I hope your weekend is off to a good start. 

You won't be getting a newsletter from me next month due to rules relating to the civic election. You remain welcome to contact me at this email to ask questions or raise concerns relating to civic services.

For news, you can keep posted on anything important through City's News and social media channels, and election information should be readily available online as well. 

Updates:

City News: 
- A new partnership and pilot project to better support people experiencing homelessness is being launched in the City Center. The City is a proud partner alongside the Province and the program will be led at ground-level by the Saskatoon Tribal Council.
- Applications are open for 2021 appointments to City Boards and Committees. Check out the vacancies and how to apply here.
- Engagement is underway on a new future festival site with permanent infrastructure. Have your say!
- Bi-weekly garbage schedule resumes Oct 1. More here.
- There's some exciting new public artwork popping up in the central BIDs! Watch for one of three bright floral pieces titled Saadat Qalbi/Miyawâtam by Ruth Cuthand and Suada Jailan curated by Dr. Jen Budney next time you're on 20th St! 
- The City is starting to work through its role in responding to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) Calls for Justice. More on this important work here.
- Dutch Elm Disease was discovered in a tree East of the Montgomery Place neighbourhood. Adjacent neighbourhoods can expect to see urban forestry and pest inspectors in the area. More on how you can help.
- The City has published a Good Neighbour Guide. Find it here.
- Did you hear? The Sid Buckwold Bridge project wrapped up two months early and under budget. Have you tried out the refurbished walkway? I'd love to hear about your experience! 

Community: 
- Orange Shirt Day is on September 30th. I encourage you to wear orange and take this chance to learn about and consider the legacy of Residential Schools in our community. The ConnectR Reconciliation challenge is a great way to start.
- Please take a moment to watch the powerful See Me As I Am video and learn more about immigrant contributions and experiences in our community through this partnership campaign. 

Updates from Council last month:
- regulations for the short term rental industry are now in place
- mask use is now mandatory on Transit buses in order to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmisison. More details here.
- a new advance polling location for the city election has been added at Station 20 West.
- the Saskatoon North Partnership For Growth Planning District & District Official Community Plan Bylaws were given 2nd and 3rd reading (and passed) at a special meeting of the five regional Councils this week. This step was an unprecedented achievement in our region, representing an incredible amount of cooperation and shared vision for a strong future for the Saskatoon Region. 
- An exciting energy assistance program has launched in partnership with SaskPower to help Saskatoon power customers reduce energy bills. This program will help to reduce the gap between those who can afford energy retrofits and those who cannot. Read more here.

Ward 2 updates & engagements: 
Visit the engagement page to check out any ongoing online engagements (now including land use matters!)

Railway upgrades - the 11th Street Intersection will be closed much of the day Sunday for Rail upgrades at the 11th Street crossings. Please plan another route.

Neighbourhood Traffic Reviews (NTRs)
- The NTR is underway for the Gordie Howe Management Area, West Industrial Area and Southwest Industrial Area. Details here. Please submit your concerns for review and study by the Transportation engineers. This is a good spot to raise concerns about any kind of transportation/traffic issue including truck traffic, parking issues, etc. 

Neighbourhood Bikeways project
- The online public meeting has passed but you can still review the project details and submit feedback to the Transportation team here.

Rezoning @ 412 Ave P South
- An application has been received to rezone the above property to accommodate the elders housing planned as part of the Pleasant Hill Village redevelopment. Feedback being sought here.

Civic services adjustments:
City Council and Civic administration have been making careful and difficult decisions about civic services to curb the spread of COVID-19, guarantee essential services, and support Saskatoon residents. A full updated listing of all civic services impacted/not can be found at saskatoon.ca/covid-19.

City Council | Sep 28th
City Council meets virtually on Monday. Brief highlights are outlined below. Click here to find the full agenda. Council continues to meet virtually. Correspondence on Council items can be made in writing or as a request to speak (accommodated virtually). Meetings will continue to be live streamed.

Regular Business Meeting  |  1:00 PM
  - Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area - heritage consideration
  - Innovative Housing Incentives - Affordable housing capital grants
  - Third Avenue United Church - Heritage funding request
  - Provision of Civic Services @ events - amendments
  - Off-leash parks - limits/person and dogwalkers - bylaws amendments
  - Future City yard operations - property purchase
  - Net Zero Demonstration project - Aspen Ridge
  - Environmental Sustainability Reserve - establishment 
  - Curbside Organics - processing contract
  - Acquisition of Yarrow Youth Farm; Full Ownership Interest of Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre
  - Multi-Unit Recycling Agreement - Corporate service price
  - Pilot project - provision of traffic signal technical services - Martensville
  - Selling city-owned parcels - Evergreen
  - Contract Negotiations - CUPE47
  - 2020 Elections - Special Polls & Homebound Voting
  - Vehicles for Hire Bylaw Amendment (taxi rates)
  - Traffic Amendment Bylaw
Motions (3) - Coun. Loewen -  Systemic barriers to targeted diversity in workforce, committee membership, engagement.

Public Hearing Meeting  |  6:00 PM
 Discretionary Use & Rezoning applications:
  -  Rezoning application - 727 and 803 Hart Road
  -  Concept Plan Amendment - Blairmore Suburban Centre

 Proclamations and Flag Raisings
 

If you'd like to communicate to City Council as a whole about something on the agenda please get in touch with the Clerk's office or fill out the form before 10 am the day of the meeting. 

Need to talk to the City? 

You can now find all of the online services available on the City's site on one page here. 

Customer Service Centre (24hr line)
Roads, Water, Sewer and Sidewalks Emergency Service - Maintenance Requests Program Information
306-975-2476

Safety & Property Maintenance: 
Report graffiti, unsafe structures, open excavations, smoke alarms, junked vehicles, long grass and weeds
306-975-2828

My Appointments: 
Please note that these appointments help to focus my work, but do not limit my scope.

My City Council Strategic Priority: Community Safety and Wellbeing

My 2020 board and committee appointments are:

Standing Policy Committee on Planning, Development and Community Services
Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services (vice-chair)

Diversity Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee
Saskatoon Public Library
33rd Street Business Improvement District
Saskatoon Housing Initiatives Partnership
Wanuskewin Heritage Park

Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM):
Standing Committee on Community Safety & Crime Prevention; Member
Standing Committee on Increasing Women’s Participation in Municipal Government; Member
Standing Committee on Social-Economic Development; Member

Don't hesitate to write, call, or catch me in person to discuss an issue or ask any questions you might have. If you have a service/operational question or need to speak with someone urgently please consult the list of phone numbers above, or call the 24hr Customer Service line: 306-975-2476