News Releases

October 5, 2015 Committee Meetings

SPC on Planning, Development and Community Services

7.2.1 Application for Municipal Heritage Property Designation

*There is an application from the property owner at 1040 University Drive (the Mann House – built in 1912) to designate the property as a Heritage Property.
*The heritage value of the Mann House resides in its long association with Owen Mann, a long-time member of City Council. Other notable individuals who lived at this location include: Thomas Watson, physician and head of the Saskatoon Cancer Clinic; and W.E. Walter, a Special Representative for the Canadian National Railway (CNR) Colonization Department.
*A motion to support the recommendations, with the designation limited to the exterior of the building, was supported unanimously.

7.2.3 Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women Monument 

*The committee recommends that Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Monument be located on the front plaza of Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) Headquarters.
*The SPS and Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC) partnered to commission a commemorative artwork to remember missing and murdered Aboriginal women.
*SPS and STC selected Saskatchewan Artist Lionel Peyachew to design the monument.
*A motion to support the recommendation to Council for approval of the location of the monument on the front of the plaza at SPS Headquarters was supported unanimously.

7.2.4 Growth Plan to Half a Million Long-term Directions and Fall 2015 Public Engagement

*The report updates the draft Growth Plan and recommends implementation priorities for Corridor Growth, Transit, and Core Area Bridges that will be presented during the final round of public engagement this month.
*The fifth and final round of public engagement will take place from October 14 to November 8, 2015 with the intent being to communicate the final plan and implementation and phasing strategy to the community.

7.2.7 Meewasin Valley Authority Northeast Swale Master Plan

*The report presents the Meewasin Valley Authority Northeast Swale Master Plan for approval, in principle, by City Council. Following approval, City Administration will work with Meewasin on agreements, implementation plans, and funding strategies.
*The Plan (a collaborative effort between Meewasin, the City, key stakeholders, and the public) outlines ways to support Meewasin’s objectives of conservation, education, and passive recreation including trails, boardwalks, parking, facilities, and lighting.
*Meewasin estimates the total capital cost to implement the Plan at $14 million, split between the swale area proper ($6.1 million) and the Greenway ($8.0 million). An implementation plan and funding strategy will be developed that will also consider annual operating impact (estimated at $186,000 for the City and $192,500 for Meewasin).
*A motion to support all three resolutions (as well as an amendment to resolution 2) to include in the report back from the Administration consideration of potential regulations) was supported unanimously.

7.2.9 City Response to Syrian Refugee Crisis

*The City and refugee-serving organizations presently have a number of initiatives underway that assist in welcoming, settling, and integrating refugees and immigrants to the community.
*In recognition of the current Syrian refugee crisis, the Administration has gathered input from key stakeholders in the community and identified several possible initiatives to improve and enhance already existing services, as well as offering new ideas of what the City could do regarding refugee settlement and integration.
*There are a couple of options to consider related to Saskatoon Transit providing either discounted or no-cost bus passes for the first year of refugee settlement in Saskatoon.
*The following motions were supported unanimously:

•           to receive the report as information;

•           to support all initiatives identified on page 3 of the report (page 230 of the agenda) with no cost implications (a, c, d, f, g and h);

•           for further reporting from the Administration on the remaining items b and e;

•           for the Administration to consult with provincial and federal government on what they are doing in the areas identified, including the issue of transit services and issues around the identified options, as well as checking further with organizations in the community, including faith based organizations and those sponsoring refugees, on any updated information for further reporting to the Committee.

*A further reported was requested for the November 2, 2015 meeting of the SPC on PDCS meeting.

7.2.10 After Hours Barking Dog Complaints

*The report shows from January 1, 2012, to August 31, 2015, the Saskatoon Police Service received a total of 47 calls regarding barking dog complaints between the hours of 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. This volume represents, on average, less than two calls per month.
*Increasing the service level to respond to after hour barking dog complaints would require the Saskatoon Animal Control Agency to schedule two additional animal control officers (for safety reasons) at a cost of $3,200 per month. Animal Services does not have the funds within its 2015 operating budget to cover this additional expense and increase service.
*A motion to support forwarding the report to City Council for information was supported unanimously.

The following are the hours of civic services and facilities for Thanksgiving Day on Monday, October 12, 2015:

City Hall will be closed.

Parking meters will not require payment.  Motorists are required to move their vehicles within the time period shown on parking meters, allowing for a constant turnover of parking availability.

Municipal Impound Lot will not be releasing vehicles to the public.

Saskatoon Landfill will be open with regular summer hours of 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The West Compost Depot will be open with regular hours of 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The East Compost Depot will be open with regular hours of 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Garbage, Recycling and Leaves & Grass collection will take place as scheduled.

All Saskatoon Public Library locations will be closed.

The Saskatoon Civic Conservatory will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Admission is free.

TRANSIT SERVICES

Saskatoon Transit will operate with regular Sunday/Holiday Service.

Access Transit will operate with regular Holiday Service from 8:15 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.  Trips must be booked in advance as per normal procedures. Customers are reminded that subscriptions do not apply on Statutory Holidays.

Transit Customer Service Center will be closed.

Transit Customer Service phone lines will be available from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

RECREATION & SPORT

Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo
Regular hours of operation (Zoo: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. & Park: 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

Golf Courses (Holiday Park, Silverwood, Wildwood)
Regular hours of operation

Lions Skate Park and Satellite Skate Sites
Regular hours of operation (8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.)

Indoor Arenas
Regular hours of operation

Cosmo Civic Centre
CLOSED

Fitness Circuit & Terry Fox Track (in the SaskTel Sports Centre)
CLOSED

Lakewood Civic Centre
Open 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
All fitness classes and child minding CANCELLED

Lawson Civic Centre
Open 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
All fitness classes and swim lessons CANCELLED

Saskatoon Field House
Open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
All fitness classes and child minding CANCELLED
Holiday Spin & Sculpt Class 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

Shaw Centre
Open 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
All fitness classes and child minding CANCELLED

Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre
Open 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
All fitness classes CANCELLED

For modified Lane, Public and Parent & Tot Swim times, please visit Drop-in Online at www.saskatoon.ca/dropinonline.  For more information on operating hours and programs, please contact the leisure centres or facilities.

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.

ONGOING

8TH ST E EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM CUMBERLAND AVE TO GROSVENOR AVE
(Sewer maintenance)
Start: October 5, 10:00 p.m. End: October 6, 7:00 a.m.

33RD ST E WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 1ST AVE N TO QUEBEC AVE
(Unloading)
Start: October 1, 9:00 a.m. End: October 5, 4:00 p.m.

33RD ST E WB CLOSED AT 5TH AVE N
(Primary water main repair)
33rd St WB centre lane closed at 3rd Ave. 5th Ave closed from 33rd St to Empress Ave
Start: September 8, 9:00 a.m. End: October 9, 5:00 p.m.

AIRPORT DR NB/SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANES CLOSED AT CLAYPOOL DR
(Road construction)
Claypool Dr WB closed from Airport Dr to McClocklin Rd
Start: September 15, 7:00 a.m. End: October 27, 6:00 p.m.

MELVILLE ST CLOSED FROM LORNE AVE & BRAND RD
(Force main installation)
Start: August 24, 7:00 a.m. End: October 30, 5:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N/HIGHWAY 16 NB & SB LANE RESTRICTIONS FROM 51ST ST E TO MARQUIS DR W
(Hwy 16 flyover repair)
Hwy 11/12 SB median lane closed at overpass
Start: July 13, 9:00 a.m. End: October 31, 5:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN 19TH ST & SID BUCKWOLD BRIDGE
(Bridge maintenance)
1st Ave SB curb lane closed between 19th St & Sid Buckwold Bridge
Start: September 14, 7:00 a.m. End: November 6, 6:00 p.m.

HWY 16 WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT ZIMMERMAN RD
(Road reconstruction)
Start: September 16, 7:00 a.m. End: November 15, 5:00 p.m.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information and subscribe to Traffic Detour Service Alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

NEW

NIGHT WORK: IDYLWYLD DR NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED APPROACHING 1ST AVE EXIT RAMP
(Expansion joint repair)
1st Ave NB exit ramp closed from Sid Buckwold Bridge
Start: October 5, 7:00 p.m. End: October 10, 7:00 a.m.

ONGOING

8TH ST E EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM CUMBERLAND AVE TO GROSVENOR AVE
(Sewer maintenance)
Start: October 4, 10:00 p.m. End: October 5, 7:00 a.m.

33RD ST E WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 1ST AVE N TO QUEBEC AVE
(Unloading)
Start: October 1, 9:00 a.m. End: October 5, 4:00 p.m.

33RD ST E WB CLOSED AT 5TH AVE N
(Primary water main repair)
33rd St WB centre lane closed at 3rd Ave. 5th Ave closed from 33rd St to Empress Ave
Start: September 8, 9:00 a.m. End: October 9, 5:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN 19TH ST & SID BUCKWOLD BRIDGE
(Bridge maintenance)
1st Ave SB curb lane closed between 19th St & Sid Buckwold Bridge
Start: September 14, 7:00 a.m. End: October 10, 6:00 p.m.

AIRPORT DR NB/SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANES CLOSED AT CLAYPOOL DR
(Road construction)
Claypool Dr WB closed from Airport Dr to McClocklin Rd
Start: September 15, 7:00 a.m. End: October 27, 6:00 p.m.

MELVILLE ST CLOSED FROM LORNE AVE & BRAND RD
(Force main installation)
Start: August 24, 7:00 a.m. End: October 30, 5:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N/HIGHWAY 16 NB & SB LANE RESTRICTIONS FROM 51ST ST E TO MARQUIS DR W
(Hwy 16 flyover repair)
Hwy 11/12 SB median lane closed at overpass
Start: July 13, 9:00 a.m. End: October 31, 5:00 p.m.

HWY 16 WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT ZIMMERMAN RD
(Road reconstruction)
Start: September 16, 7:00 a.m. End: November 15, 5:00 p.m.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information and subscribe to Traffic Detour Service Alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

NEW

CIRCLE DR S EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT SPADINA CRES W
(Guardrail repair)
Start: October 4, 7:00 a.m. End: October 4, 4:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR S NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM ISABELLA ST W TO TAYLOR ST W
(Streetlight repair)
Start: October 4, 7:30 a.m. End: October 4, 10:30 a.m.

WARMAN RD NB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED APPROACHING HAZEN ST
(Cable pull)
Start: October 4, 7:30 a.m. End: October 4, 11:00 a.m.

IDYLWYLD DR S NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM IDYLWYLD DR S TO VERNON AVE
(Lightpole replacement)
Start: October 4, 7:30 a.m. End: October 4, 12:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR S NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM RUTH ST E TO ADELAIDE ST E
(Streetlight repair)
Start: October 4, 7:30 a.m. End: October 4, 3:00 p.m.

22ND ST EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT 1ST AVE
(Crane lift)
Start: October 4, 8:00 a.m. End: October 4, 2:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR S NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 8TH ST E TO 11TH ST E
(Streetlight repair)
Start: October 4, 10:30 a.m. End: October 4, 3:00 p.m.

NIGHT WORK: 8TH ST E EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM LOUISE AVE TO GROSVENOR AVE
(Sewer maintenance)
Start: October 4, 10:00 p.m. End: October 5, 7:00 a.m.

ONGOING

33RD ST E WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 1ST AVE N TO QUEBEC AVE
(Unloading)
Start: October 1, 9:00 a.m. End: October 5, 4:00 p.m.

33RD ST E WB CLOSED AT 5TH AVE N
(Primary water main repair)
33rd St WB centre lane closed at 3rd Ave. 5th Ave closed from 33rd St to Empress Ave
Start: September 8, 9:00 a.m. End: October 9, 5:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN 19TH ST & SID BUCKWOLD BRIDGE
(Bridge maintenance)
1st Ave SB curb lane closed between 19th St & Sid Buckwold Bridge
Start: September 14, 7:00 a.m. End: October 10, 6:00 p.m.

AIRPORT DR NB/SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANES CLOSED AT CLAYPOOL DR
(Road construction)
Claypool Dr WB closed from Airport Dr to McClocklin Rd
Start: September 15, 7:00 a.m. End: October 27, 6:00 p.m.

MELVILLE ST CLOSED FROM LORNE AVE & BRAND RD
(Force main installation)
Start: August 24, 7:00 a.m. End: October 30, 5:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N/HIGHWAY 16 NB & SB LANE RESTRICTIONS FROM 51ST ST E TO MARQUIS DR W
(Hwy 16 flyover repair)
Hwy 11/12 SB median lane closed at overpass
Start: July 13, 9:00 a.m. End: October 31, 5:00 p.m.

HWY 16 WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT ZIMMERMAN RD
(Road reconstruction)
Start: September 16, 7:00 a.m. End: November 15, 5:00 p.m.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information and subscribe to Traffic Detour Service Alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

Residents are reminded that residential garbage collection changes from every week to bi-weekly (every two weeks) on October 5, this Monday. 

When the weather turns cold, as it is beginning to now, households tend to generate less garbage; and now that Saskatoon residents are using their blue carts to recycle, even less garbage is being produced. For residents concerned about filling their black cart before their next collection date, the City offers the following tips.

Put waste in the right place to reduce the garbage that goes into your black cart:

• Recycle all paper and packaging in your blue cart that is collected every two weeks, year-round,
• Compost your leaves, non-elm branches and garden waste at a City Compost Depot free of charge,
• Take large items directly to the Saskatoon Landfill located off Valley Road, south of 11th Street (regular charges apply), and
• Learn how to properly dispose of oil, auto parts, electronics, paint/construction material & other hazardous waste at saskatoon.ca/recycling.

Follow these tips for a successful bi-weekly collection:

• Confirm your bi-weekly start date on your 2015 Waste Collection Calendar,
• Sign-up for a personal collection day reminder at saskatoon.ca/collectioncalendar,
• Completely close and properly place your cart by 7:00 a.m. on collection day, and
• Return your cart to your yard or garage to prevent theft, damage or fines.

If your garbage or recycling is normally collected on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day, they will be collected the following Saturday. Regular collection service is provided on all other statutory holidays, including Remembrance day.

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 civic indoor arenas are open for the season.  The weekly Public Skating and Parent and Tot Skating sessions are as follows and will be in effect until Sunday, December 20, 2015:

ACT Arena:  107 105th Street East
Public Skating – Began September 4, 2015
*Tuesday:  7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
*​Sunday:  2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

​Parent and Tot Skating - Begins October 5, 2015
*Monday and Thursday:  2:30 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.

Archibald Arena:  1410 Windsor Street
Public Skating – Begins October 4, 2015
*Sunday:  12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Parent and Tot Skating – Begins October 7, 2015
*Wednesday:  2:30 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.

Cosmo Arena:  3130 Laurier Drive
Public Skating – Begins October 4, 2015
*Wednesday and Thursday:  12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
*Friday:  12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
*Sunday:  12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Parent and Tot Skating – Begins October 5, 2015
*Monday and Friday:  2:30 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.

Lions Arena:  2205 McEown Avenue
Public Skating – Begins October 4, 2015
*Sunday:  2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.

Parent and Tot Skating – Begins October 6, 2015
*Tuesday and Friday:  2:30 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.

Admission rates are as follows: 

• Adult (19 and over) - $5;
• Youth (6 to 18) - $3;
• Preschool (5 and under) - Free; and
• Family - $10. 

Children, 6 years and younger, must be accompanied by someone minimum of 16 years of age.  A maximum of two preschoolers per adult is allowed.  Parent and Tot Skating is free of charge. 

Visit www.saskatoon.ca/rinks for a full calendar of public skate times and rink rental rates information.

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.

Despite the mild weather we are experiencing, the arrival of winter is inevitable in Saskatoon. In preparation, City of Saskatoon snow plow operators have been refreshing their skills and new staff are training for the important job of keeping Saskatoon roads in good winter driving conditions. 

Beginning today, Thursday, October 1, snow plows  may be encountered on high-speed sections of Idylwyld Drive and Circle Drive on weekdays, outside of rush hours, between 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. and again some afternoons between 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. The training will continue periodically until snow fall, when regular winter operations will commence.

One pilot truck will follow two slow-moving snow plows to alert drivers of the slower hazard ahead or units will be clearly marked with signage indicating “Training in Progress”. Sanding trucks will also be field-training on rural, gravel roads.

During training and especially in winter weather conditions, drivers should use extra caution when approaching plows and graders and avoid passing. Snow clearing can create a mini snow blizzard or throw snow onto your windshield leading to a sudden loss of visibility. Always drive defensively and leave enough space between vehicles and our equipment to minimize snow spray.

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.

ONGOING

33RD ST E WB CURB LANE FROM 1ST AVE N TO QUEBEC AVE
(Unloading)
Start: October 1, 9:00 a.m. End: October 5, 4:00 p.m.

33RD ST E WB CLOSED AT 5TH AVE N
(Primary water main repair)
33rd St WB centre lane closed at 3rd Ave. 5th Ave closed from 33rd St to Empress Ave
Start: September 8, 9:00 a.m. End: October 9, 5:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN 19TH ST & SID BUCKWOLD BRIDGE
(Bridge maintenance)
1st Ave SB curb lane closed between 19th St & Sid Buckwold Bridge
Start: September 14, 7:00 a.m. End: October 4, 6:00 p.m.

AIRPORT DR NB/SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANES CLOSED AT CLAYPOOL DR
(Road construction)
Claypool Dr WB closed from Airport Dr to McClocklin Rd
Start: September 15, 7:00 a.m. End: October 27, 6:00 p.m.

MELVILLE ST CLOSED FROM LORNE AVE & BRAND RD
(Force main installation)
Start: August 24, 7:00 a.m. End: October 30, 5:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N/HIGHWAY 16 NB & SB LANE RESTRICTIONS FROM 51ST ST E TO MARQUIS DR W
(Hwy 16 flyover repair)
Hwy 11/12 SB median lane closed at overpass
Start: July 13, 9:00 a.m. End: October 31, 5:00 p.m.

HWY 16 WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT ZIMMERMAN RD
(Road reconstruction)
Start: September 16, 7:00 a.m. End: November 15, 5:00 p.m.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information and subscribe to Traffic Detour Service Alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

Over the next three months, Saskatoon Light & Power (SL&P) crews will be installing data collection devices throughout the city, as the roll-out of the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) program continues. The devices will enable AMI compatible meters (also known as smart meters) to be read remotely for both City electricity and water customers.

“Since 2008, we have replaced approximately 60 per cent of the 60,000 older-style mechanical meters with new, electronic meters that become ‘smart’ once the AMI system is operational,” says Kevin Hudson, Metering & Sustainable Electricity Manager. “Our next step is to install the data collectors which will wirelessly relay data over a secure network from the smart meters to the central management system located at City Hall.”

Forty-two data collectors will be installed in the SL&P Service Area as well as 20 data repeaters in the Evergreen, University Heights and Willowgrove neighbourhoods. The data repeaters are used to relay data from the new water meter communication modules installed in the SaskPower Service Area.

The devices will be installed at a height of 3 metres on existing power and street light poles in the SL&P Service Area, and on existing street light poles in the SaskPower Service Area.

“The new AMI system is expected to be operational by mid-2016, at which time customers who have already received a new electricity meter will begin to receive monthly bills based on actual, not estimated, usage,” says Hudson. “The balance of electricity customers should be converted to the new system by the end of 2017.”

The installation of new water meters where necessary, as well as the corresponding communication modules, is scheduled to begin this fall. All Saskatoon Water customers should be converted to the new system by the end of 2020. Bills showing actual water usage will begin in mid-2016 for those customers who have had an AMI communication module installed on either a new or existing water meter. 

Once operational, the new system will provide improved service for customers by providing actual meter readings on each monthly bill. It will also result in operational efficiencies for the City, as meter readers will no longer be required to visit individual properties, resulting in cost savings.

The City of Saskatoon is using a different brand of smart meter than the ones SaskPower was ordered to remove in 2014. The City has been installing meters supplied by the Elster Canadian Meter Company since 2008, and there have been no reports of problems like the SaskPower meters experienced. More information on smart meters is available at saskatoon.ca by entering Smart Meters in the search field.

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.