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Saskatoon Fire - News Releases
Massive shipment of girders moving to NCP site
January 19, 2017 - 5:16am
The first of 58 girders for the North Commuter Parkway (NCP) Bridge arrived in Saskatoon today.
“We’re excited to see this phase of the project begin,” says Dan Willems, Director of Major Projects. “People have been waiting for this for many years and it’s finally taking shape.”
As the Bridging to Tomorrow project has entered its second year; two of three piers on the North Commuter Parkway are now complete and work on the first bridge span (Span 2) will be underway as girders continue to arrive in the following weeks.
Each span is constructed of 58.5 girders and each girder measures 3 metres tall by 1 metre wide and 33.5 metres long; they weigh 52,182 Kg. With the arrival, the construction of Span 2 will begin this afternoon.
The Bridging to Tomorrow project also includes the construction of the new Traffic Bridge downtown. Willems says significant progress has been made on both bridges over the past year. At the Traffic Bridge site, the final components of the original bridge were demolished and the final two piers (Pier 1 and Pier 2) were completed in December.
“With completion of the final two piers at the Traffic Bridge our contractor, Graham Commuter Partners, can start building the new spans,” Willems says. “The in-river berm has been modified to create an island in the middle of the river, with a temporary steel bridge connecting to the north bank, to allow construction of the two centre spans.”
Construction of the new south span (Span 4) at the Traffic Bridge was completed last fall. Construction of the two centre spans (Span 2 and Span 3) will start next week, and scheduled to be complete by mid-April. The final span will be constructed this spring. Construction of the bridge deck will follow.
“When it’s finished, the new Traffic Bridge will support the growing city centre by allowing drivers, pedestrians and cyclists to cross the South Saskatchewan River,” Willems says. “It’ll resemble the original bridge, but will be wider to accommodate larger vehicles like fire trucks and buses.”
The North Commuter Parkway will support the transportation needs of citizens who live in Saskatoon’s northeast but work in the Marquis and North Industrial Areas. Construction of new roads to connect Marquis Drive to Central Avenue and McOrmond Drive will continue next spring.
Bridging to Tomorrow project updates, including detailed monthly summaries, links to live cameras at each bridge site, and quarterly video updates, are available at saskatoon.ca/bridging.
In person, anyone can watch Traffic Bridge progress at the River Landing viewing area.
North Commuter Parkway construction can be viewed from the Meewasin Trail just east of the cul-de-sac at the north end of Kinnear Avenue (north of Silverwood Golf Course).
AAA Credit Rating Stands: “Strong Economy & Exceptional Liquidity”
January 17, 2017 - 11:07am
International bond rating agency Standard & Poor’s Global Ratings (S&P) has again reaffirmed the City of Saskatoon’s ‘AAA’/Stable credit rating.
“The stable outlook reflects S&P’s expectations that Saskatoon is well positioned to benefit from a very strong economy,” says His Worship Mayor Charlie Clark. “Along with our ability to pay for programs and services, S&P says City Council has maintained a strong budgetary performance, and kept debt low.”
Every year, S&P reviews the City’s finances and delivers a rating in a report based on that study.
The bond rater says even though “a significant decline in commodity prices has dampened Saskatoon’s economic performance,” the City’s solid economic accomplishment has lessened the impact.
“This is very encouraging news,” says Chief Financial Officer Kerry Tarasoff. “As it has for many, many years, the S&P rating underlines our managerial performance with prudent financial policies, robust budget documents and borrowing plans.”
The S&P report also notes the City’s historically stable budgetary performance and it outlines a healthy financial picture for the immediate future.
“We expect the City will continue to generate robust operating surpluses relative to those of its peers,” the report says.
The agency again points to the City’s culture of transparency and disclosure backed with “good” audited annual financial statements as other key reasons to maintain the rating.
The City has received the ‘AAA’/Stable credit rating every year for more than a decade allowing the City to borrow money at lower interest rates.
View the full January 2017 Report from S&P Global on saskatoon.ca.
SPC Committee on Transportation Decisions in Brief
January 16, 2017 - 2:59am
From the January 10, 2017 Meeting
Decision
*The Committee will submit a report to City Council recommending the report be received and that Administration provide a report on whether the traffic study for the airport area can be included in 2017 and a possible funding source.
Background
*The following inquiry was made by Councillor R. Donauer at the meeting of City Council held on March 21, 2016: “Would the Administration please complete a traffic study on the area of Hangar Road, 47th Street West, and Avenue C and report back with solutions on how to facilitate traffic from the Hangar Road and 47th Street area turning northbound onto Avenue C. With increased traffic, this is becoming a safety issue. Specifically, would you please report back on the possibility of having traffic lights installed on Avenue C and Hangar Road, or Avenue C and 47th Street West.” At its meeting held on June 27, 2016, City Council received an update report on the status of this inquiry, which outlined the steps being undertaken to complete the review.
8.2.3 Single Camera Video Detection System
Decision
*The Committee will recommend to City Council that the City enter into an agreement with Electromega Ltd. to supply Aldis GridSmart single camera video vehicle detection systems over a three-year period at an upset limit of $106,909 (including taxes) in the first year.
Background
*The City of Saskatoon has 275 signalized intersections with a majority that require vehicle detection to ensure efficient traffic movement.
*Electromega Ltd.’s Aldis GridSmart single camera video detection system is the preferred traffic detection system for larger signalized intersections. The Administration asked single camera video detection systems be supplied by Electromega Ltd., the only distributor of Aldis GridSmart single camera video detection systems in Western Canada and the only supplier of a single camera video detection system in the traffic industry.
SPC Committee on Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services Decisions in Brief
January 16, 2017 - 2:44am
From the January 10, 2017 Meeting
Decision
*The Committee forwarded the report to City Council for information.
Background
*On June 22, 2015, City Council directed the Administration to identify responses and financial implications of the TRC Calls to Action and declared July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016 the Year of Reconciliation. The Administration was directed to work with the Office of the Treaty Commissioner (OTC), and other community groups, leaders, and institutions in Saskatchewan to promote reconciliation.
*The City has made significant progress in 2016 on initiatives that respond to the TRC “Calls to Action”. The Conference Board of Canada’s 2016 report on reconciliation highlighted the City of Saskatoon's municipal leadership in declaring the Year of Reconciliation and its response to the Calls to Action.
*In 2016, 445 senior City employees attended a Leadership Forum with an Aboriginal Awareness focus, making personal commitments to reconciliation. Approximately 1,000 City and Saskatoon Police Service employees participated in Aboriginal cultural awareness training.
*The City will continue to work collaboratively with the TRC Committee and community partners to implement the Calls to Action in 2017.
8.2.4 Saskatoon Winter City Strategy
Decision
*The Committee forwarded the report to City Council for information.
Background
*At its March 8, 2016, meeting, the Administration provided City Council with information on the movement toward “winter cities”; potential elements of a Saskatoon winter strategy; a possible timeline for strategy-development; and plans for an initial stakeholder event.
*On November 30, 2016, City Council approved a proposed plan and budget for broader, inclusive public engagement and related steps necessary to develop the Community Winter City Strategy for Saskatoon.
*A Winter City Strategy is an intentional effort by the City 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. Facilitated through City leadership and engaging the interest and efforts of the entire community, a Winter City Strategy will articulate the changes necessary to help residents, businesses and visitors ‘embrace’ winter with as much enthusiasm as they have for the summer season.
*The City is committing some existing operating resources (including staff time) to facilitate the development of the Strategy. The City will host a webpage that may act as a resource hub for the community with a focus on winter, including: a. identifying existing assets; b. describing the potential economic and quality of life benefits achievable through the strategy; and c. providing opportunities to collect a ‘blizzard’ of ideas on ways in which Saskatoon can be made more inviting for all during the winter season.
*Capital funds approved in the 2017 Budget will support the development of the Strategy. Details on the use of these funds to support community engagement and ‘quick win’ actions are provided in this report.
8.2.5 WWT – Lift Station Upgrades – Lorne Avenue Sanitary Sewer Odour Remediation Strategy – Award of Engineering Services
Decision
*The Committee will submit a report to City Council recommending the proposal submitted by Stantec Consulting Ltd. for engineering services for the Lorne Avenue Sanitary Sewer Odour Remediation Strategy, for a total upset fee of $163,288.65 (including GST), be accepted.
Background
*Odour emissions can be an unwelcome by-product of wastewater treatment and collection systems. Due to the combination of organic waste material and bacteria in the sewer, generation of odours are common, especially in large collection systems with extended detention times.
*Residents located along Lorne Avenue and Saskatchewan Crescent are able to detect nuisance odours associated with the nearby sanitary sewer collection system.
*Some improvements to the Lorne Avenue sanitary sewer collection system have already been made.
*Saskatoon Water issued an RFP to conduct a hydraulic and air management study to gain a greater understanding of the air and sewer dynamics to determine the cause of odour emissions and to develop cost-effective odour control solutions. The proposal submitted by Stantec was determined to be the most favourable to the City.
Firefighters equipped with fentanyl antidote: Naloxone kits now on trucks
January 12, 2017 - 4:34am
Fentanyl and opioid overdose continue to be described as a national health and addictions crisis which Saskatoon is not immune to; in light of this, the Saskatoon Fire Department is taking a proactive step to protect life.
“According to provincial health statistics, overdose deaths have risen dramatically for the past six years,” says Assistant Chief Rob Hogan. “This is the stark reality of our job; we want first responders to have every ability to treat patients in dire need, and so our Primary Care Paramedics are now equipped with Naloxone.”
Naloxone (nuh-LOCKS’-own) is a drug used to counteract the effects of a fentanyl (FEN’-tuh-nil) or other opioid drug overdose.
As noted, the number of deaths from the illicit use of fentanyl and carfentanil (CAR’-fen-tuh-nil) has risen dramatically in the province and across Canada.
“These drugs are extremely powerful and deadly,” Hogan says. “Fentanyl is up to a hundred times more toxic than morphine, and carfentanil is 100 times stronger than fentanyl.”
Hogan, who started his firefighting career as a Primary Care Paramedic, points out that due to the powerful nature of these opioids, everyone responding to an overdose call is also at risk. He stresses the smallest, micro-exposure to residue or powder on a patient could kill a paramedic or another emergency worker.
“The availability of Naloxone on fire trucks will enable firefighters to help the patient as well as other first responders like themselves, ambulance workers or police officers,” he says.
As one of the Saskatoon Fire Department’s community partners, Saskatoon Health Region’s Mental Health and Addictions Services is supportive of this initiative which will certainly help to save the lives of those who struggle with opioid addictions.
The Saskatoon Fire Department is one of the largest employers of pre-hospital care providers in the province. Primary Care Paramedics are in place to fulfill the Department’s commitment to mitigate life-threatening emergencies.
Fire Department Primary Care Paramedics are licenced to administer Naloxone in addition to other lifesaving medications by the Saskatchewan College of Paramedics.