News Releases

From the March 6, 2017 Meeting

7.1.2 Transfer of Unpaid Utilities to Property Tax

Decision

*The Committee received the information.

Background

*The Cities Act allows Saskatchewan cities to transfer a tenant’s unpaid utilities (excluding electricity) to the property owner’s tax roll.
*Other cities, governed under the same legislation, have already implemented this ability or are contemplating doing so.
*The City of Saskatoon offers a Landlord/Tenant Agreement that helps mitigate the cost of service disruptions. 
*As requested by landlords, information is provided to landlords as early in the process as possible.

7.2.1 Corporate Risk Annual Report 2016

Decision

*The committee forwarded the report to City Council for information.

Background

*The Administration has successfully reduced the risk severity of 11 (48%) of its key strategic risks from high to medium, although continued effort will be required to achieve targets.
*The Risk Based Management program sets a positive and proactive risk management culture for the corporation through the adoption of a systematic, practical and ongoing process for understanding and managing risk.

From the March 20, 2017 Meeting

7.2 Multi-year Business Plan and Budget Framework

Decision

*The committee received the information.

Additional Information

*The purpose of the report was to outline the various components of a Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget (MYB) Framework that need to be developed and receive approval of the Framework in principle.
*A Framework will form the basic structure and guiding principles for multi-year planning and budgeting.
*A policy sets the groundwork for an MYB process by establishing guidelines, responsibilities and direction.
*A defined process will increase the transparency of the process as well as ensure a seamless delivery of the MYB.
*A new document will be developed for the delivery and presentation of multiyear plans and budgets with increased emphasis on targets, outcomes and service levels.
*The implementation plan has a significant focus on change management within the corporation and includes the formation of an internal project team to ensure the successful implementation of this initiative.

From the March 27, 2017 Regular Meeting of City Council

8.1.2 Policy Review for Special Street Naming Requests

Decision

*City Council approved amendments to Naming of Civic Property and Development Areas.

Additional Information

*Special street naming involves assigning a name to an existing roadway that is symbolic and does not replace the legal street name.
*A review of the practice of special or temporary street naming in other Canadian municipalities was undertaken.
*Special street naming differs from standard street renaming in that the legal requirements and costs of a formal renaming are eliminated.
*Special street naming requests can be integrated into existing Naming of Civic Property and Development Areas Policy No. C09-008 (Naming Policy).

8.1.3 Saskatoon North Partnership Growth 2016 Annual Report

Decision

*City Council received the report as information.

Additional Information

*The report indicates the latest projections show the Saskatoon region nearing a population of 500,000 in the next 20 years. Given the economic climate, the group anticipates the region could reach a population of one million in the next 60 years.

8.1.10 Innovative Housing Incentives – Mortgage Flexibilities Support Program – Financing Update – Applications for Three New Projects

Decision

*City Council approved the recommendation.

Additional Information

*The recommendation was:

*That 59 additional affordable housing units at 720 Baltzan Boulevard, 250 Akhtar Bend, and 620 Cornish Road be designated under the Mortgage Flexibilities Support Program contingent upon them being fully approved for mortgage loan insurance flexibilities by Genworth Canada and/or the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
*That 42 affordable housing units to be built on Parcel KK at the corner of Baltzan Boulevard and Akhtar Bend under the Mortgage Flexibilities Support Program contingent upon this housing project being fully approved for mortgage loan insurance flexibilities by Genworth Canada and/or the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
*That 14 affordable housing units to be built at 250 Palliser Court be designated under the Mortgage Flexibilities Support Program contingent upon this housing project being fully approved for mortgage loan insurance flexibilities by Genworth Canada and/or the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

8.1.13 Process For Privately Sponsored Refugees Qualifying for the Leisure Access Program and Discounted Bus Pass Program

Decision

*City Council received the report as information.

Additional Information

*In response to the Syrian refugee crisis, the City of Saskatoon (City) implemented a process to include privately sponsored refugees in the Leisure Access Program and the Discounted Bus Pass Program.
*During the Syrian refugee crisis of 2015, it became evident that not all refugees qualified for the Leisure Access and Discounted Bus Pass Programs. While Government-Assisted Refugees were provided with documentation that verified level of income and a stipend to purchase a bus pass, other categories of refugees were provided neither.

8.1.14 City and Saskatoon CensusMetro Area Population Projection 2015-2035

Decision

*City Council received the report as information.

Additional Information

*Saskatoon is projected to reach a population of 312,772 by 2025, and 380,650 by 2035, assuming a Medium Growth Scenario annual growth rate of 2.0%. This growth rate is similar to what Saskatoon experienced over the 2006 to 2015 period.
*The projected population growth in the Medium Growth Scenario will require the equivalent of six neighbourhoods and 24,000 dwelling units by 2025. An additional six neighbourhoods and 26,000 dwelling units may be required by 2035.
*The Saskatoon CMA could reach a population of 366,155 by 2025, and 448,985 by the year 2035, assuming Saskatoon grows at the Medium Growth Scenario annual rate of 2.0% and surrounding municipalities grow at an annual rate of 3.0%.
*In the Medium Growth Scenario, the population of the surrounding municipalities will grow from 41,703 in 2015, to 53,383 in 2025, and 68,335 in 2035, assuming an annual growth rate of 3.0%. This is equivalent to adding approximately three communities the size of Warman or Martensville by 2035.

9.11.2 Yellow Quill Urban reserve Designation

Decision

*City Council approved the Municipal Services and Compatibility Agreement.

Additional Information

*Yellow Quill First Nation owns the office building located at 224 Fourth Avenue South in Saskatoon, as well as the parking lot which is immediately adjacent to the south. Yellow Quill First Nation requested the building be designated as an Urban Reserve. The parking lot was designated as Urban Reserve in 2014.

From the April 3, 2017 Meeting

7.1.3 Canadian Award for Financial Reporting

Decision

*The Committee received the information.

Background

*The City has been awarded a 2015 Canadian Award for Financial Reporting for its ability to present financial information in a clear, concise and informative manner.

7.2.6 Boychuk Interchange Land Acquisition  

Decision

*The committee forwarded the report to City Council

Background

*City Council approval is needed to purchase a 0.14 acre portion of land from George Brent Reddekopp for the Boychuk Interchange Project.
*Previous purchases for the Boychuk Interchange include the following land acquisitions; 7.51 acres from Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam (Ontario) Inc. in 2012, 0.09 acres from Larix Holdings Ltd. in 2016, and 0.50 acres from 101204822 Saskatchewan Ltd. In 2016.

From the April 4, 2017 Meeting

7.2.1 Service Saskatoon Progress Report and 2017 Plan

Decision

*The Committee forwarded the report to City Council for information.

Background

*Significant work is underway to prepare for a centralized one-stop shop for citizens to access our services.
*A process is underway to transition into a primary call centre.
*Service Saskatoon has been engaging and talking with citizens receiving in person service at City Hall. The information has helped in the planning for some citizen service improvements in 2017. 
*In 2017, there will be moderate changes introduced to the City Hall front entrance service/foyer area involving new informational signage for services and re-design of the Information Desk.
*A list of functional requirements for an enterprise Customer Relationship Management system is currently being finalized. An RFP is expected to be issued in 2017.
*Service Saskatoon is conducting community engagement to receive input for developing plans for moving the corporate open data initiative forward.

7.2.3 Storm and Sanitary Sewer Flow Monitoring Along Major Corridors – Sole Source

Decision

*The Committee recommending to City Council that administration prepare a sole source to Avensys Solutions Inc. for the supply of ISCO flow monitoring equipment for the total cost of $124,551 (including GST)

Background

*Storm and sanitary flow monitoring is essential for building and calibrating system models. These models are fundamental for cost effective planning, design, and operation of the storm and sanitary systems, while considering the environmental implications in existing and new neighbourhoods.
*The purchase of 17 new ISCO flow monitors is required for the Secondary Plan Process & Corridor Redevelopment component of the Growth Plan.
*In March of 2015, City Council approved the use of ISCO flow monitors as the City standard until December 31, 2018.