I hope you've been having a great summer and have taken time for some of the things that are best enjoyed when the days are longer and the weather warmer. As Fall draws nearer and the pace of work ramps up to full speed I'm eager to catch up with you about what's been going on at the City and what is to come this fall.

Fall is a transitionary time for many. To everyone returning to school or striking out on a new venture - all the best to you! To everyone hanging on to every available moment of sunshine, I'd love to hear from you about the best thing you did in Saskatoon this summer! One of my favourite summer time activities is noon-hour lane swims at Riversdale pool - there aren't many more days left for that (see below)! 

p.s. Taking the bus to school? Wish your stop was in better shape? Check out news about the #BusStopBluesYXE campaign below

Ward 2 updates: 

- Traffic Calming Installation - 29th St West
Heads up to all who travel on 29th Street. There will be a 'vertical traffic calming device' - in this case, a rubber speed hump - installed on 29th St West between Ave L North + McMillan Ave. This is one of four locations that were chosen for a pilot project of such devices in Saskatoon. This project was directed by City Council in response to feedback from residents across the City looking for new traffic calming efforts. Read more about the project here under the 'Vertical Traffic Calming Pilot Project' tab near the bottom of the page.

- Curb Ramps
Missing curb cuts (ramps at sidewalk corners) at some intersections is an ongoing concern and priority for me having discussed this with many of you. While each year there is a small amount of funding put toward closing this gap, I have asked my Council colleagues to support me in having a comprehensive plan put in place for closing it fully and more quickly. I do not know yet what that plan will need to look like from a funding perspective, but once we do, I'll share the details with you and will be working hard to see it funded more fully beginning in 2020 so that we can soon rely on a curb cut at every corner in Ward 2 and across the city.

City wide updates: 

- Strategic Plan Refresh 
Council's priorities have been incorporated into the City's strategic plan and are reflected in the refreshed document with a plan for achieving outcomes for the period 2018-2021. More here. The plan will be set in motion after formal Council approval on Monday (see Council Agenda below).

- Cottony Ash Psyllid
Have you noticed health decline in some ash trees in your neighbourhood? Unfortunately, there is a pest (cottony ash psyllid) outbreak in our City and it has impacted many trees - both City and private. To learn more about the City's response and what it may mean for your tree, read more here and be in touch with our Urban Forestry division for more detail.

- Transportation & Growing Forward - BRT & Cycling
The administration's engagement around Bus Rapid Transit and a AAA Downtown Cycling Network have been extended and will be coming back in front of Council in Fall/Winter. I'll update here and on social media with opportunities to engage.

- Waste management - PAYT & organics
I've had many conversations with folks across the Ward and City about the re-working of our Waste system that is being planned. I'm eagerly awaiting details and options from administration about ensuring affordability and how to reduce illegal dumping as it relates to the proposals. These should be in front of Council in September. In the mean time check out the FAQ sheet about the recommendations and the fact sheet about PAYT that outlines the basics of the present and growing funding gap that puts our overall waste management as a city at risk, leaving unfair financial and environmental costs for future generations. 

On the go this month: 

Free Multi-sport Program for youth:
Soccer, Rugby, Ultimate, and more. Mondays & Tuesdays at Cosmo Civic Centre from Sep 4 - 18, youth will have the opportunity to engage in physical activity & skills development in a number of sports. For info or to register, call 306-975-3378 before Aug 31.

Curbside Swap:
Have clean, usable stuff to give away? Want free stuff? Swap it on September 8th! Learn how here.

Consultations/Workshops to participate in:

Could your bus stop use an upgrade? Saskatoon Transit wants to hear from you to help improve the transit experience. Use the hashtag #BusStopBluesYXE on social media [twitter: @saskatoontransit, @cityofsaskatoon; facebook: /cityofsaskatoon].

Do you do business with the City? Submit your feedback on the City's review of its Procurement Policies before August 31st. 

Interested in engaging regularly? Consider joining our Citizen Advisory Panel. 
Members of the Citizen Advisory Panel are invited to participate in regular online surveys to provide input and ideas on improving City services.

Did you know...

Summer Programming is coming to a close. Listed below are the final days of programming: 
- Playground Programs - Aug 24th 
- Outdoor pools - George Ward Aug 24th; Mayfair Aug 28th; Lathey Aug 30th; Riversdale Aug 30th
- Spray pads & Paddling pools - Sept 3rd
- Nutrien Playland & Kinsmen Park - Sept 3rd

The Saskatoon Fire Department is reminding residents about responsibilities and expectations when heading out onto the South Saskatchewan River in a boat. Read more here to learn about staying safe on the river and maintaining others' safety.

Worker safety in Work Zones involves each of us. The City has been sharing stories from some of our staff who've worried about getting home safely when drivers don't respect work zones. Check out their stories and keep them in mind next time you're passing through a work zone. 

The annual pruning ban for Elm Trees ends Aug 31, 2018. Don't forget that provincial regulations prohibit the storing, transport and use of elm wood and that the only permitted movement of elm wood is to the City of Saskatoon Landfill which is the designated disposal site in Saskatoon. Further information about Dutch Elm Disease prevention here.

The next Household Hazardous Waste drop off dates are September 8, October 28, and November 17. Drop off is in the Sasktel Centre parking lot (101-3515 Thatcher Ave); Info about what can be accepted here

City Council

City Council meets Monday (August 27th) at City Hall in City Council chambers. As always, Council meetings are open to the public. Brief highlights are outlined below. For full agenda, visit https://www.saskatoon.ca/city-hall/city-council-boards-committees/council/minutes-and-agendas

Regular Business Meeting  | 1:00 PM  
  - Reducing leisure guide printing
  - Endorsement of 'Chief Mistiwasis' as name for North commuter bridge
  - Gordie Howe Sports Complex - interim financing
  - Zoo Bunkhouse - Adaptive reuse funding
  - MVA Financial statements
  - Saskatoon Land Internal Audit implementation update
  - Saskatoon Land - Policy updates - contractor allocations & single family cancellations
  - Children's Discovery Museum contribution
  - Corporate Telematics System - RFP award
  - Construction & Design - Annual Report
  - Taxi industry - cleaning fees
  - Snow clearing bylaw - update in BIDs to reflect current clearing agreements/practice
  - Strategic Plan update - 2018-2021
  - Library Board appointment
  - Organics program update
  - Speed limit changes - no roads in Ward 2
  - 2017 - Shaping our Financial Future report
  - Bylaw amendment - Right of Way temporary use fees
  - Bylaw amendment - Extension of term of taxi seasonal licences

Public Hearing Meeting  |  6:00 PM
  - Land Use hearings: rezonings, discretionary use hearings (none in Ward 2)
  - Intent to borrow notices: Gordie Howe Sports Complex (internal); Recovery Park & Landfill;
  - Closure of lane - Idylwyld Drive @ Ave B South (Riversdale)
  - Proclamations & Flag Raisings
  
As always, if you'd like to speak to Council as a whole about something on the agenda, please get in touch with the Clerk's office or fill out the form at the link before 10 am the day of the meeting. https://www.saskatoon.ca/write-letter-councilcommittees