News Releases

NEW

22ND ST W WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM AVE V N TO AVE W N
(Trenching)
Start: October 21, 8:00 a.m. End: October 21, 11:00 a.m.

CIRCLE DR NB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED APPROACHING 33RD ST EXIT
(Crash cushion repair)
Start: October 21, 9:00 a.m. End: October 21, 12:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR S EB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM JASPER AVE TO IDYLWYLD DR S
(Construction work)
Start: October 21, 9:00 a.m. End: October 21, 3:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR S NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT CIRCLE DR S
(Construction work)
Start: October 21, 9:00 a.m. End: October 21, 3:00 p.m.

22ND ST W EB & WB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANES CLOSED FROM AVE S N TO AVE T S
(Median repair)
Start: October 21, 9:00 a.m. End: October 22, 4:00 p.m.

CENTRAL AVE SB CLOSED AT 104TH ST W
(Road paving)
2-way traffic set up in NB lanes
Start: October 21, 9:00 a.m. End: October 21, 4:00 p.m.

COLLEGE DR EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT CENTRAL AVE
(Crash cushion repair)
Start: October 21, 1:00 p.m. End: October 21, 3:00 p.m.

TAYLOR ST E WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT CIRCLE DR E
(Crash cushion repair)
Start: October 21, 1:00 p.m. End: October 21, 3:00 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: CIRCLE DR E EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT VENTURE CRES
(Sanitary sewer lining)
Start: October 21, 7:00 p.m. End: October 22, 6:00 a.m.

ONGOING

AIRPORT DR NB/SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANES CLOSED AT CLAYPOOL DR
(Road construction)
Claypool Dr WB closed from Airport Dr to McClocklin Rd
Start: September 15, 7:00 a.m. End: October 27, 6:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N NB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 39TH ST W TO CIRCLE DR E
(Sewer cleaning)
Start: September 29, 9:00 a.m. End: October 29, 3:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N/HIGHWAY 16 NB & SB LANE RESTRICTIONS FROM 51ST ST E TO MARQUIS DR W
(Hwy 16 flyover repair)
Hwy 11/12 SB median lane closed at overpass
Start: July 13, 9:00 a.m. End: October 31, 5:00 p.m.

HWY 16 WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT ZIMMERMAN RD
(Road reconstruction)
Start: September 16, 7:00 a.m. End: November 15, 5:00 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: IDYLWYLD DR NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED APPROACHING 1ST AVE
(Bridge maintenance)
Start: October 13, 7:00 p.m. End: November 23, 7:00 a.m.

IDYLWYLD DR SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN 19TH ST & SID BUCKWOLD BRIDGE
(Bridge maintenance)
1st Ave SB curb lane closed between 19th St & Sid Buckwold Bridge
Start: September 14, 7:00 a.m. End: November 23, 6:00 p.m.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information and subscribe to Traffic Detour Service Alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

October 19, 2015 Executive Committee Meeting

7.2.1 2016 Business Plan and Budget

*The Preliminary 2016 Business Plan and Budget was received and tabled.

Background

*Citizen input, inflation, population growth, City Council priorities, service level changes, and performance measures were considered in proposing total operating expenditures of $457.1 million. Of this, $443.8 million is tax-supported-operating expenditures.
*Tax-supported operating expenditures represent about 97% of total operating expenditures in 2016.
*To help pay for operations and ensure a balanced budget, the property tax increase of 3.95%, equates to an additional $5.40 per month on a property assessed at $325,000.
*From October 19 to November 13, citizens can share their funding priorities and preferences with City Council at saskatoon.ca/citizenbudget
*City Council will deliberate the budget November 30, December 1 and 3.

7.2.2 The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action and the City of Saskatoon’s Response

*The report outlines the City’s response to the TRC Calls to Action relevant to Municipal Government and has been forwarded to City Council for business plan and budget deliberations.
* Administration will provide Executive Committee with regular updates outlining successes as well as outstanding items, along with an update of events that occurring in Saskatoon throughout the year recognizing the Year of Reconciliation

*Administration will report to Executive Committee with a plan for increased professional development and training for employees, with a long-term target of 100 percent participation

*The City has ongoing initiatives that are making strides toward the TRC’s Calls to Action and additional actions and estimated costs to address the recommendations have been identified.
*The City will collaborate with the Office of the Treaty Commissioner and other Aboriginal organizations and community partners to develop an action plan for reconciliation.

Background

*The City already has a number of practices in place to boost Aboriginal inclusion including:
-Aboriginal Cultural Awareness Training offered to all employees. The training is mandatory for Saskatoon Police Service employees.
-“Profile Saskatoon Grant” of $150,000 and in-kind organizing support for 2016 World Indigenous Business Forum and International Indigenous Music and Cultural Festival.
-Partnership with Saskatoon Tribal Council, Gabriel Dumont Institute and other organizations on the delivery of the Urban Aboriginal Leadership Program to build capacity leading to employment.

7.2.3 Remai Modern Art Gallery of Saskatchewan

*The Committee received the project update and will receive another one by the end of 2015.
*The Contractor projects building construction to be complete in the late third to early fourth quarter of 2016 which will result in the Gallery opening in early 2017.
*The project schedule continues to be negatively impacted by delays resulting from drawing corrections and clarifications.
*The project continues to face cost increases and budget pressure, primarily due to the negative cost impact of the drawing corrections and clarifications.

Background

*City Council approved the construction of a new Art Gallery. Smith Carter Architects and Engineers Inc. (Now Architecture 49) were hired in 2010 to design, tender and administer the construction.
*A construction contract was awarded in 2013 to Ellis Don Corporation, with a target for completion in September of 2016.

7.2.4 Traffic Bridge Span Arrangement

*The Committee received the report.
*The new Traffic Bridge is proposed to be a four span arrangement, with new reinforced concrete piers constructed around the existing piers within the river.
*Graham Commuter Partners is proceeding with necessary regulatory approval applications to facilitate construction to commence in the South Saskatchewan River.

Background

*At its meeting on September 8, 2015, City Council approved the award of the Project Agreement for the North Commuter Parkway and Traffic Bridge to Graham Commuter Partners.
*GCP and the City are currently working through the Commercial Close and Financial Close process, which is targeted to be achieved on or around October 23, 2015.

The bridge maintenance work on Idylwyld Drive over 19th Street overpass has been extended and is now expected to be complete by the end of November.

Since work started earlier this Fall, it has become evident that some of the minor concrete repairs are more extensive than originally anticipated and additional work and timeframe is required to complete these repairs. Key structural components are being repaired, which is necessary to ensure the bridge continues to be safe and structurally sound well into the future.

To complete this work, there will be lane restrictions on Idylwyld Drive overpass over 19th street in both directions as well as lane restrictions on 1st Avenue ramp under Idylwyld Drive.  Access to Sid Buckwold Bridge will be maintained at all times, however, drivers should expect some delays.

Please note: Restrictions on Idylwyld Drive are required to restrict heavy load while repairs are carried out under the overpass. Therefore, drivers will not see workers on Idylwyld Drive.

The City apologizes for the inconvenience and thanks drivers for their continued patience and cooperation while this work is carried out.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information and subscribe to Traffic Detour Service Alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert.

NEW

CIRCLE DR S WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED APPROACHING LORNE AVE
(Crash cushion repair)
Start: October 20, 9:00 a.m. End: October 20, 1:00 p.m.

22ND ST W EB & WB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANES CLOSED FROM AVE T N TO AVE T S
(Concrete work on median)
Start: October 20, 9:00 a.m. End: October 21, 4:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR NB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED APPROACHING 22ND ST
(Crash cushion repair)
Start: October 20, 12:00 p.m. End: October 20, 6:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR NB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED APPROACHING 33RD ST
(Crash cushion repair)
Start: October 20, 3:00 p.m. End: October 20, 5:00 p.m.

ONGOING

AIRPORT DR NB/SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANES CLOSED AT CLAYPOOL DR
(Road construction)
Claypool Dr WB closed from Airport Dr to McClocklin Rd
Start: September 15, 7:00 a.m. End: October 27, 6:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N NB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 39TH ST W TO CIRCLE DR E
(Sewer cleaning)
Start: September 29, 9:00 a.m. End: October 29, 3:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N/HIGHWAY 16 NB & SB LANE RESTRICTIONS FROM 51ST ST E TO MARQUIS DR W
(Hwy 16 flyover repair)
Hwy 11/12 SB median lane closed at overpass
Start: July 13, 9:00 a.m. End: October 31, 5:00 p.m.

HWY 16 WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT ZIMMERMAN RD
(Road reconstruction)
Start: September 16, 7:00 a.m. End: November 15, 5:00 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: IDYLWYLD DR NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED APPROACHING 1ST AVE
(Bridge maintenance)
Start: October 13, 7:00 p.m. End: November 23, 7:00 a.m.

IDYLWYLD DR SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN 19TH ST & SID BUCKWOLD BRIDGE
(Bridge maintenance)
1st Ave SB curb lane closed between 19th St & Sid Buckwold Bridge
Start: September 14, 7:00 a.m. End: November 23, 6:00 p.m.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information and subscribe to Traffic Detour Service Alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

In a new budget planning process this year, the City launched a number of Shaping Our Financial Future public engagement opportunities. Citizens were able to provide input on their priorities and preferences for more than 70 civic services and programs they rely on every day. That information has helped to create the Preliminary 2016 Business Plan and Budget which outlines the City’s future investment plans.

“Most participants in both the 2016 Annual Civic Services Survey and the June Public Engagement activities said they prefer to balance the budget using a combination of user fees and property tax increases instead of service reductions or cuts,” said City Manager, Murray Totland. “Citizens told us they want more spending when it comes to things like maintaining major roadways, transit, street crime, and a growing population.”

In addition to valuable public input, City Administration also considered factors such as inflation, population growth, City Council priorities, service level changes, and performance measures. Considering all factors, the Preliminary 2016 Operating Budget proposes:

• Total operating expenditures of $457.1 million, which is an increase of $22.5 million, or 5.2%, over the 2015 approved Operating Budget. Of this, $443.8 million is tax-supported-operating expenditures which is an increase of $22.5 million or 5.3%, over the 2015 approved Operating Budget.

“Tax-supported operating expenditures represent about 97% of total operating expenditures in 2016,” says Kerry Tarasoff, Chief Financial Officer & General Manager of Asset and Financial Management. “To help pay for operations and ensure a balanced budget, the property tax increase of 3.95%, equates to an additional $5.40 per month on a property assessed at $325,000.”

The proposed property tax increase would generate an additional $7.47 million, which would go toward debt repayment on future traffic noise projects, Building Better Roads, and expenditures relating to all other programs and services, including eight additional police constables in 2016.  It should be noted other City operations are holding the line on a greater hike with a -0.51% budget decrease.

On the capital side, the City is investing $177.2 million in various capital projects (buildings, roads, bridges, sidewalks, water lines) which is a reduction of over $48 million (27%) from 2015.

“The Shaping Our Financial Future engagement plan does not end with today’s tabling of the 2016 Business Plan and Budget,” says Tarasoff. “Now the City is providing citizens another opportunity to have their say on the 2016 Budget through Citizen Budget - our new interactive and educational online tool.”

From October 19 to November 13, citizens can share their funding priorities and preferences with City Council at saskatoon.ca/citizenbudget. Importantly, the public feedback gathered through Citizen Budget will inform City Council and Administration on residents’ budget priorities.  It will help Councillors determine what services and programs people value most when they discuss the 2016 Corporate Business Plan and Budget November 30, December 1 and 3, 2015.

Visit saskatoon.ca/financialfuture to view 2016 Budget at a Glance, and a full array of other budget documents.