Saskatoon Minute: Downtown Plan, Bike Parts, and the Police Service Budget

Saskatoon Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Saskatoon politics

This Week In Saskatoon:

• The Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee will meet on Tuesday at 11:30 am. The agenda includes updates on the repositioning of Rugby Chapel, the upgrade project at Albert Community Centre, and the restoration of the verandah roof at the Mann House. Also on Tuesday, there will be a meeting of the Development Appeals Board at 4:00 pm.
  
  
• On Thursday, at 1:00 pm, there will be a meeting of the Board of Police Commissioners. The Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) is seeking approval for 31 new full-time positions, following the Province's commitment to fund 37 new officers. SPS plans to add 24 of these positions in 2025 to address rising calls for service and increasing social disorder. They also propose a budget increase of about $1.6 million to support these hires and purchase six new vehicles. The funding from the Province will cover 84% of the new positions' costs.
  
  
• The Saskatoon Environmental Advisory Committee will meet on Friday at 11:30 am. The Committee will receive the 2023/24 year-end report from the Saskatchewan Environmental Society’s Student Action for a Sustainable Future (SASF). The organization engages both teachers and students from Public and Catholic School Divisions in initiatives to lower greenhouse gas emissions in classrooms, schools, and homes. Since its inception in 2015, the program has included over 156 teachers, 75 schools, and approximately 3,968 students.

Last Week In Saskatoon:

• A vacant lot on Avenue V South in Saskatoon has become cluttered with what appears to be disassembled bike parts, including frames, wheels, and tires. While the police are aware of the site, they are unsure about its purpose and have urged the public to report any suspicious activity. Bike theft is a recurring issue in Saskatoon, with a local Facebook group and advocacy efforts aimed at combating it. A bike mechanic speculates that the scattered parts may be from stolen bikes, which are often dismantled to make them less recognizable.
  
  
• The Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC) has urged the City and Province to focus on establishing warm-up shelters rather than the planned enhanced emergency shelters. The proposed temporary shelter at 210 Pacific Avenue, offering 30 to 40 beds, has faced criticism from STC Chief Mark Arcand, who believes it will be insufficient given the high demand. Arcand contends that the funding for the new shelters should instead be allocated to warm-up shelters to better address the needs of a larger number of people. The province has committed $250,000 for renovations and will fund the operation of the new shelter through The Mustard Seed. Meanwhile, Social Services Minister Gene Makowsky assures that the situation will be monitored to ensure adequate support for those experiencing homelessness in Saskatoon.
  
  
• The City Centre and District Plan, aimed at shaping downtown development over the next decade, received unanimous support from the Governance and Priorities Committee. Mayor Charlie Clark highlighted the plan as a forward-looking vision, building on the city's history and guiding future developments. The plan, which seeks to replace the 2013 downtown strategy, encompasses five distinct districts, including the $1.2 billion downtown event and entertainment district (DEED). It aims to boost residential and commercial growth, enhance public amenities, and integrate Indigenous cultural elements into downtown spaces. The plan, set for final approval later this month, will be non-binding but serve as a guiding framework for City projects.