Urban Update: December 3, 2018

December 3, 2018

Tell Us About Your Local Board of Revision

SUMA and SARM are working with the Ministry of Government Relations to find ways to improve local boards of revision and reduce the number of appeals going to the Saskatchewan Municipal Board. Councils are encouraged to share their opinions by filling out this survey . Results will be shared with the government to help inform their review. Let us know your opinion before December 20 .

SUMA Membership Drive

You should have received (or should be receiving) a letter with all the information about SUMA membership for 2019. Fees are due by Thursday, January 31, 2019 ; make sure you renew so you get all the benefits membership brings.

Renewing your membership for another year supports SUMA's advocacy and capacity-building work, and gives you access to group benefits, SUMAssure, and SUMAdvantage to help you save money. We appreciate your support all year long.

Impacted Sites

Thank you to everyone who completed SUMA's Contaminated Sites survey! Your feedback helped to shape SUMA's new Contaminated Sites policy .

The Ministry of Environment is also looking for feedback on the Impacted Sites Fund. A draft application process and supporting guidelines for municipalities to access the Impacted Sites Fund for remediating abandoned contaminated sites (also known as orphaned environmentally impacted sites) has been developed.

The ministry is seeking feedback to help ensure the fund, and its implementation, proceed smoothly and allocate the funds necessary to realize opportunities for growth across Saskatchewan. Review the materials and fill out a survey to share your feedback by December 14 .

Convention 2019: Don't Miss Your Chance to Save on Registration

At Convention you will have the opportunity to hear from the Premier and the Minister of Government Relations, meet with municipalities in your sector and from across the province, and participate in informative education and breakout sessions which build on our theme: Hometown Advantage .

Don't miss your chance to not only attend Convention but also save on registration. The early-bird deadline for Convention 2019 is December 18 .

Convention registration officially opened on November 6, but we have heard from a number of hometowns who did not receive their invitation to register. We encourage you to check your junk, spam, or blocked email for this registration invitation. To make sure you receive future communications regarding convention, please add [email protected] to your safe sender list.

If you are unable to locate the registration invitation sent to your municipality's main contact email on November 6, or the registration reminder sent on November 29, please contact the SUMA office by phone at 306-525-3727, or email [email protected] .

Convention 2019: President's Banquet and Awards Ceremony

The President’s Banquet and Awards Ceremony is happening February 5, 2019 . This social event is a celebration of the long-serving elected officials and municipal employees who help make up our hometowns, and the hard work and dedication of all municipal officials. Join SUMA for a three-course plated meal and enjoy performances by Dance Saskatchewan.

After the formal program, spend some time on the dance floor with El Guitaro, a classic cowboy rockin’ country and western band.

Tickets for this event are $60. This is a great value for an evening filled with food, celebrations, and entertainment. We look forward to seeing you there!

Convention 2019: Answering Your Convention Questions

Whether this is your first SUMA convention, or you just want to be prepared for Convention 2019, this document will help you get the scoop. For example:

What is the Municipal Marketplace Tradeshow?

The Municipal Marketplace Tradeshow is held in conjunction with SUMA's annual convention, and it is open to convention delegates and municipal employees.

This year, the tradeshow is taking place on Sunday, February 3, and Monday, February 4 , instead of the Monday and Tuesday. This means you'll have additional time to browse more than 220 vendor booths. And if you've missed the tradeshow in the past because of its weekday scheduling, now is your chance to attend!

Municipal employees are encouraged to email [email protected] or call 306-525-3727 prior to Convention to register as a tradeshow observer. (They will need to visit the registration desk to get a tradeshow badge for access.)

Convention 2019: Are Your Accommodations Updated?

With registration for Convention 2019 open, now is the time to double check your accommodation plans to reflect registered delegates. SUMA negotiates special rates for delegate blocks during Convention, and four of our hotels have already filled their blocks.

If you have reserved more rooms than you need, please release any rooms you won't be using. This gives your fellow delegates a chance to get the special room rates we've negotiated. The latest accommodation information, including rates, is available on our website.

SaskPower Net Metering Program Extended to 2021

At Convention 2018, members passed a resolution advocating for increased support for implementing renewable energy initiatives and an increase in the amount of power that can be produced under SaskPower's Net Metering and Small Power Producers program. SUMA's Climate Change Policy also calls on the provincial government to recognize the hometown advantage by providing planning, development, and adaptation tools and resources to promote green and resilient hometowns.

SaskPower has announced changes to their Net Metering Program. Participants will now have up to three years, instead of one, to use their banked kWh credits, contracts will now be for 10 years with the option to renew, and the 20 per cent rebate will be offered as a flat rate of $0.61 per watt so customers can be certain of their rebate amount before they begin their project.

The Net Metering Program has been approved to November 30, 2021, or until it reached the 16 MW cap.

Find out more.

Filling the Gap in Affordable Housing

The Saskatchewan Housing

Corporation (SHC) is looking for

innovative and effective solutions and

projects to address current and

upcoming affordable rental housing

gaps in the province.

Do you have an idea? Find out more

about the SHC's Expression of

Interest and get answers to any

questions you may have. More

information can be found on

Saskatchewan.ca.

The deadline has been extended to January 4, 2019.

Funding is also available through the National Housing Co-Investment Fund.

The $13.2 billion fund provides grants and low-cost loans to support the development of up to 60,000 new affordable units and repair up to 240,000 affordable and community units over the next 10 years. Investments will also support the creation or repair of at least 4,000 shelter spaces for survivors of family violence, the creation of at least 7,000 new affordable units for seniors, and 2,400 new affordable units for people with developmental disabilities.