THANK YOU to everyone who came out to last night's Ward 2 town hall meeting, and thank you to everyone who helped organize and make it happen. If you weren't able to be there, there is a recording of the meeting on my facebook page.

Ward 2 updates:  

- Southwest Transportation study - final recommendations for transportation changes in the southwest study area (between King George/Holiday Park/SW Industrial) are being presented at Council for final approval Monday. See more about engaging in Council meetings and where to find the agenda/documents under the 'City Council' section of this email

- Hey Riversdale! There's a traffic safety review taking place of YOUR neighbourhood. Get your feedback in by Monday to be sure it's included in the study. You can click here to join the dialogue on facebook, or email [email protected] with feedback about trouble spots or general concerns. More info about how these work at saskatoon.ca/ntr

- Where Our Paths Cross/The Coming Spring - TRC artwork project has now been installed in Victoria Park. The piece is getting a lot of attention and appreciation. There is also work taking place to address the volume related to the wind chimes - this should be resolved soon. 

- 33rd and Ave D - the downed traffic light is being replaced and should be wrapped up soon. THANK YOU for your patience in navigating that area as we replace the lights due to damage and improve the pedestrian crossing as well. 

- Thank you to all of the dedicated volunteers who have been organizing and assisting with neighbourhood community cleanups. There are still a few this weekend, so there may still be a chance to help out in your neighbourhood! For info on how we address illegal dumping visit here.

City wide updates: 

- Household Hazardous Waste
drop off day this Sunday May 27th. Drop off is in the Sasktel Centre parking lot (101-3515 Thatcher Ave); The next drop day will be June 16th. Info about what can be accepted here

- The City of Saskatoon is participating in the Commuter Challenge June 3-9. Will you join in? 

- Street sweeping
The street sweeping schedule reflects rotating start times so that neighbourhoods are treated fairly and are not always early or late in the schedule. For full details on what to expect and how you can help, click here.
Here's the Ward 2 sweep schedule for 2018: 

• Caswell Hill Streets - Friday, Jun 8
• Caswell Hill Avenues - Friday, Jun 1
• Holiday Park Streets - Thursday, Jun 14
• Holiday Park Avenues - Thursday, Jun 7
• King George Streets - Thursday, Jun 14
• King George Avenues - Thursday, Jun 7
• Meadowgreen Avenues - Friday, Jun 15
• Meadowgreen Streets - Monday, Jun 18
• Montgomery Place (All) - Sunday, Jun 10
• Pleasant Hill Streets - Sunday, Jun 17
• Pleasant Hill Avenues - Thursday, Jun 7
• Riversdale Streets - Thursday, Jun 14
• Riversdale Avenues - Thursday, Jun 7
• Westmount Avenues - Friday, Jun 1
• Westmount Streets - Friday, Jun 8

- Back lane (alley) maintenance
Neighbourhood back alley grading will begin soon. More details about the program (and schedule TBA) can be found here. 
If you have a specific maintenance problem in your lane beyond the need for grading, please report it to the 24hr customer service centre at [email protected] or 306-975-2476

- Got towed? 
If you got towed during road maintenance, your car may be just around the corner. Check online using the find my vehicle tool

Consultations to participate in:

- City Council (Governance and Priorities Committee - GPC) is going to be receiving some major reports about both Bus Rapid Transit and AAA Downtown Cycling Network and the locations for these future projects. This special meeting will take place on June 20th at 1pm. While decisions about these projects won't be made at this meeting, it is a great chance to have detailed discussions about them before decision-making in August. As with all meetings of Council (GPC), any member of the public is welcome to attend as well as request in advance to speak to any item on the agenda. More about how to engage in Council meetings below under the 'City Council' section. 

- The Civic Conservatory is being considered for renewal and/or expansion. We want to hear from you about what kinds of programming and activities we should consider for the space - this will inform future conceptual design. Take the 5 minute survey here before June 4.

- We're looking for input from people living in multi-unit buildings (with 3 or more units) about waste collection. Visit the engagement page to find the surveys which will be open June 3 - June 22. 

Did you know...

The annual pruning ban for Elm Trees is in effect until Aug 31, 2018. Full tree removal can take place at any time of the year, but must always be transported directly to an authorized disposal site such as the Landfill. Further information about Dutch Elm Disease prevention here.

Earlier this month, the City's Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) tested their messaging system called notifynow. If you weren't one of the 23,000 Saskatoon residents who got the message, you can sign up anytime at www.saskatoon.ca/notifynow

You can report a pothole online! You know that pothole that's been bugging you? Indicate it on the map to be sure it doesn't get missed - photos welcome. This works for utility cuts as well. You can also report potholes/utility cuts by calling 306-975-2476

Now is the time to sign up for Garbage and Recycling reminders (email, phone or text)! Sign up today and never forget a collection again.

While you're at it consider signing up for paperless Utility eBills too! 

Alert! - We've learned of a utility services phone scam taking place in our City. The City Utilities do NOT call from a 1-800 phone number. They also use written communications to alert customers of major service changes, not phone. More here.

Compost/Landfill operations - compost depots are now open and the summer hours for the Landfill have come into effect.

Nutrien Playland at Kinsmen Park is open for the season. Check out the hours and more here

Policy Updates 

Community Safety & Wellbeing

The April meeting of the Governance and Priority Committee included updates on Strategic Priority Areas from members of Council. The update on my area of responsibility can be found in full here.

City Council

City Council meets Monday (May 28th) 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  
  - Award of Social Services Community Group Cash Grants for 2018
  - Operation of Drones - recommended bylaw
  - Downtown Initiatives - summer 2018
  - Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan - permanent festival venue plans & MOU
  - Corporate Risk annual report
  - Pilot project for raw water parks irrigation (Brighton)
  - Green Infrastructure update
  - Landfill airspace value
  - SW Transportation Study
  - Neighbourhood Traffic Reviews - general follow up including playground zones research
  - Safety Pathway along CP Rail line - Ave D to Ave W 
  - Saskatoon Municipal Review Commission - Elections Committee recommendations
  - Public Accounts - 2017 year end financials
  - Saskatoon Strides 2017
  - Whistleblower policy
  - Building demolition timelines - bylaw update

Public Hearing Meeting  |  6:00 PM
  - Land Use hearings: (3) Rezonings (none in Ward 2)
  - Proposed zoning bylaw for Cannabis Related businesses
  - 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