News Releases
Saskatoon Fire - News Releases
Call for Citizen Input to Improve Winter Roads Programs
March 1, 2017 - 4:55am
The City invites citizens to help improve winter mobility on roads and sidewalks by participating in a new survey this March.
“Year after year, the City’s annual Civic Services Survey shows how important snow and ice maintenance is to Saskatoon citizens,” says Brandon Harris, Director of Roadways and Operations. “Rather than guessing what improvements will best help residents get around in the winter, we thought we might ask them.”
Citizen input will be collected to understand how people move around in winter, and to identify challenges or barriers residents experience due to snow or ice. The survey data, in conjunction with perspectives of local interest groups, will be used by the City to improve existing programs and plan new strategies to most efficiently address the needs of Saskatoon residents.
The Better Winter Roads survey is open to everyone and is now available at saskatoon.ca/snow. City representatives will also have digital surveys for people to complete at the upcoming Homestyles Show (March 9-12) and Gardenscape (March 24-26) at Prairieland Park.
The City is offering the survey in English, French, Mandarin and Arabic to ensure that a broad spectrum of Saskatoon residents, from new Canadians to seasoned winter veterans, can share their unique experiences.
“City Council approved this citizen-first approach to improving the level of service as part of the 2017 winter road maintenance budget,” says Harris.
For 2017, more than $61.7 million has been invested in Building Better Roads including Road Maintenance, Snow & Ice Management and Street Cleaning and Sweeping. In fact, this year an additional $1.1 million has been dedicated to Snow & Ice Management.
In addition to this survey, we have also invited residents to help create a new approach to how winter is perceived in Saskatoon as part of WinterCityYXE, Saskatoon’s Winter City Strategy. Both surveys will identify ways in which we can work together as a community to make Saskatoon a great place to live in the winter time.
Visit saskatoon.ca/snow for more information and to participate in the survey today!
Planning, Development & Community Services Decisions in Brief
February 19, 2017 - 10:15am
From the January 30, 2017 Meeting
Decision
*The Committee approved the recommendations as submitted by the Administration. The Committee also asked the Administration to report back on how to incorporate further energy efficiency considerations into incentive housing applications and attainable housing projects.
Background
*At its November 30, 2016 meeting, City Council set the 2017 target for the 2013 – 2022 Housing Business Plan at 400 units across the attainable housing continuum, of which 30 units are targeted to be affordable rental units. At the same meeting, City Council allocated funding of $390,000 in support of these 30 affordable rental units.
*The recommendations are: That funding of 10% of the total capital cost towards the development of 23 affordable rental units at 1106 Avenue W North by Sasknative Rentals, to a maximum of $276,000; be approved, subject to approval of this project under the Provincial Rental Development Program; and that the City Solicitor prepare necessary incentive agreements.
Decision
*The Committee is recommending to City Council that the City enter into a five-year service contract, beginning May 1, 2017, with the Saskatoon Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) to implement Saskatoon’s Homelessness Action Plan, with the maximum amount of annual funding for this service contract being $130,000.
Background
*At its March 21, 2011 meeting, City Council approved a service agreement with SHIP for a five-year term. Annual funding of $100,000 from the Affordable Housing Reserve has been provided to SHIP. In return, SHIP has helped support the goal of facilitating the creation of at least 100 affordable housing units every year in Saskatoon.
*Homelessness is growing in Saskatoon, and a coordinated response is needed.
*A community-initiated Homelessness Action Plan has been created.
*A broad-based community steering committee has chosen SHIP to implement Saskatoon’s Homelessness Action Plan.
*A new service contract is proposed to support the cost of implementing the Action Plan.
Decision
*The Committee received the report and communications as information and has referred the matter to City Council for consideration at its February 27, 2017 meeting.
Background
*The Home Ice Campaign Committee and the University of Saskatchewan submitted a proposal requesting the City consider significantly increase financial support for the twin ice surface, multi-sport facility.
*To date, the City has committed $1M towards the new twin ice pad arena, which recently expanded to include additional spectator seating capacity and a double gymnasium. The Home Ice Campaign Committee has submitted a proposal requesting an additional City contribution of up to $3M.
7.2.5 Progress Update – South Caswell Redevelopment Project – Former Transit Facility Site
Decision
*The Committee is forwarding the update report to City Council for information.
Background
*Once redevelopment plans and possible future uses are identified for the area, a more generalized Concept Plan will be created, while still reflecting the community values and vision for the area, as outlined in the 2010 Concept Plan.
*There are considerable site preparation efforts associated with the South Caswell Redevelopment Project. Phasing of redevelopment will be strategic, based on the results of the detailed Phase II Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) and required infrastructure improvements.
*A Safe and Secure Plan has been established and will be implemented after Saskatoon Transit completely relocates to the new Civic Operations Centre.
*A short-term use strategy is being explored to determine whether the former Saskatoon Transit buildings may be used by City Administration. It is yet to be determined whether interim uses can be accommodated while site preparation activities are underway.
Finance Committee Decisions in Brief
February 19, 2017 - 10:34am
From the January 30, 2017 Meeting
6.1.1 Ken Cheveldayoff, Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport – Meewasin Valley Authority Funding
Decision
*The Committee received the letter as information.
Background
*The letter is a response to James K. Wood, President of the SOS Elms Coalition.
*In the letter, Minister Cheveldayoff says the Government of Saskatchewan recognizes that urban parks contribute to a high quality of life and that since 2008, Meewasin has received $8,210,362 in funding.
*The letter states a review of Meewasin Valley Authority is being conducted and will help inform future decisions.
7.2.3 Overview of the 2017 Assessment Roll
Decision
*The Committee received the report as information and will be forwarding it to City Council as information. A Power Point presentation was provided to the Committee and the Administration will be providing the Power Point to City Council as well.
*The Committee also asked the Administration to report back on: a) The ability to coordinate distribution of Property Tax Notices with the distribution of Assessment Notices, for the sake of clarity; and b) A communication plan for the next assessment period, to address the concerns raised by citizens and Councillors this year.
Background
*A property reassessment recalculates property assessment values to a more current valuation date.
*The Province of Saskatchewan made a change to the residential and multi-unit residential percentage of value to be applied to assessed values. This change does not result in individual properties paying more, nor does the City of Saskatoon receive any additional tax revenue.
*Generally speaking, the 2017 assessed values have not increased in value as much as they did in 2013 with the last reassessment.
7.2.6 S&P Global’s Canadian Ratings – City of Saskatoon
Decision
*The committee received the report and is forwarding it to City Council for information.
Background
*The report informs City Council and the general public of the 2015 long-term issuer credit rating report recently prepared and released by S&P Global (formerly Standard & Poor’s Rating Services) reaffirming the City’s “AAA”/Stable outlook credit rating, as well as some of the key rating factors.
*S&P Global has reaffirmed the City’s “AAA”/Stable outlook credit rating based on the 2015 Consolidated Financial Statements and current economic outlook.
*The City compares favourably to the key factors used by S&P to evaluate the City’s credit rating.
Governance and Priorities Committee Decisions in Brief
February 19, 2017 - 10:49am
From the February 13, 2017 Meeting
Decision
*The committee received the information.
Additional Information
*In June 2016, City Councuil made the following resolution: “That City Council request the Government of Saskatchewan to change The Cities Act in order to permit municipalities to adopt fully taxable remuneration for Mayors and Councillors.”
*In accordance with City Council’s instructions, the City Solicitor wrote to the Minister of Government Relations requesting the relevant legislative change. Also, the City Solicitor sent the particulars of the legislative change proposals to the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association’s legal counsel and to the City Solicitors of Regina, Moose Jaw and Prince Albert.
*The Minister responded to the City Solicitor indicating that while the practice of making one-third of a City Councillor’s remuneration tax-free has been a common practice throughout Canada, it has become a growing trend for many Canadian cities to eliminate this practice. The Minister confirmed that this provision shall be considered by the Province the next time The Cities Act is opened for amendment and that the Province will consult with SUMA and other cities at that time to determine the best course of action.
*The City is awaiting feedback from SUMA and the other cities and will report further.
8.2.3 The Code of Ethics for Members of City Council Bylaw, 2017
Decision
*The Committee recommended to City Council that Bylaw No. 9424, The Code of Ethics for Members of City Council Bylaw, 2017 be enacted.
Additional Information
*A new section of The Cities Act requires that City Council adopt a Code of Ethics by bylaw. The Cities Act Regulations provides a model Code of Ethics which is deemed to have been adopted by City Council if Council does not adopt a Code of Ethics by bylaw. The model Code of Ethics is deemed in effect after February 23, 2017.
*This report brings forward a bylaw which contains the model Code of Ethics modified to include specific references to Saskatoon for City Council’s consideration and adoption by bylaw.
City’s Snow Angel Program Makes Life Easier for Saskatoon Residents
February 17, 2017 - 7:59am
- Always shovel snow on private property and not on the street.
- Chip at ice during the warm daylight hours when it is soft, and easier to break.
- Spread sand on icy patches to increase traction and make it easier to remove ice later.
- Use commercially available de-icing materials before and after ice forms.
- Watch for ice humps that are formed when water drips off of buildings and then freezes on pathways.
- To report an uncleared or dangerous sidewalk, please contact the City Bylaw Inspector at 306-975-3193.
- Residents are reminded to be safe and always exercise caution when working outside and clearing snow and ice for themselves and others.
The City’s Snow Angel Program is making sidewalk clearing a little easier for Saskatoon residents. Diane Woodley is one of the people who received help from her neighbours this winter and wanted to make sure they were recognized for their efforts.
His Worship, Mayor Charlie Clark, today thanked and presented a gift to this month’s winners of the Snow Angel Program prize draw.
“The Snow Angel Program is a great reminder that we are all in this together,” says Mayor Charlie Clark. “It’s about kind acts by people like the Hutchence family, taking the time to help their neighbours. And it’s one way we can come together to build a safe winter city where everyone can get outside and enjoy it.”
Diane Woodley nominated Snow Angels Tom, Katrina, Henry (3) and Andrew (6) Hutchence. Woodley is extremely grateful for the help, having undergone a knee and hip replacement.
“Every time it snows, Tom, Katrina and their sons clear my sidewalk and driveway,” says Woodley. “But, I don’t think Henry has quite figured out how it works yet. While his parents and older brother push snow off my driveway, he moves little piles of snow back on to it.”
When helping others clear their snow and ice there are some important points to remember:
To nominate a Snow Angel please visit saskatoon.ca/snow and fill out the form or submit your nomination by mail to 222 3rd Avenue North, Saskatoon SK, S7K 0J5 or in person at City Hall. Those nominated will receive a thank you and be entered into a prize draw.