluster of water service pipes breaking is due to the sudden drop in temperature this week,” says Russ Munro, Director of Water & Waste Stream. “As the ground freezes, the frost can disrupt underground utilities.  Regardless of the age of the pipes – new or old – frost can cause the ground to shift and this slight movement can cause a pipe to crack and leak water.”

On Monday evening, a break on primary water main along 25th Street caused a full road closure between 5th Avenue and 3rd Avenue. The repair process at this location is already underway and the road is expected to re-open before the Thursday morning traffic peak. Until then, drivers are advised to reroute their commute, use the Broadway Bridge and allow themselves extra time. 

“We are managing this influx of repairs the best we can with our own staff and contractor assistance, to ensure that we stay as close to our 48-hour target for repairs as possible,” says Munro.

Overnight Saturday, the temperature dropped from around zero to -17, which was sustained for the past few days. With warmer weather in the forecast for this week, the ground frost may subside.

 What you can expect from us

1. The water will be turned off at locations affected by water main breaks until the repair is complete.
2. Occupants of affected businesses and homes will receive a yellow Drinking Water Advisory door hanger with instructions for using water once the water is restored.
3. A water trailer or other drinking water will be provided to locations where the repair will take more than 24 hours. Affected residents can visit a nearby City of Saskatoon Leisure centre with identification to confirm their address to use the shower facilities at no charge.
4. When the water is restored, several samples are tested to ensure there is no bacteria and it is safe to drink, which can 24-48 hours.
5. A green Lifted Drinking Water Advisory door hanger will be delivered to confirm the water is safe to drink, with instructions for flushing out taps and your water heater.

For more information about drinking water service, visit saskatoon.ca/drinkingwater.

Saskatoon has seen its first snowfall of the 2017-2018 winter season and the City is ready to address the top concerns residents say they have every year: icy intersections, snowy driving lanes and uncleared sidewalks. Nearly 1,800 citizens participated in a survey or community service design workshop earlier this year to help the City identify the challenges or barriers they experience when it comes to snow and ice.

“While we’ve made many improvements, it was no surprise to hear respondents have ongoing concerns with winter maintenance,” says Brandon Harris, Director of Roadways & Operations. “The survey and workshop were very beneficial in helping us step inside the shoes of residents and develop innovative solutions to meet their needs.”

During budget deliberations later this month, City Council will consider how to allocate $1.2 million for dedicated snow removal and service level improvement funding. This funding is available as part of the 5-year incremental property tax increase introduced in 2015 to build a base for future city-wide snow removal.

“Sidewalk and transit users told us that uncleared neighbourhood sidewalks are the greatest barrier for getting around in winter,” says Harris. “We have proposed a pilot study to assemble a rapid response team to undertake targeted snow and ice clearing in residential areas while educating the public, supporting enforcement activities, and helping residents meet sidewalk clearing responsibilities.”

Other initiatives proposed for 2018 include bike lane clearing improvements, increased public awareness for winter driving safety, improved co-ordination of snow removal in the Business Improvement Districts, exploring a user-pay model for snow storage facilities, and expanding existing programs: snow removal, sanding operations, neighbourhood rut grading, blue flashing lights on road maintenance equipment, and a University of Saskatchewan partnership to develop a Road Weather Information system.

Drivers are reminded to watch for flashing lights that signal winter maintenance equipment is ahead and slow down for your safety and the safety of everyone around you.

The City provides a wide array of winter roadway services. Here are some winter snow maintenance facts:

• Following a major snowfall, plowing and grading occurs in order of street priority, beginning with high-traffic roadways such as Circle Drive. Priority streets are identified on the City’s Snow Grading Interactive Map which is updated annually.
• Crews are now using coarser salt which is more effective and less likely to blow off the road.
• On high traffic roadways, such as Circle Drive, crews use a pre-wetting solution on sand before it is applied. Wet and heavy sand sticks better in extreme cold.
• Snow grading and removal will occur as required along narrow, dense-parking streets where snow windrows are not a practical option.
• City-wide neighbourhood rut blitz may be initiated later in the season, when the snow pack reaches a minimum of 15 centimetres to prevent severe rutting.
• All high-speed winter maintenance equipment is equipped with flashing blue and amber lights, which are a critical element of a safe operation.
• During a snow event ­­— 5 centimetres or more snowfall — timely updates will be available at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts and @YXEServiceAlert on Twitter.

From snow grading to sanding, the city has crews working around the clock to bring you Better Winter Roads. Visit saskatoon.ca/snow for more about winter road maintenance and to view the approved Snow & Ice Management Service Level.