News Releases

6.1 Street Activity Steering Committee – Request to Amend Panhandling Bylaw, 1999, No. 7850 and Streets Use Bylaw No, 2954

Decision

*City Council requested the City Solicitor’s Office amend Panhandling Bylaw, 1999, No. 7850 to prohibit panhandling around active users and those queued for use around any public parking pay stations.

5.1.3 Municipal Heritage Property Designation – Third Avenue United Church – 304 3^rd Ave. N.

Decision

*City Council referred the matter to the Municipal Heritage Review Board to be reviewed pursuant to Sections 14 and 15 of The Heritage Property Act.

Additional Information

*City Council at its meeting held on November 28, 2016, resolved that the City Solicitor bring forward a bylaw to designate the property at 304 3rd Avenue North as Municipal Heritage Property under The Heritage Property Act.

From the January 31, 2017 Meeting

7.2.2 Traffic Noise Sound Attenuation (TNSA) Policy

Decision

*The Committee recommended to City Council that the policy be approved.

Background

*A policy has been developed that defines the TNSA program, specifically providing details on assessment criteria, noise impact assessments, noise monitoring, noise barriers, and the monitoring of potential TNSA projects.

7.2.3 Neighbourhood Traffic Management – Feedback on Vertical Traffic Calming Devices

Decision

*The Committee forwarded the report to City Council for information and recommended a report be submitted to City Council recommending that the Administration undertake a vertical traffic calming device pilot project in locations that would not currently qualify for such devices under the existing policy. Proposed locations should be based on transportation data, neighbourhood feedback, and consultation with local City Councillors. The goal of the project is to measure the impact of such devices in the community. Include consideration of temporary devices that can be removed in winter months and reporting to the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation before and after the pilot project.

Background

*In June 2016, City Council considered the Neighbourhood Traffic Management – Revised Guidelines and Tools report, and resolved, in part that the Administration report, with feedback from Transit, Emergency Services, Public Works and contractors, about the possibility of expanding the use of speed humps and raised crosswalks as traffic calming measures in residential areas.
*Input from Saskatoon Transit, Roadways & Operations, Saskatoon Police Service, Saskatoon Fire Department, and MD Ambulance does not support the use of vertical devices for traffic calming.

From the January 31, 2017 Meeting

7.2.2 North Commuter Parkway Bridge Naming Engagement Process

Decision

*The Committee approved the process to name the North Commuter Parkway, as outlined in the report.

Background

*During its July 21, 2016, meeting, City Council resolved that, “With respect to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action report, would the administration report back on how to engage the community as a whole to name the pending new North Commuter Parkway in recognition of the TRC.”
*The process undertaken to propose a name for the North Commuter Parkway will be community driven, building on the community reconciliation process and Aboriginal Elders will guide the Aboriginal Cultural and Spiritual processes for the naming process.
*Requests for a name will be screened by the Naming Advisory Committee with City Council having final approval.

7.2.4 2016 Waste Characterization Study

Decision

*The Committee forwarded the report to City Council for information.

Background

*In October 2015, the Administration issued a Request for Proposals for the characterization of municipal solid waste generated in Saskatoon and development of a draft Waste Diversion Plan based on the characterization.
*A Waste Characterization Study was completed throughout 2016 with four seasonal sampling periods and targeting all waste generators in Saskatoon.
*The results of the Waste Characterization Study will be used to inform a Waste Diversion Plan, a Plan that will outline options for achieving 70% waste diversion by 2023. It will also be used in the review of civic waste management services.
*The Waste Characterization Study indicated that 77% of waste sampled in residential black carts could be diverted from the landfill if new programs for diversion are made available.
*On average, a single-family household puts 15.6 kg of waste in their black cart each week, and multi-family household puts 7.2 kg. The biggest percentage of this (58% and 40% respectively) is organic, mostly food waste.

7.2.5 Waste Management Master Plan – State of Waste

Decision

*The Committee recommended to City Council that the information regarding the state of waste be received; that the values to be used in preparing options for a new Waste Management business model be approved; and that the Administration be directed to report back at the next stage of the Waste Management Master Plan.

Background

*The 2012 - 2022 Strategic Plan has set Environmental Leadership, including waste diversion from the Landfill, green energy, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and soil quality as a goal.
*Administration has completed a review of the current Waste Management business plan and found that it is not environmentally or financially sustainable.
*Administration has developed a plan to complete a comprehensive review of waste related services to better deliver those services to citizens.
*Administration has prepared a list of values for approval by City Council to be used in evaluating alternatives as part of the review.

The Provincial budget is having a large impact on our city.  Because of the sudden changes announced by the province, the Administration has prepared an emergency report with some ideas for lessening the financial impact on citizens. The Province’s one percent increase of the PST and its cut to the Grants-in-Lieu of taxes (GILT) program have left the City of Saskatoon with $9 million hole in this year’s budget and $15 million in each of the following years. 

“City Council has two goals for how we want to respond to these cuts,” says Mayor Charlie Clark. 

“We need to find a way that mitigates the impact on taxes for residents, as well as maintaining the services that provide quality of life and keep the engine of our economy going.”

Administration based their recommendations on principles that included:

Keeping any property tax increases to a minimum, and service levels up;

Adjusting all options – how we spend, and the cash collected in fines and fees;

Short-term solutions that are doable this year as well as longer-term ones;

Back-filling the provincial budget hole without dipping into reserves;

Maintaining jobs.

"A wide range of solutions has enabled us to keep any possible property tax hike as low as we could," says City Manager Murray Totland.

Totland adds with the proposed 1.69% increase to cover the provincial shortfall, the total change over the 2016 City property tax bill -- on an average house assessed at $325,000 -- amounts to $56 per year or $4.70 per month.

A report on the City Operating Budget options will be presented to the Governance and Priorities Committee Monday, April 10, 2017.

“Council will discuss these options and determine the best way forward in this difficult situation,” Mayor Clark says.

The City and museum today made the first tangible step toward hosting our community and visitors to a multi-purpose gathering space like none other before in Saskatoon.

“We now have the keys to the building, which means we can get to the finishing work and secondary contracts,” says His Worship the Mayor, Charlie Clark.  “We have the keys to a bright future and tomorrow begins with today’s handover.”

Mayor Clark also outlines the impacts of this project on the City and its residents.

The Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority expects Remai Modern to contribute $17 million in annual GDP impact.

Remai Modern Board Chair Alain Gaucher emphasizes that while work to move from the former gallery is coming along, preparations continue at the new building.

“Over the next few months, work will continue in spaces like the feature gallery, restaurant kitchen and the installation of vault systems. We continue to work towards an opening in the Fall of 2017."

“Once we know the air quality, heating and humidity levels are where they must be, we can begin the complex process of moving art into the building. It’s our responsibility to safeguard the significant investments and public assets we are entrusted to protect at Remai Modern.”

Gaucher says Remai Modern has the potential to be an incredible art museum and so much more for citizens and visitors alike.

Among its many functions, Remai Modern will include a state-of-the-art learning centre where young and old will learn and engage with art and each other.

It will offer spectacular event spaces for community gatherings, family events or professional conferences, showing off sweeping views of the South Saskatchewan River.

It will be a gathering place where everyone can come to sit and think, catch up with friends and take in the art on display, including significant Canadian and international works.

“There is no doubt: this gallery will become the living room of our city, a place where locals and travellers come to the heart of our community,” Mayor Clark says.