News Releases

The City of Saskatoon’s focus on continuous improvement is resulting in increased savings, award winning service, and greenhouse gas reducing environmental programs.

The 2013 Report on Service, Savings and Sustainability: How the City of Saskatoon is Improving Productivity has been released, showing the City is on the right track toward achieving its vision of being the best managed city in Canada.

“We are always exploring and implementing new ways to improve service, increase savings, and grow our city in a sustainable way,” says Catherine Gryba, General Manager of Corporate Performance. “The City is ensuring we continue to provide the programs and services that matter most to citizens.”

The report shows the City increased savings in 2013 by taking a fresh look at how it operates, resulting in an approximate $51.7 million in savings and more than $74 million over the next 30 years.  Additionally, there is $600,000 in deferred savings.

The list of new and improved delivery of civic services and programs outlined in the report is long, and includes everything from reintroducing a fall street sweeping program in more than 20 years to enabling citizens to report traffic concerns online, to committing to the development of more affordable housing units.

When it comes to environmental matters, Saskatoon citizens doubled the amount of recycling they do, thanks to the curbside recycling program. Key environmental initiatives are also helping reduce civic greenhouse gas emissions to the equivalent of removing 23,165 cars off Saskatoon roads.

Gryba says the overall report reflects how the City has gone beyond conventional approaches to meet the dynamic changing needs and high expectations of citizens.

“We are ensuring we are continuously dedicated to the creation of a culture of continuous improvement, one of the City of Saskatoon’s seven Strategic Goals.”

The entire 2013 Report on Service, Savings and Sustainability is available at www.saskatoon.ca.

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 Immediate Release: August 21, 2014
TU14-371

ONGOING

23RD ST E CLOSED FROM 2ND AVE N TO 3RD AVE N
(Road paving)
Start: August 21, 7:00 a.m. End: August 22, 6:00 p.m.

**AIRPORT DR NB LANES CLOSED ON FROM GATEWAY BLVD TO THE AIRPORT
(Roadway improvements)
Two-way traffic accommodated in the SB lanes. 45th St W closed from Airport Dr to Koyl Ave
Start: August 20, 1:00 p.m. End: October 29, 6:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 30TH ST W TO 29TH ST W
(Sidewalk installation)
Start: August 20, 9:00 a.m. End: August 22, 3:00 p.m.

CENTRAL AVE NB AND SB LANES CLOSED FROM GRAY AVE TO 110TH ST W
(Streetscaping)
Detour via Egbert Ave.
Start: August 17, 7:00 p.m. End: August 24, 6:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 25TH ST W TO 24TH ST E
(Streetscaping)
Traffic will merge to one lane. Right turn from 25th St EB to Idylwyld Dr SB will be maintained
Start: August 13, 12:00 p.m. End: August 27, 4:00 p.m.

20TH ST W WB LANES CLOSED FROM AVE F S TO AVE G S
(Streetscaping)
Two way traffic will be accommodated in the EB lanes. Speed reduced to 30km/h
Start: August 7, 9:00 a.m. End: September 4, 6:00 p.m.

KINGSMERE BLVD ALL DIRECTIONS CLOSED AT AND WHITESHORE CR (E. LEG)
(Water pipe boring)
Bus routes will be affected. Please watch for temporary bus stop locations and allow extra time in case of delays. Call Saskatoon Transit at 306-975-3100.
Start: August 7, 8:00 a.m. End: August 29, 6:00 p.m.

8TH ST E EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM MUNROE AVE S TO CUMBERLAND AVE
(Water main lining)
Start: June 23, 9:00 a.m. End: August 30, 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 @cityofsaskatoon and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

A regularly scheduled quarterly status update of the 2014 Corporate Business Plan and Budget projects a deficit of $818,000 to year-end – a decrease over the last quarter estimate.

“A projected deficit is just that: projected. It’s not the final outcome,” says Director of Finance, Kerry Tarasoff.  “By examining the numbers now we can identify solutions to recover costs and eliminate a deficit before year-end and before it becomes a problem for tax payers.”

Quarterly reports are prepared to inform City Council and the Administration of challenges or emerging issues so they can react accordingly.

“Much of the projected deficit can be linked to meeting service level demands,” Tarasoff says.  “For example, there were increased snow removal efforts and added trucking costs for our street sweeping and street cleaning programs.”

The following is a summary of the main issues contributing to the projected variance:

Snow Removal: An estimated $493,000 deficit (down from the $1.1 million projected in first quarter) is being projected as a result intensified snow removal operations.  Significantly more resources were spent on removal than in typical years, due in part to a reassignment of crews following the formation of ice pack on residential streets and removing snow against freeway barriers.  A $489,000 reserve balance would exist at year-end to help offset this deficit.

Street Cleaning and Sweeping:  An estimated $1.032 million deficit is being projected as a result of intensified street cleaning and sweeping operations.  There were significantly higher trucking costs to remove debris as well as higher supply costs contributing to this deficit.  The Administration will strive to reduce this impact through deferral of purchases, deferral of discretionary spending and reduced contract costs in late 2014.

Water and Wastewater Utilities:  A combined deficit of $514,000 is projected for the Water and Wastewater utilities mostly due to the high volume of repairs required for water main breaks during the first quarter of 2014.  This deficit will be covered by the Water and Wastewater Stabilization Reserve.

Property Levy:  Assessment growth was $486,000 higher than the anticipated amount of $5 million due to increased construction activity.

The report also provides highlights of key projects (as of June 30, 2014) as they relate to City Council’s Strategic Goals:

Continuous Improvement

As part of the Service Saskatoon plan, a strategy for a 311/Customer Relationship Management (CRM) System was approved by City Council in June.  A 311/CRM System provides an easy to remember phone number and uses technology to focus on citizens' needs, providing one-stop, personalized access of their choice to the City's services by phone (including mobile devices), internet, or in person.

The development of a new customer and citizen friendly website continued in the second quarter, with an online project engagement site being launched in May.  The site keeps citizens informed of the progress of the website project and allows them to provide input into testing and discussions that will support development of the new website.

Asset and Financial Sustainability

The Civic Operation Centre project is in the Request for Proposals stage, the request was sent out to industry with submissions coming back to the City in fall of 2014.

Quality of Life

Phase one construction on the new train station and train loop as well as rough grading of the play area and water feature site and parking lot are underway as part of the Kinsmen Park and area redevelopment project.

The Transportation Division has established a new standard for prototypes of accessible pedestrian signals and continues to progress on the installation of these new accessible pedestrian signals in priority areas. A tender has also been issued for the installation of more curb ramps this construction season.

Environmental Leadership

Teams have completed the application of barcode tags to black garbage and green yard-waste carts in approximately 40% of Saskatoon's neighbourhoods.

As part of the Landfill Optimization Strategy, efforts to maximize airspace, manage environmental and safety risks and improve customer service continue at the Landfill site; a report on the progress of these efforts is expected before year-end.

Sustainable Growth

The Saskatoon North Partnership for Growth (P4G) held two meetings in April and June.  Foundational documents including a Terms of Reference, Work Plan, Communications and Engagement Strategy and a budget for the Regional plan for P4G were approved by the Councils of the five partnering municipalities in June 2014.

The Infill Implementation Strategy was approved by City Council in March and regulations for garden and garage suites were approved by City Council in May, 2014.

Moving Around

Further to the funding approval in June 2014, the City was able to complete the assembly of the team of Legal, Financial, Fairness and Technical Advisors to begin the process of delivering the project as a Private-Public-Partnership.  Technical work on roadway and bridge alignments and project scope had been ongoing through the P3 Canada funding application process.  The Request for Qualifications process will occur in the third quarter with a proponent selected in 2015.

Economic Diversity and Prosperity

The number of building permits issued to the end of June continues to be higher (10%) than issued in 2013 for the same time period.  Permits issued for one-unit dwellings on single-family lots are approximately 3% higher than in 2013 for the same time period.  Value of construction associated with permits issued to the end of June 2014 continues to be lower by approximately 10% from the June 30,2013 value.
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.

As the end of August approaches, the City of Saskatoon’s (City) summer programming will be coming to a close for the season.  The last day of operation will be: 

• Summer Youth Centres and Travelling Skateboard Program -Wednesday, August 20, 2014
• Riversdale Pool – Monday, September 1, 2014
• Summer Playground Programs – Beginning Friday, August 22, 2014 with the last site closing on Wednesday, August 27, 2014.  Check closing dates for your local program at www.saskatoon.ca/go/playgrounds
• George Ward Pool and Mayfair Pool – Sunday, August 24, 2014
• Lathey Pool – Monday, September 1, 2014
• Kinsmen Play Village and Spray Pads – Monday, September 1, 2014

Thank you to all residents who used the City’s summer facilities.

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.

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The Downtown Transit Terminal will be closed Thursday, August 21 and Friday, August 22 while crews complete maintenance on the curbs and sidewalks in the area.

While crews are working, the terminal will be moved one block east to 23rd Street between 3rd Avenue and 4th Avenue, with temporary stops in effect.  Stops on 2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue will not be affected and buses will stop at their usual location. 

For more information call our Customer Service Centre at 306-975-3100.

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.