News Releases

From the May 9, 2016 Meeting

7.1.3 Comprehensive Downtown Parking Strategy Update

Decision

*The committee resolved:
1. That the report be received as information;
2. That Administration report back on implementation of recommendations 8.1 and 8.2 outlined in the downtown parking strategy report; and
3. That the Administration further discuss with the Partnership, and the Broadway and Riversdale Business Improvement Districts, the 3 hour parking limit, including discussion on the 21st Street and 2nd Avenue exemption, and provide an update report at the next committee meeting.

Background

*The purpose of the Parking Strategy is to guide the parking decisions and actions as the City grows to a population of 500,000.
*The key directions of the Parking Strategy are divided into two categories:
a) how to address current parking challenges; and
b) how to plan for future needs.
*The Parking Strategy includes a potential Implementation Plan identifying short and long-term actions.

7.1.4 North Commuter Parkway and Traffic Bridge Construction Update

Decision

*The committee received the information.

Background

*In September of 2015, City Council awarded the RFP for the North Commuter Parkway and Traffic Bridge, naming Graham Commuter Partners (GCP) as the preferred proponent.
*Currently at the Traffic Bridge, GCP is continuing construction of the new Pier 3 (south in-river pier), and over the next several months will be constructing the new bridge abutments and erecting Span 4 (south bridge span).
*Final permits necessary to commence in-river construction for the new North Commuter Parkway bridge were received in late March. Berm construction began immediately and was completed in early April. Over the next several months, GCP will be constructing the new Pier 1 (west pier) and west bridge headslope.
*Clearing of the roadway alignments for McOrmond Drive and Central Avenue has been completed and topsoil stripping in these areas is ongoing.
*Upgrades at the intersection of Central Avenue and Attridge Drive and the intersection of Wanuskewin Road and Marquis Drive are planned over the 2016 Spring/Summer construction season.
*Modifications have been made to the limits of the sound attenuation along Central Avenue based on feedback from the community.

7.2.1 Montgomery Place Neighbourhood Traffic Review

Decision

*The committee recommended to City Council:
1. That the Neighbourhood Traffic Review for the Montgomery Place neighbourhood be adopted as the framework for future traffic improvements in the area, to be undertaken as funding is made available through the annual budget process;
2. That the speed limit on all local roads within the Montgomery Place neighbourhood be reduced from 50 kph to 40 kph; and
3. That the City Solicitor be requested to prepare the appropriate bylaw amendment.

Background

*A Neighbourhood Traffic Plan for the Montgomery Place neighbourhood was developed in consultation with the community in response to concerns such as speeding, traffic shortcutting, and pedestrian safety. The plan will be implemented over time as funding for the improvements is available.

7.2.7 Highway 16/Boychuk Drive and McOrmond Drive/College Drive interchanges Status Update

Decision

*The committee is forwarding the report to City Council for information.

Background

*In October of 2014, City Council approved a report to allocate $2 Million of funding to hire an Owner’s Engineer for the construction of interchanges at Highway 16/Boychuk Drive and McOrmond Drive/College Drive.
*Sound attenuation studies were completed to determine noise impact of the interchanges and identified.
*At Highway 16/Boychuk Drive, additional sound attenuation is required adjacent to Lakeview neighbourhood.
*At McOrmond Drive/College Drive, additional sound attenuation is required adjacent to Arbor Creek neighbourhood.
*Extension of sound attenuation beyond construction limits along College Drive, west of the McOrmond Drive/College Drive interchange, is required.
*The Request for Qualifications will shortlist three Proponents to participate in the Request for Proposal to be awarded in fall of 2016.
*A de-scoping ladder must be established to mitigate the risk of a failure to award the project, in the event that all of the financial proposals result in pricing above the City’s affordability threshold.

7.2.8 Sidewalk Condition and Plan

Decision

*The committee is forwarding the report to City Council as information and Administration will report to the 2017 budget deliberations with options for maintaining the current rate of sidewalk repair and replacement while phasing out the asphalt overlay repair program.

Background

*Saskatoon has 1,524 km of sidewalk with an estimated replacement value of $722M.
*Saskatoon’s sidewalks are generally in satisfactory condition, based on current inspection data and the calculated Sidewalk Condition Index.
*The Sidewalk Preservation Program is implemented on the sidewalks adjacent to the Roadway Surfacing Program. An estimated $4.9M per year is required to allow for an average sidewalk intervention treatment cycle of 20 years using the current treatment approach. This funding is available within the current funding plan, due largely to lower than anticipated roadway resurfacing contract costs.
*The Sidewalk Maintenance Plan has a budget of $1.03M and addresses safety and maintenance issues throughout the remainder of the city. The 2016 plan is to address sidewalks with the poorest condition and highest pedestrian potential.

From the May 2, 2016 Meeting

7.1.2 Quarterly Report – Builder and Developer Lot Supply – April 1, 2016

Decision

*The report was received as information.

Background

*Land developers in Saskatoon have 840 residential lots in inventory, and there is a builder inventory of 1,037 residential lots.
*Land developers in Saskatoon are projected to service 539 single-family lots in 2016, dependent on inventory levels and absorption rates.
*Land developers and builders have approximately 133 acres of multi-family land in inventory, which can potentially accommodate approximately 2,985 dwelling units. *There is a healthy supply of vacant industrial land held by recent industrial land purchasers and Saskatoon Land.

Construction of Remai Modern is heading into the final stage – 90 per cent of the building contract is complete. While Remai Modern is first and foremost a world-class art museum, it is also a multi-purpose community facility.

“The beauty of Remai Modern is that it will be more than just an exceptional art gallery,” says Jeanna South, Special Projects Manager.  “It will be a gathering place for both everyday events, and special occasions – a place to have dinner before an evening of live theatre, to shop, or to get married.”

The interior and gallery spaces are taking shape.  Much has happened since the community last had a look in September.  The construction is highlighted in a report to the Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities & Corporate Services for Monday, May 9.  Many items are nearing completion with significant progress on others:

• Bronze-coloured metal panel cladding on the East, North and West sides
• Interior atrium glass on levels three and four
• Walls and ceilings in the vault spaces
• Wall finishes in level two and three Gallery spaces
• Elevator installation is complete and final finishing is underway
• Preparation for the installation of the wood ceiling is underway. Final installation of the wood will occur late in the project, once environments are stable.

“We’re delighted that the construction of Remai Modern has reached more than 90 per cent completion,” says Gregory Burke, Remai Modern Executive Director and CEO.

“As construction proceeds, gallery staff members are going full-tilt on planning the exhibitions and programs that will animate the museum from top to bottom. It’s a spectacular building on a unique site, and we’re determined to offer visitor experiences that are equally amazing.”

The contractor is currently estimating completion of the contract in late 2016. The gallery is expected to open to the community in early 2017.

From the May 2, 2016 Meeting

From the April 11, 2016 Meeting

5.6 2016 Neighbourhood Traffic Review – Annual Report

Decision

*The committee recommended to Council that the Neighbourhood Traffic Review Implementation Plan be approved.

Background

*In August of 2016, City Council approved a new process within the Neighbourhood Traffic Management Program. This process includes a strategy to review concerns on a neighbourhood-wide basis by engaging the community and stakeholders in first identifying specific traffic issues, and secondly jointly developing recommendations that address the issues. Eleven Neighbourhood Traffic Reviews were completed beginning in late 2013 and through 2014.

7.1.1 8th Street Transit Corridor Initiative – Public Engagement Results

Decision

*The committee received the information.

Background

*Saskatoon Transit completed a Transit Corridor Review which proposed a demonstration of concepts associated with the Growth Plan to 500,000 and would see a service frequency under 10 minutes along 8th Street.
*Saskatoon Transit engaged businesses, key stakeholders and Saskatoon residents from March 11 to March 25, 2016, on the 8th Street Initiative.
*Feedback on the 8th Street Initiative was generally positive with 72% of respondents who strongly agree, agree or somewhat agree that being able to access bus service along 8th Street more frequently is positive.

7.2.2 2016 Overpass Testing and Inspection Program – Award of Engineering Services

Decision

*That the engineering services proposal submitted by CH2M HILL Canada Limited for completion of the 2016 Overpass Testing and Inspection Program, at a total estimated cost, on a lump sum basis, to an upset limit of $103,829 (including P.S.T. and G.S.T.) be approved.

Background

*Testing and structural inspection of the City’s bridge and overpass inventory is conducted on a regular cycle.
*This information is used to determine the economically optimum timing of major and minor rehabilitation work.

7.2.3 2016 Transit Bus Refurbishment – Request for Proposal Award

Decision

*The committee recommended to City Council that the proposal submitted by MTB Transit Solutions for the refurbishment of 10 New Flyer buses, with the option to extend for five additional years, for a total of $917,694.00 plus taxes be accepted

Background

*Saskatoon Transit has a fleet of 158 buses. This is made up of 57 40-foot buses which are older than 1998, 84 buses that are 2002 or newer, 10 articulating buses and 6 Arboc buses.
*This work is for refurbishment of buses in the existing Transit fleet. Refurbishment of buses is a common industry practice and is required in order to maintain Saskatoon Transit’s fleet.
*A Request for Proposal (RFP) for refurbishment was issued on February 18, 2016. Three proposals were received. The highest scoring proposal was submitted by MTB Transit Solutions.