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Saskatoon Fire - News Releases

Extreme snowstorm response plan approved by City Council

September 28, 2021 - 9:00am

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The City’s winter roads emergency response plan was approved by City Council on Monday, September 27. With this response plan in place, extra staffing and contractor resources would be activated to restore mobility after a blizzard with an accumulated snow fall of at least 25 centimetres and reduced mobility to the point that light vehicles cannot travel on city streets. This plan was developed by the Administration after 30-40 centimetres of snow fell in November 2020, which required day and night city-wide snow grading and removal to restore mobility and safety in the city.

“We have a fine-tuned response plan for snowstorms that we scale up for the handful of times each year when more than 5 centimetres of snow accumulates,” says Goran Saric, Director of Roadways, Fleet & Support. “And now, this plan is a more robust, multi-agency strategy for a future extreme event like we saw in November, allowing us to respond faster and more efficiently city-wide.”

The response plan was developed using lessons learned from the November 2020 blizzard and examples from other winter cities, with input from other agencies and stakeholders to ensure it follows an approach that works for the whole community.

Residents should have an emergency plan too. “Residents should always have a 72-hour emergency plan for any emergency event.  You should be prepared to take care of yourself and your family for a minimum of 72 hours (about 3 days),” says Pamela Goulden-McLeod, Director of Emergency Planning. “It could take that long for emergency services to reach you in a city-wide emergency at any time of year.”

The City’s previous extreme blizzard was in 2007 when 36 centimetres of snow fell in one day. Projections using 30 years of historical data for Saskatoon estimate this type of blizzard may occur again in 10 to 14 years. As the frequency and severity of inclement weather is predicted to increase with climate change, the frequency of future extreme snow events may be higher (e.g., 1 occurrence every 7 years).

More information and education about the response plan will be available this winter. For more information about the City’s regular winter operations, visit saskatoon.ca/snow. 

City approves colour-coded framework for municipal COVID-19 safety response: at high-risk ‘Orange’

September 27, 2021 - 10:28am

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To assist City Administration and City Council in making evidence-based decisions for the services and facilities within its control, City Council today approved the use of a colour-coded COVID-19 risk mitigation framework. The framework uses the best available data (indicators) to inform how and when to increase or relax various COVID-19 safety measures within the City’s legislative jurisdiction. 
 
The framework is colour-coded and based on a four-level risk assessment: 
  • green – minimal risk
  • yellow - caution
  • orange – high risk
  • red – critical risk
“Right now, we are in a high-risk ‘orange’ situation,” says Pamela Goulden-McLeod, Director, Saskatoon Emergency Management Organization. “We’re implementing this decision-making framework to better guide civic operations and interventions based on the current COVID-19 risk in Saskatoon.”  
 
“This is not to be considered another level or layer of health order – it’s a guide to help the City make decisions about how to best keep its staff safe and services going and to ensure transparency and predictability for staff and residents.”
 
The framework is designed to help City employees and residents who use City programs and services understand the current level of risk in the community and the measures that are in place to minimize the risk. 
 
“When fully implemented, this framework can help to limit the transmission of COVID-19 in our facilities and can help to lower the number of cases in our community and potential future hospitalizations. The goal of this framework is to prevent disruption to critical services and help our whole community move to the green, minimal-risk level.”
 
The framework also indicates that when the City, under the guidance from the Local Medical Health Officers (MHO), determines a measure specific to Saskatoon is required - and that measure is within the jurisdiction of the Province - a letter with a request from Mayor and Council will be sent to the Province. 
 
COVID-19 transmission continues to affect the delivery of City programs and services and requires ongoing health and safety measures to limit virus transmission in the workplace and community. Local MHO have assessed there is a high likelihood that the transmission of COVID-19 is uncontrolled in Saskatoon. 
 
“Since the onset of the pandemic, COVID-19 has resulted in continual adjustments to the City’s Occupational Health and Safety and Business Continuity Plans,” Goulden-McLeod explains. “These adjustments followed the public health directions from the Government of Saskatchewan and Local MHO employed by the Saskatchewan Health Authority.” 
 
Saskatoon is still amid a COVID-19 pandemic, she says and as the City moves through the framework, measures can be added or subtracted.
 
Measures are not automatically activated without a review process to determine their necessity and applicability. Steps prior to the activation of any measures will include:
  • review of current Public Health Orders
  • review of current COVID-19 situation
  • consultation with local MHO and other key stakeholders
  • review by City Council
  • any approved measures would be activated on the first day of the next month and would remain in place until a review at the next Council meeting
The measures respect the authority of the role of the City and the Province and acknowledge the areas of responsibility of each. The Province has the jurisdiction for Public Health and the City will always follow this leadership and guidance through Public Health Orders.  
 
Moreover, this framework supports and adds to any Provincial Public Health Orders that may be in place at the time: it operates in the absence of applicable formal Public Health Orders, or in addition to the Public Health Orders.
 
This information will be updated as necessary on saskatoon.ca/covid-19. 

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation - Thursday, September 30

September 27, 2021 - 4:00pm

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The City of Saskatoon will have a number of adjusted civic services and hours of operation on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Wondering what’s open or closed? See full details on the City’s website.

Daily Road Report, September 28, 2021

September 27, 2021 - 9:00am

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*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only. 
 
NEW 
 
1ST AVE N INTERSECTION CLOSED AT PRINCESS ST 
(Construction) 
Start: September 28, 7:00 a.m. End: September 30, 7:00 a.m. 
 
AVE C N SB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 45TH ST W TO HASKAMP ST 
(Power pole replace) 
Start: September 28, 8:00 a.m. End: September 28, 4:00 p.m. 
 
PRESTON AVE S SB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED FROM PERIMETER RD TO 108TH ST W 
(Light maintenance) 
Start: September 28, 9:00 a.m. End: September 28, 1:00 p.m. 
 
51ST ST E EB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM WENTZ AVE TO CLEVELAND AVE 
(Pole replacements) 
Start: September 28, 9:00 a.m. End: September 29, 4:00 p.m. 
 
ONGOING 
 
CIRCLE DR E EB CURB & CENTER LANES CLOSED FROM VENTURE CRES TO WARMAN RD 
(Sewer flushing) 
Start: September 27, 8:00 p.m. End: September 28, 6:00 a.m. 
 
ATTRIDGE DR EB & WB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED FROM CIRCLE DR E TO CENTRAL AVE 
(Barrier installation) 
Start: September 27, 9:00 a.m. End: September 28, 3:00 p.m. 
 
51ST ST E WB CURB LANE CLOSED AT MINERS AVE 
(Pole installations) 
Start: September 27, 9:00 a.m. End: September 28, 5:00 p.m. 
 
8TH ST E INTERSECTION CLOSED NEW MCORMOND DR 
(Construction) 
Start: April 26, 7:00 a.m. End: September 30, 7:00 a.m. 
 
33RD ST W WB CURB LANE; SB RIGHT TURN LANE; & NB LEFT TURN LANE CLOSED AT CONFEDERATION DR 
(Intersection improvements) 
Start: September 27, 7:00 a.m. End: September 30, 7:00 a.m. 
 
IDYLWYLD DR N SB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 29TH ST W TO 27TH ST W 
(water main work) 
Start: September 27, 9:00 a.m. End: September 30, 5:00 p.m. 
 
RUTH ST W WB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM LORNE AVE TO ST GEORGE AVE 
(Water main lining) 
Start: September 13, 7:00 a.m. End: October 1, 5:00 p.m. 
 
BROADWAY AVE SB CLOSED FROM ISABELLA ST E TO HILLIARD ST E 
(Sidewalk repair) 
Start: September 22, 7:00 a.m. End: October 1, 6:00 p.m. 
 
RUTH ST E ROAD CLOSED FROM MCPHERSON AVE TO ROYAL AVE 
(Water main work) 
Start: August 16, 7:00 a.m. End: October 3, 4:00 p.m. 
 
CENTRAL AVE SB LANES CLOSED FROM 109TH ST W TO 107TH ST W    (Streetscaping)          
Two-way traffic maintained in NB lanes         
Start: September 7, 7:00 a.m. End: October 5, 4:00 p.m. 
 
IDYLWYLD DR S NB & SB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED FROM 8TH ST E TO SASKATCHEWAN CRES W 
(Median Barrier Replacements) 
Start: September 13, 7:00 a.m. End: October 6, 3:00 p.m. 
 
AVE H N ROAD CLOSED FROM 30TH ST W TO 33RD ST W 
(Water main work) 
Start: September 27, 7:00 a.m. End: October 8, 4:30 p.m. 
 
BRIGHTON BLVD CLOSED FROM 8TH ST TO BRIGHTON COMMON           
(Storm sewer work)           
Start: August 30, 9:00 a.m. End: October 4, 7:00 a.m. 
 
NELSON RD SOUTH SIDEWALK CLOSED FROM HEATH AVE TO HEAL AVE 
(Sidewalk closed) 
Start: September 16, 6:00 a.m. End: October 16, 6:00 p.m. 
 
14TH ST E WB PARKING LANE & CURB LANE; & CIRCLE DR NB EXIT RAMP CLOSED FROM CIRCLE DR E TO CARLETON DR 
(PWM repair) 
Start: September 27, 9:30 a.m. End: October 17, 4:00 p.m. 
 
NEAULT RD NB CLOSED FROM 22ND ST W TO 33RD ST W 
(Water main construction) 
Start: September 20, 10:00 a.m. End: October 25, 5:00 p.m. 
 
KENSINGTON GATE W ROAD CLOSED FROM NEAULT RD TO KENSINGTON LANE N 
(Water main work) 
Start: September 13, 7:00 a.m. End: October 25, 6:00 p.m. 
 
NEAULT RD NB & SB SPEED REDUCTION FROM 22ND ST W TO KENSINGTON GATE W     
(Water main work)     
Start: September 15, 9:00 a.m. End: October 26, 4:00 p.m. 

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances. 

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation - Thursday, September 30

September 27, 2021 - 7:55am

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The City of Saskatoon will have a number of adjusted civic services and hours of operation on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, as follows:

REMAI MODERN

Remai Modern's hours on September 30, are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

WASTE COLLECTIONS

Garbage (Black Cart) – Collections as scheduled on Thursday, September 30. Bi-weekly collections begin Friday, October 1.
Recycling (Blue Cart) – Collections as scheduled
Organics (Subscription Green Cart) – Collections as scheduled
For collection schedules and reminders, get the Saskatoon Waste Wizard app or visit saskatoon.ca/collectioncalendar

LANDFILL

The Landfill will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Cash transactions are accepted, although Credit and Debit are recommended.
More information at saskatoon.ca/landfill

COMPOST DEPOTS

The West Compost Depot will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The East Compost Depot will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
More information at saskatoon.ca/compostdepots

SASKATOON TRANSIT SERVICES

Fixed route and On-Demand Transit will operate regular hours on Thursday, September 30, please consult the mobile app transit to plan your trip.
Access Transit and the Transit Customer Service Centre will operate with regulate hours.  

PAY PARKING

Parking payment is required on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, September 30.
Motorists are reminded that all parking requirements remain in effect, including parking time limits.

MUNICIPAL IMPOUND LOT 

Impound Lot is open to the public between 8:00 am and 7:00 pm

SASKATOON FORESTRY FARM PARK & ZOO

Regular Hours of Operation:

Zoo 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Forestry Farm Park 7:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

GOLF COURSES (HOLIDAY PARK, WILDWOOD AND SILVERWOOD)

Regular Hours of Operation.  Open dawn to dusk.

LEISURE CENTRES

The Leisure Centres will be open regular hours of operation. Search for drop-in program information including fitness and weight room hours, public swim sessions and fitness programs on Leisure Online at saskatoon.ca/leisureonline

Cosmo Civic Centre
OPEN – 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre
OPEN - 6:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Lakewood Civic Centre
OPEN – 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Lawson Civic Centre
OPEN - 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Saskatoon Field House
OPEN – 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Shaw Centre
OPEN - 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Terry Fox Track
OPEN – 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.

INDOOR ARENAS
ACT Arena – Open regular hours of operation. 
Parent & Tot Skating: 2:30 to 3:15 p.m.

NOTIFYNOW

Residents are encouraged to sign-up to notifynow for timely and targeted public safety messages. Notifynow is a free service. Tell us how to best reach you on your preferred communication device. Visit saskatoon.ca/notifynow for more information.

YXE Service Alerts

For information and updates on service disruptions such as power or water check saskatoon.ca/servicealerts or follow @yxeservicealert on Twitter