News Releases

The City and the Transit Union have reached a tentative agreement and the union’s membership will be voting on this next week.  

City Council approval is required to finalize a contact. If the union membership accepts the offer and it can go to City Council for approval.

Job action will continue until the agreement has been ratified. Saskatoon Transit will continue to keep customers informed by issuing service alerts when made aware of any disruptions or delays. Service alerts can be viewed at saskatoontransit.ca, saskatoon.ca, on Twitter at @stoontransit or @YXEserviceAlert, through Transit App and in Google Transit.

We encourage transit customers to continue to plan your commute in advance and give yourself extra time since we are experiencing higher volumes of passengers per bus, delays and cancellations.

Individuals who do not have access to the internet can call the Transit Customer Service line at 306-975-3100 but are reminded that wait times may be longer than normal due to job action or higher than normal call volumes.

Access Transit is an essential service, and will continue operating as normal.

The City thanks our citizens, transit customers and our transit employees for their patience and understanding. 

The Court of Queen’s Bench says the Labour Relations Board must give the Transit Union another chance to make its case regarding compensation for the final two weeks of the 2014 Transit lockout.

“I think it’s fair to say we are a bit discouraged with the decision,” says Catherine Gryba, Corporate Performance General Manager.  “So, again, this might mean there will be more legal wrangling when we are hoping to conclude a collective agreement with the Transit Union.”

After the Transit Union asked the Court to review the matter, the decision was released today.  The decision simply means that the Labour Relations Board has to have another look at whether the union deserves pay for the final two weeks of the lockout.

“We will have to weigh all the options including an appeal,” Gryba says.  “While we consider the next steps though, I want to remind everyone our ten per cent wage offer is about being equal to all City workers in an increasingly more difficult economic climate.

“If the Transit union wants more, there are only two sources where dollars would have to come from: taxpayers and bus riders, both of whom already pay their fair share.”

Gryba says for the sake of all City employees – including transit workers – and for the sake of protecting the public purse, there can be no compromise on the pension changes and the sustainability plan for the pension. 

The City has to make sure wages and pension benefits are not an unreasonable burden to taxpayers.

For facts on Transit contract negotiations, visit saskatoon.ca/factsontransit.

The December 7, 2016 notifynow TEST message sent by the City of Saskatoon’s Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) was a success based on the feedback from residents and the system data generated. Fewer residents called back to ask questions about what the TEST was about. This indicates that residents are becoming much more familiar with the notifynow messaging system, and that they know they can customize how they prefer to receive important safety messages from notifynow. 

“Most residents that called in after yesterday’s TEST message wanted to learn more about how to log in and how to customize their notifynow profile, they wanted to tell us how they’d best like to be contacted,” says Deb Davies, Emergency Measures Coordinator. “Residents are recognizing that in the event of a wide scale emergency or one affecting only their neighbourhood, they might prefer a text message, and an email in addition to receiving a notifynow message to their land line. Or maybe they want to make sure their children receive a text message. That’s what great about this system, people can tell notifynow how best to contact them, and they can sign-up communication device preferences for their family members too.”

To date, 20, 072 residents have signed up with notifynow to indicate their preferred communication method, how they want to be contacted by notifynow so they’ll know what to do, where to go, and what to expect in an impending, escalating, or even immediately occurring emergency situation in Saskatoon. This is an increase of 5,412 residents since the last notifynow TEST held May 5, 2016. With the twice-yearly testing of the notifynow system, and by creating ongoing awareness for the notifynow system, the City and the Emergency Measures Organization hope to continue to grow this number.

“One of the goals for our semi-annual notifynow testing is to familiarize residents with what a notifynow message will sound like, and how it will be displayed on their phones or on the preferred method of communication they’ve let us know about by signing up,” says Davies. “Testing also helps residents know that a timely and targeted notifynow message is legitimate - and should be trusted.”

The EMO continues to encourage everyone in Saskatoon to sign up for notifynow. Persons with publicly listed phone numbers are automatically included in the notifynow database. However, if you would like to receive your notifynow message notifications for more than one address, like your child’s school or parent’s residence, or if you would like to customize the way you receive notifications via email, cell phone or text message, then you need to sign up and provide that information.

notifynow should play a very important component in everyone’s emergency preparedness plan. The ability to receive timely emergency communications is critical to persons with hearing or speech difficulties. To receive accessible notifynow messages, sign-up and enter up to two different TTY electronic device methods for text communication via telephone.

The notifynow emergency notification system supports the City of Saskatoon’s Strategic Goals of Continuous Improvement and Quality of Life; we leverage technology to serve and connect with citizens, and keep health and safety a top priority in all that we do.

To sign-up for notifynow and to tell us how to best to reach you with timely, targeted and trusted notifynow messages in an emergency situation, visit saskatoon.ca/notifynow or call 306-975-3210 for more information.

The Province of Saskatchewan requires the City of Saskatoon to conduct a reassessment of all property classes every four years to recalculate property values to reflect an updated and more current market value assessment.  Market value is what the property might have sold for as of a specified base date.

In 2017, all property classes will have their values reassessed and updated to reflect the market value assessment of the property as of the base date of January 1, 2015.  These values will be in place until the next reassessment in 2021. The 2013 Reassessment used a base date of January 1, 2011 to establish market value.

“On a city-wide basis, our preliminary analysis indicates property assessment values have increased, with the increases varying by individual properties and by property classes, “ says Darcy Huisman, City Assessor. “We do note, the total 2017 Reassessment value changes are not as large in Saskatoon as those experienced with the last reassessment in 2013.”

The current 2017 assessed value of all the property in Saskatoon is $52.1 Billion – $30.12 Billion for residential properties and $21.98 Billion for non-residential properties and apartment buildings. Approximately 86,000 residential properties will be assessed, and 9,000 non-residential properties (includes apartment buildings.)

Property taxes are based on a property’s assessed value, and owners of properties with similar values pay similar taxes. Properties for which assessed values increase or decrease more than the average within their tax class, will see tax changes as a result of a reassessment.

The preliminary aggregate 2017 Reassessment value changes are now available for these property classes: Commercial, Multi-Residential, Residential & Condominium, and Agricultural.
 

Aggregate Taxable 2017 Reassessment Value Changes By Property Class

Note:  **% assessment change due to 2013 Reassessment provided for comparative purposes.

Historically, City Council has required that the results of a reassessment remain revenue neutral at the property class level with no changes in taxes between property classes.  Revenue neutral is a tax calculation, meaning whether property assessments increase or decrease due to changes in values, the City of Saskatoon’s tax revenue does not automatically change – the City still receives the same amount of tax revenue.

Revenue neutral assumes that the City, schools and libraries require the exact amount of tax dollars from each class of property.  Any yearly tax change brought forward by the City is communicated through the budgetary process, not by the reassessment process. 

The aggregate or total change in assessment by property class may impact the amount of property taxes paid for individual properties.  Properties which the assessed value increased or decreased by more than the overall increase in assessment, by property class, will see a change in taxes on a revenue neutral basis. 

The following chart provides examples of the impact the reassessment has on Commercial property taxes based on the concept of revenue neutral. 

​Example 1 shows an individual property’s assessment that has increased by 36%, which is the same rate as the overall commercial property class change.  The impact on the property taxes on a revenue neutral bases is zero.

Example 2 shows an individual property’s assessment which increased by 25%, compared to that of the overall commercial property class change at 36%.  The impact on the property taxes, on a revenue neutral basis is -11%. 

Example 3 shows an individual property’s assessment which increased by 45%, compared to that of the overall commercial property class change at 36%.  The impact on the property taxes, on a revenue neutral basis is 9%. 

Over the last four reassessment or revaluation cycles, the assessment change by property class (including Condominium property type) looks like this:

Supporting the City’s Strategic Goal of Asset and Financial Sustainability, the City is committed to ensuring the fair, accurate and equitable assessment and taxation of all properties in Saskatoon, and that the reassessment process is open, accountable and transparent.

The 2017 Reassessment Notices will be mailed to residents starting January 9, 2017.

For more information on Assessment, visit saskatoon.ca/assessment or call 306-975-3227.

From the November 28, 2016 Meeting

8.1.5 Municipal Heritage Property Designation – Third Avenue United Church

Decision

*The City Solicitor has been instructed to bring forward a bylaw to designate 304 3^rd Avenue North as a Municipal Heritage Property under the provisions of the The Heritage Property Act with such designation to include the exterior of the building, as well as two interior elements, being the hammer-beam rafters and Casavant organ.
*$2,500 will be allocated from the Heritage Reserve for supply and installation of a recognition plaque for the property.

Additional Information

*Ms. Peggy Sarjeant, President, Saskatoon Heritage Society had addressed the SPC on Planning, Development and Community Services regarding the heritage designation of the Third Avenue United Church to include exterior elements and interior elements such as the hammer-beam rafters and Casavant organ.

8.1.6 Renaming Request – ‘Gordie Howe Park’ to ‘Gordie Howe Sports Complex’ and Naming Advisory Committee Quarterly Report

Decision

*The report was received as information and Gordie Howe Park will be renamed Gordie Howe Sports Complex.

Additional Information

*This is in a response to a report from the SPC on Planning, Development and Community Services. The committee was advised that the Naming Advisory Committee also reviewed and supported the renaming.

8.1.7 Age Friendly Saskatoon Initiative: Implementation and Evaluation Report

Decision

*City Council received the report as information.
*The City will apply for membership in the world Health Organization Age-Friendly Global Network.
*The City will continue its collaboration with the Saskatoon council on Aging.

Additional Information

*Age-Friendly Saskatoon has focused on getting key community stakeholders working together to support efforts that advance the dignity, health, and independence of older adults. Age-Friendly Saskatoon is consistent with the City aspiration for a desirable quality of life for all residents and will help in promoting an inclusive community; in particular, the inclusion of all older adults in community life.

8.1.8 Innovative Housing Incentives – Quint Development Corporation – 204 to 216 Avenue O South

Decision

*City Council approved funding of 10% of the total capital cost of the construction of 26 affordable rental units at 204 to 216 Avenue O South by Quint Development Corporation, estimated at $556,717, subject to the availability of funds in the Affordable Housing Reserve and the approval of this project under the Provincial Rental Development Program
*City Council recommends a five-year abatement of the incremental property taxes for the 26 affordable rental units be applied, commencing the next taxation year, following the completion of construction.

Additional Information

*In November 2015, City Council set the 2016 target for the 2013 – 2022 Housing Business Plan at 400 units across the attainable housing continuum, of which 32 units are targeted to be affordable rental units. To date, City Council has committed funding of $384,548 in support of 32 affordable rental units. Innovative Housing Incentives – Quint Development Corporation – 204 to 216 Avenue O South. At its June 27, 2016 meeting, City Council approved the rezoning of 204, 208, 212, 214, and 216 Avenue O South from RM1 to RM2 by agreement to facilitate a townhouse development on this site.

8.3.1 2017 Neighbourhood Traffic Management Reviews

Decision

*City Council decided the eleven neighbourhoods selected for 2017 traffic reviews, as part of the Neighbourhood Traffic Management Program, will include Queen Elizabeth, Exhibition, Buena Vista, Erindale, Arbor Creek, Pleasant Hill, Dundonald, North Park, Richmond Heights, Silverwood Heights, and Wildwood.

Additional Information

*The process includes a strategy to review concerns on a neighbourhood-wide basis by engaging the community and stakeholders in first identifying specific traffic issues, and secondly, developing joint recommendations that address the issues.
*Neighbourhoods selected for reviews are based on Councillor input, collision history, number of concerns received, and number of existing temporary traffic calming devices.

8.3.3 Building Better Sidewalks – Sidewalk Programs Overview

Decision

*Administration has been directed to eliminate the practice of using asphalt overlays on concrete sidewalks and funding for this service level change be from reallocation of existing funding within the roadway and sidewalk preservation program.

Additional Information

*An explanation on how the City selects sidewalks for repair, the criteria considered when determining the type of sidewalk repair required for a particular section, as well as various other FAQs and phone numbers for residents to report faulty sidewalks, is available at Saskatoon.ca/sidewalks. The webpage also contains a printable PDF about sidewalk repair/replacement criteria, and indicates when the City is assessing and marking sidewalks to address locations for future preservation work.

8.4.1 Aquatic Invasive Species: Response to PARCS

Decision

*City Council received the report as information.
*Administration will provide a report with more detail in terms of specific local impacts and resources required.
*The report will be referred to the Saskatoon Environmental Advisory Committee to review and report back to the Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities, and Corporate Services with input.

Additional Information

*The City receives drinking water from the South Saskatchewan River. Lake Diefenbaker, upstream of the city along the river, is at risk for aquatic mussel infestation.
*The City does not currently have programming targeted at educating residents about aquatic invasive mussels as it is a member of the South Saskatchewan River Watershed Stewards (SSRWSI), which receives funding from the province to carry out an awareness campaign about aquatic invasive mussels within our watershed.
The province has installed a sign outside of city limits on Highway 11 to Prince Albert and has offered additional free highway signs to the City to help raise awareness of aquatic invasive mussels.

9.6.1 Proposed Sale of Former Police Service Headquarters

Decision

*City Council approved the proposed sale of the former Saskatoon Police Service Headquarters property at 130 and 140 - 4th Avenue North to Duchuck Holdings Ltd. at a purchase price of $10.7M based on the terms and conditions outlined.
*There will  be a five-year tax abatement of the full taxes for 130 - 4th Avenue North (building site), subject to the completion of a renovation or redevelopment of the property sufficient to constitute a change of predominant use to housing, office, structured parking, or a combination thereof.
*The five-year tax abatement will take effect in the next taxation year following completion of the renovation or redevelopment

Additional Information

*The former property at 130 and 140 - 4^th Avenue North had been listed for sale since September 2013 by two real estate brokerage firms, first with Colliers International, and more recently, ICR Commercial Real Estate.  The initial list price was $15.6M which was based on market sales and a very active real estate market at that time.

Following extensive review of the 2017 Preliminary Corporate Business Plan and Budget, November 30 and December 1, 2016, His Worship Mayor Charlie Clark and City Council have finalized investment decisions for 2017. The property tax increase is finalized at 3.89%.

“The final investment decisions made are disciplined and responsible,” says Kerry Tarasoff, Chief Financial Officer and General Manager, Asset and Financial Management. “While funding could not be allocated to every budgetary ask, City Council’s budget decisions accomplish a strong balance between the investments that the City needs to be modern and progressive, and the service level expectations they heard through public consultation this year - without placing a heavy financial burden on citizens in 2017.”

To fulfill and maintain the City’s investment plans, service level commitments and dedicated programs, the 2017 property tax increase will be distributed as follows: 1.93% Roadway Levy, 0.55% Snow & Ice Levy, and 1.41% to  remaining civic programs and services.

What This Means To Residential Property Owners

The 3.89% property tax increase for 2017 will generate an additional $7.9 million for the City’s Operating Budget, to be invested into the rehabilitation and maintenance of roadways, the snow and ice management program, and for the expenditure increases associated with all other civic programs and services. Here is the breakdown:

2017 Operating and Capital Budget Highlights

Total Operating Budget: $812.0 million (Civic - $482.0 million, Utilities - $330.0 million)

• Over $61.7 million invested in Building Better Roads including Road Maintenance, Snow & Ice Management and Street Cleaning and Sweeping
• Over $13.6 million for the continued maintenance and design of the City’s growing park infrastructure
• $5.0 million invested in Access Transit, including additional operators which will provide an additional 4,800 rides to customers on an annual basis
• $41.2 million invested in the delivery of Transit services to deliver 1,688 bus stops across 35 bus routes and 276 km of city streets
• $97.5 million invested in the Saskatoon Police Service including 6 new Constables

Total Capital Budget: $260.7 million

• $28.7 million in Transit related infrastructure and planning as part of the Federal Public Transit Infrastructure Fund
• $21.6 million in 2017 for the repair, replacement and renewal of existing water and wastewater infrastructure under the Federal Clean Water and Wastewater Fund
• $7.0 million for Phase I of Recovery Park to improve Landfill sustainability
• $32.1 million dedicated to paved roadway and sidewalk preservation
• $5.3 million for the replacement of Fire Station No. 3 to improve community safety

Total 2017 Operating & Capital Budget Combined: $1,072.7 million
The Corporate Business Plan and Budget frames the detailed investment decisions the City will follow in 2017. Not just about revenues and expenditures, the finalized Business Plan and Budget provide a reflection of what City Council, residents, businesses and the community as a whole value. More importantly, key public feedback gathered throughout 2016 was fully considered by City Council in the shaping and building of the 2017 Business Plan and Budget.

The City’s Strategic Goal of Asset and Financial Sustainability commits to budget planning that is open and transparent, and that the City invests in what matters. To address the needs of citizens today and tomorrow, the City is focused on the long-term goal of managing the City in a smart, sustainable way.

Visit saskatoon.ca/financialfuture for more budget and financial information.

From the November 21, 2016 meeting

7.1.1 Financing Growth – Hemson Study Update

Decision

*Administration will provide a report on proactive and strategic engagement options on the four areas identified in the report.

Additional Information

*In April of 2015, the former Executive Committee received and discussed a report presented by Hemson Consulting Ltd. on Financing Growth. This study was initiated by City Council primarily to provide information to help the City understand the current and future costs of infrastructure and civic services required to support future population growth, determine the financial impact of growth, and provide a general commentary on the costs and benefits associated with different types of development.
*The report identified key issues categorized under four major topics:
-appropriate scope and levels of development levies;
-encouragement of infill and redevelopment;
-exploration of alternate financing tools and increase non-tax revenues; and
-growth of non-residential property assessment.
*The Administration has been reviewing these issues and plans to address these through future reports and discussion papers as part of the Growth Plan to Half a Million.

7.1.3 Update on ATU Job Action

Decision

*The committee received the report as information.

Additional Information

*Bargaining has been underway between the City and ATU since October 2013 and has occurred with varying degrees of frequency and intensity.
*On November 8, 2016, the parties returned to the bargaining table and ATU presented a proposal that they would be prepared to accept the City’s Agreement in Principle (AIP) on the basis of the outcome of the outstanding pension arbitration.
*On November 10, 2016, the City provided a counter, which remains as the Current Offer. ATU refused this offer and provided notice that they would be taking job action effective midnight on November 11, 2016, in the form of refusing overtime and work to rule.

The City is partnering with Bridge City Bicycle Co-op to divert approximately 2,000 bicycles from the Landfill each year. Many of the bicycles brought to the Landfill are in poor condition and not recoverable; however, some of the bicycles are recoverable for either their parts or for complete refurbishment.

“The Co-op takes the bikes, they’re fixed and then gives them to people who need one,” says Russ Munro, Director of Water and Waste Stream.  “It’s a great re-use of the material instead of it being scrapped.”

This initiative will be evaluated after one-year with the goal of transitioning to the City’s largest waste diversion project, Recovery Park, scheduled to be implemented at the Landfill by 2018. Currently recycling and/or diversion programs at the Landfill include scrap metal, appliances, used oil and antifreeze, batteries and propane tanks.

Residents are invited to recycle their used bicycles at the Landfill for re-use in the community beginning January 1, 2017.

Learn more about waste diversion at saskatoon.ca.

Flags have been lowered at all City of Saskatoon facilities to honour Saskatoon Meewasin MLA Roger Parent who passed away on Tuesday, November 29, 2016.

“This is a real loss to our community,” says Mayor Charlie Clark. “I was personally privileged to serve with Mr. Parent on a number of boards and committees related to economic development, affordable housing and the Meewasin Valley Authority over the last decade. Our city will feel his absence in these key areas.”

Prior to being elected as an MLA in 2011, Parent was involved with a number of local committees and organizations including, among other initiatives, indigenous economic development and homelessness.

The City of Saskatoon extends condolences to Parent’s wife Sheila and their family.

Following an aggressive response to a perceived public safety threat, emergency responders are confident there is no community danger; the substances in question were identified as common baking soda and talcum powder.  The matter is now the subject of a police investigation.

Fire Chief Morgan Hackl says emergency workers can’t take any chances.

“We have to approach it with diligence, we have to go through all the proper steps,” Hackl says.  “Whether it’s a malicious call or not, we can’t take that into account – we have to take the due course and take it seriously.”

Saskatoon Emergency Measures Organization, Saskatoon Fire Department, Saskatoon Police Service, Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment as well as Saskatchewan Emergency Management and Fire Safety were involved in a response to five dangerous goods calls.

Starting around 12:30 p.m. and for a period of about two hours, emergency crews went to three addresses along Fourth Avenue and two more near Cynthia Street and Avenue C North.

For the remainder of the afternoon and into the early evening, the job of hazardous materials specialists was to identify the suspicious substance, neutralize it, and remove it from the affected area.  This process was successfully completed at all five locations.

Preliminary testing of the substance points strongly in the direction of a non-harmful powder: talcum powder was detected in one location, sodium bicarbonate, more commonly known as baking soda was identified in four locations.

“Sodium bicarbonate is just a standard everyday product that people can find in their homes, there’s no danger to it,” Chief Hackl says.

The samples collected will then be sent to the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg for final testing.

City officials activated the Emergency Operations Centre with a command post set up in the mobile unit and later in a public office building. 

Over 60 emergency personnel responded to the calls Tuesday afternoon.