News Releases

Environment Canada is forecasting 5 to 10 centimetres of snow starting tonight and throughout the weekend. That - combined with today’s rainfall - City crews are out ahead of the coming ice/snow storm proactively applying sand and salt on the priority streets before the rain starts to freeze and the snow begins. Crews will continue sanding and salting priority streets 24/7 throughout the snow event, with all equipment at the ready. Drivers are reminded to please use extra caution as roadway conditions change.

If the snow reaches 5 centimetres or more, private contractor crews will be called in to assist with snow grading on priority streets. Also, regular Snow & Ice updates will be issued in the morning and late afternoon and the Snow & Ice Interactive Map will be updated as priority streets are graded. These updates will be shared on our social media channels and Saskatoon.ca.

To report any dangerous locations please contact Public Works Customer Service at 306-975-2476.

From sanding icy roads to snow grading, City crews are Plowing Ahead and are ready for whatever winter brings this year!

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 Release: November 21, 2014

As outlined during the presentation of Sustaining the Saskatoon Advantage, the Preliminary 2015 Business Plan and Budget, a number of reports and initiatives, are forthcoming for the Budget deliberations set for December 2 and 3, 2014. 

Here are some of the items up for debate:

Service Saskatoon – 311/Customer Relationship Management System

Annual Report on the 2013 – 2022 Housing Business Plan
Watermain breaks – Summer 2013 (Administration report re: adequacy of the number of water trailers)
Capital Construction at the Saskatoon Minor Football Field at Gordon Howe Park
Major Projects report – 2014 Update
Remai Modern Art Gallery of Saskatchewan – 2015 Capital Budget  Request
Solar City
University Bridge Rehab

Rates and fees for a number of services including:

- Rates for indoor arenas
- PotashCorp Playground Rides
- Sportsfields
- Woodlawn Cemetery
- Business Licences
- Leisure centre admissions, programs, and rentals

Investments such as these are aligned with the City’s 2013 - 2023 Strategic Plan so the City can meet the goals and priorities identified in the Plan.

The Preliminary 2015 Budget proposes a 7.32% municipal property tax increase that will generate an additional $7 million for the City of Saskatoon. If approved as is, this means an additional $9.50 per month for a property owner with an average house Assessment Value of $325,000.

Breakdown of the Proposed 2015 Property Tax Increase:

The proposed Operating Budget includes a 4.10% property tax increase, plus a 0.3% property tax phase-in base for debt repayment planned for sound attenuation wall construction projects, as well as the second of a three-year phase-in of a dedicated property tax for roadways of 2.92%. The breakdown of the net property tax changes by major category is as follows:

Civic Operations - 1.49%
Capital Contributions - 1.81%
Fire Services - 1.32%
Police Services - 2.46%
Total Municipal Increase - 4.10%

Dedicated Road Tax - 2.92%
Sound Attenuation - 0.30%

Total Proposed
Property Tax Increase - 7.32%

As noted, the Preliminary 2015 Corporate Business Plan and Budget will be reviewed at a Meeting of City Council at 1:00 p.m. on December 2 and 3, 2014 in City Council Chambers.

Once approved by City Council, the Corporate Business Plan and Budget will guide the investment activities, projects, and service levels the City of Saskatoon will implement and achieve in 2015.

Copies of the Preliminary 2015 Corporate Business Plan and Budget will be available at all libraries or online at www.saskatoon.ca – look under “B” for Budget.

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.

-30-

NEW SATURDAY
BROADWAY AVE NB CLOSED FROM 10TH ST E TO SASKATCHEWAN CRES
(Gingerbread Run)
Start: November 22, 7:30 a.m. End: November 22, 10:00 a.m.
COLLEGE DR EB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM UNIVERSITY DR TO CUMBERLAND AVE
(Tree Pruning)
Start: November 22, 8:30 a.m. End: November 22, 1:00 p.m.

COLLEGE DR EB CURB (OUTSIDE) & CENTER LANE CLOSED FROM WIGGINS AVE TO BOTTOMLEY AVE
(Tree Pruning)
Start: November 22, 1:00 p.m. End: November 22, 5:00 p.m.

NEW SUNDAY

8TH ST E EB CLOSED FROM CLARENCE AVE S TO MCKINNON AVE S
(Water Connection Repair)
Start: November 23, 7:00 a.m. End: November 23, 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.

Current weather forecasts are calling for up to 15 centimeters of snow this weekend and as we get back into the swing of winter, the City would like to remind residents and businesses to clear their sidewalks of snow and ice following a snowfall.

“Clearing sidewalks quickly after a snowfall makes it easier and safer for people to move around, and improves accessibility for wheelchair users and citizens with limited mobility,” says Angela Gardiner, Director of Transportation. “The City is responsible for clearing sidewalks adjacent to civic facilities, the Meewasin Trail and lit pathways in City parks within 48 hours after a snowfall but we also need help from citizens to maintain clear sidewalks.”

The Sidewalk Clearing Bylaw requires residential sidewalks to be cleared within 48 hours after a snowfall, and sidewalks in certain commercial and suburban areas to be cleared within 24 hours of a snowfall. It is the responsibility of the property owner to ensure the sidewalks are cleared and the snow is placed on private property.

The City will be enhancing enforcement again this year by having parking enforcement Commissionaires report addresses requiring sidewalk clearing. When the City receives a report that your sidewalk has not been cleared, the Bylaw Inspector will investigate and if necessary, a Bylaw Notice will be issued requiring you to clear it within 48 hours. If your sidewalk is not cleared, and the City has to clear the sidewalk, the cost will be charged to your property tax notice. To report an uncleared sidewalk, call Public Works Customer Service at 306-975-2476.

“Snow clearing statistics over the last seven snow seasons indicate the percentage of citizens who cleared their sidewalks after receiving a bylaw notice was high,” says Gardiner. “In 2013/14, 550 reports of uncleared sidewalks were received of which approximately 90 per cent complied within the 48 hours requested in the Bylaw Notice.”

In an effort to improve accessibility in high use pedestrian areas, the City is working with the defined Business Improvement Districts (BID) to coordinate snow removal.  This year, certain businesses within the BID may shovel snow into the curb lane of the roadway. This is only for locations where there is no other storage space available on the property. The snow will then be removed as part of the priority street system following a snow event.

Be a Snow Angel! If your neighbour is elderly, has a health concern or mobility restrictions, help them out by clearing their sidewalk. If you receive help from a neighbour/relative, nominate them as a Snow Angel online or by mailing their name and phone number to Public Works. The City will send your Snow Angel a thank you and enter them in a prize draw.

For more information on these and all of our Snow & Ice programs, visit Better Winter Roads.

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.

Current weather forecasts are calling for up to 15 centimeters of snow this weekend and as we get back into the swing of winter, the City would like to remind residents and businesses to clear their sidewalks of snow and ice following a snowfall.

“Clearing sidewalks quickly after a snowfall makes it easier and safer for people to move around, and improves accessibility for wheelchair users and citizens with limited mobility,” says Angela Gardiner, Director of Transportation. “The City is responsible for clearing sidewalks adjacent to civic facilities, the Meewasin Trail and lit pathways in City parks within 48 hours after a snowfall but we also need help from citizens to maintain clear sidewalks.”

The Sidewalk Clearing Bylaw requires residential sidewalks to be cleared within 48 hours after a snowfall, and sidewalks in certain commercial and suburban areas to be cleared within 24 hours of a snowfall. It is the responsibility of the property owner to ensure the sidewalks are cleared and the snow is placed on private property.

The City will be enhancing enforcement again this year by having parking enforcement Commissionaires report addresses requiring sidewalk clearing. When the City receives a report that your sidewalk has not been cleared, the Bylaw Inspector will investigate and if necessary, a Bylaw Notice will be issued requiring you to clear it within 48 hours. If your sidewalk is not cleared, and the City has to clear the sidewalk, the cost will be charged to your property tax notice. To report an uncleared sidewalk, call Public Works Customer Service at 306-975-2476.

“Snow clearing statistics over the last seven snow seasons indicate the percentage of citizens who cleared their sidewalks after receiving a bylaw notice was high,” says Gardiner. “In 2013/14, 550 reports of uncleared sidewalks were received of which approximately 90 per cent complied within the 48 hours requested in the Bylaw Notice.”

In an effort to improve accessibility in high use pedestrian areas, the City is working with the defined Business Improvement Districts (BID) to coordinate snow removal.  This year, certain businesses within the BID may shovel snow into the curb lane of the roadway. This is only for locations where there is no other storage space available on the property. The snow will then be removed as part of the priority street system following a snow event.

Be a Snow Angel! If your neighbour is elderly, has a health concern or mobility restrictions, help them out by clearing their sidewalk. If you receive help from a neighbour/relative, nominate them as a Snow Angel online or by mailing their name and phone number to Public Works. The City will send your Snow Angel a thank you and enter them in a prize draw.

For more information on these and all of our Snow & Ice programs, visit Better Winter Roads.

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.