News Releases

SPADINA CRES SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED UNDER UNIVERSITY BRIDGE
(Bridge work)
Start: September 8, 12:00 p.m. End: November 9, 6:00 p.m.
ONGOING
TAYLOR ST E CLOSED FROM MUNROE AVE S TO MCKINNON AVE S
(Water main lining)
Start: September 8, 8:00 a.m. End: October 8, 7:00 p.m.
8TH ST E WB RIGHT TURN LANE TO BROADWAY AVE NB CLOSED
(Sidewalk & curb repair)
Start: September 8, 9:00 a.m. End: September 10, 6:00 p.m.
IDYLWYLD DR N SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 25TH ST W TO 24TH ST E
(Streetscaping)
Traffic will merge to one lane. Right turn from 25th St EB to Idylwyld Dr SB will be maintained
Start: September 2, 9:00 a.m. End: September 14, 6:00 p.m.
CENTRAL AVE SB CLOSED FROM 110TH ST W TO 112TH ST W
(Streetscaping)
Two-way traffic accommodated in NB lanes
Start: August 25, 10:00 a.m. End: September 20, 7:00 p.m.
33RD ST W EB LANES CLOSED FROM AVE Y N TO AVE W N
(Water main lining)
Two-way traffic set in WB lanes of 33rd St
Start: August 22, 10:30 a.m. End: September 19, 6:00 p.m.
AIRPORT DR NB LANES CLOSED ON FROM GATEWAY BLVD TO THE AIRPORT
(Roadway improvements)
Two-way traffic accommodated in the SB lanes. 45th St closed from Airport Dr to Koyl Ave.
Start: August 20, 1:00 p.m. End: October 29, 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 @cityofsaskatoon and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

SPC on PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY SERVICES

7.2.2 Innovative Housing Incentives Application – New Rental Construction Land-Cost Rebate Application – Stonebridge/CILO II – 241 Willis Crescent (p. 32)

The Administration asks the Standing Policy Committee to recommend to City Council:

*That a five-year incremental tax abatement of the residential taxes be applied to the additional 19 purpose-built rental units to be built at 241 Willis Crescent, by Stonebridge/CILO II Limited Partnership, in addition to the already approved abatement for 153 purpose-built rental units, commencing the next taxation year, following the completion of the project.
*That a matching cash grant equal to the value of the five-year incremental property tax abatement, to a maximum of $5,000 per unit, estimated at $711,198, be approved for this project in place of the previously approved grant of $609,731.

Additional Information:

*New Summit Partners was previously approved for incentives for their plans to construct a 153 unit purpose-built rental project.  They are proposing an additional 19 units in this project.
*This project qualifies for an incremental property tax abatement and cash grant.
*New Summit Partners will be required to enter into an incentive agreement to ensure the units are completed on time and remain as rental stock for 15 years.

7.2.3 Summer Festivals – Security Options for Public Events in City Parks (p. 37)

The Administration asks the Standing Policy Committee to recommend to City Council:

*That the September 8, 2014 report of the General Manager, Community Services Department, be received as information.

Additional Information:

*The Recreation and Sport Division facilitates the planning and delivery of events in Saskatoon Parks through the coordination of civic services, Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) and the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA).
*The SLGA mandates the level of security required for events that serve alcohol and the SPS determines policing requirements.
*Special events are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and assessed for risk based on predetermined risk factors.

7.2.4 Award of Contract – Animal Control Services (p. 40)

The Administration asks the Standing Policy Committee to recommend to City Council:

*That the Saskatoon Animal Control Agency be awarded the contract for animal control services for the City of Saskatoon commencing May 1, 2014.

Additional Information:

*The Administration issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) on March 11, 2014, seeking proposals for the provision of animal control and dangerous animal control services to the City for a five-year contract.  Tenders closed on April 3, 2014.  Only one proposal was received.
*Recreation and Sport entered into contract negotiations with SACA in regards to the received proposal and reached an agreement on July 11, 2014.  A summary of the Terms of Agreement are identified in this report.

7.2.5 Request to Construct and Operate Saskatoon’s Winter Recreation Park and Lifestyle Activity Centre at Diefenbaker Park (p. 44)

The Administration asks the Standing Policy Committee to recommend to City Council:

*That the request by the Optimist Club of Saskatoon, to construct and operate Saskatoon’s Winter Recreation Park and Lifestyle Activity Centre at Diefenbaker Park, continue to be approved, in principle.
*That the City Solicitor be requested to prepare the appropriate Memorandum of Understanding, based on the details set out in the report of the General Manager, Community Services dated September 8, 2014, and that His Worship the Mayor and the City Clerk be authorized to execute the Memorandum of Understanding.
*That the Administration prepare a Capital Budget submission for the City of Saskatoon’s contribution towards the Winter Recreation Park and Lifestyle Activity Centre.
*That at the appropriate time, the Administration bring forward a further report to City Council concerning the details for a Memorandum of Agreement to address the construction, operation and maintenance of the facility, as well as the establishment of a Dedicated Capital Reinvestment Fund, the contributions to the fund being made by the Optimist Club and the proposed granting of a five-year tax abatement.

Additional Information:

*The Optimist Club has submitted a Business Plan to capital fund-raise, construct and operate the Park and Activity Centre and enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the City of Saskatoon (City).  The Business Plan provides details of the Optimist Club’s organization summary, facility management, financials and implementation plan.
*The Optimist Club has requested the City to support the capital and operations of the Park and Activity Centre in Diefenbaker Park.  Diefenbaker Park was chosen as the ideal location for this project due to its natural suitability for tobogganing, snow tubing (four to five groomed lanes), snowboarding, including a snow terrain park and the space requirements for a building and parking lot.
*Subject to certain conditions being met, the Administration has reviewed and supports the Optimist Club’s Business Plan, in principle, to ensure a sustainable operation of the Park and Activity Centre.
*In lieu of paying property taxes, the Optimist Club would make annual contributions to a Dedicated Capital Reinvestment Fund (Reinvestment Fund) to establish a major equipment and building replacement reserve.  This would be the basis for providing the Optimist Club with a five-year tax abatement for the Park and Activity Centre.

SPC on FINANCE

7.1.1 Persephone Theatre Property Tax Abatement (p. 4)

Request to Speak: Jennifer Pereira, Chair, Persephone Theatre Board of Directors

The Administration asks the Standing Policy Committee to recommend to City Council:

*That a full (100%) property tax abatement to Persephone Theatre through the Culture Grant Program for a five-year period be approved.

Additional Information:

*Persephone has received various cash grants and tax abatements from the City since it acquired the property in River Landing in 2005.
*The majority of municipalities in Canada, surveyed for this report, provide full tax exemptions or abatements to non-profit performing arts organizations.
*The City provides tax abatements to cultural institutions that qualify under an appropriate grant or incentives program.

7.2.1 Quarterly Report – Builder and Developer Lot Supply (p. 19)

The Administration asks the Standing Policy Committee to recommend to City Council:

*That the Quarterly Report on Builder and Developer Lot Supply be received.

Additional Information:

*Land developers in Saskatoon have 329 residential lots in inventory and there is a healthy builder inventory of 1,454 residential lots.
*Land developers in Saskatoon are projected to completely service 1,738 single family lots in 2014.
*Land developers and builders have approximately 164 acres of multi-family land in inventory, which can potentially accommodate approximately 4,200 dwelling units.
*Estimates of current builder/developer serviced land inventory levels could accommodate population growth in excess of 5%.
*There is a healthy supply of vacant industrial land held by recent industrial land purchasers.

The City of Saskatoon’s Community Development Division, in partnership with Canadian Sport Centre - Saskatchewan; Sask Sport Inc.; and Women in Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation; will be hosting Active Like a Girl on Sunday, September 14, 2014, from 12:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the SaskTel Sports Centre (150 Nelson Road).  Active Like a Girl is a free, one-day event for girls ages 10 to 14.  For registration and transportation inquiries, call 306-975-3378 by Thursday, September 11.  Snacks will be provided. 

Experience the sport of rugby, wheelchair rugby, fencing, and golf with some world class athletes and coaches:

Heather Moyse (Bobsleigh, Rugby and Track Cycling)
A multi-sport athlete with accomplishments, including Bobsleigh Olympic gold medalist (2010, 2014); Rugby Sevens World Cup silver medalist (2013); and 4th place in match sprint at Pan American Track Cycling Championships (2012).

Miranda Biletski (Wheelchair Rugby)
A member of Team Canada who has achieved a bronze medal at the American Zonals (2009); silver medal at Four Nations (2010); 5th place World Championships (2010); bronze medal at World Challenge (2013); and silver medal at American Zonals (2013).

Shannon Comerford (Fencing)
A member of the Canadian Women’s Foil Senior National Team who has earned silver medals at the Pan American Championships (2009 to present).

Ashley Olynick (Golf)
A member of the Professional Golf Association of Canada and a certified personal coach at GolfTec. Ashley played collegiate golf at Texas A&M University Corpus-Christi and was player of the year in 2009.

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.

Starting at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 9, 2014 the pedestrian bridge in River Landing, east of the Senator Sid Buckwold Bridge, will be closed until 4:00 p.m.  The closure is to allow crews to fix and install the third coloured sail on the bridge.
During the temporary closure, pedestrians and cyclists travelling through River Landing and approaching the bridge on either side can take the various pathways leading up to 19^th Street, travel along 19^th Street, then return to the River Landing riverfront pathway on the other side of the bridge.  Route maps have been posted at the bridge to direct users.
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.

before getting stuck on a curb near Idylwyld Drive and 25th Street, the bus hit another stationary bus and a parked vehicle.

An investigation into this matter is underway, and many facts are known. “This is a very disturbing incident,” says Jeff Jorgenson, General Manager of the Transportation & Utilities Department.  “It is clear that the bus was left in an un-safe condition, was running for an extended period, and was easily movable.”

“This appears to be a case of human error, and safety protocols were not followed,” Jorgenson says.  “Our investigation will continue.”

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.