
For those celebrating holidays during this time, I wish you a wonderful holiday season.
I wanted to sneak in one more newsletter before the end of the year. In this newsletter there are updates from City Council and specific to Ward 8. These include changes to black bin schedules, tree protection bylaw, a new Urban Reserve Agreement and an update on the Downtown Event and Entertainment District.
I hope you and your family have an opportunity to check out your local rink and cross-country ski trails. If you see volunteers from your Community Association, be sure to thank them for keeping the rink maintained. They've been hard at work ensuring great ice surfaces and public skate times.
Sincerely,
Sarina
Ward 8 UpdatesBlack Bin Changes for Brighton and Greystone HeightsThe 2023 Waste Collection Calendar is now available online at saskatoon.ca/collectioncalendar or through the Saskatoon Waste Wizard app. The following bi-weekly black cart garbage route changes will take effect January 2, 2023:
Due to the December 25 and January 1 statutory holidays falling on Sundays this year, there are no collection schedule changes for your garbage or recycling. Photo highlights from DecemberVictory Day with the Bangladeshi Community Association of Saskatchewan Briarwood Community Association Winter Fun Day Muskeg Lake Cree Nation and City of Saskatoon Luncheon Recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (Saskatchewan) The Stoked Centre arcade opening in Brighton
City Council MeetingsBudget DeliberationsAfter two days of deliberations, Saskatoon City Council concluded its 2023 Budget review November 29, 2022, to finalize the City’s operating and capital budgets, boards, commissions and utility budgets for this second year of the 2022/2023 Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget cycle. City Council was able to reduce the proposed mill rate impact for 2023. For a homeowner with a single-family detached home with an average assessed value of $344,000, the 3.93% municipal property tax increase equates to $6.53/month or $78.34/year in 2023. Changes from the original 2023 budget include:
A copy of this chart can be found here. Pelican Lake First Nation Urban ReserveOn December 14, 2022 the City of Saskatoon and Pelican Lake First Nation signed a new Urban Reserve Agreement for Pelican Lake First Nation. This clears a path for the City and Pelican Lake First Nation to designate the First Nation’s land at 1944 St. George Avenue, the site of Adam’s Lumber, as an urban reserve. It was an honour to participate in this special ceremony. Downtown Event and Entertainment DistrictAdvice provided by external consultants suggested the City of Saskatoon investigate all potential land assembly required for the project prior to any public announcement of the final location. The consultants advised Administration to assemble all potential lands required around the convention and event centre/arena as it provides flexibility in the design, development and construction, management, and expansion of the district. In the event the land ends up being surplus to the needs of the project, it can be offered for sale or potentially developed to support the district. With the North Lot confirmed, by City Council, as the future event centre/arena location, additional property around the selected site is recommended to be purchased. These additional properties will allow for an expanded and enhanced public realm, and will provide flexibility in the design of the event centre/arena, including the potential for a possible east-west configuration. The additional property would also help support construction logistics and provide the City with more control in the development of the district. As mentioned in last month's newsletter, this project is still not at a confirmed “go ahead” stage. We will need our funding plan in place before we can do this. More information about the sites can be found here. Tree Protection BylawThe City of Saskatoon is developing a new tree protection bylaw. The purpose of creating a tree protection bylaw is to sustain the health, beauty, and safety of the City’s urban forest by:
The Bylaw will apply to all trees on City property in a manner consistent with the current tree protection policy. More information about the bylaw can be found here. It is anticipated the bylaw will be complete and provided for City Council consideration in fourth quarter of 2023. People Bridge Advocacy ReportCity Council directed Administration to identify and address systemic barriers related to recruitment and retention, public engagement and participation on boards and committees. This report provides an update on a pilot engagement project with the Black community as a first step. Lessons learned from the pilot will be applied moving forward with other communities experiencing systemic barriers. The City contracted the People Bridge Advocacy (PBA) in December 2021 to lead the pilot engagement project with the Black Community. The PBA is a charitable, nonprofit, community-based civic and social advocacy organization dedicated to serving ethno-cultural organizations / communities through diverse programs and services, including reconciliation, organizational capacity building, community engagement, and advocacy. The report includes findings and recommendations by the PBA that are specific to addressing systemic barriers identified and experienced by the Black Community and how the City plans to respond to those recommendations, including short term steps. Natural Areas Management PilotsNatural areas in Saskatoon include defined sites like the Northeast Swale, the river valley corridor, naturalized parks, as well as approximately 2,500 hectares that are not within a managed urban green space. Natural areas have the potential to provide significant value to the City and community by connecting residents to nature, supporting storm water management, and improving climate resilience. The development of management plans for unmanaged sites is a significant step in addressing risks and achieving the full potential of these spaces. The City will move forward in preparing pilot management plans for two unmanaged sites: the Small Swale, and Richard St Barbe Baker Afforestation Area (RSBBAA). Read more about this work here. Additional reports of interest |
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