News Releases
Saskatoon Fire - News Releases
Pruning ban for elm trees ends today
September 1, 2023 - 9:00am
The province-wide pruning ban for elm trees ends today, Friday, September 1. The pruning ban is in place each year from April 1 to August 31 to ensure that elm bark beetles, which transmit Dutch elm disease (DED), are not attracted to freshly pruned trees when the beetles are most active.
Provincial regulations also prohibit the storing, transport and use of elm wood for any purpose. This includes firewood, wood chips, wood slabs and branches. The only permitted movement of elm wood is to the City’s designated disposal site at the City Landfill.
Elm trees make up about 25% of Saskatoon's urban forest. This summer, the City confirmed multiple cases of DED in Sutherland, Forest Grove and Pleasant Hill areas. As part of the City's DED Response Plan, the infected trees were immediately removed and disposed of at the City Landfill. The City will continue surveillance and testing of public and private elm trees in the surrounding areas with an intensive search for elm material and other sources of infection.
The most effective management strategy for DED is to not transport or store elm wood. Infected firewood is the most likely way that DED would spread in Saskatoon. In addition, keeping elm trees healthy by regularly watering and properly removing and disposing of dead and dying branches will deter the elm bark beetle from finding suitable habitat.
How to identify and report unhealthy elm trees
American elm trees with DED may start showing symptoms as early as June. Typically, the leaves will start to wilt and turn yellow out of season from June to mid-August, then curl and turn brown. Anyone suspecting that an elm tree is unhealthy is encouraged to complete the online form at saskatoon.ca/dutchelmdisease or call Urban Forestry at 306-975-2890.
By following the provincial regulations and maintaining elm trees on your private property, all residents can help prevent the spread of DED in Saskatoon.
For more information on DED, visit saskatoon.ca/dutchelmdisease
Circle Drive northbound exit ramp to Valley Road closed on Sunday
September 1, 2023 - 8:00am
Circle Drive northbound curb and centre lanes from Spadina Crescent West to Fletcher Road will be closed Sunday for road resurfacing starting at 7:00 a.m. The northbound exit ramp from Circle Drive to Valley Road will be closed while this project is underway. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around the work zone. This project is expected to take one day to complete, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.
Saskatoon Transit may be affected by these detours. Transit service alerts and real-time bus information are available on third-party apps like Transit and Google Maps Transit on desktop.
For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.
Circle Drive northbound exit to Clancy Drive closed on Saturday
September 1, 2023 - 7:00am
Circle Drive northbound median lane from Gordie Howe Bridge to Clancy Drive will be closed Saturday for road resurfacing starting at 7:00 a.m. There will be no northbound access to Clancy Drive from Circle Drive while this project is underway. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around the work zone. This project is expected to take one day to complete, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.
Saskatoon Transit may be affected by these detours. Transit service alerts and real-time bus information are available on third-party apps like Transit and Google Maps Transit on desktop.
For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.
Rescheduled: Broadway Avenue intersection closed at Hillard Street on Tuesday
September 1, 2023 - 6:00am
The intersection at Broadway Avenue and Hillard Street will be closed on Tuesday, September 5, at 8:00 a.m. to repair catch basin leads. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around the work zone. This project is expected to take one day to complete, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.
Saskatoon Transit may be affected by these detours. Transit service alerts and real-time bus information are available on third-party apps like Transit and Google Maps Transit on desktop.
For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.
City Council leverages fourth special budget meeting to further close projected funding gap
August 31, 2023 - 3:45pm
- Closure of the East Compost Depot
- Reduce operating hours by one (1) hour at the end of the day at the Landfill and Material Recovery Centre
- Eliminate skunk inspection, trapping and relocation services for private residential properties
- Modify the Mosquito Control Treatment Area buffer zone to be one to two kilometres outside of city limits instead of five to ten kilometres outside of city limits
- Defer the Remai Modern Civic Buildings & Comprehensive Maintenance Reserve phase-in contribution for 2024
- Phase out of the $100,000 Interest Stabilization Support over two years
- A $5 fee increase for Manual Tax Certificate/Tax Searches and a $10 fee increase for Online Tax Certificate/Tax Searches
- A 0.5% increase in the City’s Current and Arrears monthly Property Tax Penalty Rate in 2024
- An increase in the reduced penalty rate for parking offences from $30 to $35
- An increase in the late payment penalty rate for parking offences from $50 to $60
- An increase to the City’s Land Lease Revenue Budget to account for signed but potentially temporary lease revenue
- A 20% reduction in the program, research and design budget for Recreation and Culture
- No new FTE’s for playground & youth centre staff training
- No new FTE’s for an Outdoor Special Events Organizer
- Redirect a portion of savings ($250,000) experienced from the temporary closure of the Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre in 2024 and 2025
- Reduction to the Corridor Planning Program’s Special Services operating budget
- Reduce the payroll cost (CPP, EI, Benefits, WCB, etc.) estimate by $200,000 in 2024
- Reduce the operating phase-in of the City’s SAP program by $250,000 in 2024 and 2025
- Exemption of City properties from the City storm charge for 2024 and 2025
- Reduction of 50% of the inflationary pressures to the Information Technology Reserve
- Reduce snowpile removal from parking lots at civic facilities
Following another Special Budget Meeting today, City Council’s Governance and Priorities Committee (GPC) has further reduced the projected funding gap in the 2024/2025 Multi-Year Budget, with additional opportunities to shrink the gap still to come.
Through today’s decisions, the projected funding gap has been further reduced by a total of $3.15 million in 2024 and $554,000 in 2025. If left unmitigated, which is unlikely, the current funding gap would equate to a property tax increase of 7.47% in 2024 and 5.93% in 2025.
GPC completed its discussion on administration-recommended options within several business line reports at today’s meeting and recommended the following budget options be integrated into the 2024/2025 Preliminary 2024/2025 Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget:
An additional Special Budget Meeting has been scheduled for September 20, at which time additional options that were not recommended by Administration are expected to be discussed, as well as the Utilities Business Line report. Council is also awaiting draft budget submissions from the Saskatoon Board of Police Commissioners and the Saskatoon Library Board.
Administration will continue to refine and adjust numbers for the budget book which will be presented at the 2024/2025 Business Plan and Budget meeting in late November.
For more facts and reliable information on the 2024/2025 Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget, please visit Saskatoon.ca/budget.
Annual tree maintenance begins in Adelaide/Churchill, Hudson Bay Park and Massey Place
August 31, 2023 - 3:30pm
Starting Friday, September 1, 2023, crews will begin pruning trees on civic property in Adelaide/Churchill, Hudson Bay Park and Massey Place as part of the City’s Boulevard Tree Maintenance Program. Tree maintenance operations in these three neighbourhoods will continue until December 15, 2023.
The Boulevard Tree Maintenance Program follows a regular pruning cycle to help preserve the health of the City’s tree inventory, as well as to eliminate hazards and provide clearance from buildings, signs, streetlights and utility wires.
Tree maintenance often requires road restrictions. The City reminds pedestrians, cyclists and drivers to ensure safety is a priority by respecting the work zone and obeying all road restrictions and signage.
For more information, visit saskatoon.ca/treemaintenance.
Daily Road Report - September 1, 2023
August 31, 2023 - 3:00pm
*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.
NEW
FEHEREGYHAZI BLVD SB LANES CLOSED AT FAST CRES
(Roadway patching)
Start: September 1, 7:00 a.m. End: September 1, 3:00 p.m.
CIRCLE DR E SB CURB LANE, ROLLING CLOSURE FROM 14TH ST E TO 8TH ST E
(Mowing)
Start: September 1, 9:00 a.m. End: September 1, 1:00 p.m.
CIRCLE DR E NB CURB LANE ROLLING CLOSURE FROM 8TH ST E TO 14TH ST E
(Mowing)
Start: September 1, 9:00 a.m. End: September 1, 1:00 p.m.
8TH ST E EB & WB MEDIAN & CENTER LANE CLOSED AT CIRCLE DR E
(Minor bridge maintenance)
Start: September 1, 9:00 a.m. End: September 1, 3:00 p.m.
VICTORIA BRIDGE CLOSED FROM 19TH ST E TO 11TH ST E
(Nutrien Fireworks Festival)
Start: September 1, 9:00 a.m. End: September 3, 1:00 p.m.
SPADINA CRES E ROAD CLOSED FROM 2ND AVE S TO 3RD AVE S
(Nutrien Fireworks Festival)
Start: September 1, 9:00 a.m. End: September 3, 1:00 p.m.
BROADWAY AVE ROAD CLOSED FROM 12TH ST E TO 20TH ST E
(Nutrien Fireworks Festival)
Broadway Bridge will be closed nightly from 6:00 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Start: September 1, 6:00 p.m. End: September 2, 11:30 p.m.
ONGOING
CLARENCE AVE S ROAD CLOSED FROM HILLIARD ST E TO ADELAIDE ST E
(Water & sewer install)
Start: August 29, 8:00 a.m. End: September 1, 4:30 p.m.
SPADINA CRES E FULL CLOSURE FROM 3RD AVE S TO 20TH ST E
(Nutrien Fireworks Festival)
Start: August 31, 5:00 p.m. End: September 3, 1:00 p.m.
SPADINA CRES W ROAD CLOSED FROM DUDLEY ST TO SCHUYLER ST
(Connection replacement)
Start: August 28, 8:00 a.m. End: September 5, 5:00 p.m.
SPADINA CRES E INTERSECTION CLOSED AT 22ND ST E
(Infrastructure upgrades)
Start: August 14, 7:00 a.m. End: September 7, 5:00 p.m.
MELVILLE ST INTERSECTION CLOSED AT JASPER AVE
(Infrastructure upgrades)
Start: August 8, 7:00 a.m. End: September 15, 5:00 p.m.
NEAULT RD ROAD CLOSED FROM 22ND ST W TO WHELAN RD
(Construction)
Start: July 24, 7:00 a.m. End: September 24, 6:00 p.m.
CLARENCE AVE N NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM AIRD ST TO OSLER ST
(Contractor work)
Start: July 21, 7:00 a.m. End: September 29, 6:00 p.m.
CIRCLE DR E EB LANES CLOSED FROM WARMAN RD TO PRESTON AVE N
(Bridge rehabilitation)
Two-way traffic will be maintained in the WB lanes.
Start: June 25, 5:00 a.m. End: November 1, 5:00 p.m.
All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.
For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.
Winterization of park irrigation systems begins September 1
August 31, 2023 - 10:30am
On September 1, City crews begin the annual winterization of the 480 irrigation systems in Saskatoon parks and along roadway streetscapes. Winterization is an important maintenance procedure to help ensure the longevity of the City’s irrigation infrastructure.
Irrigation winterization involves the use of large compressors that force air through the irrigation system, removing any residual water so it will not freeze within the underground pipes. The force of compressed air exiting through sprinkler heads may pick up and propel debris within the work zone.
To ensure public safety, residents are asked to follow all signage at work sites, and to stay clear of all sprinkler heads, compressor units and related winterization equipment in the parks during maintenance.
The winterization process is expected to take seven weeks. For more information, visit saskatoon.ca/parkmaintenance.
Road restrictions for downtown fireworks festival start tonight
August 31, 2023 - 10:00am
- Spadina Crescent will be closed between 3rd Avenue and 20th Street
- Public access to the Saskatoon Boat Launch will be closed for the duration of this event
- Spadina Crescent will be closed between 2nd and 3rd avenues
- Victoria Bridge will be closed between 11th and 19th streets
- Saskatchewan Crescent will be closed between 14th Street and McPherson Avenue
- Broadway Bridge will be closed between 12th and 20th streets
- 19th Street will be closed between 3rd and 4th avenues
- Saskatchewan Crescent will be closed between 14th Street and Broadway Avenue
To accommodate the Nutrien Fireworks Festival in the downtown area on Friday, September 1 and Saturday, September 2, detours, lane restrictions, and “no parking” signs will be in place guiding motorists around the event area. This event will be in place for two days, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.
If there are weather impacts, the festival will take place on Sunday, September 3 with detours being removed on Monday, September 4.
Road restrictions for Thursday, August 31 at 5:00 p.m. to Sunday September 3 at 12:00 p.m.:
Road restrictions for Friday, September 1 at 9:00 a.m. to Sunday, September 3 at 12:00 p.m.:
Additional road restrictions set nightly from 6:45 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. Friday, September 1 and Saturday, September 2:
For service alerts about bus stop closures, real-time bus locations, and next bus arrivals use the mobile app Transit or Google Transit on desktop. Customer Service is also available at 306-975-3100 to help answer any questions.
Drivers are reminded to watch out for pedestrians. The City thanks everyone for their patience.
For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.
Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off Days Return
August 31, 2023 - 9:30am
- September 3, 2023 (9:00 am - 3:30 pm)
- September 17, 2023 (9:00 am - 3:30 pm)
- October 1, 2023 (9:00 am - 3:30 pm)
- October 15, 2023 (9:00 am - 3:30 pm)
- October 29, 2023 (9:00 am - 3:30 pm)
- Containers used for transporting HHW may not be returned to the participants.
- Please ensure all containers are safely sealed and contents are clearly marked.
- To avoid potentially long line-ups and wait times, ask the Waste Wizard at saskatoon.ca/wastewizard to find other means of recycling and safe disposal.
- Help reduce emissions from idling and protect the health of other residents by turning off vehicles during long wait times.
- There are no public washrooms available at the event.
The City of Saskatoon and QM Environmental will host the first Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Drop-off Day of the year this Sunday, September 3.
HHW Drop-Off Dates:
Location: Civic Operations Centre (57 Valley Road)
Saskatoon residents are invited to drop off their HHW materials for recycling and safe disposal, including aerosols, automotive fluids, batteries, cleaners, cylinders, light bulbs, medications, yard chemicals, vaping products, and more. Complete lists of acceptable and unacceptable items are available at saskatoon.ca/hazardouswaste.
Reminders:
Thanks for helping us put waste in the right place!