News Releases

The City of Saskatoon’s (City) Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Committee is now accepting nominations for the annual “Living in Harmony” awards that recognize local organizations or individuals for their efforts in the elimination of racial discrimination. The entry deadline for submissions and nominations is Friday, February 27, 2015, at 4:45 p.m. Committee members will select the winning entries/nominations.

 March 21 is International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, and in honour of this day the Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Committee invites you to explore what intercultural harmony means to you through words and/or pictures. You may also choose to nominate an individual or group for their efforts in promoting the spirit of living in harmony.

 Living in Harmony Literary Contest
Open to everyone, this contest invites submissions of poems, short stories, or essays on the theme Living in Harmony. There are three categories: elementary school students, high school students, and an open category. The author of each winning entry will receive $100.

 Living in Harmony Art Contest
Open to everyone, this contest invites submissions of all forms of art (drawings, paintings, music video, or other forms of expression) that involve the theme of Living in Harmony. There are three categories for this contest: elementary school students, high school students, and an open category. The artist for each winning entry will receive $100.

 Recognition Award
Open to everyone, this award invites nominations of local youth, adults, and groups that focus their efforts on positive initiatives within our community.

 Entry forms are available on  the City’s website at www.saskatoon.ca. Please submit entries to the City of Saskatoon Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Office, Cosmo Civic Centre (upper level), 3130 Laurier Drive, Saskatoon SK S7L 5J7.

 The winners of the Literary and Art Contests, as well as the recipient(s) of the 2015 Recognition Award, will be announced at the “Living in Harmony” Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, March 18, 2015, at The Broadway Theatre.

 For more information, please call 306-975-7826 or email cultural.diversity@saskatoon.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.

The City of Saskatoon invites residents to attend one of three important public engagement events to discuss the proposed Growth Plan to Half a Million (Growth Plan), which includes long-term plans for a new transit system with Bus Rapid Transit (BRT); a new river crossing at 33^rd Street and BRT lanes on the University Bridge; and changes to how we live, work, and play along our major corridors like 8^th Street, 22^nd Street, and Preston Avenue.

The public will also have an opportunity to provide input on implementation priorities for putting specific features of the Growth Plan in motion over the short-, medium-, and long-term.

 Mark your calendars!  This is your opportunity to have your say in Saskatoon’s future.

Main Events – Growth Plan Focused Discussions

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

TCU Place, 35 22^nd Street East

Daytime Session:  Noon to 2 p.m.

Evening Session:  6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

 

Growth Plan Campus Consultation

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Louis’ Loft, 93 Campus Drive

3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Event materials and an online survey will be available at www.growingfwd.ca beginning Wednesday, February 25, through Wednesday, March 18, 2015.

This will be the third round of public engagement since the Growth Plan launched in February 2014.  The input gathered during this round of engagement will help to confirm the long-term plans for corridor redevelopment, transit, and core area bridges, as well as set the direction for an implementation plan.  We will be back in fall to share what we heard and confirm the final Growth Plan with the public.

Once complete, the Growth Plan will help to guide future infrastructure investments so residents will have more choices for how they live and move around the city as Saskatoon grows to half a million people over the next 30 to 40 years.

For more information on the Growth Plan or to sign up for project update notifications, visit 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.

The Lakewood Civic Centre (Lakewood) leisure pool will be closed from Saturday, February 14 to Friday, February 20, 2015, as part of the repairs to the pool’s waterslide.  The work required includes repairs to the piping in the crawl space and the replacement of the main valve that supplies water to the waterslide.

Occupational Health & Safety regulations require the pool’s water level to be drained in order to prevent flooding of the crawl space while the valve is being replaced.  Once this repair has been completed it will take approximately a week to refill, reheat, and rebalance the chemistry of the water within the pool.      

The week of February 14 to 20, 2015, has been selected for closure because there are no swimming lessons scheduled during the February School Break and this time will have the least impact to the public. 

During this repair, Lakewood’s fitness and weight rooms, gymnasium, multi-purpose room, dry land programming, and childcare will remain open to the public.  Many of the City of Saskatoon’s (City) other Leisure Centres will be offering enhanced programming during the February School Break.  For hours of operation and drop-in program information, please visit www.saskatoon.ca/go/dropinonline.

 The waterslide at Lakewood has been closed for repairs since July 2014, as a result of ground movement issues in the mechanical crawlspace affecting the pump that supplies water to the slide.  Final repairs to the waterslide will continue after the pool reopens on February 20.  The final repairs include reinstallation of the main water pump.  It is anticipated that the waterslide will reopen to the public in early March 2015.

 The City apologizes for the inconvenience and thanks the public for its patience and understanding.

 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

20TH ST W CLOSED FROM AVE J S TO AVE K S
(Water & Sewer Connection Replacement)
Start: February 9, 9:00 a.m. End: February 12, 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 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 and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

Environment Canada is predicting strong winds and up to 20 centimeters of snow starting tonight, as well as the possibility of freezing rain over the weekend. The City has extra staff, contractors and equipment ready to keep priority streets clear, sanded and salted during and following the snow event.

Streets may become icy, due to strong winds and snow blowing across the roadway. Visibility may also be reduced. Please use caution and drive to the conditions. City crews will be working 24/7 to maintain priority roadways so please watch for equipment on the road. The large machines used are equipped with flashing amber lights, move slowly in teams of two or more and can be found on the road at any time of day or night. By keeping a safe distance from the equipment and approaching slowly, everyone can be safe on the road.

Snow and Ice Updates will now be issued in the form of a Service Alert. Similar to Power Outage Service Alerts, these Snow & Ice Service Alerts are available at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts, by following @YXEServiceAlert on Twitter or by liking Saskatoon City News on Facebook. These alerts are issued at 6:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. daily, once a snow event starts and continue for 72 hours after the event. The Snow Grading Map will be updated at the same time showing the status of snow grading. Salting/sanding and grading occurs on the following priority system:

Priority 1 (Highest traffic streets) will be plowed within 12 hours after a snowstorm ends.
Priority 2 (Rapid transit bus routes and busy streets) will be graded within 36 hours.
Priority 3 (Main streets and school zones) will be graded within 72 hours.

*Another snowfall or blowing snow within the 72-hour timeframe may require crews to return to Priority 1 streets, causing grading to take longer.

Residents are encouraged to report 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.

For the fourth year in a row, the City of Saskatoon is one of the Top Employers in Saskatchewan for 2015. The special designation recognizes top employers that lead their industries in offering exceptional places to work.

“Building a workplace culture that offers opportunities for career development, health, work-life balance and employee recognition is a top priority for us,” City Manager, Murray Totland says. “Our workforce, like our community, is evolving rapidly. That’s why we must continually enhance our culture of efficiency and continuous improvement.”

The City of Saskatoon applied for this competition through the Canada's Top 100 Employers application process. Employers are evaluated by the editors of Canada's Top 100 Employers using the same eight criteria as the national competition: Physical Workplace; Work Atmosphere & Social; Health, Financial & Family Benefits; Vacation & Time Off; Employee Communications; Performance Management; Training & Skills Development; and Community Involvement. Employers are compared with other organizations in their field to determine which offers the most progressive and forward-thinking programs.

Totland wants employees to feel directly connected to the City’s progress, thereby enhancing their personal satisfaction with “a job well done”.

“Our people have always been our greatest asset and I look forward to continued support across the entire corporation,” Totland says. “We invest in ongoing leadership development, a variety of in-house training programs, tuition subsidies for courses taken at outside institutions, discounted employee fitness initiatives and a pension plan.”

Saskatchewan’s Top Employers 2015 were identified in an insert in the February 4, 2015 edition of the Saskatoon Star Phoenix and Regina Leader-Post. 

NEW

2ND AVE N NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 26TH ST E TO QUEEN ST
(Sidewalk Construction)
Start: February 5, 7:00 a.m. End: February 5, 3:30 p.m.

CIRCLE DR E WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED ON OVERPASS OVER IDYLWYLD DR
(Electronic work)
Start: February 5, 9:00 a.m. End: February 5, 11:00 a.m.

QUEEN ST WB CLOSED FROM 4TH AVE N TO 5TH AVE N
(Tree Pruning)
Two-way traffic in EB lanes
Start: February 5, 9:00 a.m. End: February 5, 4:00 p.m.

25TH ST E WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM PACIFIC AVE TO IDYLWYLD DR N
(Directional Drilling)
Start: February 5, 9:00 a.m. End: February 5, 6:00 p.m.

22ND ST W EB CURB (OUTSIDE) & CENTER LANE CLOSED APPROACHING AVE B S
(Manhole work)
Start: February 5, 10:00 a.m. End: February 5, 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.

An independent engineering report commissioned by the City concludes slope failures on some private properties along the 200 and 300 blocks of Saskatchewan Crescent and 11th Street East, resulted from three main natural factors: geology, geometry and ground water.

“The report confirms that weak soil, a steep slope and a high water table from historically high rainfalls are why the slope has moved,” says Chief Engineer and Director of Major Projects, Mike Gutek.  “The conclusions of Golder Associates were then verified by a second, arms-length review done by another engineering firm.”

The Executive Committee of City Council will receive next week an information report about the 2012 and 2013 slope failures in this area.

“This comprehensive geotechnical study – prepared at the City’s cost – not only paints a picture of what has happened, but what remedy private property owners will need to hold the slope up,” Gutek says.

City Council may choose from a wide number of possible roles for the City at this site.  They range from the current approach, which is to monitor the slope movement and provide information to residents, to participating in remediation and contributing financially.  The City typically does not contribute financially to remediation or restitution on private property.

There is a wide range of legal and associated risk consequences to the City related to this location.  These will be reported to Executive Committee In-Camera, and are of the following nature:

Current approach, which is to monitor the site and provide detailed information to adjacent property owners and residents.
Offer mediation services, with or without participation by the City.
Become actively involved with property owners in the remediation approach.
Provide some level of grant or financial aid to property owners.

Slope movements are now at a standstill because of frozen ground and they slowed considerably over the late summer and fall.  As a result of minimal movement, the City was able to lift an evacuation alert in September.

“Since the monitoring began, we have encouraged property owners to retain their own engineers to assess what they need to do to stabilize their properties,” Gutek says. 

-30-

The new and much anticipated City website has officially launched into cyberspace today. Saskatoon.ca is now on-line.

 Over a year-long redevelopment, residents and the City revisited almost every aspect of the City’s approach to providing online services to citizens.

“A fundamental goal for us was to gear it towards how people looked for City information,” says Catherine Gryba, General Manager of Corporate Performance.  “We wanted to create a website designed with residents, for residents and we are pleased with the results.”

The new website design is easier to provide residents access to timely information and makes it easier to do business with the City.  Residents will experience improvements to 22 online services such as the Property Tax & Assessment Tool and Utility Bill lookup. The reconstruction also included a review process which eliminated outdated content and reorganized information to make it easier to search and navigate.

“Early on, we recognized we had an opportunity and responsibility to completely reimagine our approach to serving residents online,” says Rob Gilhuly, Website Project Manager.

“Throughout the redevelopment, we invited residents to participate in decisions about the new Saskatoon.ca, including setting priorities for online services, designing navigation, and selecting the visual design of the site,” Gilhuly says. Last April, the City launched the dedicated engagement site, new.saskatoon.ca, which had more than 10,000 visits over the course of the project. Residents completed over 1,000 surveys and voted 1,700 times on polls about various aspects of the site. A preview version of the site in development was launched in November for residents to provide even more feedback.

“Our work on the web will never be finished, but what we are launching today is the first step of a new approach that considers the needs of users first”, Gilhuly says. “With any project of this scope, we acknowledge there may be a few minor bugs to address and some of these bugs aren’t always discovered until the website is in full use,” he says.  “We continue to be committed to designing this with residents for residents, so if you discover a bug we not only want to know, but we will also put your name into a contest.”

The City is now inviting residents to provide feedback and participate in a contest for reporting bugs and trying out the new site features. Check out the Announcements on the homepage of saskatoon.ca for contest details.

Thanks to all of our residents for your support and participation. We couldn’t have done it without you.

For more information visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with us on Twitter and Facebook

 -30-

During Burn Awareness Week (February 1 – 7, 2015), the Saskatoon Fire Department reminds parents and those responsible for young children that a child’s skin is especially susceptible to burns and scalds and we need to take extra precautions to protect them.

Statistics Canada reports that in 2010/2011, 346 children aged 0-4 and 59 children aged 5-9 were admitted to hospital as a result of a burn and that burns were the leading cause of hospital admissions from injury for children aged 0-4.

Children are particularly at risk of scalds because their skin is thinner and more sensitive. A child’s skin can burn four times quicker and more deeply than an adult’s.

Some safety tips to decrease the number of burns and scalds to children are:

• Set your water heater to 49°C (120°F). Water heated to 60°C (140°F) can cause a third-degree burn on a child’s skin in just one second.
• Use a travel mug with a tight-fitting lid when drinking hot liquid like coffee or tea.
• Cook on the back burners of your stove and turn the handles of pots and pans inwards.
• Ensure cords from appliances like slow-cookers or kettles are not within a child’s reach.
• Place a safety gate around your fireplace. The gas fireplace’s glass barrier can heat up to over 200°C (400°F) in about six minutes and when switched off, take about 45 minutes to cool to a safe temperature. For young children just learning to walk this is a significant risk.
• Install a smoke detector and test it every month to protect your family and home from fire and smoke.

Burns and/or scalds often happen in a split second but the consequences are long term. A child’s natural curiosity and sensitive skin makes them vulnerable. We need to do what we can to make sure they stay safe.

NEW SATURDAY

4TH AVE S SB LANES CLOSED FROM 21ST ST E TO 20TH ST E
(Crane Lift)
Start: January 31, 7:00 a.m. End: January 31, 10:00 a.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 Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board (LRB) today ruled it will not be asking the City to undo the changes contained in the General Superannuation Bylaw No. 9224 adopted by City Council on September 22, 2014.  The bylaw approved by City Council will be left intact and the City will proceed with implementing the amendments with the exception of Transit union members for the four-month statutory freeze period.

“The LRB did not set aside the pension bylaw,” says City Solicitor Patricia Warwick.  “The board said it would not undo the pension amendments passed by City Council on September 22, 2014 and said it would read down those amendments for Transit union members for the statutory freeze period.”

“In other words, during the period of June 3 to October 3, 2014, Transit union members will be treated as if the pension amendments were not made,” Warwick says.  “The City will have to abide by previous pension guidelines for any Transit union members between June 3 and October 3, 2014.”

This also means there is no pension deficit, and the General Pension Plan is protected.  Prior to the September 2014 bylaw changes, the total general pension plan deficit was $68M and the Transit union’s portion of the deficit was $7M.

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.

City of Saskatoon road crews are now using a pre-wetting delivery technique to apply sand on high traffic streets to improve vehicle traction in icy conditions.

"This is the second anti-icing pilot program we are implementing this year as we identify the best mix of products for our broad range of winter driving conditions. It involves modifying our equipment to spray a liquid chemical de-icer onto the sand before it is placed onto the street," says Pat Hyde, Director of Public Works. "The wet heavy sand adheres better to the road and provides enhanced traction for vehicles."

This program is expected to be more effective in extreme temperatures as low as -65C, where salt is ineffective and dry sand would otherwise bounce off or be blown off the roadway by passing vehicles.

“We started using the new equipment this week on Circle Drive and bridge decks ahead of the forecasted cold snap,” says Hyde. “We will be monitoring the effectiveness and expect drivers will notice the results.”

Through December and January, the first pilot program we have been testing is the sand/salt and magnesium chloride blended mixture.  Salt on its own is only effective to a temperature of approximately -16C.  When temperatures have dipped below that, the sand/salt blended with the magnesium chloride mixture has been effective. 

Today, priority streets are in good winter driving condition with City crews continuing to work around the clock monitoring roadway conditions and utilizing the new processes for salting and sanding roads as required.

Winter Progress

• Approximately 4,000 tandem truckloads of snow have been hauled away from priority streets so far this winter, including centre median and parking lane windrows on many Priority 2 and 3 streets.
• So far this winter, 30 tons of cold mix asphalt has been used to temporarily repair potholes.
• Crews are also maintaining more than 500 utility cuts until they can be permanently repaired with hot asphalt this spring.

For the safety of operators and other drivers, priority street snow removal occurs throughout the evening when there are fewer vehicles on the road. The large machines used are equipped with flashing amber lights, move slowly in teams of two or more and can be found on the road at any time.  Drivers are advised to keep a safe distance from the equipment (15 metres), slow down when approaching, and pass only when safe, using extreme caution.

Crews continue to monitor residential streets and investigate reports of hazardous locations.  Residents are encouraged to report potholes and impassable or hazardous streets by calling Public Works Customer Service at 306-975-2476.

We’re Plowing Ahead and ready for whatever winter brings! Go to Saskatoon.ca and click on Better Winter Roads to learn more.

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 and Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) are responding to growing concerns about speeding in residential neighbourhoods with the introduction of a Residential Speed Management Program.

“We have been hearing from citizens that residential speeding is increasingly becoming an issue,” says Angela Gardiner, Director of Transportation. “It is of particular concern, given these roadways are often shared with pedestrians and cyclists, and are in close proximity to community gathering points such as schools and parks.”

The Residential Speed Management Program involves the City working with the SPS to identify and then address neighbourhood speeding using a variety of tools including speed boards, road signage, targeted police enforcement and public education.

After a review of concerns brought to the attention of City Administration and Police, as well as consultation with members of City Council, an initial list of 24 neighbourhoods across the city where residential speeding is a significant issue has been developed. A speeding blitz will begin in those neighbourhoods in February. Other problem areas will be added to the list as they are identified.

“We will be paying close attention to residential speeding in the coming weeks and cracking down on offenders,” says Inspector, Mitch Yuzdepski. “The blitz will begin in the neighbourhoods of Willowgrove, Hampton Village, Sutherland, Willows and Silverwood Heights, before moving on to the other priority locations over six weeks.”

The speed limit on all city streets is 50 km/h unless posted otherwise. Speeding tickets start at $120 and go up $10 for every 10 km/h over the speed limit.

“In some cases residential speeding can be attributed to lack of awareness about the speed limit,” says Gardiner. “Part of what we hope to accomplish through this program is to raise the awareness of the speed limit and tools such as speed boards and public education materials will help us do that.”

Citizens can report a concern and request an investigation by phone or by completing a brief report on the City’s website at Saskatoon.ca. Search for ‘Report a Neighbourhood Traffic Concern’ or call Transportation Customer Service at 306-975-2454.

Initial neighbourhoods to be prioritized include;

Sutherland, City Park, Caswell Hill, Montgomery Place, Riversdale, Pacific Heights, Confederation Park, Hampton Village, Dundonald/Westview, Mount Royal, Silverwood Heights, Lawson Heights, Grosvenor Park, Varsity View, Nutana, Willows, Avalon, Stonebridge, College Park East, Greystone Heights, Brevoort Park, Lakeview, Lakeridge and Willowgrove.

NEW

CIRCLE DR E NB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM HIGHWAY 11 TO TAYLOR ST E
(Underground directional boring)
Start: January 30, 9:30 a.m. End: January 30, 3:30 p.m.

PRESTON AVE NB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM LOUISE ST TO ADELAIDE ST
(Underground directional boring)
Start: January 30, 9:30 a.m. End: January 30, 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.

NEW

8TH ST WB LEFT TURN LANE TO LORNE AVE CLOSED
(Manhole inspection)
Lorne Ave NB median lane closed & SB left turn lanes approaching 8th St closed
Start: January 29, 2:00 a.m. End: January 29, 5:00 a.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.

After the unseasonably warm temperatures of the last few weeks, the Saskatoon Fire Department decided to proactively test the ice thickness on city ponds to make sure that they are still more than 40cm (16 inches thick). Testing done on Tuesday, January 27, 2015, confirmed that the ice continues to be a safe thickness.

Ponds tested include Dundonald, RCAF, “Rat Hole”, Lakeview, the pond at Circle Drive and Clarence Ave., Stonebridge, Trounce, Briarwood, John Avant and Erindale.

The City of Saskatoon believes that an ice thickness of 40cm provides a reasonable level of security to residents wishing to use the ponds for recreational activities.

ONGOING
4TH AVE N SB LANES CLOSED FROM QUEEN ST TO 26TH ST E
(Crane Lift)
Queen St 2-way traffic from 4th Ave to 5th Ave
Start: January 27, 9:00 a.m. End: January 28, 3:00 p.m.
25TH ST E WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM PACIFIC AVE TO IDYLWYLD DR N
(Directional Drilling)
Start: January 27, 9:00 a.m. End: January 28, 5:00 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.

International bond rating agency Standard and Poor’s (S&P) has again awarded the City of Saskatoon (City) its top rating of AAA/Stable.

“Standard and Poor’s has time and again approved of the way we plan City business,” says His Worship Mayor Donald Atchison. “At a time when many are focusing on government finances, S&P has had a look two years down the road and is confident Saskatoon will continue benefitting from a very strong economy.”

Every year S&P reviews the City’s finances and delivers a rating in a report based on that study.

“This is excellent news,” says Chief Financial Officer Kerry Tarasoff. “The triple-A rating continues to provide Saskatoon with the financial certainty we need as we grow forward toward half a million people.” 

“Saskatoon demonstrates strong financial management,” the agency notes.  As S&P continues to view the financial outlook for Saskatoon as stable, it further outlines part of this strength is grounded in a diverse local economy which is not tied as strongly to the resource sector.

The agency also points to the City’s transparency, audited financial statements, “good” budget documents and financing plans as other reasons to award the rating.

The City has received the AAA/stable credit rating every year for more than a decade.

Receiving the AAA credit rating essentially means that the City can borrow money at lower rates, and is viewed by financial institutions as having virtually no-risk with respect to defaulting on credit.

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
4TH AVE N SB LANES CLOSED FROM QUEEN ST TO 26TH ST E
(Crane Lift)
Queen St 2-way traffic from 4th Ave to 5th Ave.
Start: January 27, 9:00 a.m. End: January 28, 3:00 p.m.
HWY 16 WB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED APPROACHING BOYCHUK DR
(Light Repair)
Start: January 27, 9:00 a.m. End: January 27, 3:00 p.m.
25TH ST E WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM PACIFIC AVE TO IDYLWYLD DR N
(Directional Drilling)
Start: January 27, 9:00 a.m. End: January 28, 5:00 p.m.

ONGOING
24TH ST E EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT 3RD AVE N
(Cable maintenance)
Start: January 21, 9:00 a.m. End: January 27, 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 January 26, 2015

8.4.1 Civic Operations Centre – Procurement Complete

City Council will be asked to receive the information.

Additional Information:

• The procurement for the Civic Operations Centre Project, Phase One, is complete.
• The procurement was highly competitive and as a result, the Project is $24.9M under budget.
• Monthly payments are linked to performance.
• Schedule and Milestone risks are owned by Integrated Team Solutions.
• The procurement process was conducted in a fair manner.

8.7.2 – Inquiry – Councillor C. Clark – Decorative Street Lighting

City Council will be asked to:

• Proceed with Option 2 as outlined in the report of the General Manager, Transportation & Utilities Department dated January 12, 2015.
• Request the administration explore options for decorative lighting and financial implications, in consultation with the Business Improvement Districts, and report back to committee.

 Additional Information:

• Feedback from the Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) indicates general support for extending the decorative street lighting program to a “Winter-based” schedule.
• Further discussions will occur with the BIDs, through the Urban Design Committee, to explore financial partnership for a “Winter-based” lighting schedule, as well as the potential for creating new opportunities for additional year-round decorative lighting.
• Extending the schedule for decorative street lighting may have an impact on the banner program at some locations.

Option 2:

• In addition to the 3rd Avenue snowflake decorations, the snowflakes along the Broadway Bridge and down Broadway Avenue could also be considered for this winter. The energy cost for these lights is estimated to be $25. These decorations are different from the 3rd Avenue ones and are more susceptible to damage by wind. Leaving them in-place longer will reduce their anticipated life span and may result in additional maintenance and repair costs. The total estimated cost for both the 3^rd Avenue and Broadway decorations is approximately $200 annually.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

4.1.4 Proposed Kensington Neighbourhood Concept Plan Amendment

Council will be asked to:

• Approve the proposed Kensington Neighbourhood Concept Plan amendment.

Additional Information:

• An amendment to the Kensington Neighbourhood Concept Plan (Concept Plan) is proposed to reclassify lands from single-family detached to townhouse-style residential.
• A rezoning to RMTN – Townhouse Residential District is proposed.
• The increased density and form of development proposed is considered compatible with the location and adjacent land uses.

4.1.9 Propose Rezoning from B1 to M3 – 840 Idylwyld Drive North

City Council will be asked to:

• Consider Bylaw 9255

Additional Information:  

• A comprehensive redevelopment of 840 Idylwyld Drive North is proposed.
• Amendments to the OCP – Land Use Map and Zoning Bylaw are required.
• This proposal supports the goals of the North Downtown Master Plan (NDMP) and the Growth Plan to Half a Million.

4.1.10 Proposed Rezoning by Agreement RM3 – 530 to 538 Avenue F

City Council will be asked to:

• Consider Bylaw No. 9236; and
• Consider a recommendation of the Municipal Planning Commission requesting the Administration to review on-street parking in the Riversdale Neighbourhood area including a proposal from Shift Developments to increase on- street parking on Avenue F South.

Additional Information:

• In 2009, City Council approved a rezoning of these properties, subject to a Zoning Agreement, to permit construction of a 23-unit multiple-unit dwelling.
• Shift Development Inc. has submitted a revised development proposal for a dwelling group consisting of 21 units.
• The revised proposal is considered to be more compatible with the established character of the Riversdale neighbourhood.
• The existing Zoning Agreement is required to be repealed, and a new agreement put in place in order to facilitate construction of the revised proposal.

NEW SATURDAY
1ST AVE NB CENTER & CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED APPROACHING 22ND ST
(Crane Lift)
Start: January 24, 7:00 a.m. End: January 24, 1:00 p.m.

NEW SUNDAY

ADELAIDE ST ON RAMP TO IDYLWYLD DR NB CLOSED
(Light pole repairs)
Start: January 25, 9:00 a.m. End: January 24, 11:00 a.m.

IDYLWYLD DR SB ON RAMP CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE TO 8TH ST CLOSED
(Street light repair)
Start: January 25, 10:30 a.m. End: January 25, 12:30 p.m.
ONGOING
24TH ST E EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED 3RD AVE N
(Cable maintenance)
Start: January 21, 9:00 a.m. End: January 27, 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.

ONGOING
24TH ST E EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT 3RD AVE N
(Cable maintenance)
Start: January 21, 9:00 a.m. End: January 27, 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.

City crews are responding to slushy road conditions and patching potholes as unseasonably mild temperatures cause snow to melt quickly.

Priority streets are in good winter driving condition and crews continue to work 24/7 salting and sanding as required. Crews are concentrating on repairing potholes with cold mix asphalt on Priority 1 and 2 streets. So far this winter, approximately 10 tons of cold mix asphalt has been used to repair potholes.

With the warmer weather, snowpack on residential streets is becoming soft and turning to slush. While some ruts will develop, the current snowpack is not deep enough to cause severe rutting. Crews will monitor residential streets, investigate any reports of trouble areas, and maintain them as required.

Environment Canada is forecasting the mild temperatures to continue for at least the next week so there is less concern about the slush turning hard ice due to the expected continued melt.  Residents are reminded that sidewalk conditions can be slippery due to standing water that is subject to the freeze/thaw cycle from night time temperatures.

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.

Drivers are encouraged to be cautious and drive appropriately for the conditions. Use extra caution when approaching snow maintenance equipment such as sanders and graders; and avoid passing. Beware of reduced visibility. Clearing wet, slushy roads and shoulders can throw moisture onto your windshield leading to sudden loss of visibility. Always drive defensively and leave enough space to minimize snow spray.

Residents are encouraged to report potholes and 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

HWY 16 WB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED BETWEEN BOYCHUK DR & CIRCLE DR
(Light repairs)
Start: January 23, 9:00 a.m. End: January 23, 3:00 p.m.

ONGOING

24TH ST E EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT 3RD AVE N
(Cable maintenance)
Start: January 21, 9:00 a.m. End: January 27, 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.

ONGOING
24TH ST E EB CURB LANE CLOSED AT 3RD AVE N
(Cable maintenance)
Start: January 21, 9:00 a.m. End: January 27, 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.

The City of Saskatoon has awarded the contract for the new Civic Operations Centre (COC) to Integrated Team Solutions (ITS), establishing the City’s first Public-Private Partnership (P3).

“The procurement process was highly competitive and the savings were even greater than we anticipated,” says Jeff Jorgenson, General Manager of Transportation & Utilities. “The City budgeted $185 million for capital and maintenance/operating costs over 25 years; the submission from ITS came in $25 million under budget at $160 million. In addition, the Federal Government will also contribute approximately $38.5 million to the project through the P3 Canada Fund.”

The COC will be developed in phases, co-locating the new Saskatoon Transit Operations Facility and the City’s first Snow Management Facility. The new site located in Saskatoon’s southwest quadrant, will provide direct access to Circle Drive South Bridge which will allow the City to move equipment, materials and vehicles more efficiently around the city.

The facility will have room to store 224 City buses with capacity for future fleet growth. Among the features will be administrative offices, fare collection, fueling, wash lanes, maintenance bays and inspections pits. Relocating Saskatoon Transit from Caswell Hill removes an industrial use from a residential neighbourhood. The Snow Management Facility will have the capacity to store up to 1 million cubic metres of snow and will feature a meltwater collection site where the environmental safety of meltwater can be monitored prior to release into the storm sewer system. The COC also allows for the addition of other civic departments and services in the future.

ITS, a consortium comprised of EllisDon Capital Inc., Fengate Capital, Kasian Architecture, EllisDon Corporation and Cofely Services Inc., will design, build, finance and maintain both facilities at the COC for 25 years. At all times, the City retains full ownership of both facilities and will continue to operate day-to-day activities.

“ITS is excited to be partnering with the City of Saskatoon to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the new Civic Operations Centre,” said Danny Giacomel, ITS representative.  We are committed to delivering the Transit Operations Facility and the Snow Management Facility on time and on budget and then providing seamless operations and maintenance of these first class facilities for the 25 year contract term.”

Mayor Donald Atchison commented, “I want to thank Prime Minister Harper and the Federal Government for their commitment to our strong and diverse economy; this operations centre will ensure civic services keep pace with our prospering city over the next 25 years.” Mayor Atchison continued, “The facility will create jobs and contribute to the continued rejuvenation of the Caswell Hill neighbourhood.”

Value for Money calculations show the P3 model is expected to achieve value for taxpayer dollars equivalent to $92.3 million when compared to the traditional “Design-Bid-Build” approach typically used by the City.

“Another benefit of the P3 is that the agreement between the City and ITS is a fixed price contract so the project will not go over budget; the responsibility of any cost overruns rests with ITS,” says Jorgenson. “ITS is also responsible and accountable for ensuring the facilities are maintained and rehabilitated over the life of the agreement, otherwise the City’s annual payments will be reduced or withheld. The risk rests with ITS and not the City.”

Construction is expected to start in Spring 2015 and is due to be completed by late 2016 with Saskatoon Transit moving in, and the Snow Management Facility operational by January 2017.

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
33RD ST W EB & WB LANES CLOSED FROM AVE E N TO AVE D N
(Steel Beam Delivery)
Start: January 21, 6:00 a.m. End: January 21, 7:00 a.m.
24TH ST E EB CURB LANE CLOSED AT 3RD AVE N
(Cable maintenance)
Start: January 21, 9:00 a.m. End: January 27, 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.

NEW
5TH AVE N CLOSED FROM 25TH ST TO 26TH ST
(Sewer Connection Repair)
Start: January 20, 7:30 a.m. End: January 20, 5:30 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.

NEW
5TH AVE N CLOSED FROM 25TH ST TO 26TH ST
(Sewer Connection Repair)
Start: January 19, 9:00 a.m. End: January 19, 3:00 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.

The Saskatoon Fire Department has tested the ice on City ponds and confirms that the ice thickness on each of them is more than 40cm (16 inches).

Starting in December, the Saskatoon Fire Department tests the ice once a week using standard ice augers and appropriate safety precautions.

The ponds that have been tested and confirmed to have an ice thickness of more than 40cm are Dundonald, RCAF, “Rat Hole”, Lakeview, the pond at Circle Drive and Clarence Ave., Stonebridge, Trounce, Briarwood, John Avant and Erindale.

The City of Saskatoon believes that an ice thickness of 40cm provides a reasonable level of security to residents wishing to use the ponds for recreational activities.

NEW SUNDAY
ATTRIDGE DR EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN REVER RD & FORESTRY FARM PARK RD
(Light pole maintenance)
Start: January 18, 7:30 a.m. End: January 18, 9:00 a.m.

SPADINA CRES WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN 25TH ST & 24TH ST
(Street light repair)
Start: January 18, 7:30 a.m. End: January 18, 9:00 a.m.

CIRCLE DR NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN TAYLOR ST & 8TH ST
(Light pole maintenance)
Start: January 18, 7:30 a.m. End: January 18, 10:00 a.m.

CIRCLE DR WB OFF-RAMP CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE TO WARMAN RD CLOSED
(Light pole maintenance)
Start: January 18, 9:00 a.m. End: January 18, 10:30 a.m.

25TH ST EB & WB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANES CLOSED AT SPADINA CRES
(Street light repair)
Start: January 18, 9:00 a.m. End: January 18, 10:30 a.m.

COLLEGE DR EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN CENTRAL AVE & MCKERCHER DR
(Light pole maintenance)
Start: January 18, 10:00 a.m. End: January 18, 11:30 a.m.

CIRCLE DR NB & SB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANES CLOSED BETWEEN 22ND ST & LAURIER DR
(Light pole maintenance)
Start: January 18, 10:30 a.m. End: January 18, 12:00 p.m.

WARMAN RD SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN HAZEN ST & CAVERS ST
(Street light repair)
Start: January 18, 10:30 a.m. End: January 18, 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.

Online Water Outage Service Alerts are now available 24/7 to notify residents affected by unplanned water service disruptions that require the water to be off for 8 hours or more. These alerts, similar to Power Outage Service Alerts, will now be available at Saskatoon.ca or by following @YXEServiceAlert on Twitter.

“Throughout the year, the City experiences an average of five water line breaks per week affecting up to 25 households at a time, so improving our communication during these inconvenient events will be beneficial for residents,” says Pat Hyde, Director of Public Works.  “A major contributing factor for the cause of these breaks is the extreme weather changes we experience here in Saskatoon. Fluctuating temperatures can cause the ground to expand and contract, shifting the pipes underground.”

Water Outage Service Alerts will be issued when the water is turned off, if there is a change to the scope of the outage, and again once water is restored. Since November 1, 2014 the City has experienced 42 water main breaks, compared to 77 over the same period last year. The 20 year average for the same period is 66.

It is the City’s goal to repair the water line and restore water within 24 – 48 hours.  Once the repair is completed and the water is turned back on, a Drinking Water Advisory (DWA) will be in place for the following 2 to 3 days. This notice advises that there is a risk of water contamination during the repair process, so occupants are advised to boil water before drinking. Residents are notified with a yellow door hanger when the DWA is issued and a green door hanger once the laboratory confirms the water is safe to drink and the advisory is lifted.  The period from when the water is turned off to when the DWA is lifted is typically 4-6 days.

 “The City provides a community emergency water supply trailer within the first eight hours of a water outage,” says Hyde. “The City has six trailers which are prioritized for distribution based on the order the breaks occur.”

This year, all residents affected by a water service outage are invited to use shower facilities at their nearest City Leisure Centre.  The service will be provided at no cost until your water service is restored. Residents can access the showers during the centre’s regular hours of operation and will need to provide proof of address, such as a driver’s license or utility bill, to gain entry to the facility. 

Be prepared.  Every home should be prepared for an unexpected water outage by having a supply of bottled drinking water.  It is recommended to have enough water for a 72-hour period, which amounts to 3.8 litres (one gallon) per person or pet per day.

For more information visit saskatoon.ca or call 306-975-2476 to report a water main break.

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
HWY 16 WB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED APPROACHING CIRCLE DR OVERPASS
(Lamp bulb replacement)
Speed reduced to 60 km/h
Start: January 15, 9:00 a.m. End: January 15, 3:00 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.

The City of Saskatoon is taking precautions after trace amounts of loose asbestos containing material were discovered on the mechanical room floor at the Cosmo Civic Centre. The heating and cooling systems in the restricted access mechanical room had been under renovation starting in May 2014.

On December 18, the City's Asbestos Management Program Consultant notified the City about remnants of chrysotile, an asbestos containing material (ACM) on the mechanical room floor at Cosmo Civic Centre. The facility's pipes and fittings in the mechanical room had been insulated with ACM.

“It is the expectation that if asbestos is present at a worksite, that it should be reported and removed or shielded appropriately as the work proceeds.  It appears this didn’t happen at Cosmo Civic Centre.  We take this seriously and are continuing our investigation” says Kerry Tarasoff, General Manager for Asset & Financial Management.  “In the meantime, our priority is the health and well-being of any employee, contract worker or visitor who has questions or concerns.”

In keeping with standard protocol, the City has filed a Dangerous Occurrence Report with the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety detailing the events surrounding the detection of Asbestos and air quality testing results.

“As soon as this safety issue came to light, we acted decisively and immediately,” Tarasoff says.  “We take the health and wellness of our employees, contractors and the public seriously.  Once it was detected at the worksite, we took immediate steps to protect workers and patrons from any further potential exposure risk.”

The facility’s mechanical room was immediately sealed and labeled to prevent access.

Employees and contractors who may have come into some level of contact with the material were immediately informed and invited to contact the City with any questions and concerns.

Independent air quality testing was conducted in the mechanical room and entire facility, with testing results returned to the City the same day.

Air quality testing results came back “all clear and all clean” for the immediate area and Cosmo Civic Centre.  The safety standard for exposure to Asbestos is 0.01 fibres/cubic centimetre.  The air quality testing for Cosmo Civic Centre and its mechanical room came back at .0002 fibres/cubic centimeter or 200 times safer than the permissible level.

A certified Asbestos contractor was hired to clean the immediate area and safely dispose of any material.

The City has met with employees who may have accessed the mechanical room during the renovation, offering personal support and health information.  City Human Resources is completing and filing Workers Compensation Claims for each employee.

To avoid such incidents in the future, the City is accelerating the Asbestos Management Program.  The program reviews civic facilities and identifies those that may contain ACM.  To date, 49 of 55 buildings have been reviewed.  In August 2013, the City voluntary added the list of all the buildings to the Provincial Asbestos Registry.

Hazard signage will be immediately installed in the service areas of the six remaining buildings and formal inspections are scheduled to follow.

City of Saskatoon facilities, including Cosmo Civic Centre, are safe and open to the public.

If visitors of Cosmo Civic Centre have questions or concerns please contact Occupational Health & Safety at the City of Saskatoon by calling 306-975-3261.  More information on the health risks of asbestos can be found at http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/healthy-living-vie-saine/environment-environnement/outdoor-air-exterieur/asbestos-amiante-eng.php.

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

CIRCLE DR EB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM PRESTON AVE TO HWY 11
(Lamp bulb replacement)
Start: January 14, 9:00 a.m. End: January 14, 3:00 p.m.

CONFEDERATION DR NB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT 22ND ST INTERSECTION
(Guardrail repair)
Confederation Dr SB left turn lane approaching 22nd St closed
Start: January 14, 10:00 a.m. End: January 14, 12:00 p.m.

8TH ST E WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM EASTLAKE AVE TO VICTORIA AVE
(Concrete pour)
Start: January 14, 1:00 p.m. End: January 14, 4:30 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.

NEW
CIRCLE DR S EB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM CLARENCE AVE TO PRESTON AVE
(Bulb replacement)
Start: January 13, 9:00 a.m. End: January 13, 3:00 p.m.
TAYLOR ST E WB CURB LANE CLOSED ON CIRCLE DR E OVERPASS
(Crash cushion repair)
Access to Circle Dr. northbound maintained.
Start: January 13, 9:00 a.m. End: January 13, 2:00 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.

The necessary rehabilitation of Saskatoon’s iconic University Bridge is planned for the 2015 construction season. The project is currently out for tender with a closing deadline of January, 28, 2015, at which time the City should be in a position to award the contract for the project.

“The rehabilitation of the near 100 year old bridge is great news for our growing city and will ensure the structure will continue to serve commuters for many years to come,” says Mike Gutek, Director of Major Projects. “Maintaining City infrastructure and bridges is important to Saskatoon.”

An independent engineering assessment of the bridge in 2013 identified the deck is structurally insufficient and the concrete is susceptible to rapid failure and loss of strength due to freeze-thaw action. While there is no risk of danger, the assessment concluded that immediate repairs are required.

“Deferring the project until the Traffic Bridge and North Commuter Parkway Projects are complete in late 2018 would result in further deterioration and could affect bridge use,” Gutek says. “Also, construction costs could increase by as much as an estimated 30 per cent due to further deterioration over the next three years.”

The City is tendering the project for construction during the 2015 season and the deck work that will impact traffic is expected to occur between May 1 and August 30, 2015. The City will be able to provide more detailed construction timeframes once the tender closes at the end of this month.

The project tender suggests a single lane of eastbound traffic exiting Downtown remain open Monday to Friday, from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and for a single walkway to remain open at all times during construction. The contractor will be permitted to perform work 24 hours a day to ensure the project is delivered in the most efficient and effective manner with the least disruption to drivers possible.

“Until the tender is closed, and detailed traffic analysis is carried out, the details on exactly how the construction project will change traffic flow are subject to adjustment,” Gutek says.

“To that end, we’re deeply aware this work will have a significant impact on traffic flow in our City, but the repairs are necessary for the safety and longevity of this important piece of infrastructure,” Gutek says. “During construction we will encourage drivers to use alternate routes to avoid traffic congestion and delays. The opening of the Circle Drive South Bridge has increased river crossing capacity, and the Senator Sid Buckwold Bridge and Broadway Bridge are also options for travel to and from Downtown.”

The University Bridge was constructed in 1916, a new concrete deck was built in 1972 and, in 1985, the waterproof membrane and asphalt surface were replaced. During a rehabilitation project in 1998/1999 the sidewalks on both sides as well as the spandrel walls between the deck and the main arches were replaced.

A comprehensive and proactive plan is already in use to work with all stakeholders and those impacted by the project to minimize disruption. The project will be discussed at the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation on Monday, January 12, 2015.

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
CIRCLE DR S EB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED FROM CLARENCE AVE S TO PRESTON AVE S
(Lamp bulb replacements)
Start: January 12, 9:00 a.m. End: January 12, 3:00 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 Wednesday, January 7, 2015, crews will begin pruning trees on civic property in East College Park as part of the City of Saskatoon’s (City) overall boulevard tree maintenance program.  Haultain will follow on Monday, January 12, 2015, and Forest Grove after College Park is complete.

The boulevard tree maintenance program follows a regular pruning cycle to help preserve the health and appearance of the City’s boulevard and park tree inventory. Maintenance crews will remove any broken, dead, weak, and diseased branches. Keeping sidewalks and roads free of any hazards, crews will also remove any tree parts that are obstructing pedestrian or vehicle traffic and maintain appropriate clearances from buildings, signs, streetlights, and utility wires.  Tree maintenance operations in these three neighbourhoods will continue until Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Tree maintenance often requires road restrictions.  The City reminds pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers to ensure that safety is a priority by respecting the work zone appropriately and obeying all road restrictions and signage.

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
BROADWAY AVE NB LANES CLOSED BETWEEN 12TH ST E & SASKATCHEWAN CRES
(Water main repair)
Use Clarence Ave. Broadway Ave SB turning lane to 12th St E EB closed.
Start: January 6, 9:00 a.m. End: January 6, 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.

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Starting today, January 2, any required 2015 Assessment Notices will be mailed to property and business owners located in Saskatoon. The total value of the 2015 Property Assessment Roll is approximately $40 billion.

The Assessment Notice is not a tax bill. It lets owners know the assessed value of their property, which is then used to determine how much property tax must be paid.

Since 2013, property owners have been paying property tax each year based on the value of their property as of January, 2011. Province-wide revaluations take place in Saskatchewan once every four years. The next province-wide reassessment will take place in 2017.

An average single residential property in Saskatoon now has an assessment value of $325,000. “Our goal is to create and conduct property assessments that place fair, accurate, and equitable values on properties,” City Assessor Les Smith says. “Increases or decreases to the amount of property tax a resident owes due to the 2013 revaluation are phased-in over the four year assessment cycle – 2015 marks the third year of the phase-in process,” adds Smith.

The Customer Assessment Appeal Period runs January 2 until February 6, 2015.

As this is a non-revaluation year, property owners have 30 days to appeal their assessment. Customer Assessment Appeals can be made from January 2 until February 6, 2015 by completing the appeal form included with your assessment which can be mailed or delivered with the required fee to:

The Secretary, Board of Revision
c/o City Clerk's Office, City Hall
222 - 3rd Avenue North
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7K 0J5

If any information about a residential property or business premise needs to be changed or updated, or if customers wish to discuss their assessment further, they are encouraged to contact Assessment and Taxation at 306-975-3227 or visit the Assessment and Taxation Division in person at 4-325 Third Ave N, located one block north of City Hall.
The City of Saskatoon collects property taxes on behalf of the City, the Provincial Government for the Public and Separate School Boards, and the Saskatoon Public Library. Each taxing authority establishes its annual budget, and after taking into consideration other sources of revenue, determines the total revenue required through taxation.

Property Tax Notices will be delivered in May 2015, once education rates are determined as part of the provincial budget.

The City uses a valuation approach that ensures property values are a reflection of the fair market value on a given date.  Factors like location (neighbourhood) of the property, traffic patterns around the property, views, and the property structure are all used to determine an assessment value. Adjustments are also made for other factors including size, age, style, garage, etc.

Property owners can also find useful market and assessment information about their own property by using the Property Assessment & Tax Tool located under Online Services on the homepage of saskatoon.ca, or by clicking on ’A’ for Assessment for more detailed tax 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.

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Environment Canada is forecasting -28 C and colder over the weekend and the City would like to caution drivers of the affect these cold temperatures can have on driving conditions.

Roadway crews are out now and will continue to keep high speed roads clear throughout the snowfall, sanding and salting as required.  Extreme cold can create icy conditions on sidewalks and roads, especially on bridges and overpasses.  In addition:

- The very cold road conditions combined with ice crystals in the air settle and cause roadways to be more slippery than usual winter driving conditions.  Condensation, which drifts from vehicle exhaust when stopped or in rush hour traffic near intersections, may also contribute to more frost on the road.

- During very cold weather, on Circle Drive sand is applied more frequently as it does not stick to the roadway as well as it would under warmer temperatures.
- We are continuing the pilot project for the use of the magnesium chloride additive to sand as a de-icer and applying it to Circle Drive and the priority 1 streets as salt is ineffective for melting ice below -16 C.
- We take extra precautionary measures in extreme weather conditions: All bridge decks are checked and sanded every two hours.  Bridge decks are usually sanded just before rush hour because it’s very difficult to sand during peak times.

City Crews will be doing their best to keep roads sanded and salted, so please watch for equipment on the road.  The large machines used are equipped with flashing amber lights, move slowly in teams of two or more and can be found on the road at any time of day or night.  Drivers should stay a minimum of 15 metres back from the equipment and approach slowly if passing is necessary.   

When safe to do so, drivers can report icy locations to 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.

 

Saskatoon Transit and SGI have partnered to bring Saskatoon residents free bus and Access Transit service on New Year’s Eve. Enjoy yourself this New Year’s Eve, and don’t worry about driving because the ride’s on us!

The free bus service will run on Wednesday, December 31, from 8:00 p.m. to 2:45 a.m. (may vary slightly by route) on a weekday evening schedule.  To ensure everyone has a safe ride home, customers will be able to flag down their bus at any point along the route, not just at specified stops.  Please remember to be safe while flagging a bus, stand on the curb and raise your hand to get the operators attention.

For people heading to the New Year's festivities at Prairieland Park, Saskatoon Transit will be providing shuttle service from the Downtown Bus Terminal. We will be picking-up party goers in front of the south entrance of 2nd Avenue Lofts on 23rd Street. Please note departure times from this location only will be every 30 minutes starting at 8:00 p.m.

Route 14 - Will not be running to the North Industrial area after 7:00 p.m.

For more information about Ding in the New Year schedules call 306-975-3100 and speak to a Customer Service Representative (phones are available until 11:30 p.m.) Access Transit customers can call 306-975-3555 (normal booking procedures apply).

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.

 

Earlier this month, City Council approved an overall energy charge increase of three per cent. For the average residential customer, this will mean a monthly increase of $3.
This rate increase is effective January 1, 2015.
A few tips to reduce your electricity use:

1. Ensure your home is well insulated and properly sealed.
2. Ensure indoor humidity levels are between 30 and 50 per cent.
3. Install an automatic timer on your lights.

For more information, visit saskatoon.ca and look under ‘S’ for Saskatoon Light & Power.

For Immediate Release: Monday, December 29, 2014

City residents can drop off live Christmas trees for recycling at the following locations now until January 31, 2015:

• Primrose Drive Recycling Depot (adjacent to Lawson Civic Centre)
• Lowe Road Recycling Depot (Attridge Drive & Lowe Road)
• Wildwood Golf Course parking lot (8th Street East)
• George Ward Pool parking lot (1915 5th Street East)
• Doukhobor Cultural Society of Saskatoon parking lot (525 Ave I South at 17th Street)
• Meadowgreen Recycling Depot (Witney Avenue & 22nd Street)

Please remove all decorations, ornaments and plastic bags before you drop off your tree to be recycled. Trees should be dropped off unwrapped and unbound. Artificial trees, garbage, recyclables or other yard wastes will not be accepted.

The City reminds residents not to put discarded Christmas trees in either the black garbage carts or the blue recycle carts. The City will not pick up Christmas trees from back lanes or street fronts.

For more information about recycling and waste handling, visit SaskatoonRecycles.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.

The Multi-Unit Recycling Program run by Cosmo Industries, which was recently adopted by City Council, will continue to move ahead.  There were statements in the news and on social media that the Cosmo program was stopped indefinitely.

“Unfortunately, this information was inaccurate and has led to confusion in the community,” says Brenda Wallace, Director of Environmental and Corporate Initiatives. “To be clear, Cosmo Industries will continue to collect recyclables from apartment and condo blue bins.”

The provincial government announced last week that it was “adjusting” the province-wide Multi-Materials Recycling Program (MMRP), which may have funding implications for the City.

“The implications of the recent postponement of the MMRP are not yet known,” Wallace says.  “The Administration will bring options to City Council once a financial impact is confirmed.”

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 would like to extend a sincere thank you and best wishes to Marlys Bilanski, who is retiring this week after 35 years of service.

“To say that Marlys has left an indelible mark on the City would be an understatement.  Hers is a record of solid financial management and prudent fiscal policy,” says City Manager, Murray Totland.  “One of the reasons that Saskatoon has a AAA credit rating is because of the financial stewardship that Marlys has provided the corporation during her more than three decades of work.”

Marlys began her career with the City in 1979 and has worked in a variety of accounting positions, including Budget Manager and City Comptroller.  In 2005, Marlys became the General Manager of Corporate Services, later to become the General Manager of Asset & Financial Management and the City’s Chief Financial Officer.

In this role, Marlys has worked tirelessly behind the scenes ensuring the dollars were in place so all of the City’s biggest projects could move from an idea to a reality.

“Our Corporation’s strong financial health has been established through the hard work and keen insights of Marlys and her team.  Her wealth of knowledge has been a tremendous asset to the Corporation, and her professionalism, work ethic, and friendship will be missed,” says Totland.

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 is celebrating the spirit of giving at this time of year, and recognizing the Snow Angels who go above and beyond to help fellow neighbours keep sidewalks clear of snow and ice throughout winter.

His Worship, Mayor Donald Atchison today thanked and presented a gift to Glenn Hussey, this month’s winner of the Snow Angel program’s prize draw. Mr. Hussey was nominated as a Snow Angel by his neighbours, Peggy and Bob Woods.

“Twice last month, Glenn appeared with his snow blower and cleared our drive and sidewalk after a heavy snowfall,” says Mr. Woods. “My wife and I were both times sitting after breakfast trying to raise the energy and determination to do the job ourselves; the sound of his snow blower was both music to our ears and a relief.”

A City bylaw requires residential sidewalks be clear of snow and ice within 48 hours after a snowfall.

“Clearing sidewalks quickly after a snowfall makes it easier and safer for people to move around, and a friendly gesture from a neighbour goes a long way in improving accessibility and mobility for everyone,” says Colleen McKee, Marketing and Communications Manager for Transportation & Utilities. “The City is responsible for clearing sidewalks adjacent to civic facilities, the Meewasin Trail and lit pathways in City parks but we rely on our citizens to help keep people moving around in residential neighbourhoods.”

If residents receive help from a neighbour or relative, they can nominate them as a Snow Angel online, or by mailing their name and address to; Public Works, City of Saskatoon, 222 – 3rd Avenue North, S7K 0J5. The City will send them a thank you card signed by His Worship, Mayor Donald Atchison and they’ll be entered into a draw to win a one-month family pass to any City leisure centre.

“Saskatoon is a city full of wonderful people who help each other out; the Snow Angel program embodies the spirit of being good neighbours, which is something we take pride in,” says His Worship, Mayor Donald Atchison. “Glenn is just one of hundreds of incredible citizens nominated as a Snow Angel each winter, lending a hand to make Saskatoon a great place to live.”

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

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Two neighbourhoods in Saskatoon will have their blue recycling carts collected on a different day of the week in 2015 – City Park and Exhibition. Changing the recycling routes for these two neighbourhoods will decrease the amount of fuel used by the Loraas Recycle collection trucks and reduce GHG emissions. The garbage collection day remains the same for all neighbourhoods in 2015.

City Park households will have their blue carts collected on Thursday (rather than Wednesday) starting January 8, 2015. The last blue cart collection in 2014 for City Park will be on Wednesday, December 31.

Exhibition households will have their blue carts collected on Thursday (rather than Tuesday) starting January 8, 2015. The last blue cart collection in 2014 for Exhibition will be on Tuesday, December 23.

The change to recycling cart collection day for these two neighbourhoods is reflected in the 2015 Waste and Recycling Calendar, which will arrive in mailboxes around December 24. It is also included on the online version of the 2015 collection calendar at www.SaskatoonRecycles.ca, where residents can also sign up for to receive handy collections reminders by phone or email.

Residents in all other neighbourhoods can expect 2015 cart collections to occur on the same days of the week as in 2014.

Loraas Recycle provides the blue cart recycling service and is available to answer your questions. Just call (306) 242-2300 or email customercare@loraas.ca

By recycling paper and packaging, and putting waste in the right place, together we can divert recyclables away from our Landfill and grow a greener Saskatoon.