News Releases

April 24, 2017 Meeting

8.1.5 Partnership Agreement – Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park and Zoo and Foothills Research Institute – Grizzly Bear Program

Decision

*City Council approved the recommendations.

Additional Information

*The report recommends:
*Approval of a partnership.
*The intent of this new partnership is to provide an opportunity for the SFFP&Z to be directly linked to, and engaged in, conservation research on grizzly bears and other native species at the zoo.
*The new partnership will provide the SFFP&Z and the fRIGBP with a unique opportunity for scientific research findings to be communicated directly with zoo visitors, and for the grizzly bears currently housed at the SFFP&Z to actively contribute to conservation and research onsite.
*The partnership agreement between the SFFP&Z and the fRIGBP would be for a five-year term, with an option for an additional five-year renewal.

8.3.4 Victoria Avenue Corridor Transportation Improvements

Decision

*City Council approved the proposed plan for Victoria Avenue between 8th Street and 11th Street; approved the amount of $295,000 for Capital Project #2270 – Paved Roads and Sidewalk Preservation from the Transportation Infrastructure Expansion Reserve; and; approved the amount of $30,000 for Capital Project #2270 – Paved Roads and Sidewalk Preservation from the Active Transportation Reserve.

Additional Information

*The Victoria Avenue Corridor Review resulted in a plan to address the combination of motor vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists anticipated after the Traffic Bridge is reopened.
*The proposed plan will reduce the number of lanes in the southbound direction from two to one and introduces a cycle track adjacent to the sidewalk on both sides.
*The proposed modifications will proceed in conjunction with water main replacement and road rehabilitation of Victoria Avenue in 2017.

8.3.6 2017 Annual Street Sweeping Work Plan

Decision

*City Council approved the recommendation to direct Administration to implement the pilot program in the seven neighbourhoods outlined in the report; and 2. That following the pilot, the Administration report back on the overall effectiveness of the pilot including, but not limited to, citizen feedback and operational impacts.

Additional Information

*Street sweeping is a core function of the City. Each component of the program is executed to enable mobility, preserve air and water quality, maintain surface drainage, and improve aesthetics of City streets and adjacent infrastructure.
*The annual sweeping program is divided into four main program groupings: 1) pre-sweeping winter debris pickup, 2) spring sweeping, 3) summer sweeping, and 4) fall leaf and debris removal.
*The City is piloting a new spring sweeping approach to improve efficiency, reduce costs and alleviate parking concerns in seven neighbourhoods.
*Factors such as a growing street network; balancing program efficiency with safety and parking convenience for citizens; and an intensive sign/ticket/tow approach continue to put pressure on the sweeping schedule and operating budget.

8.4.5 Service Saskatoon Progress Report

Decision

*City Council received the report as information.

Additional Information

*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.

9.1.1 Revised On-Street Mobile food Truck Policy

Decision

*City Council approved the following recommendations:
-That proposed amendments to the parking meter hooding fees for on-street mobile food trucks.
-That mobile food trucks be allowed to operate adjacent to neighbourhood parks for the 2017 season.
-That the Administration provide a report to the Standing Policy Committee on Planning, Development and Community Services following the 2017 pilot with respect to allowing mobile food trucks to operate adjacent to neighbourhood parks, for review prior to the 2018 budget deliberations.

Additional Information

*Review of On-Street Mobile Food Truck Policy following four years of program operation has identified updates that will enhance the On-Street Mobile Food Truck Program, facilitate vendors, and address safety-related concerns.
*Amendments to allow a food truck to operate from a single location for up to six hours, instead of the current five, will accommodate the set-up and cool-down time requirements for food trucks.
*Amendments to reduce the minimum length of time that parking permits may be purchased will increase flexibility for vendors.
*Amendments to allow for parking of a support vehicle in conjunction with an overlength food truck may reduce vendors’ parking costs.
*Amendments to require proof of annual provincial gas inspection as a condition of licensing will ensure public health and safety.
*Changes to the parking meter hooding fee schedule for on-street food trucks will reduce parking expenses for vendors and align more closely with actual on-street parking fees.

From the April 10, 2017 Meeting

5.1 City Council Strategic Priorities for 2016-2020

Decision

*The committee recommended to City Council: that the 10 year priority areas be set; that each priority area have a Council Member Lead; that Council Member Leads be empowered to take leadership role in citizen and stakeholder engagement in the 10 priority areas; that Administration be directed to prepare a draft policy that sets the parameters for Council Member Leads that includes the following: role and limits of authority for the Council Member Lead, requirements to report back to City Council, and the possibility of special working groups including make-up and mandate.

Additional Information

*The goal is to be the best run city in Canada – a city that punches above its weight class – a place that people are proud of and want to move to.
*Full report available here.

8.2.1 Inquiry – Councillor R.Donauer (July 21, 2016) – Whistleblower Policy

Decision

*The committee recommends to City Council that the City solicitor be directed to draft a Whistleblower Policy.

Additional Information

*Currently, there is limited whistleblower protection for municipal employees.
*The Province has identified options for offering whistleblower protection in Saskatchewan for municipal employees.
*Other Canadian jurisdictions have developed whistleblower bylaws and policies to offer protection to municipal employees.
*The City of Saskatoon can have a Whistleblower Policy that offers protection similar to other jurisdictions.

From the April 4, 2017 Meeting

7.2.4 Victoria Avenue Corridor Transportation Improvements

Decision

*The Committee recommended to City Council that the proposed plan for Victoria Avenue between 8^th Street and 11^th Street be approved; That the amount of $295,000 be approved for Capital Project #2270 – Paved Roads and Sidewalk Preservation from the Transportation Infrastructure Expansion Reserve; and; That the amount of $30,000 be approved for Capital Project #2270 – Paved Roads and Sidewalk Preservation from the Active Transportation Reserve.

Background

*The Victoria Avenue Corridor Review resulted in a plan to address the combination of motor vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists anticipated after the Traffic Bridge is reopened.
*The proposed plan will reduce the number of lanes in the southbound direction from two to one and introduces a cycle track adjacent to the sidewalk on both sides.
*The proposed modifications will proceed in conjunction with water main replacement and road rehabilitation of Victoria Avenue in 2017.

7.2.6 2017 Annual Street Sweeping Work Plan

Decision

*The Committee recommended to City Council that the Administration be directed to implement the pilot program in the seven neighbourhoods outlined in the report; and 2. That following the pilot, the Administration report back on the overall effectiveness of the pilot including, but not limited to, citizen feedback and operational impacts.

Background

*Street sweeping is a core function of the City. Each component of the program is executed to enable mobility, preserve air and water quality, maintain surface drainage, and improve aesthetics of City streets and adjacent infrastructure.
*The annual sweeping program is divided into four main program groupings: 1) pre-sweeping winter debris pickup, 2) spring sweeping, 3) summer sweeping, and 4) fall leaf and debris removal.
*The City is piloting a new spring sweeping approach to improve efficiency, reduce costs and alleviate parking concerns in seven neighbourhoods.
*Factors such as a growing street network; balancing program efficiency with safety and parking convenience for citizens; and an intensive sign/ticket/tow approach continue to put pressure on the sweeping schedule and operating budget.

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 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.