News Releases

City Council today approved the application for funding for the purchase of up to 15 low-floor buses and up to 5 Access Transit buses under the Government of Canada’s Public Transit Infrastructure Fund.

“Purchasing these buses allows Saskatoon Transit to continue our improvements in our fleet reliability and age,” says Clae Hack, Director of Finance. “Leveraging federal funding programs for the purchase of new buses helps Saskatoon Transit deliver high-quality, comfortable service riders expect and deserve.”

The purchase of up to 15 low-floor buses is an estimated total cost of $7.95 million and up to 5 Access Transit buses is an estimated total cost of $650,000. The new buses will be funded initially with cash-on-hand until the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund application is approved and received.

“This investment enables Transit to continue towards the goal of reducing the fleet’s average age from 11.9 years to 7.3 years,” Hack says. “Reducing the average age also results in lower maintenance costs and a smaller fleet size, because fewer spare buses are required.”

The new buses, expected to arrive in 2017, will provide riders with modern transportation solutions and a better overall riding experience.

7.1.1 Saskatchewan Crescent and 16th Street Slope Remediation – Update

Decision

*The Committee received the report as information.

Background

*In May 2014, tension cracks were noticed along the lower Meewasin Trail northeast of the 16th Street intersection, and in June 2014, a tension crack developed on the upper Meewasin Trail along Saskatchewan Crescent. In 2015, cracks appeared on the sidewalk and Saskatchewan Crescent. The slope continued to show signs of movement in April 2016 and Saskatchewan Crescent was closed to traffic on April 11.
*Based on geotechnical analysis and modelling, the installation of a retaining wall with “soldier piles and lagging” is the best option to remediate the Project Site and achieve an acceptable factor of safety.
*The next step is to complete the tender process for qualified companies. Construction is expected to begin in mid-August.

7.2.1 Solar Power Demonstration Project with Saskatchewan Polytechnic – Memorandum of Agreement

Decision

*The City Solicitor will prepare a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) in accordance with the terms set out in the report with Saskatchewan Polytechnic.

Background

*At its meeting on July 23, 2015, City Council resolved that Administration prepare an MOA with the Saskatchewan Polytechnic for the development of a solar PV tracking system. Both parties have worked collaboratively to develop the MOA.
*The solar PV tracking system will be part of a long-term demonstration site of PV technologies and the evaluation of their associated cost and performance that will direct future deployment.

7.2.4 Request for Proposal for the Provision of Absence Management and Disability Assistance Services

Decision

*The matter has been deferred and Administration will report at the appropriate time (one to two quarters into the pilot project), including comparative data within the project scope and current pilot project.

Background

*The City entered into a one year pilot program with Bridges Health for the facilitation of absence management and disability assistance services at Saskatoon Transit. The first quarter results have been received and are showing positive results. The Administration was recommending the issuance of a Request for Proposal seeking a service provider to provide ongoing absence management and disability assistance services for a three year period.

6.2.1 Meewasin Valley Authority Financial Statements

Decision

*The Committee received the Financial Statements as information and have forwarded them to the August 18, 2016 City Council meeting.

Background

*Section 80(2) of the MVA Act states a copy of the annual audit shall be furnished to each participating party and elected officials of the City of Saskatoon.
*The Financial Statements are available here: http://owl.li/VSJj302oYvN

7.2.6 Design and Construction Agreement for Repair and Renovation of the Mendel Building

Decision

*The Committee is forwarding a report to the July 21, 2016 City Council meeting in support of the recommendations.

Background

*Capital replacements and repairs are planned for the Mendel Building when it is vacated. High-priority items include remediation of asbestos, a new boiler, new sprinklers, replacement of the fire alarm system, and accessibility improvements.
*The Mendel Building requires capital replacements and repairs by the City prior to the commencement of operations by the Museum of their tenant area.
*The City and Museum have identified that there is an opportunity to achieve efficiencies by combining responsibilities under a single design and construction agreement.
*The committee is recommending to City Council that the City enter into a design and construction agreement to repair and renovate the Mendel Building with the Children’s Discovery Museum on the Saskatchewan Inc. based on the key terms set out in this report.
*That the City endorse submission of this combined project by the Children’s Discovery Museum to the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund.

5.2 Innovative Housing Incentives – Saskatchewan Housing Corporation – 2013 Baltzan Boulevard, 474 Boykowich Street, 1528 37th Street West

Decision

*The Committee is forwarding a report to City Council on August 18, 2016, in support of the recommendations.

Background

*The Saskatchewan Housing Corporation is building three affordable residential care homes, consisting of four bedrooms each, for placement of Valley View Centre residents.
*The affordable rental units qualify for financial incentives from the City, including a capital grant and a five-year incremental tax abatement.
*The Committee is recommending $108,000 of the total capital cost of the construction of 12 affordable rental units at 203 Baltzan Boulevard, 474 Boykowich Street, and 1528 37th Street West, by the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, to a maximum of $9,000 per unit, be approved.
*The Committee is also recommending a five-year tax abatement of the incremental property taxes, estimated at $18,349, for the 12 affordable rental units be applied, commencing the next taxation year, following the completion of construction.

6.3.2 Robin Hansen – Original Kinsmen Park Playground Closure

Decision

*The Committee has resolved that the matter be referred to Administration for a report at the August 15, 2016 PD&CS meeting. Additional correspondence and speakers have been referred to the same meeting to be heard at that time (there were letters received after the deadline for submission on new items.  The bylaw does not provide for late letters or requests to speak unless it relates to an Administrative report on the agenda).

Background

*Robin Hansen presented citizens wishes regarding the re-opening of Kinsmen Park Playground as well as a petition.

7.1.1 Dutch Elm Disease Response Plan Update

Decision

*The Committee received the report as information.

Background

*The report provided an update on the implementation of the Dutch Elm Disease Response Plan.
*There’s an estimated 100,000 elm trees on both public and private property within Saskatoon, valued at more than $500 million. A complete and accurate inventory of all elm trees is being developed to support comprehensive Dutch elm disease (DED) response strategies.
*A public awareness campaign is being implemented to help prevent the spread of DED by providing citizens with information about the urban forest, the provincial DED regulations, and the importance of reporting symptomatic trees. 
*Enhanced surveillance service levels have been established in 2016 and will help with early detection of DED, and limit the spread of this disease.
*Recommendations from the Urban Forestry Civic Service Review, which is currently underway, will identify initiatives that can potentially improve Urban Forestry’s tree maintenance and inventory service levels and improve the overall health of the City’s trees.

7.2.4 Designation of Permanent Off-Leash Recreation Area and Amendment to Animal Control Bylaw, 1999, No. 7860

Decision

*The Committee is forwarding a report to the August 18, 2016 meeting of City Council in support of the recommendations in the report.

Background

*The Committee is recommending City Council approve a permanent Off-Leash Recreation Area next to Mayfair Pool between Avenues F and G, and 31^st and 32^nd Streets.
*Since the Animal Services Program began in 2004, nine Off-Leash Recreation Areas have been created in Saskatoon.

The City and its project partners, Graham Commuter Partners (GCP), continue to make progress on the North Commuter Parkway and the new Traffic Bridge which will be complete in October 2018. A new project update video is now available.

The North Commuter Parkway will support the transportation needs of citizens who live in Saskatoon’s northeast and work in the Marquis and North Industrial Areas, reducing traffic on the city’s existing bridges. The new Traffic Bridge will support the growing city centre by allowing motorists, pedestrians and cyclists to cross the river between the downtown and residential areas in the south sector of the city. The new bridge will look similar to the old bridge, but will be wider to accommodate emergency vehicles. 

Traffic Bridge Update – July 2016

This month, concrete work on Pier 3 was completed. The pier is now able to support the installation of the new span expected later this summer. Work on the new south abutment was also completed and the south abutment walls are now being built. Construction on the north abutment has now begun. Renderings showing the design concept for the new pathways on the south side of the river were also released.

North Commuter Parkway Update – July 2016

Parkway Bridge

Crews continue construction on Pier 1 - the diaphragm for the pier has been poured and is being backfilled and the columns are being reinforced. Pier 1 construction will continue over the summer. Progress on earthworks for the east embankment of the bridge remains steady and in mid-July, pile driving for the east embankment will begin. Crews have also begun stripping and backfilling work on the west embankment. 

Parkway Roadways

Clearing and topsoil stripping for the new roadways is now complete and earthwork operations continue along McOrmond Drive and Central Avenue. Storm sewer construction for the new lanes of Central Avenue between Attridge Drive and Fedoruk Drive continues and should be complete in July, at which time overhead power lines will be relocated.

Work to improve the Attridge Drive and Central Avenue intersection continues and this work, as well the Marquis Drive and Wanuskewin Road intersection, should be complete by fall.

Traffic and Trails

Residents can continue to expect increased traffic at Marquis Drive and Wanuskewin Road as trucks haul materials to the bridge construction site. Traffic restrictions and lane closures remain in place to accommodate work at Central Avenue and Attridge Drive. Beginning in July, work will start at the intersection of the Marquis Drive and Wanuskewin Road. Citizens will be notified of traffic detours through the City’s Daily Road Report, road signage, and social media.

The Spadina Crescent detour the Broadway Bridge and 3^rd Avenue will remain in place until the end of the construction period. The Saskatchewan Crescent eastbound detour to 11^th Street and westbound detour to the Victoria Avenue on/off ramps will be in place until August 2016. Rotary Park and River Landing trail detours will continue through the construction period. Access to Crocus Prairie Trail from Central Avenue is closed until winter 2016. At times, the east sidewalk at Wanuskewin Road and Marquis Drive will be restricted for vehicle crossings

Ways to Watch Construction Progress

Anyone interested can keep an eye on construction progress on the City's website. The webpage, saskatoon.ca/bridging,  includes quarterly video updates, live project webcams, time lapse videos, and photographs. Construction viewing areas are also in place at River Landing, and from the Meewasin Trail located just east of the cul de sac at the north end of Kinnear Avenue (north of Silverwood Golf Course).

Stay Safe Near Construction Zones

Citizens are reminded to obey traffic and Meewasin Trail detours, and to respect all safety measures in place including site fencing and site markings. The City is also reminding pedestrians to stay clear of work areas near the construction sites.

Summer construction season is in full swing and hundreds of potholes and utility cuts are repaired across Saskatoon every day. Since April, the City has used 1,670 tonnes of asphalt to repair the equivalent of an estimated 100,900 potholes on city streets. Favourable weather and an early snow melt have contributed to quicker repairs than in previous years.

“Better roads is a top priority for residents and everyone can help by reporting potholes online,” says Trent Schmidt, Acting Director of Public Works. “We use the information to prioritize our repair locations and continue to improve our roads throughout the summer.”

In addition to pothole repairs, utility cut repairs are ahead of schedule with the backlog of outstanding repairs from winter work expected to be completed by mid-August.

“We’ve repaired more than 675 utility cut locations so far this season, compared to approximately 500 at this time last year.” says Schmidt. “We are not only repairing utility cuts faster, we are holding ourselves and contractors to higher quality standards.”

A utility cut is a straight-edged break in the pavement from an excavation to access underground utilities. Utility cuts are maintained with sand and gravel until they can be repaired with asphalt, and are often mistaken for large potholes.  

The City thanks everyone for respecting work zones and their patience as we repair potholes and utility cuts around Saskatoon. 

Residents are encouraged to use the City’s Report-A-Pothole Map to report potholes and to consult the Utility Cuts and Repair Schedule. For more information please visit saskatoon.ca/betterroads. Emergency road repairs can be reported by calling Public Works Customer Service at 306-975-2476.

At 4:00 p.m. today, the Water Security Agency removed restrictions for Arbor Creek, Erindale, Evergreen (with the exception of Pohorecky), Forest Grove, University Heights Suburban Centre and Willowgrove under its Precautionary Drinking Water Advisory after extensive testing confirmed the water in these areas is safe to drink.

The Pohorecky area in the Evergreen neighbourhood will remain under advisory, including Pohorecky Bay, Cove, Close, Crescent, Court, Lane, Place, Rise, Street, Terrace and Way until further flushing of the system produces water samples that meet the high quality standards of the provincial regulatory agency. Yellow Drinking Advisory doorhangers will be delivered to these affected addresses as soon as possible tonight; followed by a green lifted notice when the water is confirmed safe to drink.

“After repeated flushing of the distribution system, water samples taken on Pohorecky Drive in Evergreen tested positive for a bacterial growth that we don’t like to see in drinking water,” says Acting Director of Public Works Trent Schmidt. “While it is not a serious threat to public health, we maintain high quality standards for public consumption and any level is unacceptable.”

“We are pleased to have these results before the long weekend,” says Schmidt. “The six neighbourhoods under the Precautionary Drinking Water Advisory can safely drink their tap water after running their taps for at least one minute.”

Arbor Creek, Erindale, Evergreen (except for Pohorecky) Forest Grove, University Heights Suburban Centre and Willowgrove no longer need to boil tap water for consumption and can begin using the tap water as normal after the following steps are completed:

1. Run cold water faucets and drinking fountains for at least 1 minute before using the water.
2. Drain and flush the ice-making system in your refrigerator.
3. Run water softeners through a regeneration cycle.
4. Drain and refill hot water heaters set below 45°C (normal setting is 60°C).

Business and residents have been boiling water for consumption since Monday afternoon in Arbor Creek, Erindale, Evergreen, Forest Grove, University Heights Suburban Centre and Willowgrove, after a primary water main was damaged. The City has been providing daily updates by phone, email or text message to those in the affected area using the City’s Emergency Alert System, notifynow. This will be the primary communication tool once the advisory is lifted.

“We encourage people in the six affected neighbourhoods to pay attention to our notifynow alerts or check the status of the water advisory regularly at saskatoon.ca,” says Acting Director of Public Works, Trent Schmidt. “With Friday being Canada Day and a long weekend for many people, we are telling people now what they will need to do once they get the message.”

Once the Precautionary Drinking Water Advisory is lifted, affected areas will no longer need to boil tap water for consumption and begin using the tap water as normal after the following steps are completed:

1. Run cold water faucets and drinking fountains for at least 1 minute before using the water.
2. Drain and flush the ice-making system in your refrigerator.
3. Run water softeners through a regeneration cycle.
4. Drain and refill hot water heaters set below 45°C (normal setting is 60°C).

The Water Security Agency requires two sets of water samples from multiple representative locations in the affected area be laboratory tested and confirmed safe before ending the Precautionary Drinking Water Advisory. Results from the second set of tests will be available late Thursday.

Residents affected by the Drinking Water Advisory in six Saskatoon neighbourhoods – Arbor Creek, Erindale, Evergreen, Forest Grove, University Heights Suburban Center and Willowgrove – are asked to reach out to family and friends in unaffected areas for their potable water needs.

“We know most people will look after getting their own water and we’re hoping to make that a bit easier for residents,” says Assistant Fire Chief Anthony Tataryn. “Of course family, friends and employers in unaffected areas are encouraged to help where they can by allowing those people to fill jugs of potable water from their unaffected taps.”

For those who don’t have that resource, the City has organized water filling depots at Fire Station #9 on Attridge Drive and at Fire Station #5 on Central Avenue. Residents will be able to fill large, clean water jugs at these locations. 

Residents in affected areas are advised to:

• Boil all water used for drinking or activities where it may be ingested (brushing teeth, washing fruit and vegetables, making ice cubes, etc.).
• Use an alternative water source known to be safe if you do not wish to boil tap water.
• Consult saskatoon.ca for more updates and tips.

For residents who require extra support in meeting their drinking water needs, bottled water will be available at Fire Stations #5 and #9.

“We want everyone to help each other as much as possible,” Tataryn says. “So, if you are able to get a water supply from an unaffected area, please go that route. We want to keep the Fire Stations open for the folks who may not have that as an option.”

The Water Security Agency issued a Precautionary Drinking Water Advisory for several neighbourhoods Monday afternoon, after a private contractor damaged a primary water main near McOrmond Drive, which in turn depressurized the water distribution system.

The advisory is expected to be in place until at least Thursday, once laboratory tests confirm the water is safe to drink.

Due to the size and scope of the advisory area, NotifyNow will be used on a daily basis to provide updates to people in affected areas using public phone numbers or contact information provided by subscribers until the Drinking Water Advisory is lifted.

Also, everyone can stay informed with timely Water Outage Service Alerts on our website and @YXEServiceAlert on Twitter.

Public Works and Saskatoon Water have been dealing with an urgent situation in the city’s northeast.

A contractor working on a private land development punctured a 42” Primary Water Main which resulted in significant depressurization in the neighbourhoods on the east side of the river, north of College Drive and east of Central Ave.

West side neighbourhoods are not affected.

The break was isolated at 1:15 p.m. and water service and pressure is currently returning to normal. In the meantime, and as safeguard, a Drinking Water Advisory is in effect for the above mentioned areas.

Right now, City staff are checking the system and conducting water quality tests. In addition, Saskatoon Water is performing computer modelling to determine the extent of the area affected.

NotifyNow will be used to advise affected customers and citizens of the DWA and where to find further information.

Water Outage service alerts will be issued as more information becomes available. Visit saskatoon.ca/service-alerts and follow @YXEServiceAlert on Twitter.