News Releases

NEW

ATTRIDGE DR WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM CENTRAL AVE TO CIRCLE DR E
(Jersey barrier installation)
Start: July 23, 9:00 a.m. End: July 23, 3:00 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: CIRCLE DR NB ON RAMP TO 22ND ST W CLOSED
(Resurfacing)
Use Laurier Exit
Start: July 23, 7:00 p.m. End: July 24, 6:00 a.m.

ONGOING

1ST AVE S NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN 20TH ST E TO 21ST ST E
(Sidewalk work)
Start: July 22, 7:00 a.m. End: July 24, 5:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR S NB & SB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED ON 8TH ST E OVERPASS
(Guardrail repair)
Start: July 21, 9:00 a.m. End: July 23, 5:00 p.m.

CENTRAL AVE CLOSED BETWEEN GARVIE RD & AGRA RD
(Force main installation)
Start: July 18, 7:00 a.m. End: August 15, 5:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N/HIGHWAY 16 NB & SB LANE RESTRICTIONS FROM 51ST ST E TO MARQUIS DR W
(Hwy 16 flyover repair)
Start: July 13, 9:00 a.m. End: September 11, 5:00 p.m.

20TH ST W CLOSED FROM AVE G S TO AVE H S INCLUDING AVE H INTERSECTION
(Streetscaping)
Start: July 6, 7:00 a.m. End: July 23, 5:00 p.m.

HWY 11/16 EB OVERPASS CLOSED AT CLOVERLEAF INTERSECTION
(Overpass repair)
Two EB lanes and one WB lane of traffic will be maintained on the WB overpass.
Start: May 18, 7:00 a.m. End: Tentative - August 7, 5:00 p.m.

UNIVERSITY BRIDGE CLOSED BETWEEN SPADINA CRES & COLLEGE DR
(Bridge Repairs)
Start: May 3, 7:00 a.m. End: August 31, 6:00 p.m.

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

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information and subscribe to Traffic Detour Service Alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE.

One case of Dutch Elm Disease (DED) has been confirmed in Saskatoon after an Elm sample sent in to the provincial lab by the City of Saskatoon’s Pest Management staff, came back positive.

In accordance with the City’s DED Response Plan, which requires immediate removal of all positive trees, crews today began removing the infected tree located in the Queen Elizabeth neighbourhood. Also in accordance with the City’s DED Response Plan, inspectors will follow up and search Queen Elizabeth neighbourhood yards in efforts to pinpoint a source.

Saskatoon’s DED Response Plan requires:

-Immediate removal of all positive trees
-Disposal of infected trees at City of Saskatoon landfill
-Sampling of adjacent trees
-Surveillance and testing of private and public trees in the surrounding area with an intensive search for elm material and other sources of infection 
-Place five additional elm bark beetle adult pheromone traps in the area to monitor bark beetle populations

“Dutch Elm Disease is a serious disease of the American elm,” says Darren Crilly, Director of Parks. “The disease was introduced into North America in the 1930s, and has wiped out millions of elms across Canada and the United States. Dutch Elm Disease has been present in Saskatchewan since the 1980s and Saskatoon remained free of it, until now.”

American elm trees with DED may start showing symptoms as early as the month of June. Typically, the leaves will start to wilt and turn yellow, then curl and turn brown. Residents who start to notice any of these symptoms, are encouraged to call City of Saskatoon Pest Management at 306-975-3300.

Residents can help prevent DED by:

-Not pruning elms during provincial pruning ban (April 1 to August 31)
-Not storing or transporting any Elm firewood (Provincial regulations prohibit the storing or transporting of Elm firewood)
-Dispose of all Elm wood at the City Landfill

More information on DED, including pruning deadline information, is available at saskatoon.ca

Technical submissions for the North Commuter Parkway Project (NCPP) and Traffic Bridge have now been received. The deadline for financial submissions is mid-August.

“This is an important milestone and brings us one step closer to replacing and building two much needed river crossings for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists,” says Mike Gutek, Director of Major Projects. “We received a submission from each of the three shortlisted proponents which are now being evaluated.”

The NCPP will see a six-lane bridge link the Marquis Industrial area with the University Heights area, by extending Marquis Drive across the South Saskatchewan River connecting to McOrmond Drive at Fedoruk Drive. 

City Council’s decision to replace the Traffic Bridge was made following extensive public consultation and study in 2010 and 2011. The majority of more than 1,800 residents surveyed favoured replacing the Traffic Bridge with a crossing that accommodates all modes of transportation while retaining the architecture of the previous structure and the riverscape of the past century.

As a result City Council approved the recommendation from Administration that the width of the driving lanes should be 3.7 metres and that two 3 metre-wide multi-use pathways to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists be built - one on each side of the bridge.

“Now that the technical submissions have closed, the project design parameters are locked in and the successful proponent will build to meet those requirements,” says Gutek. “We expect a report will go to Council at the end of August to award the contract to the preferred proponent.”

Once the contract is awarded, there will be an approximate 60 day period to achieve financial close with the preferred proponent. At the end of October, a report will be brought back to City Council outlining the financial details of the proposal at which point the final designs will be released to the public.

For more information about the project visit saskatoon.ca.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

NEW

CIRCLE DR SB RAMP EXIT TO FAIRMONT DR MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED
(Patch paving)
Start: July 22, 7:00 a.m. End: July 22, 3:00 p.m.

1ST AVE S NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN 20TH ST E TO 21ST ST E
(Sidewalk work)
Start: July 22, 7:00 a.m. End: July 24, 5:00 p.m.

ATTRIDGE DR WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM CENTRAL AVE TO CIRCLE DR E
(Jersey barrier installation)
Start: July 22, 9:00 a.m. End: July 22, 3:00 p.m.

8TH ST E WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM ACADIA DR TO CIRCLE DR E
(Curb installation)
Start: July 22, 9:00 a.m. End: July 22, 5:00 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: CIRCLE DR NB ON RAMP TO 22ND ST W CLOSED
(Road resurfacing)
Use Laurier Exit
Start: July 22, 7:00 p.m. End: July 23, 6:00 a.m.

NIGHT WORK: CIRCLE DR SOUTH BRIDGE WB & EB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED
(Bridge washing)
Start: July 22, 9:00 p.m. End: July 23, 5:00 a.m.

ONGOING

IDYLWYLD DR S NB & SB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED ON 8TH ST E OVERPASS
(Guardrail repair)
Start: July 21, 9:00 a.m. End: July 23, 5:00 p.m.

CENTRAL AVE CLOSED BETWEEN GARVIE RD & AGRA RD
(Force main installation)
Start: July 18, 7:00 a.m. End: August 15, 5:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N/HIGHWAY 16 NB & SB LANE RESTRICTIONS FROM 51ST ST E TO MARQUIS DR W
(Hwy 16 flyover repair)
Start: July 13, 9:00 a.m. End: September 11, 5:00 p.m.

20TH ST W CLOSED FROM AVE G S TO AVE H S INCLUDING AVE H INTERSECTION
(Streetscaping)
Start: July 6, 7:00 a.m. End: July 23, 5:00 p.m.

HWY 11/16 EB OVERPASS CLOSED AT CLOVERLEAF INTERSECTION
(Overpass repair)
Two EB lanes and one WB lane of traffic will be maintained on the WB overpass.
Start: May 18, 7:00 a.m. End: Tentative - August 7, 5:00 p.m.

UNIVERSITY BRIDGE CLOSED BETWEEN SPADINA CRES & COLLEGE DR
(Bridge Repairs)
Start: May 3, 7:00 a.m. End: August 31, 6:00 p.m.

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

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information and subscribe to Traffic Detour Service Alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE.

NEW

ATTRIDGE DR WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM CENTRAL AVE TO CIRCLE DR E
(Jersey barrier installation)
Start: July 21, 9:00 a.m. End: July 21, 3:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR S NB & SB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED ON 8TH ST E OVERPASS
(Guardrail repair)
Start: July 21, 9:00 a.m. End: July 23, 5:00 p.m.

22ND ST E EB CLOSED FROM IDYLWYLD DR S TO AUDITORIUM AVE
(Water valve repair)
Start: July 21, 9:00 a.m. End: July 21, 8:00 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: CIRCLE DR SOUTH BRIDGE WB & EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANES CLOSED
(Bridge washing)
Start: July 21, 9:00 p.m. End: July 22, 5:00 a.m.

NIGHT WORK: CIRCLE DR NB ON RAMP TO 22ND ST W CLOSED
(Road resurfacing)
Use Laurier Exit
Start: July 21, 7:00 p.m. End: July 22, 6:00 a.m.

ONGOING

DIEFENBAKER DR NB LEFT TURN LANES CLOSED APPROACHING LAURIER DR
(Water & sewer repairs)
Laurier Dr WB left turn bay to Diefenbaker Dr closed
Start: July 20, 9:00 a.m. End: July 21, 6:00 p.m.

CENTRAL AVE CLOSED BETWEEN GARVIE RD & AGRA RD
(Force main installation)
Start: July 18, 7:00 a.m. End: August 15, 5:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N/HIGHWAY 16 NB & SB LANE RESTRICTIONS FROM 51ST ST E TO MARQUIS DR W
(Hwy 16 flyover repair)
Start: July 13, 9:00 a.m. End: September 11, 5:00 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: ATTRIDGE DR EB & WB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANES CLOSED BETWEEN CENTRAL AVE & CIRCLE DR
(Road widening)
Night work only. Restrictions set at 6.30 p.m. and lifted at 6.30 a.m. daily.
Start: July 13, 6:30 p.m. End: July 21, 6:30 a.m.

20TH ST W CLOSED FROM AVE G S TO AVE H S INCLUDING AVE H INTERSECTION
(Streetscaping)
Start: July 6, 7:00 a.m. End: July 21, 5:00 p.m.

HWY 11/16 EB OVERPASS CLOSED AT CLOVERLEAF INTERSECTION
(Overpass repair)
Two EB lanes and one WB lane of traffic will be maintained on the WB overpass.
Start: May 18, 7:00 a.m. End: Tentative - August 7, 5:00 p.m.

UNIVERSITY BRIDGE CLOSED BETWEEN SPADINA CRES & COLLEGE DR
(Bridge Repairs)
Start: May 3, 7:00 a.m. End: August 31, 6:00 p.m.

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

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information and subscribe to Traffic Detour Service Alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

NEW

ATTRIDGE DR WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM CENTRAL AVE TO CIRCLE DR E
(Jersey Barrier Installation)
Start: July 20, 9:00 a.m. End: July 20, 3:00 p.m.

DIEFENBAKER DR NB LEFT TURN LANES CLOSED APPROACHING LAURIER DR
(Water & Sewer Repairs)
Laurier Dr WB left turn bay to Diefenbaker Dr closed
Start: July 20, 9:00 a.m. End: July 21, 6:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR NORTH BRIDGE EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED
(Underground cable repair)
Start: July 20, 11:00 a.m. End: July 20, 3:00 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: CIRCLE DR SB OFF-RAMP TO 22ND ST WB & CONFEDERATION DR CLOSED
(Road resurfacing)
Use Laurier Dr exit
Start: July 20, 7:00 p.m. End: July 21, 6:00 a.m.

NIGHT WORK: CIRCLE DR E OVERPASS NB & SB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANES CLOSED OVER COLLEGE DR
(deck washing)
Start: July 20, 9:00 p.m. End: July 21, 5:00 a.m.

ONGOING

CENTRAL AVE CLOSED BETWEEN GARVIE RD & AGRA RD
(Force main installation)
Start: July 18, 7:00 a.m. End: August 15, 5:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N/HIGHWAY 16 NB & SB LANE RESTRICTIONS FROM 51ST ST E TO MARQUIS DR W
(Hwy 16 flyover repair)
Start: July 13, 9:00 a.m. End: September 11, 5:00 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: ATTRIDGE DR EB & WB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANES CLOSED BETWEEN CENTRAL AVE & CIRCLE DR
(Road widening)
Night work only. Restrictions set at 6.30 p.m. and lifted at 6.30 a.m. daily.
Start: July 13, 6:30 p.m. End: July 21, 6:30 a.m.

20TH ST W CLOSED FROM AVE G S TO AVE H S INCLUDING AVE H INTERSECTION
(Streetscaping)
Start: July 6, 7:00 a.m. End: July 20, 5:00 p.m.

HWY 11/16 EB OVERPASS CLOSED AT CLOVERLEAF INTERSECTION
(Overpass repair)
Two EB lanes and one WB lane of traffic will be maintained on the WB overpass.
Start: May 18, 7:00 a.m. End: Tentative - August 7, 5:00 p.m.

UNIVERSITY BRIDGE CLOSED BETWEEN SPADINA CRES & COLLEGE DR
(Bridge Repairs)
Start: May 3, 7:00 a.m. End: August 31, 6:00 p.m.

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

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information and subscribe to Traffic Detour Service Alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE.

NEW SATURDAY

22ND ST E CLOSED FROM 1ST AVE N TO PACIFIC AVE
(Road resurfacing)
Intersection of 22nd St and 1st Ave closed
Start: July 18, 7:00 a.m. End: July 19, 6:00 p.m.

CENTRAL AVE CLOSED BETWEEN GARVIE RD & AGRA RD
(Force main installation)
Start: July 18, 7:00 a.m. End: August 15, 5:00 p.m.

8TH ST WB CLOSED BETWEEN GARRISON CRES &  LOUISE AVE
(Catch basin repair)
Two-way traffic set in the EB lanes.
Start: July 18, 9:00 a.m. End: July 18, 5:00 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: 22ND ST EB LOOP TO CIRCLE DR NB CLOSED
(Road resurfacing)
Start: July 18, 6:00 p.m. End: July 19, 6:00 a.m.

NEW SUNDAY

33RD ST E WB CLOSED FROM 5TH AVE N TO WARMAN RD
(Patch Paving)
Two-way traffic set in EB lanes.
Start: July 19, 7:00 a.m. End: July 19, 4:00 p.m.

8TH ST E EB CURB (OUTSIDE) & CENTRE LANE CLOSED FROM LANSDOWNE AVE TO ALBERT AVE
(Patch paving)
Start: July 19, 7:00 a.m. End: July 19, 4:00 p.m.

BROADWAY AVE SB CLOSED FROM 10TH ST E TO MAIN ST
(Patch paving)
Start: July 19, 7:00 a.m. End: July 19, 4:00 p.m.

21ST ST E CLOSED FROM 4TH AVE S TO SPADINA CRES E
(Brits by the Bus)
Start: July 19, 9:00 a.m. End: July 19, 6:00 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: CIRCLE DR SB OFF-RAMP TO 22ND ST WB & CONFEDERATION DR CLOSED
(Road resurfacing)
Use Laurier Dr exit
Start: July 19, 6:00 p.m. End: July 20, 6:00 a.m.

ONGOING

1ST AVE N CLOSED FROM 22ND ST E TO 23RD ST E
(Crane lift)
Start: July 17, 6:00 a.m. End: July 18, 7:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N/HIGHWAY 16 NB & SB LANE RESTRICTIONS FROM 51ST ST E TO MARQUIS DR W
(Hwy 16 flyover repair)
Start: July 13, 9:00 a.m. End: September 11, 5:00 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: ATTRIDGE DR EB & WB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANES CLOSED BETWEEN CENTRAL AVE & CIRCLE DR
(Road widening)
Night work only. Restrictions set at 6.30 p.m. and lifted at 6.30 a.m. daily.
Start: July 13, 6:30 p.m. End: July 21, 6:30 a.m.

20TH ST W CLOSED FROM AVE G S TO AVE H S INCLUDING AVE H INTERSECTION
(Streetscaping)
Start: July 6, 7:00 a.m. End: July 20, 5:00 p.m.

HWY 11/16 EB OVERPASS CLOSED AT CLOVERLEAF INTERSECTION
(Overpass repair)
Two EB lanes and one WB lane of traffic will be maintained on the WB overpass.
Start: May 18, 7:00 a.m. End: Tentative - August 7, 5:00 p.m.

UNIVERSITY BRIDGE CLOSED BETWEEN SPADINA CRES & COLLEGE DR
(Bridge Repairs)
Start: May 3, 7:00 a.m. End: August 31, 6:00 p.m.

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

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information and subscribe to Traffic Detour Service Alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE.

NEW

1ST AVE N CLOSED FROM 22ND ST E TO 23RD ST E
(Crane lift)
Start: July 17, 6:00 a.m. End: July 18, 7:00 p.m.

3RD AVE N NB CLOSED FROM 25TH ST E TO 26TH ST E
(Curb box repair)
Start: July 17, 7:00 a.m. End: July 17, 5:00 p.m.

8TH ST E WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM ACADIA DR TO CIRCLE DR E
(Curb installation)
Start: July 17, 9:00 a.m. End: July 17, 5:00 p.m.

ATTRIDGE DR WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED APPROACHING CENTRAL AVE
(Curb installation)
Start: July 17, 10:30 a.m. End: July 17, 11:30 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: 33RD ST E EB & WB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANES CLOSED FROM QUEBEC AVE TO ONTARIO AVE
(Sanitary sewer line inspections)
Start: July 17, 10:00 p.m. End: July 18, 6:00 a.m.

ONGOING

IDYLWYLD DR N/HIGHWAY 16 NB & SB LANE RESTRICTIONS FROM 51ST ST E TO MARQUIS DR W
(Hwy 16 flyover repair)
Start: July 13, 9:00 a.m. End: September 11, 5:00 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: ATTRIDGE DR EB & WB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANES CLOSED BETWEEN CENTRAL AVE & CIRCLE DR
(Road widening)
Night work only. Restrictions set at 6.30 p.m. and lifted at 6.30 a.m. daily.
Start: July 13, 6:30 p.m. End: July 21, 6:30 a.m.

20TH ST W CLOSED FROM AVE G S TO AVE H S INCLUDING AVE H INTERSECTION
(Streetscaping)
Start: July 6, 7:00 a.m. End: July 17, 5:00 p.m.

CENTRAL AVE CLOSED FROM SOMERS RD TO AGRA RD
(Force main installation)
Start: June 12, 9:00 a.m. End: July 17, 5:00 p.m.

HWY 11/16 EB OVERPASS CLOSED AT CLOVERLEAF INTERSECTION
(Overpass repair)
Two EB lanes and one WB lane of traffic will be maintained on the WB overpass.
Start: May 18, 7:00 a.m. End: Tentative - August 7, 5:00 p.m.

UNIVERSITY BRIDGE CLOSED BETWEEN SPADINA CRES & COLLEGE DR
(Bridge Repairs)
Start: May 3, 7:00 a.m. End: August 31, 6:00 p.m.

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

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information and subscribe to Traffic Detour Service Alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE.

On average, the number of days missed in 2014 by City workers due to periodic, ongoing medical conditions, and occupational illness is well below the national average. The results highlighting successes in health, safety, absenteeism, and lower overtime are outlined in a report to be presented to the Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services.

“The City continues to make health and safety the first consideration in everything we do through our Occupational Health and Safety program and other initiatives,” says Catherine Gryba, General Manager of Corporate Performance. “We are making strides towards our goal of zero accidents at work and at home because of our programs that support managers and employees in reducing absenteeism.”

The report to the Committee shows:

• The average number of incidents per City employee is substantially below the national average for public sector workers (3.15 incidents for City employees versus 7.7 in the national public sector).
• The average number of days lost is well below the national average for public sector workers (7.9 days for City employees, almost three full days less than the national average of 10.6 days for the public sector).

City initiatives, such as the Attendance Support Program and the Health Management System work in cooperation to reduce absenteeism in the workplace while managing workloads. Proper management of absenteeism reduces workload variations, especially for City Services with demand and seasonal fluctuations, and better enables management to measure and utilize strategic overtime effectively.

“We continue to support our employees and managers in identifying factors that contribute to absences, especially where it impacts City services that require overtime to continue to provide a heightened level of service to residents,” says Gryba. “The City has placed increased focus on managing absenteeism and workload fluctuations in order to reduce excessive overtime, which can result in lower productivity, increased absenteeism, missed work due to injury or illness, and higher employee turnover.”

Proper management of absenteeism supports the City’s Strategic Goal of Continuous Improvement and being the best-managed city in Canada.

 Public Agenda: Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services, July 21, 2015

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.

Perceptions about Saskatoon’s quality of life and satisfaction with the overall level of services provided by the City of Saskatoon rated high in the 2015 Civic Services Survey. Roads and sidewalk repair remain the number one issue among citizens who participated in the annual survey.

“We obtain valuable feedback on a variety of civic issues through the Annual Civic Services Survey,” says Catherine Gryba, General Manager of Corporate Performance. “All of the results are considered when we develop our annual business plan and budget. The feedback helps the City provide high quality services to meet citizen needs.”

When asked which methods the City could use to balance its budget, most citizens said they prefer a combination of increased user fees and property taxes over a reduction in services. On the topic of spending, citizens strongly felt more money should be allocated toward road maintenance, snow and ice maintenance, street crime, affordable housing, accessible infrastructure, growth planning, and traffic management. They would like to see less spending on arts and culture funding, renewing city centre and north downtown, and customer service initiatives.

When it comes to overall services provided by the City, satisfaction remains strong and relatively consistent with previous years, with telephone respondents significantly more satisfied than online respondents.

Other highlights of the 2015 Civic Services Survey include:

• Recycling is now considered a top area of citizen satisfaction. Drinking water quality, repair of water main breaks, garbage collection, electrical services reliability, fire protection and police services also rated high.
• The use of the City’s website continues to be the preferred information source for citizens.

A total of 500 surveys were completed via telephone and 821 surveys were completed online between May 11 and June 2, 2015. The margin of error for the telephone research is +4.4 percentage points at a 95% confidence interval (19 times out of 20). Margin of error for the online study is not applicable as online research is considered a non-probability proportional sampling technique. View the City of Saskatoon Annual Civic Services Survey in its entirety at www.saskatoon.ca.

The 2015 Civic Services Survey supports the Strategic Goal of Continuous Improvement and being the best-managed city in Canada.

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.