News Releases

December 8, 2015 meeting

8.2.1 Appointments to Governance and Priorities Committee

*The purpose of the report is to transfer the 2016 appointments for Executive Committee to the newly-formed Governance and Priorities Committee.
*The committee approved forwarding a report to City Council recommending the 2016 appointments for Executive Committee be transferred to the Governance and Priorities Committee.

Background

*On November 23, City Council requested the following changes be implemented:
-Executive Committee be renamed the Governance and Priorities Committee and remain a Committee of all members of Council; the Governance and Priorities Committee’s mandate includes: governance, strategic priorities, annual business plan and budget process, legal matters, human resource and collective bargaining issues and government relations; and, the Governance and Priorities Committee continues to meet on the third Monday of every month.

8.2.2 Deferral Report – Municipal Governance – Practices and Procedures for the Reporting Out of In Camera Items

*Executive Committee approved deferral of the report until the January 18, 206 meeting of the Governance and Priorities Committee.

Background

*At the Executive Committee meeting of November 16, the Leadership Team Governance Subcommittee committed to providing a report respecting practices and procedures for the reporting out of in camera items. The finalization of this report has been delayed partly due to the passage of new Cities Act provisions impacting the issues. 

The City’s new garbage system will improve collection reliability, enhance customer service and improve efficiencies for the benefit of all black, blue and green cart customers.

“We’re so pleased to introduce new collection routes and take a bold step toward our vision of a highly efficient and effective waste management system,” said Brenda Wallace, Director of Environmental and Corporate Initiatives. “The City’s new efficient waste system will improve our service level to Saskatoon citizens, lower fuel costs and reduce our carbon footprint.”

Using real-time data collected by the new system over the past several months, the City is introducing optimised routes and schedules, designed specifically to move efficiently and directly through Saskatoon’s road network and neighbourhoods. The new routes also consider trips each truck needs to take to drop off collected materials at the landfill, recycling centre, or compost depot and ensures these trips are as short and direct as possible, with reduced back-tracking by collection trucks. There is no location change for front-street or back lane collections.

The new collection days begin January 4, 2016 and are clearly identified in the personalized 2016 Cart Collection Service guide and calendar delivered by Canada Post in December.

“Almost every neighbourhood will have a new day for at least one program starting January 4,” says Wallace.  “We encourage people to help their neighbours catch on to the new collection days for black and blue carts by reminding them if they don’t have their cart out, and by rolling out a cart for someone with physical challenges.”  

In addition to developing more efficient collection routes, the City’s new garbage system tracks where a garbage truck is on a route and confirms when your garbage has been collected. It also identifies any missed collections before a truck leaves the neighbourhood, and reduces the amount of kilometers the trucks travel, which is better for the environment and saves money in gas.

Increased efficiency of waste collection supports the City’s Strategic Goal of Asset and Financial Sustainability and being the best-managed city in Canada.

December 7, 2015 Meeting

7.1.1 Update on Railway Delays

*The report updates ongoing operational issues with Canadian National Railway in the southwest part of the city and provides an overview of the Rail Working Group.
*Administration will:
-provide a report with the traffic projections for Marquis Drive and 51st Street between Wanuskewin and Millar Avenue after opening of the new commuter parkway bridge
-provide a report with the criteria and assessment used in deciding which crossings to evaluate for the possibility of grade separation, including traffic counts, traffic projections, frequency of delays, length of delays, or whatever other criteria were used and to include a fact-based rationale for which crossings were selected, which were not, and why.
-review the possible relocation of the CN freight yards
-be instructed to review the relocation of the CP Yards in Sutherland and that they entertain the joint use/co-sharing of the CN mainline south of the city.

 Background

*In January, 2015 City Council resolved a committee be established between the City, CN, and CP to develop solutions to reduce delays resulting from at-grade railway crossings.
*In September, a letter was sent to the Regional Director of Transport Canada requesting clarification of jurisdiction and enforcement of regulations on the spur line at 11th Street West. To date, there has not been a response.

7.1.3 Varsity View Neighbourhood Traffic Review – Main Street and Wiggins Avenue

*The committee received the report outlining results of the additional public consultation with Varsity View residents and the Community Association on the proposed temporary traffic restriction at Main Street and Wiggins Avenue.

Background

*Administration will proceed with three relatively minor changes to signage along Main Street to mitigate shortcutting traffic. The majority of residents did not support the first restriction which included installing a raised curb to restrict east-west vehicular movement.

7.2.2 Neighbourhood Traffic Review – Revised Process

*The report outlines proposed changes to the Traffic Calming Guidelines and Tools document.
*The proposed changes include that major roadway modifications are made on a temporary basis for at least one year, at which time the Administration will evaluate impacts to traffic and collect community feedback to determine the level of support for maintaining the changes.
*The committee recommends to City Council that the Administration:
-be directed to update the “Traffic Calming Guidelines and Tools” procedure.

-be directed to proceed with current and 2016 Neighbourhood Traffic Reviews as outlined, until the Traffic Calming Guidelines and Tools document has been updated and approved by Council.

Background

*In November, the committee asked Administration to report back with recommendations on a clear policy regarding the endorsement of a final Neighbourhood Traffic Review, including a process outlining alternatives where some elements of a Neighbourhood Traffic Review may not be acceptable to Council.

December 7, 2015 Meeting

7.1.1 Saskatoon Light & Power Smart Meter Program Update

*The committee received the report as information, which outlines progress on the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Project as well as steps SL&P has taken to ensure commitment to safety through the smart meter replacement program.
*The AMI network for communicating with electricity and water meters within the SL&P service area has been installed.
*System acceptance testing is underway for the AMI system and integration with the existing billing system is set for early 2016.
*SL&P has completed safety checks for all new and existing meters including inspections of private and SL&P infrastructure.

Background

*In June 2014, City Council approved the implementation of AMI. In early 2015, to ensure a commitment to safety through its smart meter replacement program, SL&P announced plans to conduct safety checks on all meter installations.

7.1.2 Building Better Infrastructure: Water & Wastewater Systems

*The committee received the report as information. The report provides information on the sanitary collection and water distribution inventory, value, condition, and asset management initiatives.
* Saskatoon currently has $3.39 and $2.84 billion of sanitary collection and water distribution assets.
*The water distribution system’s current preventative maintenance funding levels are sufficient for distribution mains. Further information is required to appropriately assess service connections, primary mains, valves and hydrants.
*The sanitary collection system’s current preventative maintenance funding levels are sufficient for sanitary collection mains and service connections. Further information is required to appropriately assess force mains, sanitary trunk mains and manholes.

Background

*The sources of data contained in the report are the City’s Geographical Information System (GIS) database, asset management databases, past contract values, and operations and maintenance records.

7.2.1 Service Saskatoon – Free Public WiFi Service

*The report will be forwarded to City Council for information. It provides information on the procurement process, and the business partner selected to provide citizens, visitors and businesses with free public WiFi service at a number of City-owned facilities.

Background

*A Request for an Expression of Interest and a Request for Proposal were issued for providing free public WiFi service in City customer-serving facilities.
*Shaw Communications has been awarded the agreement and will provide free WiFi at no cost to the City in transit terminals, recreation and sport facilities, libraries and City Hall.

7.2.5 Update from Corporate IT

*The report will be forwarded to City Council for information. It articulates high level activities the Information Technology (IT) division has been focused on during the past 6 months.

Background

*An independent consulting report recommended the development of a multi-year business plan determining how IT will support the strategic direction of the City. Based on the results of this review, IT launched a new vision and mandate statement in July 2015. Main components to the vision outlined in the IT Division are:
•Being a strategic business partner empowering our citizens and the Corporation in effectively utilizing technology to access our programs and services.
•IT would become the leaders in innovative business solutions for our business partners providing the effective and efficient use of the corporations’ resources. In conjunction with the development of a strategic business plan for IT, activities that are in alignment with goals of the Corporation have been initiated.

City Council approved a 3.96% property tax increase at final budget deliberations yesterday which translates to a $64.70 per year increase, or $5.40 per month based on an average residential assessment value of $325,000.

** All figures in millions

Highlights of the Final 2016 Budget 

Transportation: 7% increase in expenditures or total change of $8.2 million over 2015

Snow & Ice Management: City Council resolved to dedicate 0.55% ($1.039M) of the increase to snow and ice programs in 2016, and instructed the Administration to bring forward similar increases in 2017 through 2020.  This additional funding will be used to improve snow removal programs immediately, and over a number of years of phased-in increases, this funding could eventually be sufficient to fund city-wide snow removal on residential streets when conditions warrant.  The January SPC on Transportation will be considering improved service levels to implement in 2016 and beyond, and is expected to make recommendations for Council to consider at its January meeting.

Snow disposal sites are a major consideration of this initiative for future years.  As such, Council has directed the Administration to bring forward detailed options and funding implications to the 2017 budget process.

Other Major Initiatives for Transportation in 2016:

• Build the North Commuter Parkway project, Traffic Bridge, interchanges at Boychuk Drive and Highway 16 and at College Drive and McOrmond Drive
• Continued focus on improving the condition of the transportation network through the Building Better Roads Program
• Establish a long-term Transit Strategy
• Utilize automated technology to provide a condition assessment of all of Saskatoon’s roadways
• Free Transit Service on Election Days
• Implement Neighbourhood Traffic Management Process

Environmental Health: 0.72% decrease in expenditures or total reduction of $0.14 million over 2015

• Funding approved for Major Initiatives that include the first phase of a Dutch Elm Disease Response Plan to prevent loss of urban forest trees and to increase public awareness; Recovery Park; a Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Business Plan; Community Waste Reduction and Resource Recovery aimed at the Household Hazardous Waste Program in 2016; and Landfill Replacement Reserve
• To support waste diversion from the Saskatoon Landfill, the 2016 Green Cart Program subscription remains unchanged at $55 per year

Utilities: 4.9% increase or total change of $14.0 million in expenditures over 2015 - Capital $2.9 million,
ROI $3 million Operations (2.8%) $8.1 million

• For major initiatives that include continued Conservation Education Programs Odour Abatement
• Saskatoon Light & Power’s Green Energy Generation Projects; Additional power source-reliability; and infrastructure renewal funding strategies
• Water Treatment Plant upgrades to reliability and efficiency; additional fill main & reservoir in the NE and E Sectors
• Waste Water Treatment Plant Odour Abatement  with a goal of reduction to 76%; and addition of Fourth Digester/Liquid Waste Haulers Station/ Lift Station upgrades

Urban Planning & Development: 2.87% increase in expenditures or total change of $0.4 million over 2015

• For Major Initiatives that include the Growth Plan to Half a Million; New Regional Plan; New Active Transportation Plan; Parking Strategy; Comprehensive Re-write of the Building Bylaw; and Centralized Bylaw Enforcement through the Community Standards Division

Community Support: 2.54% increase in expenditures or total change of $0.4 million over 2015

• For Major Initiatives that include partnerships and programs for the Urban Aboriginal Leadership Program; the Age Friendly Saskatoon Action Plan; Immigration Action Plan; Culture Plan Implementation; and renewal of Accessibility Action Plan

Recreation & Culture: 3.65% increase in expenditures or total change of $1.74 million over 2015

• Major Initiatives include Recreation and Parks Master Plan implementation; planning for the next Leisure Centres; development of a sustainable plan for the maintenance of Parks & Recreation assets; and establishment of a PotashCorp Playland Asset Replacement and Maintenance Reserve

Fire: 3.3% increase in expenditures or total change of $1.49 million over 2015

• Expanded operations requiring additional resources due to the expansion of the city’s population and physical boundaries, and to meet the Service Levels established by City Council

Corporate Asset Management: 6.2% increase in expenditures or total change of $0.6 million over 2015

• For Major Initiatives that include enhancement of the Corporate Radio Communications network to meet civic demand and city growth; development of core capital renewal principles and funding strategies for long-term asset preservation; and corporate partnerships in Asset Management and Service Agreements to support program delivery

Corporate Governance & Finance: 6.99% increase in expenditures or total change of $4.5 million over 2015

• Service Saskatoon – 311/Customer Relationship Management
• For other Major Initiatives that include service levels for assets and preventative maintenance; continued Civic Service Reviews to ensure continuous improvement; risk management; strategies for Citizen Engagement; alternate sources of revenue through bundling advertising opportunities

Land Development: 24.34% decrease in expenditures or total reduction of $2.1 million over 2015

• Major Initiatives include the continued servicing of initial phases of Aspen Ridge; extending arterial roads and trunk sewers into Aspen Ridge and Brighton; Elk Point Concept Plan; new park construction throughout the city; and continuing to service last phases in Marquis Industrial Area for further employment growth

Taxation & General Revenues: 6.38% increase or total change of $21.9 million over net revenue 2015

• Major Initiatives include investigating alternate revenue sources to help alleviate pressure on the property tax levy; examining User Fees and Subsidies Policy; and analysis of Non-Tax Revenue

For more related budget reports, visit saskatoon.ca > Budget & Finances

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.