News Releases

The summer road building program will be moving forward with more night-time construction work.

“Night work is a major contributor to the progress we’ve made so far this season,” says Celene Anger, Director of Construction and Design. “It allows us to complete large projects quickly, with minimal disruption to commuters.”

This season, 229 lane kilometres will undergo road reconstruction, repaving or microsurfacing to extend the life of roadways.

“Construction season is going very well with crews completing approximately 36 lane kilometres of road rehabilitation to date,” Anger says. “This will increase significantly throughout July and August when our microsurfacing programs start.”

Night work is typically scheduled between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on high traffic streets in areas where construction noise will not disrupt residents.

Drivers can expect to see night work at these locations:

• Circle Drive northbound and southbound between 33rd Street and Avenue C
• Idylwyld Drive southbound from the Avenue C and 51st Street on-ramp to 39th Street
• Circle Drive and Idylwyld Drive overpass and ramps

“We’re very lucky we’re able to complete so many projects when there’s less traffic,” she says. “We tackle street sweeping, bridge washing, sewer projects and utility cut maintenance on high traffic streets at night, which is great for drivers.”

As always, safety is a priority with the City. We remind everyone to slow down, pay attention to signs, and respect work zones - day and night.

For more information and a full list of 2016 construction projects visit saskatoon.ca/betterroads.

City Council today approved the application for funding for the purchase of up to 15 low-floor buses and up to 5 Access Transit buses under the Government of Canada’s Public Transit Infrastructure Fund.

“Purchasing these buses allows Saskatoon Transit to continue our improvements in our fleet reliability and age,” says Clae Hack, Director of Finance. “Leveraging federal funding programs for the purchase of new buses helps Saskatoon Transit deliver high-quality, comfortable service riders expect and deserve.”

The purchase of up to 15 low-floor buses is an estimated total cost of $7.95 million and up to 5 Access Transit buses is an estimated total cost of $650,000. The new buses will be funded initially with cash-on-hand until the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund application is approved and received.

“This investment enables Transit to continue towards the goal of reducing the fleet’s average age from 11.9 years to 7.3 years,” Hack says. “Reducing the average age also results in lower maintenance costs and a smaller fleet size, because fewer spare buses are required.”

The new buses, expected to arrive in 2017, will provide riders with modern transportation solutions and a better overall riding experience.

7.1.1 Saskatchewan Crescent and 16th Street Slope Remediation – Update

Decision

*The Committee received the report as information.

Background

*In May 2014, tension cracks were noticed along the lower Meewasin Trail northeast of the 16th Street intersection, and in June 2014, a tension crack developed on the upper Meewasin Trail along Saskatchewan Crescent. In 2015, cracks appeared on the sidewalk and Saskatchewan Crescent. The slope continued to show signs of movement in April 2016 and Saskatchewan Crescent was closed to traffic on April 11.
*Based on geotechnical analysis and modelling, the installation of a retaining wall with “soldier piles and lagging” is the best option to remediate the Project Site and achieve an acceptable factor of safety.
*The next step is to complete the tender process for qualified companies. Construction is expected to begin in mid-August.

7.2.1 Solar Power Demonstration Project with Saskatchewan Polytechnic – Memorandum of Agreement

Decision

*The City Solicitor will prepare a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) in accordance with the terms set out in the report with Saskatchewan Polytechnic.

Background

*At its meeting on July 23, 2015, City Council resolved that Administration prepare an MOA with the Saskatchewan Polytechnic for the development of a solar PV tracking system. Both parties have worked collaboratively to develop the MOA.
*The solar PV tracking system will be part of a long-term demonstration site of PV technologies and the evaluation of their associated cost and performance that will direct future deployment.

7.2.4 Request for Proposal for the Provision of Absence Management and Disability Assistance Services

Decision

*The matter has been deferred and Administration will report at the appropriate time (one to two quarters into the pilot project), including comparative data within the project scope and current pilot project.

Background

*The City entered into a one year pilot program with Bridges Health for the facilitation of absence management and disability assistance services at Saskatoon Transit. The first quarter results have been received and are showing positive results. The Administration was recommending the issuance of a Request for Proposal seeking a service provider to provide ongoing absence management and disability assistance services for a three year period.

6.2.1 Meewasin Valley Authority Financial Statements

Decision

*The Committee received the Financial Statements as information and have forwarded them to the August 18, 2016 City Council meeting.

Background

*Section 80(2) of the MVA Act states a copy of the annual audit shall be furnished to each participating party and elected officials of the City of Saskatoon.
*The Financial Statements are available here: http://owl.li/VSJj302oYvN

7.2.6 Design and Construction Agreement for Repair and Renovation of the Mendel Building

Decision

*The Committee is forwarding a report to the July 21, 2016 City Council meeting in support of the recommendations.

Background

*Capital replacements and repairs are planned for the Mendel Building when it is vacated. High-priority items include remediation of asbestos, a new boiler, new sprinklers, replacement of the fire alarm system, and accessibility improvements.
*The Mendel Building requires capital replacements and repairs by the City prior to the commencement of operations by the Museum of their tenant area.
*The City and Museum have identified that there is an opportunity to achieve efficiencies by combining responsibilities under a single design and construction agreement.
*The committee is recommending to City Council that the City enter into a design and construction agreement to repair and renovate the Mendel Building with the Children’s Discovery Museum on the Saskatchewan Inc. based on the key terms set out in this report.
*That the City endorse submission of this combined project by the Children’s Discovery Museum to the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund.

5.2 Innovative Housing Incentives – Saskatchewan Housing Corporation – 2013 Baltzan Boulevard, 474 Boykowich Street, 1528 37th Street West

Decision

*The Committee is forwarding a report to City Council on August 18, 2016, in support of the recommendations.

Background

*The Saskatchewan Housing Corporation is building three affordable residential care homes, consisting of four bedrooms each, for placement of Valley View Centre residents.
*The affordable rental units qualify for financial incentives from the City, including a capital grant and a five-year incremental tax abatement.
*The Committee is recommending $108,000 of the total capital cost of the construction of 12 affordable rental units at 203 Baltzan Boulevard, 474 Boykowich Street, and 1528 37th Street West, by the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, to a maximum of $9,000 per unit, be approved.
*The Committee is also recommending a five-year tax abatement of the incremental property taxes, estimated at $18,349, for the 12 affordable rental units be applied, commencing the next taxation year, following the completion of construction.

6.3.2 Robin Hansen – Original Kinsmen Park Playground Closure

Decision

*The Committee has resolved that the matter be referred to Administration for a report at the August 15, 2016 PD&CS meeting. Additional correspondence and speakers have been referred to the same meeting to be heard at that time (there were letters received after the deadline for submission on new items.  The bylaw does not provide for late letters or requests to speak unless it relates to an Administrative report on the agenda).

Background

*Robin Hansen presented citizens wishes regarding the re-opening of Kinsmen Park Playground as well as a petition.

7.1.1 Dutch Elm Disease Response Plan Update

Decision

*The Committee received the report as information.

Background

*The report provided an update on the implementation of the Dutch Elm Disease Response Plan.
*There’s an estimated 100,000 elm trees on both public and private property within Saskatoon, valued at more than $500 million. A complete and accurate inventory of all elm trees is being developed to support comprehensive Dutch elm disease (DED) response strategies.
*A public awareness campaign is being implemented to help prevent the spread of DED by providing citizens with information about the urban forest, the provincial DED regulations, and the importance of reporting symptomatic trees. 
*Enhanced surveillance service levels have been established in 2016 and will help with early detection of DED, and limit the spread of this disease.
*Recommendations from the Urban Forestry Civic Service Review, which is currently underway, will identify initiatives that can potentially improve Urban Forestry’s tree maintenance and inventory service levels and improve the overall health of the City’s trees.

7.2.4 Designation of Permanent Off-Leash Recreation Area and Amendment to Animal Control Bylaw, 1999, No. 7860

Decision

*The Committee is forwarding a report to the August 18, 2016 meeting of City Council in support of the recommendations in the report.

Background

*The Committee is recommending City Council approve a permanent Off-Leash Recreation Area next to Mayfair Pool between Avenues F and G, and 31^st and 32^nd Streets.
*Since the Animal Services Program began in 2004, nine Off-Leash Recreation Areas have been created in Saskatoon.