December 2022 Newsletter

Ward 8 Updates

Black Bin Changes for Brighton and Greystone Heights

The 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:

• Brighton: Mondays (2022) changing to Thursdays (2023) starting January 12th, 2023. The last Monday collection will be on January 2nd but will not be included in the schedule.
• Greystone Heights: Thursdays (2022) changing to Mondays (2023) on a different week cycle. The last Thursday collection will be on December 29th.

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 December

Victory 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 

First night of Hanukkah celebrations

Volunteering at the Saskatoon Food Bank & Learning Centre. Learn more about volunteering here.

City Council Meetings

Budget Deliberations

After 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:

• City Council increased ongoing operating funding of $100,000 to the Attainable Housing Program as well as provided one-time funding of $550,000 from dividends declared from the City’s Neighbourhood Land Development Fund
• Additional funding of $245,000 was also allocated to develop a Housing Strategy which will include Housing Needs Assessment, Best Practices Review and Engagement
• $160,000 allocated from Reserves toward Heritage Program Updates
• $95,000 to fund a one-time operating contribution for a Shelter Services Support Grant to the SPCA
• Curbside Organics Program fee of $6.73 monthly per roll-out cart for green cart organics collection starting in spring 2023

A copy of this chart can be found here. 

Pelican Lake First Nation Urban Reserve

On 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 District

Advice 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 Bylaw

The 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:

1. Providing an effective mechanism to protect and preserve trees on City property;
2. Preventing or minimizing destruction, loss, and damage to public trees during development, construction, maintenance, and other activities;
3. Specifying the City’s tree protection requirements, prohibited activities, and compensation for trees, on City property, that are injured or removed; and
4. Ensuring preservation of suitable locations for trees on City property.

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 Report

City 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 Pilots

Natural 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 

• Boulevard Garden Program Expansion: Centre Median Garden Pilot
• 2023 Appointments – Boards, Commissions and Committees
• Existing Commercial Billboards on Public Right-of-Way
• Rendering Plant Odours
• Official Community Plan – Housekeeping Amendment Package

• Check out the adjusted holiday hours & Civic services including Christmas Day, Boxing Day & New Year’s Day.
• Bonus holiday drop-in programming at the Leisure Centres and indoor rinks. Visit saskatoon.ca/leisureonline for drop-in programming times and locations.
• Some cross-country ski trails are ready! Visit saskatoon.ca/ski for trail locations, ski etiquette and updates on conditions.
• Keep up to date with City engagement events by visiting saskatoon.ca/engage.