Saskatoon Minute: Public Washrooms, Transit Violence, and Composting Facility Approved

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

This Week In Saskatoon:

• On Tuesday, at 9:30 am, there will be a meeting of the Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities, and Corporate Services. The Committee will consider options for Community Energy Loan Programs as well as options for frequency of green cart collection. Then, the Committee will discuss entering into an agreement with the University of Saskatchewan to construct a dry pond on University of Saskatchewan land to mitigate flooding near the intersection of Cumberland Avenue South and 14th Street East. Also on the agenda are six requests for exemptions to the noise bylaw due to outdoor special events.
  
  
• Also on Tuesday, at 2:00 pm, there will be a meeting of the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation. The Committee will discuss free child fares for transit and a 5% increase to taxi fare. Also on the agenda are potential changes in speed limits from 50 km/h to 30 km/h on Dudley Street between Avenue P South and Spadina Crescent West, and on Wiggins Avenue North from a point 50 metres south of Elliot Street to College Drive. Administration will request approval to tender the Broadway Bridge Rehabilitation project early, in October 2024.
  
  
• The Standing Policy Committee on Planning, Development, and Community Services will meet on Wednesday at 9:30 am. On the agenda are amendments to the Temporary Sign Bylaw that would allow for the issuing of tickets for unauthorized signs. Later in the day, at 2:00 pm, the Standing Committee on Finance will meet. The Committee will discuss authorizing the sale of a few parcels of land in the Aspen Ridge and Broadway areas.

Last Week In Saskatoon:

• Council approved a $700,000 plan to increase access to public washrooms in the Riversdale and Pleasant Hill neighbourhoods. The plan addresses the lack of public washrooms available between 6:00 pm and 8:00 am and involves purchasing a 24-hour washroom trailer. Mayor Charlie Clark acknowledged the plan as a temporary solution to an urgent need. The City will acquire a used trailer with two toilets, three urinals, and two sinks, operated by contracted staff around the clock. Additionally, staff will be added to an existing washroom facility along the riverbank. The initiative will run until October 31st.
  
  
• Council finalized approval for a City-owned composting facility to handle organic waste from the green bin program. The project will be funded by borrowing $22.1 million, to be repaid through utility rates. Despite the loan repayment costs, a City-owned composting facility is expected to save Saskatoon ratepayers $1.5 million annually compared to the current contract with Loraas. Initially, the City contracted Green Prairie Environmental Ltd. to build a composting facility south of Saskatoon, but the project was halted when the Rural Municipality of Corman Park rejected the necessary application. Consequently, the City contracted with Loraas as a temporary solution. Council might still consider private sector options if the City-owned plan exceeds budget.
  
  
• The spree of violence on Saskatoon Transit continued this week after a 20-year-old man was stabbed on a City bus, and a 55-year-old bus driver was assaulted by two youths. This comes after an incident earlier in May where another teenager was stabbed on a bus and a February incident where a woman was assaulted and robbed while waiting for the bus. The transit union is reporting that drivers have frequently faced physical aggression, including being punched, kicked, and spat on. To address this escalating violence, Saskatoon Transit has increased strategic patrols at key terminals and will deploy community support officers to de-escalate situations and provide support starting July 1st.