News Releases

From the April 3, 2017 Meeting

7.1.3 Canadian Award for Financial Reporting

Decision

*The Committee received the information.

Background

*The City has been awarded a 2015 Canadian Award for Financial Reporting for its ability to present financial information in a clear, concise and informative manner.

7.2.6 Boychuk Interchange Land Acquisition  

Decision

*The committee forwarded the report to City Council

Background

*City Council approval is needed to purchase a 0.14 acre portion of land from George Brent Reddekopp for the Boychuk Interchange Project.
*Previous purchases for the Boychuk Interchange include the following land acquisitions; 7.51 acres from Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam (Ontario) Inc. in 2012, 0.09 acres from Larix Holdings Ltd. in 2016, and 0.50 acres from 101204822 Saskatchewan Ltd. In 2016.

From the April 3, 2017 Meeting

7.1.4 Growth Plan to Half a Million – Corridor Planning Program

Decision

*The report was received as information.

Background

*The intent of the Corridor Planning Program is to implement the Corridor Growth Core Initiative to enable the balanced approach to growth outlined in the Growth Plan.
*The Corridor Planning Program will be established through a framework of objectives and policies, intended to guide future detailed land use planning activities along the City of Saskatoon’s major transportation corridors.
*Corridor growth will provide opportunities to transform portions of the City’s major road network into vibrant urban corridors that support the use of Bus Rapid Transit and active transportation options in a connected and integrated system.

7.2.3 Partnership Agreement – Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park and Zoo and Foothills Research Institute – Grizzly Bear Program

Decision

*The report was forwarded to City Council.

Background

*The report recommends:
-Approval of a partnership.
-The intent of this new partnership is to provide an opportunity for the SFFP&Z to be directly linked to, and engaged in, conservation research on grizzly bears and other native species at the zoo.
-The new partnership will provide the SFFP&Z and the fRIGBP with a unique opportunity for scientific research findings to be communicated directly with zoo visitors, and for the grizzly bears currently housed at the SFFP&Z to actively contribute to conservation and research onsite.
-The partnership agreement between the SFFP&Z and the fRIGBP would be for a five-year term, with an option for an additional five-year renewal.

7.2.6 Revised On-Street Mobile Food Truck Policy

Decision

*The Committee is recommending City Council approve amendments.

Background

*Review of On-Street Mobile Food Truck Policy following four years of program operation has identified updates that will enhance the On-Street Mobile Food Truck Program, facilitate vendors, and address safety-related concerns.
*Amendments to allow a food truck to operate from a single location for up to six hours, instead of the current five, will accommodate the set-up and cool-down time requirements for food trucks.
*Amendments to reduce the minimum length of time that parking permits may be purchased will increase flexibility for vendors.
*Amendments to allow for parking of a support vehicle in conjunction with an over length food truck may reduce vendors’ parking costs.
*Amendments to require proof of annual provincial gas inspection as a condition of licensing will ensure public health and safety.
*Changes to the parking meter hooding fee schedule for on-street food trucks will reduce parking expenses for vendors and align more closely with actual on-street parking fees.

From the March 27, 2017 Regular Meeting of City Council

8.1.2 Policy Review for Special Street Naming Requests

Decision

*City Council approved amendments to Naming of Civic Property and Development Areas.

Additional Information

*Special street naming involves assigning a name to an existing roadway that is symbolic and does not replace the legal street name.
*A review of the practice of special or temporary street naming in other Canadian municipalities was undertaken.
*Special street naming differs from standard street renaming in that the legal requirements and costs of a formal renaming are eliminated.
*Special street naming requests can be integrated into existing Naming of Civic Property and Development Areas Policy No. C09-008 (Naming Policy).

8.1.3 Saskatoon North Partnership Growth 2016 Annual Report

Decision

*City Council received the report as information.

Additional Information

*The report indicates the latest projections show the Saskatoon region nearing a population of 500,000 in the next 20 years. Given the economic climate, the group anticipates the region could reach a population of one million in the next 60 years.

8.1.10 Innovative Housing Incentives – Mortgage Flexibilities Support Program – Financing Update – Applications for Three New Projects

Decision

*City Council approved the recommendation.

Additional Information

*The recommendation was:

*That 59 additional affordable housing units at 720 Baltzan Boulevard, 250 Akhtar Bend, and 620 Cornish Road be designated under the Mortgage Flexibilities Support Program contingent upon them being fully approved for mortgage loan insurance flexibilities by Genworth Canada and/or the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
*That 42 affordable housing units to be built on Parcel KK at the corner of Baltzan Boulevard and Akhtar Bend under the Mortgage Flexibilities Support Program contingent upon this housing project being fully approved for mortgage loan insurance flexibilities by Genworth Canada and/or the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
*That 14 affordable housing units to be built at 250 Palliser Court be designated under the Mortgage Flexibilities Support Program contingent upon this housing project being fully approved for mortgage loan insurance flexibilities by Genworth Canada and/or the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

8.1.13 Process For Privately Sponsored Refugees Qualifying for the Leisure Access Program and Discounted Bus Pass Program

Decision

*City Council received the report as information.

Additional Information

*In response to the Syrian refugee crisis, the City of Saskatoon (City) implemented a process to include privately sponsored refugees in the Leisure Access Program and the Discounted Bus Pass Program.
*During the Syrian refugee crisis of 2015, it became evident that not all refugees qualified for the Leisure Access and Discounted Bus Pass Programs. While Government-Assisted Refugees were provided with documentation that verified level of income and a stipend to purchase a bus pass, other categories of refugees were provided neither.

8.1.14 City and Saskatoon CensusMetro Area Population Projection 2015-2035

Decision

*City Council received the report as information.

Additional Information

*Saskatoon is projected to reach a population of 312,772 by 2025, and 380,650 by 2035, assuming a Medium Growth Scenario annual growth rate of 2.0%. This growth rate is similar to what Saskatoon experienced over the 2006 to 2015 period.
*The projected population growth in the Medium Growth Scenario will require the equivalent of six neighbourhoods and 24,000 dwelling units by 2025. An additional six neighbourhoods and 26,000 dwelling units may be required by 2035.
*The Saskatoon CMA could reach a population of 366,155 by 2025, and 448,985 by the year 2035, assuming Saskatoon grows at the Medium Growth Scenario annual rate of 2.0% and surrounding municipalities grow at an annual rate of 3.0%.
*In the Medium Growth Scenario, the population of the surrounding municipalities will grow from 41,703 in 2015, to 53,383 in 2025, and 68,335 in 2035, assuming an annual growth rate of 3.0%. This is equivalent to adding approximately three communities the size of Warman or Martensville by 2035.

9.11.2 Yellow Quill Urban reserve Designation

Decision

*City Council approved the Municipal Services and Compatibility Agreement.

Additional Information

*Yellow Quill First Nation owns the office building located at 224 Fourth Avenue South in Saskatoon, as well as the parking lot which is immediately adjacent to the south. Yellow Quill First Nation requested the building be designated as an Urban Reserve. The parking lot was designated as Urban Reserve in 2014.

From the March 20, 2017 Meeting

7.2 Multi-year Business Plan and Budget Framework

Decision

*The committee received the information.

Additional Information

*The purpose of the report was to outline the various components of a Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget (MYB) Framework that need to be developed and receive approval of the Framework in principle.
*A Framework will form the basic structure and guiding principles for multi-year planning and budgeting.
*A policy sets the groundwork for an MYB process by establishing guidelines, responsibilities and direction.
*A defined process will increase the transparency of the process as well as ensure a seamless delivery of the MYB.
*A new document will be developed for the delivery and presentation of multiyear plans and budgets with increased emphasis on targets, outcomes and service levels.
*The implementation plan has a significant focus on change management within the corporation and includes the formation of an internal project team to ensure the successful implementation of this initiative.

From the March 6, 2017 Meeting

7.1.2 Transfer of Unpaid Utilities to Property Tax

Decision

*The Committee received the information.

Background

*The Cities Act allows Saskatchewan cities to transfer a tenant’s unpaid utilities (excluding electricity) to the property owner’s tax roll.
*Other cities, governed under the same legislation, have already implemented this ability or are contemplating doing so.
*The City of Saskatoon offers a Landlord/Tenant Agreement that helps mitigate the cost of service disruptions. 
*As requested by landlords, information is provided to landlords as early in the process as possible.

7.2.1 Corporate Risk Annual Report 2016

Decision

*The committee forwarded the report to City Council for information.

Background

*The Administration has successfully reduced the risk severity of 11 (48%) of its key strategic risks from high to medium, although continued effort will be required to achieve targets.
*The Risk Based Management program sets a positive and proactive risk management culture for the corporation through the adoption of a systematic, practical and ongoing process for understanding and managing risk.

The City is looking for your help to name the infant monkey at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park and Zoo (Zoo)! Proud parents, Diego and Leah, welcomed an infant female Goeldi monkey on February 6, 2017, weighing in at approximately 56 grams.

“It is always exciting to welcome a new addition to the Zoo,” said Tim Sinclair-Smith, Zoo Manager.  “Both baby and mother are doing well, and now it is time to select a name for the newest member of the troop.”

The Zoo has narrowed the selection down to four potential names, including Evy, Laka, Zoila, and Elena.

“We want our citizens to have a special connection with this monkey and watch her grow throughout the years.  We are inviting the public to choose the final name by voting from the potential options,” says Sinclair-Smith.

To submit your vote, visit saskatoon.ca/zoo from Friday, April 28, to Thursday, May 11.  The winning selection will be publicly announced on Friday, May 12.

The Goeldi and her parents are located in the monkey enclosure in the Kinsmen Children’s Zoo exhibit.  Citizens are encouraged to come and experience the cuteness for themselves.  The Zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. until the end of April, and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. beginning in May.  Additional information regarding the Zoo can be found online at saskatoon.ca/zoo.

This past winter, the City of Saskatoon conducted a number of public engagement activities to gather ideas about how we can improve our lived experience of winter in Saskatoon. A total of 770 people and 48 groups representing various sectors of the community provided feedback.

“We found from our engagement that people are very interested in making Saskatoon a great winter city, and we truly did receive a “blizzard” of ideas on how we can bring more energy to the winter season,” says Brenda Wallace, Director of Environmental & Corporate Initiatives. “So our next step is to review the engagement results with members of the community, see what is realistic in terms of actions, and begin the process of creating a Winter City Strategy that will benefit our economy, our residents and visitors to Saskatoon.”

Now the City is inviting the public to attend a community workshop to help shape the creation of a Winter City Strategy. The workshop will share the public engagement results. It will also include a discussion of priorities and ways everyone can work together to support new and existing winter initiatives. The session will also feature presentations by City-sponsored delegates who attended the Edmonton Winter City Shake-Up Conference in February.

The workshop will take place on Thursday, April 27 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion Saskatoon Branch 63 located at 606 Spadina Crescent West.

For more information on the Winter City Strategy, visit Saskatoon.ca/wintercityyxe.

From beginning to mid-May, the City will take action to control cottony ash psyllid.  As outlined in a report to City Council late last year, the pest is affecting trees in Saskatoon’s downtown area, business improvement districts, and surrounding neighbourhoods.

“Large numbers of psyllids were detected in trees planted within concrete cut-outs in our central business areas, which have been particularly susceptible,” says Michelle Chartier, Superintendent of Urban Forestry and Pest Management.

Cottony ash psyllid is a non-native yellow/green pest first identified in Saskatoon, in 2006, on black and mancana ash trees.  Native to central Europe, the insect has made several appearances in North America, including recent infestations in North Dakota, Minnesota, and Alberta.

“Cottony ash psyllids are most easily recognized by the damage they create, such as browning, yellowing, and curling around leaflets, and the presence of white cotton within the leaflet,” Chartier says.  “Heavily infested trees will often lose leaves, with the remaining leaves twisted into a corkscrew shape.”

Chartier says City-owned trees have been examined and marked with colour codes to signify the action that will be taken to lessen the infestation of psyllids and preserve the natural beauty of the business districts.

• White-marked trees will receive injections of an insecticide to try to prevent further damage and spread.
• Green-marked trees will be removed and replaced with a different species not susceptible to psyllids, including:  52 trees downtown, 14 in the Broadway area, 10 in Riversdale, and 29 along 22^nd Street.  Short-term parking restrictions will be in place in the work area.

“Cleanup, including stump removal and backfilling of topsoil, will be coordinated after tree removal.  During this time, safety measures will be placed around the tree stump area to avoid any possible tripping hazards,” Chartier says.

At home, the best approach to avoid cottony ash psyllid is to keep your ash trees in good health.  Water between rainfalls, protect your trees from root or trunk damage, and avoid the use of herbicides or excessive salts in the soil near trees.

For more information, please visit saskatoon.ca/cottonyashpsyllid or call 306-975-3300.

The Bridging to Tomorrow project, which includes the construction of the North Commuter Parkway and new Traffic Bridge, is halfway complete. At the North Commuter Parkway, all girders, which support the bridge structure, are in place on the west half. Now that they’re set, the berm can be moved from the west side of the river to the east side, where construction of the third and final pier and girder installation on the two remaining east spans can begin.  

“Everything is moving ahead as planned as we reach the halfway point of our three year construction schedule,” says Dan Willems, Special Projects Manager, Major Projects & Preservation. “With the early spring weather, roadway construction for the twinning of Central Avenue north of Attridge Drive will resume next week and so will construction of the new median, sound walls and landscaping.”

At the Traffic Bridge site, structural steel installation of three of four bridge spans is now complete. Willems says work on the trusses for the final span will be completed over the next couple of months.

“The Traffic Bridge is right on track and work is also continuing on the south side of the river where the Victoria Avenue retaining wall and other retaining walls around Rotary Park will be built throughout spring and summer.”

The North Commuter Parkway will support the transportation needs of northeast Saskatoon residents who work in the Marquis and North Industrial Areas. The Traffic Bridge will support the growing city centre by allowing drivers, pedestrians and cyclists to cross the South Saskatchewan River. It will resemble the original bridge, but will be wider to accommodate larger vehicles like fire trucks and Transit buses.

Both bridges remain on track to open in October of 2018.

Bridging to Tomorrow project updates, including detailed monthly summaries, links to live cameras at each bridge site, and quarterly video updates, are available at saskatoon.ca/bridging.

In person, anyone can watch Traffic Bridge progress at the River Landing viewing area. North Commuter Parkway construction can be viewed from the Meewasin Trail just east of the cul-de-sac at the north end of Kinnear Avenue (north of Silverwood Golf Course). 

The City of Saskatoon is launching an opportunity for interested citizens, schools and businesses to participate in the development of an open data sharing program.

“The City collects a vast quantity of high-quality information and data as part of its ordinary working activities,” says Pat Hyde, Director of Service Saskatoon. “As part of a growing city committed to open governance and transparency, we believe there are huge potential benefits by making this information and data open and accessible to the public.”

Community engagement will help to determine what the community’s priorities are for the program.

Starting today, a survey is available online to allow interested citizens, schools and business to provide input for the program design.

“Information from the survey will be used to develop in-person engagement sessions that will help determine program priorities and resource requirements to manage the open data,” Hyde says.

More details about improvements to the open data sharing program will be announced as Service Saskatoon incorporates the results of the citizen input engagement processes being launched today. For more information, visit https://goo.gl/XE6V0j.

Service Saskatoon and the Open Data initiative support the City’s goal of Continuous Improvement. It will leverage technology and emerging trends to reach our goal to provide great citizen experiences at every level.