News Releases
Saskatoon Fire - News Releases
City’s first Flood Control Strategy project substantially complete
November 9, 2021 - 8:07am
In 2018, City Council approved a Flood Control Strategy (FCS) aimed at reducing flooding in Saskatoon’s most flood-prone areas during intense rainfalls. The dry storm pond at W.W. Ashley District Park, which took approximately ten months to build, is now substantially complete and will catch overflow but also serve as a sports field and park space when dry.
“The landscaping turned out beautifully with trees, a surrounding pathway, and spectator seating built into the slopes,” says Russ Munro, Director of Saskatoon Water. “We are very pleased with the end result and, while none of us want to experience excessive amounts of rain within very short periods of time, that is when we will see the new pond and underground drainage systems in action.”
Substantial completion means there’s still some finishing touches to be done before the site can open, like installing stair railings and park benches. The site will remain closed until approximately fall 2022 to give the newly installed sod and seed time to establish. In the meantime, Saskatoon Water is gearing up for the second of nine FCS projects: constructing a dry storm pond in Churchill Park.
“Consultations have taken place and we have received great feedback from the community. We have moved forward with design plans and will proceed with construction in early 2022.”
Dry storm ponds are designed to hold water that would otherwise cause nearby flooding during intense rainfalls. The water flows from properties and roads into the dry storm pond, then slowly drains into the storm sewer. Prior to the establishment of the FCS, Saskatoon already had nine dry storm ponds, mostly in neighbourhoods built after 1989 when enhanced storm water infrastructure standards were established. The FCS focuses on neighbourhoods that were established prior to then.
The Government of Canada is contributing 40% of the eligible construction costs up to a maximum of $21.6 million toward nine FCS projects. The City is funding the remaining construction costs through the Storm Water Utility Capital Program and revenue generated from Storm Water Utility charges.
For more information about the FCS, and to subscribe to Flood Protection Plan updates, visit saskatoon.ca/floodplan.
Inland Steel secures deal in Marquis Industrial: Avenue P yards to close
November 8, 2021 - 3:30pm
Saskatoon Land and Inland Steel Products have reached an agreement on a parcel in the Marquis Industrial area which will lead to the relocation of the company’s current operations at Avenue P and 17th Street West.
“Reaching this land agreement with Saskatoon Land creates the opportunity for our company to build a new headquarters and state-of-art metal recycling facility in Saskatoon, where our family business was formed 55 years ago,” says Matt Ditlove, President of Inland Steel Products. “This investment demonstrates our company’s continued commitment to serving the people of Saskatoon and surrounding area, and to the creation of additional jobs for our community.”
The new expanded metal recycling facility on the Marquis lands will ensure a fast and stress-free experience for recycling scrap metal in Saskatoon, for both industrial vendors and individuals. Furthermore, the state-of-the-art processing equipment will increase the company’s ability to recycle more volume and continue to grow the company’s ability to service clients throughout Saskatchewan.
Mayor Charlie Clark says Inland’s decision demonstrates confidence in Saskatoon’s future, which is especially welcome as we come through the pandemic.
“This project is a big win-win for the community and for Inland Steel. It is a great commitment by Inland Steel to continue to grow this company and create good jobs right here in Saskatoon, as they expand their activities across the continent. Moving their activities from Avenue P to the North Industrial will also reduce heavy industrial activity close to the homes and schools in that area, which has been a long term goal for the city.”
The City had three parcels that total nearly 12.4 hectares (30.6 acres including a 10.7 ha or 26.4 acre industrial site) which had been held back from the market with the strategy that it would attract a heavy industrial buyer such as Inland Steel Products to foster expansion, relocation and job creation in the region.
“These parcels are shovel-ready,” says Frank Long, Director of Saskatoon Land. “All are fully serviced and immediately available for construction.”
The land deal will set in motion the opportunity to have the current Inland Steel site rezoned for light industrial uses.
“We’ve wanted to move away from heavy industrial uses in this area for many years,” says Director of Planning and Development, Lesley Anderson. “With Inland’s eventual departure, future land use on the site as a light industrial use will be a better fit with the surrounding residential neighbourhoods.”
City Council to review options for school and playground zones
November 1, 2021 - 11:08am
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New playground zones with reduced speed limit of 30 km/h;
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Year-round lower speed limits in both school and playground zones 7 days a week from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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Adjustments to posted signs and length of current school zones; and
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Removal of lower speed school zones from high schools, designating them a “school area” where U-turn are still restricted.
Year-round school zones and the introduction of playground zones with reduced speed limits were endorsed at City Council’s Standing Policy Committee on Transportation today. City Council will debate the merits of the recommended options for these zones and vote at its November 22 meeting.
The recommendation would align the City’s school zone policy with national guidelines and implement other best practices for pedestrian safety, including:
There is no recommendation to develop a lower speed limit in areas with more seniors. Other measures such as traffic calming or pedestrian crossing devices will continue to be used to ensure pedestrian safety at important crossings near these facilities.
Project information is available at saskatoon.ca/engage/speed-limit-review.
City Council defeats The COVID-19 Gathering Bylaw, 2021 No.9782
October 29, 2021 - 10:53am
- Red: 16% reduction in gathering size but no decrease in proportion of people mixing in the community.
- Olive: 43% reduction in gathering sizes but no decrease in proportion of people mixing in the community.
- Green: modest reduction in people mixing in community.
- Blue: greater reduction in people mixing in community (half of pre-pandemic mixing).
- Magenta: greater reduction in people mixing in community (half of pre-pandemic mixing).
- Proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or negative test within 72 hours are mandatory for ages 12 and over within all Leisure Centre areas and indoor arenas as per a Public Health Order and subsequent Council direction.
- A Public Health Order requires masks to be worn in all indoor public spaces including all City facilities.
New map highlights areas affected by SL&P power outages
October 28, 2021 - 2:00pm
Saskatoon Light & Power (SL&P) has launched a new interactive power outage map, making it easier than ever for customers to access and view outage information.
“While our crews are troubleshooting and repairing an outage, we’re committed to keeping customers informed in the easiest, most helpful way,” says Trevor Bell, Director of SL&P. “Service alerts issued on Twitter and on the City website are the primary form of communication for outages, but now the map will also be included with the alerts making it easier to see the area impacted, cause, and estimated time of repair.”
Outages are either identified from data notification from the electrical system (i.e. smart meters) or through calls from customers. Crews are then dispatched to determine the cause of the outage, and then isolate the issue and complete the repair. Outages may involve minor work, such as trimming trees away from power lines, or much larger tasks such as replacing broken poles, faulty cables, or damaged transformers. Repair work can take minutes or up to several hours.
“Prior to the power outage map, the impacted outage area was written in a service alert, but since the outage area usually does not follow neighbourhood boundaries it can be difficult to describe the affected area accurately,” says Bell. “While the written information will still be provided, the new map will be a better visual representation of the outage area and will be especially helpful in the event of planned outages.”
Bell adds that Saskatoon Light & Power’s index of reliability in 2020 was 0.9998, which means that power was delivered to the average customer 99.98% of the time.
Saskatoon Light & Power provides power to over 60,000 properties within its service area. All customers outside of the service area should refer to the SaskPower website for any outage related information.
Visit saskatoon.ca/outages for more information on the new power outage map and for power outage tips.
City invites feedback on draft Strategic Plan 2022-2025
October 27, 2021 - 5:13am
- Advance City Council's Priorities
- Deliver Excellence in Core Services and Operational Priorities
- Drive Corporate Transformational Change
The City is seeking public input on its draft Strategic Plan for 2022-2025. The current Strategic Plan for 2018-2021 will be retired at year’s end.
The City has been working to develop the new strategic plan over the course of the past year. The document is intended to capture the priorities and direction for the City over the next four years. The draft plan includes three pillars that underline how the City will achieve the goals set out in its plan:
Why do we need a Strategic Plan?
The Strategic Plan is a guiding document that sets out the City’s big picture. It outlines the specific outcomes that City Council and Administration will work together to achieve over the next four years. Strategy does not cover all the important work a City does. Strategy speaks specifically to the changes and improvements that are planned over a period to ensure Saskatoon remains a city that residents are proud to call home.
Public Input
The City is gathering feedback on the draft plan and content of the three pillars. This feedback will be presented alongside the plan at the Nov. 22nd meeting of City Council. The Strategic Plan presentation and the discussion that follows will be available via livestream at saskatoon.ca and residents are welcome to tune in.
The 2022-2025 draft Strategic Plan and the accompanying survey are available now at saskatoon.ca/engage. If you or someone you know cannot complete the online survey, please contact the City's Customer Care Centre at 306-975-2476 to request a paper copy. The survey is open until 5 p.m. on Nov. 10, 2021.
City proclaims November 1 to 8 Health Care Worker Appreciation Week: 40% discount offered at City Indoor Leisure Centres
October 25, 2021 - 4:30pm
City Council today proclaimed November 1 to 8, 2021, Health Care Worker Appreciation Week in Saskatoon.
“On behalf of the City of Saskatoon, Saskatoon City Council extends its sincere gratitude and appreciation to all health care workers who continue to show heroic efforts in protecting our community during the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Mayor Charlie Clark.
In appreciation for all the physicians, nurses, health care aides, home care providers, pharmacists, paramedics, emergency management teams and all others working in health care, the City is offering a 40% discount on a family, adult or youth Leisure Centre general admission during Health Care Worker Appreciation Week -- November 1 to 8, 2021.
In addition to the required vaccination or negative test proof, health care workers will be asked to provide proof of employment in order to receive the discount. The offer is valid at all City Leisure Centres including Cosmo Civic Centre, Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre, Lakewood Civic Centre, Lawson Civic Centre, Saskatoon Field House and Shaw Centre.
For more information, visit saskatoon.ca/leisurecentres.
City to present utility funding options for curbside residential garbage and upcoming organics program
October 13, 2021 - 10:52am
- Option 1: January 2023 implementation of fixed monthly rates for both black cart garbage and curbside organics utilities.
- Option 2 (Recommendation): January 2023 implementation of fixed monthly rate for curbside organics utility and January 2024 implementation of variable rates for the black cart garbage.
On Monday, October 18, the Administration will present a decision report to the Governance and Priorities Committee (GPC) detailing two options for the implementation of a utility for curbside residential garbage and the upcoming curbside residential organics program. The decision to rescind the November 19, 2018 resolution to fund both with property taxes came during the August 30, 2021 GPC meeting, where the Administration was asked to re-evaluate the funding model and present options on timing, phase-in options, and affordability options.
The two options are as follows:
This illustration provides a detailed comparison of both options, including the estimated financial impact on single-family households, condominiums, and non-residential properties.
“Funding these services through a utility is a step in the right direction, as it provides additional transparency of program costs and accountability to customers through a fair and justifiable rate.” says Angela Gardiner, General Manager, Utilities and Environment. “We have done a thorough comparison of both options and we feel that the variable aspect of Option 2 is most favourable as it increases the customer’s control over their costs and encourages lower usage of residential garbage services by providing financial incentives for waste diversion.”
The full report and attachments can be found here.
Progress updates and a decision history can be found at saskatoon.ca/curbsideorganics.
COVID-19 self-testing kits are not available for pickup at Saskatoon Fire Halls
October 18, 2021 - 3:48am
The Government of Saskatchewan recently announced that COVID-19 ‘at home’ self-testing kits would be distributed to the general public this week and available for pickup at participating fire halls, local chambers of commerce, and SHA testing and assessment centres.
The Saskatoon Fire Department Fire Halls are not a participating pickup location. For safety reasons, Saskatoon’s Fire Halls have not been open to the public since the onset of the pandemic in March 2020. The public is asked to not go to or call a Fire Hall seeking testing kits.
A list of participating pickup locations will soon be available at Saskatchewan.ca/covid-19. The Government of Saskatchewan has indicated this list will be updated as kits are delivered and available, and as new sites participate.
For the latest updates, visit saskatoon.ca/covid-19.
2022/2023 Multi-Year Business Plan & Budget: Special Meeting Friday, October 15
October 14, 2021 - 5:25am
- Strategic Options to Reduce Expenditures 2022/2023 - information on strategic options to reduce expenditures for 2022 and 2023 to bring expenditures more in line with current revenue increases. This report provides service level reports that have been previously presented to City Council for consideration on whether there are service levels that could be adjusted to reduce expenditures in 2022 and 2023.
- User Fee Guidelines and Cost Recovery - information on user fees policies and cost recovery for optimal revenue budget to address this question: is the City of Saskatoon’s user fees and cost recoveries set at an appropriate level to reduce the mill-rate impact of programs and services as much as possible?
- 2021 Previously Approved Budgetary Items - throughout the year, City Council approved various initiatives that may have budgetary financial implications that extend into 2022 or later years. What is the effect on future budgets from the decisions City Council has made to date in 2021?
- Comparative Analysis of Recent Budget Adjustments in Selected Canadian Cities - comparative data for 2020, 2021, 2022 for tax increases and/or forecast tax increases in Edmonton, Calgary, Regina and Winnipeg with comment on significant initiatives in each municipality to reduce or hold tax increases.
- October 18, 2021: A list of prioritized Business Plan Options will be presented to the Governance and Priorities Committee (GPC).
- November 2021: The 2022/2023 Multi-Year Business Plan & Budget document will be released.
- November 29, 30 & December 1, 2021: City Council 2022/2023 Multi-Year Business Plan & Budget Review (deliberations) will take place.
A Special Budget Review Meeting will be held tomorrow, Friday, October 15, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. The City’s Standing Policy Committee on Finance will consider four information reports.
At the Standing Policy Committee on Finance last Special Meeting on August 31, 2021, when considering the 2022 and 2023 Indicative Budget, it resolved that the Administration provide additional reports on:
Budget Process Timeline – Next Steps
Any decisions made at the October 18 meeting or the November GPC meeting that impact the property tax rate will be forwarded to the Business Plan and Budget Review meeting in November to be debated but will not be reflected in the preliminary 2022/2023 Multi-Year Business Plan & Budget document.
For more information on the City’s multi-year budget process visit saskatoon.ca/budget.