News Releases

From the August 15, 2016 Meeting

7.1.1 Request to Sell City Owned Property (811 Melville Street)

Decision

*The Committee approved recommendations and added a fifth resolution that the Standard Terms and Conditions include one that proposals be consistent with the surrounding uses.

Background

*In June, City Council approved the purchase of Lots 6 and 7, Block 300, Plan G291 from St. Martin’s Church to relocate the current Fire Station No. 3 (1906 York Avenue) to the vacant north lot of St. Martin’s United Church. This is to address aging infrastructure concerns and improve overall response protection in the southeast portion of the city. As a result of the land acquisition for the relocation of Fire Station No. 3, the lot located on 811 Melville Street which was previously designated for Fire Station No. 11 is no longer needed.
*It was proposed 811 Melville Street be sold through an open market (standard terms) approach whereby non-binding offers are received from interested proponents and used to determine with which party further negotiations will take place.
*The Administration recommended a price of $1.2 million for this parcel, based on comparable land sales within the CN Industrial area.
*The Administration recommended standard terms and conditions requiring interested proponents to build uses consistent with surrounding automotive dealers.

From the August 16, 2016 Meeting

7.1.1 North Commuter Parkway and Traffic Bridge Update

Decision

*The Committee received the report.

Background

*The Bridging to Tomorrow Project includes the construction of the North Commuter Parkway and replacement of the Traffic Bridge. Graham Commuter Partners (GCP) is the contractor in charge of construction. Both bridges and surrounding road infrastructure is slated for completion in October of 2018.
*At the Traffic Bridge, concrete work on Pier 3 as well as the foundations and walls for the new north and south abutments are complete. The erection of Span 4, the southernmost span of the bridge, is anticipated to start within the next few weeks.
*GCP will use conventional weathering steel with a protective coating within the splash zone for the truss elements which will result in a two tone colour between the lower and upper portions of the structure. The entire bridge will eventually turn into one brown colour tone.
*Demolition of the last original bridge span of the Traffic Bridge is expected in November 2016.
*At the North Commuter Parkway bridge, construction of Pier 1, the west pier, is well underway, with the pier foundation, diaphragm, and columns already complete, and construction of the pier cap currently underway. The cofferdam was extended from the west bank to the centre of the river in late July and excavation work is underway to prepare for construction of Pier 2.
*Storm sewer installation for the widening of Central Avenue between Attridge Drive and Fedoruk Drive is nearing completion and the relocation of the SL&P overhead lines has started.
*Improvements to the intersection of Attridge Drive and Central Avenue, and the realignment of the eastbound off-ramp from Circle Drive East to Attridge Drive, commenced in May and are expected to be fully complete in October.

7.1.3 Launch of FlexParking System Application

Decision

*The Committee received the report.

Background

*The smart phone app will be publicly launched in November pending final testing. Implementation has been delayed to verify data security procedures.

7.2.1 Award of Contract - HOK Inc. for the Development of Idylwyld Drive Comprehensive Corridor Project and Streetscape Concept

Decision

*The Committee recommended to City Council that the award of contract for $183,708 (including taxes) be approved. It is for the development of the Idylwyld Drive Comprehensive Corridor Project and Streetscape Concept.

Background

*In January of 2014, City Council received a report that identified Idylwyld Drive, from Senator Sid Buckwold Bridge to Circle Drive North, as a priority street for streetscape improvements. The report stated that redevelopment of the Idylwyld Drive streetscape would enhance its functionality as a multi-modal corridor and support recommendations and directions emerging from current planning projects (City Centre Plan, North Downtown, and Growth Plan). The report identified a phased approach to implementation that would prioritize improvements from Senator Sid Buckwold Bridge to 33rd Street.

From the August 16, 2016 Meeting

7.1.2 Water Supply – Alternate Water Source

Decision

*The Committee received the report as information.

Background

*The Water Treatment Plant has many redundancy and contingency plans within the water treatment process; however, the South Saskatchewan River is currently the only water supply.
*There are several pipelines that transport crude oil, refined petroleum, and liquid natural gas across the South Saskatchewan River between Saskatoon and Lake Diefenbaker.
*Through the Emergency Measures Organization, the City has an extensive emergency plan that is able to assess a situation and escalate quickly when warranted. A Drinking Water Quality Emergency Response Plan is in place as well.
*There are several areas that an alternative water source could be considered, such as natural or engineered bodies of surface water, multiple aquifers, and the North Saskatchewan River.
*Administration will be investigating various alternative water sources and reporting the results in 2017.

From the August 18, 2016 Regular Meeting of City Council

8.1.10 Kinsmen Play Village – Play Structure

Decision

*Administration will start on the design and purchase of accessible playground equipment for Caswell Hill with installation to be completed no later than June 2017 to be funded from the Reserve for Capital Expenditures to a maximum of $253,000, to include the remedial work at Kinsmen Play Village.
*Gates to the Kinsmen Play Village play structure be reopened, following appropriate safety checks.
*The Kinsmen Park Master Plan will be amended to retain certain elements of the Kinsmen Play Village, such that the play structure is retained.

Additional Information

*At the August 15, 2016 meeting of the Standing Policy Committee on Planning, Development and Community Services, a report was considered, along with presentations and further communications.

9.3.1 Saskatoon Strides – 2015 Report on Service, Savings and Sustainability

Decision

*City Council received the report as information.

Additional Information

*The City is committed to continue to explore and implement new ways to improve service, increase savings, and grow Saskatoon in a sustainable way. Saskatoon Strides - 2015 Report on Service, Savings and Sustainability highlights the City’s accomplishments in each of these areas for 2015.

9.3.2 2015 Annual Report – Sustaining the Saskatoon Advantage

Decision

*City Council received the report as information.

Additional Information

*The 2015 Annual Report – Sustaining the Saskatoon Advantage includes a summary of the progress achieved on the 2015 Corporate Business Plan, as well as the 2015 Audited Consolidated Financial Statements and Trust Fund Financial Statements.

9.6.3 2016 Local Government Elections – Amendments to Bylaw No. 8191, The Election Bylaw, 2012

Decision

*City Council amended and passed.

Additional Information

*The amendments to the Bylaw update references to the new legislation and new section numbers. They also provide for procedures related to the programming, use, storage and transport of vote counting machines and the counting of votes necessitated by the new legislation.

Halfway through its most ambitious construction season, the City of Saskatoon has renewed 91 of 233 planned lane kilometres. Last year the City completed road rehabilitation on 220 lane kilometres.

“It’s been a very busy construction season, with some interesting and complex projects on the agenda, including the Idylwyld Drive Overpass and the Broadway Improvement Project,” says Celene Anger, Director of Construction & Design. “This is the largest Building Better Roads season we’ve had with City Council investing $59 million for road and sidewalk renewal. We’re well on the way to delivering our commitment of better roads for Saskatoon residents.”

This year, fast moving microsurfacing work is scheduled for the second-half of the season, which is why the completion rate to this point is at 40 per cent. This will increase dramatically through the remainder of August and into the fall as these projects shift into high gear.

“Microsurfacing is in full swing right now and helps us to repair roads in a way that has a minimum impact on the community while extending the life of the roadway in an economical way,” says Anger. “We’re scheduled to complete 87 lane kilometres of microsurfacing which is a 24 per cent increase over last year.”   

Around the city, work has and continues to progress well on high traffic and residential streets:  night work allows large projects to be completed with minimal disrupters to commuters.

So far this year, work has been completed on several larger projects:

• College Drive from Preston Avenue to Central Avenue
• Circle Drive West (eastbound lanes) from 33rd Street to Avenue C
• Claypool Drive from Airport Drive to Hampton Gate North
• Broadway Avenue from 8th Street to Saskatchewan Crescent East.

In addition to this road work:

• More than 139,000 average potholes have been repaired. That’s more than 2,400 tonnes of asphalt – or 5,291,094 pounds which is the equivalent of about 240 tandem truck loads of asphalt.  
• 365 kilometres of white lines and 235 kilometres of yellow lines have been painted around the city. Combined, that’s about the same distance as from Saskatoon to Calgary.
• 8,780 metres of sanitary sewer mains have been rehabilitated which is roughly the length 64 CFL football fields from end zone to end zone.
• 3,777 panels of sidewalk have been replaced. That’s equivalent to 5.67 kilometres which is like walking the Meewasin Trail from the Circle Drive South overpass to the University Bridge.

Major construction projects, such as repairs to the Idylwyld over Ruth overpass has completed ahead of schedule and the roadway construction around Attridge Drive and Central Avenue continues and is expected to be complete on budget and schedule.

Great effort has been made throughout the summer to minimize impact on residents, while maximizing work efficiencies.

“We’ve made very good progress on our projects and thank the residents of Saskatoon for their patience in following traffic detours, respecting work zones and our workers,” says Anger.

As always, residents are reminded to slow down, pay attention and obey signage around work zones at all times. For more information, please visit saskatoon.ca/betterroads. 

At the request of the Howe family, cremated remains of Gordie and Colleen Howe will be interred in the base of the statue honoring “Mr. Hockey” at SaskTel Centre. 

To make the interment possible, the City must apply to the provincial government and ask the statue and a small portion of adjacent area be declared a cemetery.

“When Gordie and Colleen Howe’s family approached us with this idea, we thought it was a fitting tribute to someone who had always remembered his roots,” says Catherine Gryba, General Manager of Corporate Performance.  “It’s only appropriate that we do what we can to remember this great athlete, Saskatonian and Canadian.”

Renowned hockey legend Gordie Howe died June 10, 2016.  While born in Floral, Mr. Howe grew up and spent 16 years in Saskatoon before embarking on a record-setting hockey career in the United States.  Numerous facilities in Saskatoon have been named in Mr. Howe’s honour, which reflect his Saskatoon origins.

“We’ve been speaking with the Howe family and will take the appropriate steps to safeguard and respect Gordie and Colleen’s ashes,” Gryba says.  “They will be encased in a special concrete vessel with a commemorative plaque on top to protect them.”

The Administration will ask City Council for a resolution at its regular business meeting Thursday afternoon, August 18.

The Saskatoon Blades and SaskTel Centre are planning other activities for September 25 to honour Gordie Howe and coincide with the statue commemoration.

SaskTel Centre will cover the costs of the project up to a maximum of $6000, and the Saskatoon Blades will cover any costs over and above that amount.

If the ashes are ever moved, the City must also ask the Province to rescind the cemetery designation at the statue location.

Work zone violations and abusive language continue to be a daily reality for many City employees and contractors working on roadways and in other areas around Saskatoon.

“Our workers are reporting regularly on two dangerous and continuing trends,” says Angela Gardiner, Director of Transportation. “They often encounter drivers in a hurry who move work zone signs to take a short cut, and in some instances when the worker asks them to follow the detour in place, they are met with anger and abusive language.”

A work zone can be any location with posted signs and barriers to protect the workers and the public during a project or regular work. This includes road projects but also at other places where staff are working, such as the landfill, parks and in back lanes.

Regardless of where a work zone is, the rules remain the same – respect the work zone for your own safety and the safety of the workers. 

“Our employees face many hazards; drivers, cyclists and pedestrians entering work zones should not be one of those,” says Gardiner. “Workers need to be able to focus on their job and not be watching for traffic, guiding traffic, continually replacing signs to their appropriate locations or being bombarded with verbal abuse. We need everyone to respect the work zone and the workers at all times whether they are in a vehicle, on a bike or walking.”

Remember, a work zone can be anywhere workers are present or work is on-going. The City reminds people signs are not to be moved at any time and work zones are in effect 24 hours a day until signs are removed by City workers and a project area is deemed to be completely safe for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. Respect the work zone – and the worker – wherever they are.

For more, please visit saskatoon.ca/respectworkzones.

The results are in on the 2016 Civic Services Survey and public engagement activities, which will help shape the City’s 2017 Business Plan and Budget. This year’s Civic Services Survey shows overall satisfaction with the level of services provided by the City remains high and is significantly higher than in 2013. Since 2013, overall satisfaction increased by 5% for telephone respondents and 10% for online respondents.

“I am very pleased to see this result,” says Catherine Gryba, General Manager of Corporate Performance. “In 2015, we established a performance target of overall satisfaction with civic services of 90% or more. Looking at 2016 survey results, it shows we are definitely moving in the right direction toward hitting that target.”

The majority of Civic Services Survey respondents continue to rate Saskatoon’s quality of life as high, and they feel the City is on the right track to becoming a better city 10 years from now. Each year, citizens are also asked to the name the most important issue facing the City. 

“In 2013, citizens were very concerned with the condition of roads and sidewalks,” says Gryba. “As a result of that feedback, we launched the most aggressive road improvement program in the community’s history, Building Better Roads, in 2014. That investment is definitely making a difference, and although roads continue to be cited as the most important issue, there are significantly fewer respondents saying this is an issue as compared to 2013.” 

Similar to 2015, citizens also prefer to pay for services and balance the operating budget using a combination of user fees and property tax increases. Annual survey results have always been considered in the development of the City’s business plans and budgets, but Gryba says additional engagement initiatives are also proving to be quite valuable, including an online budget tool called "Citizen Budget", and in-person surveys conducted at various locations throughout the City.

“Participation in the Citizen Budget was very strong this year with over 2,600 unique visitors and a total of 803 online submissions, which is an increase of 60% for online budget submissions and matches the number of participants in the 2016 Civic Services Survey online study.” 

Although participation for the in-person survey varies and cannot be considered statistically reliable, the responses still provide important input into the process. When the results of all engagement initiatives are combined, citizens generally support increases in service levels or an increase in spending on road maintenance. Besides road maintenance, there is also support for increases for affordable housing, transit, snow and ice management, and traffic management. 

“It’s interesting to see the needs and wants of citizens of varying demographics coming in as fairly consistent through each method of engagement,” says Gryba.

The 2016 Civic Services Survey and Citizen Budget engagement strategies support the Strategic Goal of Continuous Improvement and being the best-managed city in Canada. All results are available at saskatoon.ca/financialfuture and in the coming weeks the comments provided by on the Citizen Budget site will also be posted.  

For the August 18, 2016 Meeting of City Council

9.3.1 Saskatoon Strides – 2015 Report on Service, Savings and Sustainability

*City Council will be asked to receive the 2015 Report on Service, Savings and Sustainability.
*The City is committed to continue to explore and implement new ways to improve service, increase savings, and grow Saskatoon in a sustainable way. Saskatoon Strides - 2015 Report on Service, Savings and Sustainability highlights the City’s accomplishments in each of these areas for 2015.

Additional Information

*In 2015, the City identified savings, additional funding, and revenues total over $183M. Increased operational efficiencies and service level enhancements resulted in savings of $5.2M. The City also applied to the Government of Canada and received approval for $860,000 in funding through the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program. Saskatoon Land delivered $16.07M in financial returns to the City.
*The City embarked on two P3 projects in 2015; the North Commuter Parkway and Traffic Bridge Project and the Civic Operations Centre. The procurement method chosen for the two projects has an estimated Value for Money savings of $161.7M NPV (Net Present Value) when compared to the design, bid, build procurement method.
*The City’s various environmental programs help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 94,000 tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent annually, the equivalent of removing over 19,000 cars off our roads. Civic programs also diverted approximately 31,828 tonnes of waste from the Saskatoon Landfill in 2015.
*The City received awards and recognition from the industry and citizens on the services it provides.

9.3.2 2015 Annual Report – Sustaining the Saskatoon Advantage

*City Council will be asked to receive the 2015 Annual Report – Sustaining the Saskatoon Advantage which includes a summary of the progress achieved on the 2015 Corporate Business Plan.

Additional Information

*Highlights from the 2015 Corporate Business Plan include:
-total investment in roads exceeded $53 million – an increase of $3 million from 2014 and $19 million from 2013.
-the completion of PotashCorp Playland and Kinsmen Park.
-the early completion of University Bridge rehabilitation.
-starting the North Commuter Parkway and Traffic Bridge replacement project.
-starting construction on the permanent snow storage facility at the new Civic Operations Centre (COC), with completion expected in late 2016. Construction also began on the new Transit facility at the COC.
-launch of Citizen Budget – an interactive activity that showed residents how building the City’s annual budget requires balancing affordability for taxpayers and helped them share their views on the City’s spending priorities and future investments for the 2016 budget.
-the City partnered to host the Wicihitowin “Working Together” conference in an effort to increase Aboriginal engagement and service delivery.
-public engagement initiatives moved forward on several elements of the Growing Forward! and Growth Plan to Half a Million; corridor redevelopment, employment areas, transit and transportation.

9.6.3 2016 Local Government Elections – Amendments to Bylaw No. 8191, The Election Bylaw, 2012

*City Council will be asked to add provisions and update the Bylaw to reflect recent provincial legislative changes.

Additional Information

*Housekeeping amendments to the Bylaw would update references to the new legislation and new section numbers, as well as provide for procedures related to the programming, use, storage and transport of vote counting machines and the counting of votes necessitated by the new legislation.

The City of Saskatoon’s ongoing commitment to continuous improvement helped save taxpayers $183M in 2015.

“The City staff continues to make strides toward delivering better services for Saskatoon residents,” says Catherine Gryba, General Manager of Corporate Performance. “We’ve found and put into place new efficiencies in the way we do our work, and keep an eye on how well we’re doing.”

The City monitors progress with its new performance dashboard guided by a dedicated drive for year-over-year service improvements.

“Better also means the savings we gain through continuous improvement, ultimately benefiting property taxes,” Gryba says. “They were kept lower in 2015 than they would have been without finding these savings for our annual business plan and budget.”

Full details are contained in Saskatoon Strides 2015: Our Report on Service, Savings, and Sustainability.

“The measures highlighted on our performance dashboard and in Saskatoon Strides keep us focused on planning and investing in what matters most to people, and for the future growth of the city,” says Gryba.

The City’s attention to innovative thinking and improved service levels contributed to:

• the early completion of the University Bridge Rehabilitation
• City and community partners hosting the Wicihitowin “Working Together” Aboriginal Engagement Conference
• implementing automatic announcements on buses to increase accessibility

The City’s attention to innovative thinking on financial matters contributed to:

• $161 million in value for money savings from selecting P3 projects
• $16 million in financial returns from Saskatoon Land
• $860,000 in funding received from the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Funding Program

Operational efficiencies and service level enhancements contributed $5.2 million in savings including:

• $715,000 on roadway contracts.  A streamlined roadway tender process created more competitive bidding, ensured quality and timely responses from contractors 
• $250,000 from a new de-icing product which was tested and proved effective for use at colder temperatures, also resulting in less overall street clean up during the spring street sweep
• $165,000 from streamlining the IT systems in the Public Works call centre. Response times and accuracy of issues and trouble locations resulted in improved communication
• $200,000 across several divisions from a number of continuous improvement initiatives in the Information Technology division

City environmental programs also contributed to sustainable growth by helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the equivalent of removing 19,000 cars off city roads. Continued focus on recycling programs also diverted approximately 31,828 tonnes of waste from the Saskatoon Landfill in 2015.

The City remains focused on all seven of the Strategic Goals and the long-term goal of managing and growing Saskatoon to 500,000 people in a smart, sustainable way.

The City continues to maintain its previous successes and move forward on meeting its Strategic Goals – the theme of the 2015 City of Saskatoon Annual Report – Sustaining the Saskatoon Advantage.

“The Report highlights the progress made in 2015 on our investment activities, projects, and services, which align with what matters to our citizens and our corporate goals as directed by the City’s ten-year Strategic Plan,” says Clae Hack, Acting Chief Financial Officer.

At its August 18th meeting, City Council will receive the Annual Report as well as the 2015 Audited Consolidated Financial Statements, and Trust Fund Financial Statements. The Annual Report reflects the City’s ongoing commitment to accountability, transparency, and openness in financial reporting and is now available online at saskatoon.ca/annualreport.

Among the sustained achievements, the City was able to maintain its Standard & Poor’s ‘AAA/ Stable’ credit rating in 2015, much supported by the City’s willingness to explore innovative and alternative ways to fund, finance and deliver important infrastructure projects.

“Our financial flexibility continues to provide a solid foundation for planning key projects and delivering core services our residents rely on every day – all making us a municipal leader in Canada,” says City Manager Murray Totland. “Our $53 million investment in roads, the North Commuter Parkway and Traffic Bridge Replacement Project, progress made on our new Civic Operations Centre and the completion of PotashCorp Playland at Kinsmen Park all demonstrate our dedication to continuous improvement and innovation for the challenges that come with rapid growth."

The City placed a strong emphasis on public engagement and improving customer service in 2015 through a new online budget tool to obtain citizen feedback on the proposed 2016 Business Plan and Budget.

The City strives to keep improving with the launch of Service Saskatoon-- a new model for providing responsive citizen and customer service.

With a goal of being the best-managed city in Canada, Saskatoon’s Council and civic staff remain committed to ensure residents get the most out of tax dollars, as well as managing risk and debt appropriately.

“We are effectively investing tax dollars every year to provide the best projects, programs, services and value for residents - all of which support our continued great quality of life in Saskatoon,” Totland says.

Signs directing drivers and cyclists around the downtown protected bike lanes pilot project have been up for a few months, but the City and the Saskatoon Police Service want to make sure everyone knows what the rules are.

“The protected bike lanes on 4th Avenue and 23rd Street are still relatively new,” says Angela Gardiner, Director of Transportation. “Drivers may not understand why people on bikes are stopped where they are, or what they’re trying to do, so we’ve made some changes to road signs to try and help everyone learn how we can safely share the roads.”

For example, overhead signs are in place to remind drivers where right turns are not permitted on red lights at intersections with the protected bike lanes. 

“We anticipate that over time drivers will become more familiar with the new guidelines and compliance will increase.”

A related bike lane safety measure downtown includes Bike Boxes. These green-painted squares on the pavement at signalized intersections are connected to the protected bike lanes along 23rd Street and 4th Avenue. They are designed to help with two-stage left turns for people riding bikes. So, for people driving cars, right turns on red lights are not permitted where there is a Bike Box. 

“The SPS is dedicated to protecting the safety of everyone using Saskatoon roadways,” says Randy Huisman, Inspector for Central Division. “Our officers will be monitoring traffic activity around bike lanes and may issue warnings or tickets when violations take place.”

Protected Bike Lanes are dedicated, marked lanes for cyclists that are physically separated from vehicles and pedestrian traffic, and have been built in Canada’s largest cities including Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa and Calgary.   

The City’s Protected Bike Land Demonstration Project was approved in March of 2015 with a lane opening on 23rd Street later that year. The 4th Avenue lane was opened this past May. The project will continue to be evaluated over the next year to determine the impact of the lanes on the downtown core. A report and a recommendation on the future of the project will be prepared for City Council in early 2018.   

For more information on Protected Bike Lanes, visit saskatoon.ca/moving-around/cycling/cycling-plans-projects

A popular Pokémon GO stop outside City Hall is now enabled with WiFi access. Civic Square along with four other facilities came online today with complimentary WiFi service, powered by Shaw Go WiFi. Residents and visitors can sign up for WiFi Access when visiting these or any of the City’s 15 WiFi-enabled facilities.

Additional Locations:

• Civic Square (outdoors), Saskatoon City Hall, 222 – 3^rd Avenue North
• Shaw Centre, 122 Bowlt Cres
• Silverwood Golf Course Clubhouse, 3503 Kinnear Avenue
• George Ward Pool, 1915 5th St East
• TCU Place Convention and Arts Centre (lobby), 35 - 22nd Street East 

Shaw and the City continue to work on installing WiFi at seven remaining public facilities. More information, including a complete list of participating facilities, can be found at saskatoon.ca/wifi.

The complimentary service, made possible through a partnership agreement with Shaw Communications Inc., is a major initiative through the City’s new service model - Service Saskatoon.

Service Saskatoon and the public WiFi major initiative supports the City’s goal of Continuous Improvement by leveraging technology and emerging trends to reach our goal to provide great citizen experiences at every level.

Over the past 10 years the City of Saskatoon has seen a population growth of 23 per cent. The demands of a growing population has required additional city staff, services and infrastructure.

“With greater investment in resources, the City has been able to service and attract tens of thousands of families who are choosing to move to one of the most successful and prosperous city in western Canada,” says City Manager Murray Totland.

There may be concerns about rising costs over the past decade.  Here are some facts to consider:

• To make a reasonable comparison over time, spending amounts should be measured on a per person basis and adjusted for inflation and population growth so that 2006 dollars are the same as what the City would be spending today. Additionally, inflation ought to be calculated for municipal rather than consumer spending.
• Comparing city spending can be difficult to do; each city offers its citizens a diverse basket of services that reflect the needs of the community and cities may fund those services different ways.
• The best way to make an apples to apples comparison with other cities is to look only at what tax dollars each one spends on operations.

“With these factors in mind and based on our Civic Services Survey, Saskatoon’s spending has been careful yet responsive to what citizens want,” Totland says.

Here are some key measures used by economists to demonstrate spending trends:

In light of growth, Saskatoon had the second lowest tax supported operating expenses among prairie cities after Winnipeg.  

Another way to measure the expenditure burden on residents is to look at the tax burden that is required to help fund the budget for a city. For example, considering the total residential property taxes that would be levied in each city, on a property with an assessed value of $400,000, Saskatoon’s municipal property taxes are the second lowest after Calgary.

Another important measure of how much a City spends is the number of full time jobs for its operations per 1000 population. As we see, the City’s employment numbers have been declining as a share of the population since 2011.

In terms of what is spent on those employees we see a similar trend for the percentage share of salaries and benefits for the City’s operating budget. In 2006, this was 60.8 percent of the City’s operating budget, while in 2016 it is 55.4 percent. 

Finally as the following graph indicates, over this same period of time, Average Saskatchewan weekly earnings have grown by between 30 and nearly 50 percent, well beyond a consumer or municipal price index inflationary adjustment.

In order for the City to offer citizens the services they want, salaries have to stay competitive with the demands of the labour market.

“Overall, while basic calculations of population and budget growth may reveal large percentage spending increases, there are many more factors to consider,”  Totland says.  “When an appropriate economic analysis is applied, it demonstrates Saskatoon’s spending is careful, cautious and again, measured to what citizens want in a 21^st Century City.”

The $3.7 million twinning of Claypool Drive is complete. There are now two lanes of divided traffic on Claypool Drive from Airport Drive to Hampton Gate North.

“We’re very happy to have this project completed on time, safely and on budget,” says Jeff Jorgenson, General Manager of Transportation and Utilities. “Drivers, in particular those accessing Hampton Village, will now enjoy less congestion and better access through Claypool Drive, which will serve as a main arterial road.”

The intersection at McClocklin Road and Claypool Drive has also been upgraded to include turning bays and traffic signals. This work was done to improve traffic flow in and out of Hampton Village as the area has quickly grown to more than 7,200 residents.

The project also includes upgrading from a ditch drainage system to a storm system drainage system.

“With our focus on building better roads, this completed Claypool Drive project is a great example of the progress we are making during this busy construction season,” Jorgenson says. Although work is complete, residents may see City crews working at times on landscaping and traffic signal work on Claypool Drive.

The City would like to thank residents for obeying work zone signage throughout the duration of the project. For everyone’s safety please continue to obey all detours, signs and barriers around projects across the City.   

Road repairs and construction projects have been in full swing since mid-May, with several large projects nearing completion. August marks an increase in city-wide street improvement work which includes blade leveling work on back lane maintenance and microsurfacing are reaching peak activity this week.

“August is traditionally the month this all shifts into high gear,” says Rob Frank, Engineering Manager of Asset Preservation. “Microsurfacing is one procedure we use for roads that are in need of minor repairs. It’s much faster than other processes,” Frank says. “It has minimum impact on the community, and we can cover a large area very quickly.”

Locations receiving a micro surface treatment require a significant amount of preparation work such as any underlying road repairs and sidewalk panel replacement work which allow the final surfacing program to move quickly throughout the City.

“Similar to sealing your deck, microsurfacing adds a thin protective layer of asphalt blended with finely crushed stone to the road surface,” he says. “This provides an extra layer of wear, seals underlying asphalt and extends the life of the roadway.”

When first applied, the microsurfacing has a rough and grainy texture and is brownish in colour. However, within a short period of time, as vehicles drive on the road, it quickly wears smooth and the colour fades to blend in with the existing roadway.

“Microsurfacing projects give the roadways a noticeable improvement that also extends their service life,” says Frank. “You’ll see the final surface start and finish, sometimes in the same day. Larger projects may take a little longer, but microsurfacing gives maximum results in a minimum amount of time.”

This year the City’s completing 87 lane-kilometres of microsurfacing which is a 24 per cent increase over last year.

“That’s significant. Things are going more quickly in part because of the new orange and black ‘No Parking’ sandwich boards we’re using. They stand out and help everyone identify the dates for upcoming work zones which can also help the work progress quicker.”

The City is projecting 230 lane kilometres of roadway will be rehabilitated in 2016, ranging from high traffic roads to residential streets. That’s roughly the same distance as from City Hall to Moose Jaw.

The City is also grading Saskatoon’s network of more than 400 kilometres of gravel back lanes to improve drainage, and provide better access for residents and service vehicles. Grading occurs by neighbourhood, followed by reconstruction in specific lanes that qualify. 

Other construction work in the city that has been going on since mid-April includes water and sewer main work, new road construction and reconfiguration and major road repairs. 

For road rehabilitation progress maps and more information on city-wide road rehabilitation work, please visit saskatoon.ca/betterroads. The Projected 2016-2018 Roadway Preservation Plan PDF is available by clicking this link.

The 2016 PotashCorp Fringe Theatre and Street Festival starts today, and the City urges attendees to consider Saskatoon Transit as their transportation option to and from the festival.

“The construction on and around Broadway Avenue means there will be even fewer parking options for festival-goers than usual,” says Jim McDonald, Director of Saskatoon Transit. “So, avoid the hassle, come down to the Fringe, enjoy everything the festival has to offer and leave the driving to us.”

The attached map indicates the direct transit routes that will get you closest to the festival, including the high frequency Route 8, which leaves Centre Mall and travels to the corner of Broadway Avenue and 8th Street.

“We think this is a great opportunity for people to see first-hand our commitment to renew Saskatoon Transit and to get a feel for how the high-frequency service works,” McDonald says. “Riders will be able to hop on several of our buses and get off at the festival site.”

Other direct routes include:

• Route 1 Exhibition: Downtown to Broadway Avenue    
• Route 1 City Centre: Sunnyside to Broadway Avenue
• Route 6 Broadway: Travels from City Centre to Broadway Avenue
• Route 6 City Centre: Market Mall to Broadway Avenue
• Route 8 City Centre: Centre Mall to the corner of Broadway Avenue and 8th Street
• Route 8 Centre Mall: City Centre to the corner of Broadway Avenue and 8th Street
• Route 13 (only available during peak periods)

The Festival is a ten day community celebration on Broadway Avenue that features several independent theatre shows, street entertainers, street vendors and food vendors. Attendance is estimated at around 55,000 people throughout the ten days with activities happening throughout the day and into the evenings.

For more information on the transit routes above please visit saskatoontransit.ca or plan your trip to the 2016 PotashCorp Fringe Theatre and Street Festival using Google Transit.      

After seven weeks of water main rehabilitation and streetscaping, Broadway Avenue from 11th Street to Main Street is scheduled to reopen this week for visitors and upcoming events. The roadway and sidewalks will be fully accessible Thursday, July 28 and, as usual, road restrictions are expected to be in place for the Fringe Festival. 

“Area business people and residents have a fresh look along Broadway to enjoy,” says Celene Anger, Director of Construction and Design. “Whether folks are visiting for a meal, shopping or a show, they will see continuous new pavement, new sections of sidewalk and upgraded streetscaping – literally on top of a more reliable and longer-lasting water main system.” 

Water main infrastructure in the area was approaching 100 years old and had been identified as one of the areas in the City requiring the most urgent attention. The replacement work required extensive excavation, traffic restriction and detours.

“So, the remaining work on Broadway Avenue south of Main Street will be completed over the next few weeks, with water main and road rehabilitation on adjacent streets occurring up until late September,” Anger says. “During this period, crews may be doing some touch-up work at night to limit further impact to the community.” 

The City is providing alternate parking for affected residents wherever possible, and visitors are asked to please obey temporary parking signage.

The Broadway Avenue Improvement Project was scheduled in phases to minimize the length of time access to businesses was impacted. Learn more at saskatoon.ca/broadway.  

8.1.3 Arena Partnership – Terms of the Contribution Agreement for Capital Funding Toward the U of S Proposed Twin Pad Ice Facility

Decision

*City Council approved the proposed terms of the Contribution Agreement for the 1 Million capital contribution to a twin pad ice facility on the University of Saskatchewan property.

Additional Information

*The proposed terms and conditions of the Contribution Agreement with the University of Saskatchewan are centered on ongoing community access, community engagement in the early stages of planning and scheduling, and a requirement for annual reporting back on community usage statistics.
*This supports the long-term strategies of supporting community-building through direct investment and ensuring existing and future leisure centres and other recreational facilities are accessible, physically and financially, and meet community needs.

8.3.2 Building Better Transit: An Asset Management Plan for Transit and Access Transit Fleet

Decision

*Administration will prepare and submit an application for funding under the Government of Canada’s Public Transit Infrastructure Fund for the purchase of new buses.
*Administration has been directed to proceed with an initial purchase of up to 15 low-floor buses and up to 5 Access Transit buses for a total cost of $8.6M using a cash-on-hand as an interim funding source.

Additional Information

*The replacement value of the City’s Transit bus fleet is $81.91M, and the replacement value of the Access Transit fleet is $3.38M.
*The funding plan to be used for the purchase of Transit and Access Transit buses includes funding from the federal programs and utility dividends. Cash on hand will be used in the interim, until program funding and approval is certain.

8.4.1 Solar Power Demonstration Project with Saskatchewan Polytechnic Memorandum of Agreement

Decision

*The City Solicitor will prepare a Memorandum of Agreement with Saskatchewan Polytechnic.

Additional Information

*At its meeting on July 23, 2015, City Council resolved that Administration prepare an MOA with the Saskatchewan Polytechnic for the development of a solar PV tracking system. Both parties have worked collaboratively to develop the MOA.
*The solar PV tracking system will be part of a long-term demonstration site of PV technologies and the evaluation of their associated cost and performance that will direct future deployment.

9.2.1 Inquiry – Costs to Deliver Meewasin Valley Authority Services

Decision

*City Council received the report (a response to a Council inquiry) as information.

Additional Information

*Meewasin is apparently under review by the Province. Due to uncertainty around the terms of this review, and how it may unfold, it is assumed that the legislation and the basic governance structure of Meewasin remain unchanged for the purposes of the report.
*Operating expenditures and capital investments are organized based on the core business areas of Meewasin, including administration, facilities, development review, planning and conservation, public programs, special projects, capital projects, and fundraising costs.
*There are some potential cost savings if the City and Province were to take over the duties or mandate of Meewasin, but much of these savings would be negated by losing the fundraising capability that an independent conservation agency currently enjoys. See the full report here. 

9.5.1 City of Saskatoon Municipal Manual 2016

Decision

*City Council received the manual.

Additional Information

*The 2016 Municipal Manual is available electronically here.
*The Municipal Manual is compiled by the City Clerk’s Office from numerous sources.
*The first Municipal Manual was published in 1913.
*The manual provides factual information, both historical and current, including a snapshot of the City’s political and administrative structure, as well as information regarding Civic boards, educational institutions, the health region and other organizations. The statistical information in the 2016 manual is current to the end of 2015.

11.1 Councillor D. Hill – Truth and Reconcilliation Commission Calls to Action Report

Decision

*Approved Motion: With respect to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls to Action report, would the administration report back on how to engage the community as a whole to name the pending new North Commuter Parkway in recognition of the TRC. This report will be in response to the TRC calls to action and specifically #79 which is…”Participate in a strategy to commemorate Aboriginal peoples’ history and contributions to Canada.”  The administration should keep the guidelines and intent of the naming advisory policy in mind while preparing the report.”

7.1.1 Request for Encroachment Agreement – 650 Broadway Avenue

Decision

*The Committee resolved the proposed encroachment at 650 Broadway Avenue be recognized and an encroachment agreement be prepared.

Background

*The report asks for approval for a future encroachment for the portions of the building foundation located at 650 Broadway Avenue.
*The proposed new building foundation and underground parking garage will encroach onto the 11th Street East sidewalk by up to 3.05 metres and onto Broadway Avenue by up to 3.06 metres.

7.2.2 Intersection Improvement Project Selection Process Policy

Decision

*The Committee recommended to City Council that the policy pertaining to the prioritization of intersections requiring traffic reviews be approved at the August 18 meeting.

Background

*The report is seeking approval of the policy to define the criteria and process used to select and prioritize intersections that require a traffic review for improvements to road safety conditions and/or operating conditions.
*A formal process has been developed to select and prioritize intersections requiring reviews based on crash rates, capacity of the intersection, and coordination with other initiatives.

7.2.4 Corridor Study Selection Process Policy

Decision

*The Committee recommends to City Council that the policy pertaining to the selection of corridors requiring transportation functional planning studies be approved at its meeting on August 18, 2016.

Background

*The report seeks approval of the policy to define the criteria and process used to select and prioritize arterial road corridors requiring transportation functional planning studies.
*A formal process has been developed to select and prioritize arterial road corridors for transportation functional planning studies based on crash rates, capacity of the corridor, and coordination with other initiatives.

7.2.7 Building Better Transit: an Asset management Plan for Transit and Access Transit Fleet

Decision

*The committee recommended to City Council:
-That Administration prepare and submit an application for funding under the Government of Canada’s Public Transit Infrastructure Fund for the purchase of new buses.
-That Administration be directed to proceed with an initial purchase of up to 15 low-floor buses and up to 5 Access Transit buses for a total cost of $8.6M using a cash-on-hand as an interim funding source as outlined in this report.

Background

*The replacement value of the City’s Transit bus fleet is $81.91M, and the replacement value of the Access Transit fleet is $3.38M.
*The funding plan to be used for the purchase of Transit and Access Transit buses includes funding from the federal programs and utility dividends. Cash on hand will be used in the interim, until program funding and approval is certain.

7.2.1 2017 Business Plan and Budget Process

Decision

*There were two reports under this item – 2016 Civic Services Survey and Public Engagement Results. The Committee referred both to the 2017 Business Plan and Budget deliberations.

Additional Information

*The 2016 Civic Services Survey and public engagement activities help shape the City’s 2017 Business Plan and Budget.
*This year’s Civic Services Survey shows overall satisfaction with the level of services provided by the City remains high and is significantly higher than in 2013. Since 2013, overall satisfaction increased by 5% for telephone respondents and 10% for online respondents.
*When the results of all engagement initiatives are combined, citizens generally support increases in service levels or an increase in spending on road maintenance. Besides road maintenance, there is also support for increases for affordable housing, transit, snow and ice management, and traffic management. 

The summer road building program will be moving forward with more night-time construction work.

“Night work is a major contributor to the progress we’ve made so far this season,” says Celene Anger, Director of Construction and Design. “It allows us to complete large projects quickly, with minimal disruption to commuters.”

This season, 229 lane kilometres will undergo road reconstruction, repaving or microsurfacing to extend the life of roadways.

“Construction season is going very well with crews completing approximately 36 lane kilometres of road rehabilitation to date,” Anger says. “This will increase significantly throughout July and August when our microsurfacing programs start.”

Night work is typically scheduled between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on high traffic streets in areas where construction noise will not disrupt residents.

Drivers can expect to see night work at these locations:

• Circle Drive northbound and southbound between 33rd Street and Avenue C
• Idylwyld Drive southbound from the Avenue C and 51st Street on-ramp to 39th Street
• Circle Drive and Idylwyld Drive overpass and ramps

“We’re very lucky we’re able to complete so many projects when there’s less traffic,” she says. “We tackle street sweeping, bridge washing, sewer projects and utility cut maintenance on high traffic streets at night, which is great for drivers.”

As always, safety is a priority with the City. We remind everyone to slow down, pay attention to signs, and respect work zones - day and night.

For more information and a full list of 2016 construction projects visit saskatoon.ca/betterroads.

City Council today approved the application for funding for the purchase of up to 15 low-floor buses and up to 5 Access Transit buses under the Government of Canada’s Public Transit Infrastructure Fund.

“Purchasing these buses allows Saskatoon Transit to continue our improvements in our fleet reliability and age,” says Clae Hack, Director of Finance. “Leveraging federal funding programs for the purchase of new buses helps Saskatoon Transit deliver high-quality, comfortable service riders expect and deserve.”

The purchase of up to 15 low-floor buses is an estimated total cost of $7.95 million and up to 5 Access Transit buses is an estimated total cost of $650,000. The new buses will be funded initially with cash-on-hand until the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund application is approved and received.

“This investment enables Transit to continue towards the goal of reducing the fleet’s average age from 11.9 years to 7.3 years,” Hack says. “Reducing the average age also results in lower maintenance costs and a smaller fleet size, because fewer spare buses are required.”

The new buses, expected to arrive in 2017, will provide riders with modern transportation solutions and a better overall riding experience.

7.1.1 Saskatchewan Crescent and 16th Street Slope Remediation – Update

Decision

*The Committee received the report as information.

Background

*In May 2014, tension cracks were noticed along the lower Meewasin Trail northeast of the 16th Street intersection, and in June 2014, a tension crack developed on the upper Meewasin Trail along Saskatchewan Crescent. In 2015, cracks appeared on the sidewalk and Saskatchewan Crescent. The slope continued to show signs of movement in April 2016 and Saskatchewan Crescent was closed to traffic on April 11.
*Based on geotechnical analysis and modelling, the installation of a retaining wall with “soldier piles and lagging” is the best option to remediate the Project Site and achieve an acceptable factor of safety.
*The next step is to complete the tender process for qualified companies. Construction is expected to begin in mid-August.

7.2.1 Solar Power Demonstration Project with Saskatchewan Polytechnic – Memorandum of Agreement

Decision

*The City Solicitor will prepare a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) in accordance with the terms set out in the report with Saskatchewan Polytechnic.

Background

*At its meeting on July 23, 2015, City Council resolved that Administration prepare an MOA with the Saskatchewan Polytechnic for the development of a solar PV tracking system. Both parties have worked collaboratively to develop the MOA.
*The solar PV tracking system will be part of a long-term demonstration site of PV technologies and the evaluation of their associated cost and performance that will direct future deployment.

7.2.4 Request for Proposal for the Provision of Absence Management and Disability Assistance Services

Decision

*The matter has been deferred and Administration will report at the appropriate time (one to two quarters into the pilot project), including comparative data within the project scope and current pilot project.

Background

*The City entered into a one year pilot program with Bridges Health for the facilitation of absence management and disability assistance services at Saskatoon Transit. The first quarter results have been received and are showing positive results. The Administration was recommending the issuance of a Request for Proposal seeking a service provider to provide ongoing absence management and disability assistance services for a three year period.

6.2.1 Meewasin Valley Authority Financial Statements

Decision

*The Committee received the Financial Statements as information and have forwarded them to the August 18, 2016 City Council meeting.

Background

*Section 80(2) of the MVA Act states a copy of the annual audit shall be furnished to each participating party and elected officials of the City of Saskatoon.
*The Financial Statements are available here: http://owl.li/VSJj302oYvN

7.2.6 Design and Construction Agreement for Repair and Renovation of the Mendel Building

Decision

*The Committee is forwarding a report to the July 21, 2016 City Council meeting in support of the recommendations.

Background

*Capital replacements and repairs are planned for the Mendel Building when it is vacated. High-priority items include remediation of asbestos, a new boiler, new sprinklers, replacement of the fire alarm system, and accessibility improvements.
*The Mendel Building requires capital replacements and repairs by the City prior to the commencement of operations by the Museum of their tenant area.
*The City and Museum have identified that there is an opportunity to achieve efficiencies by combining responsibilities under a single design and construction agreement.
*The committee is recommending to City Council that the City enter into a design and construction agreement to repair and renovate the Mendel Building with the Children’s Discovery Museum on the Saskatchewan Inc. based on the key terms set out in this report.
*That the City endorse submission of this combined project by the Children’s Discovery Museum to the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund.

5.2 Innovative Housing Incentives – Saskatchewan Housing Corporation – 2013 Baltzan Boulevard, 474 Boykowich Street, 1528 37th Street West

Decision

*The Committee is forwarding a report to City Council on August 18, 2016, in support of the recommendations.

Background

*The Saskatchewan Housing Corporation is building three affordable residential care homes, consisting of four bedrooms each, for placement of Valley View Centre residents.
*The affordable rental units qualify for financial incentives from the City, including a capital grant and a five-year incremental tax abatement.
*The Committee is recommending $108,000 of the total capital cost of the construction of 12 affordable rental units at 203 Baltzan Boulevard, 474 Boykowich Street, and 1528 37th Street West, by the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, to a maximum of $9,000 per unit, be approved.
*The Committee is also recommending a five-year tax abatement of the incremental property taxes, estimated at $18,349, for the 12 affordable rental units be applied, commencing the next taxation year, following the completion of construction.

6.3.2 Robin Hansen – Original Kinsmen Park Playground Closure

Decision

*The Committee has resolved that the matter be referred to Administration for a report at the August 15, 2016 PD&CS meeting. Additional correspondence and speakers have been referred to the same meeting to be heard at that time (there were letters received after the deadline for submission on new items.  The bylaw does not provide for late letters or requests to speak unless it relates to an Administrative report on the agenda).

Background

*Robin Hansen presented citizens wishes regarding the re-opening of Kinsmen Park Playground as well as a petition.

7.1.1 Dutch Elm Disease Response Plan Update

Decision

*The Committee received the report as information.

Background

*The report provided an update on the implementation of the Dutch Elm Disease Response Plan.
*There’s an estimated 100,000 elm trees on both public and private property within Saskatoon, valued at more than $500 million. A complete and accurate inventory of all elm trees is being developed to support comprehensive Dutch elm disease (DED) response strategies.
*A public awareness campaign is being implemented to help prevent the spread of DED by providing citizens with information about the urban forest, the provincial DED regulations, and the importance of reporting symptomatic trees. 
*Enhanced surveillance service levels have been established in 2016 and will help with early detection of DED, and limit the spread of this disease.
*Recommendations from the Urban Forestry Civic Service Review, which is currently underway, will identify initiatives that can potentially improve Urban Forestry’s tree maintenance and inventory service levels and improve the overall health of the City’s trees.

7.2.4 Designation of Permanent Off-Leash Recreation Area and Amendment to Animal Control Bylaw, 1999, No. 7860

Decision

*The Committee is forwarding a report to the August 18, 2016 meeting of City Council in support of the recommendations in the report.

Background

*The Committee is recommending City Council approve a permanent Off-Leash Recreation Area next to Mayfair Pool between Avenues F and G, and 31^st and 32^nd Streets.
*Since the Animal Services Program began in 2004, nine Off-Leash Recreation Areas have been created in Saskatoon.

The City and its project partners, Graham Commuter Partners (GCP), continue to make progress on the North Commuter Parkway and the new Traffic Bridge which will be complete in October 2018. A new project update video is now available.

The North Commuter Parkway will support the transportation needs of citizens who live in Saskatoon’s northeast and work in the Marquis and North Industrial Areas, reducing traffic on the city’s existing bridges. The new Traffic Bridge will support the growing city centre by allowing motorists, pedestrians and cyclists to cross the river between the downtown and residential areas in the south sector of the city. The new bridge will look similar to the old bridge, but will be wider to accommodate emergency vehicles. 

Traffic Bridge Update – July 2016

This month, concrete work on Pier 3 was completed. The pier is now able to support the installation of the new span expected later this summer. Work on the new south abutment was also completed and the south abutment walls are now being built. Construction on the north abutment has now begun. Renderings showing the design concept for the new pathways on the south side of the river were also released.

North Commuter Parkway Update – July 2016

Parkway Bridge

Crews continue construction on Pier 1 - the diaphragm for the pier has been poured and is being backfilled and the columns are being reinforced. Pier 1 construction will continue over the summer. Progress on earthworks for the east embankment of the bridge remains steady and in mid-July, pile driving for the east embankment will begin. Crews have also begun stripping and backfilling work on the west embankment. 

Parkway Roadways

Clearing and topsoil stripping for the new roadways is now complete and earthwork operations continue along McOrmond Drive and Central Avenue. Storm sewer construction for the new lanes of Central Avenue between Attridge Drive and Fedoruk Drive continues and should be complete in July, at which time overhead power lines will be relocated.

Work to improve the Attridge Drive and Central Avenue intersection continues and this work, as well the Marquis Drive and Wanuskewin Road intersection, should be complete by fall.

Traffic and Trails

Residents can continue to expect increased traffic at Marquis Drive and Wanuskewin Road as trucks haul materials to the bridge construction site. Traffic restrictions and lane closures remain in place to accommodate work at Central Avenue and Attridge Drive. Beginning in July, work will start at the intersection of the Marquis Drive and Wanuskewin Road. Citizens will be notified of traffic detours through the City’s Daily Road Report, road signage, and social media.

The Spadina Crescent detour the Broadway Bridge and 3^rd Avenue will remain in place until the end of the construction period. The Saskatchewan Crescent eastbound detour to 11^th Street and westbound detour to the Victoria Avenue on/off ramps will be in place until August 2016. Rotary Park and River Landing trail detours will continue through the construction period. Access to Crocus Prairie Trail from Central Avenue is closed until winter 2016. At times, the east sidewalk at Wanuskewin Road and Marquis Drive will be restricted for vehicle crossings

Ways to Watch Construction Progress

Anyone interested can keep an eye on construction progress on the City's website. The webpage, saskatoon.ca/bridging,  includes quarterly video updates, live project webcams, time lapse videos, and photographs. Construction viewing areas are also in place at River Landing, and from the Meewasin Trail located just east of the cul de sac at the north end of Kinnear Avenue (north of Silverwood Golf Course).

Stay Safe Near Construction Zones

Citizens are reminded to obey traffic and Meewasin Trail detours, and to respect all safety measures in place including site fencing and site markings. The City is also reminding pedestrians to stay clear of work areas near the construction sites.

Summer construction season is in full swing and hundreds of potholes and utility cuts are repaired across Saskatoon every day. Since April, the City has used 1,670 tonnes of asphalt to repair the equivalent of an estimated 100,900 potholes on city streets. Favourable weather and an early snow melt have contributed to quicker repairs than in previous years.

“Better roads is a top priority for residents and everyone can help by reporting potholes online,” says Trent Schmidt, Acting Director of Public Works. “We use the information to prioritize our repair locations and continue to improve our roads throughout the summer.”

In addition to pothole repairs, utility cut repairs are ahead of schedule with the backlog of outstanding repairs from winter work expected to be completed by mid-August.

“We’ve repaired more than 675 utility cut locations so far this season, compared to approximately 500 at this time last year.” says Schmidt. “We are not only repairing utility cuts faster, we are holding ourselves and contractors to higher quality standards.”

A utility cut is a straight-edged break in the pavement from an excavation to access underground utilities. Utility cuts are maintained with sand and gravel until they can be repaired with asphalt, and are often mistaken for large potholes.  

The City thanks everyone for respecting work zones and their patience as we repair potholes and utility cuts around Saskatoon. 

Residents are encouraged to use the City’s Report-A-Pothole Map to report potholes and to consult the Utility Cuts and Repair Schedule. For more information please visit saskatoon.ca/betterroads. Emergency road repairs can be reported by calling Public Works Customer Service at 306-975-2476.

At 4:00 p.m. today, the Water Security Agency removed restrictions for Arbor Creek, Erindale, Evergreen (with the exception of Pohorecky), Forest Grove, University Heights Suburban Centre and Willowgrove under its Precautionary Drinking Water Advisory after extensive testing confirmed the water in these areas is safe to drink.

The Pohorecky area in the Evergreen neighbourhood will remain under advisory, including Pohorecky Bay, Cove, Close, Crescent, Court, Lane, Place, Rise, Street, Terrace and Way until further flushing of the system produces water samples that meet the high quality standards of the provincial regulatory agency. Yellow Drinking Advisory doorhangers will be delivered to these affected addresses as soon as possible tonight; followed by a green lifted notice when the water is confirmed safe to drink.

“After repeated flushing of the distribution system, water samples taken on Pohorecky Drive in Evergreen tested positive for a bacterial growth that we don’t like to see in drinking water,” says Acting Director of Public Works Trent Schmidt. “While it is not a serious threat to public health, we maintain high quality standards for public consumption and any level is unacceptable.”

“We are pleased to have these results before the long weekend,” says Schmidt. “The six neighbourhoods under the Precautionary Drinking Water Advisory can safely drink their tap water after running their taps for at least one minute.”

Arbor Creek, Erindale, Evergreen (except for Pohorecky) Forest Grove, University Heights Suburban Centre and Willowgrove no longer need to boil tap water for consumption and can begin using the tap water as normal after the following steps are completed:

1. Run cold water faucets and drinking fountains for at least 1 minute before using the water.
2. Drain and flush the ice-making system in your refrigerator.
3. Run water softeners through a regeneration cycle.
4. Drain and refill hot water heaters set below 45°C (normal setting is 60°C).

Business and residents have been boiling water for consumption since Monday afternoon in Arbor Creek, Erindale, Evergreen, Forest Grove, University Heights Suburban Centre and Willowgrove, after a primary water main was damaged. The City has been providing daily updates by phone, email or text message to those in the affected area using the City’s Emergency Alert System, notifynow. This will be the primary communication tool once the advisory is lifted.

“We encourage people in the six affected neighbourhoods to pay attention to our notifynow alerts or check the status of the water advisory regularly at saskatoon.ca,” says Acting Director of Public Works, Trent Schmidt. “With Friday being Canada Day and a long weekend for many people, we are telling people now what they will need to do once they get the message.”

Once the Precautionary Drinking Water Advisory is lifted, affected areas will no longer need to boil tap water for consumption and begin using the tap water as normal after the following steps are completed:

1. Run cold water faucets and drinking fountains for at least 1 minute before using the water.
2. Drain and flush the ice-making system in your refrigerator.
3. Run water softeners through a regeneration cycle.
4. Drain and refill hot water heaters set below 45°C (normal setting is 60°C).

The Water Security Agency requires two sets of water samples from multiple representative locations in the affected area be laboratory tested and confirmed safe before ending the Precautionary Drinking Water Advisory. Results from the second set of tests will be available late Thursday.

Residents affected by the Drinking Water Advisory in six Saskatoon neighbourhoods – Arbor Creek, Erindale, Evergreen, Forest Grove, University Heights Suburban Center and Willowgrove – are asked to reach out to family and friends in unaffected areas for their potable water needs.

“We know most people will look after getting their own water and we’re hoping to make that a bit easier for residents,” says Assistant Fire Chief Anthony Tataryn. “Of course family, friends and employers in unaffected areas are encouraged to help where they can by allowing those people to fill jugs of potable water from their unaffected taps.”

For those who don’t have that resource, the City has organized water filling depots at Fire Station #9 on Attridge Drive and at Fire Station #5 on Central Avenue. Residents will be able to fill large, clean water jugs at these locations. 

Residents in affected areas are advised to:

• Boil all water used for drinking or activities where it may be ingested (brushing teeth, washing fruit and vegetables, making ice cubes, etc.).
• Use an alternative water source known to be safe if you do not wish to boil tap water.
• Consult saskatoon.ca for more updates and tips.

For residents who require extra support in meeting their drinking water needs, bottled water will be available at Fire Stations #5 and #9.

“We want everyone to help each other as much as possible,” Tataryn says. “So, if you are able to get a water supply from an unaffected area, please go that route. We want to keep the Fire Stations open for the folks who may not have that as an option.”

The Water Security Agency issued a Precautionary Drinking Water Advisory for several neighbourhoods Monday afternoon, after a private contractor damaged a primary water main near McOrmond Drive, which in turn depressurized the water distribution system.

The advisory is expected to be in place until at least Thursday, once laboratory tests confirm the water is safe to drink.

Due to the size and scope of the advisory area, NotifyNow will be used on a daily basis to provide updates to people in affected areas using public phone numbers or contact information provided by subscribers until the Drinking Water Advisory is lifted.

Also, everyone can stay informed with timely Water Outage Service Alerts on our website and @YXEServiceAlert on Twitter.

Public Works and Saskatoon Water have been dealing with an urgent situation in the city’s northeast.

A contractor working on a private land development punctured a 42” Primary Water Main which resulted in significant depressurization in the neighbourhoods on the east side of the river, north of College Drive and east of Central Ave.

West side neighbourhoods are not affected.

The break was isolated at 1:15 p.m. and water service and pressure is currently returning to normal. In the meantime, and as safeguard, a Drinking Water Advisory is in effect for the above mentioned areas.

Right now, City staff are checking the system and conducting water quality tests. In addition, Saskatoon Water is performing computer modelling to determine the extent of the area affected.

NotifyNow will be used to advise affected customers and citizens of the DWA and where to find further information.

Water Outage service alerts will be issued as more information becomes available. Visit saskatoon.ca/service-alerts and follow @YXEServiceAlert on Twitter.

As the City continues its planning toward a population of half-a-million, Saskatoon Transit has finalized routing for the 8th Street corridor and surrounding areas, which will be implemented July 3, 2016.

“This is an exciting step into the future,” says Jim McDonald, Director of Saskatoon Transit. “These changes will allow us to offer high-frequency service along 8th Street which is the first step toward implementing Bus Rapid Transit.”

Transit riders will notice changes to many existing routes, including the addition of five new routes, adjustments to 22 existing routes and the retirement of six current routes. The 2016 route adjustments will allow Saskatoon Transit to provide 7.5 minute frequency along 8th Street during morning and afternoon peak periods and 10 minute frequency during off-peak times on weekdays. Transit will provide 30 minute frequency during evenings, on weekends and statutory holidays.

These service changes should allow for more convenience and a quicker daily commute for east-side customers traveling to-and-from downtown. It should drastically reduce wait times and missed connections along the 8th Street corridor. These service changes also support our new model of citizen service under Service Saskatoon.

“We are implementing transit industry best practices and working with existing resources to introduce higher-frequency service along major corridors” McDonald says.  “We’ve ended some pilot-project routes and understand adjustments to existing routes may mean a change in routine and may mean a few extra minutes on the bus, but these changes will be beneficial to the overall transit system and the majority of bus riders.” 

All new routing and schedules are available at saskatoontransit.ca and at the Transit Customer Service Centre. Customers are now able to plan their trip online through Google Transit with the routing that will be introduced on July third.

“To make sure this transition goes smoothly we’re strongly encouraging riders to check route changes now to see how this will affect their commute” he says. “Knowing before you go is the best way for riders to avoid confusion on July third.”                           

Saskatoon Transit riders will notice six new buses on city streets in the coming days. The new buses are part of Saskatoon Transit’s Fleet Renewal Strategy, which will improve rider experiences while decreasing operating costs.

“These buses are fully accessible, contain the latest Intelligent Transportation System technology and are more fuel efficient,” says Jim McDonald, Director of Saskatoon Transit. “They have more comfortable ergonomically-designed seating, improved lighting, automated announcements, air conditioning and a darker floor which will reduce windshield glare for our operators.”

These buses are the first of 10 to arrive; four remaining buses are expected to be delivered in July. Upgrading the transit fleet with new buses instead of buying refurbished models reduces the annual fleet cost by about $200,000 a year. Saskatoon Transit will soon place an order for 10 more buses for a July 2017 delivery.   

“It just makes better financial sense to update our fleet and it helps us deliver high-quality, comfortable service that Saskatoon residents expect and deserve,” says McDonald. “We’ve seen a savings of $60,000 a year in fuel costs because of the new buses purchased over the last five years.   We anticipate more savings as we replace older buses with new ones.”

Over the next 10 years, Transit will:

• Reduce its average bus age from 11.9 to 7.3 years, which will reduce maintenance costs and the size of the fleet because  fewer “spares” are required;
• Ensure every bus meets accessibility standards by 2018;
• Offer air conditioning and other improved amenities on every bus; and
• Increase capacity on busy routes by tripling the number of articulating buses.

Overall, it’s expected the new buses will provide riders with modern transportation solutions and a better overall riding experience. 

For the June 27, 2016 Regular Meeting of City Council

8.1.2 Vacant Lot and Adaptive Reuse Incentive Program – Gardens as an Interim Use

*City Council will be asked to approve the proposed amendments to the Vacant Lot and Adaptive Reuse Incentive Program Policy.

Additional Information

*At the May 30, 2016 meeting of the SPC on Planning, Development and Community Services, presentations were received expressing support for the proposed amendment and further urban food production opportunities.
*Administration has worked with community stakeholders to amend the Vacant Lot and Adaptive Reuse Program (VLAR) to help address food security in Saskatoon.
*The Administration recommends the VLAR Program be amended to include incentives for garden plots on vacant land as an interim use.
*The incentive will be in the form of a cash grant equal to 50% of the annual value of the municipal property taxes to a maximum of $500 per year for residential properties, and $1,200 per year for non-residential sites, for up to five years.
*Non-profit organizations may have on-site sales of produce in residential areas in compliance with the garage sale provisions of the Zoning Bylaw No. 8770.
*The establishment of a garden on a vacant lot will not affect the opportunity for future incentives under the VLAR Program when the lot becomes developed.

8.3.3 Functional Planning Study – Interchange Highways 11 & 16 – Award of Contract

*The SPC on Transportation is recommending that the City enter into an agreement with ISL Engineering and Land Services Ltd. for the provision of engineering services to complete a Functional Planning Study of the interchange at Highways 11 & 16 at a total cost of $160,183 (including taxes).

Additional Information

*The junction of Highways 11 & 16 is currently operating as a 1960’s era cloverleaf interchange. Both highways are considered National and Provincial primary routes and any future interchange will require a system-level interchange function and need to be flexible for conversion to an urban service-level interchange in the future. The Stonebridge partial interchange, scheduled for completion in the fall of 2016, will attract additional traffic through the cloverleaf interchange.
*This project was approved in the 2016 Capital Budget.
*Over the past 5 years 39 collisions have occurred within the existing interchange; additionally, 1 to 3 collisions involving the structure and over-height loads occur in a typical year.
*The focus of this review is a detailed engineering study of the existing and future traffic demands at this junction and the geometric improvements required to improve the safety and operation of this interchange.

8.3.8 Active Transportation Plan

*City Council will be asked:

1. To recognize and approve, in principle, the long-term benefits of the vision, goals, targets, and key directions of the Active Transportation Plan;
2. That the Active Transportation Plan be implemented in a phased, incremental
approach, requiring specific implementation plans in five-year increments; and
3. That the Administration report back with an implementation plan for the period of 2017 to 2021 with specific action items, funding and staffing resources identified.

Additional Information

*The Active Transportation Plan (ATP) was guided by community input, a vision, and goals; targets for active transportation have been developed, along with key directions and action items to improve active transportation facilities, policies and standards, support programs, and education and awareness initiatives over the next 30 to 40 years.
*Based on feedback during the early rounds of public engagement, the ATP includes a target to double the proportionate daily walking and cycling trips by the year 2045.
*The ATP contains an 80-point action plan organized around the themes of Connectivity, Safety and Security, Convenience, Land Use and Growth, Maintenance and Accessibility, and Education and Awareness. Actions have been prioritized in the short-, medium-, and long-term, and quick wins (actions that can be implemented in the next one to two years) have been identified.
*Following City Council approval in principle, a five-year implementation plan with specific action items, funding, and staffing resources will be created and brought to City Council for review.

8.4.2 2015 Safety Performance and Absenteeism Report

*City Council will be asked that the Board of Police Commissioners be requested to provide additional information on its action plans to reduce lost time injury and frequency.

Additional Information:

*The purpose of the Safety Performance Report is to provide a summary of the major activities in 2015, review the results of the City’s Safety Performance for 2015, identify strategies for improvement, as well as identify supporting initiatives to achieve the Corporate Performance target of zero lost-time incidents by 2023.
*The purpose of the Absenteeism report is to review absenteeism rates and costs, identify trends, as well as opportunities for improvement.
*Additional information can be found in this report: https://apps2.saskatoon.ca/tpapp/eamm_public/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=14357

9.6.3 Designation of Fred Mendel Park Off-Leash Recreation Area

*City Council will be asked to consider Bylaw No. 9387, The Animal Control Amendment Bylaw, 2016.

Additional Information

*At its meeting on May 24, 2016, City Council considered a report requesting approval to establish 1.28 acres as an off-leash recreation area within Fred Mendel Park and to instruct the City Solicitor to amend Bylaw No. 7860, The Animal Control Bylaw, 1999. It was later reported by the Recreation & Community Development Division that the size of the proposed off-leash recreation area had been subsequently adjusted to 1.22 acres.

9.11.1 Report from the Saskatoon Municipal Review Commission Remuneration Committee

*The Saskatoon Municipal Review Commission Remuneration Committee is making a number of recommendations. They are listed here: https://apps2.saskatoon.ca/tpapp/eamm_public/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=14371

Additional Information

*Additional information can be found in this report: https://apps2.saskatoon.ca/tpapp/eamm_public/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=14372

More than an estimated 2000 people of all ages and cultures, including religious, school, and community, participated in a Day of Reconciliation celebration in Victoria Park today. 

Participants celebrated their unique cultural heritage by wearing or holding symbols of their culture or organizations during the “Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation”.

The Day of Reconciliation continued with activities and entertainment in the park. In the spirit of Reconciliation goals, participants had an opportunity to listen to the stories of survivors and their families; learn about our history and about residential schools, in a safe, open and accessible environment; show-up to support Reconciliation in our community; and to share their personal responses to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls to Action.

In response to the TRC Calls to Action, the City of Saskatoon, Office of the Treaty Commissioner, Saskatoon Tribal Council, Central Urban Metis Federation Inc., along with 29 supporting organizations, planned a month-long series of events to promote Reconciliation in Saskatoon. The events educated, engaged and inspired citizens on what it means to reconcile and find their own call to action.

For more information, visit saskatoon.ca/reconciliation, www.OTC.ca or phone the Office of the Treaty Commissioner at 306-244-2100.

The City of Saskatoon’s commitment to the TRC’s Calls to Action supports the City’s Corporate Strategic Goal of Quality of Life by identifying actions for enhancing Aboriginal well-being and participation in our community.

From the June 20, 2016 meeting

8.1.1 Communications Support to Councillors – Update

Decision

*The report provided the Committee with a usage update from January 1-May 31. It was received as information.

Additional Information

*An updated tabulation of City Councillor communications allowance usage can be found here: http://owl.li/Gv4g301wTnN
*An updated tabulation of the Mayor’s communications allowance usage can be found here: http://owl.li/Tr0h301wUTR

8.1.2 2016 Local Government Elections – Appointment of Returning Officer

Decision

*The report was received as information.

Additional Information

*Ms. Catherine Folkersen has been appointed Returning Officer effective May 26, 2016, for the 2016 Local Government Elections.
*In April, City Council passed Bylaw No. 9370, The Returning Officer Appointment Bylaw, 2016.
*The Returning Officer is to perform all duties and functions prescribed under The Local Government Election Act, 2015 as well as related administrative duties in accordance with the Act, bylaws and policies of the City.

8.2.4 2016 Local Government Elections – Establishment of Special Polls (Hospitals and Special Care Facilities)

Decision

*The recommendations outlined in the report are being forwarded to City Council for approval.

Additional Information

*City Council will be asked to approve:
-establishment of Special Polls, conducted as Advance Polls on Tuesday, October 18, 2016, and Wednesday, October 19, 2016.
-Approval of the establishment of Special Polls conducted on Election Day, October 26, 2016.
-Authorization for the Returning Officer to make any changes or additions to the dates or times that may become necessary to accommodate the needs of the Special Polls.
-That a mail-in ballot provision be available to voters in hospitals, personal care facilities, or similar institutions in accordance with the established mail-in ballot voting system, and the use of mail-in ballots at these locations be facilitated by delivering the ballots to the facility.

8.2.5 Appointment of Bylaw Officer

Decision

*The recommendation outlined in report is being forwarded to City Council for approval.

Additional Information

*The committee recommends Bylaw No. 7340, The Bylaw Enforcement Officers Bylaw, be amended to facilitate the appointment of a new bylaw enforcement officer responsible for prosecuting municipal bylaw offences and representing the City of Saskatoon before a justice of the peace or a judge of the Provincial Court of Saskatchewan in the prosecution of anyone charged with a contravention of a bylaw.

Saskatoon Light & Power crews responded to restore power to several city neighbourhoods following a cascading outage which originated on the city’s east side.

“It all started at 2:33 p.m. when a large poplar tree branch fell onto one of our main high-voltage transmission lines near Taylor Street and Preston Avenue,” says Trevor Bell, Director of Saskatoon Light & Power (SL&P).  “The branch tripped out the eastern portion of our transmission ring serving the city.  It caused power to go out at 18 of our 23 substations.  This affected the east side, north end, the northern portion of downtown and some other areas.”

Bell says crews responded immediately and trimmed back tree branches.  While they worked, SL&P restored power to much of downtown within 14 minutes at 2:47 p.m.

“Once it was safe to do so, we started re-energizing the rest of the city,” Bell says.  “Most areas had been restored within 42 minutes by about 3:15 p.m. and the last few customers were restored within an hour by 3:33 p.m.”

City staff used social media channels to inform the public about the outage and provided updates on Twitter and Facebook.  City staff will investigate why an off-site back-up system for City Hall failed to support the website.  Meanwhile, users were directed to a City blog for website outage information.

Basic website service has been restored; service alerts will continue to be issued as needed.

The City of Saskatoon is encouraging residents to choose to do one little green thing - to help make a big green difference!

Choose to say goodbye to your traditional paper utility bill, and make the choice to rush and go green by signing up for eBill paperless utility billing,  it’s better for the environment and more convenient for you!

“If the City gained ten per cent more customers on eBill, we could save approximately 513 kilograms of paper per year,” says Shelley Sutherland, Director of Corporate Revenue.  “Any time we can use less paper and leave less of a carbon footprint savings add up. Our eBill service has always been a customer focused initiative, but it’s also an environmental initiative for the City as we are all committed to savings, service and sustainability.”

All new customers who sign up for eBill up until November 30, 2016 will be entered into the eBill Contest. There are two planned draws: an early bird draw on October 1, 2016  for (1) Samsung digital tablet, and a grand prize draw December 1, 2016 for a pair of 2017 Season Tickets to the Saskatchewan Rush Lacrosse Club. 

All valued utility bill customers presently on eBill are automatically entered into the eBill Contest.

“Our goal is to increase the number of residents participating in eBill by at least ten per cent this year,” Sutherland says. “We are confident our new promotional campaign featuring the many faces of Bill – our fun new eco-green emoji-like character - and the chance to win great prizes, will encourage residents to choose eBill right from the start of their utility hook-up, or to switch over to eBill if they’re presently on paper-billing.”

Choosing eBill instead of traditional paper billing, reduces paper clutter and a need to file. eBill is easy to use, secure and gives customers 24/7 access to their utility account history and current consumption charges. eBill customers also receive an email notification when their bill is ready for online viewing at My Utility Account on the City’s website, saskatoon.ca.

It’s easy to sign up for your ebill!  So rush – get in to win and go green today!

Visit saskatoon.ca/ebillrush to get started.

From the June 13, 2016 meeting

7.1.1 Transit IT Roadmap Update

Decision

*The committee received the report as information.

Background

*The report provides an interim update on the progress of three Transit IT initiatives introduced in February.
*A new service for Access Transit designed to decrease cancellation rates is on target for completion by October 2016.
*The initial phase of implementing a Business Intelligence initiative to facilitate the goal of increasing Transit ridership is on target for completion by June 30, 2016.
*The initial phase of implementing service improvements designed to enhance the real-time Open Data available to our citizens is on target for completion by June 30, 2016.

7.1.2 2015 Safety Performance and Absenteeism Report

Decision

*The committee received the report and recommend to City Council that the Board of Police Commissioners provide additional information on its action plans to reduce loss time injury and frequency.

Background

*Incidents of injury/illness from the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) decreased from 121 in 2014 to 102 in 2015. However, productive hours lost due to these injuries have increased from 19,016 to 21,236 hours.
*In 2015, the City and COS achieved a historical low for lost-time injury frequency of 3.70. This is a 20% decrease from the 2014 reported lost-time injury frequency of 4.60.
*In 2015, the COS total, as well as the City (18%), Boards (10%) and Police (25%), had reductions in lost-time injuries.
*There was an overall decrease of 11% in injury severity and the number of work days lost per 100 employees for COS.
*Overall, average days lost to absenteeism, total hours of absenteeism, and total costs of absenteeism was reduced in 2015. The City’s average days lost is below the Statistics Canada public sector.
*The majority of absenteeism is driven by short-term absences at 64% of total cost. Incidents of short-term absences continue to increase at the City.
*Costs, hours and incidents of medium-term absences continue to decrease over the last few years.

7.1.3 2015 Overtime Utilization Report

Decision

*The committee received the report as information.

Background

*Total overtime as a percentage of earnings has been trending downward since 2013. Overtime as a percentage of earnings is 5.33% (2015) down from 5.87% in 2014.
*The City has a number of services where fluctuations in workload is managed through overtime, such as demand (eg. transit services and light & power) and seasonal (eg. snow removal and road repairs).
*Fourteen job classifications (approximately 1,140 employees) accounted for 48% of the overtime amount.
*Average overtime decreased in 2015 by 9.2% from 5.87% (2014) to 5.33% (2015).

7.1.4 Saskatoon Light & Power 2015 Annual Report

Decision

*The committee received the report and resolved the Administration report on information regarding grants-in-lieu from other non-city utilities.

Background

*Our Customers – Electrical service reliability in 2015 was better than the Urban Average reported by member utilities in the Canadian Electricity Association.
*Our Finances – Saskatoon Light & Power provided a Return on Investment of $23,059,700 and paid Grants-in-Lieu of Taxes in the amount of $20,483,200, for a total financial benefit to the City of Saskatoon (City) of $43,542,900.
*Our People – There were four lost time injuries in 2015 for a total of 21.96 days.
*Our Work – Capital funding of $19,238,000 was provided to 35 capital projects.
*Our Environment – Saskatoon Light & Power began installing LED lights for all new development areas, reducing the amount of energy consumed. The Landfill Gas Power Station was in full operation in 2015 and a Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Demonstration project was initiated with two local partners.
*Our Challenges – Saskatoon Light & Power will focus on asset renewal in 2016 and report to City Council with an asset management report.

7.2.5 Martensville Wastewater Update

Decision

*The Committee is recommending to City Council:

1. That the Administration be directed to continue working towards a service agreement with the City of Martensville for the provision of wastewater and water services as outlined in the report; and
2. That the Administration report further with details on the final proposed agreement and rate structure.

Background

*In February 2014, City Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding for providing wastewater and water services between Martensville and Saskatoon.
*The City of Martensville has applied to the federal government for infrastructure funding to construct a wastewater and additional water supply line connected to the City. If approved, it is anticipated that the project could be completed by 2019.
*Martensville will continue to use their existing lagoon to buffer wastewater flows and convey wastewater to Saskatoon during off-peak hours at night.
*A number of shared principles will ensure that utility rates for water and wastewater between the two cities will remain on a level field. Martensville rates will continue to be higher than those in Saskatoon and off-site levy rates for water and wastewater will be charged at a comparable rate.
*If all required approvals are received, this project is anticipated to be tendered in 2017, with construction in the 2018 to 2019 construction seasons.

From the June 13, 2016 meeting

7.1.1 On-Street Paid Parking Time Zone Change

Decision

*The Committee received the report as information and will recommend to City Council at its June 27 meeting that a 3-hour parking limit be implemented in the Downtown, Broadway, and Sutherland BIDS with a report back in one year.   

Background

*Preliminary discussions took place with the BIDs to determine support for an increase to paid parking time zones.
*Additional discussions with the BIDs and other stakeholders are required before comprehensive implementation of three-hour time limits can be assessed.
*Consideration could be given to implementing three-hour time zones, in selected areas, as a first step.

7.1.2 Issuance of River Landing Parkade Request for Proposals

Decision

*The Committee resolved that the Administration issue a Request for Proposals for the River Landing Parkade based on the terms outlined in the report.

Background

*In November 2009, City Council approved, in principle, the development of the Art Gallery of Saskatchewan at the Destination Centre site in River Landing.
*In June 2011, City Council resolved that the underground parkade would pay its annual operating costs, contribute to the building costs for a portion of the first floor atrium, contribute to a portion of the land costs, and to fully fund the debenture.
*Within the new River Landing Parkade, there are approximately 155 public parking spaces.
*The City is seeking the services of an experienced parkade operator to run the parking program.
*The River Landing Parkade is mandated to eventually be self-sufficient through its operations.

7.1.3 North Commuter Parkway and Traffic Bridge – Traffic Bridge South Pathways

Decision

*The Committee resolved that the report be forwarded to City Council for information.

Background

*The report is an update regarding the detailed design for the pathways on the south side of the Traffic Bridge into Rotary Park.
*The Project Agreement (PA) includes technical requirements to be met by the design being prepared by Graham Commuter Partners (GCP) for all aspects of the project, which includes a requirement to provide direct pathway connections from the Traffic Bridge down into Rotary Park.
*Based on GCP’s bridge concept, this will include 3.0 m wide pathways on each side of Victoria Avenue extending down the new bridge embankment at a maximum 5% grade and connecting to the existing Meewasin Trail.
*GCP has completed review of this design with the CPTED committee and is proceeding to the Meewasin Valley Authority to complete Development Review in July/August 2016.

7.2.1 Active Transportation Plan

Decision

*The committee recommended the following to City Council:

1. That City Council recognize and approve, in principle, the long-term benefits of the vision, goals, targets, and key directions of the Active Transportation Plan (ATP);
2. That the ATP be implemented in a phased, incremental approach, requiring specific implementation plans in five-year increments; and
3. That the Administration report back with an implementation plan for the period of 2017 to 2021 with specific action items, funding and staffing resources identified.

Background

*The ATP was guided by community input, a vision, and goals; targets for active transportation have been developed, along with key directions and action items to improve active transportation facilities, policies and standards, support programs, and education and awareness initiatives over the next 30 to 40 years.
*Based on feedback during the early rounds of public engagement, the ATP includes a target to double the proportionate daily walking and cycling trips by the year 2045.
*The ATP contains an 80-point action plan organized around the themes of Connectivity, Safety and Security, Convenience, Land Use and Growth, Maintenance and Accessibility, and Education and Awareness. Actions have been prioritized in the short-, medium-, and long-term, and quick wins (actions that can be implemented in the next one to two years) have been identified.
*Following City Council approval in principle, a five-year implementation plan with specific action items, funding, and staffing resources will be created and brought to City Council for review.

7.2.2 Taxi Meter Rates

Decision

*The Committee recommended the following to City Council:

1. That the Taxi Bylaw be amended to include the taxi industry’s request to increase the taxi meter rate by 6% effective August 1, 2016;
2. That the Taxi Bylaw be amended to include a transaction fee of up to $0.90 per direct debit transaction;
3. That the City Solicitor be requested to amend the Taxi Bylaw; and
4. That at the time this report is before City Council, the Administration include information quantifying the rate increases.

Background

*Taxi meter rate increase requests come forward from the taxi industry based on its expertise which includes immediate and complete knowledge of the market, industry expenses and profit margins.
*The taxi industry is requesting a rate increase of approximately 6% which will amount to $0.75 per 5 kilometer ride.
*The last rate increase was approved by City Council in May 2011. The Taxi Cost Index has increased by an average of 6.3% over the past 24 months. 

To promote Reconciliation at work, home, and play, the City of Saskatoon, Office of the Treaty Commissioner, Saskatoon Tribal Council, Central Urban Metis Federation Inc., along with 29 supporting organizations, are challenging residents to share their personal contributions to Reconciliation calls to action with their Facebook friends and twitter followers on using #ReconciliationSK.

Share a selfie showing your response to either of the questions below on Facebook and Twitter using #ReconciliationSK:

• What does Reconciliation mean to you?
• ​What is your Call to Action?

Template signs are available at www.OTC.ca or Saskatoon.ca/reconciliation.

Other ways to get involved with Reconciliation Saskatoon on social media:

• Read for Reconciliation - Browse the Saskatoon Library’s reading list: saskatoonlibrary.ca/reconciliation and choose a title that interests you. Option to post/tweet: “I commit to #Read4Reconciliation by reading xtitlex #ReconciliationSK”.

• Lend your voice to the Vision of Reconciliation - Read, share and comment on the Community’s Vision for Reconciliation at www.otc.ca.

• Visit our Facebook event page to say you’re attending National Aboriginal Day & Day of Reconciliation (June 21 - 22): share the event on Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag #RockYourRoots

• Tweet about Reconciliation using the hashtag #ReconciliationSK and “Like”, “Favourite” or retweet posts.

The City of Saskatoon’s commitment to the TRC’s Calls to Action supports the City’s Corporate Strategic Goal of Quality of Life by identifying actions for enhancing Aboriginal well-being and participation in our community.

The City of Saskatoon today announced its construction zone safety campaign, Respect Work Zones, urging drivers to obey signs and follow posted detours while passing construction zones this summer.

“Respecting a work zone is not just about slowing down, it’s obeying posted signage,” says Angela Gardiner, Director of Transportation. “We rely on the participation of drivers to keep workers safe. A variety of measures have been used on our side to ensure everyone’s safety; we count on drivers to meet us the rest of the way by obeying signs and staying out of work zones.”

Through programs like enhanced work zone setups, public education and increased safety training for our workers, the City has been able to record its lowest level of lost-time injuries for city workers in 2015. This shows safety is a top priority in work done by City employees for citizens, a trend that is the result of an increasingly successful safety culture. 

At times construction work may appear halted or complete, but construction signs and barriers are kept in place where the roads are hazardous to drivers. Projects that include night work have signs and speed reductions around work zones that remain in place 24 hours a day. It’s important to obey signage even when there are no vehicles or workers present and never enter a work zone or drive past signage even if it appears complete or inactive.

“The wellbeing of our employees is a priority in everything we do’” says Gardiner. “The Respect Work Zones campaign is an important message as we continue to build better roads. The work zone signs are there for your protection. And ours.

This year, through the Building Better Roads program, $59 million is being invested to build, maintain and repair more roads than ever before, which means more construction zones. Respecting these work zones will allow crews to focus on the job and safely complete this summer’s projects.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information and subscribe to Traffic Detour Service Alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert.

Each year, the Project Management Institute, North Saskatchewan Chapter (PMI-NSC) recognizes one project that best demonstrates exceptional performance, leadership and delivers significant value and return on investment for the customer.  This year, the City of Saskatoon’s Neighbourhood Traffic Review program was awarded this prestigious honour for its community-wide approach to resolving traffic issues that is built around finding solutions through engagement with residents.                                                                                                                

“Rather than looking at each traffic issue individually, we take a step back and consider the traffic movements, safety requirements and culture within the entire community,” explains Angela Gardiner, Acting General Manager of Transportation and Utilities. “We encourage people to take an active role in the traffic review process for their neighbourhood so we can hear about issues that matter to them.”

A typical neighbourhood traffic review is a complex, year-long process aimed at improving the quality of life in the neighbourhood by making adjustments to how people use local and collector streets. The process begins with community meetings to collect feedback on issues such as speed, pedestrian safety, traffic volume and short cutting. In addition, residents can also provide feedback through online forums.

Studies are then conducted to measure vehicular speed, traffic volume and pedestrian usage, which are analyzed and used to develop recommendations presented for feedback by residents. The City completes eight neighbourhood traffic reviews each year.

“Each Saskatoon neighbourhood is unique and this approach allows us to get right to the core of the issue,” says Gardiner. “Our approach values the feedback of the people who are using the area every day to help solve the issue.”

The City was presented with the “Project of the Year” award today at the PMI-NSC Annual General Meeting.  

Learn more about the City’s engagement process at saskatoon.ca/shapingsaskatoon

Mayor Donald Atchison today condemned the attack at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida.

"I was shocked and saddened at the tragedy in Orlando, Florida. Once again the world stands united against an act of terrorism and hate.  Today we grieve for the victims and offer our condolences to their families and friends.  Our thoughts and prayers are also with those who are in the hospital recovering from the attack."

“Members of the LGBTQ2 community, those with different religious beliefs, or ethnicity should be safe in our communities.  Acts of terrorism and hate must not divide us rather we must unite as a community against them."

Flags on civic buildings, already at half-mast, will now take on additional significance.  The City of Saskatoon will follow the protocols established by the Government of Saskatchewan and the Government of Canada to determine timing.

Lost-time injuries for City workers were at the lowest-recorded level in 2015, while overall average days lost to absenteeism also continued to decline and remain well below the national average for public sector employees.

“We are encouraged with the positive direction reflected in this report,” says Catherine Gryba, General Manager of Corporate Performance.  “We always look for ways to be more efficient and at the same time make health and safety a top priority in the work we do for our citizens.”

The results highlighting successes in health, safety and absenteeism are outlined in a report to be presented June 13, 2016 to the Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services.

The report* to the Committee shows:

-Incidents of injury/illness from the Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) decreased from 121 in 2014 to 102 in 2015. 
-In 2015, lost-time injuries reached the lowest recorded frequency of 3.70 lost time days.  This is a 20% decrease from the 2014 reported lost-time injury frequency of 4.60.
-In 2015, the COS total, as well as the City (18%), Boards (10%) and Police (25%), had reductions in lost-time injuries.
-There was an overall decrease of 11% in injury severity and resultant number of work days lost per 100 employees for COS.
-Overall, for all civic employees, average days lost to absenteeism, total hours of absenteeism, and total costs of absenteeism was reduced in 2015.  The City’s average days lost is below the Statistics Canada public sector.
-Costs, hours and incidents of medium-term absences (more than 10 days and not long-term disability) continue to decrease over the last few years. 
-The majority of absenteeism is driven by short-term absences at 64% of total cost.  Incidents of short-term absences continue to increase at the City.

“These trends are the result of an increasingly successful safety culture at the City that values the wellbeing of our employees,” Gryba says.  “The trends also demonstrate everyone working for the City of Saskatoon wants to make safety a key aspect of civic operations – from beginning to end.”

Proper management of absenteeism supports the City’s Strategic Goal of Continuous Improvement and being the best-managed city in Canada.

*Throughout the Committee report, the City of Saskatoon (City) is used to denote all areas that are under the direction of the City Manager.  COS is used to denote the overall grouping of the City of Saskatoon, Saskatoon Police Service and the civic Boards. The Boards are comprised of the Saskatoon Public Library, Mendel Art Gallery (Remai Modern), SaskTel Centre and TCU Place.

Another piece of Saskatoon’s Bridging to Tomorrow project was unveiled during today’s Standing Policy Committee on Transportation. The committee was presented with a rendering of what the pathways on the south side of the new Traffic Bridge will look like.

“The rendering shows three meter wide pathways on each side of Victoria Avenue extending down the new bridge embankment and connecting to the existing Meewasin Trail,” said Dan Willems, Director of Major Projects. “The design concept will provide greatly increased functionality by enhancing pedestrian and cyclist access between the new Traffic Bridge and the Meewasin Trail in Rotary Park.”

The City’s Bridging to Tomorrow contractor, Graham Commuter Partners (GCP), will formally submit the design to the Meewasin Valley Authority over the summer months to complete Development Review. The new pathway connections will be completed with the new bridge, which remains scheduled to be complete in October 2018.

Anyone can follow Bridging to Tomorrow construction progress at saskatoon.ca/bridging. The webpage includes video updates, photos, and live webcams showing construction of the new Traffic Bridge and North Commuter Parkway. Construction viewing areas are also in place at River Landing and on the Meewasin Trail just north of the GCP construction trailer site, and from the Meewasin Trail located just east of the cul-de-sac at the north end of Kinnear Avenue (north of Silverwood Golf Course).

City Administration will be presenting the final Active Transportation Plan (ATP) report to City Council’s Standing Policy Committee on Transportation on Monday, June 13, 2016, requesting that the report be forwarded to City Council for approval, in principle, of the long-term benefits and key directions outlined in the plan.

“The ATP was developed with broad input from residents and stakeholders and establishes a long-term vision for active transportation in Saskatoon that complements the City’s Growth Plan to Half a Million (Growth Plan),” says Alan Wallace, Director of Planning and Development.  “Guided by community input, a vision, and goals, targets for active transportation have been developed, along with key directions and action items to improve active transportation facilities, policies and standards, support programs, and education and awareness initiatives over the next 30 to 40 years.”

Some of the key directions and action items included in the ATP are to:

1. address gaps in sidewalks, shared pathways and cycling facilities in core neighborhoods, existing employment areas, and other established neighbourhoods;
2. improve connectivity of sidewalks, shared pathways and cycling facilities in new neighborhoods, and employment areas;
3. address year-round accessibility and maintenance of sidewalks, pathways, intersections, and cycling facilities;
4. address road safety and personal security issues;
5. address barriers, such as crossings of major roads, river crossings, underpasses and overpasses, railways, and natural features, to provide adequate access for all active transportation users;
6. ensure adequate levels of bike parking in the downtown, at civic facilities, and other major destinations throughout Saskatoon;
7. ensure active transportation facilities are provided along key transit, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), and growth corridors, as identified in the Growth Plan; and
8. enhance education and awareness to support and promote active transportation, including promotion of sharing the road between all road users, and responsible travel behaviours and attitudes to provide more accessible, convenient, and safe transportation choices for all.

The ATP target is to double walking and cycling trips to 24% of all daily trips and 15% of all commute trips by 2045.

“Without the ATP, increased traffic congestion, longer commutes, and higher infrastructure costs are expected to impact economic growth and prosperity, quality of life, and environmental leadership as Saskatoon’s population grows to half a million people,” said Wallace.

If the ATP is approved, in principle, a five-year implementation plan will be created and brought to City Council for approval in early 2017.

Comments and requests to speak at the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation meeting may be submitted, in advance, via the City’s website at www.saskatoon.ca/writetocouncil.

For more information on the ATP, please visit the project website at www.growingfwd.ca.

If you are heading to SaskTel Centre to see Garth Brooks on Friday and Saturday, the City recommends you leave early, carpool with three or more people, and load a long playlist of Garth’s greatest hits. Most importantly, drivers are encouraged to use one of the designated routes  and obey temporary signage for direct access to parking.