News Releases

The Saskatoon Fire Department, with the support of Warman Fire Rescue and the Martensville Fire Department, continue to battle a large fire at Shercom Industries north of Saskatoon in North Corman Park.

The fire originated in the east of three interconnected buildings.  It is used primarily as a warehouse for the storage of process materials, as well as a number of vehicles.  Fire Command believes the fire may have breached the separation wall and spread to the second building where a one day supply (approximately 20,000 lbs) of shredded rubber, 80 – 208-litre barrels of poly urethane and large quantities of finished products are housed.

Due to the nature of materials stored in the buildings, the toxicity of smoke is a serious concern.  Fortunately, the plume is travelling in a direction that does not impact any populated areas.  Saskatoon Fire will continue to monitor the situation through the night.

The Saskatoon Fire Department recognized that water conservation is extremely important in these types of incidents to minimize environmental impact; at this time all contaminated fire flow runoff is contained to the site.

Fires which are fueled by rubber are unusually difficult to extinguish, crews are prepared for a long duration incident.

The Saskatoon Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 7:02 pm in North Corman Park. Dispatchers recieved numerous calls of heavy smoke and flame coming from the building.

Three engine companies, two water tankers, and a brush truck responded to the scene within eight minutes. Initial crews found a structure fully involved with flame spreading to large piles of shredded tires. Firefighters on scene utilized foam application to assist with containment and extinguishment of the shredded tires.

After an initial size up, further apparatus were activated and dispatched to the scene. A Foam Truck, Rehabiltiation Unit, Command Vehicle, and extra support vehicles will assist with resource management. Warman Fire and Martensville Fire are working with the Saskatoon Fire Department to mitigate the incident.

The natural gas has been shuff off to the building and currently the fire is contained and has not spread to other buildings.

Media update will follow at 10:30 pm.

Spring is finally here, and with that, the City of Saskatoon’s winter road maintenance season is coming to a close. Crews worked 24/7 sanding, salting, grading, plowing and removing snow and ice from streets to keep drivers moving. Crews will continue to respond if a snow or ice event occurs in the coming weeks.

“With the favourable weather, we are now shifting our focus to the annual Sweeping and Pothole Repair Programs,” says Jeff Jorgenson, General Manager of Transportation & Utilities. “The Spring Sweeping Blitz is already underway and is designed to collect the bulk of the debris left behind over winter, which in turn increases efficiency and cost effectiveness of the City Wide Neighbourhood Sweeping program.”

The Blitz will also remove sand and debris from medians where snow was stored. Sweepers will go around parked vehicles during the Blitz program; parking enforcement will not be applied.

If weather cooperates, city- wide sweeping is expected to start May 1. During the city-wide program, parking enforcement will be applied in order to allow for a full curb-to-curb sweep. The now familiar bright yellow “No Parking” signs will be used to notify residents and visitors of sweeping dates for each neighbourhood.

“With more typical spring conditions, we want to get out there and clean things up as quickly as possible,” Jorgenson says. “Less sand and debris on city streets and improved methods of reporting and managing potholes are just a few of our priorities for 2016.”

The Spring Pothole Blitz begins April 11 when hot mix asphalt is available, with the focus on many of the same high-traffic streets as the Spring Street Sweeping Blitz.

Pothole repairs are prioritized based on their size, depth, location within the roadway (driving lane, curb lane, etc.), and the traffic volume on that street. Potholes that cause concern in the driving lanes of high traffic streets will be repaired first.

Residents are encouraged to report potholes with the Report-a-Pothole interactive map on our website, beginning Monday, April 4.

Report-a-Pothole interactive map

• There are now three classifications of potholes to select from: low, medium, and high priority. High Priority (red) potholes locations are repaired first, followed by Medium Priority (yellow) locations. For program and crew efficiency, Low Priority (grey) locations will be repaired following the neighbourhood street sweeping in May and June.
• A construction projects map layer shows if construction is happening or about to. Paving will occur after construction is completed. Pothole repairs will be coordinated and prioritized with other construction activities to maximize crew efficiency and cost savings. 
• The application requires contact information in order to report a location, which allows inspectors to contact residents directly to confirm details in order to locate and rate each pothole.

“While our focus shifts towards our spring street sweeping and pothole patching programs, we are always aware that the last snowfall typically occurs in April and has been known to happen as late as May,” says Jorgenson. “Crews will be ready for whatever Mother Nature brings our way.”

Winter road maintenance results:

• 12 snow falls, including 3 where more than more than 5 centimeters fell
• Removed 4,524 tandem truckloads of snow
• Applied 11,000 tonnes of sand, 5,500 tonnes of Caliber blend sand, 4,090 tonnes of Salt and 132 tonnes of Caliber pre wet liquid
• Used 305 tonnes of cold mix asphalt to temporarily repair potholes and utility cuts
• Repaired 311 total combined water and sewer issues

For more information about the City’s Snow & Ice programs visit saskatoon.ca/snow. Find street sweeping and pothole patching updates and schedules at saskatoon.ca/betterroads, and to report emergency pothole locations, please phone Public Works immediately at 306-975-2476.

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

The final regulatory permits necessary to begin in-river construction of the North Commuter Parkway Bridge have now been received, and that work will begin today.

"This is really what we’ve been waiting for," says Dan Willems, Director of Major Projects. "Our contractor can now get into the river and start the foundation work for this vital piece of City infrastructure."

Graham Commuter Partners will work with the City over the next three years to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the North Commuter Parkway.

Regulatory permits were required from a number of organizations and agencies prior to the start of in-river construction for the Parkway bridge including: Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Transport Canada, Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment, Saskatchewan Water Security Agency, and Meewasin Valley Authority.

The new Traffic Bridge is also part of Bridging to Tomorrow, and work on that project continues. A complete project update will be issued in the near future.

For more information about the Bridging to Tomorrow Project, including the new Traffic Bridge and the North Commuter Parkway, visit saskatoon.ca/bridging.

Note: At this time, the best view of the North Commuter Parkway project can be found via time lapse camera footage posted on grahamcommuterpartners.ca. A live webcam for this project is coming soon.

The City of Saskatoon and communities across Canada are celebrating Water Week, March 21-27, 2016; it’s a time to recognize the critical role water plays in our daily lives and how it contributes to the overall quality of life we enjoy in Saskatoon.

“This year we want to remind residents to be water wise and reduce their impact on the environment,” says Tim Bushman, Plant Manager at Saskatoon Water. “Our awareness campaign will encourage people to get involved and share what they learn with friends and family.”

Starting Monday, residents can submit their answer to the Water Week Question of the Day on the City’s Facebook page. Participants have a chance to win a $25 gift card for any City leisure activity. Questions will provide an opportunity for residents to learn more about:

• processes we use to provide a clean and safe water supply,
• environmental protection through management of the wastewater & storm water collection systems,
• tips for properly disposing of waste which may cause system blockages.

The City maintains 1,074 kilometres of sanitary sewer pipes which collect and transport all of the waste water from your sink and tub drains, toilets and floor drains. When animal and vegetable fats, as well as oil used in cooking and preparing foods go down the drain, they can build-up along the walls of the pipes, creating obstructions that can cause sewer backups.

The issue compounds when obstructions such as grease build-up or tree roots exist, and other inorganic materials, such as cleaning wipes and sanitary products are flushed. Not only does it prevent proper flow in the sanitary sewer system, it can result in a messy and costly basement backup.

“When fats, oil, grease, and cleaning/sanitary products go down the drain, they clog pipes, create odours and can cause sewer backups,” says Bushman. “On average the City responds to approximately 100 sewer main blockages per year due to grease and over 3,500 home blockages which are due to roots, grease and wipes flushed down the line. Approximately 20% of that total is due to grease/personal hygiene and cleaning products.”

Residents can avoid blockages and sewage backups through proper disposal techniques:

• Wipe cooking oil, butter, sauces and salad dressing off cooking equipment with paper towels before washing;
• Scrape and toss any leftover solid food into a garbage container before washing the dishes or placing them in the dishwasher;
• Never put eggshells, coffee grounds, or kitty litter down the drain or toilet;
• Collect excess fats and oils in a sealed container and place in your Black Cart;
• Cleaning wipes/personal hygiene products should not be flushed down the toilet, but thrown out with your regular garbage (even ones advertised as flushable wipes); and
• Use recycling centres to dispose of motor oil and other hazardous materials.

Find more ways to Put Waste in the Right Place at saskatoon.ca/recycle

The storm water sewer runs alongside the sanitary sewer, collecting rain and snow melt water that drain into the catch basins on the street to prevent flooding. These pipes lead directly to the South Saskatchewan River. It is important that other chemicals and waste do not enter our storm water sewer system, as it can harm fish and wildlife, as well as reduce water quality for human use. The City is partnering with Meewasin this spring to educate students about the storm water system and will be sponsoring a community-based awareness program called Yellow Fish Road. Groups are encouraged to sign up for kits to paint yellow fish beside catch basins and distribute information to their neighbours.

“A clean and safe water supply and environmental protection are top priorities for the City of Saskatoon, as we know they are too for our citizens,” says Bushman. “Our staff works hard and takes pride in these services and are committed to ensuring all precautions are taken to keep our citizens safe when work or construction is occurring on the water, wastewater and storm sewer systems.”

Like Saskatoon City News on Facebook for our daily contest where there are lots of cool prizes! Check out saskatoon.ca/waterweek for tips and information and take a video tour of the City’s Waste Water Treatment Plant and Water Treatment Plant.

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

Following the February 10, 2014 direction of Saskatoon City Council, the City Solicitor has drafted an anti-bullying bylaw.  A report will be presented at Council’s regular business meeting Monday, March 21.

“The intent of the Bylaw is to recognize the role of all levels of government and community agencies in combatting bullying and in creating a positive environment,” says City Solicitor Patricia Warwick.  “To that end, one of the Bylaw’s purposes is to complement the education, prevention and awareness initiatives administered through the school system.”

The City consulted interested stakeholders in advance of submitting the Bylaw for consideration. 

The main elements of the Bylaw include:

*A definition of bullying which means: any unprovoked, repeated and inappropriate comment or conduct by a person which causes, which is intended to cause or which the person ought reasonably to know will cause harm, fear or physical or psychological distress to another person, including:
 -taunting, tormenting, name calling, ridiculing, insulting, mocking and directing slurs towards another person;
 -kicking, pushing, hair pulling or pinching another person; and
 -shunning, ostracizing, excluding another person and gossiping or rumour mongering about another person;

*Prohibitions against bullying in a public place and aiding, abetting or encouraging the bullying of another person;

*Recognition of the Chief of Police as the authority responsible for enforcement;

*The requirement that a parent or guardian appear in court with a young person (defined as between the ages of 12 and 18 years) charged under the Bylaw;

*The ability to participate in mediation to deal with charges as an alternative to the court process; and

*A definition of “public place” that includes any place to which the public has access as of right or by express or implied invitation. One draft includes schools and school sites in its definition. The other specifically excludes these places except outside of school hours.

If approved, the proposed effective date of the Bylaw is September 1, 2016, which will permit implementation of an awareness campaign and provide time for an appropriate mediation program to be developed to handle the diversion of matters from the court process.

The Circle Drive cloverleaf overpass will need weeks of repairs following a collision yesterday morning.

“A preliminary analysis estimates damage to the overpass at $ 0.5 million to $1.0 million.” says Rob Frank, Engineering Manager for Asset Preservation.

Just before 10 a.m., Wednesday, March 16, a semi-truck hauling a cultivator collided with the Circle Drive/Highway 11 & 16 cloverleaf in the city’s south end.  The farm equipment struck several girder lines underneath both sets of the Circle Drive/Highway 16 lanes overhead.

Portions of the overpass were refurbished this past summer.  Damage to the structure means repairs will be necessary in the late spring and summer months. While lane closures and traffic restrictions will be necessary at that time, all the cloverleaf traffic lanes are currently open. Engineers have inspected the structure and are confident it is safe to drive overtop and underneath.  

 “While an incident like this is covered by insurance without a cost hit on taxpayers, there is a social cost in terms of traffic restrictions that will have to happen,” Frank says.

The impact exposed rebar and loosened concrete over a northbound lane of highway 11/Circle Drive; the outside or curb lane had to be closed until work crews knocked-down loose concrete and cleaned up the debris.

The repair work is expected to be tendered in the coming weeks.

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

With the forecasted warm weather the City of Saskatoon is wrapping up its Priority Street Snow Removal Program and transitioning into surface drainage management and pothole repairs. The extended forecast is for very warm temperatures, which will dry up the potholes enough for a cold mix asphalt repair. The City has additional road crews assigned to address these locations as quickly as possible.

“Currently we have three City boiler trucks that are actively defrosting catch basins to improve drainage,” says Trent Schmidt, Acting Director of Public Works. “Since Wednesday, additional staff and equipment have been assigned to both day and night shifts to address and repair high-priority potholes, with up to 8 cold mix 1-ton trucks assigned to each shift. Pothole crews will continue repairing potholes day and night with gravel and cold mix asphalt until the frost is out of the ground in early May.”

City crews have been repairing potholes in the driving lane of Priority 1 & 2 streets since the snow started melting with a temporary cold mix asphalt to help prevent damage to vehicles and for safety. The cold mix is a semi-permanent patching material that can be used in temperatures above -10 degrees (with wind chill) even where moisture exists. So far this winter, 60 tonnes of cold-mix asphalt have been used to repair potholes (roughly the equivalent of 3450 potholes). Road crews are also maintaining approximately 567 utility cuts.

“As the warmer temperatures we’ve been experiencing are expected to continue, we’re reminding drivers to slow down when driving through puddles on the road” says Schmidt. “During spring melt, pools of water can cover deep potholes and drivers travelling at higher speeds could be caught by surprise, resulting in loss of vehicle control or vehicle damage.”

The Spring Pothole Blitz will begin over the next few weeks. Potholes will be prioritized and repaired on high-traffic, collector and arterial streets. Potholes on residential and other streets will be prioritized and repaired in coordination with the Neighbourhood Street Sweeping schedule, which begins May 1. Hot mix asphalt will be available at that point for permanent repair of potholes, and warning barricades may be installed until either temporary or permanent repairs can be made.

The Spring Sweeping Blitz is designed to collect the bulk of the debris left behind over the winter and benefits the Accelerated City Wide Neighbourhood Sweeping program by making it more efficient and cost effective. The Blitz will also remove sand and debris from medians where snow was stored. The Sweeping Blitz is scheduled to start on April 11 and will be focused along many of the same high-traffic streets as the Spring Pothole Blitz. There will be no parking enforcement applied during the Blitz programs as sweepers will go around parked vehicles.

The online Report a Pothole map is currently going through maintenance and upgrades and will be available April 1. So far this winter, residents have reported 185 potholes to the Customer Service Centre; 119 of these have been repaired. Residents are encouraged to report hazardous potholes on busy streets, blocked catch basins or other emergency road conditions to our 24-hour Customer Service Centre at 306-975-2476.

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

March 8, 2016 Meeting

7.1.1 Interim Report – Climate Adaptation Strategies – Infrastructure

Decision

*The Committee received the information.

Background

*In September 2015, the Committee asked Administration to report back on the following:
-steps for implementing systems in key departments which would evaluate new infrastructure and projects (and retrofits to existing infrastructure/projects) to ensure adequate performance in a variety of weather conditions including extreme events.
-additional information speaking to the adequacy of current funding approaches to dealing with possible changing weather conditions and their impacts on civic assets and services.
*Administration reported there are several measures in place or in progress to prepare for, and respond to, severe weather events in relation to key infrastructure and through the Corporate Risk Program and Corporate Asset Management Plan. Further refinement to asset planning and the retrofitting of existing assets will ensure infrastructure can be resilient during extreme weather events.
*The Major Natural Events Reserve has a zero balance, and there are no regular or budgeted contributions to this reserve.

7.1.2 Civic Operations Centre Construction Update

Decision

*The Committee received the information.

Background

*The construction is progressing as expected and monthly progress reports indicate that all activities are on track.
*In October 2014, City Council approved the award of the Request for Proposal for the COC, Phase One, to Integrated Team Solutions (ITS). This Team will design, build, finance and maintain the new Saskatoon Transit Facility, and design, build, finance, maintain and operate the permanent Snow Management Facility.

7.1.3 8^th Street East and Lorne Avenue Sanitary Chamber Installation – Emergency Design Build Update

Decision

*The Committee received the information.

Background

*A new sanitary chamber as well as an upgrade of adjacent infrastructure at the intersection of 8th Street East and Lorne Avenue took place in the fall of 2015. Work began on November 2, 2015, and the infrastructure upgrades and initial temporary restoration of the intersection were completed on December 18, 2015.
*The urgent infrastructure upgrade work has been completed.
*The infrastructure work was completed before the end of 2015 with final restoration of the intersection to take place in the spring of 2016.
*Hydraulic conditions have significantly improved in the sanitary main; aging infrastructure in the intersection have been replaced; and sewer gas emissions have been reduced.

7.2.1 Winter City Strategy Preparations

Decision

*The report will be forwarded to City Council for information.

Background

*In August 2013, City Council adopted the 2013-2023 Strategic Plan. In support of the Quality of Life strategic goal, the Plan specified a set of four-year priorities, including for the City to “provide opportunities for activities in a winter city”.
*There is a growing Winter City movement in North America that is drawing city leaders, community groups and the creative sector together to address specific winter problems as well as developing supportive plans and policies for the vitality of cities in winter.
*Existing City plans and policies already identify many opportunities for improving the local response to winter. Some of these will be acted on immediately as quick-wins in the lead-up to the launch of proposed public engagement to develop a Winter City Strategy in Saskatoon. The strategy will ultimately provide a roadmap for making Saskatoon as vibrant in winter as it is in summer.

7.2.3 Progress Report on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action

Decision

*The report will be forwarded to City Council for information.
*The Committee is also recommending that the language around public acknowledgements (as set out at the bottom on page p.7 of the information report) be circulated to all members of City Council; and that a copy of the report be sent from City Council to the Saskatoon Tribal Council, Metis Nation of Saskatchewan, Central Urban Metis Federation Inc., Office of the Treaty Commissioner and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Background

*In 2015, The City declared July 1, 2015-June 30, 2016 as the year of reconciliation and directed the Administration to work with the Office of the Treaty Commission, and other community groups, leaders and institutions in Saskatchewan, to promote reconciliation in our province.
*The City has made progress on initiatives that respond to the TRC “Calls to Action”.
*A City priority is to develop a long-term plan for increased Aboriginal awareness training for all civic employees.
*The City is working with several community partners on a “Community Action Plan.”

7.2.5 2016 Lead Service Line Replacement Funding

Decision

*The Committee is forwarding a report to City Council supporting the following recommendations:
-That $750,000 be transferred from the Water & Wastewater Stabilization Reserve to the Infrastructure Replacement Reserve – Water and Sanitary Sewers.
-That funding from the Infrastructure Replacement Reserve for Capital Project #1615 – Water Distribution be increased by $750,000, to facilitate an accelerated 2016 Lead Service Line Replacement program as outlined in this report.

Background

*Saskatoon’s approved Level of Service for Lead Service Line (LSL) Replacements includes an annual program replacing LSL’s at the request of homeowners.
*In 2015, there was a sharp increase in homeowner requests, creating a six to seven year backlog of replacements at current funding levels.
*Administration requests City Council approval to transfer funds in the amount of $750,000 from the Water & Wastewater Stabilization Reserve to the Infrastructure Replacement Reserve – Water and Sanitary Sewers.
*A request to fund an additional $750,000 from the Infrastructure Replacement Reserve – Water and Sanitary Sewers to increase the LSL’s replaced in 2016 by 100.

March 8, 2016 Meeting

7.1.3 Update on Railway Delays  

Decision

*Administration will look into the cost of a feasibility study of rail line relocations and report back to the 2017 Business Plan and Budget deliberations for consideration and action.
*Administration will continue the course of action with the Railway Working Group.
*A presentation from CN and CP on rail safety, proximity guidelines, and the rail mobile app will be provided to the Committee at a future meeting.

Background

*Transport Canada has been engaged to regulate Canadian National Railway’s (CNR) operations in the southwest portion of the City.
*Transport Canada has confirmed that the spur line rail crossing into the Viterra Grain terminal is federal jurisdiction and has subsequently pursued a formal investigation into the concerns.
*The Administration is continuing to collect data and document incidents of excessive delays and will be meeting with CNR and Transport Canada in the near future to discuss possible solutions to the ongoing concerns.
*Criteria for prioritizing the locations for further investigation include impact on emergency response, impacts of public transit, vehicular delays and benefit to railway operations.
*An investigation into the feasibility and cost of relocating railway operations outside of city limits is estimated to cost between $300,000 and $400,000 depending on scope and whether relocation of both railways is included.

7.1.4 Transportation Network Companies (i.e. Uber)

Decision

*Administration will report back to the Committee on the possibility of implementing consistent standards with respect to training, medical reporting, etc. should Saskatoon proceed with introduction of Transportation Network Companies.
*Administration will engage with industries, including taxi and limousine drivers and companies, to hear their concerns and issues regarding the matter.
*Correspondence from Uber will be joined to the file and the City Solicitor has been encouraged to reach out to the representatives of Transportation Network Companies.
*Administration will report back on the Edmonton model, as presented in the report, including information on the fee structure and feedback from taxi drivers and companies.

Background

*On October 22, 2015, a letter was sent out at City Council’s request to Don McMorris advising of the City’s support for the provincial regulation of Transportation Network Companies (TNCs).
*In response, the Province has advised it is not in a position to regulate TNCs at a provincial level and that further consultation is required.
*The Province poses that “municipalities really are in the best position to ascertain how companies like Uber best fit into their community” and that, once this is determined, municipalities may petition the government for any provincial regulatory changes required.
*In the past few months, there have been significant developments in TNCs’ regulation across Canada. These developments bear consideration for the potential regulation of TNCs in Saskatoon.

7.2.6 Protected Bike Lane Demonstration Project Update

Decision

*The committee will recommend to City Council that the 2016 contract for snow clearing in the protected bike lanes and transit terminal be increased by $48,114 to $125,000 (including taxes).
*Administration will bring forward a report on other options for the maintenance of bike lanes to provide additional information for 2017 Business Plan and Budget deliberations, as well as future budget deliberations.

Background

*The protected bike lane demonstration project is underway, with the first phase (23rd Street) implemented in 2015.
*Design, installation, and communications (capital) costs for the first phase are as expected and there is sufficient funding to proceed with the second phase (4th Avenue).
*Street maintenance costs (operating) are higher than anticipated and will be included in the 2017 operating budget.