News Releases

Saskatoon is in the midst of an on-going snow event that started Saturday morning and is continuing through the weekend. Snowfall accumulations along with blowing snow have created significant challenges for motorists.  Current weather forecast is calling for an additional 5 cm of snow, accompanied by strong winds.

Strong winds and blowing snow will continue to cause reduced visibility and poor driving conditions throughout the day. Drivers are reminded to slow down and  use extra caution as roadway conditions can change quickly.

Crews are working 24/7 and are currently focussing on plowing and sanding Circle Drive and other high speed priority roadways. In addition, crews are grading, sanding and salting priority streets and high risk intersections. Private contractors have been called in to assist with snow grading on priority streets.

Regular Snow & Ice service alerts will be issued this morning and late afternoon. If a snow event is declared the Snow & Ice Interactive Map will be updated as priority streets are graded. These updates will be shared on our social media channels and Saskatoon.ca.

To report any hazardous locations please contact Public Works Customer Service 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.

Current weather forecasts are calling for up to 20 cm of snow over the weekend, strong winds and the possibility of freezing rain. Crews will be sanding and salting priority streets and high risk intersections 24/7 as it snows, with all equipment at the ready.

If the snow reaches 5 cm or more, private contractors will be called in to assist with snow grading on priority streets. Also, regular Snow & Ice service alerts will be issued in the morning and late afternoon and the Snow & Ice Interactive Map will be updated as priority streets are graded. These updates will be shared on our social media channels and Saskatoon.ca.

Strong winds and blowing snow could cause reduced visibility. Drivers are reminded to please use extra caution as roadway conditions change.

To report any hazardous locations please contact Public Works Customer Service 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.

NEW

23RD ST E CLOSED FROM 3RD AVE N TO 4TH AVE N
(High Voltage Classic Hockey Tournament)
Start: March 21, 5:30 a.m. End: March 22, 8:00 p.m.

8TH ST E EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM BROADWAY AVE TO ALBERT AVE
(Parks Tree Pruning)
Start: March 21, 8:00 a.m. End: March 22, 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.

It’s not too late for residents to get involved in Water Week in Saskatoon and across Canada.  The City of Saskatoon will host an hour-long twitter chat with the Water Treatment Plant Manager, Troy LaFreniere, and other City water & sewer system experts TODAY, Friday, March 20, 2014 at 12:00 p.m.

This twitter chat will give curious and interested residents the opportunity to ask direct questions and get an answer from those working directly with the City’s water & sewer system.  To participate, sign-up or log-in to Twitter and tweet your questions to @cityofsaskatoon or by using the #yxeWaterWeek hashtag.

Water Week is March 16-22 and the City has been sharing interesting facts through social media channels, including a Water Week Question of the Day on Facebook.  Learn more at saskatoon.ca/waterweek.

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.

8.1.7 Designation of Hampton Village Off-Leash Rec Area

City Council will be asked to:

*Designate 3.2 acres of Municipal Reserve in Hampton Village as an Off-Leash Recreation Area (OLRA).

 Additional Information:

*In 2010, City Council received a report in response to the growing need conveyed by Saskatoon residents for additional space where dogs could be off-leash. There is a total of seven active OLRAs and the Recreation and Sport Division is proposing the development of a new one in Hampton Village.

8.1.8 – Innovative Housing Incentives

City Council will be asked to:

*Approve funding of 10% of the total capital cost of the construction of 40 affordable rental units by Westgate Heights Attainable Housing Inc., estimated at $750,000.

 Additional Information:

*This project qualifies for financial incentives from the City, including a capital grant and five-year incremental tax abatement.

8.2.8 – Standard & Poor’s Canadian Ratings – City of Saskatoon

City Council will be asked to:

*Receive report

 Additional Information:

*Standard & Poor’s (S&P) has reaffirmed the City of Saskatoon’s AAA/Stable Outlook credit rating based on the 2013 Consolidated Financial Statements and current economic outlook.

*The City of Saskatoon compares favourably to the key factors used by S&P to evaluate the City’s credit rating.

8.3.11 Snowmobile Bylaw Amendment

City Council will be asked to:

*Update designated snowmobile routes within City limits

 Additional Information:

*The Snowmobile Bylaw currently designates only one route within the city leading to a gas station that no longer exists.

*The amendment is to reflect the new city limits requested as part of an upcoming annexation in 2015, and to ensure adequate routing to gas stations.

8.3.12 University Bridge Rehabilitation

City Council will be asked to:

*Allow Administration to proceed with the award process of the University Bridge Rehabilitation Contract

*Keep a the single lane open for traffic during rehabilitation be solely dedicated to two way traffic accommodation for only emergency vehicles, Saskatoon Transit buses, Saskatoon Health Region authorized vehicles, and school buses contracted by the Saskatoon School Boards.

Additional Information:

*There were five bidders with the low bidder submitting a total base tender price of $5,998,398.

*The low bidder submitted an alternate price for full closure $315,000 lower and with 20 fewer site rental days listed.

*The City invited approximately 250 potential stakeholders to attend information sessions on January 22 and 28, 2015, to provide opportunities to learn more about the project, ask questions and discuss concerns and solutions.

8.4.3 SaskPower Meter Review Summary

Council will be asked to:

*Allow the continued implementation of an Advanced Metering Infrastructure system for both the electricity and water utilities.

 Additional Information:

*Crown Investments Corporation conducted a series of independent third-party reviews of SaskPower’s Smart Meter Program, following eight meter-related fires in 2014.

*Saskatoon Light & Power has been installing new Elster Solutions Canada smart meters since 2008, and has received no reports of meter-related fires.

*Elster meters complied 100% with all safety verification testing conducted by Underwriters Laboratories.

*Saskatoon Light & Power employ their own Certified Meter Installers for all installations, and safety checks are conducted to ensure meters are installed properly and operating normally.

9.10.1 Stonebridge & Highway 11 Interchange

Council will be asked to:

*Provide an additional $1.9 million of funding from the Interchange Reserve in order to ensure the project goes ahead in 2015.

 Additional Information:

*The total cost of the proposed interchange is $19 million.

*Additional access from the Stonebridge neighborhood to Highway 11 southbound is not recommended at this time.

9.10.2 Sidewalk Snow Clearing Enforcement Process

City Council will be asked to:

*Direct Administration to draft an appropriate policy based on Option 3 that is outlined in the report submitted. Option 3 states: For first offences, the current Bylaw Notice would be used. For subsequent offences by the same property owner, the City would issue a Notice of Violation and also proceed with the Bylaw Notice process to ensure the violation is remediated. This would not only act as a penalty and deterrent, but also ensure that the sidewalk is cleared to improve mobility. Further violations would result in increasing fines as per the bylaw.

 Additional Information

*City Council, at its meeting held on November 24, 2014, resolved that Administration speed up the compliance process to the extent possible, in particular for repeat bylaw offenders, and report back to the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation.

*The full February 23, 2015 City Council Agenda is available at saskatoon.ca

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Environment Canada forecasts possible snow flurries this evening and overnight with below normal freezing temperatures and more flurries over the weekend.

As a result City crews are ready to respond 24/7 with the necessary sanding, de-icing and plowing equipment to keep drivers moving around.

Typically the city does not issue service alerts if the snowfall is less than 5 cm.

Citizens can find Better Winter Roads program information at saskatoon.ca/snow or call Public Works Customer Service at 306-975-2476 to report hazardous potholes or roads.

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.

NEW

IDYLWYLD DR N NB & SB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANES CLOSED BETWEEN 35TH ST W &  CONNAUGHT PL
(Sanitary Connection Repair)
Start: March 19, 7:00 a.m. End: March 19, 4:00 p.m.

BROADWAY AVE NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM TAYLOR ST E TO 2ND ST E
(Tree pruning)
Start: March 19, 9:00 a.m. End: March 20, 6:00 p.m.

CLARENCE AVE N CLOSED FROM TEMPERANCE ST TO OSLER ST
(Water main repair)
Start: March 19, 9:00 a.m. End: March 19, 6:00 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.

The City of Saskatoon (City) invites residents and businesses to an open house to discuss current and future parking needs in the Downtown and adjacent commercial areas of Broadway and Riversdale.

OPEN HOUSE:  Comprehensive Downtown Parking Strategy
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
A brief presentation will be provided by the City and Parking Consultant at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
TCU Place - Salon A
35 - 22nd Street East

Feedback gathered at the open house will be used in the development of the upcoming Comprehensive Downtown Parking Strategy.  The Strategy will identify potential adjustments to the parking system in the short-term, as well as a long-term plan to provide an appropriate supply of parking in the City Centre as Saskatoon grows to a population of 500,000.

The City’s Project Team has been collecting information about existing parking challenges and anticipated future parking needs.  Before development can begin on the Parking Strategy, input is needed from residents and businesses to determine whether there are any gaps in the information collected and if preliminary ideas to improve parking systems are on the right track.

The City encourages everyone to participate in this important discussion about the parking issues that affect you today to help improve it in the future.

If you are unable to attend the open house, please visit www.shapingsaskatoon.ca to review meeting information.  If you have questions or wish to provide comments, please call the City’s Planning and Development Division at 306-975-7697 or email parking.study@saskatoon.ca.

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 Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA) has awarded the City’s mass alert system notifynow with a Connected to the Community award.  The presentation was made in Regina last evening.

“This recognition is a big pat on the back for the City and the Saskatoon Emergency Measures Organization,” says Ray Unrau, Director of Emergency Planning.

The CWTA offers the Connected to the Community award to organizations that improve the lives of Canadians with wireless technology.

“As we’ve said all along, notifynow will let residents know what to do, where to go, and what to expect during an emergency with a message sent directly to their landline, cell phone, email or in a text message,” Unrau says.

Residents can subscribe or find more information on notifynow at: https://www.saskatoon.ca/services-residents/fire-emergency/emergency-preparedness/notifynow

The City of Saskatoon reminds residents that the third round of open public engagement for the Growth Plan to Half a Million (Growth Plan) closes at midnight, Wednesday, March 18, 2015.

Have your say!  Visit www.growingfwd.ca to review project information and complete the online survey.

Input is being sought on the recommended long-term plans for a new transit system with Bus Rapid Transit (BRT); a new river crossing at 33^rd Street combined with BRT lanes on the University Bridge; and redevelopment along major corridors like 8^th Street, 22^nd Street, and Preston Avenue.

The public also has an opportunity to provide feedback on the recommended implementation priorities for putting specific features of the Growth Plan in motion over the short-, medium-, and long-term.

The input gathered during this round of engagement will help to develop the long-term plans for corridor redevelopment, transit, and core area bridges, as well as set the direction for an implementation plan.  We will be back in the fall to share what we heard and confirm the final Growth Plan with the public.

Once complete, the Growth Plan will help to guide future infrastructure investments so residents will have more choices for how they live and move around the city as Saskatoon grows to half a million people over the next 30 to 40 years.

For more information on the Growth Plan or to sign up for project update notifications, please visit www.growingfwd.ca.

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.