Ward 8 Updates

The City recently identified a significant funding gap for the upcoming 2024 and 2025 budget. This gap was identified as a part of our budgeting process and is not an indication of the final property tax impact for 2024 or 2025. Nor does this funding gap impact the 2023 budget.

This post is meant to provide an update about what items will be discussed at the July 25, 2023 Special Budget Meeting. 

All decisions made at this meeting will lead to the creation of the 2024 and 2025 budget, with final decisions being made during Budget Deliberations on November 28 - 30, 2023. Please do not hesitate to get in touch and share your feedback at any point in this decision making process. 

This months newsletter includes updates relating to:

• Budget and the funding gap - what does this mean?
• Civic Engagement Forum for Immigrant and Refugee Women in Saskatoon
• Cycling and safety improvements
• Zoning bylaw amendment
• New Animal Services Contracts
• Future of the City Greenhouse 
• Dedicated Transit Support Workers 
• E-scooter pilot

With April well underway, it is time for our monthly Ward 8 update.

This month's updates includes, but is not limited to:

• update on provincial advocacy,
• neighbourhood events,
• proposed changes along McKercher Dr,
• update greenhouse gas targets, and
• expanded affordable housing units.

This months newsletter includes updates relating to:

• the Downtown District Plan
• Proposed changes on McKercher Dr
• Green cart updates
• Ward 8 updates, including rezoning, Living in Harmony Awards, public art.

This month's newsletter includes updates relating to:

• Ward 8 rezoning and discretionary use applications
• Community events taking place in Ward 8
• Updates from City Council
  • Downtown Event and Entertainment District and associated District Plan,
  • Delineating boundaries for the Northeast and Small Swale,
  • An update on the Home Energy Loan Program (HELP), and
  • The City’s Greenhouse facility.

Don't forget to keep an eye out for the printed newsletter delivered to every Ward 8 household this past week.

Happy Lunar New Year to those celebrating! 

With the change in Council and Committee schedules, this email is coming out a bit sooner than in the past. City Council meetings are now taking place on Wednesday's which should offer more time to review the agenda. This newsletter touches on some items on the agenda including:

• a report on the downtown arena private partner,
• the emergency response plan for snow, and
• a climate budget. 

There are also some fun community events coming up, including the Greystone annual Winter Fun Day and the Winter Play Program. Don't forget to check out more information under the Ward 8 section. 

Changes include:

• New day and times for City Council Regular Business and Public Hearing Meetings
• New day and times for City Council Budget deliberations
• New days for Standing Policy Committees and Governance and Priorities Committee 
• New deadline for public submissions

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. 

This month's newsletter provides an update on both October and November City Council meetings and a look ahead at budget deliberations, which begin on Monday, November 28, 2022. Topics of interest include transit, Downtown Event and Entertainment District, climate action updates and changes to City Council meeting schedules. 

I also want to take an opportunity to highlight the admission model changes at the Remai Modern. In October, admission is now by donation to the Remai Modern! This is due to a generous donation from the Frank and Ellen Remai Foundation. I hope you get a chance to head over to the space and check out the new atrium piece by Nick Cave. This piece will be unveiled formally next week. 

This month's newsletters offers opportunities to participate in the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Community Association events, On Demand Transit updates and some "trash talk" (think waste utility). Read more for other City Council and Ward 8 updates.

Highlights include:

• Renaming of Shakamohtaa Street
• Downtown Event and Entertainment District
• United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples