Happy New Year! I know I'm pushing the limits on when I can wish you that, but this being the first newsletter of 2021, I've decided I can get away with it! I hope 2021 is treating you well so far. This year has had me running with lots of city business underway, so let's get straight to it. 

Updates

The report I requested last year regarding a community-level Community Safety and Wellbeing plan was presented to a Council Committee this month. It lays out the benefits of such a plan and a way to move it forward. Committee discussed the clear community desire for urgent progress on this work by the City and our partners, and has asked for options to move it forward more quickly. As the Council lead on Community Safety and Wellbeing I'll continue to be closely involved in working through those and am excited to be a part of moving this forward. 

I don't have much more to update on those big files/issues I wrote about last month, but there are lots of new and important updates below. I have included some information about my committee appointments and priority areas on my upgraded website, and of course you'll find past updates there too.

City News

The City of Saskatoon is busily engaging on a number of important plans and strategies and seasonal program planning. Check it out: 

- Don't miss the Boulevard Gardening survey open til Jan 31st.
- Council will receive administration's updated Waste Reduction & Diversion Plan. Learn more about it here.
- Christmas Tree drop-off locations are open til the end of the month. More here.
- Registration for the curbside green cart program is open now. Register/renew before April 30th for earlybird rates! 
- The City is looking for residents who wish to operate a seasonal commercial enterprise this summer. Deadline Feb 15
- Coming up: keep your eyes peeled for the upcoming engagement on Residential speed limits review. Many in Ward 2 have raised a desire for lower speed limits around playgrounds/parks and on bikeways and there is interest in a review of residential speed limits overall too. 

Ward 2 News & Engagements

Some big files that are important to Ward 2 are up for decision or underway: 

- 31st Street Bikeway project: This project, involving some traffic calming, improved pedestrian facilities, and a section of multi-use trail is up for discussion at Council on Monday. I've had some questions including about connection to the 33rd Street multi-use trail so will be inquiring about the timing for that and getting clarity on a few other details. Send any questions you have my way! 
- Grade separation / Rail Relocation: with a city-wide rail solution deemed unfeasible, the administration has identified 3 intersections where grade separation (under or over-pass) is feasible for future investment. Of particular interest in Ward 2 is the 11th Street CN crossing. The administration plans to move an overpass there onto a long-term infrastructure list for future engagement, design, funding and implementation. This is up for endorsement by Council on Monday. Any infrastructure like this would have major impacts. With safety and resident impacts at top of mind, my focus has been on 3 things: 1. getting 11th Street's overpass on the list as the most complete way to overcome the safety issue caused by the Montgomery Place neighbourhood being blocked in by rail (from time-to-time completely from all ends) causing significant safety concerns; 2. exploring operational solutions that would see companies coordinate their schedules to eliminate complete blockages as another solution to this problem; 3. ensuring that if/when the 11th Street overpass comes up for further design in a number of years that this would be led by significant and early engagement with those most impacted, namely Montgomery Place residents.
- Lead Service Line replacement program - letters are going out to residents in areas that will have replacements in 2021. Many of these were projects re-scheduled from 2020. If you have questions about the contracts or the information you've been provided, please be in touch with the project team: [email protected] and consider also subscribing to project updates by emailing [email protected] 

Community News

The Saskatoon Fire Department wants to remind all residents to be aware of the risks of Carbon Monoxide poisoning and take steps to protect yourself in your home. City Council will be discussing policy options to move forward further regulation as well. 

Many community associations have moved to online programming for the time being and are inviting neighbours from other communities to join in. Check out the offerings here! 

Late last year I was able to once again be a part of the adjudicating committee for some research grants that the City and University of Saskatchewan have partnered to offer with a focus on applied research with benefit to the city and community. Check out the Research Junction results to learn about some neat research happening in our city. 

City Council | Jan 25

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 by phone). Meetings will continue to be live streamed.

Regular Business Meeting  |  1:00 PM

  - Affordable Housing Policy Amendment - mixed use buildings
  - SUMA membership fees
  - Property Tax exemption - Lynx club
  - Property realized reserve - withdrawal
  - Solid Waste Reduction & Diversion Plan
  - Department/Division - name change
  - Rail Relocation/Grade Separation - including 11th St
  - 31st Street Bikeway
  - 2021 appointments - boards & committees
  - Conversion Therapy - draft bylaw
  - Municipal Revenue Sharing - eligibility declaration
  - Residential Parking Permit Program - bylaw amendments
Motions: 
  - Loewen - public engagement on land use matters
  - Kirton - community engagement practices
  - Kirton - temporary curbs & snow removal
  - Jeffries - discretionary use & rezoning application - report content
  - Davies - curling organizations partnership

Public Hearing Meeting  |  6:00 PM

  - Intent to borrow
  - Road closure - King St in Central Industrial 
  - Procedures & Committees bylaw amendment