News Releases

5.2 Innovative Housing Incentives – Saskatchewan Housing Corporation – 2013 Baltzan Boulevard, 474 Boykowich Street, 1528 37th Street West

Decision

*The Committee is forwarding a report to City Council on August 18, 2016, in support of the recommendations.

Background

*The Saskatchewan Housing Corporation is building three affordable residential care homes, consisting of four bedrooms each, for placement of Valley View Centre residents.
*The affordable rental units qualify for financial incentives from the City, including a capital grant and a five-year incremental tax abatement.
*The Committee is recommending $108,000 of the total capital cost of the construction of 12 affordable rental units at 203 Baltzan Boulevard, 474 Boykowich Street, and 1528 37th Street West, by the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, to a maximum of $9,000 per unit, be approved.
*The Committee is also recommending a five-year tax abatement of the incremental property taxes, estimated at $18,349, for the 12 affordable rental units be applied, commencing the next taxation year, following the completion of construction.

6.3.2 Robin Hansen – Original Kinsmen Park Playground Closure

Decision

*The Committee has resolved that the matter be referred to Administration for a report at the August 15, 2016 PD&CS meeting. Additional correspondence and speakers have been referred to the same meeting to be heard at that time (there were letters received after the deadline for submission on new items.  The bylaw does not provide for late letters or requests to speak unless it relates to an Administrative report on the agenda).

Background

*Robin Hansen presented citizens wishes regarding the re-opening of Kinsmen Park Playground as well as a petition.

7.1.1 Dutch Elm Disease Response Plan Update

Decision

*The Committee received the report as information.

Background

*The report provided an update on the implementation of the Dutch Elm Disease Response Plan.
*There’s an estimated 100,000 elm trees on both public and private property within Saskatoon, valued at more than $500 million. A complete and accurate inventory of all elm trees is being developed to support comprehensive Dutch elm disease (DED) response strategies.
*A public awareness campaign is being implemented to help prevent the spread of DED by providing citizens with information about the urban forest, the provincial DED regulations, and the importance of reporting symptomatic trees. 
*Enhanced surveillance service levels have been established in 2016 and will help with early detection of DED, and limit the spread of this disease.
*Recommendations from the Urban Forestry Civic Service Review, which is currently underway, will identify initiatives that can potentially improve Urban Forestry’s tree maintenance and inventory service levels and improve the overall health of the City’s trees.

7.2.4 Designation of Permanent Off-Leash Recreation Area and Amendment to Animal Control Bylaw, 1999, No. 7860

Decision

*The Committee is forwarding a report to the August 18, 2016 meeting of City Council in support of the recommendations in the report.

Background

*The Committee is recommending City Council approve a permanent Off-Leash Recreation Area next to Mayfair Pool between Avenues F and G, and 31^st and 32^nd Streets.
*Since the Animal Services Program began in 2004, nine Off-Leash Recreation Areas have been created in Saskatoon.

The City and its project partners, Graham Commuter Partners (GCP), continue to make progress on the North Commuter Parkway and the new Traffic Bridge which will be complete in October 2018. A new project update video is now available.

The North Commuter Parkway will support the transportation needs of citizens who live in Saskatoon’s northeast and work in the Marquis and North Industrial Areas, reducing traffic on the city’s existing bridges. The new Traffic Bridge will support the growing city centre by allowing motorists, pedestrians and cyclists to cross the river between the downtown and residential areas in the south sector of the city. The new bridge will look similar to the old bridge, but will be wider to accommodate emergency vehicles. 

Traffic Bridge Update – July 2016

This month, concrete work on Pier 3 was completed. The pier is now able to support the installation of the new span expected later this summer. Work on the new south abutment was also completed and the south abutment walls are now being built. Construction on the north abutment has now begun. Renderings showing the design concept for the new pathways on the south side of the river were also released.

North Commuter Parkway Update – July 2016

Parkway Bridge

Crews continue construction on Pier 1 - the diaphragm for the pier has been poured and is being backfilled and the columns are being reinforced. Pier 1 construction will continue over the summer. Progress on earthworks for the east embankment of the bridge remains steady and in mid-July, pile driving for the east embankment will begin. Crews have also begun stripping and backfilling work on the west embankment. 

Parkway Roadways

Clearing and topsoil stripping for the new roadways is now complete and earthwork operations continue along McOrmond Drive and Central Avenue. Storm sewer construction for the new lanes of Central Avenue between Attridge Drive and Fedoruk Drive continues and should be complete in July, at which time overhead power lines will be relocated.

Work to improve the Attridge Drive and Central Avenue intersection continues and this work, as well the Marquis Drive and Wanuskewin Road intersection, should be complete by fall.

Traffic and Trails

Residents can continue to expect increased traffic at Marquis Drive and Wanuskewin Road as trucks haul materials to the bridge construction site. Traffic restrictions and lane closures remain in place to accommodate work at Central Avenue and Attridge Drive. Beginning in July, work will start at the intersection of the Marquis Drive and Wanuskewin Road. Citizens will be notified of traffic detours through the City’s Daily Road Report, road signage, and social media.

The Spadina Crescent detour the Broadway Bridge and 3^rd Avenue will remain in place until the end of the construction period. The Saskatchewan Crescent eastbound detour to 11^th Street and westbound detour to the Victoria Avenue on/off ramps will be in place until August 2016. Rotary Park and River Landing trail detours will continue through the construction period. Access to Crocus Prairie Trail from Central Avenue is closed until winter 2016. At times, the east sidewalk at Wanuskewin Road and Marquis Drive will be restricted for vehicle crossings

Ways to Watch Construction Progress

Anyone interested can keep an eye on construction progress on the City's website. The webpage, saskatoon.ca/bridging,  includes quarterly video updates, live project webcams, time lapse videos, and photographs. Construction viewing areas are also in place at River Landing, and from the Meewasin Trail located just east of the cul de sac at the north end of Kinnear Avenue (north of Silverwood Golf Course).

Stay Safe Near Construction Zones

Citizens are reminded to obey traffic and Meewasin Trail detours, and to respect all safety measures in place including site fencing and site markings. The City is also reminding pedestrians to stay clear of work areas near the construction sites.

Summer construction season is in full swing and hundreds of potholes and utility cuts are repaired across Saskatoon every day. Since April, the City has used 1,670 tonnes of asphalt to repair the equivalent of an estimated 100,900 potholes on city streets. Favourable weather and an early snow melt have contributed to quicker repairs than in previous years.

“Better roads is a top priority for residents and everyone can help by reporting potholes online,” says Trent Schmidt, Acting Director of Public Works. “We use the information to prioritize our repair locations and continue to improve our roads throughout the summer.”

In addition to pothole repairs, utility cut repairs are ahead of schedule with the backlog of outstanding repairs from winter work expected to be completed by mid-August.

“We’ve repaired more than 675 utility cut locations so far this season, compared to approximately 500 at this time last year.” says Schmidt. “We are not only repairing utility cuts faster, we are holding ourselves and contractors to higher quality standards.”

A utility cut is a straight-edged break in the pavement from an excavation to access underground utilities. Utility cuts are maintained with sand and gravel until they can be repaired with asphalt, and are often mistaken for large potholes.  

The City thanks everyone for respecting work zones and their patience as we repair potholes and utility cuts around Saskatoon. 

Residents are encouraged to use the City’s Report-A-Pothole Map to report potholes and to consult the Utility Cuts and Repair Schedule. For more information please visit saskatoon.ca/betterroads. Emergency road repairs can be reported by calling Public Works Customer Service at 306-975-2476.

At 4:00 p.m. today, the Water Security Agency removed restrictions for Arbor Creek, Erindale, Evergreen (with the exception of Pohorecky), Forest Grove, University Heights Suburban Centre and Willowgrove under its Precautionary Drinking Water Advisory after extensive testing confirmed the water in these areas is safe to drink.

The Pohorecky area in the Evergreen neighbourhood will remain under advisory, including Pohorecky Bay, Cove, Close, Crescent, Court, Lane, Place, Rise, Street, Terrace and Way until further flushing of the system produces water samples that meet the high quality standards of the provincial regulatory agency. Yellow Drinking Advisory doorhangers will be delivered to these affected addresses as soon as possible tonight; followed by a green lifted notice when the water is confirmed safe to drink.

“After repeated flushing of the distribution system, water samples taken on Pohorecky Drive in Evergreen tested positive for a bacterial growth that we don’t like to see in drinking water,” says Acting Director of Public Works Trent Schmidt. “While it is not a serious threat to public health, we maintain high quality standards for public consumption and any level is unacceptable.”

“We are pleased to have these results before the long weekend,” says Schmidt. “The six neighbourhoods under the Precautionary Drinking Water Advisory can safely drink their tap water after running their taps for at least one minute.”

Arbor Creek, Erindale, Evergreen (except for Pohorecky) Forest Grove, University Heights Suburban Centre and Willowgrove no longer need to boil tap water for consumption and can begin using the tap water as normal after the following steps are completed:

1. Run cold water faucets and drinking fountains for at least 1 minute before using the water.
2. Drain and flush the ice-making system in your refrigerator.
3. Run water softeners through a regeneration cycle.
4. Drain and refill hot water heaters set below 45°C (normal setting is 60°C).

Business and residents have been boiling water for consumption since Monday afternoon in Arbor Creek, Erindale, Evergreen, Forest Grove, University Heights Suburban Centre and Willowgrove, after a primary water main was damaged. The City has been providing daily updates by phone, email or text message to those in the affected area using the City’s Emergency Alert System, notifynow. This will be the primary communication tool once the advisory is lifted.

“We encourage people in the six affected neighbourhoods to pay attention to our notifynow alerts or check the status of the water advisory regularly at saskatoon.ca,” says Acting Director of Public Works, Trent Schmidt. “With Friday being Canada Day and a long weekend for many people, we are telling people now what they will need to do once they get the message.”

Once the Precautionary Drinking Water Advisory is lifted, affected areas will no longer need to boil tap water for consumption and begin using the tap water as normal after the following steps are completed:

1. Run cold water faucets and drinking fountains for at least 1 minute before using the water.
2. Drain and flush the ice-making system in your refrigerator.
3. Run water softeners through a regeneration cycle.
4. Drain and refill hot water heaters set below 45°C (normal setting is 60°C).

The Water Security Agency requires two sets of water samples from multiple representative locations in the affected area be laboratory tested and confirmed safe before ending the Precautionary Drinking Water Advisory. Results from the second set of tests will be available late Thursday.

Residents affected by the Drinking Water Advisory in six Saskatoon neighbourhoods – Arbor Creek, Erindale, Evergreen, Forest Grove, University Heights Suburban Center and Willowgrove – are asked to reach out to family and friends in unaffected areas for their potable water needs.

“We know most people will look after getting their own water and we’re hoping to make that a bit easier for residents,” says Assistant Fire Chief Anthony Tataryn. “Of course family, friends and employers in unaffected areas are encouraged to help where they can by allowing those people to fill jugs of potable water from their unaffected taps.”

For those who don’t have that resource, the City has organized water filling depots at Fire Station #9 on Attridge Drive and at Fire Station #5 on Central Avenue. Residents will be able to fill large, clean water jugs at these locations. 

Residents in affected areas are advised to:

• Boil all water used for drinking or activities where it may be ingested (brushing teeth, washing fruit and vegetables, making ice cubes, etc.).
• Use an alternative water source known to be safe if you do not wish to boil tap water.
• Consult saskatoon.ca for more updates and tips.

For residents who require extra support in meeting their drinking water needs, bottled water will be available at Fire Stations #5 and #9.

“We want everyone to help each other as much as possible,” Tataryn says. “So, if you are able to get a water supply from an unaffected area, please go that route. We want to keep the Fire Stations open for the folks who may not have that as an option.”

The Water Security Agency issued a Precautionary Drinking Water Advisory for several neighbourhoods Monday afternoon, after a private contractor damaged a primary water main near McOrmond Drive, which in turn depressurized the water distribution system.

The advisory is expected to be in place until at least Thursday, once laboratory tests confirm the water is safe to drink.

Due to the size and scope of the advisory area, NotifyNow will be used on a daily basis to provide updates to people in affected areas using public phone numbers or contact information provided by subscribers until the Drinking Water Advisory is lifted.

Also, everyone can stay informed with timely Water Outage Service Alerts on our website and @YXEServiceAlert on Twitter.

Public Works and Saskatoon Water have been dealing with an urgent situation in the city’s northeast.

A contractor working on a private land development punctured a 42” Primary Water Main which resulted in significant depressurization in the neighbourhoods on the east side of the river, north of College Drive and east of Central Ave.

West side neighbourhoods are not affected.

The break was isolated at 1:15 p.m. and water service and pressure is currently returning to normal. In the meantime, and as safeguard, a Drinking Water Advisory is in effect for the above mentioned areas.

Right now, City staff are checking the system and conducting water quality tests. In addition, Saskatoon Water is performing computer modelling to determine the extent of the area affected.

NotifyNow will be used to advise affected customers and citizens of the DWA and where to find further information.

Water Outage service alerts will be issued as more information becomes available. Visit saskatoon.ca/service-alerts and follow @YXEServiceAlert on Twitter.

As the City continues its planning toward a population of half-a-million, Saskatoon Transit has finalized routing for the 8th Street corridor and surrounding areas, which will be implemented July 3, 2016.

“This is an exciting step into the future,” says Jim McDonald, Director of Saskatoon Transit. “These changes will allow us to offer high-frequency service along 8th Street which is the first step toward implementing Bus Rapid Transit.”

Transit riders will notice changes to many existing routes, including the addition of five new routes, adjustments to 22 existing routes and the retirement of six current routes. The 2016 route adjustments will allow Saskatoon Transit to provide 7.5 minute frequency along 8th Street during morning and afternoon peak periods and 10 minute frequency during off-peak times on weekdays. Transit will provide 30 minute frequency during evenings, on weekends and statutory holidays.

These service changes should allow for more convenience and a quicker daily commute for east-side customers traveling to-and-from downtown. It should drastically reduce wait times and missed connections along the 8th Street corridor. These service changes also support our new model of citizen service under Service Saskatoon.

“We are implementing transit industry best practices and working with existing resources to introduce higher-frequency service along major corridors” McDonald says.  “We’ve ended some pilot-project routes and understand adjustments to existing routes may mean a change in routine and may mean a few extra minutes on the bus, but these changes will be beneficial to the overall transit system and the majority of bus riders.” 

All new routing and schedules are available at saskatoontransit.ca and at the Transit Customer Service Centre. Customers are now able to plan their trip online through Google Transit with the routing that will be introduced on July third.

“To make sure this transition goes smoothly we’re strongly encouraging riders to check route changes now to see how this will affect their commute” he says. “Knowing before you go is the best way for riders to avoid confusion on July third.”                           

Saskatoon Transit riders will notice six new buses on city streets in the coming days. The new buses are part of Saskatoon Transit’s Fleet Renewal Strategy, which will improve rider experiences while decreasing operating costs.

“These buses are fully accessible, contain the latest Intelligent Transportation System technology and are more fuel efficient,” says Jim McDonald, Director of Saskatoon Transit. “They have more comfortable ergonomically-designed seating, improved lighting, automated announcements, air conditioning and a darker floor which will reduce windshield glare for our operators.”

These buses are the first of 10 to arrive; four remaining buses are expected to be delivered in July. Upgrading the transit fleet with new buses instead of buying refurbished models reduces the annual fleet cost by about $200,000 a year. Saskatoon Transit will soon place an order for 10 more buses for a July 2017 delivery.   

“It just makes better financial sense to update our fleet and it helps us deliver high-quality, comfortable service that Saskatoon residents expect and deserve,” says McDonald. “We’ve seen a savings of $60,000 a year in fuel costs because of the new buses purchased over the last five years.   We anticipate more savings as we replace older buses with new ones.”

Over the next 10 years, Transit will:

• Reduce its average bus age from 11.9 to 7.3 years, which will reduce maintenance costs and the size of the fleet because  fewer “spares” are required;
• Ensure every bus meets accessibility standards by 2018;
• Offer air conditioning and other improved amenities on every bus; and
• Increase capacity on busy routes by tripling the number of articulating buses.

Overall, it’s expected the new buses will provide riders with modern transportation solutions and a better overall riding experience. 

For the June 27, 2016 Regular Meeting of City Council

8.1.2 Vacant Lot and Adaptive Reuse Incentive Program – Gardens as an Interim Use

*City Council will be asked to approve the proposed amendments to the Vacant Lot and Adaptive Reuse Incentive Program Policy.

Additional Information

*At the May 30, 2016 meeting of the SPC on Planning, Development and Community Services, presentations were received expressing support for the proposed amendment and further urban food production opportunities.
*Administration has worked with community stakeholders to amend the Vacant Lot and Adaptive Reuse Program (VLAR) to help address food security in Saskatoon.
*The Administration recommends the VLAR Program be amended to include incentives for garden plots on vacant land as an interim use.
*The incentive will be in the form of a cash grant equal to 50% of the annual value of the municipal property taxes to a maximum of $500 per year for residential properties, and $1,200 per year for non-residential sites, for up to five years.
*Non-profit organizations may have on-site sales of produce in residential areas in compliance with the garage sale provisions of the Zoning Bylaw No. 8770.
*The establishment of a garden on a vacant lot will not affect the opportunity for future incentives under the VLAR Program when the lot becomes developed.

8.3.3 Functional Planning Study – Interchange Highways 11 & 16 – Award of Contract

*The SPC on Transportation is recommending that the City enter into an agreement with ISL Engineering and Land Services Ltd. for the provision of engineering services to complete a Functional Planning Study of the interchange at Highways 11 & 16 at a total cost of $160,183 (including taxes).

Additional Information

*The junction of Highways 11 & 16 is currently operating as a 1960’s era cloverleaf interchange. Both highways are considered National and Provincial primary routes and any future interchange will require a system-level interchange function and need to be flexible for conversion to an urban service-level interchange in the future. The Stonebridge partial interchange, scheduled for completion in the fall of 2016, will attract additional traffic through the cloverleaf interchange.
*This project was approved in the 2016 Capital Budget.
*Over the past 5 years 39 collisions have occurred within the existing interchange; additionally, 1 to 3 collisions involving the structure and over-height loads occur in a typical year.
*The focus of this review is a detailed engineering study of the existing and future traffic demands at this junction and the geometric improvements required to improve the safety and operation of this interchange.

8.3.8 Active Transportation Plan

*City Council will be asked:

1. To recognize and approve, in principle, the long-term benefits of the vision, goals, targets, and key directions of the Active Transportation Plan;
2. That the Active Transportation Plan be implemented in a phased, incremental
approach, requiring specific implementation plans in five-year increments; and
3. That the Administration report back with an implementation plan for the period of 2017 to 2021 with specific action items, funding and staffing resources identified.

Additional Information

*The Active Transportation Plan (ATP) was guided by community input, a vision, and goals; targets for active transportation have been developed, along with key directions and action items to improve active transportation facilities, policies and standards, support programs, and education and awareness initiatives over the next 30 to 40 years.
*Based on feedback during the early rounds of public engagement, the ATP includes a target to double the proportionate daily walking and cycling trips by the year 2045.
*The ATP contains an 80-point action plan organized around the themes of Connectivity, Safety and Security, Convenience, Land Use and Growth, Maintenance and Accessibility, and Education and Awareness. Actions have been prioritized in the short-, medium-, and long-term, and quick wins (actions that can be implemented in the next one to two years) have been identified.
*Following City Council approval in principle, a five-year implementation plan with specific action items, funding, and staffing resources will be created and brought to City Council for review.

8.4.2 2015 Safety Performance and Absenteeism Report

*City Council will be asked that the Board of Police Commissioners be requested to provide additional information on its action plans to reduce lost time injury and frequency.

Additional Information:

*The purpose of the Safety Performance Report is to provide a summary of the major activities in 2015, review the results of the City’s Safety Performance for 2015, identify strategies for improvement, as well as identify supporting initiatives to achieve the Corporate Performance target of zero lost-time incidents by 2023.
*The purpose of the Absenteeism report is to review absenteeism rates and costs, identify trends, as well as opportunities for improvement.
*Additional information can be found in this report: https://apps2.saskatoon.ca/tpapp/eamm_public/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=14357

9.6.3 Designation of Fred Mendel Park Off-Leash Recreation Area

*City Council will be asked to consider Bylaw No. 9387, The Animal Control Amendment Bylaw, 2016.

Additional Information

*At its meeting on May 24, 2016, City Council considered a report requesting approval to establish 1.28 acres as an off-leash recreation area within Fred Mendel Park and to instruct the City Solicitor to amend Bylaw No. 7860, The Animal Control Bylaw, 1999. It was later reported by the Recreation & Community Development Division that the size of the proposed off-leash recreation area had been subsequently adjusted to 1.22 acres.

9.11.1 Report from the Saskatoon Municipal Review Commission Remuneration Committee

*The Saskatoon Municipal Review Commission Remuneration Committee is making a number of recommendations. They are listed here: https://apps2.saskatoon.ca/tpapp/eamm_public/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=14371

Additional Information

*Additional information can be found in this report: https://apps2.saskatoon.ca/tpapp/eamm_public/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=14372