The Downtown Event and Entertainment District funding strategy presentation that was once scheduled for November of 2023, is now being recommended to be left until June or July by City of Saskatoon Administration. The strategy was delayed, the first time, until earlier this year, to give planners additional time to organize important details that would assist City Council in making their decision.

Now, a report to be presented at tomorrow’s Governance and Priorities Committee is recommending that the strategy be revealed this summer. This gives time for the City to secure a potential private partner to provide operations management and contribute funding to the development of the DEED. The reports states that even if negotiations with the proponent require more time than expected, the Administration would report back on the budget estimate and preliminary funding strategy in July.

Saskatoon City Administration will be recommending several changes to the current municipal and school board election processes at tomorrow’s committee meeting. For example, mail-in ballots not recognized by the tabulating unit have historically been considered spoiled. With a new recommendation, a designated individual could potentially be allowed to spoil said ballot and mark another one in its place, if the ballots intent was clear. Also, current bylaw language requires that tabulation of results occur at City Hall. Administration is recommending some flexibility with the bylaw, potentially allowing votes to be counted at a location determined by the Returning Officer for increased efficiency.

And the City’s Integrity Commissioner will present her annual report on how well members of City Council followed Saskatoon’s Code of Ethical Conduct this year. Angela Kruk reports that in 2023, she received a total of 9 complaints about the responsiveness and respectful communication, or lack thereof, of City Council members. This is up from just 4 complaints in 2022.