JUNE UPDATE: INFRASTRUCTURE, COMMUNITY SAFETY & HOUSING, AND FLOOD CONTROL
A Message from Councillor Senos Timon
YOUR VOICE AT CITY HALL: LOOKING AHEAD WITH HOPE AND PURPOSE
Dear Neighbours,
I hope you’re enjoying the start of summer. I know these past months have brought many challenges, changes, and opportunities for our community, from infrastructure upgrades to ongoing work addressing community safety, homelessness, housing, and sustainability. I want you to know that your concerns and ideas help guide my work every day at City Hall.
This update highlights some important projects and decisions moving forward, and I remain committed to keeping you informed and engaged. Thank you for your continued trust, patience, and input as we work together to build a safer, stronger, and more inclusive Saskatoon.
Please reach out anytime. I am here to listen and help.
Warm regards,
Ward 2 Town Hall – Thank You
I want to sincerely thank everyone who attended our Ward 2 Town Hall on June 20. Your time, questions, and ideas help shape the work we do as a City. I appreciate your commitment to making our neighbourhoods safer, stronger, and more connected.
I look forward to more opportunities to connect with you and continue these important conversations together. We will be holding another Ward 2 Town Hall this fall, and I hope to see you there!
COUNCIL & COMMITTEE HIGHLIGHTS
Preliminary 2026/2027 Financial Forecast
The administration presented the preliminary financial forecast for 2026 and 2027 on June 11. We’re sharing these early numbers to be transparent about the financial realities facing our city, not to cause concern, but to ensure everyone understands the challenges ahead. While we’re confident these forecasts will change and not reflect the final 2026/2027 budget, they provide important context for the financial needs we must address.
The current preliminary figures indicate a potential property tax increase of 9.9%. The council remains committed to balancing affordability with the need to maintain the services residents rely on every day. The council has directed the Administration to refine the budgets and develop scenarios to reduce the proposed tax increase by up to 5%. Budget deliberations will continue this fall. Read more ➜
FLOOD MITIGATION & INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS
Cahill Park Dry Pond & Flood Control
City Council has approved the seventh Flood Control Strategy project to move forward in 2025/2026. A dry storm pond will be constructed in Cahill Park to help reduce flooding near 21st Street West and Avenue W South during intense storms. This project is estimated at $4.4 million, with funding shared between the Storm Water Utility, the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF). Civil construction and landscaping are anticipated to begin in Spring 2026. Read more ➜
Avenue B South, Avenue D South & 21st Street West
Council approved the Improvements Functional Plan for Avenue B South, Avenue D South, and 21st Street West to upgrade streetscapes, sidewalks, and underground infrastructure. This work will align with other infrastructure renewals planned for Riversdale in 2025 and 2026. Read more ➜
Montgomery Place Drainage Improvements – Phase III
Work continues to restore drainage paths, resolve spring melt issues, and bring the neighbourhood up to standard. This project is funded through cost sharing with the Government of Canada, the Province of Saskatchewan, and the City’s Storm Water Management Reserve. Read more ➜
SUSTAINABILITY & TRANSPORTATION
Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Roadmap
Council approved the Fleet Zero Emission Vehicle Roadmap, supporting our net-zero by 2050 target. This plan will guide how we electrify the City fleet and encourage community ZEV adoption, in line with federal mandates for zero-emission vehicles by 2035. Read more ➜
Transit Fleet Renewal Plan
Council approved an updated Transit Fleet Renewal Strategy, reallocating over $23 million to replace buses and Access Transit vehicles. This plan focuses on maintaining reliable transit service and incorporates findings from national studies showing that diesel buses remain the most cost-effective solution in the near term. Read more ➜
Dundonald Avenue Solar Farm
Construction began in June and will continue through to December 2025. Once complete, this solar farm will generate clean energy for over 400 homes and reduce CO₂ emissions by nearly 20,000 tons over 30 years. Read more ➜
COMMUNITY SAFETY 7 WELLBEING
Sale of Bear Spray
Council approved bylaw amendments requiring new reporting requirements for the purchase of bear spray and will advocate for stronger provincial regulations to prevent misuse. Read more ➜
Community Safety & Homelessness Response
We know safety and social disorder remain major concerns. Council and our partners continue to work hard on several fronts:
Police Staffing: The Saskatoon Police Service is working toward a more stable, consistent police presence in our community. 15 new Constables will be on the streets in the week of July 20, with 8 more starting police college this month and expected to be on duty by late January 2026. Another 8–16 Constables will start training in January 2026 to keep building a steady pipeline of new officers.
5 new Alternative Response Officers (AROs) begin training in August and will be on the street by early September, bringing the ARO team to 20 officers by year-end. In January, 5 AROs will move on to become Regular Officers, returning the ARO total to 15.
- Redeployment of Fire Bylaw Inspectors: Inspectors are focused on neighbourhoods with the highest social disorder indicators—Pleasant Hill, Riversdale, Downtown, and Confederation Suburban Centre.
- Encampments: Between May 1 and June 12, 312 encampments were addressed. Coordinated efforts continue with the Saskatoon Fire Department, Police Service, and community partners to respond compassionately and safely.
- Public Washrooms & Water: The Pleasant Hill outdoor washroom facility and other supervised washrooms will operate throughout the summer, with City funding and community partnerships extending these vital services where possible. A new daytime drop-in centre at Station 20 West—co-funded by the Government of Saskatchewan and the City of Saskatoon and operated by the Saskatoon Tribal Council has also been open to provide a safe place for people to connect to outreach supports. In addition, a new overnight drop-in centre for youth 16 and older is open at the White Buffalo Youth Lodge, fully funded by the provincial government, it will operate from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. and offer food, an on-site elder, showers, laundry services, case planning, and referrals to community programs fully funded by the provincial government.
HOUSING & AFFORDABILITY
Under the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) Program:
- 208 new affordable units have been approved to date, with a goal of 757 by the end of 2027.
- Capital grants of up to $50,000/unit are available for projects on City-owned land.
- New incentives support mixed-market and transit-oriented developments.
NEIGHBOURHOOD TRAFFIC CALMING & SAFETY
Council is also advancing work on supportive housing sites, a community navigation hub, and contributions to permanent shelter costs to address the ongoing housing crisis. Read more ➜
We’re working closely with residents on traffic calming and safety in key areas, including:
- Spadina Crescent W & 17th Street — As a result of recent community consultation, Administration is considering several short-term options for this intersection, such as:
- Installing an all-way stop on the west leg
- Adding a north-south pedestrian crossing (signs and ladder pavement markings) on the west side of Avenue E
- Adding “Stop Ahead” warning signs
- Avenue I S & Avenue J S (11th–12th Street W) — Ongoing discussions are underway to identify practical traffic calming measures.
- 11th Street W & Dawes Avenue — Continued work with residents and City staff to improve safety and manage traffic flow.
STAY CONNECTED WITH COUNCIL
All Council meetings are open to the public — you can attend in person at City Hall or watch virtually.
Upcoming meetings:
- Governance and Priorities Committee (GPC): Wednesday, July 16 at 9:30 AM
- Council Regular Business Meeting: Wednesday, July 30 at 9:30 AM
You can watch live and view agendas anytime.
I encourage residents to tune in, stay engaged, and reach out with their feedback!
COMMUNITY CONVERSATION
If you’d like to chat or connect, I’m always available for a coffee and conversation. Our next Ward 2 Town Hall will be held this fall — I look forward to seeing you there.
Stay safe and have a great summer!
STAY AHEAD OF THE 2025 CONSTRUCTION SEASON
The 2025 construction season is in full swing, with major work underway on roadways, bridges — including Broadway — and underground infrastructure. Please remember to slow down in construction zones to keep workers and drivers safe.
The City has helpful digital tools to keep you informed and help you avoid delays:
- Daily Road Report — Get up-to-date details on where work is happening each day.
- Road Restrictions and Construction Projects Map — See what’s planned and where detours may affect your route.
- Report a Pothole Map — Help keep our roads safe by reporting potholes easily online.
- Tips for Merging in Traffic — Stay safe and keep traffic moving smoothly near work areas.
Stay alert, plan ahead, and thank you for helping everyone get where they need to go safely and efficiently!
Thank you for staying engaged as we work to build a stronger, safer, and more sustainable city together. As always, please reach out if you have questions or feedback. I value your input.
Kind regards,
In service,
Councillor Senos Timon
Ward 2, Saskatoon City Council