Five things to know from Saskatoon’s city council meeting

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Snow removal, affordable housing and millions of dollars owed to the city were just some of the discussions had at Saskatoon city council Wednesday.

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Here are some of the highlights from that meeting.

Coun. Timon on Black History Month

Coun. Senos Timon said Black History Month is a time for reflection, celebration, and recognizing the contributions of people from African descent.

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“According to the records, the first documented person of African descent arrived to Saskatchewan in 1896,” Timon said.

He said we need to recognize challenges and work ahead.

“Twenty years ago, for those who can remember very well, probably in this chamber, we never had any conversation about anti-racism, inclusion and diversity. But now, we have created those spaces.”

He said we all belong, we all want our voices to be heard, and we all deserve that opportunity.

Timon said Black History Month may only be celebrated during February, but the work is constant.

Snow rut removal progress

During question period, Coun. Bev Dubois asked for an update on the snow grading happening in residential and industrial streets.

Terry Schmidt, general manager of transportation and construction, said Saskatoon has seen over 100 centimetres of snow this winter.

He said this work was undertaken to reduce ruts created from the snow in warm temperatures.

“There was six to seven inches, and in some cases more than that of compact snow on the residential streets.”

He said with the snow grading, it has become a real challenge to find places to store the snow, and that removing the snow would cost the city $10-$12 million.

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“We wouldn’t even get around to completing the whole city prior to the spring melting the snow.”

Snow was being piled as best as it could be, Schmidt said, emphasizing that there is a lot of snow to move around.

As of Wednesday, Schmidt said the roads were about 65 per cent complete.

He said parking restrictions may be required for some of the narrow streets in the city to allow crews to clear the snow properly, and expected the work to be completed some time during the weekend.

Camponi responds to affordable housing concerns

City council greenlit some property tax abatements for 256 affordable housing units.

As part of that discussion, Angela Bishop, chair of trustees for the Camponi Housing Corporation, commented on concerns raised about the building being constructed at 1635 McKercher Dr.

Coun. Robert Pearce said he has seen concerns raised about Camponi Commons on some social media groups, and wondered how Bishop would respond.

“We intend on being good neighbours,” Bishop said.

She said on-site supports will be made available to tenants, and they’ve been trying to develop Camponi Commons so that it fits within the neighbourhood.

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“The concerns about depreciation of property values? I think it’s really important also to recognize that we have also made financial contributions into this project to the tune of $3.5 million.”

She said they aren’t interested in compromising those contributions.

“We also have an interest in ensuring the success of this project, and ensuring that our property values are maintained.”

She said they are open to discussion and ideas, and that they want to establish good relationships with their neighbours.

Secondary Suites greenlit for semi-detached homes

Owners of semi-detached homes in Saskatoon will be allowed to develop a secondary suite in their residence.

A proposed amendment to the city’s zoning bylaws was passed on Wednesday, and added to the changes within the Housing Action Plan.

The report said the work needed to add a secondary suite to a semi-detached home would be less than the work needed to add a full dwelling, which would require the building to then be developed as a multi-unit home.

It also pointed to other municipalities in Saskatchewan — including Regina, Warman, Prince Albert, Weyburn, Lloydminster and Pilot Butte — already allowing for this kind of proposed development.

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This change was greenlit without any comment or questions from council.

Next steps on property taxes left owing

Millions of dollars in property taxes are owed to the city — and Saskatoon’s solicitor may soon be collecting.

According to the report to council, there are 655 tax enforcement liens on properties throughout the city. A total of $3,467,085.41 in arrears are owed to the city, according to the report.

The report says 8,399 liens have been placed between 2017 and 2024, and 7,744 of them have been paid.

Next steps for the city solicitor were passed without questions or comments from council, with the recommendation that the city solicitor “be instructed to take the necessary actions under provisions of The Tax Enforcement Act with respect to properties with 2024 tax liens.”

Some of the properties include a church, which owes $5,799; an auto dealership, which owes $21,267.89; and an undeveloped multi-family property that owes $39,191.93. Most of the properties listed are single family homes.

Since 2017, only 26 properties have been taken by the city.

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