News Releases

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.

Water Week in Saskatoon is March 16-22, 2015; a time to celebrate the critical role water plays in our daily lives and how it contributes to the overall quality of life we enjoy in this city. This year’s theme is - Know your H2O.

“Water Week provides an opportunity for citizens to learn more about the processes we use to supply high quality, safe drinking water to residents, as well as manage wastewater and storm water,” says Reid Corbett, Director of Saskatoon Water. “It’s also a great time to remind residents how they can be water wise to reduce their impact on the environment.”

The average person in Saskatoon uses 233 litres of water per day for drinking, showering, washing dishes, clothes, watering the lawn and using the washroom. Simple water conservation changes can save energy, reduce greenhouse gases, and protect our water supplies.

Water Conservation Tips:

• Only water the lawn once a week, avoid watering during the heat of the day or during windy times, and skip watering when it rains.
• Repair leaky faucets and toilets immediately.
• Run your dishwasher or washing machine only when you have a full load. This can save between 1,800 and 3,000 litres each month.
• Use low flush fixtures such as water-saving shower heads and ultra-low flow toilets.

The Raw Water Intake & Pumping Facility, south of the Circle Drive south bridge, collects an average of 125 million litres of water each day from the river and pumps it to the Water Treatment Plant where it goes through an extensive multi-barrier treatment process before being pumped to individual homes and businesses.

After the water is used, a good portion of it goes down the drain into our wastewater collection system and sent back to our state-of-the-art Waste Water Treatment Plant where it is treated prior to release into the river. Our storm sewer system, which is a series of pipes, manholes, catch basins, ponds, wetlands and outfall structures, is also used to collect and discharge water into the river.

“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 Corbett. “We take 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.”

Get involved in Water Week!

• Join our live Twitter chat this week with #yxewaterweek.
• Like Saskatoon City News on Facebook for our daily contest, lots of cool prizes!
• Check out saskatoon.ca/waterweek to find daily blogs 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.

NEW SUNDAY

IDYLWYLD DR SB CURB LANE CLOSED AT 25TH ST
(Electronic work)
Start: March 15, 7:00 a.m. End: March 15, 11:00 a.m.

CIRCLE DR WB CENTER LANE CLOSED APPROACHING AIRPORT DR
(Light repairs)
Start: March 15, 7:30 a.m. End: March 15, 9:00 a.m.

COLLEGE DR WB EXIT TO CIRCLE DR NB CLOSED
(Light pole repairs)
Start: March 15, 9:00 a.m. End: March 15, 10:30 a.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.

Saskatoon is no stranger to big temperature changes at any time of year.  In winter, large temperature fluctuations can cause ground shifts resulting in small cracks in the asphalt. As a result potholes develop when the ground expands and contracts with the freeze/thaw of the water in the cracks. Vehicle traffic also breaks away the edges of the pothole, making the pothole bigger.

City crews are focusing efforts on priority streets and repairing potholes in the driving lanes with cold mix asphalt. This is largely a temporary measure until hot asphalt mix is available in late April or early May. So far this winter, 45 tonnes of cold mix asphalt has been used to repair potholes.

Reports received for residential streets that have hazardous or significant potholes in the driving lane will be investigated.  Warning barricades may be installed until either temporary or permanent repairs can be made. Residents are encouraged to report these locations by calling our Customer Service Centre at 306-975-2476.  An enhanced online Report a Pothole map will be available at Saskatoon.ca in time for the Spring Pothole Blitz repair program.

In addition to potholes, approximately 546 utility cuts, which are excavations required to connect, repair or maintain underground utilities, are being maintained as required with a grader until they can be permanently paved. Permanent repairs can only be made with hot mix asphalt once the ground frost has thawed.

With even warmer temperatures forecast for this weekend crews are actively engaged in clearing catch basins to prevent water ponding issues. Additionally, crews are busy clearing culvert systems throughout the city to prevent flooding.

Residents can find out more about how to prevent spring melt flooding around their home by searching ‘spring melt’ at saskatoon.ca.

If drivers encounter severe rutting, hazardous potholes, blocked catch basins or other emergency road conditions, they’re asked to report it by calling Public Works Customer Service at 306-975-2476.

For more information on the City’s snow management programs visit saskatoon.ca/snow.

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.

NEW

21ST ST E RESTRICTIONS FROM 4TH AVE S TO SPADINA CRES E
(Manhole rehab)
EB&WB traffic squeezed into parking lanes
Start: March 13, 9:00 a.m. End: March 13, 1:00 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.