News Releases

A regularly scheduled quarterly status update of the 2014 Corporate Business Plan and Budget projects a deficit of $818,000 to year-end – a decrease over the last quarter estimate.

“A projected deficit is just that: projected. It’s not the final outcome,” says Director of Finance, Kerry Tarasoff.  “By examining the numbers now we can identify solutions to recover costs and eliminate a deficit before year-end and before it becomes a problem for tax payers.”

Quarterly reports are prepared to inform City Council and the Administration of challenges or emerging issues so they can react accordingly.

“Much of the projected deficit can be linked to meeting service level demands,” Tarasoff says.  “For example, there were increased snow removal efforts and added trucking costs for our street sweeping and street cleaning programs.”

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

Snow Removal: An estimated $493,000 deficit (down from the $1.1 million projected in first quarter) is being projected as a result intensified snow removal operations.  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 $1.032 million deficit is being projected as a result of intensified street cleaning and sweeping operations.  There were significantly higher trucking costs to remove debris as well as higher supply costs contributing to this deficit.  The Administration will strive to reduce this impact through deferral of purchases, deferral of discretionary spending and reduced contract costs in late 2014.

Water and Wastewater Utilities:  A combined deficit of $514,000 is projected for the Water and Wastewater utilities mostly due to the high volume of repairs required for water main breaks during the first quarter of 2014.  This deficit will be covered by the Water and Wastewater Stabilization Reserve.

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

The report also provides highlights of key projects (as of June 30, 2014) as they relate to City Council’s Strategic Goals:

Continuous Improvement

As part of the Service Saskatoon plan, a strategy for a 311/Customer Relationship Management (CRM) System was approved by City Council in June.  A 311/CRM System provides an easy to remember phone number and uses technology to focus on citizens' needs, providing one-stop, personalized access of their choice to the City's services by phone (including mobile devices), internet, or in person.

The development of a new customer and citizen friendly website continued in the second quarter, with an online project engagement site being launched in May.  The site keeps citizens informed of the progress of the website project and allows them to provide input into testing and discussions that will support development of the new website.

Asset and Financial Sustainability

The Civic Operation Centre project is in the Request for Proposals stage, the request was sent out to industry with submissions coming back to the City in fall of 2014.

Quality of Life

Phase one construction on the new train station and train loop as well as rough grading of the play area and water feature site and parking lot are underway as part of the Kinsmen Park and area redevelopment project.

The Transportation Division has established a new standard for prototypes of accessible pedestrian signals and continues to progress on the installation of these new accessible pedestrian signals in priority areas. A tender has also been issued for the installation of more curb ramps this construction season.

Environmental Leadership

Teams have completed the application of barcode tags to black garbage and green yard-waste carts in approximately 40% of Saskatoon's neighbourhoods.

As part of the Landfill Optimization Strategy, efforts to maximize airspace, manage environmental and safety risks and improve customer service continue at the Landfill site; a report on the progress of these efforts is expected before year-end.

Sustainable Growth

The Saskatoon North Partnership for Growth (P4G) held two meetings in April and June.  Foundational documents including a Terms of Reference, Work Plan, Communications and Engagement Strategy and a budget for the Regional plan for P4G were approved by the Councils of the five partnering municipalities in June 2014.

The Infill Implementation Strategy was approved by City Council in March and regulations for garden and garage suites were approved by City Council in May, 2014.

Moving Around

Further to the funding approval in June 2014, the City was able to complete the assembly of the team of Legal, Financial, Fairness and Technical Advisors to begin the process of delivering the project as a Private-Public-Partnership.  Technical work on roadway and bridge alignments and project scope had been ongoing through the P3 Canada funding application process.  The Request for Qualifications process will occur in the third quarter with a proponent selected in 2015.

Economic Diversity and Prosperity

The number of building permits issued to the end of June continues to be higher (10%) than issued in 2013 for the same time period.  Permits issued for one-unit dwellings on single-family lots are approximately 3% higher than in 2013 for the same time period.  Value of construction associated with permits issued to the end of June 2014 continues to be lower by approximately 10% from the June 30,2013 value.
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 Immediate Release: August 21, 2014
TU14-371

ONGOING

23RD ST E CLOSED FROM 2ND AVE N TO 3RD AVE N
(Road paving)
Start: August 21, 7:00 a.m. End: August 22, 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 W closed from Airport Dr to Koyl Ave
Start: August 20, 1:00 p.m. End: October 29, 6:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 30TH ST W TO 29TH ST W
(Sidewalk installation)
Start: August 20, 9:00 a.m. End: August 22, 3:00 p.m.

CENTRAL AVE NB AND SB LANES CLOSED FROM GRAY AVE TO 110TH ST W
(Streetscaping)
Detour via Egbert Ave.
Start: August 17, 7:00 p.m. End: August 24, 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: August 13, 12:00 p.m. End: August 27, 4:00 p.m.

20TH ST W WB LANES CLOSED FROM AVE F S TO AVE G S
(Streetscaping)
Two way traffic will be accommodated in the EB lanes. Speed reduced to 30km/h
Start: August 7, 9:00 a.m. End: September 4, 6:00 p.m.

KINGSMERE BLVD ALL DIRECTIONS CLOSED AT AND WHITESHORE CR (E. LEG)
(Water pipe boring)
Bus routes will be affected. Please watch for temporary bus stop locations and allow extra time in case of delays. Call Saskatoon Transit at 306-975-3100.
Start: August 7, 8:00 a.m. End: August 29, 6:00 p.m.

8TH ST E EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM MUNROE AVE S TO CUMBERLAND AVE
(Water main lining)
Start: June 23, 9:00 a.m. End: August 30, 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.

As the end of August approaches, the City of Saskatoon’s (City) summer programming will be coming to a close for the season.  The last day of operation will be: 

• Summer Youth Centres and Travelling Skateboard Program -Wednesday, August 20, 2014
• Riversdale Pool – Monday, September 1, 2014
• Summer Playground Programs – Beginning Friday, August 22, 2014 with the last site closing on Wednesday, August 27, 2014.  Check closing dates for your local program at www.saskatoon.ca/go/playgrounds
• George Ward Pool and Mayfair Pool – Sunday, August 24, 2014
• Lathey Pool – Monday, September 1, 2014
• Kinsmen Play Village and Spray Pads – Monday, September 1, 2014

Thank you to all residents who used the City’s summer facilities.

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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The Downtown Transit Terminal will be closed Thursday, August 21 and Friday, August 22 while crews complete maintenance on the curbs and sidewalks in the area.

While crews are working, the terminal will be moved one block east to 23rd Street between 3rd Avenue and 4th Avenue, with temporary stops in effect.  Stops on 2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue will not be affected and buses will stop at their usual location. 

For more information call our Customer Service Centre at 306-975-3100.

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.

The first edition of Our Environment: The City of Saskatoon’s Environmental Leadership Report has been released. The report provides an overview of Saskatoon’s environmental health and establishes baselines for the strategies and priorities identified under the City’s Strategic Goal of Environmental Leadership.

“Our citizens value a healthy environment and as Saskatoon continues to grow, there will be corresponding pressures on our land, air, water and waste,” says Ian Loughran, Energy & Sustainability Engineering Manager. “Raising awareness of the overall condition of our environment and our progress toward sustainability will help us all make informed decisions and choices to reduce the negative impacts on our environment.”

How is Saskatoon doing? Highlights of the report include:

Ecological Footprint: Saskatoon's Ecological Footprint is 7.3 global hectares per capita, an increase of 6% between 2003 and 2010. The Ecological Footprint measures the environmental impact of human activity on the planet, expressing this impact in terms of the land area needed to support those activities by considering the space used to both produce the resources we consume and absorb the wastes we generate.

Land: The City, along with partners such as Meewasin Valley Authority and University of Saskatchewan, has established conservation management zones to protect wildlife habitat and encourage healthy and biologically diverse ecosystems. One example of this is Saskatoon's Northeast Swale - one of the largest pieces of unbroken natural habitat in the Saskatoon region.

Air: Corporate and community Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions have increased since 2003. The City has a growing number of green and alternative energy projects that reduce the City's overall greenhouse gas emissions. A recent example is the Landfill Gas Project which captures gas (methane) from decomposing organic material in the Landfill, pipes the gas to a generating station and burns the gas in engine-generators to produce electrical energy. The project will eventually produce enough energy to power 1,300 homes and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 45,000 tonnes annually.

Water: Residential water use decreased by over 55 litres per person per day over the 2008-2013 period. One of the reasons for the decrease is an increased awareness of water conservation techniques communicated through the City's Be Water Wise campaign. Water conservation relates directly to cost savings and greenhouse gas emissions reductions.

Waste: Diverting waste from the Landfill can reduce the environmental effects of landfilled waste and extend the operating life of the Landfill. The amount of materials diverted from the Landfill in 2013 through composting, recycling and hazardous waste collection programs was 34,539 tonnes - an increase of 30% from 2012.

The “Our Environment” Report is available for viewing at Saskatoon.ca and clicking on “O” for Our Environment.

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.