Impaired driving memorial set for city hall
Saskatoon motorists will soon get a reminder of the perils and tragedy of impaired driving every time they pass city hall on 24th Street.
City council on Monday approved establishing a memorial to the victims of impaired driving that will be paid for by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). The memorial will be located on the lawn at city hall on 24th Street near Fourth Avenue.
Louis Van De Vorst, whose son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren were killed in a collision with an impaired driver on Jan. 3, 2016, spoke in favour of the location.
“I didn’t want it to get hidden away in a cemetery,” Van De Vorst told council. “We wanted it in a very public area.”
MADD had originally wanted the memorial in Kiwanis Memorial Park, but the city administration suggested Kiwanis already has a number of statues and sculptures, including a tribute to Saskatoon’s wartime contributions.
MADD has two years to install the memorial.
WHISTLEBLOWER WORK
City of Saskatoon employees will get the chance to offer input on a proposed whistleblower policy.
Council voted Monday to consult city workers and unions before moving forward with a mechanism to allow employees to report inappropriate or wasteful practices.
Coun. Randy Donauer, who has proposed the rules, convinced council to wait until employees could be consulted.
Under the proposed rules, employees would report wrongdoing to the city manager with the assurance of anonymity and without fear of reprisal. The city manager would then decide whether to appoint an internal or external investigator.
City council would receive a quarterly rundown of complaints received with identifying information removed, a city report says.
RAW TIDE
The new neighbourhood of Brighton is going raw.
The developing community on the eastern edge of Saskatoon will take part in an experiment to irrigate its parks with untreated or raw water.
The pilot project is proceeding as an agreement between city hall and Dream Development, which is building the neighbourhood. Council approved the pact on Monday.
Raw water can include rain water, storm water, groundwater and water from the river.
While the initiative would not save water, according to a city report, it would reduce the amount of water used that is treated by the city to make it potable.
In 2017, the city spent $2.4 million on treated water to irrigate parks and other green spaces, a city report says.
JAYWALK JUSTICE
An electronic speed display board will be installed near a high school where jaywalking has been identified as a problem.
The speed board is scheduled to be installed this month along Clarence Avenue between Taylor Street and Isabella Street.
The board is intended to address jaywalking by students at Aden Bowman Collegiate Institute, who often cross mid-street to reach the mall on the east side of Clarence.
Speed boards are usually in- stalled in the spring and removed in the fall due to concerns about cold weather affecting their operation.
City council endorsed leaving the boards in place as long as possible into the fall.
A permanent speed display board would cost $5,000, but Aden Bowman officials were not interested in sharing the cost, a city report says.
The move stems from the study of a mid-block crosswalk in front of Aden Bowman.
ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL
To be or not to be ... permanent. The Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan festival got the nod from council on Monday to move forward with a $3-million project to establish a permanent venue.
The summertime festival presents Shakespeare plays in a tent on a site next to the South Saskatchewan River between the University Bridge and the former Mendel Art Gallery building.
Plans include a permanent stage/ amphitheatre, two permanent pavilions and various upgrades to the site. The venue would also be available for community use.
The approval from the city is only in principle and contingent on several issues being addressed. Festival officials have assumed responsibility for raising the cost of most upgrades.
DRONE WARS
City hall is making it even more difficult for drones to get airborne.
Council on Monday approved further restrictions on drones that would require City of Saskatoon approval for any drone to be launched or fly over anything other than private property.
Under the proposed rules, drones could not be launched from, land on or fly over any property that is owned, controlled or occupied by the city without permission from city hall.
People seeking permission can apply to the city.
Drones are also regulated by federal Transport Canada rules. The rules also apply to model aircraft. Restrictions on drone use in parks were approved in 2015.