News Releases

The City Administration will be issuing tax credits and /or refunds for an overbilling related to the Library portion of the Property Tax bill for 2020.  City Council has the ability to issue credits to property owners, which for the average assessed home, is roughly two dollars for the year.

“With full transparency, City Administration wants to notify Saskatoon taxpayers of an overbilling of the 2020 property taxes for the Saskatoon Public Library totalling $270,914.25,” says Kerry Tarasoff, Chief Financial Officer.”

Each year, the Saskatoon Public Library (SPL) tax rate used for the City’s annual Property Tax Notice is calculated by multiplying the mill rate by the mill rate factors for each class of property.  The finalized mill rate is then determined by dividing the approved property levy budget by the City’s total taxable assessment.

The 2020 SPL tax rate included the combined budgets for the property levy and supplemental property levy - when only the property levy was to be billed.  Usually, the supplemental property levy amount is realized and collected throughout the year from separate billings as new construction is completed and that is why it is excluded from the regular tax billing process.

“It should be noted that City Administration has taken steps to improve the tax billing process to avoid a reoccurrence,” Tarasoff adds. “Once launched, our new enterprise resource planning initiative, Fusion, will also assist in avoiding this issue by streamlining efficiencies into the many manual processes currently in place at the City.”

The Chief Financial Officer will present City Council with a report at its meeting June 29, 2020.  It will detail options that, if approved, would clear the way for credits and/or refunds to residential and commercial property tax payers as follows:

1. For refunds under $10, customers would be able to choose whether to leave the credit on their property tax account until they receive their 2021 Property Tax Notice, or have the credit transferred to their utility account.

1. In certain cases, where the refund amount is greater than $10, a refund cheque would be issued.

View the full Administration Report here.

The City of Saskatoon invites residents to mark National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21) by accepting the ConnectR Reconciliation Challenge. This initiative is replacing this year’s Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation and events at Reconciliation Circle in Victoria Park, which have been cancelled in keeping with COVID-19 provincial health orders.

“We’re hoping individuals and organizations will see this ConnectR challenge as an opportunity to explore, learn, and take up their own Calls to Action” says Warren Isbister-Bear, the City’s Acting Director of Indigenous Initiatives. “There are many people that want to be a part of the Reconciliation journey but they aren’t sure how or where to start – this is the perfect place.”

What is the ConnectR Reconciliation Challenge?

Beginning June 21, visit BeAConnectR.org every week for eight weeks to choose a new commitment under the categories of Spirit, Head, Body, or Heart. Commitments include things such as:

• Attend an Indigenous cultural event
• Authentically engage with an Elder
• Learn more about a First Nations community near you
• Try an Indigenous recipe
• Watch an Indigenous film

Organizations and individuals can also join the ConnectR Challenge Facebook Group to share experiences and receive updates to help guide and support their journey. This group will provide the link to several scheduled video calls with Indigenous Elders, leaders, and youth for discussions to facilitate learning and reflection on Indigenous issues. Those not on Facebook can email beaconnectr@gmail.com to be added to a mailing list.

The ConnectR Reconciliation Challenge is an initiative of Reconciliation Saskatoon – a community of over 115 organizations, non-profits, businesses and partners who have come together towards one mission: to initiate a citywide conversation about Reconciliation and provide opportunities for everyone to engage in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. The City of Saskatoon co-chairs Reconciliation Saskatoon.

City Council at its May meeting deferred consideration of the new proposed Official Community Plan (OCP) Bylaw to its June Public Hearing scheduled for Monday, June 29, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. The deferment was recommended by Administration to allow for additional discussions with stakeholders prior to the opening of the Public Hearing.

The OCP is the collective long-term vision for Saskatoon, guiding the physical, environmental, economic, social and cultural development of the community. It provides both inspiration and direction through a comprehensive policy framework to ensure the community’s vision for Saskatoon is integrated into all aspects of planning, decision-making and priority-setting for the City. It brings focus and purpose to more detailed plans, including growth plans, financial plans and strategic action plans.

“The new proposed OCP provides the framework for the implementation of major priorities that have been endorsed by City Council through initiatives like the Growth Plan, the Strategic Plan, the Green Infrastructure Strategy, the Culture Plan and the Heritage Plan,” says Lesley Anderson, Director of Planning and Development.

“These and more than fifty other civic plans and policies have informed the content of the new proposed OCP. As a result, we’ve often called this project an exercise in consolidation and communication. It’s not intended to introduce new direction, but to entrench the directions that City Council has approved in recent years and ensure this direction is communicated in a way that is clear and engaging.”

City Council will consider all submissions related to the proposed OCP at its Public Hearing on Monday, June 29, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. To submit a letter or request to speak to City Council regarding the proposed OCP, visit saskatoon.ca/writetocouncil for more information.

The Public Hearing will be broadcast live on SHAW TV – Channel 10, Shaw BlueSky – Channel 105 and video-streamed on the City’s website at saskatoon.ca/meetings.

For more information and to view a copy of the new proposed OCP online, visit saskatoon.ca/ocp.

• Riversdale & George Ward Pools – targeting opening for the first week of July, dates and hours will be announced on saskatoon.ca/outdoorpools
• Lathey & Mayfair Pools - TBD

• Lakewood Civic Centre – pending announcement of Phase 4.2
• Shaw Centre – pending announcement of Phase 4.2
• Remaining Leisure Centres - TBD

Starting June 15 and in line with Phase 3 of the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan, the City of Saskatoon is set to resume some front counter services for the Corporate Revenue Customer Service and Bill Payment Centre located in the lobby of City Hall. The City will offer in-person service in the lobby 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday, closed Holidays. City staff will dedicate the first hour of each day from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. for assisting seniors, vulnerable persons and persons with a disability, however no one will be turned away during the first hour. Residents are still encouraged to use the City’s convenient online services to help limit lineups of people physically accessing City Hall.

“Like many other municipalities, we continue to follow the orders and advice of public health officials and continually reassess our services through each phase of the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan to ensure we're meeting the expectations of our staff and citizens. With new safety protocols and procedures in place, we appreciate everyone's patience as we carefully open the City Hall lobby for citizens to access our Payment Centre, Customer Service and Collections counters starting next week,” says Mike Voth, Director of Corporate Revenue.

As City Hall operations are guided by the requirements of the current Provincial Health Order, physical distancing, enhanced sanitization protocols and limits of 15 people inside the City Hall lobby will be in place. The use of a non-medical face mask is encouraged if you are visiting City Hall. Please help all of us stay safe, do not enter City Hall if you have COVID-19 related symptoms or have been in contact with an ill individual.

Visitors to the City Hall lobby will notice it has been slightly modified with:

• New in-person safety measures that include a hand-sanitizing station before entry;
• Physical distancing and directional traffic signage reminders; and
• Physical plexiglass barriers installed at service counters to allow for the protection of our City employees and safer interaction with our customers.

In keeping with public health guidelines, member of the public entering the City Hall lobby should avoid touching shared surfaces in the building like handrails, garbage cans and benches, and also refrain from putting personal items onto the Corporate Revenue Customer Service counters.

The only public entrance to services in the lobby will be via City Hall’s main entrance doors located off 3^rd Avenue North. All customers will be greeted by a Customer Service Ambassador or Security staff member who will provide assistance and direction. With the lobby’s current limited capacity, customers may be asked to line-up physically distanced outside of the entrance doors until they can be safely accommodated. 

"We are entering Phase 3 keeping the health, safety and well-being of our employees and citizens our top priority," adds Voth. "City Hall hasn't been the same without the comings and goings of citizens since closing March 19, 2020. While our employees have been working hard providing great customer service online and by phone, especially on property tax-related questions, starting next week we’ll be ready to assist those customers who absolutely need to meet with us face-to-face.”

Some examples of in-person transactions offered at the Payment Centre include property tax and utility bill payments, and bylaw and parking ticket payments. Payment methods include cash, cheque or debit; credit cards are not accepted. The public will be kept updated as additional in-person services become available, visit saskatoon.ca for latest updates.

With the busy property tax payment season ahead, citizens may pay their 2020 Property Tax at their financial institution or use City Hall’s front entrance drop box to deliver a cheque. Whenever possible, the public is encouraged to email revenue@saskatoon.ca or contact a customer service representative at 306-975-2400 with property tax-related or other inquiries. Visit saskatoon.ca/propertytax for information on payment deadlines.

At this time, City Council meetings continue to be held via teleconference and streamed live at saskatoon.ca/live-meeting. A new online meeting platform enables the opportunity for continued public participation. 

Residents can expect information regarding the re-opening of additional City facilities in the days and weeks ahead. 

For the latest updates on City services including a list of convenient online services, please visit saskatoon.ca/covid-19. 

June is Parks and Recreation Month in Saskatchewan – it’s a time to recognize how parks and recreation opportunities make Saskatoon a great place to live, work, learn and play.

“Parks, open spaces and recreational opportunities are key to our quality of life in Saskatoon,” says Andrew Roberts, Director of Recreation and Community Development. “As a community we’ve seen the benefits most recently from being able to get out and spread out in over 200 parks. It’s timely to celebrate Parks and Recreation Month as more recreation spaces re-open throughout Saskatoon.”

Already, the City’s municipal golf courses, tennis and pickleball courts and Gordon Howe Campground are open for everyone to enjoy.

Now, following the guidelines announced by the Government of Saskatchewan on Monday, June 8, City playground structures will open starting Friday, June 12.

Crews are working to remove the existing closed signage and tape at over 250 playgrounds throughout Saskatoon.

While many of the City’s recreational facilities cannot reopen until Phase 4 of the Province’s Re-Open Saskatchewan plan, you can keep up-to-date on re-openings at saskatoon.ca/reopensaskatoon

Residents are reminded that public health orders are still in place, practice good hand hygiene, and to maintain a minimum distance of two metres between others outside your extended household.

The Canadian Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA), along with the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association (SPRA) and other Provincial/Territorial Parks and Recreation Associations across Canada, celebrates the month of June as Parks and Recreation Month.

The month provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of parks and recreation and the role it plays in the quality of life for all Canadians. To find out more, visit spra.sk.ca.

City Council officially approved at its special meeting today the reinstatement of public pay parking and other parking enforcement measures, including parking time limits and the Residential Parking Program (RPP), starting Monday, May 25, 2020.

While the City continues to do its part to flatten the curve of COVID-19 cases in Saskatoon, it also wants to help boost the economy and support business in our community. So, with the return of retail commercial activity as part of the Province’s Re-Open Saskatchewan plan, the reinstatement of public pay parking requirements and enforcement will help ensure parking space turnover for customers and businesses in high-demand pay parking zones.

The City encourages customers to use the WayToPark app as a no-touch way to pay for parking. If the app is not an option and you must use a FlexParking station for payment, please ensure you follow public health guidelines when touching shared surfaces in public, such as using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer or washing your hands as soon as you are able.

The reinstatement of other parking restrictions, including the on-street parking time limit of 72 hours and the RPP, will also take effect starting Monday, May 25, 2020.

Residents in RPP zones are asked to use their recently expired permits until new permits are available for sale. Those without an existing permit are invited to contact Customer Service at revenue@saskatoon.ca or 306-975-2400. All eligibility requirements remain in effect and proof of residency, as well as vehicle and license information will be required when requesting RPP permits. Residents will receive notification once 2020-2021 RPP permits are available for purchase.

The City will continue to honour expired Parking Permits for People with a Disability (hologram stickers). These permits are used in conjunction with a valid SaskAbilities permit to allow holders to park in pay parking zones without further payment. Those without an existing permit are invited to contact Customer Service at revenue@saskatoon.ca or 306-975-2400 to arrange for a temporary permit. Eligibility requirements remain in effect and proof of a valid SaskAbilities permit will be required.

For more information on parking in Saskatoon, visit saskatoon.ca/parking.

As gardening season gets into full swing, the City of Saskatoon and Meewasin want to remind everyone of the importance of caring for our river system by helping to monitor the materials that end up in our storm sewers.

Everything that either runs off the road or is deposited in storm drain catch basins ends up back in the South Saskatchewan River. It is everyone's responsibility to make sure that only clean water and rain water re-enter the watershed.

The City, Meewasin and the South Saskatchewan Watershed Stewards are also working on a number of storm water projects to help clean water before it drains into the river. Near the Northeast Swale, for example, there are a number of natural vegetation floating islands that filter pollutants with the help of plants.

The City will also check the riverbank for any possible contaminants.  Twice this spring, most recently last week, the City investigated concerns of a potential river spill. Nothing was identified which indicated petroleum hydrocarbons.

However, if you discover a shiny film on the water surface, it may be naturally-occurring. A bacterial film can be caused by bacteria reacting with minerals in the water. The smell and look of a substance can also help in distinguishing between bacteria and petroleum hydrocarbons.

The City investigates all reports of potential spills.

Please help protect our South Saskatchewan River system by reporting any spills or discharges to the river. Please note that any spills that are not drifting and do not pose any threat to life, should be reported to the City’s Customer Service Centre at 306-975-2476.

For situations involving unidentifiable substances, drifting substances, or if the spill is part of a major accident or poses a threat to life, please call 911.

City Council’s Governance and Priorities Committee (GPC) endorsed at its meeting today recommendations to reinstate public pay parking and other parking enforcement measures starting Monday, May 25, 2020. A special meeting of City Council will be called for later this week to formally approve these recommendations.

While the City is doing its part to flatten the curve of COVID-19 cases in Saskatoon, it also wants to do what it can to boost the economy and support business in our community. With the return of retail commercial activity as part of the Government of Saskatchewan’s Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan, a report to GPC recommended that pay parking requirements and enforcement including parking time limits be reinstated to help ensure parking turnover for customers and businesses in high-demand pay parking zones.

The report also recommended other parking enforcement measures be reinstated, such as the on-street parking time limit of 72 hours in residential areas, to help manage parking turnover, maintain traffic flow and allow for emergency access.

GPC approved an additional recommendation to reinstate parking restrictions and enforcement in Residential Parking Program (RPP) zones effective May 25, 2020. The City will honour expired RPP Permits until a process is put in place for renewals.

The City will continue to honour expired hologram stickers used in conjunction with SaskAbilities parking permits to allow those with a valid SaskAbilities permit to park in pay parking zones without further payment.

Following extensive consultations with veterinarians and our animal care team, the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo (Zoo) had the sad responsibility of euthanizing one of the grey wolves named Zeppelin on Thursday.

“It is always difficult to make a decision like this when it comes to the animals that we care for,” says Zoo Manager Jeff Mitchell. “Zeppelin had an amazing life here at the Zoo and will be remembered for his spunkiness and adventurous nature”.

Over the past few years, Zeppelin had been facing some serious arthritis issues that were being managed under veterinarian care. In recent months, his condition continued to deteriorate and his ability to cope with the arthritis under medication was no longer effective at keeping him pain-free.

The average life expectancy of a grey wolf is six to eight years in the wild and up to 15 years in zoological facilities. Buddy, Zeppelin’s long-time companion, is the same age and showing similar age related issues.

“We know that this will be an especially tough time for Buddy,” says Mitchell. “We are going to do everything we can to help him adjust to being a lone wolf. Our animal care team has developed a plan to give Buddy as much attention and enrichment as he needs”.

Zeppelin and Buddy first met after joining the Zoo family in 2007. Although the pair were not litter mates, Buddy and Zeppelin quickly bonded and became life-long companions.  

City Council will consider a new proposed Official Community Plan (OCP) for Saskatoon at its Public Hearing on Monday, May 25, 2020, at 6:00 p.m.

The OCP is the collective long-term vision for Saskatoon, guiding the physical, environmental, economic, social and cultural development of the community. It provides both inspiration and direction through a comprehensive policy framework to ensure the community’s vision for Saskatoon is integrated into all aspects of planning, decision-making and priority-setting for the City. It brings focus and purpose to more detailed plans, including growth plans, financial plans and strategic action plans.

The development of the proposed OCP was guided by the priorities of City Council, as established in the City’s Strategic Plan 2018-2021. The proposed OCP, Bylaw No. 9700 updates the current OCP, Bylaw No. 8769 to reflect direction provided in guiding documents that City Council has approved over the last several years. These guiding documents include, but are not limited to, the Growth Plan to Half a Million, Saskatoon Speaks – Community Vision, City Centre Plan, Culture Plan, Active Transportation Plan, Green Infrastructure Strategy, Recreation and Parks Master Plan and the Heritage Plan.

A copy of the proposed OCP can be viewed online at saskatoon.ca/ocp.

To submit a letter or request to speak to City Council regarding the proposed OCP, please visit saskatoon.ca/writetocouncil for more information. All submissions received by the City Clerk by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, May 25, 2020, will be forwarded to City Council for consideration.

Members of the public are able to view the Public Hearing broadcast live on SHAW TV – Channel 10, Shaw BlueSky – Channel 105 and video-streamed on the City’s website at saskatoon.ca/meetings starting at 6:00 p.m. on the scheduled day.

For more information and to subscribe to updates, visit saskatoon.ca/ocp.

The City has received provincial funding for a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) on 25^th Street near Pacific Avenue. The RRFB is being installed today.

“This is an existing crossing on a busy street that did not have flashing lights to alert drivers that a pedestrian is crossing or ready to cross,” says Jay Magus, Director of Transportation. “The beacons are mounted on posts at the side of a street and a ground-mounted push button activates the lights.”

RRFBs are installed under a solar panel at the top of the post that provides power. They have proven to be effective in getting the attention of Saskatoon drivers.

The 25^th Street beacon is similar to the one at Spadina Crescent and 33^rd Street. The City plans to install more at several other locations.

Provincial Traffic Safety Fund grants are awarded twice annually. The City plans to continue submitting funding applications to improve safety at other intersections and school zones throughout Saskatoon.

The City is proceeding with several key construction projects this summer while making the health and safety of employees, contractors and residents its top priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. City Council has endorsed a revised 2020 Capital Construction Program, so that Saskatoon continues to have a safe and reliable network of roads and utility infrastructure.

“After re-evaluating all planned projects for this year and by making adjustments to typical safety procedures, we have determined that we can move forward with the majority of those projects," says Terry Schmidt, General Manager of Transportation and Construction. “We will be evaluating all projects as they proceed while continuing to follow provincial public health orders and recommendations of the Public Health Agency of Canada.”

Approximately 4,611 metres of new water main will be installed in areas where the current infrastructure is in immediate need of replacement. On 8th Street, water mains will be replaced under the east bound lanes between Sommerfeld Avenue and Arlington Avenue. Water main replacements are also planned on sections of Clarence Avenue between College Drive and 8th Street. Under Garvie Road, a new primary water main will be installed that will service the neighbourhoods of Evergreen and Aspen Ridge.

In addition to annual street maintenance programs such as pothole repair, line painting and street sweeping, the City is planning 185 lane kilometers of road construction. Work includes reconstruction following all water main replacements, but also resurfacing and micro surfacing throughout the city. Locations include:

• College Drive/Highway 5 westbound from Highway 41 to the CP Rail overpass (resurfacing)
• Taylor Street from Heritage Crescent to McKercher Drive (resurfacing)
• Boychuk Drive north bound from Briarwood Road to 8th Street (resurfacing)
• Central Avenue from College Drive to 107th Street (resurfacing)
• Circle Drive from College Drive overpass to 14th Street (resurfacing)   
• Circle Drive west bound from Avenue C to Laurier Drive (micro surfacing)

The second and final phase of the Sid Buckwold Bridge rehabilitation resumed in March and will be complete this fall. Improvements include a wider walkway with taller barriers, a new drainage system and new asphalt.

“Roads really matter to the people of Saskatoon. Construction projects result in sound infrastructure and they help boost the economy by providing jobs,” Schmidt says. “In this unprecedented time, we are adjusting and will re-adjust our practices as necessary to get this important work done. We are working with our employees and our contractors to ensure they are implementing and following protocols at construction sites to protect everyone’s safety.”

City Council is investing more than $61 million for road rehabilitation and maintenance to make Saskatoon’s streets, bridges and sidewalks, smoother, safer and longer-lasting.

The City of Saskatoon appreciates everyone’s patience during construction. We know it can be a real “pain in the asphalt.”

More information about 2020 construction projects is available at Saskatoon.ca/betterroads.

With the economy slowly re-opening, City, health and community leaders are concerned too many people are gathering in public places – actions that risk spreading COVID-19 in our community.

“We have seen too many people not following the Public Health Orders and beginning to gather in groups in parks and open spaces. This risks us losing the progress we have made in saving lives and keeping the community safe,” says Mayor Charlie Clark.

“Even though the weather is warm and the first phase of re-opening is ahead, the risk of outbreaks remains very real.”

Mayor Clark says Saskatoon and Saskatchewan have collectively shown tremendous leadership in containing the spread of COVID-19.  

“Our continued success hinges on everyone working together. We must all be smart and safe about physical distancing measures.”

A community health expert suggests everyone must keep the Public Health Orders top of mind.

“As the plan to re-open our province and our city unfolds, we need to maintain the changes we have made to how we work, play, live and learn,” says Dr. Jasmine Hasselback Medical Health Officer for the Saskatchewan Health Authority. “We are just starting to enter the next round of this fight against COVID-19, which means we need to be more vigilant than ever.”

Dr. Hasselback reminds everyone must continue routinely washing their hands for 20 seconds, not touch the nose, mouth or eyes; avoid interactions with those outside their own households, stay home when ill and call HealthLine 811 or their doctor as appropriate.

“It also means that even though the weather is nicer and you may want to be outside, we still have to maintain physical distancing – stay two meters away from anyone who is not a member of your own household or your virtual household to keep yourself and others safe.”

As Director of Saskatoon Emergency Measures Organization, Pamela Goulden-McLeod has been helping guide the City’s COVID-19 response since January.  She warns too many people are quickly placing their family and neighbours’ health in jeopardy.

“If we begin to let down our guard thinking everything is back to normal we could erase all the good work we’ve done as a community,” she says.

“We cannot gather in large numbers and we have to spread out. This is the very best way to stop infections. It will protect our front-line health and essential service providers – the people who keep our community running.”

Starting next week, to help everyone enjoy the more than 200 parks in Saskatoon, Recreation Staff will be redeployed as Physical Distancing Ambassadors to eight areas of the city.  They will make sure signage and barriers are in place at approximately 250 playgrounds, and replace supplies as needed. Each week, every playground and adjacent park area will get checked.

While out in the parks and sports fields, the Ambassadors will also be promoting and providing public education on the importance of physical distancing while using Saskatoon’s outdoor public places, and to remind everyone that organized sports or games with groups of people are still not permitted.

Meewasin, which oversees the river valley including some of Saskatoon’s most popular trail and natural areas inside and outside the city also stresses the importance of physical distancing.

“We are so happy that the community has the opportunity to use our rural and urban sites for hiking and accessing the river but it is imperative that everyone adheres to restrictions on group sizes and only attends with members of their household. Safety is the top priority,” explains CEO Andrea Lafond.

“Meewasin’s goal is to work with community and government to continue to flatten the curve for COVID-19 and do everything we can to support healthy use of outdoor spaces.”

While public safety is at the forefront for the Saskatoon Police Service, it has a community reminder.

“Our officers are responsible for ensuring members of the public are adhering to the restrictions outlined in the Public Health Orders,” says Supt. Randy Huisman.  “With the arrival of warmer weather we are responding to increasing reports of violations and paying special attention to gathering sizes and social distancing.  Failing to meet the public health guidelines can result in sizable fines.”

Please visit saskatoon.ca/covid19 for timely updates from the City of Saskatoon on everything you need to know to stay safe. For more on the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan please click here.

City Council has endorsed a plan to maintain core services while responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We will be using a combination of spending reductions and utilization of the City’s stabilization reserves to offset a significant portion of the deficit” says City Manager Jeff Jorgenson. “The strategy does not rely on a further tax increase to address this deficit. We will continue discussions with other orders of government on possible assistance.”

If there is a remaining deficit that is not covered by relief packages, the City will consider making adjustments to the 2021 operating and capital budgets.

One key service that will be delivered in typical fashion is the street sweeping program. This year, due to a late start to the program because of a late spring melt and different operating processes due to COVID-19, the program will take a little longer – into July to finish rather than the usual June end date.

Additionally, the 2020 budgeted construction projects will go forward this year.

However, most water projects with lead line replacements will be deferred until later this year or to 2021 says Terry Schmidt, General Manager, Transportation and Construction.

“We will take a look later this summer to see how people may be adjusting to the pandemic, and make a determination of whether it makes sense to proceed with the lead line replacement program,” Schmidt says. “If it’s not possible, we will defer until next year.”

Council supported the overall recommendation to continue with budgeted construction projects for the 2020 season.

“We need to keep City assets in shape,” says Mayor Charlie Clark. “We’re looking at some $390 million in financial activity to keep the economy going and businesses being able to hire people.”

In compliance of the Public Health Order, the City continues to work with its partners in the construction industry to ensure appropriate physical distancing and other appropriate safety measures are in place at such work sites.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had wide and deep effects on City work and finances; as a result, the Administration has developed a comprehensive strategy to mitigate the impacts.

“The pandemic has been like nothing most of us have ever experienced in our lifetimes,” says City Manager, Jeff Jorgenson.

“The impacts of the pandemic have had a profound impact on the City’s finances. While sobering, we feel the situation is manageable, thanks to the prudent financial management practices in place. The proposed strategy the Administration is presenting to City Council on Monday includes a balance of:

• maintaining civic services;
• reducing expenditures;
• utilizing fiscal stabilization reserves; and
• continuing to work with other orders of government on solutions.

“The strategy we are recommending will need to be gradual and will take time. If the financial response is too severe, our diverse economy and citizens will be negatively affected. By maintaining services as much as possible, we can continue providing citizens with the quality of life they deserve and expect.”

Jorgenson says the City plays an important role in our local economy with our capital programs, which are essential to maintenance of the City’s assets like streets, roads, and underground utilities. 

“Deferral of these important capital works would only result in the City falling behind in infrastructure renewal. Through proposed continuation of our capital programs, the City will continue to serve an important role in keeping our community working and continue the important investments in our infrastructure.”

The financial details are outlined in a report set for discussion at the meeting of City Council Monday, April 27.

In the wake of the provincial government’s plan to re-open the Saskatchewan economy, the report looks at three financial impact scenarios of when physical distancing restrictions could be lifted and services reopen.

The total estimated negative impacts of COVID-19 on the City of Saskatoon for the three scenarios are:

• Restrictions End June 30 – approximately $32.2 million
• Restrictions End September 30 – approximately $52.7 million
• Restrictions End December 31 – approximately $68.6 million

However, there are offsetting savings attributable to item such as fuel cost reduction, reduced workforce, reduced bulk power charges, and utility stabilization reserves. With these savings included, the preliminary projected preliminary deficits would be:

• Restrictions End June 30 – Deficit of approximately $20.2 million
• Restrictions End September 30 – Deficit of approximately $32.0 million
• Restrictions End December 31 – Deficit of approximately $43.0 million

Through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the federal government is being asked to consider a relief program for the municipal sector, but the outcome of the request is uncertain.

However, the Administration has proposed several options to manage the remaining COVID-19 shortfall, including:

• Hiring freeze;
• Non-essential spending freeze;
• Travel and training reductions;
• Cost reductions for park maintenance due to reduced staffing levels; and
• Use $2.8M of fiscal stabilization reserve in 2020; hold remaining $2M for 2021.

Factoring in these savings totalling $9.5 million for 2020, the remaining projected deficit would be reduced to:

• Restrictions End June 30 – approximately $10.1 million
• Restrictions End September 30 – approximately $22.0 million
• Restrictions End December 31 – approximately $32.9 million

If the Administration’s recommended strategy is approved, the City will have offset the majority of the negative impacts of COVID-19.  For example, for the September 30 Scenario, savings of $32.7 in total will offset the $52.7 million of negative COVID-19 impacts, resulting in a net projected deficit of $22.0 million.

As the situation continues to evolve, the Administration will be able to update financial projections. Additionally, ongoing discussions with other orders of government on possible assistance are occurring.  Considering this, the Administration is not recommending substantive changes to infrastructure renewal or service delivery strategies other than those outlined in this report.

If there is a remaining deficit that is not covered by relief packages, the Administration recommends City Council consider making adjustments to the 2021 operating and capital budgets.

“Taking this approach will allow the City to adapt to the ever-changing landscape in front of us, and will allow us to provide an economic stimulus role – this year – in 2020 – with construction and other capital projects already in the budget,” Jorgenson points out. “We’ll then be able to continue working with the other orders of government on relief solutions.”

Read the full report here. 

The City supports the provincial government’s Re-open Saskatchewan plan with a reminder that we all need to keep physical distancing and established protective health measures in place while it slowly unfolds.

“The whole country will be watching us. Our success will rely on everyone taking this virus very seriously and following all of the precautions. We want Saskatchewan to succeed in this careful and phased re-opening,” says Mayor Charlie Clark.

“Between now and May 4, I believe there are three key areas of risk that we will need to work with the Province on: ensuring and supporting businesses that re-open to be able to follow the rules and have the equipment necessary to remain safe; greater clarity around the rules for social gatherings; and fixing ongoing gaps in the vulnerable population strategy that is continues to see too many people remaining unsafely on the streets.”

Released a day ago, Thursday, April 23 the Re-open Saskatchewan plan is a five-phase plan aimed at slowly lifting restrictions so more businesses can re-open and more employees can go back to work.

City Manager Jeff Jorgenson says the City has done many things to flatten the curve of COVID-19 cases in Saskatoon.

“We’ve made many staffing and service changes so that our employees can safely deliver services to our community, and will continue to be vigilant. The province has not changed its direction to citizens and employers with respect to social distancing, so nothing has changed in that regard,” he says. “With the provincial plan now launched we are working on plans and options for opening our golf courses and campground.”

Emergency planners will continue to play a central part as the Re-open plan rolls out, says the Director of Emergency Management Organization.

“The bottom-line is: we are all continuing to live under a State of Emergency and a Public Health Order,” says Pamela Goulden-McLeod. “We have to keep practicing physical distancing measures so that all the hard work we’ve done as a community is not put as risk while we slowly re-open the economy.”

A package of administrative reports focused on the pandemic response will be later today placed on the City Council Agenda for its meeting Monday, April 27.

The City will move to weekly garbage collection as soon as operationally possible.  Following a decision at a special meeting Wednesday, City Council has directed the Administration to change an earlier decision to extend bi-weekly garbage pick-up.

For the time being, bi-weekly garbage (black cart) collections will stay in place, with the expectation to move to weekly collections by mid-May.

The earlier decision to maintain bi-weekly collections was designed to minimize COVID-19 transmission risk as new workers came on.  With the direction from Council, solutions will be found to provide weekly garbage collection and guard the health of the City’s core workforce with the following considerations:

• The health and safety of our staff and residents are a priority. Waste Operations will continue to implement enhanced physical distancing and sanitation procedures to guard the health and safety of our staff and of Saskatoon residents.
• We recognize with many residents now working from home, there will inevitably be an increased accumulation of household waste. Tonnages are being monitored. 
• We are taking all the necessary precautions to prepare for what is to come and will adapt as the situation continues to evolve. 

The Green Cart (Yard & Food Waste) Program will proceed as planned, with seasonal operations beginning on Monday, May 4.

We will be opening of the City Compost Depots at the same time as the Green Cart Program - ensuring physical distancing and sanitization procedures.

We will monitor the residential garbage collection program as it begins operations to ensure that the health and safety priorities are being met.

Updates will be provided should any adjustments to the program be deemed necessary.

Saskatoon Transit is cooperating with a police investigation following a stabbing incident in and around a Transit bus last night.

“We applaud the quick actions of our Operator and grateful that they are safe,” says Director of Saskatoon Transit, Jim McDonald. “Fortunately, incidents like this involving a Transit bus are very rare and our service remains a very safe way to get around.”

Two people, male and female were already on the bus when another male and female got on at Appleby Drive. The four riders were the only passengers on the bus.

A short time later at Avenue T and 20th Street, a fight broke out between the two groups. The Operator called emergency; stopped the bus and opened the rear doors allowing the passengers to get out. A man appeared to have been stabbed to his chest area and a woman was cut on the face. 

The injured people got back on the bus until paramedics arrived. Ambulance staff took a man and woman to hospital for further treatment.

“We again ask everyone to please only take Transit when necessary – that is, to go to work, get groceries, medicine or for medical appointments not related to COVID-19 symptoms,” McDonald says. “Our buses are running to get medical staff, first responders and other essential workers where they need to go so they can help the rest of us.” 

McDonald adds that avoiding unneeded trips provides Operators and necessary travellers the physical space they need for a safe ride.

The Operator was not involved and is safe; anytime following a serious incident, employees are removed from their shifts and offered counselling and other supports.

Once police were finished their investigation on the bus, it was sent for an established deep cleaning procedure any time bodily fluids are present on a bus.

Police have requested the on-board security video. There is no word on arrests, Public Health Order violations or criminal charges.

The City is taking further steps to adjust its workforce to respond to the impacts COVID-19 has had on its employees and certain services.

“How we deliver our work has changed for every single employee,” says City Manager Jeff Jorgenson.  “The primary focus of the City has been the safety of staff and our community.  It is now time to focus also on the difficult issue of adjusting staffing levels to meet work demands.”

The Community Services department is affected the most, as all Leisure Centres are shut down likely until at least mid-summer. Further, to comply with the need to keep as many people home as possible, the City will not be staffing-up as usual this summer.

Services in many areas will be adjusted so that seasonal staffing levels can be lowered and meet physical distancing requirements for those who are still at work.

“In order to achieve this, we have developed a strategy that is intended to reduce or possibly eliminate the need for involuntary layoffs of permanent employees most affected by the Leisure Centre and civic building closures,” Jorgenson says.

Here is an explanation of the City’s approach:

A voluntary layoff program will be rolled out this week starting with CUPE 59 members.

“We have heard that employees throughout the City are interested in a temporary layoff, because they have family or personal needs, and at this time would like to be out of the workforce.  We are starting with CUPE 59 because they are most affected by the Leisure Centre closures,” he says. 

Staff from anywhere within CUPE 59 and interested in participating will be able to request a temporary layoff, and it will be accommodated if possible. As important services must continue, not all requests will be granted. Division Directors will have discretion, however it’s hoped this will free up positions – some of which can be filled by CUPE 59 members who currently have no work due to Leisure Centre and civic building closures. These are people who work in the Leisure Centres or were in-person customer service representatives. 

Yesterday 54 members of CUPE 59 received telephone calls to advise them they would be receiving layoff notices. Again, over the next four weeks, it’s hoped virtually all those affected will be offered alternate work opportunities such as:

• positions vacated by people choosing to take voluntary layoff,
• seasonal opportunities in the Parks Division,
• non-traditional work such as “Physical Distancing Ambassadors” throughout the City to encourage citizens to follow social/physical distancing in parks and on pathways, and to keep an eye on play structures to make sure safety tape and signing remains in place,
• possible administrative support to some local service providers who are working furiously to support Saskatoon’s most vulnerable citizens.

“While I can’t guarantee that everyone will be re-deployed, we are doing our best to create opportunities for employment.  We need to be fiscally responsible as well as a compassionate and responsible employer.”

In the coming weeks Jorgenson adds, the City will be expanding the voluntary layoff program to other areas of the City and will work with the various unions and staff associations. 

“We must continue providing our important civic services, but we are balancing that with our desire to support staff through this unprecedented pandemic situation.”

*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.
*The COVID-19 vaccination site at Prairieland Park is ongoing. For access directions see the site map. Be prepared for slower moving traffic in the area and remain patient. Traffic will be monitored; routes and traffic signals will be adjusted as needed. 

NEW

22ND ST W EB LANES CLOSED FROM AVE V S TO AVE W S
(Water main repair)
Start: April 7, 8:00 a.m. End: April 8, 5:00 p.m.

22ND ST W WB CURB & LEFT TURN BAY CLOSED AT AVE W S
(Water main repair)
Start: April 7, 8:00 a.m. End: April 8, 5:00 p.m.

22ND ST W EB & WB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED FROM AVE T N TO AVE Q N
(Streetlight replacement)
Start: April 7, 9:30 a.m. End: April 7, 3:30 p.m.

ATTRIDGE DR EB & WB VARIOUS LANES CLOSED FROM INNOVATION BLVD TO CENTRAL AVE
(Streetlight work)
Start: April 7, 1:00 p.m. End: April 7, 3:00 p.m.


ONGOING

RUTH ST W EXPECTED DELAYS AT ST HENRY AVE
(Vaccine drive thru)
Start: April 5, 6:00 a.m. End: Ongoing
 

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.

The Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo lost a long-time member of its pack on Sunday April 6, 2020. Eleven-year-old Jethro the cougar died from hypertrophic cardiac disease. Jethro had been a resident of the Zoo since 2009.

“We are all heartbroken by this unexpected news,” says Jeff Mitchell, Zoo Manager.  “Jethro was a beloved member of the Zoo and an amazing ambassador to Saskatoon and the visitors at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo. Our thoughts are with everyone who loved Jethro, particularly his keepers and those who visited him at the Zoo, who are sure to feel his loss deeply.” 

Jethro was found Sunday morning unresponsive. Upon examination, he had passed overnight. Jethro's necropsy (animal autopsy) performed by veterinarians of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan revealed hypertrophic cardiac disease. It’s a thickening of the heart muscles that is hereditary, usually shows no signs or symptoms but can lead to sudden cardiac arrest. It will take several weeks to get the full testing and necropsy reports back.

Cougars have a life expectancy of 9-13 years and range from the north Yukon down to the Andes Mountains in South America. They are classified as Least Concern on the endangered species list but are considered endangered in several provinces in Canada.

Preliminary year-end financial results for the 2019 fiscal year yield a surplus of $518,343, a favourable variance of 0.10% from the overall 2019 budget of $510.36 million, pending City Council approval. The Administration is recommending that this surplus be transferred to the Fiscal Stabilization Reserve.

“The transfer of funds to the Fiscal Stabilization Reserve is an annual process based on Council Policy, which offsets any tax-supported operating deficits incurred in a year,” says Kerry Tarasoff, Chief Financial Officer. “With continued fiscal management, accountability, and transparency, we are pleased to be in a surplus position, which allows for the strengthening of this important Reserve, especially as we start to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020.  With a solid financial position, City Administration will look to support core services, and continue to make important financial decisions throughout 2020.”

To reach a corporate surplus of $518,343, the Administration is recommending a transfer from the Snow and Ice Management Contingency Reserve be applied to the 2019 Snow and Ice Program deficit of $646,610. This would mitigate any mill rate impact and reinforce the City’s Fiscal Stabilization Reserve to a balance of $4,775,438, as at December 31, 2019. This transfer would create a 2019 year-end balance of $2,965,154 in the Snow and Ice Management Reserve.

“Last year, we had several variables in terms of weather extremes, which increased the need for more fleet vehicles on the roads, and overtime hours to keep roads safe and maintained for all residents,” says Tarasoff.

A report to the Standing Policy Committee on Finance details a 0.33%, or $1,708,242, favourable variance for revenue, while expenditures were overspent by 0.23% or $1,189,899, both marginally higher than budget resulting in the overall 0.10% surplus.

A summary of significant variances include:

Surpluses:

• Municipal Revenue Sharing Grants: $1.6 million surplus due to the revision of the Provincial Sales Tax (PST) formula that the Province of Saskatchewan tabled in its March 2019 Budget.
• General Revenues: $766,100 from higher than anticipated interest earnings, lease revenues, commission revenues, and returns on investments.

Deficits:

• Waste Handling Services: $1.3 million deficit due to a shortfall in Landfill revenue and increased expenditures in the Green Cart and Compost Depot programs.
• Parking Ticket Revenue: $802,500 deficit, mainly related to increased compliance, due to the ease of parking application technology.
• Snow and Ice Management: $646,610 deficit due to the number of extreme winter/icy conditions in early 2019, resulting in increased street sanding.
• Facilities Management: $459,900 deficit resulting from salary-related expenditure increases to standby and after-hours emergency response pay.
• Leisure Centres: $531,100 deficit as paid admissions experienced a decline in sales revenue partially due to temporary Leisure Centre closures.

Saskatoon Utility Results:

The following Utility surpluses and deficits have been transferred to or funded by the applicable stabilization reserve, as stipulated in Council Policy No. C03-003, Reserve for Future Expenditures:

• Saskatoon Light & Power - $1,071,307 million surplus
• Storm Water Management Utility - $747,250 surplus
• Waste Water Utility - $480,305 surplus
• Water Utility - $3,295,737 million deficit
• Waste Services Utility - $612,440 deficit

Saskatoon’s Boards Results:

The City’s Boards, including the Saskatoon Police Service (SPS), all posted surpluses in 2019 with the exception of Remai Modern.

• SPS posted a surplus of $305,333 which is incorporated within the civic year-end results.
• SaskTel Centre has a preliminary surplus of $1,356,154 million.
• TCU Place has a preliminary surplus of $1,198,528 million.
• Remai Modern reported a $259,462 deficit. This amount has been included as part of the City’s year-end results within the Arts, Culture and Event Venues Business Line.

Both TCU Place and SaskTel Centre surpluses are held within their respective organizations and applied to their own stabilization reserves. These are not included within the City’s final year-end results.

Visit saskatoon.ca/budget for additional information and finance-related reports.

Spring is a time for new beginnings, especially at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo (Zoo). On March 21, 2020 the Zoo grew by eight hooves as it welcomed two baby Mouflon Sheep; one male and one female. The lambs have had their first checks and the mother is taking great care of them.

Mouflon Sheep are from the Middle East and found around eastern Iraq, Armenia and the Caucasus. They are listed as vulnerable, which means these two will help to conserve and promote the conservation of this important species.

To add to the celebrations, the Zoo has welcomed Jeffrey Mitchell as the new Zoo Manager.

“I’m so excited to be here at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park and Zoo. I’m looking forward to helping the zoo grow and reach its potential,” says Mitchell. “The conservation and education that the zoo provides is second to none in Saskatoon and I am so excited to help show the community the amazing things we are accomplishing.”

Mitchell has over 20 years of experience in the zoo industry, including serving on several committees with the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. Jeff comes to the Zoo from the Henson Robinson Zoo in Springfield, Illinois where he was serving in the role of Director. Mitchell previously worked at the Cincinnati Zoo, Sea Life Minnesota Aquarium, and Chicago Zoological Society/Brookfield Zoo.

We are constantly reassessing developments to ensure the safety and well-being of staff and citizens, and how the City delivers public services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Saskatoon Transit updates

As an added level of safety, mid-route bus cleaning has started during the day in the downtown terminal. Passengers will be required to exit the bus while all hard surfaces are wiped down.

Starting Thursday, April 2, Saskatoon Transit will not be entering the University of Saskatchewan campus until further notice. This applies to the transit stop in front of Place Riel. Visit saskatoontransit.ca for up-to-date information on off-campus routes, and pickup and drop-off locations around College Drive.

Residents are reminded to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and avoid non-essential travel. To avoid crowded buses, please consider travelling during off-peak times. Always maintain about a two-arms-length or 2-metre distance from other riders.

Senator Sid Buckwold Bridge Walkway Closed; University Bridge Walkways Open to One-way Pedestrian Traffic

In addition to the changes previously announced to the Traffic Bridge walkways and the CP Pedestrian Bridge, the Senator Sid Buckwold Bridge walkway is now closed and the University Bridge walkways are now for one-way pedestrian traffic (one-side westbound and one-side eastbound). This will allow the practice of social/physical distancing of at least 2-metres (six feet) from others.

The City continues to review other bridge walkway and pedestrian overpasses, underpasses and tunnels. Crews will be posting signage on many of the pathways to remind people to respect social/physical distancing.

Zoo Season Pass Sales Temporarily Suspended

All 2020 Season Pass sales are temporarily suspended until further notice. Season Pass rates for 2020 will be re-evaluated once an opening date is determined. Refunds/credits will be available to customers who have already purchased a 2020 Zoo Season Pass. Details on the refund process will be available soon.

Thank you, Saskatoon for doing your part and maintaining physical distance to keep everyone safe.

Updates will continue to be provided at saskatoon.ca/covid-19

The City continues to make changes with its work plan so that it can deliver core services and keep other municipal business moving forward.

“We are into week three of our lives being transformed as we work to protect our community from the COVID-19 virus.  I want to thank everyone for your efforts as we each take this on together,” says Mayor Charlie Clark.

“It is so important right now to continue being vigilant in our physical distancing efforts. We also need to make sure we are all doing what we can to support our local economy and ensuring we have the right programs and processes in place to protect the most vulnerable in our community. This will keep everyone safe.”

City Manager Jeff Jorgenson says the pandemic has flipped everyday-life on its head.

“We have not experienced anything like the COVID-19 pandemic in our lifetimes. The past weeks have been a steep learning curve. COVID-19 has tested nations, governments, companies and organizations in every sector around the world.”

One of the biggest challenges for the City Jorgenson says, has been adjusting many of its employees to work from home and implementing new safety precautions in work environments where people need to be on location offering core services to our community.

“Our core services like water, sewer, fire protection, and electrical services are in great shape and we have layers of redundancy and employee protection in place to ensure our staff remain safe,” he says. “The City plays a critical role in providing many core services to the citizens of Saskatoon and we are very fortunate to have terrific people working throughout our organization.”

A great example of dedicated civic staff Jorgenson says, is the team at Roadways, Fleet & Support who are out today responding to the freezing rain and snow. The freezing rain started around 4 a.m. and with proactive planning to ensure a good start, the team had twelve sanders out when the rain began.

“This was a great response as always, while simultaneously following new physical distancing and equipment cleaning procedures,” Jorgenson adds. “This is yet another example of the dedication and professionalism that we see daily from City staff, including those who provide critical equipment maintenance and repair services.”

The Director of Emergency Management Organization says she continues to plan with many community partners about who needs information to stay healthy. Pamela Goulden-McLeod says youth, in particular, are a key focus.

“We will all have to work together across all age and social groups to tackle the virus. As the details of cases in our city and province have shown, COVID-19 can affect anyone at any age.”

Jorgenson acknowledges it hasn’t been an easy process also recognizing Saskatoon residents are balancing the changes happening within and beyond their homes as well.   

“I want to thank the citizens of Saskatoon for their understanding and patience. To all the people who work for the City, I again want to say how pleased and proud I am of their dedication to keep our core services running smoothly through the worst of what may lay ahead.”

We are constantly reassessing developments to ensure the safety and well-being of staff and citizens and how the City delivers public services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020 Property Tax

The City is committed to providing increased flexibility and immediate short-term relief for your 2020 Property Tax payment.  On your notice, your 2020 Property Tax due date will still show as June 30, 2020.

However:

• The City is extending a three-month grace period to provide you with additional time to pay your 2020 Property Tax.
• You will not incur any late payment penalties on your 2020 Property Tax if you pay the full amount due by September 30, 2020.

TIPPS Customers

• If you are a TIPPS customer currently paying your 2020 Property Tax over 12-equal monthly installments, you may request to be removed from TIPPS at any time should you require immediate, short-term financial relief without incurring a penalty. Your full property tax amount will then be due by September 30, 2020. 

To cancel your participation in TIPPS:  Please contact us via email with your property roll#, address and ownership name and your request to be removed from TIPPS.

We would like to answer your property tax-related questions; we understand and will work with you. If you have further property tax-related questions, our Corporate Revenue Customer Service Representatives can assist you at 306-975-2400. 

Utility Services & Payments

The City will continue to bill for utility services as normal. However, to best serve customers in these extraordinary times, the City has made the following changes to current utility collections activities:

1. Utility disconnections due to arrears will be suspended until September 30, 2020;
2. Late payment charges will be suspended on all utility accounts until September 30, 2020; and
3. We will continue to generate utility bill reminders and other related notices for customers who are in arrears to keep them informed of their current situation.

These measures are aimed at providing financial relief for customers who may not be able to afford to pay their bills on time.  By suspending late payment charges, utility customers will have the option to delay bill payments without putting themselves in additional financial hardship. 

City staff will continue to work with utility customers about payment arrangements, so customers are not left in a difficult future financial situation. Delaying disconnections will help ensure that all homes have access to water, allowing for proper hand-washing and personal hygiene.
Have other utility-related questions? Please call our Revenue Customer Service Representatives at 306-975-2400. We understand and will work with you.

Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo

The Zoo will remain closed until further notice. During this closure, the Zoo Keepers will be on-site to ensure the health of our animals.

The park remains open, but the play structure is closed. Visitors must maintain a safe, two-metre (six feet) physical distance away from others in the park. Consider outings by yourself or with just one other person at the appropriate distance.

As a CAZA accredited Zoo, the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo will be reviewing all funding support options.

Updates will continue to be provided at saskatoon.ca/covid-19

We are constantly reassessing pandemic developments to ensure the safety and well-being of staff and citizens. We have also continued to reassess the way we deliver public services following the decision to close City Hall and civic facilities.

“We have made the difficult decision to lay off a number of casual staff,” says City Manager Jeff Jorgenson. “Going forward there will be no scheduled hours. From our perspective, layoffs are an important step to enable staff, without any scheduled hours, the ability to access options such as employment insurance benefits as soon as possible.

“It gives the people affected some certainty as opposed to waiting indefinitely for us to be able to return to normal operations.”

Casual staff refers to employees whose hours are typically scheduled on a weekly to monthly basis, based on work need. Examples include lifeguards, cashier-receptionists, activity leaders and recreation technicians.

“For permanent staff, we are not looking at significant layoffs in the coming weeks.”

Jorgenson says citizens need City work to continue in the core services.

“Our people matter, and we must be financially responsible, especially now as many citizens and businesses are hurting and are directly affected by the pandemic.”

Jorgenson says the City’s approach is to continue with strategies that are, and will, keep the economy and as many services going as possible so that when we start returning to a more normal operating environment, the City is as far ahead as it possibly can be.

“Re-starting our economy on the other side of this pandemic will be paramount, and the City will play a major role in the coming months,” he says.

Residents asked to use Transit for essential travel only

To increase social distancing measures, Transit riders are asked to use the bus service only for essential travel.

When possible, those in a wheelchair are asked to use the rear facing wheelchair station and to buckle themselves in to ensure social distance from operators.

These changes are in addition to transit service reductions and the closure of many public facilities including schools.

Details on Transit’s reduced schedule can be found on Saskatoon Transit’s homepage.

Household Glass Program with SARCAN Temporarily Suspended 

SARCAN has made the decision to close locations across Saskatchewan indefinitely. This means the Household Glass Program will be suspend until locations re-open. During this time, residents are asked to avoid overfilling their Blue Cart/Bin and to hang on to their clean and dry recyclables until their next collection day.

Gordon Howe Campground Delays Opening

The City will temporarily suspend all visitor services at Gordon Howe Campground and will stop taking new reservations until May 1, 2020. The campground reopening will be subject to an assessment of the COVID-19 status. Further updates will be provided as they become available.

Building Permit Inspections

Building Permit Inspections have resumed and are now available, along with Plumbing Permit Inspections, via FaceTime and Skype video calls.

AMI Water Meters
Meter upgrade appointments are suspended until further notice. Learn more about the project at www.saskatoon.ca/watermeter.    

2020 Property Tax Financial Relief & Flexibility - Update
For citizens experiencing the effects of the economic impact due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City is committed to providing increased flexibility and immediate short-term relief for your 2020 Property Tax payment.

The City is extending a three-month grace period to provide additional time to pay your 2020 Property Tax. You will not incur any late payment penalties on your 2020 Property Tax if you pay the full amount due by September 30, 2020.

Also, for TIPPS customers currently paying their 2020 Property Tax over 12-equal monthly installments, you may request to be removed from TIPPS at any time should you require immediate, short-term financial relief without incurring a penalty. Your full property tax amount will then be due September 30, 2020.

Updates will continue to be provided at saskatoon.ca/covid-19 and at saskatoonpolice.ca

As the City of Saskatoon continues to keep up to date on the COVID-19 pandemic, City leaders have made the decision to close leisure facilities effective Monday, March 16.

“This was a difficult decision to make,” says Pamela Goulden-McLeod, Director of the Emergency Management Organization. “We want to remind everyone there is no evidence of community transmission.”

“We want to make sure we can maintain essential services and one of the ways we can do this is to limit non-essential contacts in the community, including for our staff,” Goulden-McLeod says.

Affected leisure facilities and co-located libraries

Until further notice, the following leisure facilities will close tomorrow:

•    Leisure Centres

o    Cosmo Civic Centre (and Caryle King Public Library)

o    Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre

o    Lakewood Civic Centre (Cliff Wright Public Library)

o    Lawson Civic Centre (Rusty MacDonald Public Library)

o    Saskatoon Field House

o    Shaw Centre

•    Indoor Rinks

o    ACT Arena

o    Archibald Arena

o    Cosmo Arena

o    Gordie Howe Kinsmen Arena

o    Lions Arena

•    Outdoor Rink Buildings (Warm-up Shacks)
•    Golf Courses (for pre-season sales)

o    Holiday Park Golf Course

o    Silverwood Golf Course

o    Wildwood Golf Course

•    Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo

In collaboration with the Saskatchewan Health Authority, we are actively monitoring the situation and will continue to evaluate when the facilities may reopen.

The City will be determining how to compensate all those affected by leisure facility closures and those details will be provided soon.

If outside organizations have identified these facilities for evacuation centres they will no longer be available until further notice.

City proceeds with Spring/Summer 2020 program registration

Program registration for Spring/Summer 2020 (April 1 to August 31, 2020) will continue as planned. Registration begins tonight, Sunday, March 15, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. by calling 306-975-2800 or by logging into leisureonline.saskatoon.ca. Walk-in registrations will not take place at the Leisure Centres due to facility closures.

Communicating with City staff

Saskatoon EMO has also helped coordinate internal messages for City employees who may have questions about how the pandemic response may change their workplace.

Online self-assessment

The City is also making available the Health Ministry's tool to guide citizens on how to continue with daily life and whether they need to be tested for COVID-19.

Goulden-McLeod says people should continue with their daily routines, but they should pay attention to personal hygiene and appropriate social distancing.

On this point, City Manager Jeff Jorgenson, who is out of the country on vacation, will lead by example and self-isolate for 14 days when he returns.  While he has no symptoms, he will follow the recommendations of the Chief Medical Health Officer as he does not want to jeopardize the health of City staff or the public.

Four new presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 have been identified in Saskatchewan, bringing the total number of cases in the province to six.  None of the new cases is in Saskatoon. 

The provincial health ministry encourages everyone to be mindful of good hand hygiene, cough etiquette and social distancing. For those who have risk factors such as old age, or underlying health issues, medical experts encourage those people to stay away from crowded areas.

Updates will continue to be provided at saskatoon.ca/covid-19. 

To help share reliable and accurate information for our community, the City has created a webpage dedicated to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) information.

“Everyone can find facts on how to protect yourself and family from COVID-19, answers to the questions we’re being asked the most, news releases and links to trusted health-related information,” says Pamela Goulden-McLeod, Director of Emergency Management.

In terms of action, the City has activated its Emergency Operations Centre to coordinate its planning efforts.

Since January, the City has been monitoring and actively engaged in assessing the impact of COVID-19 and continues to be in close contact with provincial and federal health agencies.

 “Our top priorities are protecting the health, safety, plus overall well-being of everyone in our community – as well as maintaining essential services to our citizens,” Goulden-McLeod says.

Goulden-McLeod reminds everyone it is important to keep up to date with the current risk level in Saskatchewan.

“This needs to be a team effort – responding most effectively will take a whole community approach,” she says. “Every group, business and person can play a role to help keep us all healthy and safe. This will not come down to be one organization’s or one person’s job to solve.”

As it becomes available in a rapidly changing environment, the City will continue to provide more information on the webpage and through social media platforms.

During this heightened awareness related to COVID-19, the City of Saskatoon is following the lead of Saskatchewan Heath Authority.  The City assures citizens it is in constant contact with our key stakeholders to coordinate all efforts to communicate important information, and to make any necessary adaptations to our plan to respond to the situation as it continues to change. 

“It is not about just one organization but this requires a team effort - a coordinated response of multiple organizations working together with our citizens to protect the health of our community”, says Pamela Goulden-McLeod, Director of Emergency Management, Saskatoon Fire Department.

EMO has been closely tracking the progress of the COVID-19 virus since January and actively preparing and assessing the impact and plans as the situation develops.  

In response to the news that there is a confirmed case in Saskatchewan, Saskatoon's Emergency Management Organization has raised its Emergency Operations Centre status to a level two. This means a regular teleconference with our key stakeholders, keeping our plan active, dynamic, and adjustable to respond in the best interest of public health and safety.

At a civic level, our plan includes continuing to share information with staff and patrons provided by Saskatchewan Health Authority, and taking appropriate precautions as needed which may include additional cleaning requirements, assessment of programs and provision of services.  

While the risk of acquiring COVID-19 in Saskatoon continues to be low, it is critical that residents be reminded to follow all of the recommendations from Saskatchewan Health Authority to take precautions to protect themselves.  Wash your hands frequently, practice good cough and sneeze hygiene and stay home if you are sick. Updated information on COVID-19, including questions and answers for the public are available on www.saskatchewan.ca/coronavirus.

As mentioned in an earlier news release, Saskatoon Fire Department currently has four staff members in self-isolation as a precaution. At 10:02 p.m. on March 11, 2020, one fire engine from Fire Station No. 4 responded to a medical call for a patient experiencing shortness of breath. It became known that the patient was to be tested for COVID-19. The self-isolation of the four attending members is a precautionary response. 

“SFD staff are following precautions based on a SFD Infectious Control Policy,” says Saskatoon Fire Chief, Morgan Hackl. “We continue to respond to emergency calls.”

“We would like to take the opportunity to remind citizens of Saskatoon to sign up for notifynow at saskatoon.ca/notifynow,” says Pamela Goulden-McLeod, “so that if our emergency planning area needs to get public safety messages out in a timely, trusted, and targeted manner, our citizens are receiving those messages in whichever way is going to reach them right away.”

“You can choose how to receive those messages when you sign up via a voice message to your home, work, or cell phone, by email, or a text message,” adds Goulden-McLeod, “and just as important, you can also add family member’s addresses, such as your child’s school or parents’ home, through the customization tools.”

We know there are a lot of questions from Saskatoon citizens, but we are focused on where we are now, which is still at a low risk with one confirmed case in Saskatchewan who is self-isolated at home. We are committed to providing information and updates to the citizens of Saskatoon when we have new information to share.

We appreciate your cooperation, and diligence with caring for yourselves and the health of our community, as this is a team effort.

Joint Statement Regarding JUNO Week 2020

Through our collaborative discussions and with input and guidance and the full support of our trusted partners, including the Province of Saskatchewan, the City of Saskatoon,Tourism Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Health Authority and Saskatchewan Ministry of Health, it is with an incredibly heavy heart that we collectively confirm the cancellation of the 49th Annual JUNO Awards and JUNO Week activities in Saskatoon due to concerns surrounding COVID-19. 

We are devastated to cancel this national celebration of music, but at this time of global uncertainty, the health, safety and well-being of all Canadians must stand at the forefront of any decisions that impact our communities. We know this is the right decision based on the information we currently have and are continuing to receive. The situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve rapidly and we urge everyone to follow the guidelines and protocols put forth by public health officials.

We salute and appreciate all the 2020 nominees. CARAS will continue to explore options to coordinate an alternative way to honour this year’s JUNO Award winners and Special Award Recipients and support the creators and participants that so greatly benefit from the work done by CARAS and the JUNOS.

For additional information, please contact:

Victoria Gormley, rock-it promotions, victoria@rockitpromo.com

Tonisha Bath, rock-it promotions, tonisha@rockitpromo.com

The risk of contracting COVID-19 in Saskatoon and province-wide remains low and public events may go on as planned.

“At this time, Saskatchewan does not have a confirmed case of COVID-19, and the risk to Canadians remains low. SHA Public Health in Saskatoon recommends large gatherings like the JUNOS 20 Awards proceed,” says Dr. Johnmark Opondo, Medical Health Officer in Saskatoon for the Saskatchewan Health Authority.

“We continue to encourage participants and attendees to practice strong hand hygiene, minimize close contact such as no hand shaking, and should not attend if they are feeling sick. These guidelines will help prevent the spread of infectious illnesses, including influenza and gastroenteritis.”

What is the City doing to prepare?

The City of Saskatoon has been monitoring and actively engaged in assessing the impact of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) since January 2020. 

“The City has been involved in ongoing planning and information sharing on teleconference calls coordinated through the Emergency Operations Centre with at least a dozen different organizations,” says Pamela Goulden-McLeod, Director of Emergency Management Organization.

Goulden-McLeod says an expert from the Saskatchewan Health Authority – Medical Health Office takes part in every teleconference call as the City continually consults with the Medical Health Office.

“Of course, we will continue to communicate when the level of risk of COVID-19 in Saskatoon changes along with appropriate actions that can be taken.”

What are accurate sources of information?  

During any emergency or large-scale event, it is essential to follow accurate, factual, locally specific sources of information. The Government of Saskatchewan’s website remains the best source of information on this evolving situation, and is updated regularly.

Because of the fluidity of this event, we also strongly encourage anyone planning international travel to review the Government of Canada travel updates regularly for additional information.

What can you do?

As a respiratory illness, the best method to protect yourself against COVID-19 is to practice everyday preventive actions, including:

• Practice proper cough and sneezing etiquette (into the bend of your elbow);

• Wash your hands often with soap and water; if soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer;

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands;

• Maintain safe food practices; and 

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick

There is no evidence that surgical masks protect persons who are not sick. The World Health Organization does not recommend the use of any masks if you do not have a travel history and respiratory symptoms.

The City of Saskatoon has been announced as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for the ninth year in a row. This competition recognizes employers across Canada that have exceptional workplace diversity and inclusiveness programs.

“By using our refreshed corporate values as a lens for how we work together, we’re creating a smart, healthy and safe workplace where everyone has an opportunity to shine,” says Sarah Cameron, Chief Human Resources Officer. “Over the past year, we’ve provided ongoing opportunities for employee feedback and have taken action by addressing barriers and promoting equality, dignity and respect.”

This competition looks at successful diversity initiatives in a variety of areas, including programs for employees from five groups: (a) Women; (b) Members of visible minorities; (c) Persons with disabilities; (d) Indigenous peoples; and (e) Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender/Transsexual (LGBT) peoples. Employers are compared with other organizations in their field to determine which ones offer noteworthy and unique diversity initiatives.

Highlights of City initiatives include:

• City Council’s priority on reconciliation, inclusion and diversity and developing new partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. The City introduced mandatory Indigenous Awareness training for employees and offers a Truth and Reconciliation Resource Kit to enable ongoing learning.

• Improving employee understanding of diversity and inclusion through a number of training initiatives covering a variety of topics, such as cultural bridging, understanding invisible disabilities and inclusive practices for LGBTQ2S identities.

• Participation in the launch of the Immigration Partnership Saskatoon office, an inter-sectional committee that works to help improve the lives of newcomers in the region.

“Through our employee training and community education opportunities, we’re raising awareness and educating our employees in areas they might never have had the opportunity to do so. These initiatives, like our mandatory Indigenous Awareness Training, are helping us create a welcoming and inclusive environment in which all employees can contribute and achieve their full potential,” says Cameron.

Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for 2020 are outlined in the March 6, 2020 edition of The Globe and Mail, as well as on Canada's Best Diversity Employers website.

The City has a long-standing commitment to diversity and inclusion, and as Saskatoon’s population continues to grow and diversify it is imperative that we recruit and retain a workforce that represents and understands the Saskatoon community.    

Work to renovate, re-animate and revitalize the Farmers’ Market Building in River Landing continues to move forward. Here’s an update:

Building Tenant

In 2019, City Council directed the Administration to find a tenant who will fully use and attract people to the Farmers’ Market Building at least six days a week. This site animation includes having a market focused on locally produced food and goods for sale.

A Request for Proposals (RFP) was released in November and it closed late December 2019. A team of City staff from departments relevant to the project evaluated the submissions.  An independent fairness monitor oversaw the evaluation process.  The team made its evaluation based on criteria outlined in the RFP and how closely a proposal met those criteria. The City is in negotiations with the highest ranked proponent, but is not yet in a position to speak publicly about any details; business discussions are ongoing and confidential.

City Council and the community will be informed once our discussions conclude; we anticipate this to happen later this spring.

Outdoor Market on Market Square

During discussions at Committee and Council in 2019, the Administration committed to City Council that we would ensure that Market Square is animated with an outdoor farmers’ market in 2020.  The City has received an application through its regular booking process for Market Square, to be used for a farmers’ market as an extension of the adjacent annual Street Stall Saturdays. As there is no building tenant at this time, the City has approved this application, as an interim initiative, in order to meet our commitment to City Council. It is anticipated to run May to September.

Roof

Last year the City discovered significant repairs were needed to the roof of the Farmers’ Market Building.  The City hired a roofing consultant to determine the best type of roof system to be installed on the building. A Request for Quotes for a roofing contractor was issued and closed last month.  The City aims to have the roofing contractor in place within the next few weeks.  Dependent on weather and the contractor’s own schedule, the work is expected to happen between May and June.

For more information on the Farmers’ Market Building at River Landing, visit saskatoon.ca/farmersmarket.

The City is saddened to learn about a fatal incident this morning (Wednesday, March 4) involving a pedestrian and a private contractor recycling collection truck. Our thoughts are certainly with this person’s friends and family at this difficult time. The collection work was being done by a private contractor for a non-City organization’s recycling contract. City workers or vehicles were not involved. Of course and if required, the City would cooperate with any police investigation.

Again, we offer our deepest condolences to everyone touched by this sad event.

--

Angela Gardiner

General Manager, Utilities & Environment Department

The public is invited to the opening ceremony for Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Month on Friday, February 28 at 1:30 p.m. in Council Chambers, City Hall.  The ceremony will include greetings from His Worship Mayor Charlie Clark; Judge David Arnot, Chief Commissioner of the Human Rights Commission; Students of Aden Bowman’s Collective Voice Program; and, Dr. Fatima Coovadia from the Islamic Association of Saskatchewan (Saskatoon).  A flag raising in Civic Square (outdoors at City Hall - 23rd Street) will follow the ceremony.

Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Month Opening Ceremony
Friday, February 28, 2020
1:30 p.m.
Council Chambers, City Hall

The public is reminded that the deadline for nominations for the annual Living in Harmony Recognition Awards, which recognizes local organizations or individuals for their efforts in eliminating racism in our community, is Friday, February 28, 2020.  Nomination forms are available at saskatoon.ca/livinginharmony.

Since 1994, the City’s Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Committee has presented the Living in Harmony Recognition Awards at a special ceremony on March 21, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.  This year, the awards will be presented in partnership with Saskatoon Public School Board, Greater Catholic School Board and the University of Saskatchewan Students’ Union at the Broadway Theatre on Friday, March 20, 2020 starting at 1:15pm. 

A listing of community events taking place during Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Month can be found on saskatoon.ca.

Measuring pharmaceuticals in Saskatoon’s wastewater, diverting food from the landfill to save money and the planet, and improving property assessment appeals are some of the first research projects of the new Research Junction collaboration between the City of Saskatoon (City) and University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers.

“It is incredible to see City employees and university researchers come together to solve problems and address such a wide variety of issues facing Saskatoon,” said Mayor Charlie Clark. “This helps us move forward as a community and shows how we can lead the country through collaboration to create the best results for our community and residents. As we work together on these projects, we can create real benefits and build a healthy, strong and sustainable future.”

Five projects have been awarded a total of $100,000 through the Research Junction Development Grant program, a jointly funded university-municipal research partnership announced in September of 2019.

“Through the power of research, these collaborative projects will address some tough challenges in our community,” said USask President Peter Stoicheff. “It is exciting to see from this list of approved projects the first concrete ways in which this strategic partnership will help build a better Saskatoon.”

The grants provide researchers with access to the City’s resources, data and expertise, and provide City staff with access to analyses and data resulting from the projects to inform decision-making. Projects funded through the initiative also create hands-on learning and research opportunities for USask students and post-doctoral fellows, helping them prepare for future careers. 

The first Research Junction projects funded are:

• Preventing food from going to waste. USask community health and epidemiology researcher Rachel Engler-Stringer will work with the City’s  community leadership and program development manager Katie Burns to find ways to prevent surplus food from food-based businesses from ending up in the landfill by studying and providing information to these businesses on how to donate. The Saskatoon Food Council will coordinate the project. The aim is to reduce the environmental impact of edible food ending up in the landfill. If all surplus food was reclaimed, it could divert 13,000 tonnes of food city-wide and save up to $138,000 worth of space per year at the City’s landfill.
• Improving municipal appeals. USask law professor Heather Heavin will collaborate with Alan Rankine a lawyer with the City Solicitor’s Office  to examine three high-volume, City-appointed tribunals (Board of Revision, Development Appeals Board, and License Appeal Board). The goal is to promote efficient and reliable City-appointed tribunals.
• Increasing demand for downtown living. USask urban planner Ryan Walker and city centre planner Brent McAdam will work with other USask researchers, the City’s urban design manager, and the executive director of the Saskatoon Downtown Business Improvement District to examine how downtown Saskatoon can be made a more attractive location in which to live.The team will study other cities and survey Saskatoon’s current, new and long-term downtown residents. The results will provide evidenced-based data to inform decisions on key proposals for the City’s future downtown development.
• Exploring municipal voting rights for permanent residents. USask political scientist Joe Garcea will collaborate with the City’s  diversity and inclusion consultant (immigration) April Sora to examine extending the right to vote in Saskatoon’s municipal elections to non-citizens who are Canadian permanent residents. Permanent residents already hold voting rights in New Zealand, Australia, and some countries in Europe. In recent years this issue has been explored by a few major cities in Canada.
• Measuring pharmaceuticals in Saskatoon’s wastewater.  USask toxicology researcher Markus Brinkmann, in collaboration with other researchers from USask’s Toxicology Centre and the College of Engineering, will work with City’s wastewater treatment plant operations manager Mike Sadowski to conduct comprehensive measurements of pharmaceuticals—antibiotics, pain killers, beta-blockers, hormone-like substances and others. The treated wastewater is discharged after an extensive treatment process from Saskatoon’s wastewater treatment plant into the South Saskatchewan River.
  Pharmaceuticals, while not officially regulated in wastewaters, have become an important class of wastewater elements that many treatment plants across Canada have worked to measure. By sampling water in the wastewater treatment plant and downstream in the river, the researchers will work to better understand and stay current with technology and new solutions to treat wastewater.

Two additional collaborative projects have also been awarded nearly $50,000 for research relating to homelessness in Saskatoon through a related program, “Pathways to Equity,” funded by an anonymous donor.

The Pathways to Equity projects are:

• Improving quality of life and reducing poverty through oral health. USask dental public health specialist Dr. Keith Da Silva and the Community-University Institute for Social Research (CUISR) led by co-directors USask professor emerita Isobel Findlay and the City’s senior planner Bill Holden, will examine access to dental care and how it may enhance quality of life for Saskatoon’s homeless population and those living in poverty. The ultimate goal is to reduce poverty by alleviating some social symptoms of poor oral health: lowered self-esteem, limited social interaction, and reduced employability.
• Reducing 2SLGBTQ Youth Homelessness. USask women and gender studies researcher Marie Lovrod will work with City housing analyst Michael Kowalchuk and OUTSaskatoon executive director Rachel Loewen Walker, a queer and sexuality studies specialist. This team will study the success of OUTSaskatoon’s Pride Home, a five-bed home for 2SLGBTQ youth. 2SLGBTQ youth are at high risk for housing insecurity and consequently have increased physical and mental health challenges. The aim of the project is to create an evidence-based model for reducing queer youth homelessness to be shared across Canada. 

Applications are now open for the 2020 Research Junction Development Grant to support research projects carried out by USask researchers in partnership with City of Saskatoon staff. The deadline is May 15, 2020.

For more information, visit research.usask.ca.

For the ninth year in a row, the City of Saskatoon has been selected as one of Saskatchewan’s 2020 Top Employers. The competition recognizes Saskatchewan employers that lead their industries in offering exceptional places to work, and this year took a special focus on initiatives that responded to our employee's desire to feel more connected, improve access to information and stay informed about what is going in our workplace

“This is an exciting time at the City. The refresh of our corporate values and the inclusion of People Matter is a commitment to continue work towards listening to our employees and providing them with a healthy, safe and engaged workplace,” says Chief Human Resources Officer Sarah Cameron. “By using our corporate values as the lens for how we work together, we’re creating a work environment where our employees have an opportunity to shine, where they are engaged and committed to delivering exceptional service to the citizens of Saskatoon.”

The City of Saskatoon was evaluated on eight criteria, the same used for the Canada Top 100 Employer’s competition: Physical Workplace; Work Atmosphere & Social; Health, Financial & Family Benefits; Vacation & Time Off; Employee Communications; Performance Management; Training & Skills Development; and Community Involvement.

“Over the past year, we made it a priority to better connect with our employees working in the field, away from a desk. Our new mobile-friendly intranet has allowed us to communicate valuable information and share timely corporate updates with all City employees regardless of where they work,” Cameron says. “In addition, we provided ongoing opportunities through our Leadership Connect Lunch Program and All-Employee Town Halls where employees at all levels could hear directly from senior leaders about important corporate initiatives, ask questions and provide feedback. These well-attended events reinforced our refreshed corporate purpose and values.”  

Employers are compared with other organizations in their field to determine which ones offer the most progressive and forward-thinking programs.

The Saskatchewan’s 2020 Top Employers are highlighted in today’s Saskatoon StarPhoenix and Regina Leader-Post. 

As we learn of Peter Zakreski's passing, my condolences go out to Elaine, the Zakreski family and all of those whose lives have been touched by Peter.

We have lost an incredible community builder. Peter Zakreski has left a legacy in Saskatoon that reflects so much of who we have become as a city. He has been central to life in sports, politics, business, philanthropy, arts, community safety, and more.

Peter's vision and impact went well beyond Saskatoon – most notably with the incredible efforts he made working so closely with Elaine on the Hope for Malawi  project.

In Peter's role as a nation builder, he was recognized as a Member of the Order of Canada.

Peter’s warmth and generosity were infectious. His partnership with Elaine and his devotion to family, friends, and the people who live here is remarkable.

Peter has also left a legacy with the many people whom he mentored. They are following in his footsteps by making a difference in community building and philanthropy.

We are a better community because of Peter’s leadership.

He will be missed.

Mayor Charlie Clark
 

Saskatoon’s Green Infrastructure Strategy (Strategy), which forms the vision, actions, initiatives and mapping for Saskatoon’s Green Network is now complete.

Green infrastructure creates a network of natural, enhanced, and engineered assets that protect, restore or enhance green space.  Saskatoon’s green spaces are under pressure from urban growth and increasing stress from climate-related impacts such as invasive pests, flooding, heat and drought.  When the quality of green space diminishes, ecosystem services such as fresh water, storm protection and air quality are at risk.

“As Saskatoon continues to grow and our climate changes, we must look to strengthen the Green Network by improving the condition of our green spaces, partnering with the community, and nurturing relationships between people and nature,” says Jeanna South, Director of Sustainability. “This Strategy outlines how, by integrating Green Infrastructure into the system of urban fabric and creating a comprehensive green network, Saskatoon can better provide resilient municipal and ecosystem services and high quality environments to live, work, learn and play.”

Through research, engagement, and analysis of the findings, the Strategy proposes a series of 15 actions, each with associated tasks for implementation. The next step for Saskatoon is the development of a Green Infrastructure Program to carry out the actions presented in the Strategy, including:

• Preparation of education material to promote understanding of the Green Network, including biodiversity and urban agriculture
• Collaboration with Meewasin to coordinate with their programs
• Review opportunities for community grants and incentives for green projects
• Green space management planning and engagement

The Green Infrastructure Strategy supports the Strategic Goals of Asset & Financial Sustainability, Quality of Life, Environmental Leadership, and Sustainable Growth. 

For a complete list of the 15 Strategy actions, to read the Strategy, or learn more about Saskatoon’s Green Network, please visit: saskatoon.ca/greeninfrastructure.

The City of Saskatoon has again received a favourable endorsement from S&P Global Rating Services, which today reconfirmed the City’s ‘AAA’ credit rating with a “stable” outlook.

“We’re pleased and excited to receive our ‘AAA’ rating today,” says Kerry Tarasoff, Chief Financial Officer. “This year’s introduction of the City’s first Multi-Year Business Plan & Budget Planning process has supported our fiscal transparency, and our ongoing commitment to improve our financial management practices as we plan for Saskatoon’s future.”

Noting Saskatoon’s diverse economy and observing the City’s “strong operating surpluses and financial management,” S&P Global Rating Services today reaffirmed ‘AAA’ long-term issuer credit and senior unsecured debt ratings on the City with an outlook that is ‘stable’.

Key points within the February 4, 2020 S&P Ratings Direct® Report are:

• The City’s management team is described as “experienced and qualified to effectively enact fiscal policies and respond to external risks.”
• “Management accountability is strong and financial policies are prudent.”
• The City’s has a “lengthy track record of passing budgets before the start of the fiscal year with minimal variations from budgeted revenues.”
• With “exceptional levels of liquidity, (the City’s) debt burden is expected to remain around current low levels of just under 40% of consolidated revenues.”
• Saskatoon’s strong economy has supported “budgetary balances leading to large operating surpluses more than sufficient to fund (the City’s) capital agenda.”

“Maintaining the City’s ‘AAA’ rating is important as it supports our confidence in our budgetary decisions for Saskatoon’s bright future with continued and steady growth,” Tarasoff says. “We remain confident in our ability to minimize debt as we undertake long-term planning for infrastructure to support our great quality of life in Saskatoon.”

The full report entitled “City of Saskatoon Ratings Affirmed At ‘AAA’; Outlook Remains Stable” is available on the City’s website saskatoon.ca.

Approximately 400 properties in the Sutherland neighbourhood experienced a water outage and lower water pressure in the evening of February 3, following an issue with the primary water main on 102nd Street W at O’Neil Crescent. These properties are on a Precautionary Drinking Water Advisory issued by the Water Security Agency and Saskatchewan Health Authority and should boil their water until notified.

There were two separate water main breaks that caused the water distribution system in the area to depressurize. The water main breaks occurred on 102nd Street W at O’Neil Crescent, and Packham Avenue affecting approximately 400 properties south of 108th Street W. 

The water was restored to all properties; however, there could be some localized water outages as crews tackle the repair to the individual water main breaks.

“We thank everyone for their patience as we work as quickly as possible to restore water service,” says Trent Schmidt, Acting Director of Water & Waste Operations. “This is the time of year when the frost is gets closer to the depth of our water pipes and we can notice an increase in breaks, unfortunately.”

Crews are flushing out the water system this morning, which could carry into tomorrow due to the size of the area affected. Following flushing, water testing can take another 48-72 hours to confirm the drinking water quality is achieved. Affected properties will receive a green Drinking Water Advisory Lifted Notice when the water quality tests confirm it is safe to drink.

Properties affected are reminded to review the white letter from the Water Security Agency and Saskatchewan Health Authority, and the yellow door hanger from the City delivered to their front door for instructions. Learn more at saskatoon.ca/drinkingwater.