News Releases

From the November 20, 2017 Regular Meeting of City Council

8.1.3 Property Maintenance and Nuisance Abatement Bylaw

Decision

*City Council received the information, and decided by a unanimous vote that performance regarding the Property Maintenance and Nuisance Abatement Bylaw be added to service level reporting as standard practice starting in 2018 and this be appended to the file on service level reporting for the Saskatoon Fire Department.

Background

*City Council at its meeting held on September 25, 2017, considered a report from the Fire Chief on Fire Service Levels and requested that the Administration provide a report specific to the present Saskatoon Fire Department service level for response times for enforcement of The Property Maintenance and Nuisance Abatement Bylaw. The PMNAB provides a mechanism to ensure a minimum standard of living and property conditions within our neighborhoods is being maintained. The purpose of the bylaw is to create a safe and comfortable environment for the residents of Saskatoon, address hazards, concerns for health and safety and ensure the amenity of the neighborhood is being maintained. At the October 30, 2017 meeting of the Standing Policy Committee on Planning, Development and Community Services, a report of the General Manager, Community Services dated October 30, 2017 was considered. The Committee requested that the report be forwarded to City Council.

8.1.7 Home Ice Campaign and University of Saskatchewan – Terms of Contribution Agreement for Additional Funding

Decision

*By a unanimous vote, City Council approved the recommendations;

1. That the proposed terms of the amending agreement to the existing Contribution Agreement, related to the additional $3.0 million capital contribution to Merlis Belsher Place on the University of Saskatchewan property, as presented within the October 30, 2017 report of the General Manager, Community Services Department, be approved; and
2. That the City Solicitor be requested to prepare the appropriate amending agreement to the current Contribution Agreement with the University of Saskatchewan, based on the approved terms of the agreement; and
3. That His Worship the Mayor and the City Clerk be authorized to execute the agreement under the Corporate Seal.

Background

*At its April 25, 2016 meeting, City Council resolved: “That the Administration be authorized to negotiate a contribution agreement wherein the City of Saskatoon would provide a $1.0 million capital contribution to a twin pad ice facility on the University of Saskatchewan property, based on the contribution agreement recognizing ongoing community access to the facility.”

At its July 21, 2016 meeting, City Council approved the key terms of the Contribution Agreement with the University.

During its January 30, 2017 meeting, the Standing Policy Committee on Planning, Development and Community Services (Committee) considered a report of the General Manager, Community Services Department, on the proposed request for $3.0 million additional funding and further information from the Home Ice Campaign Committee. The matter was forwarded to City Council for further consideration.

At its February 27, 2017 meeting, City Council resolved:

“1. That the Administration be directed to negotiate a contribution agreement with the University of Saskatchewan for an additional $3 Million for the construction of a twin ice facility, to ensure: a) long-term access for the community; b) access to the new gymnasium facility; c) longer-term acknowledgement of the City’s contribution; d) maximum benefit to the community;

2. That the Administration report on options for funding the $3 Million, with a phased-in approach over six (6) years;

3. That the information be received; and

4. That further information from the U of S/Home Ice Campaign/Nustadia regarding any additional unscheduled hours in the facility as a whole, that could be used for public access as part of an expanded partnership agreement with the City of Saskatoon be provided to the appropriate committee as soon as possible.”

8.2.5 Inquiry – Councillor Z. Jeffries (January 25, 2016) GPS in Civic Vehicles and “How’s My Driving?” Decals

Decision

*City Council received the information.

Background

*At the January 25, 2016, meeting of City Council, the following inquiry was made by Councillor Z. Jeffries: “Could Administration please report on the feasibility of installing and/or activating GPS in Civic vehicles and the options available for implementing “How’s my Driving”-style public feedback decals on Civic vehicles.”

8.3.6 Winter City Strategy

Decision

*City Council received the information.

Background

*City Council, at its meeting held on January 23, 2017, received the Saskatoon Winter Strategy Update report which provided an update and more detailed description of the components of a Winter City Strategy for Saskatoon. The Strategy was described as an intentional effort by the City of Saskatoon and community stakeholders to celebrate what makes Saskatoon unique as a four-season place that is inviting, vibrant and prosperous, even in the coldest months of the year.

8.3.9 Utility Scale Solar Power Plant

Decision

*By a unanimous vote, City Council approved the recommendations;

1. That Parcel M, Plan No. 102221525 (a 13 acre undeveloped parcel located along Circle Drive South near Montgomery Place) be set aside for a solar power plant;
2. That Administration proceed with community engagement and report back to City Council with options to finance, build, and operate the solar power plant;
3. That the options be referred to SREDA for evaluation of benefits to the economy;
4. That Administration report back on opportunities for Virtual Net Metering or Feedin Tariff programs as an opportunity within this program; and
5. That the report of the Acting General Manager, Corporate Performance Department, dated November 6, 2017, be forwarded to the Saskatoon Environmental Advisory Committee for information.

Background

*City Council, at its meeting held on April 25, 2016, received the report Saskatchewan Polytechnic Solar Demonstration Partnership at the Landfill Gas Power Generation that provided a facility for construction of the Solar Power Demonstration Site, and on June 22, 2015, received the report Net Metering Program on providing customers with the ability to generate their own electricity. In 2016, SL&P built the Saskatoon Solar Power Demonstration Site with its partners SES Solar Co-operative Ltd., Saskatchewan Polytechnic, and the Saskatchewan Environmental Society. The demonstration site was the first step for SL&P to prepare for a larger solar power plant. The Solar Demonstration Site, located at the Landfill Gas Power Generation Facility is only 500 metres south of the proposed Parcel M location. From the demonstration site, SL&P is analyzing the performance of different solar arrays, comparing the capital cost against its generation, gaining operational and maintenance experience, and creating long-term energy production projections.

8.4.3 Plan for Growth – Bus Rapid Transit Preferred Configuration

Decision

*City Council approved the recommendation that the preferred configuration and conceptual network for the Bus Rapid Transit system, as outlined in the report of the General Manager, Community Services Department dated November 6, 2017, be approved as the basis for further engagement and design.

Background

*At its July 26, 2017 meeting, City Council awarded a contract to HDR for Bus Rapid and Conventional Transit Planning, Design, and Engineering Services. The major deliverables of this project include:

a) Existing Conditions Assessment;

b) a BRT Functional Plan;

c) BRT Station Design;

d) BRT Detailed Design;

e) a Park and Ride Study and Concept Design;

f) a Transit System Plan; and g) an Implementation Plan.

9.4.1 Protected Bike Lane Demonstration Project – Evaluation and Next Steps

Decision

*City Council decided that a provision for protected bike lanes be included in the Downtown All Ages and Abilities cycling network, and passed the recommendations;

2. That the Administration develop a Downtown All Ages and Abilities cycling network (including protected bike lanes) in concert with other downtown policy and planning initiatives in 2018;

3. That the existing protected bike lanes on 23rd Street (from Spadina Crescent to Idylwyld Drive) and 4th Avenue (from 20th Street to 24th Street) be retained until the Downtown All Ages and Abilities cycling network plan is presented to City Council;

4. That the report of the A/General Manager, Transportation & Utilities Department dated November 6, 2017 be forwarded to the Traffic Safety Committee for information; and

5. That the Administration look at opportunities to improve egress from the parkade on 100 block of 4th Avenue South.

Background

*City Council, at its meeting held on March 23, 2015, resolved: “1. That the protected bike lanes be installed on 23rd Street (from Spadina Crescent to Idylwyld Drive) as a demonstration projects in 2015; That the protected bike lanes be installed on 4th Avenue (from 19th Street to 24th Street) as a demonstration project in 2016; and 3. That the curb parking be installed on the north side of 24th Street between Ontario Avenue and Idylwyld Drive.” The need for improved cycling facilities within the Downtown was identified through several City plans and initiatives. The City Centre Plan, approved by City Council in 2013, identified the need to improve cycling as a strategy to increase the attractiveness of, and access to, the downtown for businesses, residents, visitors, employers and their employees. The Growth Plan, endorsed by City Council in 2016, provides guidance for civic investments in infrastructure and support programs over the short, medium, and long term that will shape growth patterns and increase transportation choices, in order to achieve the social, economic, and environmental aspirations of the community. The Active Transportation (AT) Plan, endorsed by City Council in 2016, also identified the need to improve cycling for people of all ages and abilities, and recommended the Administration develop a Downtown AAA network.

9.7.1 Home Ice Campaign and University of Saskatchewan – Terms of the Contribution Agreement for Additional Funding – Supplemental Information

Decision

*City Council considered this together with Item 8.1.7, and the information was received.

Background

*At its October 30, 2017 meeting, the Standing Policy Committee on Planning, Development and Community Services (Committee) considered the report entitled, Home Ice Campaign and University of Saskatchewan – Terms of the Contribution Agreement for Additional Funding, which contained the terms of the amending agreement. The Committee asked for a sponsorship recognition piece, including the donations and tiers of recognition, to be included with the October 30, 2017 report of the General Manager, Community Services Department, for the November 20, 2017 City Council meeting.

From the November 20, 2017 Public Hearing Meeting of City Council

Proclamations and Flag Raisings

Decision

*City Council approved the following:

6.1 Jackie Lay – CNIB – March 19- 25, 2018 – ‘CNIB Week’

Proclamation Request.

6.2 Lindsay Gervais – Saskatoon Health Region – November 24 – December 1, 2017 – ‘AIDS Awareness Week’ – December 1, 2017 – ‘World AIDS Day’ and December 1 – 5, 2017 ‘Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week’

Proclamation Request.

6.3 Kristy Rempel – Prairieland Park – January 8 – 12, 2017 – ‘Agriculture Business Awareness Week’

Proclamation Request.

6.4 June Zurowski – Saskatoon Women’s Community Coalition – December 6, 2017 – ‘National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women’

Proclamation Request.

6.5 Paige Gignac - United Way - November 22, 2017 - 'United Way Month'

Flag Raising Request.

 

 

 

With the colder temperatures setting in, grizzly bears Mistaya (miss‑TIE’‑yuh) and Koda (KOH’-dah), have started hibernation at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo (Zoo) for the second time.

Preparation for the bears’ hibernation has been underway for several weeks, and the Zoo has worked closely with Dr. Marc Cattet of fRI Research and Deb McWilliams, Wildlife Nutritionist with the Nutritional Advisory Group, to carefully monitor the bears’ diet leading into hibernation.

“We adjusted Mistaya and Koda’s diet to better simulate what a wild grizzly bear would consume in nature,” said Dr. Cattet.  “This adjustment resulted in both bears entering hibernation with body weights similar to what we would expect wild grizzly bears to weigh; around 325 to 350 kg.”

The bears’ second hibernation provides a great opportunity for the Zoo to gather information in relation to conservation, research, and educational initiatives for grizzly bears.  This year, the Zoo will be monitoring the bears’ activity in relation to the den and outside temperatures, which will provide insight into the potential effects a warming climate has on hibernation success.

“While we expect to see a lot of sleeping during late winter when we start to get occasional stretches of warmer days, the bears might wake up temporarily from their hibernation sleep and move around their den for several hours at a time before returning to a hibernating state,” said Dr. Cattet.

Cameras have been installed in the hibernation dens so that the Zoo can closely monitor behaviour, activity levels, and breathing patterns.  Efforts are underway to set up a live camera feed for residents to check in on Mistaya and Koda throughout their hibernation.  The live camera feed will be available in the coming weeks on saskatoon.ca/zoo.

“We are very excited to provide an opportunity for people to get a ‘behind the scenes’ look at what actually happens during hibernation,” said Tim Sinclair-Smith, Zoo Manager.

For more information on the Zoo, please visit saskatoon.ca/zoo.

 

City Council, at its November 20 meeting, gave their support for the Facilities and Fleet Management Division’s capital project initiative that will help modernize City operations by installing global positioning system (GPS) into all civic vehicles. A second initiative to have “How’s My Driving?” decals added to civic vehicles in early 2018, also received positive support.

Corporate-Wide GPS Installation: Civic Vehicles & Equipment

“We’re committed to the safety of our employees, protecting our assets and improving civic operations. GPS will assist with driver safety and working alone scenarios, and will also offer reporting and trending data to enable us to be more efficient in our dispatching and utilization of our vehicles and equipment,” says Troy LaFreniere, Director of Facilities & Fleet Management.

It is estimated that GPS system installation on City vehicles and equipment has the potential to save approximately $500,000 annually in reduced fuel costs. It is expected that after the award of tender, implementation of GPS in civic vehicles will commence mid-2018.

“GPS is a positive new initiative that will assist our City teams with the changing demands of service and in delivering the high standards of performance we’re responsible for every day,” adds LaFreniere.

The addition of GPS on City vehicles and equipment will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) tied to City operations. This initiative will support the City with its long-term goal of managing operations in a smart, sustainable way.

To develop a successful Corporate GPS Policy on vehicle usage and operation, comprehensive planning for the GPS installation initiative will involve all City Unions and Associations.

"How’s My Driving?” Decals

The installation of “How’s My Driving?” decals to civic fleet vehicles will complement the City’s existing safe driving initiatives, such as motor vehicle record checks, recognition programs, safety classes, and driver training. Residents will be made aware of the “How’s My Driving?” decal program when it launches in early 2018.

“We want the addition of the decal program to be positive. We are focusing on forward- thinking behavior, encouraging our drivers to continue to make conscious efforts to drive City vehicles and equipment safely and courteously,” says LaFreniere. “The decal program will encourage and support safe driver behaviour, and allow the City to continue mitigating accident risk.”

The decals will display the City’s logo and telephone number for the public to call. All calls will be coordinated between Service Saskatoon and Fleet Services, and directed to the appropriate civic division for follow-up in accordance with the City’s corporate standards for operator expectations.

Other municipalities and corporations which have adopted similar vehicle decal programs have benefitted from accident reduction, citizen appreciation and empowerment to bring forward compliments and concerns, employees making conscious efforts to improve their driving behaviour, and reduced aggressive driving leading to less wear on vehicles, maintenance and fuel costs.
 

At its November 20, 2017 meeting, Saskatoon City Council approved the Preferred Configuration for a re-envisioned transit system based around Bus Rapid Transit (BRT).  The report brought forward by Administration presents recommendations for an appropriately-sized future Bus Rapid Transit system that will support the City’s anticipated growth.  This approval provides direction to HDR to move forward in developing a Functional Plan that will further refine the scale and cost of the new Bus Rapid Transit System, and anticipated changes to existing transit services.

Starting December 1, the City of Saskatoon and HDR will launch the first round of conversations with the community regarding the Transit Plan project, to identify priorities and key factors that will need to be considered as the project moves into the next phases of design and implementation.  In addition to stakeholder meetings to identify specific functional requirements, the City and HDR have designed three distinct opportunities for the public and stakeholders to weigh in on this new system:

Online Engagement Survey | Opens: DEC 1, 2017 / Closes: DEC 15, 2017

A detailed online engagement survey will be available at https://www.saskatoon.ca/engage/transit-plan.  This survey is open to the public and will be sent to the City’s Citizen Advisory Panel, and to those subscribed to the Plan for Growth Newsletter updates.

Stakeholder Workshops | December 5 / 6, 2017

Stakeholders will be invited to RSVP to a number of workshops hosted by the City and HDR. Inc. designed to help understand the needs of those impacted most by the proposed changes.

Public Open House | December 6, 2017 – 5:30 – 8:00PM | La Troupe du Jour - 914 20th Street West

Join the City of Saskatoon and HDR as we share information on the Bus Rapid Transit Preferred Configuration and how these features are tailored specifically for Saskatoon.  We also want to share information on transit network principles and how the Bus Rapid Transit system will re-shape the Saskatoon Transit network.  We want to work with you to understand how these changes may affect you.

The next round of input on the Transit Plan is scheduled for January 2018.  To learn more, visit Saskatoon.ca/engage.

Background:

A full version of the Saskatoon Bus Rapid Transit Preferred Configuration report is available at saskatoon.ca/growth.  Below is a summary of the key recommendations outlined in the report:

1. Transit Signal Priority (TSP) – The preferred configuration for the Saskatoon BRT is to apply TSP at all beneficial locations.  Transit signal priority measures are considered the foundation of a BRT system. They can provide significant travel time and reliability improvements at a relatively low cost.  TSP uses existing infrastructure to determine the optimum way to limit bus delays at traffic signals.

2. Roadway Geometric Measures – The preferred configuration for the Saskatoon BRT is to apply roadway geometric measures at select beneficial locations.  Congestion within the Saskatoon road network occurs primarily at major intersections and bridge approaches. Geometric improvements such as queue jump lanes, bus bypass lanes, and other similar measures will provide buses with a time advantage at the most critical points along the corridor.

3. Stations – The preferred configuration for the Saskatoon BRT is to develop medium scaled stations that will accommodate 12 to 20 waiting customers in a safe, protected and well lit environment that will be seen as a positive influence on the public realm and adjacent community. Stations should have a common design theme; however, each one would be sized to accommodate the expected customer traffic at specific locations.

4. Customer Systems – The preferred configuration for the Saskatoon BRT customer systems is to provide good destination, wayfinding, route, schedule, next bus information, and security monitoring.  Off board fare processing could be added in the future.

5. Runningways – The preferred configuration for the Saskatoon BRT is to develop a mixed-traffic system with exclusive lanes in select short road sections along 3^rd Avenue in the downtown, Broadway Avenue, and College Drive.

For more information / to sign up for project updates please visit saskatoon.ca/growth.  Learn more about engagement opportunities by visiting saskatoon.ca/engage.

The City of Saskatoon’s power utility, Saskatoon Light & Power (SL&P), has been recognized by the Canadian Electricity Association through its Sustainable Electricity Awards program that promotes leaders in sustainable development and corporate responsibility in the Canadian electricity sector. The award was announced at a ceremony held in Toronto on November 15, 2017.

SL&P was recognized with the Award for Leadership in External Collaboration and Partnerships in recognition of Saskatoon Light & Power’s strong commitment to external collaboration and partnerships with Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and other stakeholders. The Canadian Electricity Association (CEA) represents electricity companies, as well as manufacturers and suppliers to the electricity sector, and acts as the national voice for safe, secure, and sustainable electricity for all Canadians.

“We’re very proud to be recognized for our efforts in collaboration and partnerships,” says Kevin Hudson, Metering & Sustainable Electricity Manager for SL&P. “We strive to be a power utility that forms meaningful partnerships that benefit Saskatoon residents. We’re going to take this award as a signal that we’re working in the right direction and to continue seeking out opportunities to collaborate with Indigenous Peoples, industry, the not-for-profit sector, and other local organizations.”

“All Canadians, regardless of where they may live, deserve to have safe, reliable and affordable electricity,” says the Honourable Sergio Marchi, CEA President and CEO. “It is exactly the kind of leadership and collaborative effort demonstrated by Saskatoon Light & Power that will help bridge the energy gap with Indigenous Peoples and the communities in which they live.”

The award recognized SL&P’s collaboration with Saskatchewan Polytechnic, the Saskatchewan Environmental Society, and the SES Solar Co-operative on the Solar Power Demonstration Project at the Landfill Gas Power Generation Facility. This green energy project is the first of its kind in Saskatchewan, featuring 92 solar panels that produce an average of 115 kilowatt-hours of electricity daily. The collaboration has resulted in both a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the expansion of community solar energy initiatives on a scale that may not have been achievable without the partnership.

On the same day as the CEA award was announced, SL&P signed a Memorandum of Understanding with another community partner, the Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC), to develop a hydropower station at the location of the Saskatoon Weir. In addition to the benefits this project will provide to all Saskatoon residents, this partnership is expected to result in opportunities for the STC’s First Nations member communities in such areas as employment, social program and community infrastructure investment, and training and education.

Saskatoon City Mayor Charlie Clark will formally present the award to SL&P at the City Council meeting on Monday, November 20, 2017.