News Releases
Saskatoon Fire - News Releases
CITY MONITORS STREETS TO DETERMINE TIMING OF CITY-WIDE RESIDENTIAL GRADING
February 19, 2015 - 7:52am
- Snow windrow removal from Business Improvement Districts.
- Snow windrow removal around the school zones. With the February school break in effect the timing of this will help to provide for improved conditions in the drop off zones at the schools.
- The snow train has been activated to remove snow stored along the barrier walls of Circle Drive and the bridges.
City crews have been out measuring the snowpack and rut depth on residential streets to determine when a city-wide snow grading will be initiated. Initial measurements have found an average snowpack of 7.5 centimetres (3 inches). This is currently below the 15 centimetres (6 inches) threshold to trigger a city-wide residential snow grading.
“These are our initial measurements but crews will continue to monitor and assess residential streets over the next few days and we will be in a better position next week to determine the timing of the potential activation of City-wide residential grading,” says Pat Hyde, Director of Public Works. “In the interim, we are continuing to address trouble spots on residential streets as they are reported.”
This year, the intent is to perform the city-wide residential snow grading program later in the season to reduce the time that windrows adversely affect parking.
“Timing is everything when it comes to initiating City-wide snow grading; the snow pack needs to be thick enough and the weather warm enough to soften the pack so that it can be graded effectively,” says Hyde. “Windrows impact residential on-street parking so we don’t want to initiate it too early. We also don’t want to leave it too late because Spring temperatures can cause deep ruts on snow packed streets.”
So far this winter, 6,800 tandem truckloads of snow have been removed from priority streets which are in good winter driving condition. City Crews continue to work 7 days a week, 24 hours a day to sand and salt roads as required.
After the weekend’s snow storm crews are continuing with the following;
Once this work is complete, crews will look to begin removing snow stored in windrows from priority streets as required.
For more information on the City’s Snow & Ice Plan visit Saskatoon.ca and search “Snow Clearing”. To report impassable or hazardous streets call Public Works Customer Service at 306-975-2476
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CITY TO BEGIN ACTIVATING NEW FLEX PARKING PAY STATIONS IN STAGES
February 18, 2015 - 5:03am
CITY TO BEGIN ACTIVATING NEW FLEX PARKING PAY STATIONS IN STAGES
The City of Saskatoon will begin to turn on the new centralized FlexParking pay stations, in stages, starting from 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 19. As the new stations are turned on, the old coin meters will be hooded to direct drivers to the new stations. Until then, drivers should continue to plug the old coin meters.
“This is an exciting time for Saskatoon; this easy to use system will replace the old coin meters in the Downtown and core business districts enabling much more flexibility in payment and parking options,” says Andrew Hildebrandt, Director of Community Standards. “Drivers will be able to use coins, credit cards, the new City Parking Card and, in the near future, cell phones to purchase parking. The new system also allows you to park at various locations throughout the city on a single payment, in accordance with the maximum posted time limit for each space.”
The first FlexParking pay stations to be turned on will be Downtown on the following streets:
• 2nd Avenue between 19th Street and 23rd Street
• 21st Street between 1st Avenue and Spadina Crescent
The remaining stations will be turned on, in stages, in the weeks to come. If the coin meters are covered with a white and yellow hood, you’ll know to pay at the nearest FlexParking pay station. The City will also issue Public Service Announcements and communicate via social media as new areas are activated. In total, 325 pay stations will replace 2,800 coin meters.
The new machines are solar powered and ticketless; you simply enter your licence plate number at the nearest pay station, make your payment and walk away. Since your payment is tied to your licence plate, there is no need to display a ticket on the dash. Receipts are issued as requested.
Once all of the FlexParking pay stations are activated, drivers may move around the city, using their single parking purchase at multiple spots. However, drivers must still obey the posted time limits associated with each parking space. Parking commissionaires will be able to tell how much time your vehicle has sat in each location through the aid of licence plate identification and recognition software.
“There are some areas in the City where parking is free but time restricted. In order to avoid confusion, the city has installed Paid Parking Zone signs to distinguish where payment is required,” says Hildebrandt. “As we transition from the old coin meters to the new pay stations we will have a street team on hand, wearing bright yellow toques, to help drivers and answer questions. They’ll also be handing out keychain attachments that drivers can use to note their licence plate number so they always have it handy.”
For more information, including a map of where the new FlexParking pay stations are installed and frequently asked questions, visit saskatoon.ca/flexparking or call 306-975-2980.
As we transition to the new systems, Saskatoon residents are also invited to check out the demonstration pay station installed in the City Hall lobby or visit Saskatoon City News on Facebook to participate in the City’s FlexParking Question of the Day Contest. New questions are posted daily with the chance to win a pre-loaded parking card with a $50 value.
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SEASONAL COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISES NOW ALLOWED IN PARKS
February 11, 2015 - 4:20am
Saskatoon City Council has recently approved the new Seasonal Commercial Enterprise (SCE) in Parks Policy (Policy). The Policy provides the opportunity for anyone wishing to operate a SCE that will support a variety of recreational, sporting, or cultural activities or events in Saskatoon’s parks. The Policy also covers small motor vehicles, including Segways.
“Of course we always look for ways to improve the quality of life here,” says Cary Humphrey, Director of Recreation and Sport. “The purpose of the Policy is to establish fair criteria and a process to apply for park spaces suitable for the operation of a Seasonal Commercial Enterprise. After a review of similar practices in other Canadian municipalities, and from asking key stakeholders for their views, we feel the Policy will meet the needs of all parties and enhance the experience of park users.”
The City Solicitor will be amending the appropriate bylaws and policies to allow permitted SCEs to operate in parks including Recreation Facilities and Parks Usage Bylaw No. 7767 and Soliciting in Public Parks Policy No. 10-001.
The deadline for applications is March 31, 2015, for the 2015 operating season that runs from July 1 to October 12. Application packages are available by emailing the City of Saskatoon (City) at kara.lackie@saskatoon.ca or calling 306-975-3485. The Policy itself is available on www.saskatoon.ca
An Adjudication Committee with representatives from the City, Meewasin Valley Authority, Tourism Saskatoon, Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce, Broadway Business Improvement District, Riversdale Business Improvement District, and the Partnership, will review and recommend approval of SCE applications. Approval will be based on the applicant’s ability to meet the specific criteria outlined in the Policy.
Once the application has been approved and all required documentation is received by the City, a permit and business license will be issued by the City’s Planning and Development Division. Permit costs range from $600 (not-for-profit) to $1,800 (for profit) annually; the fee for a new business license is $125.
Enforcement of the Policy will be administered through the City’s Community Services Department. It does not include food and beverage opportunities, which are currently available in downtown riverbank parks.
For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.