We have been working on this through the weekend, and all week.  I’ve been driving the ward every day to monitor the problem, and the progress being made.  I’m supposed to ask you to call Dispatch at 975-2476 if you need a grader on your street.  They will prioritize the work and assign the graders, but the problem exists all over the city.  We’ve also called in all of our contractors, and they are assisting our crews to make the work go faster.

Saskatoon traditionally has not funded snow clearing of residential side streets.  They’ve only done major roads and arteries through the neighbourhoods.  Residents have been more concerned about keeping taxes low, so we have the 2^nd lowest tax rate among major cities in Canada.  But now residents are saying they want improved service, and they’re willing to pay for it.  Keeping taxes low has hurt some of our core services. 

We added $800 000 to snow clearing this year.  I believe you will see major investments in snow clearing in the next budget, and the implementation of a residential snow clearing program.

Once the snow/ice is gone we will be able to focus on pot holes.  Please note that we cannot do permanent pot hole repairs until the holes are thawed and dry.  This slow melt is delaying that entire process.  Also, we can only use cold mix until the asphalt plants fire up their hot mix supply.  We’ve anticipated an extra bad pot hole season, and have prepared accordingly.  We’ve doubled the pot hole budget, added another crew, and we’re also hiring a contractor for the first 3-4 weeks of the season.  The result is,  once we can get going… you should see more work done in the first month than was done in 2-3 months previously.  Though the situation is bad, we should see rapid improvement once the streets are dry.   In the meantime, please drive carefully.

Looking forward, we’ve added several million dollars to the road maintenance budget for this year, and we are committed to increasing that each year until we reach our goal of $25 million annually (it is $12 million this year).  Our roads should improve steadily as we keep making it a budget priority.  Again, we are putting more emphasis on improving our core services.

I realize that the current situation with ice and ruts is frustrating, and even dangerous.  Please know that we are doing whatever we can to get every possible piece of equipment out clearing the roads in residential areas.  The problem exists right across the city though, so it will take some time.

The City has lifted the boil water advisory for the north end of Saskatoon.  Lab tests have confirmed that the water is safe to drink.  Thank you to our crews who worked tirelessly to resolve the problem.

Click here for more information.

There was a major break in the water main near our northern water resevoir.  Water service has been restored but, as a result, the City of Saskatoon has issued a boil water advisory.  Please boil all drinking water before consuming.

For more information, click this link.

The City of Saskatoon has released a report summarizing the various Infrastructure investments in our city since 2007.  The report shows how leveraging city resources has resulted in attracting over $364 million in federal/provincial funding in the past 5 years.  It includes programs such as the south bridge, fire halls, and various traffic upgrades in our city totalling $602 million.  Take a look at the list of projects on page 16, and try to imagine our city without them.  Click this link to view the entire report.

Infrastructure spending in Saskatoon 2007-2011:

• City of Saskatoon     $238 million         39%
• Province                    $141 million        24%
• Federal gov't             $223 million        37% 

The Municipal Operations Benchmark Project report identifies, in detail, the factors contributing to different property tax rates between Saskatoon and the cities of Regina, Winnipeg, Edmonton, and Calgary.  The research in this report shows that the City's financial resources are well managed and that Saskatoon is a good place for businesses to set up operations and make investments.

While the report identifies strengths with all the participating cities, in particular it shows that the City of Saskatoon:

• relied the least on taxation to fund its 2011 operating budget
• budgeted for breakeven operations
• budgeted for the second lowest property tax revenue per capita
• had the second lowest average assessed property value
• had the highest budgeted contributions to reserves
• had the second lowest budgeted withdrawals from reserves
• had the lowest utility-supported debt levels per capita, and
• the lowest total debt levels per capita

Please click on the pdf below to download and read the entire report.

 Municipal Benchmark Project 2011.pdf (2.49 mb)

The City of Saskatoon continues to seek new and innovative ways to provide existing and emerging programs and services to its citizens.  The Administration is always taking a fresh look at how it operates, and how the corporation can become more adaptive and responsive, with a focus on exploring and implementing new ways of:

• improving our service;
• increasing our savings; and
• growing our city in a sustainable way.

The City of Saskatoon achieved savings of over $9.3 million and $15 million in deferred costs.  Download the entire report to Council by clicking on the pdf below.

Report on Service, Savings and Sustainability 2011.pdf (959.20 kb)

The City of Saskatoon has released our 2011 Annual Report, including the financial statements.  This year end report shows that we balanced the budget and, in fact, showed a surplus of $3.07 Million.  Council directed this surplus to civic reserves (savings accounts), which puts us in a very stable position moving forward.

To view the 2011 Annual Report please click the pdf below. 

2011 Annual Report.pdf (3.58 mb)

Provincial law requires our city to revalue the properties in Saskatoon every 4 years for tax purposes.  It is important to note that revaluation is revenue neutral.  That means the City of Saskatoon does not collect more money due to revaluation.  We simply reasess how property values have changed.  Some properties have increased in value more than others.  This will be reflected in the notices.  Some peoples' taxes will go up.  Some will go down.  But in the end, the city will collect the same amount of money.

For more information about reassessment in Saskatoon click this link.

The Warman Road off ramp to Circle Drive eastbound will be closed May 25 to June 13 for construction.  This is a major construction project, as they are tearing the road up and rebuilding it entirely.  Crews will be working 24 hours per day, 7 days per week (weather permitting) to get the job done as quickly as possible.

Traffic lights on Miller/Circle and Faithful/Circle are being altered, to allow more flow onto Circle Drive North from those streets.  However, there is only so much congestion that Circle Drive can take, and we do not expect this to look pretty.  Please plan other routes across the river.  Please plan in advance, leave lots of time to get to your destination, and travel during non rush hour periods whenever possible. 

As you know, I opposed mandatory curbside recycling. I do not believe in big government, and I think we already have enough legislation regulating our day to day lives.  Saskatoon already had a wide variety of recycling options available, including two companies who provided excellent curbside service for those who wanted it. Nevertheless, Council has approved a new program for single family dwellings and it will begin next year.  The program will be rolled out gradually, beginning in January 2013.  The cost is going to be $4-$5 per household per month, and it will be added as a new item on your utility bill once you start receiving service.

One of my major concerns is that we must protect Cosmopolitan Industries, where disadvantaged residents have been recycling paper for many years.  Cosmo provides a place for those less fortunate than us to feel included in our community, contribute, and have purpose and structure added to their day.  The paper program gives these people a job, and helps make each one of them a significant part of our community while providing a valuable service.  The City of Saskatoon is currently in the middle of a 10 year contract with Cosmo to supply them with recyclable paper.  To withdraw from our committment to Cosmo is not an option. 

Council has passed a resolution that Cosmo be our recycling service provider for multi-family units in Saskatoon (apartments and condos).  At present, this is agreeable to the Cosmo board of directors, so we will try to sign a contract with Cosmo as soon as possible.  This matter will be coming before Council on Monday, May 28.  The reports from Administration to Council are below.