To see the whole agenda please go to this link

Enquiry
- Councillor D. Hill (December 5, 2011)  

Homelessness in Saskatoon  

Council will be asked:

To receive the report as information.

Additional Information:

• Councillor Hill wanted the Administration to prepare a report on the role that the City of Saskatoon can play in a five to ten year plan to end homelessness in Saskatoon, and specifically to explore the "Housing First/Rapid Re-Housing" strategy similar to a plan used in Calgary.
• The report alludes to Council's Safe Streets Commission, as well as a number of housing first
  programs operating in Saskatoon.  The report further outlines the efforts that are, and can be made to move the initiative forward – through increasing the supply of rental housing and Safe Streets Commission.

******

2013 Residential and Residential Condominium Revaluation (Reassessment)
 

Council will be asked:

To recommend the tax impact of the 2013 provincial reassessment for residential and residential condominium classes be phased in
equally over a four-year period, beginning with 25% (of any increase) in 2013, 25% in 2014, 25% in 2015, and 25% in 2016.

Additional information:

On a city-wide basis, aggregate residential and residential condominium property assessments
have increased approximately 83% between the 2006 and 2011 base or valuation
dates.  City Council's direction in past revaluations was that any increase in
value at the property class level was to be offset by a corresponding reduction
in the effective tax rate for that property class.

• A communications strategy is outlined in the Council report, similar to the 2009 reassessment,
  including a letter to homeowners and an informational brochure.

*****

Property Tax Deferral Program for Low-Income Seniors Communication Plan
 

Council will be asked:

• To receive the report on the Communications Plan.

Additional Information:

The plan outlines how the City will make sure the information on the Tax Deferral program is made
available to the community, including a media release, an article on the City
blog, as well as Twitter and Facebook messages which primarily target family
members of low-income senior citizens.

• In general terms, the program allows an eligible senior citizen to defer municipal and library tax
  increases – interest free – until such time as he or she passes away or sells
  the property.
• The program applies to residential property only.
• It must be the taxpayer's principal residence, and a taxpayer can have only one principal residence.
• The program applies to individuals only.
• Taxable property owned by a corporation does not qualify under the program.
• The taxpayer must be at least 65 years of age or older, and have an income below the Low Income
  Cut-Off threshold established by Statistics Canada.

******

Contract Award – Residential Curbside Recycling  

Council will be asked:

To endorse the recommendation that the contract for Single-Family Residential Curbside
Recycling be awarded to Loraas Recycle for $25,536,937.49 based on the terms
outlined in this report.

That the City Solicitor be instructed to prepare the necessary contract documents for
execution by His Worship the Mayor and the City Clerk under the Corporate
Seal.

****

Multi Unit Dwelling Recycling Report 
Council
will be asked:

To place the report entitled "Multi-Unit Recycling Program" on the May 28, 2012, Council
agenda for consideration.

Additional Information:

In order to provide City Council and the public with adequate time to review this report, it
is recommended that it be placed on the May 28, 2012, Council agenda under "Matters of Particular Interest" and that all interested parties be given and opportunity to address Council at that time.

******

Traffic Bridge
Replacement – Public Art

Capital
Project 787 – Traffic Bridge

Design-Build Replacement – Traffic Bridge

Trail Detour on North Side of Traffic Bridge

Council will be
asked:

To support the recommendations, that based on an estimated cost of $300,000, a reinforced trail
portal not be installed under Span 5 (the downtown side), and
demolition of Span 5 be done at the same time as demolition of the remainder of
the bridge, in conjunction with construction of the new bridge; and at the
appropriate time, the Community Services Department report further with respect
to alternate ways of funding integrated art on the Traffic Bridge.

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For
further information:

Mark
Rogstad, Communications Consultant, 657-8742

mark.rogstad@saskatoon.ca            

This document is a summary of issues that may be of general public interest. 
Complete Council Agendas and Reports are available for viewing at all Saskatoon
Public Libraries or through the City Clerk’s Office:  975-3240.  Visit us
on-line: www.saskatoon.ca under “C” for City Council.

There is certainly alot happening in Varsity View as they do the final writing of the Varsity View Local Area Plan, get ready for the Community Gardening Season, and work with the University to facilitate Community involvement on the College Quarter Project.

Lots of talented and dedicated folks in that Community Association if you want to come out and meet your neighbours and see how the future of your community is unfolding.

More information - http://vvcasaskatoon.com/

I see this as an opportunity for more concrete discussion about ideas that have been talked about in generalities for quite awhile in Saskatoon.  We hear people saying 'we have to grow up rather than out' or 'we need to stop urban sprawl' often.  The question is, what would this look like if we tried to model it out.  I think this will help focus the conversation.

The entire meeting agenda can be found here, and if you want to send a letter to City Council on any of the items you can send messages on line here

* Traffic Bridge - We will discuss whether to demolish the span of the traffic bridge that is over top of Rotary Park so that pedestrians and traffic can flow more freely while we wait to find the money or come up with a different solution for the future of that crossing (the standing decision of Council is to build a wider vehicle bridge estimated at $30million).  We will also be asked to approve a budget to do pier testing to verify the condition of the piers for loading over the long term. 

*Remai Art Gallery of Saskatchewan - We will be asked to approve the draft business plan and operating budget for the new Remai Art Gallery of Saskatchewan, which will cost $1.5million more per year to run while providing 3x more usable public space.  The business plan recommends that the gallery as a whole remain free to the public, with the exception admission fee of 8$ charged to specifically get into significant international exhibits, which would occur 2x per year.  While I still hear from some people cynical about the benefits of this gallery, I continue to be excited about this project and am confident that once built it will set a new standard for public gathering places in our City, something which we need more of today.  
Former Mayor Henry Dayday is has thrown down the challenge to Council to call a plebiscite on the gallery, and while the notion of a plebiscite is tempting democratically, and it would be nice to resolve this question of public support once and for all, I do not support a referendum in this situation.  We have $50million dollars from other levels of government and private donations committed to the project on the table right now.  If we go to a referendum and put the future of the gallery in question we risk these investments and I would not be confident that it would be easy to get them back for this project or for some other project into the future.  One final note on the gallery that I don't think is well known.  The report coming to Council states that the final design of the building is targeting the gallery to be 50% more energy efficient than the common art gallery standard.  

*  Community Support Officers - Council will be asked to approve the management structure, job descriptions, training, and uniforms for the Community Support OFficers.  The proposal is to have them housed out of the Partnership but reporting to the Street Activity Steering Committee, made up of Police, Anti-Poverty Coalition, City Staff, and Business Improvement Districts.  I am also advocating for a structure of quarterly meetings with the group of Agencies that currently deal with people on the street including EGADZ, SCYAP, the LIghthouse, the Health Region, AIDS Saskatoon and others to ensure a better integration of services.  

* Adult Services Bylaw - Council will be asked to approve the new bylaw which will require people working in the Escort Industry or the 'Adult Services' industry to gain a license to operate their businesses.  This does not include street prostitution but is specific to people offering services on-line, or in any kind of business that provides sexual favours for hire.  Saskatoon Police Services has requested this bylaw out of a concern that they have limited ability to investigate any situations where there may be underage people engaged in the escort industry, or situations of human trafficking in the sex trade.  Several other Cities have initiated a similar bylaw already. 

* East Sector Plan - City Council will also be asked to approve the overall concept plan for the East Sector development, a new development area on the Eastern edge of the City that is being planned to accomodate approximately 73,000 people over the next couple of decades (yeeikes!).  The plan is a departure from the way we have been building subdivisions for the past few decades and I think takes some important steps towards a more efficient, more liveable model of new greenfield development. Some of the most notable elements are the development of a series of 'Main St' type corridors of higher density and mixed use that links the different neighbourhoods together, rather than having distinct neighbourhoods separated by sound walls and with shopping and activity all concentrated in big box malls.  There is a discussion of a rapid transit corridor connecting the development to 8th St and College as well and a focus on building more 'complete streets.'  The plan is targeting an overall density of 7.5 units per acre, with a density of 12-15 along the mixed use corridors.  The whole plan can be found here: 

http://www.saskatoon.ca/DEPARTMENTS/Community%20Services/PlanningDevelopment/FutureGrowth/Sector%20Planning/Pages/EastSector.aspx

Below is a bit more information from City Hall about the agenda. 

Regards, 

Charlie Clark

Council Agenda In Brief 

For March 12, 2012

******

Proposed Amendment to the Official Community Plan – Phase II to Phase I

3130 – 11th Street West – RM4 Zoning District

Montgomery Place Neighbourhood

Council will be asked:

• To consider proposed Bylaw No. 9007 – a recommendation to amend the community plan bylaw.  The proposed amendment would allow the development of land on the northeast corner of Montgomery Place, to accommodate multiple-unit residential development in accordance with the existing RM4 Zoning.

******

Capital Project 787 – Traffic Bridge

Post Budget Approval

Engineering Services Agreement

Design Build Replacement – Traffic Bridge

Council will be asked:

• To increase the $1,534,516 (plus G.S.T. and applicable P.S.T.) contract for a design build replacement of the Traffic Bridge, by $300,000 (plus G.S.T. and applicable P.S.T.), to include all works to load test one of the piers.
• To direct the Administration to move ahead with the demolition and removal of Span 1 of the Traffic Bridge as soon as possible after pier load tests are completed.
• To approve post budget spending of $925,000 for Capital Project 787 – Traffic Bridge and that the post budget approval be interim funded from the Property Realized Reserve, and repaid when the Capital Project is funded.

******

The Remai Art Gallery of Saskatchewan:

a) Construction Tender

b) Business Plan: 2015 to 2017

Council will be asked:

• To receive the Remai Art Gallery of Saskatchewan Business Plan: 2015 to 2017.
• To approve the phased implementation of The Remai Art Gallery of Saskatchewan Business Plan: 2015 to 2017, on an annual basis through the Corporate Business Plan and Budget review process.

• To authorize the Administration to prepare the tender package for The Remai Art Gallery of Saskatchewan and shared River Landing parkade.
  • To ensure further information be provided on financing prior to issuing the construction tender.

******

Street Activity Steering Committee

Council will be asked:

• To consider a draft two-year contract between the City and The Partnership to deliver the Community Support Program as outlined in a report dated February 29, 2012.
• To consider a draft bylaw to establish the Street Activity Steering Committee for a two-year period, reporting to Administration and Finance Committee.
• To authorize the Street Activity Steering Committee to spend $35,000 from the money set aside in the Streetscape Reserve for the Community Support Program, to hire Insightrix Research Inc. to do a follow-up street activity survey, to be delivered to Administration and Finance Committee no later than November 12, 2013.

****** 

Proposed Adult Services Licensing Bylaw

Council will be asked:

• To consider Bylaw No. 9011.

Additional information:

• Adult services exist in Saskatoon as legal businesses, but they operate with little or no regulation.
• The Saskatoon Police Service is concerned that with the extensive use of the Internet, people under the age of 18 years are getting involved in this industry.
• At the urging of the Police Chief and through Council, the Solicitor’s Office drafted a bylaw to regulate and licence adult services in Saskatoon.  The purpose is to protect young people and victims of human trafficking from being employed in this industry in our City.

******

Saskatoon Food Charter

Council will be asked:

• To receive as information the report on the Saskatoon Food Charter.

Additional information:

• The report outlines City efforts since September 2002 to research and address issues of food security in Saskatoon.  Among the initiatives are various arrangements made for urban gardening; support for the Saskatoon Farmers Market; funding for community-based food providing organizations; land use policy; and tax breaks for Station 20 West.

******

Code of Conduct

Council will be asked:

• To approve a Code of Conduct for members of City Council.

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For further information:

Mark Rogstad, Communications Consultant, 657-8742

mark.rogstad@saskatoon.ca

1. Proposed changes to the guidelines for development in the River Landing area to accommodate Victory Majors and the Parcel Y Development. 

City Council will debate whether to  make changes (again) to the guidelines for River Landing to allow for: more office space, higher buildings (up to 95meters), more flexible stepbacks, and a larger floor space ratio.  

At this point in the debate I have decided to focus my energy on the \"public space\" component of this development.  Victory Majors (Nassers) have quite dramatically changed the development that was earlier proposed by Michael Lobsinger and Lake Placid Development.  They have certainly made some improvements to push the buildings to the back of the site so that the public plaza is not surrounded by buildings, and brought the plaza down to the street level so you don\'t have to climb up stairs to get to it.  

While I still think that River Landing as a whole would be better served on this site if we had broken up Parcel Y into a set of smaller development parcels that result in a more diversified set of human scaled activities along the street (restaurants, shops, etc).  I believe that ship has sailed. 

In this case the developers are asking for significantly greater development rights, and I think it is reasonable then to have very high expectations about building a successful people place on the ground in front of the private buildings going on sight.  This means having an agreement that ensures that the site can\'t be closed off to the public and that the plaza is built with the best practices in building public spaces in mind.  This is what I am going to be arguing for.  They are working with a pretty well renowned group of architects and have made commitments to ensure that the plaza is a good people environment.  It will be in the next stage of approval that these guidelines will be put to the test.  

2. The submission of the \"Street Activity Study\" (originally the panhandling study) and the proposal to hire 5 \'community support officers\' to maintain a presence in the Downtown, Broadway, and Riversdale districts.

This item emerges out of a controversial debate about panhandling in Saskatoon.  On the positive side,  comes in response to earlier efforts by some in the community and on City Council to try to ban panhandling outright in parts of the City.  What we see now is a more complex look at the issues of panhandling and street safety.  The process and the report are leading to a recognition that we are largely dealing with social issues and perceptions and that attempting to solve anything with just enforcement and suppression will fail.

The report contains the results of interviews with the general public, business owners, and panhandlers themselves.  These interviews reveal that many stereotypes and prejudices remain in our community, and concludes that the issues surrounding \'street safety\' are more about perception than about reality. One shortcoming of the report in my opinion is that it does not provide much context to show the difference between perception and reality, and the fact that crime is actually going down in Saskatoon even as people\'s fear of each other seems to be going up.  

In responding to the report I believe as a City we need to be careful not to make public policy measures based just on people\'s perceptions, or worse based on stereotypes.   We need to focus on measures that actually increase safety and a sense of inclusion in our community for everyone, regardless of your circumstances.  The discussion of panhandling and street safety can be interpreted as a discussion of who is \'acceptable\' on our sidewalks, in our stores and public spaces and who isn\'t. This is a dangerous discussion that can foster an us vs. them approach to our community, when people\'s \'perceptions\' of safety become a reason to discriminate against people simply because they don\'t look or act in \'mainstream\' ways.  

In reading the report I am left thinking that \'problem panhandling\' is a much smaller problem in Saskatoon than the persistence of stereotypes and falsely held fears between different groups in our community.  

There is a valuable discussion in the report of the fact that we have a shortage of services in our community to respond to people who are homeless, or living with addictions, or struggling with mental health issues.  There is also an interesting assessment of how other Cities have responded, Calgary and Toronto in particular, with a more compassionate and outreach based approach to start with getting people connected to services and supports where needed as opposed to trying to move them out of the way.  

As a result of the report, and some further investigation into what other Cities are doing, including a trip to Calgary, the Panhandling Task Force (made up of the Police Service, the City, the Anti Poverty Coalition, and the three Business Improvement Districts) is recommending that the City hire 5 uniformed  \'Community Support Officers\' to be a presence in the downtown, Broadway and Riversdale areas. The recommendation is that 80-90% of the work of these officers would be to get to know everyone, from the people sitting on benches and panhandling to the business owners, office workers, and shoppers, to provide a set of eyes on the street and to help connect people to services where.  They would have police radios and would have the ability to enforce the panhandling restrictions about being outside of an ATM or within 10m of a liquor store, or if there is aggressive panhandling.  The proposal is to have these officers paid for with Parking revenues, using money that is otherwise right now slated for streetscaping work. 

To me the devil will be in the details of this recommendation.  I think that these Officers could be a real asset if they are trained primarily as social workers, with good listening skills, a clear understanding of mental health and addictions issues, good negotiating skills, a broad understanding of the services available and the ability to build bridges between the world of the office worker and the world of the person sitting in front of McDonalds.  In Calgary and Toronto these workers have been effective at connecting people to services, and create a greater sense of safety for everyone in their downtowns. 

There is also a recommendation to explore the addition of another facility for people to go when publicly intoxicated, because the present Brief Detox Unit is full and right now alot of people are being taken to jail cells which is not an appropriate place to take people who are simply under the influence.  

Finally there is a recommendation to create a \"Safe Streets Working Group\" which would carry on with the work of (1) increasing the perception of safety on Saskatoon Streets and (2) ensuring that people are not on the street because they have nowhere else to go.

3. The submission of the Public Space, Activity, and Urban Form Strategic Framework for the City Center as part of the development of a City Center Plan for Saskatoon. 

 This is quite a remarkable report that provides a tremendous amount of information and ideas about out the Center of our City (downtown, Broadway, and Riversdale).  It is a unique report for our City because it combines the work of gathering information about how people use our public space with a range of economic, demographic, climactic information about our City.  A particularly interesting part of the report is the \"Opportunities\" section that draws on the study of the patterns of use downtown and puts ideas forward about how to improve on and re-envision aspects of our center city.  There are about a dozen ideas that are pretty intriguing.  I believe this study could be a very valuable asset in helping move forward with more economic development in the center city too, especially to figure out how to drive mixed use development on our sea of surface parking lots and create more vibrant areas in spots that are basically hostile to people now (especially the area surrounding Idylwyld Dr and the Warehouse district).

The next step for the City Center Plan is to go into a strategic planning process to improve the transportation, pedestrian, building design standards, and public spaces in the city center area. 

4. The beginning of streetscaping of the Central Avenue in Sutherland as part of the Central Avenue Master Plan

There is a recommendation to begin construction on a long awaited project to improve Central Avenue.  The project will start between the south side of the intersection of Central and109th to the north side of the intersection of Central and 110th.

5. The submission of two reports about Transit - one assessing the impact of eliminating fares for Transit, and one exploring best practices for improving Transit 

These are interesting and timely reports that I hope will help stimulate some bigger picture planning on making our Transit system more geared to the 21st Century.  The zero-fare report was done by the Saskatoon Environmental Advisory Committee and examines the impact of providing transit for free and concludes that it probably isn\'t a good idea, but comes up with some other recommendations.  The one on best practices in Transit looks at other Cities between 100,000 and 400,000 people and explores ideas for improving ridership, marketing, fares, and scheduling.  

That\'s all for now, 

Enjoy the sun and the clear air!

City Council decided not to use a zone approach but to have one contract for the City as a whole.  There was also a majority support for not including glass collection in the RFP, as it 1% of the waste stream, currently has little value, and is the source of the most problems of contamination of recylables in other Cities.  This is not the end of glass collection, and other options will be explored. 

Cosmo Industries

I have been receiving quite a few calls from people concerned about the fate of Cosmo Industries and the City's commitment to them.  I want to provide some background information about what the City has committed and some of the background of this relationship as I know there have been criticisms about  that I frankly don't think have been entirely fair.

I certainly understand the anxiety that many Cosmo participants and their families are facing as all of the rumours of the demise of Cosmo's program swirl around. I have spent time at Cosmo and seen the operations that exist and the very important and unique community that has been created there.  I am committed to playing a part in ensuring that this continues, and I believe that the commitments that the City has made are substantial, and go beyond our commitment to most other non-profits that exist in this City. 

Cosmo was ultimately requesting for the City to grant them a monopoly over all of the paper collected in this new residential curbside program.  This would mean that we would have to go with a dual stream approach to recycling, which is an option but is an option that requires more than one pickup, adding to collection costs, and there are indications that you end up with 20-45% less materials through dual stream recycling.  Secondly, because paper is the highest value commodity in the recycling stream, any company providing collection and processing of recyclables would have to forgo that revenue that would offset their costs of providing the program. 

The decision was made to offer as much flexibility as possible in the bidding process, while focusing on performance goals of low contamination, ease of use, affordability, and sustainability.  This is still only one aspect of recycling in Saskatoon - households.  There is still paper and recycling existing (and future opportunities) with apartments and condos, small business, large business, and public institutions. We have flexibility to work with Cosmo in these areas. 

The City has committed to getting Cosmo Industries 7800 tonnes of paper per year for the next 7 years, and in the meantime to set up a task force or initiate a study to identify further job opportunities within and beyond recycling that would provide that certainty for the 20 or so people who are involved in the paper sort line. 

Given the criticism that is being levelled I would also like to make it clear that Cosmo already has been supported at a level quite a bit higher than most other community based non-profits in Saskatoon.  Saskatoon purchased the building that they occupy in 1984 and leases the building back to them for 1$ so they don't pay rent.  They have recieved a full property tax abatement since 2005 amounting to over $120,000. When they did a building expansion in 2007 to increase recycling the City contributed over $237,000.  In the meantime we have averaged a net cost of over $190,000/yr in paying for the pickup and delivery and processing of paper to Cosmo over the past several years, a practice which in other communities often turns a profit.  

I believe we can do our part to help ensure that the vital community that exists around Cosmo and its paper recycling can continue while we also work towards a recycling program that is as affordable, effective, and sustainable as possible.  This does require a willingness to adapt and collaborate as we move forward.  

PSA

PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE TO VIEW THE DRAWINGS OF THE NEW REMAI ART GALLERY OF SASKATCHEWAN

The public is invited to an open house to view the concept drawings for the new Remai Art Gallery of Saskatchewan and hear how the architects arrived at this design.  There will be a short presentation, followed by a question period.

Remai Art Gallery of Saskatchewan Concept Drawings Open House

Wednesday, June 22, 2011; 
5:00 – 9:00 p.m. (presentations at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.) 
TCU Place (35 – 22^nd Street East); Lower Centennial Hall

5:00 p.m. – Doors open; viewing of the drawings

5:30 p.m.  – Presentation by KPMB Architects; 
followed by Questions & Answers; viewing of the boards; filling out survey

7:30 p.m.  – Presentation by KPMB Architects (repeat);
followed by Questions & Answers; viewing of the boards; filling out survey

A survey will also be available to fill out at the open house to leave comments on what residents think of the new building.  An online survey is also be available at www.mendel.ca for those unable to make the open house.

The design is a creation of Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg Architects (KPMB) of Toronto in association with Winnipeg-based Smith Carter Architects and Engineers Incorporated. KPMB has extensive experience with gallery design, including the Hamilton Art Gallery; The Toronto International Film Festival building; and, the Canadian Museum of Nature, for which it won the 2011 Ontario Association of Architects Design Excellence Award.

The Remai Art Gallery of Saskatchewan will be located in River Landing, just west of 2^nd Avenue and Spadina Crescent.  Construction is expected to begin in 2012, with an opening in late 2014/early 2015.

The concept drawings are also available for viewing in the Mendel Art Gallery’s lobby and on the Mendel Art Gallery’s website at www.mendel.ca. More information on the Remai Art Gallery of Saskatchewan can be found at www.saskatoon.ca or www.mendel.ca.

- 30 –

Media, for more information:
Sandi Schultz                                                       Vincent J. Varga
Special Projects Manager                                  Executive Director & CEO, Mendel Art Gallery
975-7952                                                              975-7612

On Tuesday there will be an Open House for the public to update the Community about what progress has been made, and to discuss where we need to go next to deal with the barriers people continue to face. The Open House will take place from 4-8pm at TCU Place (Gallery D).

Curb cuts, audible pedestrian signals, adequate sidewalk clearing in winter, accessible design of our leisure centers, audible announcement of bus stops, accessible website design, fostering leadership in accessible design of new buildings...these are all part of this very important discussion.  As Saskatoon grows, and our population ages these issues have a significant impact on the quality of life of a growing number of people in our community.

Here are more details from the City PSA:

For Immediate Release:  June 14, 2011

CY11-265
OPEN HOUSE on  THE city’s Accessibility ACTION PLAN for Persons with Disabilities ON JUNE 21

The public is invited to attend an open house to learn about the development of the City of Saskatoon’s Accessibility Action Plan for Persons with Disabilities.  The Accessibility Action Plan has established a framework for maximizing the integration of persons with disabilities, promoting full participation in the community, and respecting their dignity.

Attendees will learn about some of the accessibility initiatives already underway, about the Accessibility Advisory Committee, and will have an opportunity to provide feedback on current initiatives and suggestions for the future focus of accessibility initiatives.

Open House on the Accessibility Action Plan for Persons with Disabilities
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Presentation at 4:30 p.m. (repeated at 6:30 p.m.)
Gallery D, TCU Place (35-22nd Street East)
TCU Place is fully accessible

Displays of the current accessibility initiatives will be available for viewing.  Representatives from the City of Saskatoon and the Accessibility Advisory Committee will be present to discuss the initiatives and answer questions.  In between the two presentation times, people are welcome to come and go as their time permits.  People can view the displays or have them read aloud by staff, ask questions, and will have the opportunity to provide comments and suggestions either in written or verbal format.  The results of this open house will help set the future focus for the City of Saskatoon’s accessibility initiatives.

The City of Saskatoon is working to be both a leader and a role model in addressing accessibility in Saskatoon and acknowledges that the participation and contribution of all citizens in the development of our community is vital to meeting the challenges of the future.  The City of Saskatoon anticipates that other key stakeholders in the community will also work to ensure their facilities, designs, programs, and services are also accessible.

The City of Saskatoon is committed to the goal of making our community engagement events accessible, inclusive, welcoming and safe to all.  If you have any accessibility questions or requirements for this open house, please call (306) 975-3390.

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, or our City Blog. Click on the links at www.saskatoon.ca<http://www.saskatoon.ca>.

- 30 -

For further information:
Lynne Lacroix, Community Development Manager
City of Saskatoon
975-3390
Lynne.lacroix@saskatoon.ca<mailto:Lynne.lacroix@saskatoon.ca>

these issues are becoming more and more acute all of the time.

Here's more information:

Winners announced in the Great Places in Canada contest

From more than 6,000 nominations and after four months of voting by people across the country, the winning locations in the first annual Great Places in Canada contest have been selected.

"The voting far exceeded what we were anticipating," said Marni Cappe, President of the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP), the sponsor of the competition.

"People really got involved and wanted to see their favourite location recognized as a Great Place. We tapped into a tremendous pride that Canadians have in the many beautiful places in this country. It was, in a true sense, a celebration of great places," Cappe added.

The top locations are being honoured not only because of their popularity, but also because they exemplify the highest standards of planning. To be judged a winner by the panel of professional planners, the location had to meet certain criteria including:

promoting social and economic activities

having a memorable or unique character

having design or architectural features that are visually interesting

meeting different aspects of sustainability

being accessible by different modes of transportation

reflecting local culture, history, and landscape

OTTAWA (May 16, 2011) –

1. This weekend will be the second annual round of Jane's Walks on both Saturday and Sunday.  There are 10 walks to choose from from - from Warehouse District, to Riversdale - to the Broadway 360 and University Architecture.  Jane Jacobs made a great case that to improve a neighbourhood or a City you have to walk it's streets and be in it and pay attention to all of its nuances and the complex ways that life happens in it.   These walks are a part of that process.  Thanks to the organizers who are making it happen.

2. The second entry of the Nutana Film Festival is on Tuesday night at 7pm - Water on the Table  about the state of Canada's water

3. Garbage container conversion, if you live in Buena Vista or Nutana you will have recieved a letter that you are going to finally have your big garbage bins converted to individual bins.  In both Buena Vista and Nutana you will continue to have these individual bins picked up in the back lanes when they are delivered, and we will survey the entire community after 3-6months to see if this remains as the preferred method.  There is an open house on Thursday May 12th from 6pm - 9pm at Oskayak School to discuss the roll-out of this process further (no pun intended). If anyone has concerns that they will not be able to push a bin out to the lane because of mobility concerns - pleas phone 975-2486. If you have other questions there is a FAQ sheet available at this link here. 

4. There will also be an open house on Wednesday May 18th at Nutana Collegiate at 6pm regarding the next steps in the design process for the Traffic Bridge including whether to remove the 5th span or not, what the traffic configuration on the South side of the bridge will be, how 'heritage elements' will be incorporated in the new bridge, what the connections for bikes and pedestrians onto the bridge from the MVA trail will be like and so on. 

I will also note that I think that there have been some valid criticisms about the process on this Police Building.  Even though this particular design/build process led to some grey areas in terms of the process, in hindsight I think it would have been cleaner and more transparent to bring a report forward to City Council to indicate that the scope had changed before the RFP was issued.  

On Panhandling, Council is being asked to approve a 50,000$ study to get a better understanding of the nature and dynamics of panhandling and street safety in Saskatoon.  I think that this is a positive development in this debate, and could give us better leverage as a City to work with organizations and advocate for more innovative programs for tackling poverty, addictions, mental health issue, and homelessness.  There are many examples being tried out there that are having relative success. The research done on this in the last few month has revealed that almost universally other Cities have said that just using stricter enforcement against panhandling causes more problems.   This research will explore what is working in other Cities.  We are already learning that in places like Calgary and Winnipeg they are getting more innovative in the way that they outreach to people on the street.  Both are using the 'housing-first' approach to homelessness, and developing street outreach teams that target services to help provide a more targeted kind of support to people.  While all panhandlers aren't homeless and vice versa, I think that this overall approach to responding to people's particular circumstances is a more compassionate and more effective approach than just trying to develop a very blunt bylaw tool to try and chase people around the City with.  These discussions are opportunities to remind us that we all have a story, and that responding effectively to people who are living on the margins of our community means being being willing to learn from their situation and continually find ways to be a City that has safe places for all of our residents. 
 
Another item on the agenda is a proposed expansion to Preston Crossing to accomodate a Cabela's outdoor store as well as some smaller stores and some expansion to Wal-Mart.  While I find these types of big box developments to be highly problematic form of urban development, I have come to the conclusion that adding a relatively small amount of space to an already existing big-box mall that is relatively centrally located is better than starting into new big-box developments way out on the edge of the City. 
 
When we talk about growing up instead of out the focus tends to fall more on housing than on substantial retail planning.  It is important to figure out both.  The City is doing a wider retail study to get a better handle on the future of retail in Saskatoon and I have been reassured that this will be informed by a 'smart growth' assessment of how to have more mixed-use retail developments and don't have everything planned around the car.  The Saskatoon Speaks process has produced similar recommendations so I this will be worth following in the months ahead to see if we come up with different thinking on these issues.
 
There are also some new digital sign regulations being proposed to provide tools for the City to regulate the growing world of LCD billboards and billboards with screens that change every few seconds, and mobile billboards and that kind of thing.   There are a range of regulations pertaining to the size, location, concentration, of these signs.  The billboard industry is getting pretty hot and bothered so it could get interesting.
 
That's all for now, the following is the PSA on the agenda issued by the City.
 
Charlie
 
 
 
Council Agenda In Brief
For April 4, 2011
 
 
Funding for Police Facility Scope Change – City Council will receive a report from Administration recommending that a revised budget of up to $131 million be approved for the new Saskatoon Police Service Headquarters project. The project cost is comprised of land costs, consultant fees, building equipment, and the building. The revised budget reflects changes to the scope of work including more heated parking for the police fleet, more above-ground parking and more space for police functions including exhibit storage and investigations. The initial project, including planning, design, and construction, was approved for $91 million in the 2008 Capital Budget.
 
Panhandling – City Council will receive a report recommending that the Administration identify a potential source of funding to support a $50,000 study of panhandling and street safety this summer. City Council will also decide whether to amend the Panhandling Bylaw so it is prohibited to panhandle within 8 metres of a doorway to a liquor store or a beer and wine store.
 
Transit Charter Rates – City Council will decide whether to approve a recommendation to increase 2011 charter fares effective May 1, 2011. If approved, the regular hourly rate within Saskatoon City limits would rise to $105 from $95, and the regular hourly rates for charters outside Saskatoon City limits (less than 25 kilometres and a maximum of 45 passengers) would rise to $153 from $138. Since the time charter rates were last set in 2009, costs have risen significantly; particularly in fuel, capital replacement costs, and wages. An increase to the rates is being requested to cover Transit’s costs and to provide a reasonable return on investment. Charters are only provided when the ability to provide transit service to the public is not compromised.
 
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For further information:
Bonny Braden, Communications Manager, 657-8742 or by e-mail at bonny.braden@saskatoon.ca
 
Complete City Council Agendas are available for viewing online at www.saskatoon.ca (look under City Council – Minutes and Agendas), at all Saskatoon Public Libraries or through the City Clerk’s Office:  975-3240. 

The entire agenda can be found here. If you want to send a letter to Council on any of the issues you can do so on line here.  

By the way the next round of meetings to discuss the directions emerging through the Saskatoon Speaks process will be on March 16th from 1:30-8:30 at the Delta Bessborough.  

On the agenda at City Council on Monday is: 

1. Request for Approval for the somewhat controversial Tonko Developments building at River Landing (beside Clinskill Manor)
2. An innovative affordable housing project in Riversdale beside Optimist park
3. A new program of incentives to get vacant lots redeveloped (check out the Star-Phoenix map of vacant lots here),
4. Significant changes to the new Blairmore neighbourhood sector plan, a sector that is projected to have 50-70,000 new people in the next 50 years (I am concerned that the plan for new growth is not as strong as it could be in terms of efficient Transportation planning and a Transit-oriented design approach).
5. An overarching affordable housing report describing programs and projects over the past 3 yrs.  The report outlines how average rents have gone from $600/mo to over $900/mo, house prices have more than doubled, and average incomes have increased less than 10% since 2006.  The City has had success in facilitating a number of programs, and when listed I was impressed by the breadth of them, and the involvement by innovative CBO's and developers.  What also stands out is the relative lack of involvement by the Provincial and Federal Governments.  There have been no meaningful funding strategy or targets set out since the housing boom hit, and the clearest need remains for the tens of thousands of people whose incomes are below $35,000, which requires building affordable rentals and I believe getting going on a Housing First program to respond to homelessness.   Reading the report, I think it is safe to say the City is at the table and would sure like the Province and the Feds to join us.  The Province has promised ~another~ plan in June - we need something with teeth and legs.
6. Changes to the Eco-Bus pass to reduce the number of required participants to get the discount from 10 to 3.
7. A report on 2010's year-end - resulting in $423,000 surplus.  Caveat: this surplus was  made possible by delaying and re-adjusting some projects in our Water Utility because we didn't make as much money from water due to the rainy season. Ah the contradiction in depending on revenue off of a limited resource. There is a Star-Phoenix story here that explains this situation fairly well.  This will be a tension in future years as the need for conservation faces off with our dependence on the utility for revenue, and will be discussed more this Spring.
8. Some important new changes to tighten up our regulations for what people and businesses are allowed to put into the sanitary sewer system, and a fairer system for charging for it - so that the biggest users pay a bigger share.  (see more below)
9. We will also have 5 hearings:
   
   1. for a new parking station beside the Shoppers on Broadway at Taylor (on the south side),
   2. a new group home in College Park for up to 10 children in care aged 0 to 12 years old,
   3. a new Value Village in Stonebridge,
   4. a zoning change to allow for Places of Worship to be permitted in B4 zoning districts
   5. a rezoning on 23rd St to allow for a new commercial building to be built on an existing parking lot (across 23rd from the Fairbanks Morse Warehouse). 

So that's the sum of it for this meeting.  Put it all together and the decisions we will make on Monday will certainly have an impact on the shape and look of the City for years to come.    

Below is some additional information on a couple of these items coming out of City Hall's Communications office.

Council Agenda In Brief 

For March 7, 2011

Wastewater Sewer Use Policy, Bylaw, and Regulatory Framework – City Council will receive a report from Administration outlining the content for a new sewer use bylaw.  Once drafted, this bylaw will impact wastewater system use for some businesses and institutions. It is recommended that the proposed bylaw will come into effect on July 1, 2013.  The bylaw is based on source control which means keeping inappropriate substances out of the wastewater system because the wastewater treatment plant cannot treat industrial substances such as metals and chemicals. This will have environmental implications by improving the City’s wastewater effluent and residual wastewater solids.  

City Council will also receive an update on community engagement information sessions held in February where the proposed bylaw content was presented to citizens.

Blairmore Sector Plan Amendment – City Council will consider an amendment to the City of Saskatoon’s Blairmore Sector Plan.  The Blairmore Suburban Development Area is located on the west edge of Saskatoon.  The Blairmore Sector Plan is a long-range plan that outlines the City of Saskatoon’s vision for future growth in the Blairmore Suburban Development Area. 

The Blairmore Sector Plan was originally approved by City Council in 2004.  The development potential for part of the area has changed since then, as have some of the strategies for servicing.  In response, the proposed Blairmore Sector Plan Amendment has been prepared.  The following key items are proposed to change, which will require amendments to the Sector Plan:

• the boundary of the first residential neighbourhood in the Sector (that is, Kensington) will be revised;
• the segment of 33^rd Street West to Dalmeny Road will be realigned; and,
• a neighbourhood will be added to the Sector west of Hampton Village.

The Blairmore Sector Plan Amendment is available for viewing on the City of Saskatoon website www.saskatoon.ca (look under “S” in the alphabetical listing for Sector Planning).

Bush/Wildland Fire Truck tender – City Council will receive a report recommending the acceptance of a tender from Blanchat Mfg. of Kansas at an estimated cost of $153,283.20 CDN. This truck and the water tanker purchased last year are required to service the newly annexed land incorporated into the city limits and areas covered by Fire Service Agreements with neighbouring rural municipalities and First Nation communities on a cost-recovery basis.

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For further information:

Bonny Braden, Communications Manager

657-8742 or by e-mail at bonny.braden@saskatoon.ca

Complete City Council Agendas are available for viewing online at www.saskatoon.ca (look under City Council – Minutes and Agendas), at all Saskatoon Public Libraries or through the City Clerk’s Office:  975-3240. 

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Subject: Public Lecture: Breathing New Life into Older Neighbourhoods: Guidelines for Shaping Healthy Urban Growth

Lecture: 7:00 p.m. February 10th  Mendel Art Gallery lecture hall
Workshop 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.  February 12th  Mendel Ary Gallery lecture hall

Significant change can be anticipated for Saskatoon's established neighbourhoods over the next few years as the city sets out bold new goals to redirect growth inward.  There is a lot at stake, and we are at a cross road.  If misguided, changes of this magnitude can irreversibly tear apart the core fabric of a neighbourhood's character, health and wellbeing.  On the other hand, with the right guidance, infill can serve as a profound opportunity to revitalize areas in decline; create complete and long-life neighbourhoods;  enhance the public realm; save under-utilized schools and services; cultivate civic and cultural vibrancy; and even bring life to areas of suburban sprawl.  Come learn how cities elsewhere are dealing with this issue; the tools available to positively shape this growth; and, how an increased level of sophistication is being applied to planning decisions.

Free Admission:

This event is sponsored by:

Great Places
Varsity View Community Association
Buena Vista Community Association
Meadowgreen Community Association
Nutana Community Association
Montgomery Community Association
Centre for Civic Governance

In Saskatoon the cost of buying a house has doubled , the cost of renting has gone up 60% since 2006.  For anyone who didn’t own a home already before the boom, this means people are spending way more of their income on their shelter, and it is much harder to find an affordable place.  This is affecting students, single parents, seniors on fixed-incomes, First Nations people moving to cities and towns from reserves for work or education, new immigrants to the community, and thousands of people who work at or near minimum wage.  

This is a social issue, an economic issue, and a strategic issue for our communities and our province.  Safe affordable housing is as core a building block to a healthy future as our roads and buildings and Transit system will be.  If people don’t have stable housing it is hard to focus on employment, it is hard to focus on education, it is hard to participate in the life of the community.  Continued growth as a community and a local economy will also be challenged if there aren't decent places for the people who work the critical lower-wage jobs that keep the City operating.  

If we don’t have affordable housing options we have a harder time attracting and keeping people who want to move here from other communities or other countries, whether it be young people wanting to move back after being away for awhile or new immigrants looking for opportunity.  Now instead of having that attraction, we are facing the social costs of a lack of housing options.  We have people living in overcrowded apartments, couch surfing, and people with decent jobs spending so much of their income on housing that they are using the food bank to get by month to month.

In recent years this has meant that municipalities have been exploring more and more ways to get involved in affordable housing.  Saskatoon has spent over $12million on housing initiatives and developed the Housing Business Plan.   I think we have done a decent job of exploring all the tools and levers we can use with zoning and incentives and now some mortgage support programs to foster the development of new apartments, and to help people bridge people whose incomes are in the $40,000 and up range into home ownership.   

We are dangling alot of different carrots in front of developers to try and encourage this type of development, and have had some success (it may be time to consider some sticks as well).  We have also learned the limitations of our ability to help out the thousands of people whose household incomes are below that $35-$40,000/year range, without significant investment, and there are legitimate questions about the wisdom of using money raised through property taxes, the most regressive form of taxation, to pay for affordable housing.

This is why it is crucial that the Province come up with a more robust plan, and the funding to carry it through. We need a more comprehensive strategy and investment to create more affordable rental housing in our communities, especially to help those on lower income. The market itself is out of reach for many many people now, and if we want these people to be healthy, active and productive members of the community we need to invest to make sure there are good housing options available. 

Municipalities can and will be at the table as partners with the Provincial government as part of a serious housing plan. We need the Province to set goals for creating affordable rental units, and come up with projects that will deliver the units. We have capacity in Community Organizations, the development industry, and church groups to help in the process, but we need the investment to make it happen.  

I will be paying close attention to the strategy that comes out in June – and make sure it has both teeth and legs.  I hope you will too.

I take issue with the way the Mayor was quoted to see it in the paper, that this is a simple issue of "panhandlers and victims." I think Gerry Klein's editorial in the SP last week does a good job of reminding us that this issue is complex, involving deeper social issues and the constitution of Canada. He also points out that it is misleading for Councillors to pretend we can 'solve' the situation by creating 'banned areas.' We have in place a bylaw preventing 'agressive panhandling.' 

We have criminal code provisions that give police enforcement measures to address assaults or issues of safety. Beyond that, as a country it has been deemed that as individuals, panhandlers have the right to exist on our streets. Panhandling has repeatedly been held up by court rulings based on panhandlers constitutional rights to freedom of expression, fundamental justice and equal treatment before the law.  I understand that the presence of panhandlers makes us uncomfortable, as it is a reminder that we still have poverty in Saskatoon, even at a time of growth.

I have heard lots of anecdotes of people who heard about a panhandler bragging that he made $40 in an hour, or of panhandling rings operating in the City. These anecdotes are meant to give the impression that 'because I heard this story all panhandlers are just out there manipulating us." While there may be some truth to some of these anecdotes, this does not tell the whole story, and I think masks the fullness of the issue. Panhandling just isn't that simple, and has been a challenge in cities for hundreds of years. I think this issue calls on us to consider what our overall vision is for Saskatoon, and then come up with a strategy based on that vision. 

There are various quotes and references to the notion that 'any society (community) can be measured by how it treats its most vulnerable members". Panhandling is a phenomenon tied to poverty, addictions, mental health, and the breakdown of social ties. So are we a community that understands the complexity of the issue and seeks solutions that get at the root causes to deal with these issues preventatively, or are we an 'us/them' community that tries to sweep the people who remind us of inequality under the carpet? 

We know that life in Saskatoon has gotten much more expensive, that wages and social assistance supports and affordable housing options have not expanded with the growth of the City. We know that we have a shortage of programs for addictions and mental health in Saskatoon. We will all be better off if we set the tone as a City recognizing the complexity of this issue, and focusing our attention on being a City that works with our community agencies and other levels of government to solve the root causes. 

We have a multi-sectoral initiative to work to reduce poverty underway in Saskatoon right now involving the City, Community organizations, the Health Region, the University, and the Anti-Poverty Coalition. We have projects like Station 20West geared vto build our capacity to support people to participate more fully in the community, the Lighthouse project is expanding to provide more independent housing for people who are hard to house, the Saskatoon Tribal Council and CUMFI are developing more and more programs to respond to the needs of urban First Nations and Metis people. These are the places to focus our energy. The false cries for a war on panhandlers simply serve to create a greater divide in our City while doing nothing to actually deal with the problem.

In deciding what to do about the future of the Traffic Bridge, this City has an opportunity to make a bold statement about who we are at this point in history, and what our vision is for the future.  This is a defining decision because the Traffic Bridge lies at the core of our identity.  The City was originally brought together at this crossing, and it has served as an iconic connection between East and West and a key link in our beloved riverbank trail system ever since.   The Traffic Bridge is also intimately tied to River Landing, another era defining place which this Council has invested almost a decade and spared few expenses to try to establish gathering place for the City. 

Given that all of the options in front of City Council have essentially the same function, and virtually the same cost, which of the options will make the strongest statement and return the most value to the City over the long term?  After stewing over this and weighing out the options for some time, I conclude that the gutsiest statement and the smartest move here is to take on the challenge to save our old bridge and make it a magnet for people during the times when cars aren’t needed on it. 

Like many others, I have been tempted by the recommendation in front of City Council now.  Build a wider, more modern, pseudo-replica bridge that feels safer and more predictable and responsible.   Let’s shoot for the best of both worlds and engineer the skinniness, the old laced trusses, the scale and the quirks out of the old bridge.  It seems more practical and hey, it is still sort of like the old bridge so why not.   The problem is, by engineering out the subtleties of the old bridge and creating a compromise to try and please everyone, what we end up with is a fake.  Does a PT Cruiser have the same quality and character of a carefully restored Chrysler Airstream that it has copied?  Will a new wider replacement bridge really have the same presence, and be able to provide the same cache for postcards and tourism brochures depicting Saskatoon? 

Engineers are great at function but cannot be expected to produce authenticity.  We can’t delegate vision to engineers; that is the job of a community’s leaders and its citizens.  Do we want to make a statement that we are a city of compromise and partial solutions?   We either have the courage to tackle the challenges of preserving the true character of what we have, or blow it up and make an entirely different and unique statement.  That would have been the signature bridge option and that is no longer in front of us. 

Yes, restoration is less predictable and not as neat and tidy as engineering something new.  I cannot think of a single city or institution that regretted investing in important restorations, but there are countless regrets of structures hastily destroyed.  The University of Saskatchewan had every reason to bulldoze the College Building; it didn’t.  Perhaps we could ask New York City what gave them the courage to embark on a much more expensive rehabilitation of the 127 year old Brooklyn Bridge.  When you face and overcome the risks and unknowns, the benefits are incalculable.  The saving of the bridge becomes a point of pride and a part of the story itself.   This isn’t just about culture or heritage, it is also about economics.  No city has built a better future on the ashes of its iconic structures.  Half-measures aren’t going to make Saskatoon as attractive and competitive as a place to live work and play.  If it’s not authentic, people won’t buy it.

Saving the bridge gives us the opportunity to then build on the story and strengthen the whole South Downtown as a destination.  We have a report to Council before us that says that the Traffic Bridge is a strong candidate for designation as a National Historic Site.  Other cities have leveraged National Historic Site designations to make the sites destinations in themselves.  Signal Hill in St. John’s and the Forks in Winnipeg are two good examples.   We already have River Landing and the Founders statue at one end, Rotary Park and historic Nutana at the other, the opportunity is sitting right there.  This can’t be a National Historic Site with a new bridge, and we lose that opportunity forever. 

Finally, I think we get the best value from this decision if in saving the bridge we make it as adaptable and flexible as possible in terms of its use.  It has been decided that it is needed for cars, because it helps during peak traffic periods and can serve as backup if other bridges go down, fair enough.   The win/win here is to make a really flexible bridge that serves vehicle demand when required, and turns it into a people’s bridge when it’s not needed for cars; such as on evenings, weekends and during festivals.  In designing the bridge we need to prioritize the pedestrian and cycling connections, and festival-readiness to maximize this opportunity.  We know in Saskatoon if you create a reason, people come out and celebrate.  What better place for the Draggin’s car club to have an old car show, to hold a huge Round Dance, for Taste of Saskatchewan to have the largest patio in Western Canada, or to have a continuous Sundog type craft promenade from River Landing to Rotary Park.

On Monday, I hope we make a strong, smart statement about who we are and where we want to go.  We can show we are a city that knows how to draw strength from the story of where we came from.  We can show we are a city that knows how to build on our assets such as River Landing and our riverbank trails.  We can show we are a city that knows how to have fun, promotes active transportation, and makes the best of our investments by being as adaptable and creative and attractive as possible.  We are at a very exciting and dynamic time in the life of this city; let’s not show ourselves to be a city of compromises and half-measures.  We need to save the bridge or do something else altogether. 

On the Taxi Study recommendations, the key items that will have an impact on the Taxi industry is the proposal for the City to move from simply licensing Taxicabs to what is referred to as "light regulation."  This means that the City would become more active in tracking and monitoring ridership trends to help make decisions about issuing plates, instituting some standards around vehicles, driver dress codes, and driver safety, and limiting any new Taxi Plates only to drivers or cab companies, rather than third party speculators.  The other contentious recommendation is to open up all taxi stands so that they are available to all companies, rather than allow a signal company to have sole access. 

On top of those issues, I will add a few more. 

1.  There is also a report on the schedule for getting the last neighbourhoods (finally) converted to individual garbage bins.  For Ward 6 the plan for 2011 conversion is Holliston - February, Haultain - March, Buena Vista - May, and Nutana - June...then we are done.

2.  We will also consider a report about a proposal to purchase a big parcel of land in the Southwest of the City (South of Montgomery, just past the dump) that could become the home of the bus barns and the City Yards.  This is a big step for finally getting the idling buses out of Caswell Hill, and for setting the stage for a complete renewal for the North Downtown, both are big moves for the City. 

3. Related to #2 this there is a report asking City Council to consider spending money in 2011 to begin a master planning process for the North Downtown area, which includes the City Yards and is bound roughly by Idylwyld Ave, 1st Ave, 25th St and 33rd St.  This is the new frontier for urban infill development in Saskatoon and an exciting place to build a great community. 

4. There is also a report requesting $30,000 to help pay for the final stages of work involved in saving and restoring the William Perehudoff murals that Fred Mendel had painted in a room in his apartment above the old Intercontinental packing plant. I got a chance to see the murals restored and reconstructed into a room and they are quite magnificent.  The plan now is to use them as part of the new Art Gallery of Saskatchewan as a way of recognizing Fred Mendel's mark on the city and the development of art here.

5. There is a proposal to use a piece of Archibald Park in between the arena and the softball diamond to build a new Children's Safety Village that the Cosmopolitan Couple's club has been championing for some time now, as a place to help teach kids about how to be safe while dealing with cars and traffic and intersections.

6 There is also a request for City Council to approve a funding allocation of $575,000 to the construction of a second phase of undergraduate residences at the University, as per the new Rental Construction Land Cost Rebate program.   

7. There is also a contentious proposal coming from a cabinetry business in Riversdale which would like to expand its operations to do more pre-finishing work and painting and lacquering of their cabinets.  There are several residents and two neighbouring Community Associations that have voiced concerns about this expansion and are opposing it. 

The whole agenda can be found here if you want to write a letter to City Council on any of the issues coming up you can do it online here. 

That's pretty much it for now, 

after two relatively quiet meetings, this one is looking to be a pretty spicy one. 

Council Agenda In Brief 

For November 22, 2010 

Traffic Bridge Study Final Report –City Council will consider a recommendation from Administration that the existing Traffic Bridge be replaced with a modern steel truss bridge through a design-build process, with efforts to incorporate elements of the heritage and architecture of the existing bridge. In addition, the Administration is recommending that the replacement bridge be engineered to accommodate emergency and transit vehicles. The recommendation is based on the results of the Traffic Bridge Needs Assessment Study completed from May through November 2010, which included a detailed traffic analysis and structural assessment, development of various concepts to maintain or modify the current bridge usage, including cost estimates and a comparison of the advantage/disadvantages of each concept, and an extensive public consultation component. It is estimated that the construction time will be 18 to 24 months, and that cost to replace the Traffic Bridge with a modern steel truss bridge will be between $27,000,000 and $34,000,000. Administration is also recommending that it report further regarding a source of funding for the replacement bridge.

Kinsmen Park and Area Master Plan – City Council will consider a report from Administration recommending the Kinsmen Park and Area Master Plan be approved to proceed pending 2011 budget approval. Specifically, the report outlines objectives developed as the foundation of the Master Plan, identifies a timeline for the public consultation process, and requests City Council’s approval to release a request for consultant services to draft the Plan and a Call for Ideas for the Mendel Building Adaptive Re-Use in January 2011. The purpose of the Master Plan is to reinvigorate Saskatoon’s oldest park and propose new use(s) for the existing Mendel Art Gallery Building.  The development of a Kinsmen Park and Area Master Plan has been driven by a number of factors including deterioration and removal of Kinsmen Park rides, falling usage rates, the future vacancy of the current Mendel Art Gallery, the need to identify a logical sequence for upgrades and changes to accommodate sponsorship opportunities, riverbank technical site issues, and alignment with broader planning and amenity needs for the downtown. 

Taxi Study 2010 – The City of Saskatoon contracted the Tennessee Transportation & Logistics Foundation (TTLF) for  the examination of taxi services within the city. The report presented to City Council relates the findings and recommendations from this study. Conducted over a period from December 2009 to May 2010, it discusses the rationale and necessity of regulating taxi operations within the City of Saskatoon; examines the current Saskatoon taxi markets and company structures for the provision of taxi services; the current environment for taxicab service; and finally, makes recommendations for the future regulation of Saskatoon taxicab operations. Some of these recommendations include technology requirements, vehicle qualifications, driver safety, and changes to fees.

Absenteeism Report – City Council will receive the City of Saskatoon’s 2009 Absenteeism Report. The purpose of the report is to review short-term absenteeism rates and costs for employees, departments and branches to identify trends, as well as areas of opportunity for improvement. In addition to the implementation of a Health Management System, the City is focusing on health promotion and wellness programs as well as on proactive health and safety initiatives to manage absenteeism. Continued focus on early safe modified work programs and accommodations has significantly reduced the duration of occupational illnesses/injuries. There was a 33% decrease in days lost due to occupational illness/injury in 2009 compared to 2008. As a corporation, we strive to ensure that we are doing all that we can to support employees struggling with injury or illness while at the same time, ensuring that we are monitoring and managing workplace absenteeism.

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Sasha Burrows, Communications Officer, 975-3521                                            

It’s time to focus our vision!     

November 5, 2010

Hundreds of residents came out to the Saskatoon Speaks City Summit September 29, October 1 and 2, 2010 to speak up and shape our future. They shared their values and discussed their vision for Saskatoon as the city continues to grow. But that is not where the visioning process stops. We are fast approaching the next stage: focusing the conversation to develop a vision that is clear, inclusive, sustainable and desirable.

Several Focused Visioning Workshops will be held November 30 – December 3, 2010. These workshops will provide an opportunity for more detailed discussions with a mix of residents, and community and business leaders.

The purpose of the Focused Visioning Workshops is to explore and refine emerging vision directions that capture community aspirations and to identify a range of possible strategies to achieve them.

We invite you to take part in one or more of the Focused Visioning Workshops.

To confirm your interest and availability in attending a workshop, please complete the Registration Form. Space is limited, so register early!

Don’t forget there is still an opportunity to share your vision on each of the 7 themes of city building and Saskatoon’s strengths, challenges and opportunities by completing the Online Questionnaires.

Make sure you take advantage of all the opportunities to Get Involved in shaping Saskatoon’s future!