The following requests to speak were submitted:
- Greg Fowler, University of Saskatchewan dated May 17, 2018
- Michael Mehak dated May 24, 2018
- Peggy Sarjeant, Saskatoon Heritage Society dated May 28 and June 14, 2018
- DeeAnn Mercier, Broadway Business Improvement District dated June 4 and 15, 2018
- John Williams dated June 5, 2018
- Brent Penner, Downtown Saskatoon dated June 8 and 13, 2018
- Jerome Nicol dated June 11, 2018
- Debbie Taylor dated June 12, 2018
- Catherine Folkersen, Nutana Community Association dated June 13, 2018
- Keith Moen, NSBA dated June 13, 2018
- Don Richardson dated June 14, 2018
- Jason Jacobson, McKercher LLP dated June 14, 2018
- Curt McCoshen, Bus Riders of Saskatoon dated June 15, 2018
- Kira Judge and Brian Sawatzky, Saskatoon Environmental Advisory Committee dated June 15, 2018
- Peter Gallén dated June 16 and 18, 2018
- Cora Janzen, Saskatchewan Health Authority dated June 19, 2018
- Drew Byers dated June 19, 2018
- Allison Hunter dated June 20, 2018
- Scott Barlett dated June 20, 2018
- Darren Widenmaier dated June 20, 2018
Mr. Greg Fowler, Vice-President of Finance and Resources, University of Saskatchewan, spoke on behalf of the UofS in favour of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and answered questions of the Committee. He noted the City's planning aligns with the University's vision in regards to people, land, and environment.
Mr. Michael Mehak, Midtown Plaza, spoke in favour of the BRT and answered questions of the Committee. He noted 1st Avenue as the preferable location.
Ms. Peggy Sarjeant, Saskatoon Heritage Society, provided concerns for BRT with Broadway routing - effects on ambience and history; visual barrier; safety - and encouraged the Committee to consider the small scale environment and pedestrian experience.
Ms. DeeAnn Mercier, Executive Director, Broadway Business Improvement District, spoke generally in favour of the BRT and its opportunities; however, expressed concerns related to effects on businesses, atmosphere and charm; pedestrian experience; and parking/parking patios, and that more information and communication is needed. She answered questions of the Committee noting that the benefits will come from the connectivity of the stops/stations, not necessarily the dedicated lanes.
Mr. John Williams, President of North Prairie Developments, spoke in support of the BRT but expressed concerns regarding parking, visibility and traffic flow on 3rd Avenue, noting the least disruptive route would be down 1st Avenue. He answered questions of the Committee, and added the preference for bike lanes to remain where they are.
Mr. Brent Penner, Executive Director, Downtown Saskatoon spoke in favour, but also expressed concerns similar to that of the Broadway BID. He indicated a preference for the BRT routing along 1st Avenue rather than 3rd Avenue and answered questions of the Committee, encouraging BRT routing to be confirmed before making a decision on the bike lanes and having that conversation with business owners if needed.
Mr. Jerome Nicol, Saskatoon Cycles, spoke in favour of the City's proposed plan and routing for the downtown cycling network and answered questions of the Committee. He referenced the "I support the Downtown Cycling Network" postcard campaign and submitted two additional cards to the 600+ that were received.
The meeting recessed at 3:03 p.m. and reconvened at 3:18 p.m.
Mayor Clark advised that the Special Governance and Priorities Committee meeting scheduled for 4:30 p.m. with the Board of Police Commissioners will be deferred until a later date.
Ms. Debbie Taylor, owner of Hats & That, spoke against the BRT routing down Broadway and submitted a petition signed by nearly 500 people supporting an alternative route down 1st Avenue. She answered questions of the Committee and expressed concerns for impact on the heritage ambience of Broadway, walkability and pedestrian safety - particularly in the school zones, increase on air and noise pollution, and parking.
Ms. Catherine Folkersen, President, Nutana Community Association, spoke in support of a BRT in the area with the hopes of improving safety and quality of life by helping Broadway entertainment users to move in and out of the area in a more efficient way, particularly after bar closing hours.
Mr. Keith Moen, Executive Director, NSBA expressed the position of the association's membership in regards to both BRT (1st Avenue preference) and AAA Cycling Network (3rd Avenue), supporting them being done right, for the benefit of all, and at a time it makes sense. He answered questions of the Committee.
Mr. Don Richardson, owner of Creative Compliments, spoke against a BRT system along 3rd Avenue, primarily due the disruption of traffic flow and removal of parking spaces needed for customers and delivery drivers. He encouraged enhancing the population of the downtown first.
Mr. Jason Jacobson, Partner with McKercher LLP, advised the Committee that the firm is not opposed to the implementation of the BRT or the cycling network; however being potentially impacted by both projects, causes concern for parking. He encouraged the Committee to take an incremental approach based on population growth and ridership.
Mr. Curt McCoshen, Bus Riders of Saskatoon, spoke in favour of the BRT and AAA Cycling Network as important alternatives to driving in a growing city and answered questions of the Committee.
Ms. Kira Judge, member of the Saskatoon Environmental Advisory Committee, spoke in favour of the BRT and AAA Cycling Network reducing greenhouse gas emissions and asked that the City provide a breakdown on tax notices regarding the portion being invested in this initiative. She answered questions of the Committee and shared an online article entitled "Copenhagenize your city: the case for urban cycling in 12 graphs".
Mr. Peter Gallén spoke in favour of the BRT and AAA Cycling Network routes as proposed by the Administration and submitted a copy of his presentation. He expressed support for BRT along both Broadway and 3rd Avenue and a cycling network kept independent of these.
Ms. Cora Janzen, Health Promotion Department, Saskatoon Health Authority, spoke in favour of the AAA Cycling Network, noting 40% of the Saskatoon population is "interested but concerned" as there are too many deterrents to biking. She suggested protected bike lanes make biking viable and create a safe, healthy population.
Mr. Drew Byers, owner of Butler Byers Insurance, spoke about accessibility in relation to the BRT and AAA Cycle Network and the need for consideration and careful planning in this regard. He answered questions of the Committee.
Ms. Allison Hunter was not in attendance at the time speakers were heard.
The meeting recessed briefly at 4:29 p.m. to convene the scheduled Special Meeting with the Board of Police Commissioners.
The City Clerk reported that in light of the need for additional time for the Committee to complete its Special Meeting dealing with the Growth Plan Summit, notification of the Committee's meeting location in Council Chamber had been provided to any attendees for the Special Meeting with the Board of Police Commissioners. As such, the Committee was requested to formally adjourn its now convened Special Meeting with the Board of Police Commissioners. The City Clerk further reported that all members of the Board of Police Commissioners had been advised of the pending adjournment.
Moved By: Councillor Gough
That the Special Joint meeting of the Governance and Priorities and Board of Police Commissioners scheduled for June 20, 2018 at 4:30 p.m. be adjourned to a date to be determined by the City Clerk and subsequently advertised.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The Committee resumed its meeting on planned growth.
Mr. Scott Bartlett, Bulk Cheese Warehouse, spoke in opposition to BRT running down Broadway; not against BRT, but unnecessary to sacrifice Broadway's current success and functionality. He answered questions of the Committee.
Mr. Darren Widenmaier spoke in support of the BRT and AAA Cycling Network as proposed, encouraging the Committee to support its Administration.
Ms. Allison Hunter arrived during questions and was provided an opportunity to be heard.
Ms. Hunter spoke in regards to a demographic she feels was missed in the plans - those with mobility issues - people 65+ and those living with disabilities. She encouraged more consultation in this regard - with groups such as Saskatoon Council on Aging and Community Living and stressed the importance of parking and accessibility.
The Committee asked follow-up questions of the Administration and Mr. John Hubbell Senior Transportation Consultant, HDR Inc., and offered the following for further consideration by Administration:
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1st Avenue BRT option and removal of and non-4th Avenue bike lane options including the specific risks and benefits to move the BRT from 3rd Avenue to 1st Avenue, and to move cycling lanes from 4th Avenue to 3rd Avenue
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Victoria avenue possibility
- more engagement and an in-depth consultation with Broadway Avenue community
- a process to consult with stakeholders throughout the planning, construction and aesthetic design of the BRT and the bike lanes
- specific BRT routes in other cities and their impact on store front businesses
- the ability to design BRT in a manner that enhances and protects the Broadway 360 Plan
- how accessibility needs will be addressed through the BRT network and the AAA Cycling network
- education and awareness about rights and responsibilities for cyclists, motorists, pedestrians and people with disabilities
- the degree to which eliminating dedicated running lanes affects the opportunity to execute a successful BRT
- the Imagine Idylwyld initiative
- projections for 1/2 million population - what will the Downtown transit system look like with the implementation of the recommended plans
- whether Saskatchewan Polytechnic is within walkshed if north-south line came straight down 2nd Avenue downtown
- how to measure the impact of stops in a walkshed
- how to quantify short and long-term development for the future of these options - where do we think the biggest area for growth will be for transit users