News Releases

The Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo’s resident Red Panda, Phoenix, will be leaving Saskatoon on Sunday, October 1, 2017.

“For the past three years, Phoenix has lived with us in the PotashCorp Ark Exhibit and his presence was enjoyed by visitors of all ages,” says Zoo Manager Tim Sinclair-Smith.

Sinclair-Smith adds, “Phoenix’s move is part of the Species Survival Plan (SSP) developed by the (American) Association of Zoos and Aquariums to help ensure the survival of selected species in zoos and aquariums, most of which are threatened or endangered in the wild.”

“The SSP plans to grow and develop a long-term program for red pandas, and Phoenix will play a key role in the continued development of the program.”

Recently, the red panda has been classified as Endangered because its population in the wild is estimated to be less than 10,000 and continues to decline due to habitat loss among other causes.

“We hope that one day red pandas will return to the Zoo, but for now our commitment is to the SSP and the important work it is doing to maintain a healthy, genetically diverse, and stable population for red pandas,” says Sinclair-Smith.

In celebration of Phoenix’s final days in Saskatoon, the Zoo Animal Care team will be on hand to answer questions at the PotashCorp Ark Exhibit throughout the month of September.

The Zoo is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and the Forestry Farm Park gates are open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

A special meeting of the Governance and Priorities Committee will be held on Wednesday, September 20, 2017, for City Council to hear an update on the Recreation & Parks Master Plan Long-Range Capital Plan.  The meeting will include presentations from community-based organizations interested in partnering with the City on capital initiatives.

In 2015, City Council approved the Recreation & Parks Master Plan to provide a framework for guiding the development, delivery and improvement of recreation and parks programs, services and facilities now and into the future.  It identified recommendations for implementation for the City and community over the next 15 years.

“The Master Plan was developed by a diverse team,” says Lynne Lacroix, Director of Recreation and Community Development.  “This included the City Administration and recreation experts, along with extensive community and stakeholder engagement.  The team heard from key agencies and sectors involved in and affected by recreation and parks services.”

The next step in the implementation of the Master Plan is to set priorities for long-range capital budget planning for recreation and parks facilities.  The goal will be to identify gaps and to formalize a process for setting priorities:  that is, what, when, and where to build or upgrade amenities.

“We’ve developed a game plan for prioritizing enhanced or new recreation and parks facilities.”

Lacroix says the plan focuses on three areas:

• maintenance of existing City-owned facilities;
• identifying new initiatives based on trends and partnership opportunities; and
• growth-related infrastructure in new areas of the city.

The game plan details annual capital expenditures and priorities related to recreation and parks infrastructure using the Master Plan tools and framework.  Once received by the Governance and Priorities Committee, this game plan, along with a proposed funding strategy, will proceed to City Council for debate in the budget proceedings later this year.

Please visit www.saskatoon.ca/recmasterplan for the highlights of the Recreation & Parks Master Plan, to view the plan in its entirety, and for more information on implementation.

From the September 11, 2017 Meeting 

7.1.1 Construction & Design, 2015/2016 Annual Report

Decision

*A report of the Acting General Manager, Transportation & Utilities Department, was received as information.

Background

*Construction & Design is a service provider to the City of Saskatoon that delivers municipal infrastructure projects; provides regulatory oversight; maintains infrastructure records; and provides expertise, advice and guidance on municipal infrastructure. Administration is proud to present the first annual report demonstrating a variety of successful municipal projects.

7.2.5 Service Saskatoon – Open Data Update Report

Decision

*The Committee will recommend to City Council:

1. That the City engage in an Open Data program;
2. That the Administration be directed to develop a detailed strategy to implement the recommendations outlined in the MPATH report, and report back by April, 2018.

Background

*The original Open Data Catalogue pilot project was presented to City Council on August 15, 2012. The pilot project received approval for $40,000 for a capital project to engage with the local develop community and to establish a beta site to publish City data sets.

The catalogue was populated with a number of data sets that were static in nature. Static data sets in the current catalogue are not consistently updated, and as a result, the information may not be current and accurate. The process of creating, uploading, and maintaining data sets is currently a manual process. Prior to publishing the new data set, a pre-Personal Information Assessment is prepared and submitted to City Clerks prior to loading it to the open data catalogue. Currently, there are no dedicated resources for the Open Data program.

7.2.6 Climate Change Mitigation Business Plan - Opportunities

Decision

*The Committee will recommend to City Council:

1. That the information pertaining to Climate Change Mitigation Business Plan be received; and
2. That the allocation of Corporate Performance Department Capital Funding of $20,000, in addition to $80,000 of Federation of Canadian Municipalities grant funding, be referred to the 2018 Business Plan and Budget deliberations to support development of the Business Plan.

Background

*In November 2015, the City became a signatory to the Compact of Mayors, now known as the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, which commits the City of Saskatoon to address climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Within three years of becoming a signatory, Saskatoon is required to develop and submit an action plan for demonstrating how the City will deliver on its promise to mitigate emissions.

At its meeting on June 26, 2017, City Council resolved, in part:

1. That the greenhouse gas emissions reduction target for the City of Saskatoon (corporate) be adjusted to utilize 2014 as the base year, specifically, a reduction of 40% below 2014 levels by 2023; and a reduction of 80% below 2014 levels by 2050.

2. That the recommended reduction targets for the community proposed by the Saskatoon Environmental Advisory Committee be adopted.

From the September 11, 2017 Meeting

7.1.2 Capital Project #2407 – North Commuter Parkway & Traffic Bridge Construction Update

Decision

*The report of the Acting General Manager, Transportation and Utilities Department, was received as information.

Background

*At a special meeting held on September 8, 2015, City Council awarded the RFP for the North Commuter Parkway and Traffic Bridge, naming GCP the Preferred Proponent. At its meeting on November 23, 2015, City Council received information regarding the financial details of the Project Agreement (PA) with GCP. A construction update was last provided on March 13, 2017 to the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation.

7.1.3 Highway 16 and Boychuk Drive, McOrmond Drive and College Drive Interchanges – Construction Update

Decision

*The report of the Acting General Manager, Transportation and Utilities Department, was received as information.

Background

*At its meeting held on November 28, 2016, City Council awarded the Request for Proposals for the Saskatoon Interchange Project, naming PCL Construction Management Inc. (PCL) the Preferred Proponent for the project. PCL and the City of Saskatoon finalized the Project Agreement with an effective date for the project of December 12, 2016. A project update was last provided on March 13, 2017 to the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation.

7.2.1 2018 Residential Parking Program Expansion

Decision

*The Committee is recommending to City Council:

1. That Residential Parking Permit zones be expanded, as outlined in the report, effective in 2018, using existing resources, including that the Administration speak with businesses, institutions and organizations affected by the Residential Parking Program changes to ensure they are not encountering undue hardship, and where reasonable, accommodations be made; and

2. That the City Solicitor be requested to prepare the proposed amendments to Residential Parking Program, 1999, Bylaw No. 7862.

Committee also resolved that the Administration report back on the possibility of including multi-unit dwellings in the Residential Parking Permit program, specifically, in cases where those dwellings are similar to single family homes, such as in the case of street-facing townhouse condos.

Background

*Permit zones have been created to increase on-street parking opportunities for residents in areas with high on-street parking demand. Policies and Bylaw dictate Permit zones must:

a) be predominantly residential and not in a pay parking area;

b) have a shortage of on-street parking; and

c) be supported by no less than 70% of households on each block-face or by no less than 50% of households in Limited Permit zones.

Creation or expansion of a Permit zone is a community-lead initiative, driven by the following process:

1. Residents request a Permit zone by submitting a petition with 70% of households per block-face supporting the zone.

2. The Administration verifies the results of the petition.

3. When the petition requirements are met, the Administration conducts a parking study to confirm there is an on-street parking shortage in the area.

4. When the parking study requirements are met, a report is sent to City Council seeking approval of the new or expanded Permit zone.

7.2.2 Road Maintenance Service Level

Decision

*The Committee is recommending to City Council:

1. That the current service level for the Road Maintenance service line be maintained and approved; and

2. That the option of increasing road maintenance by $200,000 be forwarded to the 2018 Preliminary Business Plan and Budget deliberations.

Background

*At the May 15, 2017 meeting of the Governance and Priorities Committee, the Administration committed to bring forward a series of service level documents on core services. The service level template communicates two key messages:

1. Information for citizens, Committees, and City Council about “what we do”, “why we do it”, and “how much it costs” for each service line.

2. Viable options to the current state of service levels, entitled “what else is possible”.

7.2.3 Proposed Amendments to Bylaw No. 7200 – The Traffic Bylaw – Speed Limit Changes

*Decision

The Committee is recommending to City Council:

1. That the speed limit on Central Avenue from a point 220 metres north of Somers Road to Agra Road be reduced from 60 kph to 50 kph;

2. That a speed limit on Lowe Road from Agra Road to a point 800 metres north of Agra Road be reduced from 80 kph to 50 kph;

3. That a speed limit on McOrmond Drive from Fedoruk Drive to a point 800 metres east of Lowe Road be reduced from 60 kph to 50 kph;

4. That a speed limit of 60 kph on Central Avenue from Agra Road to McOrmond Drive be established;

5. That a speed limit on Lowe Road from a point 800 metres north of Agra Road to McOrmond Drive be reduced from 80 kph to 60 kph;

6. That a speed limit of 60 kph on McOrmond Drive from a point 800 metres east of Lowe Road to Central Avenue be established;

7. The Small Swale has been recognized to have similar ecological significance to the Northeast Swale, as such the decision to determine the speed limit for the Small Swale be referred to the Northeast Swale stakeholder committee before a speed limit is determined on McOrmond Drive from Central Avenue to Wanuskewin Road.

8. That a speed limit on Millar Avenue from 60^th Street to 71^st Street be reduced from 60 kph to 50 kph;

9. That a speed limit on Zimmerman Road from Highway No. 16 to a point 1,000 metres north of Highway No. 16 be reduced from 80 kph to 60 kph;

10. That a speed limit on 71^st Street West from Thatcher Avenue west to the City Limit be reduced from 90 kph to 70 kph;

11. That a speed limit of 80 kph on College Drive from a point 100 metres east of Preston Avenue to the East City Limit be established;

12.  That the City Solicitor be requested to prepare the appropriate bylaw amendment to Bylaw No. 7200, The Traffic Bylaw, effective December 1, 2017.

Background

*The recommended maximum allowable speeds for new and/or modified roadways are based on road classification, adjacent land use, driver behaviour and familiarity, and/or safety concerns. The goal is to establish a reasonable and safe speed limit that is appropriate for a particular roadway based on its design and classification.

 

The driver of a large pickup, which last September struck a City crew truck, has been fined and prohibited from driving for a year.

Following a guilty plea in Provincial Court, the accused was sentenced March 29 and ordered to pay a fine of $2,100 plus a $900 victim surcharge for a total fine amount of $3,000.

The driver will also be on probation for a year following the license suspension.

City workers were painting crosswalks along College Drive when it happened near Munroe Avenue in the early morning of Friday, September 2, 2016.

One worker had just stepped out of the truck to set up the work zone when he heard a loud vehicle approaching. Luckily, the worker managed to jump to the side before the pickup collided with the City half-ton.

The second City worker in the driver’s seat hit his head on the steering wheel from the impact.

The crash had so much force it pushed the City truck ahead another 10 metres (see photos below).

A reminder to motorists, City crews are out this week line painting on high traffic roads during evening and overnight hours starting at 7p.m. until 7a.m. The City asks motorists to proceed with caution around these areas, and to respect work zones.

 

As a result of the City’s most recent periodic review of speed limits, Administration is proposing changes to the speed limits on 8 sections of Saskatoon roadways. Additionally, new speed limits are being proposed for 4 sections of roadway that are either new or about to experience new uses and travel patterns.

Many of the changes being proposed are in the vicinity of the North Commuter Parkway in anticipation of the bridge’s opening in 2018. The maximum allowable speed is determined based on road classification (e.g. commuter or residential), adjacent land use, reported driver behaviour, and safety concerns.

“Our objective is to establish speed limits that help keep the flow of traffic moving as quickly as is safe,” says Jay Magus, Acting Director of Transportation. “The speed limits need to be reasonable based on the road classification and design so that drivers aren’t experiencing unnecessary frustration, but are also able to navigate the roadways at a speed that keeps them in control.”

Some of the changes being proposed are as follows:

• Speed reduction from 60 km/h to 50 km/h:

• Central Avenue north of Somers Road to Agra Road
• McOrmond Drive from Fedoruk Drive to east of Lowe Road
• Millar Avenue from 60^th Street to 71^st Street

• Speed increase from 50 km/h to 60 km/h on Fedoruk Drive from Central Avenue to McOrmond Drive
• Speed reduction from 80 km/h to 60 km/h on Zimmerman Road north of Highway 16

The proposed changes will be considered by the City’s Special Policy Committee on Transportation later today (Sept. 11). If adopted, the changes are expected to take effect this fall.

Saskatoon Transit buses will leave the Special Events stop downtown (at 23^rd Street and 2^nd Avenue, outside 2^nd Avenue Lofts) to service the Canadian Country Music Awards (CCMA) at SaskTel Centre on Sunday, September 10^th at the following times:

3:30 p.m.

3:45 p.m.

4:10 p.m.

4:25 p.m.

4:45 p.m.

Return buses will depart directly after the show.

Saskatoon Transit encourages everyone taking in pre-award show events at Prairieland Park to consider using Transit.

• CCMA Rock’n Country Cabaret - Friday, September 8

• Route 1 from the downtown terminal to the Exhibition grounds at 6:31 p.m. and every hour until 11:31 p.m.  The last trip is at 12:14 a.m.
• The last bus leaving Hilliard Street and Ruth Street to get other buses is at 11:48 p.m.
• Route 19 runs from downtown to Lorne Ave and Ruth Street at 7:16 p.m. and every hour until 11:16 p.m.
• The last bus leaving Taylor Street and Lorne Avenue will be at 12:05 a.m.

 

• SiriusXM FanFest - Saturday, September 9

• Route 1 runs from downtown hourly before 10:31 a.m. then every half hour until 5:31 p.m.
• Route 19 runs from the downtown terminal hourly before 11:16 a.m. then every half hour until 5:46 p.m.

Transit route information can be found at transit.saskatoon.ca, or by calling the Transit Information Line at 306-975-7500.  Citizens can also plan their trip on the Transit or Google Maps App on their mobile device.  

 

For more information about Saskatoon Transit, visit saskatoontransit.ca or follow @StoonTransit on Twitter. Plan your route in advance using any of the following tools: Saskatoon Transit Trip Planner, Google Transit Trip Planner, or the Transit App on your mobile device.

The City is approximately five months into the construction of two new interchanges on Saskatoon’s east side. The Saskatoon Interchange Project, which involves the construction of an interchange at Boychuk Drive and Highway 16 and an interchange at McOrmond Drive and College Drive, began in April.

“Projects like these interchanges not only help people get around faster and more safely, they help drive our economy today and lay the foundations of growth tomorrow,” says the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. “I'm pleased that work is well underway. Working together, the City, province and the federal government are achieving results for the community.”

The governments of Canada and Saskatchewan are each contributing up to $10,960,885 to the Boychuk Drive and Highway 16 Interchange through the Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component – National and Regional Projects.

“The Government of Saskatchewan is pleased to play a role in helping improve safety for motorists and easing traffic congestion in Saskatoon by investing over $10.9 million toward the Boychuk Drive and Highway 16 project,” says the Honourable Larry Doke, Minister of Government Relations.

The Boychuk Drive and Highway 16 interchange is scheduled to open in the summer of 2019.

“At the Boychuk Drive and Highway 16 Interchange, the temporary intersection is functioning allowing the permanent works to proceed,” says Mike Gutek, City of Saskatoon Special Projects Manager of Major Projects and Preservation. “There is much work ahead, with only 25% complete so far, however it has been a good start.”

At the McOrmond Drive and College Drive interchange site, required underground service work is ongoing and a temporary intersection and adjoining roads, which will be in place until the new interchange opens, will open Sunday, September 10. All traffic movements will be maintained, however delays are anticipated and the City encourages drivers to allow themselves extra time, consider alternate routes, or travel outside of peak hours. 

“While work on this interchange is behind schedule, the contractor is working to finalize a plan to be back on track for an October 2018 completion. These are risky projects and if the schedule is not met, the contract has consequences, although typically only monetary,” Gutek says.

Surrounding developers are funding 100 per cent of the McOrmond Drive and College Drive interchange. Once open, both interchanges will ease traffic flow and also include pedestrian and cyclist pathways.

Drivers are reminded that the speed limit through both construction sites is 60 km/h.

Visit saskatoon.ca/interchanges for project updates, alternate route maps, and to see 3D renderings.

September 5, 2017 Meeting
 

7.1.2 Request for Direct Sale of Former Railway Spurline

Decision

*The Committee approved the direct sale of former railway spurline land located west of Wentz Avenue between 47^th and 48^th Street, to several adjacent property owners and for the preparation and execution of the necessary agreements.

Background

*Development in the North Industrial area began in the 1950’s. In 1966, the City and Canadian National Railway Company (CNR) entered into an agreement for the provision of rail service throughout the North Industrial area. The area was subdivided with many 54’ wide corridors for CNR to construct and operate railway spur trackage, known as spurlines. Although CNR provided rail service via these spurlines, the City retained ownership of the land. Since demand for rail service has declined, many CNR rail service siding agreements have been cancelled resulting in several spurlines being abandoned and left vacant. At its meeting held on April 21, 2008, City Council approved the direct sale of an abandoned railway spurline between 48th and 50th Street in the North Industrial area.

7.1.6 Proposed Elk Point Neighbourhood

Decision

*The Committee will be forwarding the report to City Council with recommendations that the information be received and forwarded to the SPC on Planning, Development and Community Services for information, and that there be consideration of a review by the internal auditor of the approval process relating to this matter, and that the costs to audit this matter be provided prior to approval to proceed with such an audit as this would be an addition to the audit plan.

Background

*At its meeting on May 1, 2017, the Standing Policy Committee on Planning, Development and Community Services received an information report on the Proposed Elk Point Neighbourhood Concept Plan. During the review of the plan, it was noted that significant development activity had occurred within the Elk Point boundary. The Committee resolved that the wetland section of the report be forwarded to the Saskatoon Environmental Advisory Committee (SEAC) for their feedback before the report goes to City Council. In addition, further information has been requested from the Administration regarding improvements within the Elk Point development area.

September 5, 2017 Meeting
 

7.2.1 Innovative Housing Incentives

Decision

*The Committee is forwarding a report to City Council in support of recommendations in the submitted report.

Background

*At its March 27, 2017 meeting, City Council allocated $370,000 within the Affordable Housing Reserve to be used for capital grants to support the creation of affordable rental units in 2018. At its August 14, 2017 meeting, the Standing Policy Committee on Planning, Development and Community Services approved funding of $88,375 toward two affordable rental housing projects, leaving $281,625 available for further capital grants in 2018.

7.2.4 Downtown Development Incentives

Decision

*The Committee is forwarding a report to City Council to recommend that the proposed amendments to Vacant Lot and Adaptive Reuse Incentive Program Policy No. C09-035, as noted in the report, be approved, to be applied to the City Centre area.

Background

*At its May 29, 2017 meeting, the Standing Policy Committee on Planning, Development and Community Services received an information report regarding a variety of measures to incentivize infill development. One of the items raised within that report was amendments to the Incentive Program to improve clarity for Downtown developments by providing a five-year tax abatement for all developments, without a vacancy requirement. The last amendments to the Incentive Program were completed in 2014, as a result of the City Centre Plan.

7.2.6 Fire Services Service Level

Decision

*The Committee is forwarding a report to City Council in support of the recommendations in the submitted report. The Committee is also recommending that the Administration provide a report specific to the Saskatoon Fire Department service level for response times for enforcement of the Property Maintenance and Nuisance Abatement Bylaw, in collaboration with the Community Services Department.

Background

*At the May 15, 2017, meeting of the Governance and Priorities Committee, the Administration committed to bring forward a series of service level documents on core services. Fire Services was identified as one of the core service lines to bring forward for consideration prior to the 2018 Business Plan and Budget deliberations. Moving to defined service levels supports Service Saskatoon by focusing on citizen centric service and clearly defining “what you can expect from us”.