News Releases

From the May 2, 2016 Meeting

Construction of Remai Modern is heading into the final stage – 90 per cent of the building contract is complete. While Remai Modern is first and foremost a world-class art museum, it is also a multi-purpose community facility.

“The beauty of Remai Modern is that it will be more than just an exceptional art gallery,” says Jeanna South, Special Projects Manager.  “It will be a gathering place for both everyday events, and special occasions – a place to have dinner before an evening of live theatre, to shop, or to get married.”

The interior and gallery spaces are taking shape.  Much has happened since the community last had a look in September.  The construction is highlighted in a report to the Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities & Corporate Services for Monday, May 9.  Many items are nearing completion with significant progress on others:

• Bronze-coloured metal panel cladding on the East, North and West sides
• Interior atrium glass on levels three and four
• Walls and ceilings in the vault spaces
• Wall finishes in level two and three Gallery spaces
• Elevator installation is complete and final finishing is underway
• Preparation for the installation of the wood ceiling is underway. Final installation of the wood will occur late in the project, once environments are stable.

“We’re delighted that the construction of Remai Modern has reached more than 90 per cent completion,” says Gregory Burke, Remai Modern Executive Director and CEO.

“As construction proceeds, gallery staff members are going full-tilt on planning the exhibitions and programs that will animate the museum from top to bottom. It’s a spectacular building on a unique site, and we’re determined to offer visitor experiences that are equally amazing.”

The contractor is currently estimating completion of the contract in late 2016. The gallery is expected to open to the community in early 2017.

From the May 2, 2016 Meeting

7.1.2 Quarterly Report – Builder and Developer Lot Supply – April 1, 2016

Decision

*The report was received as information.

Background

*Land developers in Saskatoon have 840 residential lots in inventory, and there is a builder inventory of 1,037 residential lots.
*Land developers in Saskatoon are projected to service 539 single-family lots in 2016, dependent on inventory levels and absorption rates.
*Land developers and builders have approximately 133 acres of multi-family land in inventory, which can potentially accommodate approximately 2,985 dwelling units. *There is a healthy supply of vacant industrial land held by recent industrial land purchasers and Saskatoon Land.

From the April 11, 2016 Meeting

5.6 2016 Neighbourhood Traffic Review – Annual Report

Decision

*The committee recommended to Council that the Neighbourhood Traffic Review Implementation Plan be approved.

Background

*In August of 2016, City Council approved a new process within the Neighbourhood Traffic Management Program. This process includes a strategy to review concerns on a neighbourhood-wide basis by engaging the community and stakeholders in first identifying specific traffic issues, and secondly jointly developing recommendations that address the issues. Eleven Neighbourhood Traffic Reviews were completed beginning in late 2013 and through 2014.

7.1.1 8th Street Transit Corridor Initiative – Public Engagement Results

Decision

*The committee received the information.

Background

*Saskatoon Transit completed a Transit Corridor Review which proposed a demonstration of concepts associated with the Growth Plan to 500,000 and would see a service frequency under 10 minutes along 8th Street.
*Saskatoon Transit engaged businesses, key stakeholders and Saskatoon residents from March 11 to March 25, 2016, on the 8th Street Initiative.
*Feedback on the 8th Street Initiative was generally positive with 72% of respondents who strongly agree, agree or somewhat agree that being able to access bus service along 8th Street more frequently is positive.

7.2.2 2016 Overpass Testing and Inspection Program – Award of Engineering Services

Decision

*That the engineering services proposal submitted by CH2M HILL Canada Limited for completion of the 2016 Overpass Testing and Inspection Program, at a total estimated cost, on a lump sum basis, to an upset limit of $103,829 (including P.S.T. and G.S.T.) be approved.

Background

*Testing and structural inspection of the City’s bridge and overpass inventory is conducted on a regular cycle.
*This information is used to determine the economically optimum timing of major and minor rehabilitation work.

7.2.3 2016 Transit Bus Refurbishment – Request for Proposal Award

Decision

*The committee recommended to City Council that the proposal submitted by MTB Transit Solutions for the refurbishment of 10 New Flyer buses, with the option to extend for five additional years, for a total of $917,694.00 plus taxes be accepted

Background

*Saskatoon Transit has a fleet of 158 buses. This is made up of 57 40-foot buses which are older than 1998, 84 buses that are 2002 or newer, 10 articulating buses and 6 Arboc buses.
*This work is for refurbishment of buses in the existing Transit fleet. Refurbishment of buses is a common industry practice and is required in order to maintain Saskatoon Transit’s fleet.
*A Request for Proposal (RFP) for refurbishment was issued on February 18, 2016. Three proposals were received. The highest scoring proposal was submitted by MTB Transit Solutions.

From the April 25, 2016 Regular Meeting of City Council

9.2.1 Vacant Lot and Adaptive Reuse Incentive Program - Development Incentives – Parcel YY – Public Plaza – Supplementary Report

Decision

*Council approved general conditions for a tax incentive for the Public Plaza within the Parcel YY development at River Landing.

Background

*In March 2011, City Council approved the Vacant Lot and Adaptive Re-use Incentive Program (VLAR). The VLAR Incentive Program includes incentives to encourage more housing within the Downtown. The VLAR program was recently amended to also include new incentives for offices and structured parking, in accordance with the City Centre Plan.
*Because a portion of Parcel YY is to be developed as a public plaza open for community use, the developer (Triovest) of Parcel YY requested the same incentives which are offered within the Downtown. They have further requested an annual grant equivalent to the property taxes for the area of Parcel YY that will be developed as a public plaza.

9.3.1 2016 Corporate Business Plan and Budget – Shaping Our Financial Future

Decision

*City Council received the document.

Background

*In addition to the City’s Strategic Plan, City Council's priorities will provide direction and focus to the Administration in the preparation of the 2017 Business Plan and Budget.
*The 2017 Business Plan and Budget process will attempt to integrate a “policy-oriented” approach so that City Council can provide key direction to the Administration on various existing, and emerging, policy issues.
*The 2017 Business Plan and Budget process will include a public engagement component, so people of Saskatoon have an opportunity to provide input into the development of the 2017 Business Plan and Budget.

9.5.1 Resignation – Councillor Eric Olauson – Ward 8

Decision

*City Council received the information and with respect to the resignation,  agreed the vacancy in Ward 8 not be filled until the upcoming general election on October 26, 2016

Background

*Councillor Eric Olausen resigned his seat (resignation letter April 18, 2016).

9.11.2 Enumeration/Voters List/Voter Registry

Decision

*City Council approved voters be registered at the polls on the dates set for voting during the 2016 Municipal and School Board Elections and further that this matter be added to the Governance and Priorities Committee agenda when it meets with the Public and Separate School Boards.

Background

*There is no legislative or administrative requirement for a voters list. A voters list has not been prepared in Saskatoon since 1988.
*Conducting an enumeration is labour intensive and costly.
*A council may choose to enter into agreements with respect to sharing or using a voters list, or any other voter data used to create a voters list, with any officer established pursuant to a provincial Act or an Act of the parliament of Canada responsible to conduct an election.
*The use of a national or provincial register of electors in a municipal election may serve as a basis for a voters list.
*There is no provision in the legislation to allow for a process to preserve the voter registration forms from the 2016 Municipal and School Board Elections to formulate a list to be used for the purposes of developing a permanent voters list.

9.11.3 Growth Plan to Half a Million

Decision

1. That City Council recognize and approve, in principle, the long-term benefits of the vision and key directions of the Growth Plan to Half a Million;
2. That the Growth Plan to Half a Million be implemented in a phased, incremental approach, requiring specific recommendations for action in ten-year increments;
3. That the Administration report back with an implementation plan for the period of 2017 to 2026;
4. That Administration provide a further report evaluating design considerations for major roadways and intersections, and in particular the use of grade separated or at grade intersections on different roadways as part of this plan. Components of this evaluation could include costs, safety, efficiency, and development impacts, outside of our high speed freeway network;
5. That as the implementation plan is developed, Administration provide further detail comparing the costs of implementing different components of the growth plan vs. the cost of proceeding with business as usual;
6. That the Administration provide further information with regards to implementing the growth plan with consideration of maximizing solar access and orientation of new developments in both new growth and infill areas.; and
7. That the Administration be instructed to bring forward specific reports on any actions related to overall plan implementation.

Background

*The Growth Plan will guide the City’s growth for transportation, transit (Growth, and land-use planning to accommodate a population of half a million people).
*Without the Growth Plan, economic and community impacts of continuing the current growth patterns are expected to include increased traffic congestion, declining levels of transit service, longer commutes, and higher infrastructure costs, among others.
*The Growth Plan outlines eight key directions to guide transportation, transit, and land-use planning to accommodate a population of half a million.
*A ten-year action plan will be created to guide the implementation of the Growth Plan and will be brought to City Council for approval in early 2017.