News Releases

The City of Saskatoon has completed pothole patching in 90% of neighbourhoods so far this summer. To date, more than 2,800 tonnes of asphalt has been used to repair potholes.  This is the equivalent of approximately 160,000 repaired potholes, based on an average 12 x 4 inch hole.

“After a slower than expected start to the season due to weather, in particular above average June rainfall, pothole patching is progressing well and our streets are looking great,” says Pat Hyde, Director of Public Works. “An increase in funding this year has allowed us to utilize private contractor crews and keep more civic crews working simultaneously, addressing potholes on the high traffic priority roads as well as on residential streets.”

In 2014, funding increased by $550,000 for the Spring Pothole Blitz on high traffic priority streets and $500,000 for Summer Pothole Patching in residential areas.

“Since its launch in March, 3,671 locations have been reported by residents using the Report-a-Pothole interactive map.  Nearly all of the locations that are in fact potholes have been repaired,” says Hyde. The City also identifies potholes through regular road inspections and schedules these for repair.

Many of the outstanding unrepaired locations showing on the map are actually utility cuts.  These are excavations required throughout the year to maintain, connect and repair underground utilities. A different process is applied to repairing these utility cuts than that for potholes. To date, crews have permanently repaired 667 of the 1123 utility cuts. The current list of locations requiring permanent asphalt repairs are all expected to be complete by the end of September.

The City has also been busy making repairs to sidewalks to address deficiencies and enhance public safety. Repairs range from concrete patching, asphalt patching or overlay to full sidewalk replacement. Crews also continue back lane maintenance and rehabilitation, as well as regular street sweeping along high traffic routes and in business areas.

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 @cityofsaskatoon and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

The City’s goal is to protect taxpayers’ dollars and the benefits of all City workers.  We have worked hard at presenting a fair and competitive offer to the Amalgamated Transit Union 615 (ATU).

“The City is offering ATU a wage increase of 10.0% over four years (2013 - 2016), and has proposed changes to the General Pension Plan (Plan) that will help protect it into the future,” says Marno McInnes, Director of Human Resources.

There are nine unions and associations that are part of the Plan; eight have accepted and implemented their agreements with the City. ATU is the only union in the Plan that has not yet accepted the City’s offer. 

“We are concerned for the future of the pension plan and it is a serious matter,” McInnes says.

Changes to the Plan, which have been accepted by the other unions, call for – among other things – pension contribution rate increases by both the City and the employees to address an existing deficit in the Plan.  If not addressed, the deficit may have to be funded by the City.

Details of the full wage and benefits package is available on the City website.

A summary can be found at:

http://www.saskatoon.ca/DEPARTMENTS/HumanResources/negotiation/Pages/negotiation.aspx

More facts are available at:

http://www.saskatoon.ca/DEPARTMENTS/HumanResources/negotiation/Pages/QuestionsandAnswers.aspx

 -30-

For Immediate Release: August 22, 2014
TU14-373

NEW SUNDAY

VARIOUS DOWNTOWN: 21ST ST, 22ND ST, 1ST AVE, 2ND AVE, 3RD AVE CLOSURES
(Cruise Weekend community event)
Start: August 24, 4:00 a.m. End: August 24, 6:00 p.m.

COLLEGE DR EB LANES CLOSED FROM WIGGINS AVE TO BOTTOMLEY AVE
(Water main repair)
Start: August 24, 8:00 a.m. End: August 24, 6:00 p.m.

22ND ST & 4TH AVE INTERSECTION MEDIAN LANES CLOSED
(Catch basin repairs)
No left turns in any directions at intersection.
Start: August 24, 8:00 a.m. End: August 24, 1:00 p.m.

ONGOING

33RD ST W EB LANES CLOSED FROM AVE Y N TO AVE W N
(Water main lining)
Two-way traffic set in WB lanes of 33rd St
Start: August 22, 10:30 a.m. End: September 19, 6:00 p.m.

**AIRPORT DR NB LANES CLOSED ON FROM GATEWAY BLVD TO THE AIRPORT
(Roadway improvements)
Two-way traffic accommodated in the SB lanes. 45th St W closed from Koyl Ave to Airport Dr.
Start: August 20, 1:00 p.m. End: October 29, 6:00 p.m.

CENTRAL AVE CLOSED FROM GRAY AVE TO 110TH ST W
(Streetscaping)
Detour via Egbert Ave.
Start: August 17, 7:00 p.m. End: August 24, 6:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 25TH ST W TO 24TH ST E
(Streetscaping)
Traffic will merge to one lane. Right turn from 25th St EB to Idylwyld Dr SB will be maintained
Start: August 13, 12:00 p.m. End: August 27, 4:00 p.m.

20TH ST W WB LANES CLOSED FROM AVE F S TO AVE G S
(Streetscaping)
Two-way traffic will be accommodated in the EB lanes. Speed reduced to 30km/h
Start: August 7, 9:00 a.m. End: September 4, 6:00 p.m.

8TH ST E EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM MUNROE AVE S TO CUMBERLAND AVE S
(Water Main Lining)
Traffic will merge to one lane
Start: June 23, 9:00 a.m. End: August 30, 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 @cityofsaskatoon and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

For Immediate Release: August 22, 2014
NEW

CIRCLE DR WB LANES CLOSED WEST OF CLARENCE AVE
(Drainage improvements)
Traffic will detour on City Center Bypass
Start: August 25, 9:00 a.m. End: August 29, 6:00 p.m.

5TH AVE N CLOSED FROM 24TH ST TO 25TH ST
(Easter Seal Drop Zone)
Start: August 25, 6:00 a.m. End: August 25, 6:30 p.m.

CENTRAL AVE SB LANES CLOSED FROM 112TH ST TO 110TH ST
(Streetscaping)
Two-way traffic accommodated in the NB lanes.
Start: August 25, 7:00 a.m. End: September 20, 6:00 p.m.

ONGOING

33RD ST W EB LANES CLOSED FROM AVE Y N TO AVE W N
(water main lining)
Two-way traffic set in WB lanes of 33rd St
Start: August 22, 10:30 a.m. End: September 19, 6:00 p.m.

AIRPORT DR NB LANES CLOSED ON FROM GATEWAY BLVD TO THE AIRPORT
(roadway improvements)
Two-way traffic accommodated in the SB lanes. 45th St W closed from Koyl Ave to Airport Dr
Start: August 20, 1:00 p.m. End: October 29, 6:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 25TH ST W TO 24TH ST E
(streetscaping)
Traffic will merge to one lane. Right turn from 25th St EB to Idylwyld Dr SB will be maintained
Start: August 13, 12:00 p.m. End: August 27, 4:00 p.m.

20TH ST W WB LANES CLOSED FROM AVE F S TO AVE G S
(Streetscaping)
Two way traffic will be accommodated in the EB lanes. Speed reduced to 30km/h
Start: August 7, 9:00 a.m. End: September 4, 6:00 p.m.

8TH ST E EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM MUNROE AVE S TO CUMBERLAND AVE S
(Water Main Lining)
Traffic will merge to one lane
Start: June 23, 9:00 a.m. End: August 30, 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 @cityofsaskatoon and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

The City of Saskatoon’s focus on continuous improvement is resulting in increased savings, award winning service, and greenhouse gas reducing environmental programs.

The 2013 Report on Service, Savings and Sustainability: How the City of Saskatoon is Improving Productivity has been released, showing the City is on the right track toward achieving its vision of being the best managed city in Canada.

“We are always exploring and implementing new ways to improve service, increase savings, and grow our city in a sustainable way,” says Catherine Gryba, General Manager of Corporate Performance. “The City is ensuring we continue to provide the programs and services that matter most to citizens.”

The report shows the City increased savings in 2013 by taking a fresh look at how it operates, resulting in an approximate $51.7 million in savings and more than $74 million over the next 30 years.  Additionally, there is $600,000 in deferred savings.

The list of new and improved delivery of civic services and programs outlined in the report is long, and includes everything from reintroducing a fall street sweeping program in more than 20 years to enabling citizens to report traffic concerns online, to committing to the development of more affordable housing units.

When it comes to environmental matters, Saskatoon citizens doubled the amount of recycling they do, thanks to the curbside recycling program. Key environmental initiatives are also helping reduce civic greenhouse gas emissions to the equivalent of removing 23,165 cars off Saskatoon roads.

Gryba says the overall report reflects how the City has gone beyond conventional approaches to meet the dynamic changing needs and high expectations of citizens.

“We are ensuring we are continuously dedicated to the creation of a culture of continuous improvement, one of the City of Saskatoon’s seven Strategic Goals.”

The entire 2013 Report on Service, Savings and Sustainability is available at www.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.

A regularly scheduled quarterly status update of the 2014 Corporate Business Plan and Budget projects a deficit of $818,000 to year-end – a decrease over the last quarter estimate.

“A projected deficit is just that: projected. It’s not the final outcome,” says Director of Finance, Kerry Tarasoff.  “By examining the numbers now we can identify solutions to recover costs and eliminate a deficit before year-end and before it becomes a problem for tax payers.”

Quarterly reports are prepared to inform City Council and the Administration of challenges or emerging issues so they can react accordingly.

“Much of the projected deficit can be linked to meeting service level demands,” Tarasoff says.  “For example, there were increased snow removal efforts and added trucking costs for our street sweeping and street cleaning programs.”

The following is a summary of the main issues contributing to the projected variance:

Snow Removal: An estimated $493,000 deficit (down from the $1.1 million projected in first quarter) is being projected as a result intensified snow removal operations.  Significantly more resources were spent on removal than in typical years, due in part to a reassignment of crews following the formation of ice pack on residential streets and removing snow against freeway barriers.  A $489,000 reserve balance would exist at year-end to help offset this deficit.

Street Cleaning and Sweeping:  An estimated $1.032 million deficit is being projected as a result of intensified street cleaning and sweeping operations.  There were significantly higher trucking costs to remove debris as well as higher supply costs contributing to this deficit.  The Administration will strive to reduce this impact through deferral of purchases, deferral of discretionary spending and reduced contract costs in late 2014.

Water and Wastewater Utilities:  A combined deficit of $514,000 is projected for the Water and Wastewater utilities mostly due to the high volume of repairs required for water main breaks during the first quarter of 2014.  This deficit will be covered by the Water and Wastewater Stabilization Reserve.

Property Levy:  Assessment growth was $486,000 higher than the anticipated amount of $5 million due to increased construction activity.

The report also provides highlights of key projects (as of June 30, 2014) as they relate to City Council’s Strategic Goals:

Continuous Improvement

As part of the Service Saskatoon plan, a strategy for a 311/Customer Relationship Management (CRM) System was approved by City Council in June.  A 311/CRM System provides an easy to remember phone number and uses technology to focus on citizens' needs, providing one-stop, personalized access of their choice to the City's services by phone (including mobile devices), internet, or in person.

The development of a new customer and citizen friendly website continued in the second quarter, with an online project engagement site being launched in May.  The site keeps citizens informed of the progress of the website project and allows them to provide input into testing and discussions that will support development of the new website.

Asset and Financial Sustainability

The Civic Operation Centre project is in the Request for Proposals stage, the request was sent out to industry with submissions coming back to the City in fall of 2014.

Quality of Life

Phase one construction on the new train station and train loop as well as rough grading of the play area and water feature site and parking lot are underway as part of the Kinsmen Park and area redevelopment project.

The Transportation Division has established a new standard for prototypes of accessible pedestrian signals and continues to progress on the installation of these new accessible pedestrian signals in priority areas. A tender has also been issued for the installation of more curb ramps this construction season.

Environmental Leadership

Teams have completed the application of barcode tags to black garbage and green yard-waste carts in approximately 40% of Saskatoon's neighbourhoods.

As part of the Landfill Optimization Strategy, efforts to maximize airspace, manage environmental and safety risks and improve customer service continue at the Landfill site; a report on the progress of these efforts is expected before year-end.

Sustainable Growth

The Saskatoon North Partnership for Growth (P4G) held two meetings in April and June.  Foundational documents including a Terms of Reference, Work Plan, Communications and Engagement Strategy and a budget for the Regional plan for P4G were approved by the Councils of the five partnering municipalities in June 2014.

The Infill Implementation Strategy was approved by City Council in March and regulations for garden and garage suites were approved by City Council in May, 2014.

Moving Around

Further to the funding approval in June 2014, the City was able to complete the assembly of the team of Legal, Financial, Fairness and Technical Advisors to begin the process of delivering the project as a Private-Public-Partnership.  Technical work on roadway and bridge alignments and project scope had been ongoing through the P3 Canada funding application process.  The Request for Qualifications process will occur in the third quarter with a proponent selected in 2015.

Economic Diversity and Prosperity

The number of building permits issued to the end of June continues to be higher (10%) than issued in 2013 for the same time period.  Permits issued for one-unit dwellings on single-family lots are approximately 3% higher than in 2013 for the same time period.  Value of construction associated with permits issued to the end of June 2014 continues to be lower by approximately 10% from the June 30,2013 value.
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: August 21, 2014
TU14-371

ONGOING

23RD ST E CLOSED FROM 2ND AVE N TO 3RD AVE N
(Road paving)
Start: August 21, 7:00 a.m. End: August 22, 6:00 p.m.

**AIRPORT DR NB LANES CLOSED ON FROM GATEWAY BLVD TO THE AIRPORT
(Roadway improvements)
Two-way traffic accommodated in the SB lanes. 45th St W closed from Airport Dr to Koyl Ave
Start: August 20, 1:00 p.m. End: October 29, 6:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 30TH ST W TO 29TH ST W
(Sidewalk installation)
Start: August 20, 9:00 a.m. End: August 22, 3:00 p.m.

CENTRAL AVE NB AND SB LANES CLOSED FROM GRAY AVE TO 110TH ST W
(Streetscaping)
Detour via Egbert Ave.
Start: August 17, 7:00 p.m. End: August 24, 6:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 25TH ST W TO 24TH ST E
(Streetscaping)
Traffic will merge to one lane. Right turn from 25th St EB to Idylwyld Dr SB will be maintained
Start: August 13, 12:00 p.m. End: August 27, 4:00 p.m.

20TH ST W WB LANES CLOSED FROM AVE F S TO AVE G S
(Streetscaping)
Two way traffic will be accommodated in the EB lanes. Speed reduced to 30km/h
Start: August 7, 9:00 a.m. End: September 4, 6:00 p.m.

KINGSMERE BLVD ALL DIRECTIONS CLOSED AT AND WHITESHORE CR (E. LEG)
(Water pipe boring)
Bus routes will be affected. Please watch for temporary bus stop locations and allow extra time in case of delays. Call Saskatoon Transit at 306-975-3100.
Start: August 7, 8:00 a.m. End: August 29, 6:00 p.m.

8TH ST E EB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM MUNROE AVE S TO CUMBERLAND AVE
(Water main lining)
Start: June 23, 9:00 a.m. End: August 30, 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 @cityofsaskatoon and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

As the end of August approaches, the City of Saskatoon’s (City) summer programming will be coming to a close for the season.  The last day of operation will be: 

• Summer Youth Centres and Travelling Skateboard Program -Wednesday, August 20, 2014
• Riversdale Pool – Monday, September 1, 2014
• Summer Playground Programs – Beginning Friday, August 22, 2014 with the last site closing on Wednesday, August 27, 2014.  Check closing dates for your local program at www.saskatoon.ca/go/playgrounds
• George Ward Pool and Mayfair Pool – Sunday, August 24, 2014
• Lathey Pool – Monday, September 1, 2014
• Kinsmen Play Village and Spray Pads – Monday, September 1, 2014

Thank you to all residents who used the City’s summer 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 - 

The Downtown Transit Terminal will be closed Thursday, August 21 and Friday, August 22 while crews complete maintenance on the curbs and sidewalks in the area.

While crews are working, the terminal will be moved one block east to 23rd Street between 3rd Avenue and 4th Avenue, with temporary stops in effect.  Stops on 2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue will not be affected and buses will stop at their usual location. 

For more information call our Customer Service Centre 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.

The first edition of Our Environment: The City of Saskatoon’s Environmental Leadership Report has been released. The report provides an overview of Saskatoon’s environmental health and establishes baselines for the strategies and priorities identified under the City’s Strategic Goal of Environmental Leadership.

“Our citizens value a healthy environment and as Saskatoon continues to grow, there will be corresponding pressures on our land, air, water and waste,” says Ian Loughran, Energy & Sustainability Engineering Manager. “Raising awareness of the overall condition of our environment and our progress toward sustainability will help us all make informed decisions and choices to reduce the negative impacts on our environment.”

How is Saskatoon doing? Highlights of the report include:

Ecological Footprint: Saskatoon's Ecological Footprint is 7.3 global hectares per capita, an increase of 6% between 2003 and 2010. The Ecological Footprint measures the environmental impact of human activity on the planet, expressing this impact in terms of the land area needed to support those activities by considering the space used to both produce the resources we consume and absorb the wastes we generate.

Land: The City, along with partners such as Meewasin Valley Authority and University of Saskatchewan, has established conservation management zones to protect wildlife habitat and encourage healthy and biologically diverse ecosystems. One example of this is Saskatoon's Northeast Swale - one of the largest pieces of unbroken natural habitat in the Saskatoon region.

Air: Corporate and community Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions have increased since 2003. The City has a growing number of green and alternative energy projects that reduce the City's overall greenhouse gas emissions. A recent example is the Landfill Gas Project which captures gas (methane) from decomposing organic material in the Landfill, pipes the gas to a generating station and burns the gas in engine-generators to produce electrical energy. The project will eventually produce enough energy to power 1,300 homes and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 45,000 tonnes annually.

Water: Residential water use decreased by over 55 litres per person per day over the 2008-2013 period. One of the reasons for the decrease is an increased awareness of water conservation techniques communicated through the City's Be Water Wise campaign. Water conservation relates directly to cost savings and greenhouse gas emissions reductions.

Waste: Diverting waste from the Landfill can reduce the environmental effects of landfilled waste and extend the operating life of the Landfill. The amount of materials diverted from the Landfill in 2013 through composting, recycling and hazardous waste collection programs was 34,539 tonnes - an increase of 30% from 2012.

The “Our Environment” Report is available for viewing at Saskatoon.ca and clicking on “O” for Our Environment.

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.