Urban Update Banner

Issue No. 16-26

December 12, 2016
Farewell to 2016

This will be the last Urban Update of 2016. The next issue will arrive in your inbox on Tuesday, January 3, 2017. 

The SUMA office will be closed to observe holidays on December 23 and 26, 2016, and Monday, January 2, 2017.  SUMA wishes you a happy holiday season filled with your favourite people and lots of good cheer. See you in 2017!

.

Apply Now for Infrastructure Funding

You have until noon on Monday, January 23, 2017, to get your application in for funding under the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund, and the Provincial Territorial Infrastructure Component of the New Building Canada Fund. You can use the same online form to apply to both programs. Details are available on the Government of Saskatchewan website.

.

Convention 2017: Last Chance for Early Bird Rates

Act now to take advantage of Convention 2017 early-bird pricing: These rates are only available until Thursday, December 22! All of the details are in the invitation to register that went to the main email contact for your municipality. The initial email went out November 14, and reminders went out earlier this month. If you haven't received an email about registering for Convention 2017, please email [email protected]

Be sure to book your hotel rooms too; several hotels have already sold out their blocks. Check the Convention 2017 page on our website for details on accommodations.

.

SUMA Membership Drive

We mailed membership invoices early last week, so watch your mailboxes for a brown envelope full of valuable information about SUMA. This is the second year with the new timing for the membership drive, so don't forget to have your fees in by Tuesday, January 31, 2017. Renewing your membership for another year not only supports SUMA's advocacy and capacity-building work, it helps you save money through access to group benefits, SUMAssure, SUMAdvantage, and the other programs offered with membership.

.

Revaluation 2017 Percentages of Value

The percentages of value (POV) for the 2017 revaluation were set in late November to the following values:
  • Non-arable (range) land and improvements: 45 per cent
  • Other agricultural land and improvements: 55 per cent
  • Residential, multi-unit residential, and seasonal residential: 80 per cent
  • Commercial and industrial, grain elevators, and railway rights of way and pipeline: 100 per cent
More details are available in the provincial media release.

.

LA FOIP 101

The Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner is presenting an information session in Regina: "LA FOIP 101 - Access and Privacy Basics for Cities, Towns, Villages and Municipalities" on  Monday, January 23, 2017, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. They will choose a venue based on the number of interested attendees, and depending on interest, the training may be available as a webinar. If you're interested, email Kayla Oishi.

.

Regional Meeting and MLRR Workshop Roundup

A big thanks again to all the attendees and host communities from last month's round of Regional Meetings and Municipal Leaders' Roles and Responsibilities (MLRR) workshops. If you are looking for a copy of one of the PowerPoints from a meeting, you can check the 2016 section of the Presentations page on our website.  We also want to know how attendees think things went, so please fill out a quick survey if you attended a Regional Meeting or one of the MLRR workshops

.

Nominations Open for Canada 150 Volunteer Awards

Employment and Social Development Canada would like to recognize the important work of volunteers across the country to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Canada's Confederation.  Nominate a volunteer, not-for-profit organization, or business in your community for Canada's Volunteer Awards until February 3, 2017 Award recipients will be recognized at a ceremony and will be able to choose a not-for-profit organization to receive a grant of $5,000 (regional awards) or $10,000 (national award).  For more information about the awards, visit the website  or  call 1-877-825-0434.

.

Nominations Open for SWRC Waste Minimization Award

Do you know a waste reduction hero, an inspiring leader who has had a positive impact on the environment? Nominate them for a Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council  Waste Minimization AwardNominations must include a  two-page summary  highlighting the amount of waste diverted, impact on the environment and economy, leadership and innovation. The nomination deadline is February 17, 2017.

.

Free "Report Impaired Drivers" Signage

SGI is once again offering road signs encouraging motorists to report impaired drivers to the RCMP. Signs will be provided free of charge to municipalities to post in high-traffic areas. There are two sizes available:  
  • 61 cm x 91 cm (2'W x 3'H) for use in areas where speed is 60 km/hr or less. These can easily be attached to existing posts or light standards, or on individual single posts. 
  • 183 cm x 122 cm (6'W x 4'H) for use on highways entering or passing through the community or streets with higher speed limits.
Please note that these signs are for posting within municipal boundaries and not on Ministry of Highways property. To order yours, contact Eva Bissonnette, SGI Traffic Safety Enforcement Program Manager, or phone 306-751-1483.

.

WCB Rate Model Webinar Recording Available

You can now watch the recorded webinar on the rate model review for the Workers' Compensation Board (WCB). E mployers and the members of the public can learn about enhancements to the rate model (used to determine the revenue required in the coming year to cover the expected future cost of all injuries occurring in the year and expected administrative costs). The WCB has been using its current rate setting model since 1998.

In 2016, an independent consultant, Eckler, analyzed the WCB's rate model, and in September released their Rate Model Review report outlining their recommendations for the rate model.

.

Public Performance Rights for Music Played in Your Municipality 

Did you know that music purchased for personal use should not be played at sports events, fitness classes or other public gatherings without appropriate public performance licenses? Find out more about SOCAN (the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada) by visiting their website, where you can learn why you may need a SOCAN licence, and what tariffs should be paid on music played at municipal events and venues.

SOCAN is a not-for-profit organization that represents the Canadian performing rights of millions of music creators and publishers, including more than 130,000 Canadian members. Through licences, SOCAN gives businesses that use music the freedom to use any music they want, legally and ethically.
In This Issue

.

Hurry! SaskTel Offer Ends December 15

This is your last chance to take advantage of SaskTel's limited time offer. SUMA members can save thousands of dollars with the SaskTel Integrated Business Communication (IBC) phone system . There has never been a better time to upgrade your old phone system to the highly enhanced functionality of SaskTel IBC service.

 This promotion includes:
  • free phone sets;
  • no service connection charges; and
  • free admin training.
Contact your SaskTel Sales Representative or call 1-844-SaskTel (727-5835) to learn more.


Visit SUMAdvantage online for a complete list of member programs.

.

Convention: Welcome Reception

Start the Canada 150 celebrations at Sunday night's Welcome Reception at O'Brians Event Centre, a premier entertainment venue, comprised of two attached landmark buildings rich with Saskatoon history. 

Start preparing your red and white outfit (feel free to keep it casual) to take part in the festivities. You will be sure to enjoy the coast-to-coast-to-coast appetizers while listening to Heidi Munro and her six-piece jazz band play songs from Canadian history. Purchase your $30 tickets in advance, through the registration system. Get them soon; space is limited and you don't want to miss out! 

    

.


Find the latest listings by visiting the SUMA Classifieds  section of our website, under the Programs and Services tab.

Have a position to fill or an item to sell? Submit your ad  on our website.

.

Grants 

Upcoming Deadlines  
For a full listing of grants, check the   Grants   section of our website under the Resources tab.

.

About Us

Thank you for reading the Urban Update this week. We welcome your comments.
  

SUMA

200 2222 13th Ave.

Regina, SK  S4P 3M7

[email protected]

www.suma.org