News Releases

DAILY ROAD REPORT, OCTOBER 7

October 6, 2015 - 9:43am

TU15-380

NEW

CIRCLE DR S WB CURB (OUTSIDE) & MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANES CLOSED AT IDYLWYLD DR S
(Crack filling)
Start: October 7, 9:00 a.m. End: October 7, 12:00 p.m.

WANUSKEWIN RD SB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT MARQUIS DR
(Roadwork)
Start: October 7, 9:00 a.m. End: October 8, 6:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR S WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT VALLEY RD
(Storm sewer inspection)
Start: October 7, 12:30 p.m. End: October 7, 3:00 p.m.

ONGOING

8TH ST E EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM CUMBERLAND AVE TO GROSVENOR AVE
(Sewer maintenance)
Start: October 5, 10:00 p.m. End: October 6, 7:00 a.m.

33RD ST E CLOSED BETWEEN 5TH AVE N AND WARMAN RD
(Primary water main repair)
Start: September 8, 9:00 a.m. End: October 9, 5:00 p.m.

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.

MELVILLE ST CLOSED FROM LORNE AVE & BRAND RD
(Force main installation)
Start: August 24, 7:00 a.m. End: October 30, 5:00 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.

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 6, 6:00 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.

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.

CITY CONSIDERING TOUGHER WORK ZONE SAFETY MEASURES

October 6, 2015 - 7:59am

TU15-379

As we near the end of the summer construction season and the 2015 Respect Work Zones campaign, the City is considering ways to make work zones safer for next year. These steps could include the use of larger, immovable barriers, and the possibility of a move to full street closures that would eliminate the single lane of traffic alongside construction sites.

“Although there have been some noticeable safety improvements with our short-term or moving work sites, many drivers still continue to disobey signage and enter active work zones at medium and longer-term sites,” says Angela Gardiner, Director of Transportation. “To make sure workers are safe, we have to consider stricter measures for next construction season.”

Work has been steadily progressing throughout the city on high traffic and residential streets. There have been few disruptions or schedule adjustments thanks to an overall favourable construction season, however there are still dozens of disruptions to work zone safety that happen each day. Most issues arise from:

Drivers ignoring ‘Local Access Only’ signage which indicate only motorists with a destination on that street may enter;
Drivers moving traffic barriers which protect workers and sites that may contain curing materials or work zone hazards;
Drivers failing to reduce their speed and thereby increasing the likelihood of an accident with a worker or construction zone hazard.

Drivers have been charged for unsafe driving in a work zone even where there is no police presence. Work site cameras and workers record and report licence plates when safety is compromised.

“We would also like to remind everyone that just because work doesn’t appear to be underway in a construction zone, it doesn’t mean it’s complete,” says Gardiner. ”Because of many steps that can be involved in road work – paving for example, which takes time to cool and cure – it’s still considered an active work zone if signage and or barriers are in place.”

Despite challenges with work zone safety, the City has seen improvement at short-term/moving sites. This success has been attributed to better short-term work zone signage, crews using more safety cones and other site-marker tools, and more rigorous safety inspection requirements throughout each stage of a job. The City’s Respect Work Zones campaign also contributes to heightened awareness about work zone safety.

“Even when the summer construction season is complete, drivers will continue to see smaller work zones during the winter months,” says Gardiner. “These areas typically have less advance warning due to their emergency nature, but they still require full work zone safety compliance.”

The City would like to thank the citizens of Saskatoon for their patience during this construction season, and to urge everyone to respect work zones and obey work zone signage.

For more information, visit saskatoon.ca and search Respect Work Zones.

STANDING POLICY COMMITTEE DECISIONS IN BRIEF

October 6, 2015 - 4:43am

MR15-187

October 5, 2015 Committee Meetings

SPC on Planning, Development and Community Services

7.2.1 Application for Municipal Heritage Property Designation

*There is an application from the property owner at 1040 University Drive (the Mann House – built in 1912) to designate the property as a Heritage Property.
*The heritage value of the Mann House resides in its long association with Owen Mann, a long-time member of City Council. Other notable individuals who lived at this location include: Thomas Watson, physician and head of the Saskatoon Cancer Clinic; and W.E. Walter, a Special Representative for the Canadian National Railway (CNR) Colonization Department.
*A motion to support the recommendations, with the designation limited to the exterior of the building, was supported unanimously.

7.2.3 Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women Monument

*The committee recommends that Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Monument be located on the front plaza of Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) Headquarters.
*The SPS and Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC) partnered to commission a commemorative artwork to remember missing and murdered Aboriginal women.
*SPS and STC selected Saskatchewan Artist Lionel Peyachew to design the monument.
*A motion to support the recommendation to Council for approval of the location of the monument on the front of the plaza at SPS Headquarters was supported unanimously.

7.2.4 Growth Plan to Half a Million Long-term Directions and Fall 2015 Public Engagement

*The report updates the draft Growth Plan and recommends implementation priorities for Corridor Growth, Transit, and Core Area Bridges that will be presented during the final round of public engagement this month.
*The fifth and final round of public engagement will take place from October 14 to November 8, 2015 with the intent being to communicate the final plan and implementation and phasing strategy to the community.

7.2.7 Meewasin Valley Authority Northeast Swale Master Plan

*The report presents the Meewasin Valley Authority Northeast Swale Master Plan for approval, in principle, by City Council. Following approval, City Administration will work with Meewasin on agreements, implementation plans, and funding strategies.
*The Plan (a collaborative effort between Meewasin, the City, key stakeholders, and the public) outlines ways to support Meewasin’s objectives of conservation, education, and passive recreation including trails, boardwalks, parking, facilities, and lighting.
*Meewasin estimates the total capital cost to implement the Plan at $14 million, split between the swale area proper ($6.1 million) and the Greenway ($8.0 million). An implementation plan and funding strategy will be developed that will also consider annual operating impact (estimated at $186,000 for the City and $192,500 for Meewasin).
*A motion to support all three resolutions (as well as an amendment to resolution 2) to include in the report back from the Administration consideration of potential regulations) was supported unanimously.

7.2.9 City Response to Syrian Refugee Crisis

*The City and refugee-serving organizations presently have a number of initiatives underway that assist in welcoming, settling, and integrating refugees and immigrants to the community.
*In recognition of the current Syrian refugee crisis, the Administration has gathered input from key stakeholders in the community and identified several possible initiatives to improve and enhance already existing services, as well as offering new ideas of what the City could do regarding refugee settlement and integration.
*There are a couple of options to consider related to Saskatoon Transit providing either discounted or no-cost bus passes for the first year of refugee settlement in Saskatoon.
*The following motions were supported unanimously:

• to receive the report as information;

• to support all initiatives identified on page 3 of the report (page 230 of the agenda) with no cost implications (a, c, d, f, g and h);

• for further reporting from the Administration on the remaining items b and e;

• for the Administration to consult with provincial and federal government on what they are doing in the areas identified, including the issue of transit services and issues around the identified options, as well as checking further with organizations in the community, including faith based organizations and those sponsoring refugees, on any updated information for further reporting to the Committee.

*A further reported was requested for the November 2, 2015 meeting of the SPC on PDCS meeting.

7.2.10 After Hours Barking Dog Complaints

*The report shows from January 1, 2012, to August 31, 2015, the Saskatoon Police Service received a total of 47 calls regarding barking dog complaints between the hours of 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. This volume represents, on average, less than two calls per month.
*Increasing the service level to respond to after hour barking dog complaints would require the Saskatoon Animal Control Agency to schedule two additional animal control officers (for safety reasons) at a cost of $3,200 per month. Animal Services does not have the funds within its 2015 operating budget to cover this additional expense and increase service.
*A motion to support forwarding the report to City Council for information was supported unanimously.

CIVIC SERVICES AND FACILITIES FOR THANKSGIVING DAY ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2015

October 6, 2015 - 3:02am

CP15-145

The following are the hours of civic services and facilities for Thanksgiving Day on Monday, October 12, 2015:

City Hall will be closed.

Parking meters will not require payment. Motorists are required to move their vehicles within the time period shown on parking meters, allowing for a constant turnover of parking availability.

Municipal Impound Lot will not be releasing vehicles to the public.

Saskatoon Landfill will be open with regular summer hours of 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The West Compost Depot will be open with regular hours of 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The East Compost Depot will be open with regular hours of 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Garbage, Recycling and Leaves & Grass collection will take place as scheduled.

All Saskatoon Public Library locations will be closed.

The Saskatoon Civic Conservatory will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is free.

TRANSIT SERVICES

Saskatoon Transit will operate with regular Sunday/Holiday Service.

Access Transit will operate with regular Holiday Service from 8:15 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Trips must be booked in advance as per normal procedures. Customers are reminded that subscriptions do not apply on Statutory Holidays.

Transit Customer Service Center will be closed.

Transit Customer Service phone lines will be available from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

RECREATION & SPORT

Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo
Regular hours of operation (Zoo: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. & Park: 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

Golf Courses (Holiday Park, Silverwood, Wildwood)
Regular hours of operation

Lions Skate Park and Satellite Skate Sites
Regular hours of operation (8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.)

Indoor Arenas
Regular hours of operation

Cosmo Civic Centre
CLOSED

Fitness Circuit & Terry Fox Track (in the SaskTel Sports Centre)
CLOSED

Lakewood Civic Centre
Open 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
All fitness classes and child minding CANCELLED

Lawson Civic Centre
Open 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
All fitness classes and swim lessons CANCELLED

Saskatoon Field House
Open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
All fitness classes and child minding CANCELLED
Holiday Spin & Sculpt Class 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

Shaw Centre
Open 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
All fitness classes and child minding CANCELLED

Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre
Open 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
All fitness classes CANCELLED

For modified Lane, Public and Parent & Tot Swim times, please visit Drop-in Online at www.saskatoon.ca/dropinonline. For more information on operating hours and programs, please contact the leisure centres or facilities.

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.

DAILY ROAD REPORT, OCTOBER 6

October 5, 2015 - 10:19am

TU15-378

ONGOING

8TH ST E EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM CUMBERLAND AVE TO GROSVENOR AVE
(Sewer maintenance)
Start: October 5, 10:00 p.m. End: October 6, 7:00 a.m.

33RD ST E WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 1ST AVE N TO QUEBEC AVE
(Unloading)
Start: October 1, 9:00 a.m. End: October 5, 4:00 p.m.

33RD ST E WB CLOSED AT 5TH AVE N
(Primary water main repair)
33rd St WB centre lane closed at 3rd Ave. 5th Ave closed from 33rd St to Empress Ave
Start: September 8, 9:00 a.m. End: October 9, 5:00 p.m.