News Releases

For December 15, 2014

8.1.1 - 8.1.4 Acquisition of land for North Commuter Parkway Project

*Authorize the Real Estate Manager to acquire the following land for the North Commuter Parkway Project:

*The City of Saskatoon (City) requires a portion of land from Akzo  Nobel Chemicals Ltd.’s (Akzo Nobel) property at 3910 Wanuskewin Road to accommodate construction of the future NCP project.

*Portions of Parcel A, Plan No. 65S22382, Extension 0; Parcel B, Plan No. 101392354, Extension 3; and Parcel C, Plan No.101392680, Extension 2, comprising approximately 1.75 acres of vacant land owned by P.R.  Developments.

*Portions of SE 11-37-05 W3, Extension 127; Parcel A, Plan No.  86S45475, Extension 0; and Parcel B, Plan No. 76S21090, Extension 0, comprising approximately 1.312 acres of vacant land owned by the University of Saskatchewan.

*Portion of Block CC, Plan No. 102102725, Extension 0, comprising approximately 150 square meters of vacant land owned by Norseman Inc.

8.4.1 North Commuter Parkway and Traffic Bridge – Issuance of Request for Proposals

City Council will be asked to:

*Issue the Request for Proposals in substantially the form as reference within the report, subject to non-substantive amendments as reviewed and approved by the City Engineer and the City Solicitor’s Office.

Additional Information:

*The City has shortlisted the following three teams to participate in the RFP process: Bridge City Infrastructure Group, Bridge City Partners, and Graham Commuter Partners.

*The RFP process for the project will use a Public-Private Partnership (P3) method of procurement.

*The RFP will be issued in mid-December 2014, and is expected to close in Summer 2015, with Commercial Close of the Project Agreement 60 days following a City Council resolution regarding the preferred Proponent in Fall 2015.

*Substantial completion of the project is anticipated by the Fall of 2018.

*The honorarium for the unsuccessful Proponents is $500,000.

8.6.3, 8.11.1, 8.11.3 and 8.11.4 Independent Review Commission: Code of Conduct, Conduct of Municipal Elections, Total Compensation for Members of Council

In these four separate but related reports, City Council will be asked to:

*Instruct the City Solicitor to prepare the appropriate bylaw for consideration. (8.11.1)

 *Committees convene on or before March 1, 2015 and report to Council on or before May 31, 2015 with the following order of priority (8.11.1):

   - Municipal Elections Committee
  - Code of Conduct Committee
  - Remuneration Committee

*Consider Bylaw No. 9242 (8.6.3)

*Release the Investigation report received on September 22, 2014, regarding breaches under The Code of Conduct, in due course following appropriate review, as outlined. (8.11.3)

*Release the Investigation report received on November 5, 2014, regarding a breach under The Code of Conduct, in due course following appropriate review, as outlined.  (8.11.4)

8.9.1 and 8.9.2 Application for Municipal Heritage Property Designation for 803 9th Avenue North and 1102 Spadina Crescent East

City Council will be asked to:

*Request the City Solicitor to prepare and bring forward a bylaw to designate the property at 803 9th Avenue North and the property at 1102 Spadina Crescent East as Municipal Heritage Properties under the provision of The Heritage Property Act, with such designation limited to the exterior of the building.

*Request the General Manager, Community Services to prepare the necessary notices.

*Allocate $2,500 from the Heritage Reserve Fund for supply and installation of a recognition plaque for the property.

Additional Information:

*803 9th Avenue North – This property is eligible for designation as a Municipal Heritage Property. It is an excellent example of Tudor-style architecture. The property was once home to Andrew N. Boyd, an auto dealership owner and prominent member of the Knox United Church and Dr. Lorne McConnell, a pioneer in the field of neurosurgery in Western Canada and former Chief of Surgery at Saskatoon City Hospital.

*1102 Spadina Crescent East – This property is eligible for designation as a Municipal Heritage Property. It is a one and a half-story house that exhibits typical characteristics of homes built during the boom time period, and has been home to several prominent people, including Dr. Richard A. Wilson, Angus McGill Mowat and Farley Mowat. The property owner is undertaking a rehabilitation project to the exterior of the dwelling.

 -30-

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

As mild temperatures continue, the City of Saskatoon is addressing reports from residents of trouble spots as the snowpack continues to melt, creating slushy conditions.

“Traffic is moving well on all priority streets including Circle Drive.  The snow pack has been eliminated on most of the priority streets and driving lanes are in very good winter condition,” says Pat Hyde, Director of Public Works. “We are also addressing trouble spots in residential areas. Supervisors are investigating reported locations and crews are grading those streets or intersections that are difficult to navigate for vehicles.”

On residential streets, the snow is melting very quickly and we are seeing a significant reduction in the snow pack.  The long range forecast is calling for cooler temperatures but not a dramatic drop which would create ice blocks or severe rutting in areas that are slushy now.

Where an identified need is required, crews are clearing and opening catch basins to deal with the melt. The snow piled into windrows will allow the snow to melt slowly, reducing the risk of flooding. Crews are also addressing potholes as they arise, filling them with cold mix asphalt.

More than 1,100 tandem truckloads of snow have been removed from priority streets and Business Improvement Districts. The snow train has completed removing snow piles from bridges, overpasses and protective barriers along Circle Drive and contractors have finished hauling stored snow away from school zones.

Sidewalk plows have been touching up any blown in areas and widening pedestrian pathways, and crews have been clearing and sanding bus stops for pedestrians.

“Drivers should use extra caution when approaching plows and graders; and avoid passing,” says Hyde. “Be aware of reduced visibility, clearing of wet, slushy roads and shoulders can throw moisture onto your windshield leading to a sudden loss of visibility.  Always drive defensively and leave enough space between vehicles and our equipment to minimize snow spray.”

Residents can report any impassable or hazardous streets by calling Public Works Customer Service at 306-975-2476.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

NEW SUNDAY

CIRCLE DR EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT IDYLWYLD DR INTERSECTION
(Electrical work)
No left turn from Circle Dr WB to Idylwyld Dr NB
Start: December 14, 6:30 a.m. End: December 14, 7:30 a.m.

SPADINA CRES NB CLOSED BETWEEN 24TH ST & UNIVERSITY BRIDGE
(Pole maintenance)
Start: December 14, 7:30 a.m. End: December 14, 9:00 a.m.
IDYLWYLD DR NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED APPROACHING 51ST ST OFF-RAMP
(Pole maintenance)
Start: December 14, 9:00 a.m. End: December 14, 10:30 a.m.

HWY 7 NB & SB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANES CLOSED SOUTH OF HART RD
(Pole maintenance)
Start: December 14, 10:30 a.m. End: December 14, 12:00 p.m.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

For those property owners on the convenient TIPPS program (Tax Installment Payment Plan Service) watch for your new TIPPS Information in the mail this week.

TIPPS allows property owners to pay their property tax bill in 12 monthly instalments by automatic withdrawal rather than a single annual payment, based on the calendar year.  TIPPS customers must ensure that sufficient funds are available in their deposit account on the first banking day each month. This service makes budgeting easier, and has no added fees or penalties.

If you are a property owner and not currently paying your property taxes on a monthly basis, consider applying for TIPPS. You can apply if you: 

· have banking privileges at your financial institution (bank, trust company, or credit union)

· are not paying your property tax through a mortgage company

TIPPS applications are accepted throughout the year, and it is important to note, all tax arrears and any missed instalments from January 1 must be paid at the time of your application.

For those property owners currently not on TIPPS, property taxes are due and payable June 30 of each year.  

For more information visit the homepage of saskatoon.ca and look under Online Services for TIPPS, or use the Property Assessment & Online Tax Tool.  Other tax questions? Call 306-975-2400.

 - 30 -

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

Following three days of budget talks, City Council approved a 5.34% property tax increase which translates to an $83.31 per year increase for an average house Assessment Value of $325,000.  That works out to $6.94 per month.

“This investment will ensure that the City’s public infrastructure and its delivery of core services meet the needs of Saskatoon’s residents in a fiscally responsible way,” says Kerry Tarasoff, Chief Financial Officer and General Manager, Asset & Financial Management.

After a tabling a preliminary budget that proposed a 7.32% property tax increase, the Administration advanced other possible adjustments to the 2015 Business Plan and Budget. This led to further discussion and Council made reductions arriving at the current property tax increase of 5.34%.

Saskatoon has been recognised as a national leader with business-friendly tax rates: the CD Howe Institute (News Release AF14-109) and the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (News Release ) recently recognised the City’s tax policies.  Additionally, Saskatoon continues to have one of the lowest property tax rates in Canada (News Release CP14-163).

“Like more recent business plan and budgets, our new budget concentrates funding on public safety, roads and civic infrastructure,” Tarasoff says.  “If these factors were not properly addressed in Budget 2015, Saskatoon’s quality of life and economic health would be compromised, and the Saskatoon Advantage would be lost.”

Highlights of the Finalized 2015 Budget Include:

Transportation

·$8 million for the rehabilitation of the University Bridge

·$70 million for interchanges at Highway #16 and Boychuk Drive and, Highway #5 and McOrmond Drive

·A continued and increased investment totalling $53 million  in the Building Better Roads program through the dedicated road levy

·Work will begin on the new North Commuter Parkway and replacement of the Traffic Bridge to help ease congestion and improve productivity

Utilities

·A number of utility projects totalling almost $60 million for improvements to City infrastructure.

Policing

·The Saskatoon Police Service received an operating budget of $80 million:  this includes funding for four new constables.  The provincial government will fund an additional five for a total of nine new police officers.

Fire

·A $45 million operating budget for the Fire Department budget was passed in its entirety.

Recreation and Culture

·$1 million contribution to phase-two of the Saskatoon Minor Football Field upgrade at Gordie Howe Park.

·$6 million to help the Remai Modern Art Gallery of Saskatchewan ready its building for opening.

Corporate Governance and Finance

·The City will implement Service Saskatoon to provide more coordinated and better customer service to citizens and visitors.

Urban planning & development

·Recommendations from the four key subject areas included in the Growing Forward! Shaping Saskatoon study will be unveiled to improve the way the City plans for growth.

·The City and its regional partners will continue to work on a regional growth plan to ensure that the Saskatoon region can grow in a sustainable way.

Corporate Asset Management

·Construction of a new Civic Operations Centre will begin to help improve the efficiency of City operations.

Environmental Health

·A green loan of $600 thousand for an energy monitoring program for civic buildings to identify cost efficiencies.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

“This flexible, pay-by-plate system will replace the individual coin meters in the city’s Downtown, Broadway, Sutherland and Riversdale business districts,” says Angela Gardiner, Director of Transportation. “The easy to use system will enable citizens to pay using coins, credit cards, the new City Parking Card and, in the near future, cell phones. It also allows you to park at various locations throughout the city on a single payment.”

Drivers may move around the city and occupy several spaces, using their single parking purchase at multiple spots. However, drivers must still obey the posted time limits associated with each new space. Parking commissioners will be able to tell how much time your vehicle has sat in each location through the aid of licence plate identification and recognition software. 

The new machines are solar powered and ticketless; you simply enter your licence plate number at the nearest pay station, make your payment and walk away. Since your payment is tied to your licence plate, there is no need to display a ticket on the dash. Receipts are issued as requested. In total, 325 pay stations will replace 2,800 coin meters; parking fees will remain unchanged.

“We had been hearing from residents that the old meters were dated and inflexible, especially as cash is used less and less for transactions and fewer people are carrying change,” says Gardiner. “Until the new systems are activated, people should continue to plug the old coin meters. Once the new stations are active, the existing meters will be hooded until they are removed.”

A map showing  where the new FlexParking pay stations are being installed is available at www.saskatoon.ca/go/flexparking and people are also encouraged to try out the new pay station in the City Hall foyer where a test station has been installed. Note that the test station only accepts credit cards but that no charges will be applied to your card for these tests.  

For more information about the new FlexParking pay stations visit saskatoon.ca/go/flexparking or call 306-975-2980.

As unseasonally mild temperatures cause snow to melt quickly crews are working 24/7 to address slushy conditions on priority one and two streets. Crews are currently proactively salting and grading priority roads to soften packed snow and reduce slush.  The Circle Drive Snow Train will be removing the remaining stored snow from along guardrails.

Snow on residential streets is also melting quickly and while snow is going to be very soft, it’s not deep enough to cause severe ruts. We are monitoring the situation and investigating reports from residents of trouble areas.  Drivers are encouraged to be cautious and drive appropriately for slushy conditions.

As required, crews are clearing and opening catch basins to deal with the melt. The snow piled into windrows will allow the snow to melt slowly, reducing the risk of flooding. Crews are also addressing potholes as they arise, filling them with cold mix asphalt.

With mild conditions forecast overnight there is less concern about the slush turning to hard ice. However, the grading being carried out on priority streets, removing clumps and ruts, will help to prevent severe icing when temperatures do eventually drop.  Drivers should use extra caution when approaching plows and graders; and avoid passing. Beware of reduced visibility. Clearing of wet, slushy roads and shoulders can throw moisture onto your windshield leading to a sudden loss of visibility.  Always drive defensively and leave enough space to minimize snow spray.

Residents may consider the following tips to reduce the risk of snowmelt flooding around their homes:

• Remove snow from around your foundation. Pay particular attention to the areas around window wells.
• Most lots drain along the outside edges. Remove snow from these areas.
• Keep the snow in your yard; do not place it on the road or in the alley.
• Help keep catch basins clear. Where possible, safely clear snow, ice and debris from the catch basins in your area.

When shovelling, please exercise caution and care, especially when lifting wet, heavy snow. Consider doing a bit at a time.

Residents can report problem areas by calling Public Works Customer Service at 306-975-2476.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

On Wednesday, December 10, the following streets reopened to traffic as construction of the Avenue H Reservoir Expansion project wraps up.

- Avenue H reopened between 11th Street and 12th Street
- 11th Street reopened between Avenue H and Avenue I

Construction of the Avenue H Reservoir Expansion project began in March, 2012 and included the expansion of the reservoir, the addition of an ultraviolet (UV) disinfection system, and the installation of a new high-lift pump station. In conjunction with the new faciltiy, a new overhead pedestrian corridor was installed across Avenue H which has a height restriction of 5.1 meters.

A grand opening of the new facility will occur in the spring of 2015.

For more information on the reservoir expansion project, please visit saskatoon.ca and click on “W” for Water Treatment Plant Expansion Plans.

The City recognizes that this project created a significant inconvenience to adjacent property owners and would especially like to thank them for their patience and cooperation during construction.  The City would also like to thank drivers who were inconvenienced by the detour.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

A Book of Condolence in memory of former Saskatoon Mayor Cliff Wright has been set up in the lobby of City Hall at 222 3^rd Avenue North. The public is invited to sign the book, which will be presented to the Wright family.

Cliff Wright served the people of Saskatoon for over 20 years: first as an Alderman from 1967 to 1976 and then as Mayor from 1976 to 1988.

Flags at all Civic facilities are flying at half-mast to honour Mr. Wright.

ONGOING
3RD AVE NB & SB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANES CLOSED AT 21ST ST
(Water Main Repair)
Start: December 8, 9:00 a.m. End: December 11, 6:00 p.m.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

For Release: December 9, 2014

The City will lower flags to half-mast to honour the memory of former Mayor Clifford E. Wright.

“It is with deep sadness that I’ve learned of former Mayor Cliff Wright’s passing,” says City Manager Murray Totland.  “On behalf of the City, I extend all of our heartfelt condolences to the Wright family at this difficult time.”

“Mayor Wright was a visionary and he guided Saskatoon through periods of both significant growth and economic strain,” Totland says.  “Cliff Wright’s leadership was characterized not just by his keen business and political ability, but his magnetic and down-to-earth personality.”

“He had a great understanding of people and could always speak to them with ease and empathy.”

The City Manager may order the lowering of flags to commemorate one or several people.  Mr. Totland has directed flags at Civic facilities to be flown at half-mast until a funeral is held for former Mayor Cliff Wright.

Cliff Wright served the people of Saskatoon for over 20 years: first as an Alderman from 1967 to 1976 and then as Mayor from 1976 to 1988.

-30-

Recently the Saskatoon Fire Department has seen a significant increase in garage fires. Since October we have gone to seven garage fires. The total damage estimate for those fires was $549,000. In 2013 we went to four garage fires from October to the end of December with the damage estimated at $145,000.

The causes of the recent garage fires varied from welding to even cooking. Any activity that involves heat can lead to a garage fire.

Fire requires fuel (any flammable material), oxygen and a heat source. Garages generally have flammable material stored in them and oxygen is plentiful. All we need is a heat source and the potential for a devastating fire is there.

Most of the recent garage fires started after a resident used their garage and then left. In many cases a tiny fire grew into a large fire before anyone noticed it. Often garages do not have a smoke detector that could have given an early warning.

As the last few months have shown, there are many potential heat sources out there but the result is the same – a garage and its contents destroyed by fire. If you have a garage fire, do not open the garage door since that gives the fire more oxygen, and call 9-1-1 immediately. 

The Saskatoon Fire Department encourages residents to be extra careful when they use their garage. Be conscious of potential heat sources that you have used and make sure that there is no possibility that a fire could start.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

The notifynow test run by Saskatoon’s Emergency Measures Organization was a success based on the feedback from residents and the system data generated. Residents called with questions about the test but in many instances recognized that notifynow is an important life safety service which will be tested twice a year and used to notify them of important emergencies in their neighbourhood.

Since our last test about 6,000 residents of Saskatoon have signed up to specifically choose how they would like to be contacted in an emergency. Thursday’s test indicated that our database is over 90% accurate and plans are in place to improve that percentage. This time we were able to contact the 99,159 persons listed in the database within 50 minutes. Practically this means that we would be able to send a critical life safety notification to an entire neighbourhood within approximately two minutes.

Any well-run test is an opportunity for the organizers to learn and make improvements. Our initial test in May of 2014 was to over 93,000 phone numbers or email addresses and took more than 2.5 hours. This time the test was completed in approximately 50 minutes because we slowed the system down to an acceptable level for the provincial telephone system and did not allow the notifynow to leave a voice message. In a critical life safety emergency the system will leave a message.

It is important that residents recognize notifynow as a life safety notification system and are prepared to take the necessary actions to protect their safety.

From an emergency management perspective it is equally important that residents realize that they need to take the time to confirm that they have heard the message. If a contact point hung up before confirming that they listened to the message (in this case pressing 1) or do not reply to the text message or email, the system will continue to try to reach them. In an emergency every life is important and we need to be able to confirm who has received the information and which homes we need to continue to try to reach.

Notifynow is not a news service; it is a life safety service that will rapidly send critical life safety messages to citizens who would potentially be affected so they can take appropriate actions.

The City of Saskatoon (City) Leisure Guide will be delivered to every home in Saskatoon on Wednesday, December 10, 2014, and available for pick up at any indoor Leisure Centre, City Hall, or Saskatoon Public Library location.  The guide will be available online beginning Monday, December 8, 2014, at www.saskatoon.ca/go/leisureguide.
The Leisure Guide is Saskatoon’s go-to source for fitness programs, recreational activities, and arts and culture opportunities for all ages and abilities.  Stay warm and stay active all winter long with the many options provided by the City of Saskatoon!  Highlights of the Winter (January 1 to March 31, 2015) Leisure Guide include:

• Information about programs at Saskatoon’s six civic Leisure Centres (Cosmo Civic Centre, Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre, Lakewood and Lawson Civic Centres, Saskatoon Field House, and Shaw Centre) including:
• Public, Parent & Tot skating, and ice rentals at four indoor rinks;
• Free outdoor skating at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval and more than 40 free outdoor community rinks across the city;
• Cross-country skiing at eight groomed trails around Saskatoon;
• Special events throughout the winter season including Family Day Skate and winter programming at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo;
• Exercise classes, learning, and volunteer opportunities offered by your neighbourhood Community Associations; and
• much, much more, including many arts, culture, and recreational services offered by other organizations in Saskatoon!

Registration begins Sunday, December 14, 2014, at 6:00 p.m. by calling 306-975-2800 or online at www.leisureonline.saskatoon.ca.  Starting Monday, December 15, 2014, at 6:30 a.m., all Leisure Centres will be accepting walk-in registrations. 

Registered programs are very popular and fill up fast!  Many people will be registering Sunday evening, and the City sincerely thanks citizens for their patience.  Additional online and telephone resources are in place for the registration process.  With that in mind, there are still thousands of people registering at once, so here are some helpful tips to help you be prepared:

• You will require a Client ID Number and Family PIN to register online.  To set one up or if you forgot yours, phone any Leisure Centre prior to Sunday, December 14, 2014. 
• Have a list of second and third program choices just in case you don’t get into your first choice.
• Join the waiting list!  Every full program has an online waiting list, and new classes may be created if there is enough demand.
• Consider other nearby Leisure Centres if your nearest location isn't available.
• Ensure your major web browser (Internet Explorer, Safari, Firefox, Google Chrome) is up-to-date.

Get the Guide!  Keep the Guide!

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

-30-

The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women is on Saturday, December 6, 2014. In recognition, flags at all City of Saskatoon facilities will fly at half-mast.

Established in 1991 by the Parliament of Canada, December 6 marks the anniversary of the 1989 murders of 14 young women at l’Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal. The day is an opportunity for Canadians to reflect on the phenomenon of violence against women in our society and remember those who have died as a result of gender-based violence. 

The City of Saskatoon reminds residents that the online survey to gather public input on possibilities for Saskatoon’s Growth Plan to Half a Million (Growth Plan) closes at midnight Sunday, December 7, 2014.  Have your say!  Visit www.shapingsaskatoon.ca to review the information and participate in one or more of the online surveys and forums on Corridor Growth, Transit, Core Area Bridges, and Employment Areas. 

The Growth Plan is made up of several parts that will fit together to form a new growth model for Saskatoon – one that will provide more choices for residents to move around the city while making it easier to work, shop, and play closer to home as our population doubles over the next 30 to 40 years.

Public consultation will be ongoing throughout the development of the Growth Plan.  To learn more and get involved, please visit the Growing Forward! Shaping Saskatoon website at www.growingfwd.ca.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours, and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

-30-

Growing Forward! Shaping Saskatoon invites residents to attend the last public engagement event to discuss possibilities for shaping Saskatoon’s Growth Plan to Half a Million (Growth Plan).  The Growth Plan is being developed to help guide future infrastructure investments in areas like corridor redevelopment, transit, and core area bridges so residents will have more choices for how they live and move around the city as Saskatoon grows. 

Growth Plan Information Session:
Thursday, December 4, 2014
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Cosmo Civic Centre, 3130 Laurier Drive
Presentation will begin at 6:15 p.m. followed by facilitated question and answer period.
Event materials and information are also available online at www.growingfwd.ca, along with an opportunity to submit comments.
 
Public consultation will be ongoing throughout the development of the Growth Plan.  Those interested can sign up for project update notifications at www.growingfwd.ca.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours, and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

Saskatoon’s Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) will be systematically testing the notifynow system this evening, starting at 5:30 p.m.

The purpose of the test is to give residents the opportunity to better understand the notifynow system, to let people hear what a message will sound like, and to encourage people to sign-up. 

Starting at 5:30 p.m. today the system will send notifications throughout the city, one quadrant at a time using information in the notifynow database, which is a combination of the 2013/2014 SaskTel Phonebook and information from those whom have signed-up.

It is expected that testing period will last about 2 hours.

We also expect that some residents will notice that they did not receive the test notification. In those instances, we will ask them to create an account by following the prompts on saskatoon.ca and provide their preferred contact information so we can reach them in the future.

Saskatoon’s Emergency Measures Organization is excited to move this project forward. On-going testing is an important part of the City’s Emergency Preparedness process and will provide us with important technical information while demonstrating to individual residents what a targeted mass notification would sound like and how they can expect to be contacted.

Residents can sign-up online at Saskatoon.ca  

Roadway lights on Idylwyld Drive North between Marquis Drive and the Highway 16 overpass are not operating due to work in the area. Saskatoon Light & Power is working to repair the problem and lights are expected to be operational by the evening of Tuesday, December 9^th.

All roads remain open, but drivers are reminded to drive with caution.  

For more information call Saskatoon Light & Power at 306-975-2414.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

- 30 –

Saskatoon City Council approved the South Caswell Concept Plan (Concept Plan) in 2010 to help guide redevelopment in the area once the Saskatoon Transit facility is relocated to the new Civic Operations Centre in early 2017.  To ensure the Concept Plan meets current goals and priorities, the City of Saskatoon (City) will be making updates and amendments based on community and stakeholder feedback.

The public is invited to an open house to learn about the existing Concept Plan and the amendment process moving forward.  Environmental and structural assessments have also been recently completed by consultants’, and the findings will be presented to begin the discussion on potential reuse of transit buildings and vacant spaces.  Civic staff will be in attendance to provide information, answer questions, and gather feedback.  Further public events will follow in 2015.

South Caswell Concept Plan Amendment Open House
Thursday, December 4, 2014
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Trinity Lutheran Church (basement)
419 Avenue E North

Please note this location is not wheelchair accessible, and the City will make alternate arrangements with anyone who cannot attend due to accessibility reasons.  Please call 306-975-3465 for more information.

More detailed information on the South Caswell Concept Plan is available on www.saskatoon.ca, (look under “L” for “Local Area Planning”).

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook

Christmas Trees – When purchasing a real tree, look for one that is green and fragrant and that very few needles fall of off when the stump is tapped on the ground. Once your tree is in your home, check it frequently to make sure it has not run out of water and only use CSA approved light strings that aren’t cracked or frayed. Remove your tree shortly after the holidays or once it starts to turn brown.

Candles – Keep lit candles away from flammable materials like paper or fabric products and never use them to decorate a Christmas tree. Make sure your candles are in stable candleholders and not in an area where they could be accidently knocked over by guests, children or pets. Always extinguish your candles when the festivities are over or when the last person leaves the room.

Fireplaces – Only burn small amounts of seasoned wood. Burning paper, wrapping paper or pine boughs can cause sparks to drift up your chimney and ignite your roof. Never use gasoline or other flammable liquids to help start a fire in your fireplace and always operate it with a screen to keep the sparks in.

Space Heaters – Place your space heater at least one meter, or three feet, away from anything that could burn like wallpaper, furniture, bedding or clothing. Check the electrical cord to make sure it isn’t cracked or frayed, never leave children or pets unsupervised in a room with a space heater and turn off and unplug space heaters when you leave a room or go to sleep. Never use unvented fuel-fired heaters inside a home or garage. The resulting carbon monoxide build-up can be deadly.

Working smoke alarms save lives. Test yours regularly and plan your escape routes. Remember a sounding smoke alarm means ‘get out and stay out’.

The Saskatoon Fire Department wishes you a safe and healthy holiday.

CIRCLE DR E NB MEDIAN (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN 108TH ST & ATTRIDGE DR
(SL&P Pole setup)
Speed limit reduced to 60 km/h in work zone
Start: December 4, 9:00 a.m. End: December 4, 3:00 p.m.
ONGOING
CLARENCE AVE S NB & SB FROM 13TH ST E TO 14TH ST E
(Water & Sewer Connection)
Start: December 3, 8:00 a.m. End: December 4, 4:00 p.m.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

Thanks to plentiful snowfall over the past few weeks, cross country ski trail grooming has begun for the season in a variety of parks and open spaces throughout Saskatoon.  Skiers of all ages and skill levels are invited to enjoy the trails this season and keep active all winter long.  Locations include:

• Holiday Park Golf Course (Access at Avenue U South);
• Wildwood Golf Course (Access at 8th Street East, maintained by the Saskatoon Nordic Ski Club);
• Kinsmen Park (Access at Spadina Crescent West by the Mendel Art Gallery, maintained by the Saskatoon Nordic Ski Club);
• Lower Meewasin Park (Access at Pinehouse and Whiteswan Drives);
• Upper Meewasin Park (Access at Pinehouse and Whiteswan Drives);
• Meewasin Park to Adilman Buffer (Access at east end of Adilman Drive or Meewasin Park);
• Diefenbaker Park (Access at Ruth Street and St. Henry Avenue);
• Forest Park (Access at Lowe Road, Nelson Road, and Forest Drive); and
• Al Anderson Park (Access at Hampton Green, Dawson Crescent, and Hampton Circle).

For trail updates, call the Parks Division at 306-975-3300, or visit the regularly updated website at www.saskatoon.ca for information throughout the season and tips for ski trail etiquette.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook. 

CLARENCE AVE CLOSED BETWEEN 13TH ST & 14TH ST
(Water & sewer connection replacement)
Start: December 3, 8:00 a.m. End: December 4, 4:00 p.m.
CIRCLE DR E NB CURB LANE CLOSED BETWEEN 108TH ST & ATTRIDGE DR
(SL&P Pole setup)
Speed limit reduced to 60 km/h in work zone
Start: December 3, 10:00 a.m. End: December 3, 1:00 p.m.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

Starting at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 4, 2014, Saskatoon’s Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) will systematically test the notifynow system. The purpose of the test is to give residents the opportunity to better understand the notifynow system, to let people hear what a message will sound like, and to encourage people to sign-up.

“The test will give the EMO a vital opportunity to evaluate the features and functions of the notifynow system in a non-emergency situation,” says Director of Emergency Planning, Ray Unrau.

The test notification will start at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 4th and will send notifications throughout the city one quadrant at a time. Everyone with contact information linked to an address within that quadrant will receive the test notification message. After a short pause, the process will be repeated until the notifications have been sent to the three remaining quadrants. We expect the testing period to last about 2 hours.

“It is also important to give an opportunity for residents to familiarize themselves with what a notification will sound like,” Unrau says. “By taking part in the test, residents will have some familiarity with the process and be ready to respond appropriately in a real emergency situation.”

The test will use information currently entered into the notifynow database. That includes publically available information from the 2013/14 SaskTel phone book as well as contact information provided by residents who have signed up.

“Once the test is complete we ask that residents take note of how they received the notification message and whether the message was delivered the most effective way,” Unrau says. “For example, if they got a voice message on their home land line but would prefer to receive a text message on their cell phone they would need to sign-up or sign-in to notifynow and update their account.”

We also expect that some residents will notice that they did not receive the test notification. In those instances, we will ask them to create an account by following the prompts on saskatoon.ca and provide their preferred contact information so we can reach them in the future.

Saskatoon’s Emergency Measures Organization is excited to move this project forward. On-going testing is an important part of the City’s Emergency Preparedness process and will provide us with important technical information while demonstrating to individual residents what a targeted mass notification would sound like and how they can expect to be contacted.

Growing Forward! Shaping Saskatoon invites residents to attend one of two upcoming public engagement events to discuss possibilities for shaping Saskatoon’s Growth Plan to Half a Million (Growth Plan).  The Growth Plan is being developed to help guide future infrastructure investments in areas like corridor redevelopment, transit, and core area bridges so residents will have more choices for how they live and move around the city as Saskatoon grows. 

Growth Plan Information Session:
Monday, December 1, 2014
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Cliff Wright Branch Library, 1635 McKercher Drive
Presentation will begin at 6:15 p.m., followed by facilitated question and answer period.

Thursday, December 4, 2014
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Cosmo Civic Centre, 3130 Laurier Drive
Presentation will begin at 6:15 p.m., followed by facilitated question and answer period.
Event materials and information are also available online at www.growingfwd.ca, along with an opportunity to submit comments. 
Public consultation will be ongoing throughout the development of the Growth Plan.  Those interested can sign up for project update notifications at www.growingfwd.ca.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours, and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

NEW
23RD ST E & 5TH AVE N NB, SB & EB LANES CLOSED
(Sewer manhole dig)
23rd Street E WB traffic will be maintained at intersection
Start: December 2, 9:00 a.m. End: December 2, 6:00 p.m.

ONGOING
ATTRIDGE DR NB & SB FROM FORESTRY FARM PARK DR TO FORESTRY FARM PARK RD
(Enchanted Forest Light Tour)
Start: November 21, 3:00 p.m. End: January 11, 11:30 p.m.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

-30-

Saskatoon City Council approved the South Caswell Concept Plan (Concept Plan) in 2010 to help guide redevelopment in the area once the Saskatoon Transit facility is relocated to the new Civic Operations Centre in early 2017.  To ensure the Concept Plan meets current goals and priorities, the City of Saskatoon (City) will be making updates and amendments based on community and stakeholder feedback.
The public is invited to an open house to learn about the existing Concept Plan and the amendment process moving forward.  Environmental and structural assessments have also been recently completed by consultants’ and the findings will be presented to begin the discussion on potential reuse of transit buildings and vacant spaces.  Civic staff will be in attendance to provide information, answer questions, and gather feedback. Further public events will follow in 2015.

South Caswell Concept Plan Amendment Open House
Thursday, December 4, 2014
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Trinity Lutheran Church (basement)
419 Avenue E North

Please note this location is not wheelchair accessible, and the City will make alternate arrangements with anyone who cannot attend due to accessibility reasons.  Please call 306-975-3465 for more information.
More detailed information on the South Caswell Concept Plan is available on www.saskatoon.ca, (look under “L” for “Local Area Planning”).
For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook

- 30 –

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

An early release of a proposed budget provides for an opportunity for public feedback.  As a result of feedback and discussion this week, the City Administration has prepared some options that, should Council approve of all the options, the revised property tax increase could be 5.49%.

“This is part of the regular budgeting process,” says City Manager Murray Totland.  “We have already realized a savings of $200 thousand from the assessment growth figures which were finalized this week.”

With a finalized property tax roll, the proposed property tax increase reduces by 0.11% to 7.21%.  The Administration has also prepared some options that Council may consider such as the adjustment to funding plans, phase-in taxation plans and service levels as well as consideration of new information. 

“On top of the assessment figures, we have identified a number of other funding opportunities that amount to a further $2.98 million reduction, or an additional mill rate reduction of 1.72%,” says Chief Financial Officer Kerry Tarasoff.

“This includes a phase-in change to the road and sound wall levy; however it does not change the total investment originally proposed for each year for roads, or actual timing of the work in the case of the sound walls,” Tarasoff says.  “We’re proposing to stretch the remaining two years of the 2.92% road levy over three or more years. This would then become a 1.94% road levy.”

The difference needed to fund the road investments would come from one-time capital funding available from sources such as land development profits.

Other proposed adjustments suggest deferral of some civic facility and organizational funding items.

Tarasoff points out that moving to a three-year phase-in could reduce the proposed property tax increase by nearly a full percentage point. This adjustment would also have a beneficial impact to the 2016 budget as a similar reduction could be incorporated.

In all, with the assessment figures and adjustments there is a potential reduction of $3.18M or 1.83%.  The property tax increase, if all of these adjustments were included, would then be 5.49%

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

NEW SUNDAY

8TH ST E EB LANES CLOSED FROM CLARENCE AVE S TO MCKINNON AVE S
(Water Connection Repair)
Start: November 30, 7:00 a.m. End: November 30, 6:00 p.m.

ATTRIDGE DR WB CURB (OUTISDE) LANE CLOSED APPROACHING CENTRAL AVE
(Pole maintenance)
Start: November 30, 7:30 a.m. End: November 30, 8:30 a.m.

CIRCLE DR NB OFF-RAMP TO PRESTON AVE WB CLOSED
(Pole maintenance)
Start: November 30, 7:30 a.m. End: November 30, 8:30 a.m.

CIRCLE DR SB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN 14TH ST & 8TH ST
(Pole maintenance)
Start: November 30, 7:30 a.m. End: November 30, 9:00 a.m.

IDYLWYLD DR NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED NORTH OF 42ND ST
(Pole maintenance)
Start: November 30, 9:00 a.m. End: November 30, 10:30 a.m.

CIRCLE DR SB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED SOUTH OF 8TH ST
(Pole maintenance)
Start: November 30, 9:00 a.m. End: November 30, 10:30 a.m.

CIRCLE DR EB OFF-RAMP TO PRESTON AVE SB CLOSED
(Pole maintenance)
Start: November 30, 9:00 a.m. End: November 30, 12:00 p.m.

COLLEGE DR WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED APPROACHING CENTRAL AVE
(Pole maintenance)
Start: November 30, 10:30 a.m. End: November 30, 12:00 p.m.

ONGOING
ATTRIDGE DR NB & SB FROM FORESTRY FARM PARK DR TO FORESTRY FARM PARK RD
(Enchanted Forest Light Tour)
Start: November 21, 3:00 p.m. End: January 11, 11:30 p.m.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

The Saskatoon Fire Department reminds everyone that even though ponds and lakes are covered with snow, the ice is still too thin to be used for recreational activities. The snow covering we have received lately can insulate the ice and prevent it from thickening as quickly as one would expect. Please use caution around these bodies of water and stay off.

River safety is also a concern at this time of year. The current can create unstable ice at any point during the winter meaning it is never safe to be on ice that has formed on the river. Also, frost and ice make the riverbank slippery, increasing the risk of falling into the water. Please do not let children play near the river and/or riverbank.

Remember, in an emergency, call 9-1-1.

Crews continue to work around the clock cleaning up and removing snow from the weekend’s snow event to make room for another 15-25 cm expected to start today.  In addition, light snow and dropping temperatures is causing icing at intersections, and on bridges and overpasses, so we are also out in full force sanding and salting priority streets.

“The past weekend’s snow and ice event started with one inch of freezing rain, followed by heavy snow, keeping our city crews and contractors busy on priority streets.  With the changes we implemented this year, increasing the number of contractor crews, we made excellent progress and graders made at least one pass on all of the priority streets in 58 hours, well below the targeted 72 hour timeframe,” says Pat Hyde, Director of Public Works. “Once all of the priority streets are graded, we go back and begin to remove the snow stored in the center of the roads.  So far this week, we have removed 612 large tandem truckloads of snow.”

More snow is forecast today and tomorrow, so graders will be back snow grading the priority streets before they can remove the snow piles (windrows) within the school zones.

When it rains or snows, salting, sanding and grading occur on the following Priority Street System;

Priority 1: Highest traffic streets – major roads such as Circle Drive, 8th Street, 22nd Street and College Drive, access to fire halls, hospitals and emergency sites.

·     Snow grading - within 12 hours after a snow storm ends

Priority 2: Streets adjacent to emergency services, rapid transit bus routes, busy roads such as Clarence Avenue, Taylor Street, Ruth Street, Fairlight Drive, McCormack Road, 37th Street and Centennial Drive.

·     Snow grading – within 36 hours after a snow storm ends

Priority 3: Includes local bus routes, access to schools, and main streets such as Emmeline Road, parts of Main Street, and Wiggins Avenue, 29th Street, Forrester Road.

·     Snow grading – within 72 hours after a snow storm ends

Another snowfall or blowing snow within the 72-hour timeframe may require crews to return to Priority 1 streets, causing snow grading to take longer.  A Priority Route Map is available at saskatoon.ca by clicking on Better Winter Roads.

During a snow event, regular Snow & Ice updates will be issued in the morning and late afternoon and the Snow & Ice Interactive Map will be updated as priority streets are graded. These updates will be shared on our social media channels and Saskatoon.ca.

“Residents are reminded that residential streets are not included in the priority system, and will only be graded once the snow pack reaches 15 cm (6 inches) to prevent ruts that form when the snow softens,” says Hyde. “We want this to occur later in the season because the graded snow is pushed to the side of the road and reduces on-street parking, which can be frustrating for residents.  Residents can report excessive rutting that may occur prior to performing the residential snow grading. We will then investigate and take appropriate action as may be required."                                                                        

Residents can report problem areas by calling Public Works Customer Service at 306-975-2476.

The City is Plowing Ahead and is ready for whatever winter brings this year! For more information on these and all of our Snow & Ice programs, visit Saskatoon.ca and click on Better Winter Roads.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

For Release: November 27, 2014

The Website Project Steering Committee is pleased to invite residents of Saskatoon to preview the new City of Saskatoon website and provide feedback. Users will be able to see the website’s new structure and some of the new features planned for the full launch. And for the first time, users will be able to experience a version of the City’s website on mobile, tablet and desktop devices.

“Residents have already participated in a number of surveys and online exercises during various stages of development, which has proven valuable in guiding decisions and priorities for the new website,” says Rob Gilhuly, Project Manager.  “If we want a site that residents find easy to use, we know we have to consult with users on decisions that affect the experience. And we know we have to have those consultations at every step along the way.”

Using feedback obtained from residents during various engagement activities, the navigation system has been completely redesigned, providing users with the experience they said they wanted and needed. 

“With the amount of input we’ve been able to gather, this has really felt a like a collaboration with residents,” says Gilhuly.

The new Saskatoon website is scheduled to replace the existing site in January. In December, we encourage residents to visit new.saskatoon.ca to preview the new website and to provide feedback.

For more information on the website project, please also visit new.saskatoon.ca.

-30-

Winter wreaths are now available for purchase and placement on gravesites at Woodlawn Cemetery.  The 12-inch wreaths cost $70 each and are made of fresh mixed evergreens and decorated with beautiful holiday decorations.  Wreaths will be available while supplies last.
Please call 306-975-3308 to order a wreath or to speak to one of our staff members for more information.
For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

- 30 -

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

CY-217
The City of Saskatoon (City) is advising the public that coyote sightings have increased at various locations throughout the city. The City reminds people to keep their distance from coyotes and all wildlife as they can be unpredictable when confronted.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding coyotes or other wildlife within the city of Saskatoon, please contact Parks Pest Management at 306-975-3300. If there is an emergency, please contact Saskatoon Police Service at 306-975-8300.
Here is what to do if you have a close encounter with a coyote:

•  Never approach the animal;
•  Look for a way out;
•  Be observant of the coyote’s movement;
•  Act assertive, yell, and wave your arms so that coyotes maintain a healthy respect for humans; and
•  Ensure the animal has an escape route and enough space to flee the situation.
  Rapid expansion of the city and the design of larger green spaces has resulted in more coyote sightings in Saskatoon. Coyotes are common in all major municipalities across Canada and are more commonly seen in the winter. Coyotes can be seen in residential and commercial areas, especially if food and shelter are readily available.

Here are some tips to help avoid a coyote encounter in your yard:

• Never feed coyotes or leave food waste in accessible areas;
• Do not put meat, eggs, or dairy in compost bins;
• Seal off access to decks and other sheltered spaces in your yard;
• If you feed your pets outdoors, bring the food in at night; and
• Close the gate to your yard and make sure fencing is in good condition.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

-30-

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

For Release: November 25, 2014

Over 1,000 programs and services have been compiled and listed following a recent environmental scan of Saskatoon’s Aboriginal community. The Kitaskinaw project, released today, is a partnership between the City of Saskatoon, Saskatoon Tribal Council, United Way of Saskatoon & Area, and the Gabriel Dumont Institute of Native Studies and Applied Research. The report includes feedback from Saskatoon’s Aboriginal community about the comprehensive inventory of programs and services currently accessed.

“This is a solid and reliable resource,” says Saskatoon City Manager, Murray Totland. “Knowledge of the overlaps and gaps that have been identified through community feedback is essential when it comes to policy development regarding Aboriginal service delivery in our city.”

Through a Community workshop, an old people’s gathering, and a user survey, participants indicated cultural awareness and sensitivity are the most important qualities to have in an agency that serves Aboriginal people.

“The Kitaskinaw project is an important step in the delivery of services for citizens,” says Saskatoon Tribal Chief, Felix Thomas. “This is especially true for the First Nations population and the need for the delivery of effective, meaningful services to individuals and families.”

The report also highlights the need for mainstream organizations to be inclusive of Aboriginal people as employees within their organizations in order to build culturally competent service delivery.

“This important report, which includes the voices of those seeking service and help in our community, will influence how we work at the United Way,” says Saskatoon United Way Chair, Lea Pennock. “It will move us forward as an organization on our journey towards authentic engagement with Aboriginal Peoples in our community.”

Information gathered for Kitaskinaw, which means “our land” in the plains Cree language, will assist corporate, academic and political organizations make informed decisions.

“This project is the first of its kind for Saskatoon,” says Gabriel Dumont Institute Executive Director, Geordy McCaffrey. “With community voice, the inventory of programs and services, and the gathering of existing community information, the links between program and service delivery across Saskatoon may be better understood.”

Technical Committee

City of Saskatoon
Saskatoon Tribal Council
United Way of Saskatoon & Area
Gabriel Dumont Institute of Native Studies and Applied Research

Advisory Committee

Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
Central Urban Metis Federation Inc. (CUMFI)
Saskatoon Indian and Metis Friendship Centre
University of Saskatchewan
Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools
Saskatoon Public Schools
YMCA
Saskatoon Health Region

Kitaskinaw will be available on the following partner websites in mid-December: saskatoon.ca, sktc.sk.ca, unitedwaysaskatoon.ca, and gdins.org.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

-30-

51ST ST E EB & WB CURB (OUTSIDE) & CENTER LANES CLOSED APPROACHING WARMAN RD
(Installation of Signs & Jersey Barriers)
Start: November 26, 9:00 a.m. End: November 26, 12:00 p.m.

2ND AVE & 26TH ST INTERSECTION RESTRICTIONS
(Manhole inspection)
No left turns from 2nd Ave at 26th St. No left turns or through traffic for 26th St EB & WB
Start: November 26, 9:00 a.m. End: November 26, 12:00 p.m.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

Growing Forward! Shaping Saskatoon invites residents to attend one of four upcoming public engagement events to discuss possibilities for shaping Saskatoon’s Growth Plan to Half a Million (Growth Plan).  The Growth Plan is being developed to help guide future infrastructure investments in areas like corridor redevelopment, transit, and core area bridges so residents will have more choices for how they live and move around the city as Saskatoon grows.
Main Event – Growth Plan Workshops
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
TCU Place (Salons A and B), 35 - 22nd Street East
Presentations will begin at 10:15 a.m. and 6:15 p.m., with revolving workshops to follow every half hour to discuss possibilities for corridor redevelopment, transit, and core area bridges.  You may choose to participate in one or all of the workshop topics.

Growth Plan Information Session:
Monday, December 1, 2014
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Cliff Wright Branch Library, 1635 McKercher Drive
Presentation will begin at 6:15 p.m., followed by facilitated question and answer period.

Thursday, December 4, 2014
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Cosmo Civic Centre, 3130 Laurier Drive
Presentation will begin at 6:15 p.m., followed by facilitated question and answer period.
Event materials and information are also available online at www.growingfwd.ca, along with an opportunity to submit comments.  You can also join the discussion on Twitter as we live-tweet the November 26, 2014 event – just follow the City of Saskatoon on Twitter or use the hashtag #yxegrowingfwd.
Public consultation will be ongoing throughout the development of the Growth Plan.  Those interested can sign up for project update notifications at www.growingfwd.ca.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours, and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

Saskatoon City Council has recently made possible the final step in creating Saskatoon’s newest Business Improvement District (BID), which includes both sides of 33rd Street from Alberta Avenue to Avenue G. 

“We are tremendously excited about establishing a BID for 33rd Street.  The business owners in this area have worked very hard to achieve this goal, and it has now become a reality.  We couldn't be more pleased with Council’s decision,” says Nicola Tabb, representing the 33rd Street BID Organizing Committee.

At its November 24, 2014 meeting, City Council approved Bylaw No. 9235 – The 33rd Street Business Improvement District Bylaw, 2014.  A BID is an area of commercial and industrial property owners and tenants who work in partnership to create a thriving and competitive business area.

Over the past two years, a group of dedicated business owners on 33rd Street have worked toward organizing a BID, which is made up of a variety of unique businesses such as restaurants, shops, services, and a major grocery store.  The business group saw the potential in forming a BID to improve and enhance the appeal and viability of the district now and into the future.

“The creation of a BID benefits not only the 33rd Street commercial district, but the city overall,” says Alan Wallace, Director of the City of Saskatoon Planning and Development Division.  “The success of other BIDs in Saskatoon has directly resulted in thriving, attractive areas where residents and visitors alike can come to work, shop, and play.  The 33rd Street BID will certainly create the same positive impact for their commercial area.”

The 33rd Street BID will begin operations in 2015.

For more information regarding BIDs in Saskatoon, visit www.saskatoon.ca (look under “B” for Business Improvement Districts).

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

The City of Saskatoon Planning and Development Division’s publication, City of Saskatoon Neighbourhood Profiles (13th Edition) is now available.  Since 1976, the publication has been developed as a way to provide an extensive database of demographic data at city-wide and neighbourhood levels.  This data provides guidance to civic administration, officials, and community agencies when planning for future service provisions, as well as providing a snapshot of a neighbourhood.
The Neighbourhood Profiles (13th Edition) includes population, income, age, language, dwelling, education, and other data from the 2011 Federal Census and the 2011 National Household Survey as released in 2013.  Updated data includes:

1. 2013 demographic estimates referred to as the G5 Super Census and provided by Generation 5, which include mathematically derived estimated values for over 1,000 demographic variables found in the Federal Census;
2. housing affordability index based on 2013 real estate sales;
3. 2013 vehicle registration data provided by Saskatchewan Government Insurance;
4. 2013 school enrolment data provided by the Saskatoon Public School Division, The Greater Saskatoon Catholic School Division, the University of Saskatchewan, and Saskatchewan Polytechnic (Saskatoon Campus);
5. 2013 Home-Based Business Licensing; and
6. 2013 park space and neighbourhood area profiles.

City of Saskatoon Neighbourhood Profiles is available online at www.saskatoon.ca (look under “N” for Neighbourhoods).  Bound hard copies are also available for purchase from the Planning and Development Division (3rd Floor, City Hall).  For more information, call (306) 975-2645.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

For November 24, 2014

8.3.1 City of Saskatoon’s Corporate Business Plan and Budget – the Roads Ahead – Update and Year-End Projections (p.4)

Council will be asked to:

*Receive the information

Additional Information:

*The key projects outlined in the 2014 Corporate Business Plan and Budget are on track with some projects completed and others progressing well.

*The 2014 budget projections to year-end is a net deficit of $1.169 million. The Administration has implemented a discretionary spending and hiring freeze to mitigate as much of this deficit as possible at year-end. 

8.5.1 Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools – By - Election – Returning Officer’s Declaration of Results (p.4)

Council will be asked to:

*Receive the information

8.6.3 Transport of Dogs and Cats in Truck Beds and Designation of Hyde Park Off-Lease Recreation Area (p.5)

City Council will be asked to:

*Consider Bylaw No. 9232, The Animal Control Amendment Bylaw, 2014 (No. 2)

Additional Information:

*Bylaw No. 9232, The Animal Control Amendment Bylaw, 2014 (No. 2) implements City Council’s decision to amend Bylaw No. 7860, The Animal Control Bylaw, 1999 to:

(a)  restrict the transportation of dogs and cats in truck beds and open top cargo areas within the City; and

(b) establish a new off-leash recreation area within Hyde Park located in the Rosewood Neighbourhood.

8.10.1 Automated Speed Enforcement – Photo Radar (p.5)

City Council will be asked to:

*Consider the report of the City Solicitor regarding jurisdiction be considered with this matter; and

*Approve the pilot project

 Additional Information:

 *The City Solicitor determined Council’s role in policing is quite limited:

(a) Under The Police Act, Council must provide policing, but it is limited to paying for it. Council approves the overall police budget, but it does not approve it line by line as it does its own; and

(b) Council also appoints a Board of Police Commissioners, which is a body independent of Council. The Board is responsible to appoint a chief, and to provide overall policy and direction of the Police Service. However, the discretion as to what laws and how to enforce those laws remains with the police.

-30-

The City of Saskatoon (City) is developing a Recreation and Parks Master Plan (Master Plan) to guide the development, delivery, and continuous improvement of recreation and parks programs, services, and facilities.
As part of the development of the Master Plan, the City invites you to come and learn more about the project at an open house.  Members of the consulting team and City representatives will be in attendance to discuss the plan and collect any comments you may have.
OPEN HOUSE:  Recreation and Parks Master Plan
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. – “Come and Go” Open House, Brief Presentation at 12:30 p.m.
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. – “Come and Go” Open House, Brief Presentation at 6:00 p.m.
TCU Place, Salon E
35 - 22nd Street East
The input gathered at the open house will be used as the draft Master Plan is developed. 
If you are unable to attend the open house, please visit www.shapingsaskatoon.ca to review the open house material and provide your feedback.  The material will be online November 25, 2014.  If you have questions, please call the City’s Community Development Division at 306-975-2289.
For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

- 30 -