News Releases

We now have a clearer picture of how to grow Saskatoon over the next 30 years. Today, the City revealed the final Growth Plan to Half a Million (Growth Plan) Technical Report.  It will be presented to City Councillors during a special afternoon and evening Growth Plan Summit event as part of the Governance and Priorities Committee meeting on Monday, March 14, 2016.

“This is an important time in Saskatoon’s history, with significant choices to be made about how the city will continue to grow,” says City Manager Murray Totland.  “The Growth Plan will help proactively manage the changes associated with growth and create a city that is vibrant and attractive to future generations.” 

Developed over the last two and a half years through a five-phase public engagement process called “Growing Forward! Shaping Saskatoon,” residents have been involved in discussions on everything from current and future challenges to potential long-term changes for the city.

Resident feedback has been used alongside technical work to prepare the final Growth Plan, which outlines a number of key directions to guide transportation, transit, and land use planning to accommodate a population of half a million.

The key directions included in the Growth Plan are:

1. focus growth and enable redevelopment along Saskatoon’s major corridors, with the goal of creating complete communities along these corridors;
2. support the development of strategic infill sites consisting of the Downtown, North Downtown, and the University of Saskatchewan’s endowment lands to achieve the City’s targets for infill development;
3. provide a robust transportation network that includes opportunities for all modes of transportation;
4. create a range of enhanced transit services, including bus rapid transit, over time to meet a variety of needs;
5. implement rapid transit facilities and services along the city’s major corridors as demand grows to support projected ridership; and
6. acknowledge the need for future additional river crossing capacity within Circle Drive to serve anticipated travel demand and consider this alongside methods to increase the “people-carrying” capacity of all bridges.

“Growth will occur with or without a plan,” says Alan Wallace, Director of Planning and Development. “Proactively addressing the challenges of growth allows City Council to make smart investment decisions to help build a community that’s a great place to work, live, and play.”

In advance of requesting a final decision on the Growth Plan, the City Administration will be presenting the key directions of the plan at a public Growth Plan Summit (Summit) event as part of City Council’s Governance and Priorities Committee meeting on Monday, March 14, 2016.

Following the presentations, members of the public will be invited to provide comments on the Growth Plan to the Committee.  Written requests to speak may be submitted in advance via the City’s website at saskatoon.ca/writetocouncil.  Prior requests will be accommodated first, followed by those in attendance who wish to speak.

The Summit can be live-streamed on the City’s website at saskatoon.ca/watchcouncil.  The broadcast will also be archived for viewing at a later date.

For more information on the Growth Plan, including the full Summit agenda and final Technical Report, please visit the project website at growingfwd.ca.   

March 7, 2016 Meeting

7.1.4 Preliminary Year-End Financial Results

Decision

*The Committee is recommending to City Council:

1) The fuel surplus of $2.441 million not be transferred to the Fuel Stabilization Reserve.
2) The transfer of the Snow Removal and Ice Management Program allowable surplus amount of $0.622 million into the Snow and Ice Management Reserve be approved.
3) The transfer of the preliminary civic surplus of $1.436 million to the Fiscal Stabilization Reserve be approved.

Background

*The City has posted a $1.436 million surplus. 
*Prior to the external audit of the City’s year-end financial statements, the Administration tables a report with City Council to inform City Council and the public on the preliminary year-end financial results.

7.1.5 Consultant Services – 2015

Decision

*The Committee received the report as information.
*The Committee resolved Administration report  on a review of the value of consulting contracts including some analysis to help clarify what money has been saved using consultants.
*The Committee resolved that Administration report on how the City ensures value for money in the City’s use of consultants on a go-forward basis.
*The Committee resolved that the Power Point presentation be provided to all members of City Council.

Background

*At the January 25, 2016 meeting of City Council, consultant contracts were awarded for an Agency of Record and a Business Case on Recovery Park. Discussions regarding these contracts included the City’s use of consultants. In addition, a media request was received in relation to the City’s use of consultant services and the Administration determined that a report on this topic to the Standing Policy Committee on Finance would be appropriate.
*All external consultant costs were approved in the 2015 Business Plan and Budget. The City has not taken on additional or unexpected costs that were not approved in the budget process.
*The City invested $16 million or 4% of our total City budget on advice and services in support of capital projects – addressing an unprecedented need for construction projects made necessary by an unprecedented period of growth in our community.
*The City invested $2.6 million or 0.4% of our total City budget on advice or services to the City for operations. For example this includes $213,000 for internal audit services that are more cost effective to outsource.
*CFO Kerry Tarasoff presented the Committee with an apples to apples comparison. For example, if the City of Saskatoon used the same criteria as the City of Regina, it would show Saskatoon spent roughly the same as Regina for consultants hired for planning studies or strategic policy advice at $1.8 million and $1.75 million respectively.

7.2.4 Leasing of Civic Property – Bowerman House -1328 Avenue K South

Decision

*The Committee will be reporting to City Council indicating support for the recommendations in the report regarding the new lease and operating agreement with the Meewasin Valley Authority for the City-owned property known as the Bowerman House.
*The Committee resolved Meewasin maintain the premises in accordance with the proposed agreement for a period of five years, in lieu of paying rent.

Background

*The Meewasin Valley Authority requested to continue to lease the Bowerman House from the City.
*The Bowerman House was built in 1907 as a private hunting lodge and summer residence for Allan Bowerman (a member of Saskatoon’s first town council). The building was acquired by the Saskatchewan Anti-Tuberculosis League in 1924, serving thereafter, as a residence for sanatorium doctors until 1987.
*The Bowerman House, and a portion of its surrounding grounds, was designated as a Municipal Heritage Property in 1986. The City purchased the property from the Province in 2004, and leased the house to Meewasin. Meewasin had previously managed the Bowerman House on behalf of the Province.

March 7, 2016 Meeting

6.3.2  Kaela Tennent – Residential Backyard Fires

Decision

*Letters from Kaela Tennent were received as information and forwarded to the Administration to be included in the review of the bylaw (Fire and Protective Services Bylaw No. 7990).

Background

*Kaela Tennent of the 1400 block of Avenue C North wrote letters to Council concerning residential backyard fires. Tennent’s son has asthma and believes “the right to breathe and live a healthy life outweighs the right to enjoy backyard fires”. Tennent would like City Council ban backyard fires.
*Fire Chief Morgan Hackl addressed the Committee and said the Fire Department will review the bylaw this year.

7.2.1 Application for Funding Under Heritage Conservation Program – Bottomley House (1118 College Drive)

Decision

*The Committee supported forwarding a report to City Council recommending approval of the funding, up to a maximum of $3,337.50, through the Heritage Conservation Program for the restoration of the front verandah column bases and guardrails at Bottomley House and preparation and signing of the necessary agreement.

Background

*The Bottomley House at 1118 College Drive features a two-storey wood frame house built in 1912. The heritage significance of the property lies in its Queen Anne Revival architectural style with its bell-cast domed roof, curved windows, corner turret, and wrap-around verandah with Doric columns. The property’s original owner, Richard Bottomley, was a real estate developer who owned large tracts of land, and as such, required a prominent and distinct home that evoked a sense of affluence. The Bottomley House was designated as a Municipal Heritage Property in 2006 under City Bylaw No. 8485.
*The Heritage Conservation Program, under Civic Heritage Policy No. C10-020, provides funding for designated Municipal Heritage Properties for the conservation and rehabilitation of the character-defining elements of a heritage property. Financial incentives include a tax abatement for 50% of the eligible costs of a project to a maximum of $150,000.

7.2.3 Status Report on the Ten-Year Housing Business Plan 2013-2022

Decision

*The Committee will be forwarding a report to City Council to recommend it be received as information, for the Administration to report back at the time of the 2017 Business Plan and Budget deliberations on funding requirements and housing targets for 2017, and for the Administration to report back on the potential stabilization of funding through the establishment of a reserve.

Background

*In December 2014, City Council revised the 2015 housing target to 500 units across the attainable housing continuum. In November 2015, City Council allocated $500,000 to the Affordable Housing Reserve and set a target of 400 new attainable housing units for 2016.
*The 2015 housing targets have been achieved with the creation of 560 new attainable units. The City is also on track to achieve its 2016 housing targets.
*The housing need for low-income residents remains high.
*Moderate-income households now have adequate choices in both the rental and ownership markets.
*Progress is being made toward locating attainable housing in all areas of the city.
*A new Community Action Plan to address homelessness, created by the Saskatoon Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) and the United Way, is expected to be presented to City Council in the second quarter of 2016.
*Housing targets and funding levels for 2017 will be determined at the Business Plan and Budget deliberations in December 2016.

7.2.5 Chief Whitecap Park Master Plan Update

Decision

*The Committee received the update report as information.

Background

* The detailed design process for Chief Whitecap Park is currently underway and will be completed in 2016. Prior to the final plan being approved in 2016, and construction completed in 2017 or 2018, the land will continue to be used as an active and passive recreation area.
*Construction of a gravel parking lot at the north access of CWP is to begin in 2016, weather permitting.

7.2.7 Update on Saskatoon Minor Football Field Project

Decision

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

Background

*The report is an update on the 2015 operating season at the Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the name of the new clubhouse, construction of Phases 1-3, and an update on the Friends of the Bowl Foundation fundraising campaign
*The Saskatoon Minor Football Field (SMF) at Gordon Howe Park operated from mid-April to mid-November, 2015, for its first very successful full season.
*The Friends of the Bowl Foundation announced the first two phases of construction upgrades to the SMF Field, including the field, lighting, sound system, and clubhouse, will be completed this spring.
*With the construction of the new clubhouse nearing completion, the FOTBF Board has approved the name, Gordie Howe Sports Centre, for the clubhouse.
*The FOTBF has announced the third phase of the upgrade project, which is the plaza and ticket booth. Funding has been secured and the project will be completed this spring.
*The FOTBF has successfully achieved its fundraising goal to complete the three phases of upgrades at SMF Field.

7.2.9 Vacant Lot and Adaptive Re-use Program – Development Incentives – Parcel YY – River Landing

Decision

*The Committee will forward a report to City Council supporting the recommendations outlined in the report.

Background

*In March 2011, City Council approved the Vacant Lot and Adaptive Re-use Incentive Program (VLAR). The VLAR Incentive Program includes incentives to encourage more housing within the Downtown. The VLAR program was recently amended to also include new incentives for offices and structured parking, in accordance with the City Centre Plan.
*Because a portion of Parcel YY is to be developed as a public plaza open for community use, the developer (Triovest) of Parcel YY requested the same incentives which are offered within the Downtown. They have further requested an annual grant equivalent to the property taxes for the area of Parcel YY that will be developed as a public plaza.
*Recommendations are:

1) That a five-year tax abatement of the incremental taxes for the residential building, office buildings, and a structured parking facility located on Parcel YY, be approved;
2) That the five-year tax abatements take effect in the next taxation year following completion of each of the phased projects;
3) That the property taxes associated with the public plaza be granted back to the owner in exchange for construction and maintenance of the public plaza and guaranteed, reasonable public access;
4) That the City Solicitor be requested to prepare the appropriate agreements, and that His Worship the Mayor and the City Clerk be authorized to execute the agreements, under the Corporate Seal; and
5) The above recommendations be subject to the submission of a comprehensive site development concept plan and the proponent obtaining approval of the development concept from all approving authorities in accordance with the DCD1 regulations.

Saskatoon’s growth, weather and the price of fuel have helped the City post a net surplus of $1.436 million.

“There were a number of factors which contributed to the surplus,” says Chief Financial Officer Kerry Tarasoff.  “Lower fuel prices certainly played a role as did our overall community growth and a relatively mild winter.”

The year-end financial results are highlighted in a report today to the Standing Policy Committee on Finance.

“The silver lining to the downturn in oil prices has helped the City spend less,” Tarasoff says. “We also spent less on snow removal and all our boards including the Police Service had surpluses.”

Tarasoff further notes while a mild winter may mean savings in Public Works, it also means the City’s power company sells less electricity leading to a small deficit at Saskatoon Light & Power.

Positive figures were also offset by factors such as lower than expected revenues from traffic fines, landfill and parking, as well as an increase in fire protection spending and a transfer to the utility reserve.

To view the complete report, visit saskatoon.ca under City Hall>Council, Boards & Committees.

Fellow Citizens,

I want to add a bit more perspective and clarity on information circulating in the community on the City’s use of external consultants. Many of the comparisons that you may have seen, heard or read are incomplete. In the interest of ensuring you have the ability to compare apples to apples, we want to set the record straight.

While a surface-level review suggests that we have a different approach to hiring external consultants than other cities, the reality is that we have a different approach to reporting. Our administrative report includes all spending on consultants and contracts, which goes beyond the spending reported in many other communities.

I will expand on this below, but consultants and contracts allow us to obtain specialized skills we don’t keep in-house and to meet the demand of surge periods while holding the line on creating permanent full-time city jobs.

Recognizing the depth of our reporting is necessary to fully understand our spending. 

The Background

In response to a question in the January City Council meeting, we prepared a thorough, open and transparent report on costs related to the City’s use of outside advice and services. Given the interest in this subject, we felt a full report to City Council and the public was appropriate.

The facts are:

*All external consultant costs were approved in the 2015 Business Plan and Budget. We have not taken on additional or unexpected costs that were not approved in the budget process.
*The City invested $16 million or 4% of our total City budget on advice and services in support of capital projects – addressing an unprecedented need for construction projects made necessary by an unprecedented period of growth in our community.
*The City invested $2.6 million or 0.4% of our total City budget on advice or services to the City for operations. For example this includes $213,000 for internal audit services that are more cost effective to outsource.

Finding Accurate Comparisons

To be clear, the report to be discussed at the Finance committee next week includes all costs where an external consultant or service provider participated in our work. This ranges from preliminary planning and concept studies to using outside help to design and manage a project.

In other words, we cast a wider net than what it appears other municipalities may have reported to their citizens. We believe this level of openness is the most responsible way to report to citizens.

For example, if we were to compare referenced information from the City of Regina on consultants hired for planning studies or strategic policy advice with what Saskatoon spent on the same, our expenditures would be in the neighbourhood of $1.8 million (including $1.6 million on capital projects).  This is in line with the $1.75 million spent by the City of Regina in 2015.

Listening to our Community

The City of Saskatoon has experienced significant growth over the past decade and we have acted to address the priorities identified by our citizens – more notably traffic congestion, roads, bridges and infrastructure.

The money spent on capital contracts and consulting is due in large part to our rate of growth and infrastructure development.  Saskatoon outpaced most Canadian cities over the past number of years with an infrastructure investment of $500 million. It’s like we have been “building” another Humboldt or Melfort for the past several years.

As part of this, the City also develops land that, in turn, delivers a dividend to its citizens and helps pay for that growth and infrastructure.

We have turned to consultants as a responsible and prudent approach, allowing us to meet the demands of a growing city while controlling the growth of full-time city staff positions. The City performs its due diligence on quality assurance to further enhance accountability and to confirm the services we provide are in line with best practices.

Taking all these factors into consideration, a proper comparison requires an examination of a city’s economic growth and a common standard of reporting.

We always have your economic interests at heart and will continue to recommend work to City Council when we believe it is time and cost effective to do so.

Kind regards,
Kerry Tarasoff
Chief Financial Officer
 

This unseasonably warm winter with less snowfall has been a welcome for many people in Saskatoon. Less snow typically results in less shoveling on sidewalks for residents. Unfortunately, with the daytime melting followed by overnight freezing temperatures, residents are faced with icing conditions on their sidewalks.

Given Saskatoon’s reputation for strong community spirit, it comes as no surprise that again this year, the City of Saskatoon is recognizing the Snow Angels who go above and beyond to help fellow neighbours keep sidewalks clear, despite the added challenge of ice this season.

His Worship, Mayor Donald Atchison today thanked and presented a gift to Elmer and Agnes Regier, this month’s winners of the Snow Angel program’s prize draw. The Regiers were nominated as a Snow Angel by their neighbour, Janet Gordon.

“Elmer is an all-year angel”, says Gordon. “In summer he gives total care to the grass and grounds in my yard, and in winter he clears the snow and ice from my walks and large driveway. I was so lucky when the Regiers became my neighbours for many reasons. Elmer says it keeps him in shape, and l am so grateful for their help.”

“Clearing sidewalks quickly after a snowfall makes it easier and safer for people to move around, especially during an icy winter like the one we’ve had” says Acting General Manager of Community Services, Alan Wallace. “A thoughtful act from a neighbour like this epitomizes the spirit of many citizens in Saskatoon and is worthy of recognition.”

If residents receive help with their snow clearing, they can nominate them as a Snow Angel online at saskatoon.ca/snow. They’ll be sent a thank you card from His Worship, Mayor Donald Atchison as well as entered into a monthly prize draw.

The Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee (MHAC) recognized the “Spirit of Alliance - War of 1812” monument in the category of Education. The Heritage Awards were presented by His Worship Mayor Donald Atchison at the February 29 meeting of City Council.

“This is an achievement to be proud of,” says Kevin Kitchen, Community Development Manager.  “Commemorations contribute to Saskatoon’s urban landscape.  Whether as statues, monuments, or cairns, they describe our connections to the past, express community and individual values, contribute to telling our story, and help to create a sense of place.”

The education awards recognize the achievements of an individual, group or organization to educate the citizens of Saskatoon about its heritage in the areas of archaeology, history, museums, historic buildings and sites, genealogy, natural history, and folklore.

The City of Saskatoon received the donation of the Spirit of Alliance monument from the Whitecap Dakota First Nation to commemorate the alliance between the British Crown, the Dakota and others; and how the Dakota came to reside in the area. 

The City of Saskatoon’s Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee (MHAC) today announced the recipients of the 2015-2016 Heritage Awards. The Committee presents Heritage Awards every second year to recognize contributions to heritage preservation within the City of Saskatoon in the areas of archaeology, history, museums, historic buildings and sites, genealogy, natural history, and folklore.

“The Heritage Awards represent an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the work of preservation, restoration and stewardship of buildings of heritage value and education in our community,” stated Carla Duval-Tyler, Committee Chair. “These awards recognize what is often an immense amount of vision, time, and a financial commitment for something that benefits the entire city.”

“We thank all applicants as they demonstrate a vision on the part of Saskatoon residents and business in preserving, conserving and restoring our local heritage, and maintaining a sense of history as we build for the future of our city,” added Ms. Duval-Tyler.

Organizations were recognized in the following categories:

BUILDING SITES AND GROUNDS

Sensitive Addition (2 Awards)

Academic Health Sciences D Wing Addition

Presented to:

o   University of Saskatchewan (Property Owner)

o   Henry Downing Architects (Architect)

o   Graham Construction and Engineering Ltd.(General contractor)

o   Flad Architects (Lab Design Specialists)

St Thomas Moore College 2013 Addition     

Presented to:

o   Edwards Edwards McEwen Architects (Architects)

o   St Thomas More College (Property Owner)

o   Quorex Constructions Services Ltd. (Project Manager)

o   Robb-Kullman Engineering LLP (Prime Consultant, Structural Engineer)

Adaptive Re-Use (3 Awards)

210/212 20^th Street West (Grazing Goat / Green Ark)       

Presented to:

o   Strata Development Corporation (Property Owner and General Contractor)

433 - 20^th Street West (MGM Communications)      

Presented to:

o   Lionel Wong (Property Owner)

o   Strata Development Corporation (General Contractor)

o   MGM Communications (Tenant)

616-10^th Street East (Brainsport)        

Presented to:

o   Group2 Architecture (Architect and Designer)

o   Brainsport (Property Owner)

o   S2 Construction (General Contractor)

Heritage Space (1 Award)

616-10^th Street East (Brainsport)        

Presented to:

o   Group2 Architecture (Architect and Designer)

o   Brainsport (Property Owner)

o   S2 Construction (General Contractor)

VOLUNTEER PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD

Della Greer

o   Commitment to making Saskatoon a place that recognizes and celebrates arts, culture and heritage through her work with the Marr Residence and other agencies.

EDUCATION AWARDS (3 Awards)

Nutana and Broadway Heritage QR Code Tour

Presented to:    

o   Broadway Business Improvement District

o   Nutana Community Association

Spirit of Alliance Monument     

Presented to

o   J. S. Gauthier, Adrian Stimson,  Happy (Ian) Grove (Artists/ Sculptors)

o   Chief Darcy Bear (Funder, Visionary)

Joe Wickenhauser

o   Commitment to preserving and sharing the history of sexual and gender diversity in Saskatoon through lectures, walking tours, film events, displays and print publications and contributions to social media.

The awards will be presented in City Council Chambers (City Hall) by Mayor Atchison on Monday, February 29, 2016 at 5:00 PM. Reception to follow at The Bassment – 202 4^th Avenue North.

Detailed information on the Heritage Awards Program can be found at saskatoon.ca/HeritageAwards. 

The Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo has launched an exciting new video showcasing a general medical exam on the popular red panda, Phoenix.

“The opportunity to create this unique video highlights the longstanding partnership in animal health between the Western College of Veterinary Medicine and the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo,” says Lynne Lacroix, Director of Recreation and Community Development.

Phoenix is a permanent “citizen” of Saskatoon who has lived in Phase II of the PotashCorp Ark exhibit since he moved from the Assiniboine Zoo in Winnipeg in 2014.  Red pandas, known for their resemblance to raccoons, have been classified as vulnerable due to habitat loss and poaching.  Slightly larger than a domestic cat, red pandas are recognizable with their reddish-brown fur and shaggy tail. 

Showcasing the educational aspects of the animal health program benefits many – from teaching skills to veterinary students for their future careers, to showing school students how in-depth an annual physical examination for a wild animal is.

“The video demonstrates the commitment of both our skilled staff and the City in ensuring a quality health program for the animals in our care,” says John Moran, Manager of the Forestry Farm Park & Zoo. “Showcasing this exclusive ‘behind the scenes’ footage brings to light the facility does more than just feed and clean the animals in our care; that our animal care and welfare initiatives are of the utmost importance in the work we do every day.”

The video is showcased on the City’s YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook pages.  It is also highlighted on saskatoon.ca/zoo and will be played in the Children’s Zoo and Discovery Centre as part of a public education initiative.  

The City Administration is asking for City Council permission to go ahead with the first steps of building two new road interchanges.  An urgent report has been added to the agenda of Council’s Monday afternoon meeting.

“We are taking the unusual step of seeking procurement of these projects before the federal government funding has been secured,” says Major Projects Director, Mike Gutek.

“We remain confident this project will be favourably considered by the Provincial and Federal Governments, but timing is becoming a factor.”

The City made an application to the Building Canada Fund seeking $29 million for the Highway 16 & Boychuk Drive interchange portion of this project, with approximately $14.52 million coming from each of the Federal and Provincial governments.

Negotiations with Dream Developments concluded in August 2015 and confirmed a funding strategy for the interchange at McOrmond Drive & College Drive.

In the unlikely event that the City’s application for Building Canada funding is not approved for the interchange, the Major Transportation Infrastructure Funding (MTIF) Plan, which consists of reserve funding, Building Canada Funding and borrowing as its main funding sources, would be adjusted to fund this project. 

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.