Urban Update: November 19, 2018

November 19, 2018

Impacted Sites Fund Feedback

Almost every hometown has at least one contaminated site. Once home to commercial or industrial activities, these properties may now pose environmental and health risks, and might be preventing the redevelopment of prime real estate. But remediation is not cheap.

The Government of Saskatchewan has developed 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).

The Ministry of Environment is seeking feedback from municipalities and other clients impacted by the fund (e.g. consultants and engineers) to help ensure the fund, and its implementation, proceed smoothly and allocate the funds necessary to realize opportunities for growth across Saskatchewan. Please review the materials and fill out a survey to share your feedback by December 14, 2018 .

Learn more about this new application process in the webinar Cleaning Up Contaminated Sites . Join SUMA and Craig Abernethy from the Ministry of Environment on November 27 at 10 a.m. for a free webinar.

See the event listing on our website for more information and to register.

SUMA Survey: Contaminated Sites

We want to know about the contaminated sites in your community. How many contaminated sites does your municipality have, how much would it cost to clean them up, and what impact do they have on your community. Also, would you like to see the province introduce new municipal tax tools to help municipalities create incentives to remediate contaminated sites? Let us know the answers to these questions by taking this short, five question survey.

How many contaminated sites are in your municipality?

None

Select

1-2

Select

3-4

Select

5 or more

Select

What is the total estimated cost to clean up the contaminated sites in your municipality?

Less than $10,000

Select

$10,000 - $25,000

Select

$25,001-$50,000

Select

More than $50,000

Select

Unsure

Select

We do not have any contaminated sites in our municipality

Select

Do these sites have an economic impact on your municipality? (e.g., back taxes owed)

Yes

Select

Unsure

Select

Have any contaminated sites in your municipality been redeveloped?

Yes

Select

Unsure

Select

Should the province introduce new municipal tax tools to help municipalities create incentives?

Yes

Select

Unsure

Select

Convention 2019: Did You Get Your Registration Email?

SUMA launched registration for Convention 2019 on November 5. The main email contact for your municipality should have received an updated email on November 6 inviting you to register. If you did not receive it, be sure to check your junk mail folder. Not there? Email registration@suma.org.

Convention 2019: Social Activities

Welcome Reception - Sunday, February 3

As Stompin Tom Connors sings “the home team wins!” Celebrate the wins of your team and your hometown at our Welcome Reception being held at TCU Place. Wear your team jersey to this casual event and share the qualities that make your community unique as you network with SUMA Board members and your fellow peers from around the province. Also take advantage of appetizer stations and a cash bar. Tickets for this event are $35 which includes a chance to win a trip for two!

President's Banquet and Awards Ceremony - Tuesday, February 5

The President’s Banquet and Awards Ceremony 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. Treat yourself to a three-course plated meal and watch while Dance Saskatchewan showcases some unique dance talents in our province. After the awards program, kick off your shoes and spend some time on the dance floor with El Guitaro, a classic cowboy rockin’ country and western band that will keep you dancing all night long. If you enjoy FOGDOG, you’ll love El Guitaro. 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!

The winners of the 2018 Saskatchewan Municipal Awards are:

First Place

Moosomin Nutrien Sportsplex

Town of Moosomin

Second Place

Wellness Centre

City of Melfort and Regional Partners

Third Place

Île-à-la-Crosse Fish Processing and Packaging Facility

Northern Village of Île-à-la-Crosse

Regional Cooperation Award

Tourism and Rebranding Campaign

Town of Eastend and the RM of White Valley

Honorable Mention

Waste Water Treatment Project

Town of Unity

The winning RM received their award at the SARM Midterm Convention last week. Winning urban municipalities will receive their award at Convention 2019. Check out the SMA website for more details.

Thank you to our title sponsor, Affinity Credit Union, whose support is critical to this program.

Asset Management Certification Course

Made possible by a grant from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, 120 municipal leaders from across Canada have the chance to participate in PEMAC’s Asset Management Professional (AMP) education and certification program .

The program will take participants through six courses from December 2018 to April 2020, with the first course happening in Saskatoon December 10-14. Learn more .

Applications Now Being Accepted for the SaskPower Partner Generation Program

Applications for SaskPower's new Partner Generation Program are being accepted until November 30.

All SaskPower customers are eligible to participate, and customers are able to sell all the power they generate.

Apply now!

Whistleblower Webinars Happening this Winter

The Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety will be delivering webinars this winter explaining how The Saskatchewan Employment Act protects municipal employees.

The webinars are being offered:

November 27 - 1:30-2:30 p.m.
December 18 - 1:30-2:30 p.m.
February 19 - 1:30-2:30 p.m.

And don't forget about the Whistleblower Protection Guide.

Infrastructure Planning in Flood Mitigation Webinar

Learn about the growing exposure of infrastructure to flood risk due to climate change and the actions being taken in the webinar the Role of Infrastructure Planning in Flood Mitigation.

An overview of how climate change is impacting flood and natural hazard risks will be provided, and will be followed by two case studies.

Hosted by the Prairies Regional Adaptation Collaborative, this webinar is happening November 22 at 1 p.m. CST. Secure your spot now!