News Releases
Saskatoon Fire - News Releases
Finance Committee Decisions in Brief
May 6, 2016 - 10:35am
From the May 2, 2016 Meeting
7.1.2 Quarterly Report – Builder and Developer Lot Supply – April 1, 2016
Decision
*The report was received as information.
Background
*Land developers in Saskatoon have 840 residential lots in inventory, and there is a builder inventory of 1,037 residential lots.
*Land developers in Saskatoon are projected to service 539 single-family lots in 2016, dependent on inventory levels and absorption rates.
*Land developers and builders have approximately 133 acres of multi-family land in inventory, which can potentially accommodate approximately 2,985 dwelling units. *There is a healthy supply of vacant industrial land held by recent industrial land purchasers and Saskatoon Land.
Planning, Development & Community Services Decisions in Brief
May 6, 2016 - 10:25am
From the May 2, 2016 Meeting
Decision
*Committee supported the recommendation that the following surnames, being duplicates of existing names on the applied Names Master List, have their individual histories acknowledged in the Names Master List without creating a new record: ‘Adams’, ‘Robertson’, and ‘Wilson’. The Committee is also forward a report to City Council to recommend that the name ‘Blairmore Station’ be applied as the neighbourhood name discussed in the March 17, 2016 report of the General Manager, Community Services.
Background
*According to the Naming Policy, all requests for naming of roadways from the Names Master List will be selected or endorsed by His Worship the Mayor. All of the names on the Names Master List have been previously screened by the Naming Advisory Committee and meet City Council’s guidelines for name selection. Name suffixes are circulated through the Administration for technical review.
6.2.2 Application for Municipal Heritage Property Designation – Tupper House – 518 11th Street East
Decision
*The Committee supported the recommendations and will be recommending to City Council the appropriate steps to initiate the designation of the property at 518 11th Street East, Tupper House, as a Municipal Heritage Property, with such designation being limited to the exterior of the building. This has also been supported by the Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee.
Background
*Built in 1909, the Tupper House is a modest one-and-three-quarter-storey dwelling in the Nutana neighbourhood. The home is situated in close proximity to Broadway Avenue and is located directly adjacent to the Arrand Block – a multi-unit residential property that was designated as a Municipal Heritage Property in 1989.
*The Tupper House has already been identified as a heritage resource in Saskatoon through the City’s Built Heritage Database. The current owners of 518 11th Street East requested Municipal Heritage Designation of this property.
7.1.5 2015 Year-End report – Leisure Centres and Outdoor Pools
Decision
*The annual report was received as information by the Committee.
Background
*The Recreation and Community Development Division (RCD) is dedicated to providing access to a range of recreation, sports, fitness, and well-being opportunities that are accessible, inclusive, and responsive to community needs. Time and attention is given to ensure citizens are aware of the programs and activities offered at the leisure centres and outdoor pools through various marketing campaigns and promotions.
*RCD manages and operates leisure centres and, through facility rentals in 2015, supported over 470,000 visitations by people participating in activities delivered by non-profit groups and other leisure service providers, including the private sector.
*In 2015, people participated at the six indoor leisure centres approximately 1 million times in programs, such as swimming lessons, fitness classes, drop-in fitness opportunities, and recreation programs.
7.1.6 2015 Annual Report – Community Development
Decision
*The Committee received the report.
Background
*Community Development provides the supportive environment to help build capacity and empower people of the community to organize themselves for planning and action. Community development is a process for changing communities toward desired goals and emphasizes active participation and involvement by citizens through a coordinated effort, with the goal of addressing issues that affect the quality of life in their community.
7.2.1 Designation of Fred Mendel Park Off-Leash Recreation area and Amendment to Animal Control Bylaw, 1999, No. 7860
Decision
*The Committee is recommending to City Council the designation of 1.28 acres as an Off-Leash Recreation Area in Fred Mendel Park and the preparation of the necessary bylaw amendment.
Background
*The Recreation and Community Development Division selected a location for a new Off-Leash Recreation Area in Fred Mendel Park in response to an application submitted by a user group requesting a new OLRA.
SPC Committee on Transportation Decisions in Brief
May 6, 2016 - 9:48am
From the April 11, 2016 Meeting
5.6 2016 Neighbourhood Traffic Review – Annual Report
Decision
*The committee recommended to Council that the Neighbourhood Traffic Review Implementation Plan be approved.
Background
*In August of 2016, City Council approved a new process within the Neighbourhood Traffic Management Program. This process includes a strategy to review concerns on a neighbourhood-wide basis by engaging the community and stakeholders in first identifying specific traffic issues, and secondly jointly developing recommendations that address the issues. Eleven Neighbourhood Traffic Reviews were completed beginning in late 2013 and through 2014.
7.1.1 8th Street Transit Corridor Initiative – Public Engagement Results
Decision
*The committee received the information.
Background
*Saskatoon Transit completed a Transit Corridor Review which proposed a demonstration of concepts associated with the Growth Plan to 500,000 and would see a service frequency under 10 minutes along 8th Street.
*Saskatoon Transit engaged businesses, key stakeholders and Saskatoon residents from March 11 to March 25, 2016, on the 8th Street Initiative.
*Feedback on the 8th Street Initiative was generally positive with 72% of respondents who strongly agree, agree or somewhat agree that being able to access bus service along 8th Street more frequently is positive.
7.2.2 2016 Overpass Testing and Inspection Program – Award of Engineering Services
Decision
*That the engineering services proposal submitted by CH2M HILL Canada Limited for completion of the 2016 Overpass Testing and Inspection Program, at a total estimated cost, on a lump sum basis, to an upset limit of $103,829 (including P.S.T. and G.S.T.) be approved.
Background
*Testing and structural inspection of the City’s bridge and overpass inventory is conducted on a regular cycle.
*This information is used to determine the economically optimum timing of major and minor rehabilitation work.
7.2.3 2016 Transit Bus Refurbishment – Request for Proposal Award
Decision
*The committee recommended to City Council that the proposal submitted by MTB Transit Solutions for the refurbishment of 10 New Flyer buses, with the option to extend for five additional years, for a total of $917,694.00 plus taxes be accepted
Background
*Saskatoon Transit has a fleet of 158 buses. This is made up of 57 40-foot buses which are older than 1998, 84 buses that are 2002 or newer, 10 articulating buses and 6 Arboc buses.
*This work is for refurbishment of buses in the existing Transit fleet. Refurbishment of buses is a common industry practice and is required in order to maintain Saskatoon Transit’s fleet.
*A Request for Proposal (RFP) for refurbishment was issued on February 18, 2016. Three proposals were received. The highest scoring proposal was submitted by MTB Transit Solutions.
City Council Decisions In Brief
May 6, 2016 - 7:35am
From the April 25, 2016 Regular Meeting of City Council
9.2.1 Vacant Lot and Adaptive Reuse Incentive Program - Development Incentives – Parcel YY – Public Plaza – Supplementary Report
Decision
*Council approved general conditions for a tax incentive for the Public Plaza within the Parcel YY development at River Landing.
Background
*In March 2011, City Council approved the Vacant Lot and Adaptive Re-use Incentive Program (VLAR). The VLAR Incentive Program includes incentives to encourage more housing within the Downtown. The VLAR program was recently amended to also include new incentives for offices and structured parking, in accordance with the City Centre Plan.
*Because a portion of Parcel YY is to be developed as a public plaza open for community use, the developer (Triovest) of Parcel YY requested the same incentives which are offered within the Downtown. They have further requested an annual grant equivalent to the property taxes for the area of Parcel YY that will be developed as a public plaza.
9.3.1 2016 Corporate Business Plan and Budget – Shaping Our Financial Future
Decision
*City Council received the document.
Background
*In addition to the City’s Strategic Plan, City Council's priorities will provide direction and focus to the Administration in the preparation of the 2017 Business Plan and Budget.
*The 2017 Business Plan and Budget process will attempt to integrate a “policy-oriented” approach so that City Council can provide key direction to the Administration on various existing, and emerging, policy issues.
*The 2017 Business Plan and Budget process will include a public engagement component, so people of Saskatoon have an opportunity to provide input into the development of the 2017 Business Plan and Budget.
9.5.1 Resignation – Councillor Eric Olauson – Ward 8
Decision
*City Council received the information and with respect to the resignation, agreed the vacancy in Ward 8 not be filled until the upcoming general election on October 26, 2016
Background
*Councillor Eric Olausen resigned his seat (resignation letter April 18, 2016).
9.11.2 Enumeration/Voters List/Voter Registry
Decision
*City Council approved voters be registered at the polls on the dates set for voting during the 2016 Municipal and School Board Elections and further that this matter be added to the Governance and Priorities Committee agenda when it meets with the Public and Separate School Boards.
Background
*There is no legislative or administrative requirement for a voters list. A voters list has not been prepared in Saskatoon since 1988.
*Conducting an enumeration is labour intensive and costly.
*A council may choose to enter into agreements with respect to sharing or using a voters list, or any other voter data used to create a voters list, with any officer established pursuant to a provincial Act or an Act of the parliament of Canada responsible to conduct an election.
*The use of a national or provincial register of electors in a municipal election may serve as a basis for a voters list.
*There is no provision in the legislation to allow for a process to preserve the voter registration forms from the 2016 Municipal and School Board Elections to formulate a list to be used for the purposes of developing a permanent voters list.
9.11.3 Growth Plan to Half a Million
Decision
1. That City Council recognize and approve, in principle, the long-term benefits of the vision and key directions of the Growth Plan to Half a Million;
2. That the Growth Plan to Half a Million be implemented in a phased, incremental approach, requiring specific recommendations for action in ten-year increments;
3. That the Administration report back with an implementation plan for the period of 2017 to 2026;
4. That Administration provide a further report evaluating design considerations for major roadways and intersections, and in particular the use of grade separated or at grade intersections on different roadways as part of this plan. Components of this evaluation could include costs, safety, efficiency, and development impacts, outside of our high speed freeway network;
5. That as the implementation plan is developed, Administration provide further detail comparing the costs of implementing different components of the growth plan vs. the cost of proceeding with business as usual;
6. That the Administration provide further information with regards to implementing the growth plan with consideration of maximizing solar access and orientation of new developments in both new growth and infill areas.; and
7. That the Administration be instructed to bring forward specific reports on any actions related to overall plan implementation.
Background
*The Growth Plan will guide the City’s growth for transportation, transit (Growth, and land-use planning to accommodate a population of half a million people).
*Without the Growth Plan, economic and community impacts of continuing the current growth patterns are expected to include increased traffic congestion, declining levels of transit service, longer commutes, and higher infrastructure costs, among others.
*The Growth Plan outlines eight key directions to guide transportation, transit, and land-use planning to accommodate a population of half a million.
*A ten-year action plan will be created to guide the implementation of the Growth Plan and will be brought to City Council for approval in early 2017.
Governance and Priorities Committee Decisions in Brief
May 6, 2016 - 4:37am
From the April 18, 2016 Meeting
7.1.1 2017 Business Plan and Budget Process
Decision
*The committee endorsed the process for the 2017 Business Plan and Budget.
Background
*In addition to the City’s Strategic Plan, City Council's priorities will provide direction and focus to the Administration in the preparation of the 2017 Business Plan and Budget.
*The 2017 Business Plan and Budget process will attempt to integrate a “policy-oriented” approach so that City Council can provide key direction to the Administration on various existing, and emerging, policy issues.
*The 2017 Business Plan and Budget process will include a public engagement component, so people of Saskatoon have an opportunity to provide input into the development of the 2017 Business Plan and Budget.
7.2.2 Growth Plan to Half a Million
Decision
*The committee is forwarding the following recommendations to City Council:
1. That City Council recognize and approve, in principle, the long-term benefits of the vision and key directions of the Growth Plan to Half a Million;
2. That the Growth Plan to Half a Million be implemented in a phased, incremental approach, requiring specific recommendations in ten-year increments;
3. That the Administration report back with an implementation plan for the period of 2017 to 2026;
4. That Administration provide a further report evaluating design considerations for major roadways and intersections, and in particular the use of grade separated or at grade intersections on different roadways as part of this plan. Components of this evaluation could include costs, safety, efficiency, and development impacts, outside of our high speed freeway network;
5. That as the implementation plan is developed, Administration provide further detail comparing the costs of implementing different components of the growth plan vs. the comparing of costs of implementing different components of the growth plan vs. the cost of proceeding with business as usual;
6. That the Administration provide further information with regards to implementing the growth plan with consideration of maximizing solar access and orientation of new developments in both new growth and infill areas; and
7. That the Administration be instructed to bring forward specific reports on any actions related to overall plan implementation.
Background
*The Growth Plan will guide the City’s growth for transportation, transit (Growth, and land-use planning to accommodate a population of half a million people).
*Without the Growth Plan, economic and community impacts of continuing the current growth patterns are expected to include increased traffic congestion, declining levels of transit service, longer commutes, and higher infrastructure costs, among others.
*The Growth Plan outlines eight key directions to guide transportation, transit, and land-use planning to accommodate a population of half a million.
*A ten-year action plan will be created to guide the implementation of the Growth Plan and will be brought to City Council for approval in early 2017.
7.2.2.1 City of Saskatoon Growth Plan – SaskTel Centre – Current Status and Future Outlook
Decision
*Committee received the information.
Background
*In March, the committee held a Growth Plan Summit. Administration requested a presentation from the SaskTel Centre CEO regarding the current structure and plans for the future.
*SaskTel Centre, which opened in 1988, is rated among the top 100 arena concert venues in the world and has made Saskatoon a destination for major events and tours.
*Key issues noted within the presentation include: No Loading Dock for quickly loading shows in and out; Roof and trusses are too low and inadequate for event rigging; Kitchen and catering space is inadequate; With additions in permanent seating, concourse space and concession service locations outgrew; Limited public restrooms; Lack of permanent artist dressing rooms; Limited dressing rooms for national and international events.
8.2.1 Enumeration/Voters List/Voter Registry
Decision
*The committee recommended City Council receive the information and that voters be registered at the polls on the dates set for voting during the 2016 Municipal and School Board Election.
Background
*There is no legislative or administrative requirement for a voters list. A voters list has not been prepared in Saskatoon since 1988.
*Conducting an enumeration is labour intensive and costly.
*A council may choose to enter into agreements with respect to sharing or using a voters list, or any other voter data used to create a voters list, with any officer established pursuant to a provincial Act or an Act of the parliament of Canada responsible to conduct an election.
*The use of a national or provincial register of electors in a municipal election may serve as a basis for a voters list.
*There is no provision in the legislation to allow for a process to preserve the voter registration forms from the 2016 Municipal and School Board Elections to formulate a list to be used for the purposes of developing a permanent voters list.
8.2.2 2016 Local Government Elections – Mail-In Ballots
Decision
*The committee is forwarding the report to City Council recommending the City Solicitor be instructed to amend The Election Bylaw to remove the provision of “postage-paid” for the return of the mailing envelope to the returning officer for mail-in ballots.
Background
*Section 92 of The Local Government Election Act, 2015 authorizes Council to establish a mail-in ballot voting system for the purpose of receiving ballots in an election. In addition, clause 29(1)(b) of the Act authorizes Council to establish a mail-in ballot voting system for voters receiving care in a hospital, personal care facility or similar institution. Bylaw No. 8191, The Election Bylaw, 2012, provides for a mail-in ballot voting system.
8.2.3 2016 Local Government Elections – Hours of Voting
Decision
*The committee forwarded the report to City Council for information.
Background
*The Local Government Election Act, 2015 stipulates that polls must be open for voting between 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on election day, and that the Returning Officer may open polls earlier than 9:00 a.m. on election day.
*In the past, polls have been open between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. and the same hours will be established for the 2016 Civic Election. Election officials must be at the poll at least 30 minutes before opening the poll and they are required to stay after the poll closes to complete their legislated duties, which means they are working a long day. It is therefore not being proposed that polls open any earlier than 8:00 a.m.
8.2.4 2016 Local Government Elections – Advance Polls
Decision
*The committee is forwarding the report to City Council for information.
Background
*Section 85 of the The Local Government Election Act, 2015 authorizes the returning officer to establish one or more advance polls for voters at least three days and not more than 15 days before the day of the election, and set the days and hours for advance voting, excepting those to be established for personal care facilities and similar institutions.
8.2.5 2016 Local Government Elections – Homebound Voting
Decision
*The committee is recommending to City Council that homebound voting in accordance with The Local Government Election Act, 2015 and Regulations be established on October 21, 24 and 26, 2016.
Background
*Section 30 of The Local Government Election Act, 2015 authorizes Council to provide for homebound voting any time between the first day of advance polling and the closing of polls on election day to take the vote of a voter that:
(a) has a disability or limited mobility and is unable to attend an established polling place to vote; or
(b) is a resident caregiver and because of the care required for the voter who has a disability or limited mobility does not allow them to attend an established polling place to vote.
*Applications to engage the homebound voting service are made to the returning officer. Upon the returning officer’s satisfaction that the application is proper and complies with legislated requirements, the homebound voting service involves election officials going to the home of the voter to capture their vote. Personal Care facilities and similar institutions that are too small to warrant establishing a special poll for the required one hour minimum time frame would also be eligible for this service, provided residents meet the application criteria.
*It is being recommended that homebound voting be established on October 21, 24 and 26, as required.
8.2.7 City Council Travel and Training Expense – 2015
Decision
*The committee is forwarding the report to City Council (with changes as identified during the meeting) for information and posting on the City’s website.
Background
*Each Councillor is allotted funds annually for general travel and training, such as attendance at the annual SUMA and FCM conferences. The total amount budgeted for 2015 for all Councillors was $35,000.00. For 2015 the total expenditures were $30,553.34.
8.2.8 Communications Support to Councillors
Decision
*The committee is forwarding the information to City Council for information and posting on the City’s website.
Background
*In June, City Council approved the preliminary parameters and guidelines for communications support to Councillors, which included providing Committee with usage updates. For 2015, $100,000 was allocated for Councillors. Total expenditures were $68,505.96.