I hope that January is treating you well so far. It was a treat getting to share a meal with many of you last week at my chili supper event. Station 20 West did a great job with the food and served 185 bowls of chili. Thanks to all who came out to connect with me and your neighbours in person! 

Below you'll find information about Boughton and Leif Erickson parks, Montgomery Place Access, and Housing. Scroll to the Engagement section.

Meetings & Upcoming Decisions

City Council meets on Wednesday Jan 31st. The Regular Business meeting takes place in the day starting at 9:30am and the Public Hearing takes place in the evening beginning at 6:00pm. Highlights below.

Organics Processing - Long Term Planning
City staff are still preparing to present Council a decision report about our long term approach for processing organics. We can either go back out to the market to find a processor, or build our own processing facility. Right now, however, the Federal government has a funding program open that would be a good source of funds for building our own facility if we do go that route. Council is being asked on Wednesday to approve an application for those funds, understanding that we could withdraw our application if we don't proceed with that solution. This report also shares that the proposed site if we do build one would be near the Landfill. At committee I asked questions about how we'll plan to mitigate nuisances such as odour and have asked that when we make the final decision we're equipped with reasonable cost estimates about good technology that will reduce the likelihood of odour nuisance.

Lane closure - Pleasant Hill (near school)
There is a proposal to close lanes around Pleasant Hill school for land assembly for Sask Builds. I have had recent questions from residents about what to expect there that I don't have answers about. I will be doing my best to get answers to these questions before Council votes on this lane closure.

Richard St Barbe Baker - site enhancements
On Wednesday we'll review plans to enhance the RSBBA by improving paths, doing some plantings, and improving gates. This will be largely funded by the Federal Natural Infrastructure Program and aligns with our Green Network projects and Natural Areas management plans. Thanks to all who've worked to get these plans ready - including community user and advocacy groups. 

Fire Hall no 11 (future) - land on Dawes
Our City needs more Fire Halls in the West end to ensure Saskatoon Fire Department can meet call response times consistently. Two halls are being planned, and No.11 is the one in the Southwest area. A report on Wednesday asks for approval to purchase some land on Dawes Ave for this site. Once built and operating, this Fire Hall will support timely response to Montgomery Place, Southwest Industrial, Holiday Park, Meadowgreen, West Industrial, Pleasant Hill, King George, Fairhaven, Agpro Industrial and the CN Yards Management area. I have been firmly championing this investment for some time so am very excited to see this step come forward. 

Homelessness & Cold Weather

The community rallied over the last few weeks to keep people safe while the cold weather was so intense. The cold showed us just how desperate the situation is with insufficient sheltering and insufficient housing. The need for investment is beyond urgent. As I've shared before, there's commitment to open new shelters from the Provincial Government. We now have a location identified for the first one : at the old Fire Hall on Central Avenue. You can read more about the process and plans here. Meetings to provide information to area residents and stakeholders are planned for mid-Feb.

Engagement 

To see all projects open for engagement visit www.saskatoon.ca/engage

Housing survey
Take a few moments before the end of the month to fill out this survey about what roles the City should or should not play in terms of Housing. Your input will be combined with best practice research in the development of the City's Housing Strategy. 

Montgomery Place Alternate Access 
The City of Saskatoon is gathering ideas on grade-separated access for the Montgomery Place neighbourhood. There is a meeting planned for February 8th from 7-9pm (come and go) at St David's Trinity Church. Come by to share ideas.

Park Upgrades
Park upgrades are planned for both Boughton and Leif Erickson Parks.
Info sessions are:
Boughton Park upgrades info session: Weds Feb 7th 7:30-8:30pm @ St John School
Leif Erickson Park upgrades info session: Thurs Feb 8th 7:00-8:00pm @ Westmount School 

City Council | Jan 31st (Wednesday)

City Council meets on Wednesday. Brief highlights are outlined below. Click here to find the full agenda. Correspondence on Council items can be made in writing or as a request to speak (accommodated by phone or in person). Meetings are live streamed.

Regular Business Meeting  |  9:30 AM
  - Scholarship CUPE59/City
  - Site enhancement project Richard St Barbe Baker Afforestation Area
  - Long Term Organics Processing - Funding application
  - Taxicab licenses - Repeal criteria
  - Annual reports: Heritage Advisory Committee & Marr Residence
  - Cultural Grant Capital Reserve Awards
  - Repeal of Tax Write-offs, Deferrals and Exemptions Policy
  - Property Realized Reserve withdrawals
  - Discover Saskatoon Contract
  - Fire Hall No.11 - Land acquisition @ Dawes Ave
  - Appointments - various
  - Accessible Parking Review
  - Repeal of Sidewalk Sales policy
  - Downtown Event and Entertainment District - Private Partner Procurement Approach
  - Low Carbon Economy Fund Application Intake
  - Acquisition of Land - 302 Melville St for Storm system upgrades
  - Tree Protection Bylaw
  - Building & Plumbing bylaws

Public Hearing Meeting |  6:00 PM
  - Rezoning -  Aspen Ridge
  - Closure of ROW - Portion of lane 1900 Block 20th St W and 200 block Ave S South
  - Procedures & Committees - Amendment bylaw
  - Proclamations & Flag Raisings