News Releases

From the October 10, 2017 Standing Policy Committee on EU&CS

7.1.2 Special Needs Garbage Collection Service

Decision

*The Committee agreed to recommend to City Council;

1. That through the Waste Utility consultation, the Administration engage with relevant stakeholders such as senior and disability services organizations as well as the Saskatoon Accessibility Advisory Committee to address accessibility needs as well as any updates required to the Special Needs Garbage Collection Service; and
2. That the report be forwarded to the Saskatoon Accessibility Advisory Committee for information.

Background

*City Council at its 2016 Preliminary Business Plan and Budget meeting held on November 30 and December 1, 2015, considered the report Services and Accommodations for Seniors and Residents with Physical Limitations – Options and Possible Partnerships and resolved, in part: “That a marketing promotion campaign, like the Snow Angel Program, with a focus on neighbours helping neighbours with moving their garbage/recycle bins, including the establishment of a process for groups to be on a list for providing a low-cost fee for service in assisting with moving bins be approved, with an increase to the budget of $12,000.” City Council, at its meeting held on September 25, 2017, considered the Waste Handling Levels of Service report and resolved, in part: “That all other service level changes be considered during the development and implementation of waste utility options.”

7.2.3 Update – North Commuter Parkway Bridge – Bridge Naming Engagement Process

Decision

*The Committee accepted the recommendation that the report of the A/General Manager, Corporate Performance Department dated October 10, 2017, be forwarded to City Council for information.

Background

*On June 22, 2015, City Council directed the Administration to identify responses and financial implications of the TRC Calls to Action. City Council also declared July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016 the Year of Reconciliation. The Administration was directed to work with the Office of the Treaty Commissioner (OTC), and other community groups, leaders, and institutions in Saskatchewan to promote reconciliation. On July 21, 2016, City Council unanimously voted in favour of engaging the community in naming the North Commuter Parkway Bridge in recognition of the TRC’s calls to action, specifically #79 which is ‘Participate in a strategy to commemorate Aboriginal peoples' history and contributions to Canada.’ The process undertaken to propose a name for the NCP Bridge will be community driven, building on the community reconciliation process and Aboriginal Elders will guide the Aboriginal Cultural and Spiritual processes for the naming process. City Administration has gathered key community members to form the Steering Committee to determine and carry out a community-led process for naming the North Commuter Parkway Bridge (NCP). The Steering Committee includes representatives from City Administration, the Office of the Treaty Commissioner (OTC), Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC), Central Urban Métis Federation Incorporated (CUMFI) and the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN).

7.2.4 Waste Bylaw Amendments

Decision

*The Committee agreed to recommend to City Council:

1. That Bylaw No. 8310, The Waste Bylaw, 2004 be amended as outlined in the report of the A/General Manager, Corporate Performance Department, dated October 10, 2017 to improve education and enforcement opportunities in the community; and
2. That the City Solicitor be requested to prepare the appropriate amendment to Bylaw No. 8310, The Waste Bylaw, 2004. 

Background

*On May 3, 2004, City Council approved the creation of Bylaw No. 8310, The Waste Bylaw. On December 1, 2016, City Council approved the ‘Fees for Waste-Related Services 2017, 2018, 2019’ report which included amendments to The Waste Bylaw. These amendments included updates to the Rate Schedules for Landfill Fees, Commercial Garbage Collection, Residential Recycling Programs and Compost Depot Commercial Haulers.

7.2.5 Wastewater Treatment Plant – Cogeneration System Project

Decision

*The Committee agreed to recommend to City Council:

1. That Capital Project #1247 – WWT – Energy Recovery and Capital Project #2211 – WWT – Electrical Redundancy be cancelled at this time; and
2. That the remaining previous approvals of $9.745 million from Capital Project #1247 – WWT – Energy Recovery and Capital Project #2211 – WWT – Electrical Redundancy be transferred to Capital Project #2579 – WWT – Digester Tank 4.

Background

*Studies investigating the viability of energy recovery at the WWTP were completed by third party reviewers in 2007, 2008, and 2010. Each report concluded the potential for cogeneration to offset electricity and natural gas demands was attainable. Capital funding was commenced to implement cogeneration as part of electrical redundancy and energy recovery at the plant, with the additional environmental benefit of utilizing biogas and reducing electrical demand at the plant.

Weather

Environment Canada has issued a wind warning for Saskatoon.

A very intense low pressure system is moving in from Alberta and passing through central Saskatchewan tonight.

Wind speeds in Saskatoon are expected to increase this afternoon from the southwest at 30 km/h gusting to 50 km/h.  This evening, the southwesterly wind is expected to increase to 50 Km/h gusting to 70 km/h.

The peak wind speeds in Saskatoon are forecast to occur between about 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., becoming westerly to northwesterly at 70 km/h gusting to 100 km/h -- with higher gusts possible.

The wind is expected to diminish to 50 km/h with gusting to 70 km/h.  Right now the wind is forecast to remain at that intensity for Wednesday morning and then easing toward evening.   

Damage to buildings, such as to roof shingles and windows, may occur. High winds may toss loose objects or cause tree branches to break.

Wind warnings are issued when there is a significant risk of damaging winds.

Parks & Urban Forestry

The Parks Division is preparing Urban Forestry equipment and staff for potential tree damage.

Four Arborists will be on-call after hours between 4:30 p.m. tonight and 7:30 a.m. tomorrow for emergency work.

During the high wind event, the priority will be to assist only with tree clearing considered emergency work such as trees blocking emergency vehicles.

After the event, the priority will be to assess reported damage and respond on a priority basis to City trees that have failed and presenting potential danger to the public and trees blocking access to roadways and sidewalks.

Tree branches that have failed and are on the ground are less of a risk as compared to trees that are hanging over roadways and sidewalks.

Parks technicians assessing tree damage will be attaching bright orange “Storm Damage Assessment Notice” signs to trees that they have inspected.

These signs also say, “A Forestry Inspector has assessed this tree. Required work will be performed on a priority basis as staff and equipment become available".

As usual, everyone is advised to be cautious near trees in parks and around the city.

To report damage to City-owned trees that have failed and are blocking roadways and sidewalks, please call 306-975-2890 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

After hours tree damage can be reported to the Saskatoon Customer Service line at 306-975-2476.

Trees on private property are the responsibility of the property owner and brush that is cleared as a result of private trees obstructing public sidewalks or roadways will be left on the adjacent private property for the owner to clean up.

Any elm branches must be disposed of at the Saskatoon landfill.

Saskatoon Light & Power

Wind will continue to be the main challenge for the City’s power company over the next day.

To report a tree limb contacting or threatening a Saskatoon Light & Power service line, please call 306-975-2621.

For a SaskPower service line please call 306-310-2220.

Service Alerts with regular updates will be issued if outages occur. As always, they will provide information about the cause of the outage and the anticipated time for restoration. 

Roadways & Operations

Roadways and Operations will have night crews available for debris pick up on roads. The Customer Service Centre is available to receive calls and dispatch work around-the-clock.

Water & Waste Stream

When wind speeds reach 70 km/h or grater the landfill will be closed and collections operations will be suspended. This is due to the risk of trucks overturning while dumping and flying debris.

Garbage collection operations could be suspended for Wednesday, October 18 as well if the wind speed remains above 70 km/h.

Service alerts will be issued as required.

Transit                                       

Transit service is operating as regularly scheduled but will alter routes if needed. Customers could experience delays should weather conditions worsen.

Customers are also reminded to track their bus in real time through Transit App and Google Transit.  

Additional information

For timely updates check the City website and service alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts and on Twitter by following @YXEServiceAlert.

The City of Saskatoon’s proposed 2018 Corporate Business Plan and Budget rises to this year’s fiscal challenges which include the fiscal headwinds of falling non-tax revenues and the pressure of population and community growth.

We have responded by:

• Controlling expenditures
• Maintaining services
• Continuing to invest in infrastructure
• Maintaining an open and transparent process

“The City of Saskatoon has demonstrated its ability to overcome fiscal challenges consistently in the past, and we are doing so again in 2018,” says CFO Kerry Tarasoff.

“The 2018 Preliminary Business Plan and Budget shows that even in light of the  significant loss of grants-in-lieu as a result of the 2017/2018 Provincial budget,  we have balanced citizens’ expectations -- with fiscal prudence.”

This year the City has total operating expenditures of $491.0 million. This is an increase of $13.3 million, or 2.8%, over the 2017 approved Operating Budget. This is the lowest year-over-year operating expenditure increase in the last decade.

“While other governments have had to implement service reductions to address their fiscal pressures, the City of Saskatoon’s proposed plan and budget maintains most services and even increases areas of need identified by citizens such as roadways, policing and snow and ice,” Tarasoff says.

The 2018 Proposed Business Plan and Budget continue to invest in our public infrastructure to sustain the high quality of life citizens expect.  A significant portion of the $295 million investment being made is for rehabilitation or replacement of some assets.  A variety of utility, transportation, recreation and land development projects are included in the plan.

Additionally, after extensive efficiency reviews and creative solutions from staff across our organization, we were able to reduce expenditures in 2018 and the potential impact on the property tax increase.

“The fact is that the City’s non-property tax revenues are declining as a share of its total operating revenue,” says Tarasoff.

These declining revenues, along with the estimated inflationary and growth pressures, have created a funding gap of approximately $14.1 million in 2018, which is proposed to be filled through $3.2 million in assessment growth and $10.9 million from a 4.96% property tax increase. 

Since its last public report however, the Administration has identified $825,000 in further reductions made possible from:

• Discontinuing a printed version of the City’s Annual Report to Citizens
• City bank deposits earning better interest
• A staff position in long range planning will continue to be funded from the planning levy in 2018
• Various smaller spending adjustments

Based on these changes, the revised property tax estimate could be 4.59% -- these adjustments will be considered during the 2018 Budget deliberations as well as other recommended service level adjustments coming from the various standing policy committees.

The City provides more than 70 programs and services to residents. To pay for the operation of these services the City collects money through five different sources: property taxes and non-tax revenue sources such as general revenues, government transfers, user fees and grants-in-lieu.  Less than half of the proposed 2018 Operating Budget comes from property taxes.

“We have worked diligently to keep this year’s property tax increase to the minimum by controlling our expenditures even when confronting population growth and inflation,” Tarasoff says.  

The preliminary business plan and budget is being tabled today but final budget deliberations will take place on November 27-29, 2017. 

View the 2018 Preliminary Budget at a Glance and find more information on property taxes and how the City’s annual budget process works at saskatoon.ca/financial future.

The removal of leaves and debris from Saskatoon streets resumes again this fall with the program beginning Monday, October 16. The purpose of the Fall Street Sweeping Program is to reduce the risk of spring flooding by ensuring leaves and debris are not blocking street drains.

“This year, the priority is to sweep streets where higher volumes of leaves typically fall,” says Brandon Harris, Director of Roadways & Operations. “This is the first time sweeping will occur in areas based on tree density, rather than neighbourhood boundaries.

“So, this means some streets in a neighbourhood that previously were swept will not be included this year in order to sweep nearby streets that will have more leaves and the potential for clogged curbs and catch basins in the spring.”

Bright yellow ‘No Parking’ signs will be posted 36-48 hours before scheduled sweeping begins, so residents know when to move their vehicles. Vehicles remaining at 7 a.m. may be ticketed and relocated to a nearby street.

Before sweeping occurs, residents can prepare by raking up leaves from their property, including the boulevards. As a reminder, leaves can be placed in green carts, taken to compost depots, or bagged and put into black carts. Leaves cannot be swept or raked onto the street.

“It’s really important to keep extra leaves off the street, as it can delay sweeping. If excessive leaves become a problem for the sweepers, a street may be skipped entirely in order to keep on schedule,” Harris says.

To locate a vehicle that has been towed, visit Find My Vehicle! or call the 24-Hour Customer Service Centre at 306-975-2476..

Fall street sweeping is weather-dependant and the start date may be delayed if the daytime temperature remains below zero or if there is heavy rain or snow. Alternately, the program may end early if there is a heavy snowfall during the schedule that does not melt quickly.

Learn more at saskatoon.ca/sweeping.

Community leaders are in Saskatoon this week discussing how to put the recommendations and lessons learned from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) into action.

The third annual Wîcihitowin (wee-chee-HEE’-toe-win) Aboriginal Engagement Conference on October 11-12 brings together experts and leaders from across Canada to take action on improving Aboriginal engagement and inclusion in communities.

This year’s conference theme is ‘Leadership in Reconcili-ACTION’ and focuses on how individuals and organizations can respond to the TRC’s Calls to Action.

“We’ve selected a diverse range of speakers based on their commitment to enacting the 94 Calls to Action from the TRC; those who can articulate in practical ways what’s worked in their respective fields, whether it be child welfare, justice, education, faith-based groups or sports.” says Neal Kewistep, Interim Director of Population & Public Health, Saskatoon Health Region. “They truly represent leadership in moving the reconciliation process forward in their communities.”

Conference organizers say tickets were snapped up with 500 Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal experts, leaders, youth and Elders expected to participate.

The two-day conference includes panel sessions on how youth, faith groups and business can answer the TRC’s Calls to Action, as well as a special Mayors’ Panel on Reconciliation featuring the Mayors of Saskatoon, Regina, Elbow and Warman.

Key note speakers include Shelagh Rogers, CBC journalist, Chancellor of the University of Victoria, and honourary witness to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission; Ry Moran, Director of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation and member of the Métis Nation; and Ashley Callingbull, a model and actor from the Enoch Cree Nation.

“Wîcihitowin is a safe place for people to come together to discuss reconciliation, the TRC’s Calls to Action, and for people to better understand the dark chapter of our history, “says Judy Pelly, Elder and Indian residential school survivor.  “We must not forget those that are no longer with us to witness the movement toward reconciliation. We must work together as a community to discuss these sensitive issues, and find new solutions and ways of promoting true reconciliation.”

Wîcihitowin is a Cree/Saulteaux word for “helping each other” or “working together” -- which is an important component of delivering enhanced programs and services.

The conference is presented in partnership with the United Way of Saskatoon, Aboriginal Friendship Centres of Saskatchewan, the Saskatoon Health Region, and the City of Saskatoon.

Wîcihitowin supports the City’s Strategic Goal of “Quality of Life” by identifying actions for enhancing Aboriginal well-being and participation in our community.

This initiative is made possible by the Community Fund for Canada’s 150th, a collaboration between Potash Corporation, Saskatoon Community Foundation and the Government of Canada.