Can I say welcome to spring yet?
Well with the change in seasons, we have also had a change at City Hall. City Council is now back to meeting in person (with a hybrid option), with our meetings continuing to be live streamed online.
This month's newsletter focuses on items on Monday's City Council agenda, ward specific updates and engagement opportunities across the city. You can also find summaries of past City Council decisions here.
As always, do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or comments related to civic issues.
Keep in touch,
Sarina
City Council Meeting: April 25, 2022SPCA AgreementSince the SPCA's financial troubles were brought to the City's attention, we have been working hard with this important community partner to address the funding gap for the Pound Services Agreement. I am pleased to share that Committee has recommended to City Council a 50 percent increase in total funding to the SPCA for pound services in 2022 to $698,000 to more accurately reflect the cost of these operations. If approved at Council, Administration would then continue working with the SPCA to determine the actual funding required to deliver pound services for 2023 and would also review funding options and service level changes that may be implemented which could reduce the costs associated with pound services. A report on a detailed plan and future level of funding would be presented in advance of the 2023 Budget approval. COVID-19: masking on Saskatoon TransitWith the removal of the Public Health Order, the City of Saskatoon has been assessing on a month-by-month basis whether masking, or any other COVID-19 protocols should be enforced in civic facilities. Currently masks are required on Saskatoon Transit and only recommended for all other civic spaces (e.g. Leisure Centres). Considering all factors, the Administration is not recommending any operational changes that would affect the public’s interface with the City. This means masks would still be required on Transit on a month-to-month basis, with the issue reconsidered each month at City Council. The full report, including an overview of masking on transit in other municipalities can be found here. STC Wellness CentreA request to extend the lease for the STC’s Emergency Wellness Centre (Wellness Centre) for up to one additional year from May 1, 2022 to April 30, 2023 will be before City Council on Monday. The Wellness Centre is located in a City-owned 1st building at 145 - Avenue North and was approved as a Temporary Emergency Residential Shelter, under the Zoning Bylaw. By way of background, the Wellness Center opened on December 15, 2022, with 50 beds and was quickly extended to 55 beds. The Wellness Centre remains at capacity daily, with an average of 30 to 40 relatives being turned away daily due to full occupancy of the site. The Saskatoon Tribal Council is currently working on a business plan to support a permanent location and funding model to support the ongoing operations of the Wellness Centre. Additional reports of interest
The full agenda can be found here. Ward 8 UpdatesLakewood Civic Centre UpgradesBeginning March 28, windows and heaters will be replaced in the pool area at Lakewood Civic Centre to make the building more energy efficient. This project is expected to be completed by mid-July. Lakewood Civic Centre will remain open throughout the upgrade; however, there will be short term closures to the waterslide and portions of the pool. Phase 3: June 6-June 9 – Tentative dates (subject to change) Phase 4: July 18-July 21 – Tentative dates (subject to change) Brighton Boulevard South RezoningLearn more about Dream Developments application to rezone a parcel of land on the west side of the new alignment of Brighton Boulevard, south of the Brighton Common traffic circle. The proposed zoning would provide for development that aligns with the Low Density Multi Unit Dwellings land use in the approved Brighton Neighbourhood Concept Plan. Street SweepingStreet sweeping is underway on high-traffic streets, with local streets planned to begin the first week of May. We want people to have a street nearby to park on when they move cars for sweep day. We do this by scheduling the neighbourhood over a couple of days or sweeping the main streets (priority streets) first, so they are completed and open for parking on sweep day. Greystone is one of the neighbourhoods planned between May 2-8, so be sure to watch for No Parking signs and avoid a ticket. Keep up to date with the planned neighbourhoods by visiting saskatoon.ca/sweep. Pothole repairs are focused on the highest priority streets and we will begin using hot mix starting April 24 for durable repairs. With a lot us on the road, please slow down and give our staff and their equipment space to work - for everyone’s safety. Potholes can be reported here. |
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COFFEE WITH YOUR COUNCILLOR
The Zoom link will be posted online ahead of the event. |
What's happening in Ward 8!
Here are some other great things happening in Ward 8 soon or put on by members of our community.
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Sarina Gersher - Ward 8 Councillor
www.wardeight.ca