News Releases

The City of Saskatoon has made changes to its snow route declaration plan in order to quickly and effectively grade priority streets in the event of an extreme snowfall. Should a snow route parking ban be declared, vehicles must be removed from streets marked with a permanent No Parking Snow Route sign so the City can grade snow from curb-to-curb.

“Instead of having every vehicle off of a snow route at the same time for a 48-hour period as per the previous process, this year we divided the snow routes into two phases: the Green Circle and Blue Square snow routes. Each phase can last up to 24 hours, minimizing the disruption to residents by reducing the amount of time the parking ban is in effect,” says Pat Hyde, Director of Public Works. “We don’t intend to declare a snow route parking ban unless it’s absolutely necessary but, as we all know, Mother Nature is unpredictable and we want to ensure we are ready for whatever winter brings.”

The Green Circle snow route parking ban will always be declared first; and as the end of that ban approaches, the Blue Square snow route parking ban will be declared. There are only two times of day the City can make a declaration; 7:00 a.m. or 3:00 p.m. Residents will be informed of the time the Snow Route parking ban will come into effect. A minimum of 8 hours notice will be given for residents to remove their vehicle from marked streets. If vehicles are not moved in time, they may be ticketed and relocated.

“It is the responsibility of residents to know if they live or park on a Snow Route. Snow Routes are marked with permanent No Parking Snow Route Signs with a metal plate indicating if it’s a Green Circle or Blue Square route,” says Hyde. “There is no defined trigger point for when a snow route parking ban will be declared; a combination of a number of things including snow accumulation, drifting, and temperature could all be factors.”

A new interactive Snow Grading Map shows the Green Circle and Blue Square snow routes and provides information if a Snow Route parking ban is declared. The map also shows progress of snow grading operations during and after a snow event with no parking ban and will provide schedules later this season should a city-wide neighbourhood grading be required if the average snow pack is 15cm or more.

Businesses and residents located on a Snow Route should watch for a flyer with more information about snow routes to be delivered early in January. Residents are also encouraged to pay attention to saskatoon.ca and local radio channels following a significant snowfall to find out if a Snow Route parking ban has been declared. Residents can also register to receive an e-Notification every time a snow route parking ban is declared, and when it is lifted. To register email your full name to snow.route@saskatoon.ca.

The City is Plowing Ahead and ready for whatever winter brings this year! For more information on Snow Routes and to find the new interactive Snow Grading Map, visit Saskatoon.ca and click on Better Winter Roads.

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.

Not sure if your used wrapping and packaging can be recycled? Here are some recycling tips for the holiday season to help keep household waste out of our landfill:

Gift and wrapping paper (except aluminum or shiny paper) can be recycled in your blue cart. There is no need to remove staples or tape.

Flatten boxes and packaging before tossing them into your blue cart and you’ll have more space for other recyclables.

Clean, metal cookie and chocolate containers are recyclable.

Give milk (and egg nog) containers a quick rinse, flatten them and they’ll be ready to recycle.

Have a look on the bottom of your plastic containers. If there’s a number between 1 and 7, rinse it and pop it into your recycling.

Unwanted electronics can be dropped off without charge at any SARCAN depot. Visit sarcan.ca for information. 

The following holiday items are not accepted in blue recycle carts or bins: shiny or foil wrapping paper, ribbon, plasticized gift bags, Styrofoam, toys, Christmas trees (real or artificial), Christmas lights, ornaments or decorations. Check Saskatoon.ca for drop-off locations for real Christmas Trees. Artificial trees should be taken to the Landfill for disposal.

Do you have too much recycling to fit in your blue cart?  The City’s recycling depots accept the same unsorted materials that go in your blue cart or bin: all paper, cardboard, plastics number 1 through 7, tin cans, milk jugs and cartons, legislated beverage containers, and glass. Visit Saskatoon.ca for recycling depot locations.   

Make sure your cart lid is fully closed and your cart is out by 7:00 am on collection day.

Reminder: There is no blue cart or black cart collection on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day so our operators can be with their loved ones for the holidays. If your normal recycling or garbage collection day falls on December 25 or on January 1, your cart will be emptied on the following Saturday (December 27 and January 3, respectively). Visit SaskatoonRecycles.ca to set up a handy reminder service for yourself for black cart and blue cart collections.

By recycling paper and packaging, and putting waste in the right place, together we can divert recyclables away from our Landfill and grow a greener Saskatoon.

For more information about recycling and waste handling, visit SaskatoonRecycles.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

For Immediate Release:  December 18, 2014

Household hazardous waste requires proper disposal to reduce risks to humans and animals, and prevent pollution of our land, water and air. These materials should not be placed in the garbage or recycling, poured down the drain or toilet, or released into the environment.

To ensure household hazardous materials are safely disposed of or recycled, the City of Saskatoon coordinates regular Household Hazardous Waste Days for residents to drop-off these materials. The next event will be held this Saturday, December 20, at SaskTel Centre parking lot (101 - 3515 Thatcher Avenue) from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. – this will be the last event until April 2015.

Common materials accepted include: pesticides, automotive oil, prescription medicine, batteries, aerosols, poisons, propane cylinders, household cleaners and mercury-containing items.

Please do not bring paint to Household Hazardous Waste Days. Empty paint cans, leftover paint and paint-related products are accepted without charge at all SARCAN recycling depots in Saskatoon. Find out what is and is not accepted through SARCAN’s paint program at www.sarcan.ca/pages/paint.

For a complete list of accepted and non-accepted materials, visit www.saskatoon.ca and click on “H” for Household Hazardous Waste Days.

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.

Saskatoon Transit has once again partnered with Rock 102 this holiday season to collect non-perishable food items for the Saskatoon Food Bank in the annual Stuff the Bus campaign, taking place this Thursday, December 18.

Rock 102 radio hosts and Saskatoon Transit staff will be at the Saskatoon Co-op Food Store on 8^th Street, in The Centre Mall parking lot, from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  Non-perishable food items will be accepted throughout the day with the goal to completely fill a Saskatoon Transit bus or two with food for the Saskatoon Food Bank.

For more information, please call Saskatoon Transit at 306-975-3100.

 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
33RD ST W WB LANES CLOSED & EB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM AVE P N TO EDMONTON AVE
(Hydrant repair)
Start: December 18, 9:30 a.m. End: December 18, 4:00 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 on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

The City of Saskatoon Planning and Development Division has now released an updated City of Saskatoon Neighbourhood Profiles (13th Edition) publication, which was originally released on Monday, November 24, 2014.
In the Tuesday, December 16, 2014 update, a Labour Force Table replaced the Employment Table to more accurately reflect the employment and unemployment data from the 2011 Census and the 2013 Estimates. 
The updated Neighbourhood Profiles are available on www.saskatoon.ca (look under “N” for Neighbourhoods). 
If you have downloaded an online copy of the Neighbourhood Profiles prior to Tuesday, December 16, 2014, please revisit the Neighbourhood Profiles to access the updated data. 
If you purchased a hardcopy of the publication prior to Tuesday, December 16, 2014, please return it to the Planning and Development Division (3rd Floor, City Hall) for a refund or to exchange.
For more information, please call Planning and Development at (306) 975-2645.
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.

-30-

The following are the hours of civic services and facilities for the 2014/2015 Holiday Season:

City Hall will be closed December 25, 26, and January 1.

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 on December 25, 26, and January 1.

Saskatoon Landfill will be closed on December 25 and January 1. The Landfill will be open all other days with regular winter hours of 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Garbage and Recycling Collection will not occur on December 25 and January 1.  Carts scheduled for collection on these dates are rescheduled for December 27 and January 3, respectively.  Recycle Depots are open 24/7 for over-sized cardboard and wrapping paper; and weekly collection will occur December 15 - January 2, 2015.

All Saskatoon Public Library locations will close early at 5 p.m. on December 24; will close December 25 and December 26; will close early at 5 p.m. on December 31 and will close January 1.

Mendel Art Gallery & Civic Conservatory
Regular hours until December 23: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
December 24, Christmas Eve: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
December 25, Christmas Day: Closed
December 26-30, back to regular hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
December 31, New Year’s Eve: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
January 1, back to regular hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Gallery Shop
Regular hours until December 23: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
December 24, Christmas Eve: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
December 25, Christmas Day: Closed
December 26, back to regular hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
December 31, New Year’s Eve: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
January 1, back to regular hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
January 2: Closed for inventory

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 11:45 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 Centre 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:  CLOSED December 25. Regular hours of operation December 26 and January 1.

Indoor Arenas:  All arenas CLOSED December 25, 26, and January 1.
For the modified holiday rink schedule, visit Drop-in Online at www.saskatoon.ca/go/dropinonline.

Clarence Downey Speed Skating: OPEN December 25 and January 1; CLOSED December 26 - 28 weather permitting. For extended holiday hours, please call 306-975-3318.

LEISURE CENTRES

Cosmo Civic Centre: FACILITY CLOSED December 25 and 26 January 1. Modified hours for December 24 and 31.

Fitness Circuit & Terry Fox Track (in the SaskTel Sports Centre): FACILITY CLOSED December 25, 26, and January 1. Check drop-in on-line for additional closures throughout the holiday season.

Lakewood Civic Centre: FACILITY CLOSED December 25; modified hours for December 24, 26, 31 and January 1. All fitness classes and child minding CANCELLED on December 26 and Jan 1.

Lawson Civic Centre: FACILITY CLOSED December 25; modified hours for December 24, 26, 31 and January 1.

Saskatoon Field House: FACILITY CLOSED December 25; modified hours for December 24, 26, 31, and January 1. Child minding CANCELLED December 26^th:  Holiday Fitness Class December 26^th and January 1^st.

Shaw Centre: FACILITY CLOSED December 25; modified hours for December 26 and January 1. All fitness classes and child minding CANCELLED December 24 and 31.

Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre:  FACILITY CLOSED December 25; modified hours for December 24, 26, 31, and January 1. All fitness classes and swim lessons CANCELLED on December 26.

For modified Lane, Public and Parent & Tot Swim times, please visit Drop-in Online at www.saskatoon.ca/go/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.

-30-

NEW
33RD ST EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN IDYLWYLD DR & ONTARIO AVE
(Pole installation)
Start: December 17, 9:00 a.m. End: December 17, 12:00 p.m.

33RD ST W WB LANES & EB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN AVE P N & EDMONTON AVE
(Hydrant repair)
Start: December 17, 9:30 a.m. End: December 17, 4:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED NORTH OF VALLEY RD
(Pole maintenance)
Start: December 17, 9:30 a.m. End: December 17, 10:30 a.m.

33RD ST WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN AVE J & AVE K
(Pole installation)
Start: December 17, 1:00 p.m. End: December 17, 4:00 p.m.

ONGOING
20TH ST W CLOSED FROM AVE R S TO AVE S S
(Water & Sewer Connection Repair)
Start: December 17, 7:30 a.m. End: December 17, 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 on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

 
The Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval will open for the 2014 to 2015 season starting Monday, December 15, 2014, at 2:00 p.m.  Public skating hours are as follows:  Monday to Thursday from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10:15 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Admission is free, and all skating skill levels are welcome to enjoy the 400 metre outdoor oval; speed skates are not necessary.  A modern warm-up building provides change rooms, public washrooms, and an area to lace-up skates in comfort.

The facility is closed Fridays.  The Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval will also be closed for Canada Winter Games Trial on December 26, 27 and 28; Provincial Meet from January 15 to 18; and Canadian Long Track Meet from February 4 to 8.

The Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval is located on Dudley Street at Avenue R, in the Gordon Howe Complex.

For more information, please visit www.saskatoon.ca/go/oval or call 306-975-3318.

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.

For December 15, 2014

8.1.1 - 8.1.4 Acquisition of land for North Commuter Parkway Project

*Authorize the Real Estate Manager to acquire the following land for the North Commuter Parkway Project:

*The City of Saskatoon (City) requires a portion of land from Akzo  Nobel Chemicals Ltd.’s (Akzo Nobel) property at 3910 Wanuskewin Road to accommodate construction of the future NCP project.

*Portions of Parcel A, Plan No. 65S22382, Extension 0; Parcel B, Plan No. 101392354, Extension 3; and Parcel C, Plan No.101392680, Extension 2, comprising approximately 1.75 acres of vacant land owned by P.R.  Developments.

*Portions of SE 11-37-05 W3, Extension 127; Parcel A, Plan No.  86S45475, Extension 0; and Parcel B, Plan No. 76S21090, Extension 0, comprising approximately 1.312 acres of vacant land owned by the University of Saskatchewan.

*Portion of Block CC, Plan No. 102102725, Extension 0, comprising approximately 150 square meters of vacant land owned by Norseman Inc.

8.4.1 North Commuter Parkway and Traffic Bridge – Issuance of Request for Proposals

City Council will be asked to:

*Issue the Request for Proposals in substantially the form as reference within the report, subject to non-substantive amendments as reviewed and approved by the City Engineer and the City Solicitor’s Office.

Additional Information:

*The City has shortlisted the following three teams to participate in the RFP process: Bridge City Infrastructure Group, Bridge City Partners, and Graham Commuter Partners.

*The RFP process for the project will use a Public-Private Partnership (P3) method of procurement.

*The RFP will be issued in mid-December 2014, and is expected to close in Summer 2015, with Commercial Close of the Project Agreement 60 days following a City Council resolution regarding the preferred Proponent in Fall 2015.

*Substantial completion of the project is anticipated by the Fall of 2018.

*The honorarium for the unsuccessful Proponents is $500,000.

8.6.3, 8.11.1, 8.11.3 and 8.11.4 Independent Review Commission: Code of Conduct, Conduct of Municipal Elections, Total Compensation for Members of Council

In these four separate but related reports, City Council will be asked to:

*Instruct the City Solicitor to prepare the appropriate bylaw for consideration. (8.11.1)

 *Committees convene on or before March 1, 2015 and report to Council on or before May 31, 2015 with the following order of priority (8.11.1):

   - Municipal Elections Committee
  - Code of Conduct Committee
  - Remuneration Committee

*Consider Bylaw No. 9242 (8.6.3)

*Release the Investigation report received on September 22, 2014, regarding breaches under The Code of Conduct, in due course following appropriate review, as outlined. (8.11.3)

*Release the Investigation report received on November 5, 2014, regarding a breach under The Code of Conduct, in due course following appropriate review, as outlined.  (8.11.4)

8.9.1 and 8.9.2 Application for Municipal Heritage Property Designation for 803 9th Avenue North and 1102 Spadina Crescent East

City Council will be asked to:

*Request the City Solicitor to prepare and bring forward a bylaw to designate the property at 803 9th Avenue North and the property at 1102 Spadina Crescent East as Municipal Heritage Properties under the provision of The Heritage Property Act, with such designation limited to the exterior of the building.

*Request the General Manager, Community Services to prepare the necessary notices.

*Allocate $2,500 from the Heritage Reserve Fund for supply and installation of a recognition plaque for the property.

Additional Information:

*803 9th Avenue North – This property is eligible for designation as a Municipal Heritage Property. It is an excellent example of Tudor-style architecture. The property was once home to Andrew N. Boyd, an auto dealership owner and prominent member of the Knox United Church and Dr. Lorne McConnell, a pioneer in the field of neurosurgery in Western Canada and former Chief of Surgery at Saskatoon City Hospital.

*1102 Spadina Crescent East – This property is eligible for designation as a Municipal Heritage Property. It is a one and a half-story house that exhibits typical characteristics of homes built during the boom time period, and has been home to several prominent people, including Dr. Richard A. Wilson, Angus McGill Mowat and Farley Mowat. The property owner is undertaking a rehabilitation project to the exterior of the dwelling.

 -30-