News Releases

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.

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.

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.

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.

Do you have any unwanted but usable items lying around your house?  Swap them!

Curbside Swaps are neighbourhood events, organized by Community Associations and supported by the City of Saskatoon, that provide opportunities for residents to give away unwanted items, lessen their household clutter and hunt for new treasures!  Curbside Swaps also allow residents to find and reuse items that are in good condition, which keeps them out of our landfill and reduces our community’s environmental footprint. 

Four Saskatoon Community Associations will host Curbside Swaps this fall:

Saturday, September 6 in College Park
Saturday, September 13 in City Park
Sunday, September 14 in Buena Vista
Saturday, September 20 in Meadowgreen

Starting at 9:00 a.m. on the swap date, participating residents in the host neighbourhood will begin placing unwanted items out on their curb.  Just look for their signs!  After that, all items clearly marked as “FREE” are available for Saskatoon residents.  The swap ends by 6:00 p.m. when participants return any unclaimed items back into their homes along with all their newfound treasures.

Some of the items you might find at a Curbside Swap include appliances, bicycles, tools, furniture, books/movies/CDs/DVDs, building material, computers and electronics, yard and garden equipment, clothes, sporting goods and more!

For more information, visit www.saskatoon.ca and click on “C” for Curbside Swap.

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.