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City Council votes on waste and organics funding, with curbside organics program to launch in 2023.
March 25, 2019 - 11:26am
- 2020 - 1.0% Property Tax Increase - No change to current waste services.
- 2021 - 1.0% Property Tax Increase - No change to current waste services.
- 2022 - 1.0% Property Tax Increase - No change to current waste services.
- 2023 - 0.93% Property Tax Increase - First year of curbside organics program. New waste service level (bi-weekly collection in summer).
City Council, at its regular business meeting held on March 25, 2019 voted to pursue a moderate phase-in option as presented by the Administration regarding the implementation of the curbside organics program and funding for existing waste services.
Option 2: Moderate Phase-In was presented as follows:
This option attempts to balance financial investment with a view towards achieving the City’s waste diversion target. The first 1.53% (approximately $3M) of the 2020 and 2021 Property Tax impact is solely dedicated to addressing the funding deficit in the Waste Program while the remaining estimated 2.4% will go towards a new curbside organics program. The City will continue to seek alternative funding sources on an annual basis to reduce this impact. Precise timing for the deployment of the curbside organics program in 2023 would be determined by the terms of the successful proposal from the organics RFP process.
“We will now focus on developing the implementation plan for the curbside organics program,” says Dan Willems, Acting Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer. “We look forward to providing this new service to residents in 2023 and making strides towards our waste diversion target.”
The detailed report and all of its attachments can be found here.
Neighbourhood Traffic Review program recognized by APEGS
March 25, 2019 - 4:37am
- Completed 50 neighbourhood traffic reviews (11 neighbourhoods are scheduled for 2019)
- Held 90 community meetings to develop transportation plans
- Made nearly 1,100 recommendations for transportation related improvements
- Spent $4,062,000 on traffic calming measures, pedestrian safety devices and program delivery
The City’s Neighbourhood Traffic Review (NTR) program has been selected as the 2019 recipient of the Exceptional Engineering/Geoscience Project Award by the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan (APEGS). The award recognizes accomplishments in engineering and/or geoscience.
The NTR program, established in 2014, addresses transportation related concerns like speeding and pedestrian safety on a neighbourhood-wide basis. The City works collaboratively with neighbourhood residents to develop recommendations for improvement.
“Prior to the program, we addressed traffic concerns on a case by case basis, which was not sustainable and issues were not always addressed in a timely fashion,” says Jay Magus, Acting Director of Transportation. “This award recognizes the engineering accomplishments of the team that deliver the NTR program are a significant achievement.”
Neighbourhood meetings, data collection, traffic reviews and recommendations are typically completed within a year. Recommended traffic calming measures are installed on a temporary basis to determine their effectiveness.
Since 2014, the NTR program has:
The City would like to thank residents, the Saskatoon Police Service, Community Associations, School Boards and Great Works Consulting for their partnerships.
The Transportation Engineering team will accept the award at the APEGS Awards Banquet in May.
COVID19: City supports further restrictions ordered by province
March 20, 2020 - 9:31am
The City welcomes a decision of the provincial government to place further restrictions on social gatherings.
“Based on discussions with our Director of Emergency Management, City Council and Senior Administration I gave notice for a Special City Council meeting at 3:30 this afternoon,” says Mayor Charlie Clark. “This was done in anticipation of needing to take further steps in addressing the growing concern that as we try to reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19, gathering in restaurants and bars was an ongoing risk in our community.
“Based on the announcement today by the provincial government that additional restrictions for bars and restaurants will be included in the Provincial State of Emergency restrictions, the Special City Council meeting is cancelled."
“We thank the Province for providing leadership with this difficult decision,” Mayor Clark says. “We know it has significant impacts on many local businesses”
Mayor Clark adds this decision will meet the local advice he is hearing from the City’s Emergency Management team about what is needed to keep our community as safe as possible at this time.
Director of Emergency Management Organization Pamela Goulden-McLeod echoes Mayor Clark’s sentiment.
“The Saskatoon Emergency Management Organization would like to thank the Province of Saskatchewan for their leadership and direction in enacting the extended measures to support our provinces safety during this unprecedented event,” Goulden-McLeod says.
“The provincial government’s bravery in taking these extraordinary measures will make a significant difference within our communities. We value the hard work of our provincial partners and we continue to look forward working together in this ongoing rapidly changing situation.”
Final phase of Sid Buckwold Bridge construction to proceed, starting March 30
March 20, 2020 - 8:12am
- Resurfacing of the Idylwyld Drive ramps over 19th Street
- Walkway widening with taller barriers for improved pedestrian protection
- New drainage system to help better traction by reducing puddles and splashing
- Concrete deck repairs and asphalt replacement
- Strengthening of piers
- Barrier replacement
While the City of Saskatoon acknowledges the severity of the COVID-19 virus and the impact it is having on the community, the City and its construction partners will proceed as planned with the construction on the east half of the Sid Buckwold Bridge and the Idylwyld Drive ramps over 19th Street.
This project is an essential service to residents and core City infrastructure. With a very limited window for construction projects of this magnitude, it is important that such work is completed safely and in the most ideal seasonal conditions. Construction is scheduled to begin on Monday, March 30.
“Safety for our crews and for residents is our number one priority during this project,” says Rob Frank, Engineering Manager of Asset Preservation. “Strict worksite restrictions, social distancing, and other precautionary medical measures will be in place to protect both construction crews and residents and to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus.”
Major rehabilitation began on the 54-year-old structure last year to ensure it remains safe and structurally sound for years to come. Two-way traffic will be maintained throughout construction, however lane restrictions and traffic delays are expected.
From March 30 until mid-October, the northbound lanes heading into downtown will be closed and two-way traffic will be accommodated in the southbound lanes. The bridge walkway and stairs will also be closed for construction. The Meewasin trails will remain open, however there may be a closure directly under the south side of the bridge for a portion of the construction season.
The Sid Buckwold Bridge rehabilitation project includes:
The City’s preservation plan, with the results of the Deck Testing Program, identified the need to rehabilitate the bridge. The project was phased over two years to allow two-way traffic over the bridge to be maintained throughout construction.
Necessary adjustments will be made to traffic signal timing and construction signage will be in place. The left turn onto 20th Street from Idylwyld Drive northbound will not be permitted, however a U-turn will be implemented at Auditorium Avenue. Updated project information is posted at Saskatoon.ca/sidbuckwold and restrictions will be listed in the Daily Road Report.
The City of Saskatoon is utilizing $15 million of its federal Gas Tax Fund (GTF) allocations towards the Sid Buckwold Bridge rehabilitation project. The GTF in Saskatchewan is administered by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Government Relations.
The City thanks drivers and pedestrians for their patience while this necessary work is carried out. 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.
Transitioning to springtime road maintenance
March 20, 2019 - 3:58am
As temperatures warm and with spring officially here today, City crews continue removing snow to help reduce drainage issues, dry up roads and prepare for spring street sweeping and pothole repairs.
Fewer potholes are expected this year if roads continue to dry up in conjunction with a slower spring melt. This is partly because of City Council’s multi-million dollar investments in road rehabilitation and protective maintenance over the past several years.
Crews will continue to monitor and maintain utility cuts and potholes until warmer, drier weather arrives. Once temperatures consistently stay above zero, hot asphalt can be used for pothole patching for a more permanent fix.
Starting this week, street sweepers will begin cleaning up winter debris, beginning in the downtown area. For this phase, the street sweepers will go around parked vehicles to collect the bulk of sand and grit.
Full street sweeping activities will begin in earnest once priority streets are dry, with residential sweeping beginning in early May. The full street sweeping schedule will be coming soon at Saskatoon.ca/sweeping.
Also as temperatures rise, park paths and playgrounds may be subject to flooding as some drains within the parks may be frozen. However with the warm temperatures forecasted this should be a temporary concern. City staff will pump out low lying areas where possible. Citizens should stay well away from flooded areas and can report concerns of flooding in Parks at 306-975-3300.