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Saskatoon Fire - News Releases
City Population of Nearly 400K and City of Saskatoon Census Metropolitan Area Half-Million by 2035
March 2, 2017 - 3:22am
- Net migration is forecast to account for 69.0% to 74.0% (62,000 to 122,000 persons) of the population increase projected over the next 20 years.
- New neighbourhoods are typically designed to house 10,000 people. The Medium Growth Scenario will require the equivalent of an additional six neighbourhoods and 26,000 dwelling units by 2035, assuming an average household size of 2.4 people.
- An increase of 28.8% of children will be coming into, or already be in, the primary and secondary school systems by 2025 and 58.8% children by 2035.
- The estimated median age is projected to increase from 35.8 in 2015, to 37.4 in 2035.
- The dependency ratio is 65 to 67, which is an increase from 58 in 2015.Population projections are also useful to community agencies planning for future service provision. The Planning and Development Division completed similar projections in 1996, 2002, 2008, 2010, and 2012.
The City’s Planning and Development Division has released the City of Saskatoon and Saskatoon Census Metropolitan Area Population Projection 2015 to 2035 report. The population in Saskatoon is projected to reach 380,650, and the Saskatoon Census Metropolitan Area is projected to reach 448,985 by 2035.
Saskatoon’s growth will result in the need to build the equivalent of six new neighbourhoods and 24,000 dwelling units by 2025. Saskatoon’s current development capacity in existing, developing, and planned new neighbourhoods will be able to accommodate this projected growth.
“It is an exciting time for Saskatoon,” says Lesley Anderson, Director of Planning and Development. “Some of our recently adopted long-range plans, such as the Growth Plan to Half a Million, will be integral in setting our City up for the future.”
“Change is inevitable, but this change will be managed. Saskatoon will be able to accommodate this growth and remain a city where citizens continue to enjoy a high quality of life.”
Based on the annual growth rate of 2.0%, the 20-year projected population growth indicates Saskatoon will see a large increase in the number of people over age 65 and an even larger increase of those over the age of 80. This spike is due to the aging baby boom generation. The seniors’ population will increase from its current 12.8% to make up 14.1% of the total population by 2035.
Other highlights in the report are as follows:
The Planning and Development Division regularly calculates population estimates for the City using information from Statistics Canada and factoring in recent trends in growth. These projections assist City Council and the Administration in developing policy framework, long-range plans, and forecasting future municipal servicing needs and land consumption.
Population projections are also useful to community agencies planning for future service provision. The Planning and Development Division completed similar projections in 1996, 2002, 2008, 2010, and 2012.
For more information, or to view the full report, please visit www.saskatoon.ca/sustainable-growth.
Call for Citizen Input to Improve Winter Roads Programs
March 1, 2017 - 4:55am
The City invites citizens to help improve winter mobility on roads and sidewalks by participating in a new survey this March.
“Year after year, the City’s annual Civic Services Survey shows how important snow and ice maintenance is to Saskatoon citizens,” says Brandon Harris, Director of Roadways and Operations. “Rather than guessing what improvements will best help residents get around in the winter, we thought we might ask them.”
Citizen input will be collected to understand how people move around in winter, and to identify challenges or barriers residents experience due to snow or ice. The survey data, in conjunction with perspectives of local interest groups, will be used by the City to improve existing programs and plan new strategies to most efficiently address the needs of Saskatoon residents.
The Better Winter Roads survey is open to everyone and is now available at saskatoon.ca/snow. City representatives will also have digital surveys for people to complete at the upcoming Homestyles Show (March 9-12) and Gardenscape (March 24-26) at Prairieland Park.
The City is offering the survey in English, French, Mandarin and Arabic to ensure that a broad spectrum of Saskatoon residents, from new Canadians to seasoned winter veterans, can share their unique experiences.
“City Council approved this citizen-first approach to improving the level of service as part of the 2017 winter road maintenance budget,” says Harris.
For 2017, more than $61.7 million has been invested in Building Better Roads including Road Maintenance, Snow & Ice Management and Street Cleaning and Sweeping. In fact, this year an additional $1.1 million has been dedicated to Snow & Ice Management.
In addition to this survey, we have also invited residents to help create a new approach to how winter is perceived in Saskatoon as part of WinterCityYXE, Saskatoon’s Winter City Strategy. Both surveys will identify ways in which we can work together as a community to make Saskatoon a great place to live in the winter time.
Visit saskatoon.ca/snow for more information and to participate in the survey today!
Governance and Priorities Committee Decisions in Brief
February 19, 2017 - 10:49am
From the February 13, 2017 Meeting
Decision
*The committee received the information.
Additional Information
*In June 2016, City Councuil made the following resolution: “That City Council request the Government of Saskatchewan to change The Cities Act in order to permit municipalities to adopt fully taxable remuneration for Mayors and Councillors.”
*In accordance with City Council’s instructions, the City Solicitor wrote to the Minister of Government Relations requesting the relevant legislative change. Also, the City Solicitor sent the particulars of the legislative change proposals to the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association’s legal counsel and to the City Solicitors of Regina, Moose Jaw and Prince Albert.
*The Minister responded to the City Solicitor indicating that while the practice of making one-third of a City Councillor’s remuneration tax-free has been a common practice throughout Canada, it has become a growing trend for many Canadian cities to eliminate this practice. The Minister confirmed that this provision shall be considered by the Province the next time The Cities Act is opened for amendment and that the Province will consult with SUMA and other cities at that time to determine the best course of action.
*The City is awaiting feedback from SUMA and the other cities and will report further.
8.2.3 The Code of Ethics for Members of City Council Bylaw, 2017
Decision
*The Committee recommended to City Council that Bylaw No. 9424, The Code of Ethics for Members of City Council Bylaw, 2017 be enacted.
Additional Information
*A new section of The Cities Act requires that City Council adopt a Code of Ethics by bylaw. The Cities Act Regulations provides a model Code of Ethics which is deemed to have been adopted by City Council if Council does not adopt a Code of Ethics by bylaw. The model Code of Ethics is deemed in effect after February 23, 2017.
*This report brings forward a bylaw which contains the model Code of Ethics modified to include specific references to Saskatoon for City Council’s consideration and adoption by bylaw.
Finance Committee Decisions in Brief
February 19, 2017 - 10:34am
From the January 30, 2017 Meeting
6.1.1 Ken Cheveldayoff, Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport – Meewasin Valley Authority Funding
Decision
*The Committee received the letter as information.
Background
*The letter is a response to James K. Wood, President of the SOS Elms Coalition.
*In the letter, Minister Cheveldayoff says the Government of Saskatchewan recognizes that urban parks contribute to a high quality of life and that since 2008, Meewasin has received $8,210,362 in funding.
*The letter states a review of Meewasin Valley Authority is being conducted and will help inform future decisions.
7.2.3 Overview of the 2017 Assessment Roll
Decision
*The Committee received the report as information and will be forwarding it to City Council as information. A Power Point presentation was provided to the Committee and the Administration will be providing the Power Point to City Council as well.
*The Committee also asked the Administration to report back on: a) The ability to coordinate distribution of Property Tax Notices with the distribution of Assessment Notices, for the sake of clarity; and b) A communication plan for the next assessment period, to address the concerns raised by citizens and Councillors this year.
Background
*A property reassessment recalculates property assessment values to a more current valuation date.
*The Province of Saskatchewan made a change to the residential and multi-unit residential percentage of value to be applied to assessed values. This change does not result in individual properties paying more, nor does the City of Saskatoon receive any additional tax revenue.
*Generally speaking, the 2017 assessed values have not increased in value as much as they did in 2013 with the last reassessment.
7.2.6 S&P Global’s Canadian Ratings – City of Saskatoon
Decision
*The committee received the report and is forwarding it to City Council for information.
Background
*The report informs City Council and the general public of the 2015 long-term issuer credit rating report recently prepared and released by S&P Global (formerly Standard & Poor’s Rating Services) reaffirming the City’s “AAA”/Stable outlook credit rating, as well as some of the key rating factors.
*S&P Global has reaffirmed the City’s “AAA”/Stable outlook credit rating based on the 2015 Consolidated Financial Statements and current economic outlook.
*The City compares favourably to the key factors used by S&P to evaluate the City’s credit rating.
Planning, Development & Community Services Decisions in Brief
February 19, 2017 - 10:15am
From the January 30, 2017 Meeting
Decision
*The Committee approved the recommendations as submitted by the Administration. The Committee also asked the Administration to report back on how to incorporate further energy efficiency considerations into incentive housing applications and attainable housing projects.
Background
*At its November 30, 2016 meeting, City Council set the 2017 target for the 2013 – 2022 Housing Business Plan at 400 units across the attainable housing continuum, of which 30 units are targeted to be affordable rental units. At the same meeting, City Council allocated funding of $390,000 in support of these 30 affordable rental units.
*The recommendations are: That funding of 10% of the total capital cost towards the development of 23 affordable rental units at 1106 Avenue W North by Sasknative Rentals, to a maximum of $276,000; be approved, subject to approval of this project under the Provincial Rental Development Program; and that the City Solicitor prepare necessary incentive agreements.
Decision
*The Committee is recommending to City Council that the City enter into a five-year service contract, beginning May 1, 2017, with the Saskatoon Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) to implement Saskatoon’s Homelessness Action Plan, with the maximum amount of annual funding for this service contract being $130,000.
Background
*At its March 21, 2011 meeting, City Council approved a service agreement with SHIP for a five-year term. Annual funding of $100,000 from the Affordable Housing Reserve has been provided to SHIP. In return, SHIP has helped support the goal of facilitating the creation of at least 100 affordable housing units every year in Saskatoon.
*Homelessness is growing in Saskatoon, and a coordinated response is needed.
*A community-initiated Homelessness Action Plan has been created.
*A broad-based community steering committee has chosen SHIP to implement Saskatoon’s Homelessness Action Plan.
*A new service contract is proposed to support the cost of implementing the Action Plan.
Decision
*The Committee received the report and communications as information and has referred the matter to City Council for consideration at its February 27, 2017 meeting.
Background
*The Home Ice Campaign Committee and the University of Saskatchewan submitted a proposal requesting the City consider significantly increase financial support for the twin ice surface, multi-sport facility.
*To date, the City has committed $1M towards the new twin ice pad arena, which recently expanded to include additional spectator seating capacity and a double gymnasium. The Home Ice Campaign Committee has submitted a proposal requesting an additional City contribution of up to $3M.
7.2.5 Progress Update – South Caswell Redevelopment Project – Former Transit Facility Site
Decision
*The Committee is forwarding the update report to City Council for information.
Background
*Once redevelopment plans and possible future uses are identified for the area, a more generalized Concept Plan will be created, while still reflecting the community values and vision for the area, as outlined in the 2010 Concept Plan.
*There are considerable site preparation efforts associated with the South Caswell Redevelopment Project. Phasing of redevelopment will be strategic, based on the results of the detailed Phase II Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) and required infrastructure improvements.
*A Safe and Secure Plan has been established and will be implemented after Saskatoon Transit completely relocates to the new Civic Operations Centre.
*A short-term use strategy is being explored to determine whether the former Saskatoon Transit buildings may be used by City Administration. It is yet to be determined whether interim uses can be accommodated while site preparation activities are underway.