April snow brings May flowers? While spring hasn’t fully sprung I’m glad that the sun has been shining after the snow last week. As warmer weather arrives, I see many visiting parks across Ward 2. Boughton Park in Holiday Park and Leif Erickson Park in Westmount are on my mind these days as they have just been chosen as sites for food forests! For more information and to give your feedback, check out the Engagement section below.

City Council meets on Wednesday April 26th at 9:30am. I've shared some highlights below along with updates on programs, projects, and planning. You'll find a full listing of what Council will be making decisions about this month along with instructions about how to engage with the Council meeting in the last section.

Updates & Upcoming Decisions

Green Carts
As you may have already seen, Green Carts are now being delivered across Ward 2. All households with black garbage carts and blue recycling bins will receive a green cart for food and yard waste, along with a kitchen pail starter kit. For more information on what goes in your green cart, first collection dates (May), and how to properly use your green cart, click here. 

Greenhouse Gas Reduction
City council will consider a recommendation from the Environment committee that the City update its greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets to meet new international standards and join other Canadian cities in trying to keep warming to 1.5 degrees celcius to avoid the worst impacts of a warming climate. This will require getting to net zero by 2050. This update will be aligned to a refresh of the city's Low Emissions Community (LEC) plan that lays out the necessary investments and improvements to reducing community and corporate GHG emissions.

Provincial investment needed in stabilization and housing
The Street Activity Subcommittee of Council's Planning Committee provided the annual report on the Community Support Program (CSP) earlier this month. Through the Planning Committee I've asked Council to consider corresponding with the Provincial Government about the heightened and urgent need for stabilization beds and long term housing for those with complex needs. The CSP regularly engages with residents who are unhoused and interested in stabilization supports but they find all beds or housing with supports full. These themes are aligned with what Councillors and Mayors from Saskatoon and across the province raised at the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) conference last week. 

Pawâtêtân Court 
Folks living around Victoria Park and basketball lovers alike have been keeping an eye on the development of the Outdoor Basketball Multi-Court that is being constructed through a partnership between Hoist the Hoops and Jumpstart. The court will be fully constructed this year and a report on Facility Naming has shared the name brought forward by the group: Pawâtêtân Court. The word Pawâtêtân (Pah-Wah-Tah-Ten is cree and translates to "Let's Dream Together". I can't wait to see this dream realized this summer! 

Street Harassment - proposed bylaw
The Planning Committee has considered a report that confirms that City administration and Police do not see a need for a bylaw to fill a gap in addressing street harassment in our community. Council will consider the Committee's recommendation to engage the Police Board to get reporting about the work of the Hate Crimes unit. Committee is also seeking feedback from the Diversity Equity Inclusion Advisory committee. 

Engagement 

To see all projects open for engagement visit www.saskatoon.ca/engage

Food Forests
Parks in the Westmount and Holiday Park neighbourhoods have been selected for food forest demonstration sites. Food forests are urban initiatives that integrate fruit trees and bushes into city parks, often in neighbourhoods that do not have grocery stores. If you live, play or work near Boughton or Leif Erickson park, please take a few minutes to fill out a survey to be sure the projects are as successful as possible! Planning work is underway and construction is to be completed by next fall. I’m very excited to see this initiative come to fruition as the City tackles our Green Infrastructure Strategy work.

Accessible Parking Review
The City is reviewing the Accessible Parking Permit Program with a focus on on-street parking within pay parking areas located in the Downtown, Riversdale, Broadway, and Sutherland Business Improvement Districts (BIDs). The City is welcoming feedback from the community via a survey and is looking to improve the Accessible Parking Permit Program with community needs and best practices from other municipalities.

Seasonal Updates

Potholes, Spring Street Sweeping, and Roads
The return of warm weather means it is time for street sweeping and road repairs. To find out when your area will be swept visit the City’s Street Sweeping web page. As moisture dries on city streets city crews will begin filling and fixing potholes along with painting crosswalks and road lines. For more information on pothole repairs or to report a pothole, visit the City’s Pothole and Road Repairs web page.

Compost Depots Are Open
The City Compost Depots are now open until November. Residents are able to access both the East and West depots at no cost. Residents who would like to pick up compost and mulch for their lawns and gardens can do so only at the West Compost Depot.

Elm Tree Pruning Ban
Residents are banned, via a provincial-wide ban, from pruning elm trees from Saturday, April 1 to Thursday, August 31, due to the risk and threat of Dutch elm disease (DED). One in every four trees in Saskatoon is an elm tree and is at risk of the fungal disease. Read more about DED and how to report elm trees that may have DED here.

Centre Median Gardening
The City is now allowing gardening on centre medians of streets. Gardeners who are interested in planting on centre medians need to read the City’s guidelines and fill out an application using the intake form found here.

Community Events & Reminders

Meewasin Clean Up Campaign
Meewasin invites residents to help in their annual clean up campaign. In 2022, 2,700 residents participated in cleaning up 11,080 kg of waste and recycling from the Meewasin Valley. To register individually or as a group with your family, friends, or workplace, visit Meewasin Valley’s clean up campaign web page.

Safety Reminder: Coyote Sightings
As you’re spending more time outside as the weather gets warmer, please be cautious of coyotes and knowledgeable about what to do in case you encounter them. For information on what to do during an encounter and how you can avoid an encounter in your yard, click here.

City Council | April 26th (Wednesday)

City Council meets on Wednesday. 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 by phone or in person). Meetings will continue to be live streamed.

Regular Business Meeting  |  9:30 AM
  - Environmental Advisory Committee - report & work plan
  - Bylaw - private crossings over ditches (commercial)
  - Greenhouse Gas Reduction targets & LEC plan refresh
  - Residential Parking Permit Program expansion
  - Rewrite of Traffic Bylaw - proposal
  - Street Activity Subcommittee - 2022 Annual report
  - Outdoor Basketball Court - Naming
  - Rapid Housing Initiative - contribution agreement
  - Street Harassment - proposed bylaw
  - Tax acquired properties - sales
  - SREDA - 2023 tax abatements for business incentives
  - SREDA - annual report
  - 2023 Commercial Appeal contingency
  - Allowing presale of low density residential blocks/lots - amendment
  - Tax exemption & relief - places of worship
  - Climate budget - policy
  - Appointments - Public Art, Downtown BID
  - Natural Infrastructure Fund - budget adjustment
  - 2023 Property Tax Levy & BID levy
  - CUPE Local 47 - Contract negotiations
Bylaw amendments
  - Traffic Bylaw 
  - Home Energy Loan Program bylaw
  - Vehicles for Hire Bylaw
  - Private Sewer and Water Service Connection bylaw
 

Public Hearing Meeting |  6:00 PM
  -  OCP amendment & rezoning for 528 8th Street/1100-1122 Broadway and 529 7th Street (Buena Vista)
  - Rezoning - Doran Cres (Brighton)
  - Lane closure - 500 block 8th street
  - Storm pond license agreement - 60th street - water ski club
  - Proclamations & Flag Raisings