News Releases

After the unseasonably warm temperatures of the last few weeks, the Saskatoon Fire Department decided to proactively test the ice thickness on city ponds to make sure that they are still more than 40cm (16 inches thick). Testing done on Tuesday, January 27, 2015, confirmed that the ice continues to be a safe thickness.

Ponds tested include Dundonald, RCAF, “Rat Hole”, Lakeview, the pond at Circle Drive and Clarence Ave., Stonebridge, Trounce, Briarwood, John Avant and Erindale.

The City of Saskatoon believes that an ice thickness of 40cm provides a reasonable level of security to residents wishing to use the ponds for recreational activities.

ONGOING
4TH AVE N SB LANES CLOSED FROM QUEEN ST TO 26TH ST E
(Crane Lift)
Queen St 2-way traffic from 4th Ave to 5th Ave
Start: January 27, 9:00 a.m. End: January 28, 3:00 p.m.
25TH ST E WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM PACIFIC AVE TO IDYLWYLD DR N
(Directional Drilling)
Start: January 27, 9:00 a.m. End: January 28, 5:00 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 on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

International bond rating agency Standard and Poor’s (S&P) has again awarded the City of Saskatoon (City) its top rating of AAA/Stable.

“Standard and Poor’s has time and again approved of the way we plan City business,” says His Worship Mayor Donald Atchison. “At a time when many are focusing on government finances, S&P has had a look two years down the road and is confident Saskatoon will continue benefitting from a very strong economy.”

Every year S&P reviews the City’s finances and delivers a rating in a report based on that study.

“This is excellent news,” says Chief Financial Officer Kerry Tarasoff. “The triple-A rating continues to provide Saskatoon with the financial certainty we need as we grow forward toward half a million people.” 

“Saskatoon demonstrates strong financial management,” the agency notes.  As S&P continues to view the financial outlook for Saskatoon as stable, it further outlines part of this strength is grounded in a diverse local economy which is not tied as strongly to the resource sector.

The agency also points to the City’s transparency, audited financial statements, “good” budget documents and financing plans as other reasons to award the rating.

The City has received the AAA/stable credit rating every year for more than a decade.

Receiving the AAA credit rating essentially means that the City can borrow money at lower rates, and is viewed by financial institutions as having virtually no-risk with respect to defaulting on credit.

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 January 26, 2015

8.4.1 Civic Operations Centre – Procurement Complete

City Council will be asked to receive the information.

Additional Information:

• The procurement for the Civic Operations Centre Project, Phase One, is complete.
• The procurement was highly competitive and as a result, the Project is $24.9M under budget.
• Monthly payments are linked to performance.
• Schedule and Milestone risks are owned by Integrated Team Solutions.
• The procurement process was conducted in a fair manner.

8.7.2 – Inquiry – Councillor C. Clark – Decorative Street Lighting

City Council will be asked to:

• Proceed with Option 2 as outlined in the report of the General Manager, Transportation & Utilities Department dated January 12, 2015.
• Request the administration explore options for decorative lighting and financial implications, in consultation with the Business Improvement Districts, and report back to committee.

 Additional Information:

• Feedback from the Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) indicates general support for extending the decorative street lighting program to a “Winter-based” schedule.
• Further discussions will occur with the BIDs, through the Urban Design Committee, to explore financial partnership for a “Winter-based” lighting schedule, as well as the potential for creating new opportunities for additional year-round decorative lighting.
• Extending the schedule for decorative street lighting may have an impact on the banner program at some locations.

Option 2:

• In addition to the 3rd Avenue snowflake decorations, the snowflakes along the Broadway Bridge and down Broadway Avenue could also be considered for this winter. The energy cost for these lights is estimated to be $25. These decorations are different from the 3rd Avenue ones and are more susceptible to damage by wind. Leaving them in-place longer will reduce their anticipated life span and may result in additional maintenance and repair costs. The total estimated cost for both the 3^rd Avenue and Broadway decorations is approximately $200 annually.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

4.1.4 Proposed Kensington Neighbourhood Concept Plan Amendment

Council will be asked to:

• Approve the proposed Kensington Neighbourhood Concept Plan amendment.

Additional Information:

• An amendment to the Kensington Neighbourhood Concept Plan (Concept Plan) is proposed to reclassify lands from single-family detached to townhouse-style residential.
• A rezoning to RMTN – Townhouse Residential District is proposed.
• The increased density and form of development proposed is considered compatible with the location and adjacent land uses.

4.1.9 Propose Rezoning from B1 to M3 – 840 Idylwyld Drive North

City Council will be asked to:

• Consider Bylaw 9255

Additional Information:  

• A comprehensive redevelopment of 840 Idylwyld Drive North is proposed.
• Amendments to the OCP – Land Use Map and Zoning Bylaw are required.
• This proposal supports the goals of the North Downtown Master Plan (NDMP) and the Growth Plan to Half a Million.

4.1.10 Proposed Rezoning by Agreement RM3 – 530 to 538 Avenue F

City Council will be asked to:

• Consider Bylaw No. 9236; and
• Consider a recommendation of the Municipal Planning Commission requesting the Administration to review on-street parking in the Riversdale Neighbourhood area including a proposal from Shift Developments to increase on- street parking on Avenue F South.

Additional Information:

• In 2009, City Council approved a rezoning of these properties, subject to a Zoning Agreement, to permit construction of a 23-unit multiple-unit dwelling.
• Shift Development Inc. has submitted a revised development proposal for a dwelling group consisting of 21 units.
• The revised proposal is considered to be more compatible with the established character of the Riversdale neighbourhood.
• The existing Zoning Agreement is required to be repealed, and a new agreement put in place in order to facilitate construction of the revised proposal.

NEW
4TH AVE N SB LANES CLOSED FROM QUEEN ST TO 26TH ST E
(Crane Lift)
Queen St 2-way traffic from 4th Ave to 5th Ave.
Start: January 27, 9:00 a.m. End: January 28, 3:00 p.m.
HWY 16 WB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED APPROACHING BOYCHUK DR
(Light Repair)
Start: January 27, 9:00 a.m. End: January 27, 3:00 p.m.
25TH ST E WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM PACIFIC AVE TO IDYLWYLD DR N
(Directional Drilling)
Start: January 27, 9:00 a.m. End: January 28, 5:00 p.m.

ONGOING
24TH ST E EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT 3RD AVE N
(Cable maintenance)
Start: January 21, 9:00 a.m. End: January 27, 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 on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.