Hello! 

As cooler weather sets in and we all work to figure out when and how to deal with the leaves that are falling, the City has some info to share. There's lots on the go policy-wise as well. Read on for updates on big considerations like the New Central Library project, the Low Emissions Community Plan and more on the lead up to Budget 2020/2021. 

Ward 2 updates: 

-  Council will be considering funding approval to have 500,000 dollars transferred to fund needed work on water service connections that have frozen repeatedly in the past. This recommendation stems from a report that was generated in response to your and my questions about frozen pipes last February. Although we hope not to see a nasty freeze like we did last year again, investigating those frozen connections has led to a deeper understanding of the trend of this issue and 45 locations around the City have been chosen to investigate further to then do work to prevent future freezings. 21 out of the 45 are in Ward 2 Neighbourhoods. I want to thank everyone who brought this issue to my attention so that we could see it addressed. 

- There have been a lot of questions over the last number of months about the Farmers Market building at River Landing. There is a bit of a review of the situation published on the City's website. I invite you to take a look if that is of interest. The page also links to an update report that will be on Council's agenda on Monday. My focus continues to be to reduce the required interruption in use at that facility, and to have activity on site for the summer of 2020 even if a long term tenant is not yet secured. I also continue to support the mandate for the space which includes provision of space for farmers market activities.

City wide policy & updates: 

- An update on budget preparation: City Council is participating in a pre-prioritization process for projects to be funded by capital funds such as the Reserve for Capital expenditures (RCE) and the temporarily doubled gas tax fund. Read more about the projects here and please feel free to share your perspective directly with me on how these should be prioritized. There will not be sufficient funding to proceed with all of them in 2020 and 2021. It is important to note that this prioritization will impact how these projects will be presented in the draft budget. The full detailed draft budget will be debated and set in late November.  

- The Business Case for the New Central Library project was presented by the Saskatoon Public Library to City Council at committee earlier this week. This project, which has been planned for over the last 10+ years is ready to move forward. Council will be asked later this year to approve borrowing by the library of $87.5M to make this project happen. Detail about the project can be found on the dedicate project page.

- Low Emissions Community Plan
As you've likely heard, the administration was given the go ahead to continue engaging community and stakeholders on the implementation of the City's Low Emissions Community plan - a 30 year plan to reduce our emissions to the targets set. Thank you to all who have reached out about this plan. A few concerns were shared and discussed, but mostly I've heard a chorus of unreserved support for this direction forward. Specific projects for implementation will be subject to budget debates and full business plans as we move forward.

- Curbside residential recycling service levels 2020 and beyond
As you've likely heard, having recyclable material picked up across the city is going to cost a little more going forward. Council is looking at options for which materials we'll include in that service. They'll have little impact on the price, but global markets are making some materials harder to recycle. The situation isn't ideal and we need to keep working toward more solutions nationally and locally such as reducing the production of non-recyclable materials and finding local recycling solutions for certain products.

- Triple Bottom Line policy
This policy is being approved this month. The goal is to strengthen city decision making to take into account multiple priorities around sustainability: Environmental, Social, Economic and Governance. Read more here if you're interested! 

Consultations/Workshops to participate in:

- Zoning Bylaw Review - a comprehensive review of the Zoning Bylaw is taking place. Meet with members of the review team at Frances Morrison Library on October 2 anytime from 3-7pm and/or visit the online review page.

- The Holiday Park/King George neighbourhood traffic review has now been scheduled for October 29th at 7pm. Details here.

Did you know...

- The next Household Hazardous Waste date is Oct 6th.
Dates for 2019 and info about what can be accepted can be found online. Don't forget the new location at the Civic Operations Center. 

- There's an online map where you can find details about all of the ongoing construction projects in the city! Don't stay in the dark about what's happening around the corner - check it out here. Here's a spotlight on resurfacing and how it fits into the roadways strategy.

Community Notes

Orange Shirt Day on Monday! Learn more here about the meaning of this day and ways to participate!

Thanks to everyone who came to say hi and discuss ward/city issues at the 33rd street fair earlier this month. Many thanks also to the organizers. It was a great day and we were lucky to have excellent weather!

The Shaw Centre is celebrating 10 years! Learn about how you can celebrate with us! 

City Council

City Council meets Monday (September 30th) 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
  - Traffic Bridge - storytelling - MHAC
  - Land acquisition - Fire Maintenance & Mechanical shop
  - Tree protection policy update
  - Frozen Service connection investigation (see Ward updates)
  - Curbside residential recycling service levels 2020 forward (see City updates)
  - Maintenance of Center Medians
  - New Central Library Business Case (see City updates)
  - Procedures & Committee bylaw updates & review
  - Sharing prosperity through reconciliation - agreement with STC
  - Triple Bottom Line Policy (see City Updates) 
  - 2020 meeting schedule & Council appointments to committees & deputy mayor
  - Protocol issues approach - flag raisings & proclamations
  - Farmers Market building update (see Ward updates)
  - Relationship with Provincial & Municipal Associations
  - Corporate Reorganization bylaw amendments (5)
  - Cannabis Business Licence bylaw
  - Vehicles for Hire Bylaw
  - Kahkewistahaw Urban Reserve Creation
  - Motion: (Dubois) - reduction of curbside organics funding phase in
  - Motion: (Hill) - permanent doubling of the Federal gas tax allocation to Municipalities
  - Motion: (Hill) - equaling of business licencing and renewal fees
 

Public Hearing Meeting  |  6:00 PM
  Land Use hearings & Bylaw Amendments:
  - Discretionary Use - Childcare center - Dickson Cres 
  - Discretionary Use - Residential Care home - 314 Ave T South
  - Proposed Neighbourhood Concept Plan Amendment - Brighton
  - Intent to Borrow - Low Carbon Economy Fund (internal borrowing)
  - Proclamations and 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