Council News

City council upcoming agendas and minutes of past meeting can be viewed on the City of Saskatoon website.

Bev writes a regular article in the Erindale-Arbor Creek Community Association newsletter, Silverspring Community Association newsletter, Sutherland-Forest Grove Community Association newsletter, and The Neighbourhood Express. If you did not receive a newsletter or paper, you can read current and past issues of these publications online.

Council Decisions In Brief

For November 17, 2008

Hydro Power Generation at Weir-- City Council approved a report from Administration recommending that the next phase of the feasibility study for a hydro generation project at the weir be started, with the City’s portion of the study at $300,000.  The report also includes a white water park feasibility review, which will be funded by the Province at a cost of $100,000, to help the White Water Park Proposal Committee with their part of the study.  It will take approximately 1 1/2 years to complete the study, and the results will give a clearer understating of the technical, environmental, economic, and social implications of this potential alternative energy generation project.

Proposed Increase to Flood Protection Levy-- City Council approved a recommendation from Administration that the Flood Protection Program Levy be extended for up to 10 years and be increased from $3.00 per month to $4.50 per month, starting in January 2009.  The increase will fund projects and potential liabilities related to basement flooding from severe storm events. 

Snow and Ice Program-- City Council approved the creation of three maintenance districts to deliver better service for snow and ice removal.  Changing from a centralized operation to maintenance districts allows staff to become familiar with the area, reducing the time it takes for them to complete their priories.  It also allows staff to become knowledgeable about any potential hazards, as well as any specialized services required.  Staff will provide coverage 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Sidewalk Clearing Bylaw-- City Council also approved a recommendation that no tickets be issued for violations of the Sidewalk Clearing Bylaw, but that the amount charged for the City to clear those sidewalks in violation go up to $100 for frontage and $150 for frontage and flankage. Those costs will be added to that property owner’s property taxes. Residential property owners have 48 hours after a snow event to clear their sidewalks; certain business districts have 24 hours to clear the sidewalks of snow and ice.

Transit Electronic Fare Box – City Council approved a recommendation to award the contract of $2.9 million for electronic fare boxes on transit buses, and that the project’s capital funding be increased by $1.4 million to come from Transit Federal Funding. The new fare boxes allow for the automation of passenger counts, revenue recognition (it counts coins and reads passes), routing, and scheduling requirements.  It also involves the use of smart cards that function as passes that can be reloaded and purchased online, by phone, or at authorized vendors.

Proclamations –
Community Social Service Workers Appreciation Day, November 6, National Union
Osteoporosis Month, November 2008, Osteoporosis Canada
Klassical Meets Klezmer Musik Week, January 11-17, 2009

Previous Council Decisions 2007