News Releases

The City will operate four temporary snow storage sites this winter for contractor and public use.  Three sites are ready to open just in time for this weekend’s snow forecast:

1. Wanuskewin Road (1.8 kilometres north of 71st Street)
• Left turns into and exiting the site are extremely dangerous due to heavy traffic flow and are not permitted.  Please follow all traffic and on-site signs for access and exiting.
2. Central Avenue (4 kilometres north of Attridge Drive)
3. Valley Road (west of the Saskatoon Landfill access)
• Tailgate slamming is strictly prohibited at this location

New No Tailgate Slamming Policy in Effect: In order to minimize the noise disruption for the two temporary site adjacent to residential neighbourhoods, the common practice of tailgate slamming at the Valley Road and 8^th Street snow storage sites is not permitted.  Excessive noise from tailgate slamming may force the City to permanently close or limit access to a site.

These three sites are available 24/7 throughout the winter months.  The fourth site will be open over the next few weeks, located on 8^th Street, east of Boychuk Drive, with reduced hours, from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily.  Tailgate slamming is also banned from this location due to the close proximity to residents.

Important information for snow storage site users:

• Please use caution when working around the snow moving equipment on site. 
• These sites are intended for snow only. No dumping of any solid waste, or any household, building or demolition materials.
• Snow hauling contractors may subscribe to receive Snow Storage Site Updates.
• Visit the website or contact Public Works customer service at 306-975-2476 for snow storage location information.

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.

Environment Canada is forecasting 5 to 10 centimetres of snow starting tonight and throughout the weekend. That - combined with today’s rainfall - City crews are out ahead of the coming ice/snow storm proactively applying sand and salt on the priority streets before the rain starts to freeze and the snow begins. Crews will continue sanding and salting priority streets 24/7 throughout the snow event, with all equipment at the ready. Drivers are reminded to please use extra caution as roadway conditions change.

If the snow reaches 5 centimetres or more, private contractor crews will be called in to assist with snow grading on priority streets. Also, regular Snow & Ice updates will be issued in the morning and late afternoon and the Snow & Ice Interactive Map will be updated as priority streets are graded. These updates will be shared on our social media channels and Saskatoon.ca.

To report any dangerous locations please contact Public Works Customer Service at 306-975-2476.

From sanding icy roads to snow grading, City crews are Plowing Ahead and are ready for whatever winter brings this year!

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.

For Release: November 21, 2014

The latest update on the City of Saskatoon’s 2014 Corporate Business Plan and Budget: The Roads Ahead shows many key Continuous Improvement projects are on track, with some completed and others progressing well.

“For example, in one of several Continuous Improvement initiatives, the City saved $450,000 by optimizing the chemical dosage at the Water Treatment Plant through a reduction in chemicals used in the process,” says Catherine Gryba, Director of Corporate Performance. “These types of initiatives demonstrate that the City goes beyond conventional approaches to create greater efficiencies and savings.”

Additionally, over $25 million in increased operational efficiencies, capital savings and service level enhancements was identified in 2014.

The report also forecasts the City’s year-end deficit at $1.169 million.

“We continue to effectively meet service demands, but there are several additional factors affecting our bottom line,” says Kerry Tarasoff, Chief Financial Officer. “In an attempt to reduce our debt as much as possible by the end of the year, City Administration has implemented a discretionary spending and hiring freeze.”

The following is a summary of the main issues contributing to the projected variance:

Transportation

Snow Removal:  An estimated $688,000 deficit is projected as a result of intensified snow removal operations due to a harsh winter. Significantly more resources were spent on removal than in typical years, due in part to a reassignment of crews following the formation of ice pack on residential streets and removing snow against freeway barriers. A $489,000 reserve balance would exist at year-end to help offset this deficit. 

Street Cleaning and Sweeping:  An estimated $1.08 million deficit is projected as a result of intensified street cleaning and sweeping operations. Higher trucking costs to remove more debris and higher supply costs contributed to this deficit.

Transit Operations: Projected to be $1.755 million over budget due to two significant items: revenues are under budget by $900,000 due to a decrease in ridership, and $2.2 million from lost revenue during the labour disruption. This is offset by savings in expenses such as salaries and fuel of $1.4 million.

Taxation and General Revenues

General Revenue: Provincial utility franchise fees are higher than anticipated by $1.68 million due to increased consumption and customer growth in natural gas, while electrical usage increased related to growth. In addition, interest earnings are $1.36 million higher due to gains on residual bonds and higher balances held at the bank.

Property Levy: Assessment growth was $486,000 higher than the anticipated amount of $5 million due to increased construction activity. 

Municipal Revenue Sharing:  This will be $295,000 under the budgeted amount due to an adjustment in the estimated PST base which is used to calculate this grant.

Grant-in-Lieu of Taxation: Saskatoon Light & Power is projecting a lower grant-in-lieu of taxation in the amount of $110,000 resulting from decreased consumption revenue.

Environmental Health

Waste Handling Service: Increased equipment rentals for the landfill, as well as lower revenues, are contributing to a projected $542,000 deficit. 

Fire

The contract settlement for the Fire Department is expected to result in a deficit for salaries of $1.8 million. Through continuous improvement efforts identified to date, and one-time expenditure reductions, the overall deficit is forecast at $1.27 million. 

Recreation and Culture

Rec-Competitive Facilities: LeisureCard revenues are projected to be $378,000 lower than budgeted but offset slightly by higher paid admissions. Community Services is reviewing the services it provides to determine the necessary program changes. 

Utilities

Saskatoon Light & Power is projecting a $703,000 deficit due to overall reduced usage.  Expenditure savings and decreased transfers to reserves will bring the utility into a break-even situation by year-end. 

The Water and Wastewater utilities are projecting a combined deficit of $200,000 due mostly to the high volume of repairs required for water main breaks during a colder than usual winter. This deficit will be covered by the Water and Wastewater Stabilization Reserve.

City Council will receive the 2014 Corporate Business Plan and Budget: Roads Ahead update and year-end projections during its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, November 24, 2014.

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.

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NEW SATURDAY
BROADWAY AVE NB CLOSED FROM 10TH ST E TO SASKATCHEWAN CRES
(Gingerbread Run)
Start: November 22, 7:30 a.m. End: November 22, 10:00 a.m.
COLLEGE DR EB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM UNIVERSITY DR TO CUMBERLAND AVE
(Tree Pruning)
Start: November 22, 8:30 a.m. End: November 22, 1:00 p.m.

COLLEGE DR EB CURB (OUTSIDE) & CENTER LANE CLOSED FROM WIGGINS AVE TO BOTTOMLEY AVE
(Tree Pruning)
Start: November 22, 1:00 p.m. End: November 22, 5:00 p.m.

NEW SUNDAY

8TH ST E EB CLOSED FROM CLARENCE AVE S TO MCKINNON AVE S
(Water Connection Repair)
Start: November 23, 7:00 a.m. End: November 23, 6:00 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 on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

For Release: November 21, 2014

As outlined during the presentation of Sustaining the Saskatoon Advantage, the Preliminary 2015 Business Plan and Budget, a number of reports and initiatives, are forthcoming for the Budget deliberations set for December 2 and 3, 2014. 

Here are some of the items up for debate:

Service Saskatoon – 311/Customer Relationship Management System

Annual Report on the 2013 – 2022 Housing Business Plan
Watermain breaks – Summer 2013 (Administration report re: adequacy of the number of water trailers)
Capital Construction at the Saskatoon Minor Football Field at Gordon Howe Park
Major Projects report – 2014 Update
Remai Modern Art Gallery of Saskatchewan – 2015 Capital Budget  Request
Solar City
University Bridge Rehab

Rates and fees for a number of services including:

- Rates for indoor arenas
- PotashCorp Playground Rides
- Sportsfields
- Woodlawn Cemetery
- Business Licences
- Leisure centre admissions, programs, and rentals

Investments such as these are aligned with the City’s 2013 - 2023 Strategic Plan so the City can meet the goals and priorities identified in the Plan.

The Preliminary 2015 Budget proposes a 7.32% municipal property tax increase that will generate an additional $7 million for the City of Saskatoon. If approved as is, this means an additional $9.50 per month for a property owner with an average house Assessment Value of $325,000.

Breakdown of the Proposed 2015 Property Tax Increase:

The proposed Operating Budget includes a 4.10% property tax increase, plus a 0.3% property tax phase-in base for debt repayment planned for sound attenuation wall construction projects, as well as the second of a three-year phase-in of a dedicated property tax for roadways of 2.92%. The breakdown of the net property tax changes by major category is as follows:

Civic Operations - 1.49%
Capital Contributions - 1.81%
Fire Services - 1.32%
Police Services - 2.46%
Total Municipal Increase - 4.10%

Dedicated Road Tax - 2.92%
Sound Attenuation - 0.30%

Total Proposed
Property Tax Increase - 7.32%

As noted, the Preliminary 2015 Corporate Business Plan and Budget will be reviewed at a Meeting of City Council at 1:00 p.m. on December 2 and 3, 2014 in City Council Chambers.

Once approved by City Council, the Corporate Business Plan and Budget will guide the investment activities, projects, and service levels the City of Saskatoon will implement and achieve in 2015.

Copies of the Preliminary 2015 Corporate Business Plan and Budget will be available at all libraries or online at www.saskatoon.ca – look under “B” for Budget.

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.

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