Provincial Budget Fallout Continues
The days since the March 22 release of the provincial budget have been busy for SUMA. The best place to find the latest details on how the 2017-18 budget hurts hometowns is on the
hub page we created specifically for this issue.
Bookmark it today for quick access to
communication with members, media releases, links to our social media accounts, what our members and the media are saying, and resources that will help you have your voice heard on this budget.
Earlier today, SUMA hosted a news conference and distributed
this media release
. Members and municipal elected officials should also watch their inboxes tomorrow for the latest update from SUMA. (There's just too much to share in an Urban Update!)
We are always looking for details on how your municipality is responding in the wake of this provincial budget. We are sharing it on the hub page under "What Members Are Saying". If you have something to add to the list, please email Communications Advisor Tiffany Wolf with details.
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Request from the Saskatchewan Libraries Association
The Saskatchewan Library Association
(SLA) is requesting member assistance in protesting the provincial government's decision to cut provincial funding for regional libraries by 58 per cent, or $3.5 million and eliminate funding of $1.3 million to public libraries in Regina and Saskatoon.
SLA has released a statement about the cuts
and other library associations in Saskatchewan and across Canada have also done so.
If you are concerned about the deep funding cuts to regional and municipal libraries, visit the SLA advocacy page for the letter writing suggestions, and other information.
SLA is also encouraging people to sign two different petitions that are being circulated. The first one
aims to collect the signatures of 15 per cent of eligible voters in Saskatchewan in order to trigger a plebiscite on the question of restoring funding to libraries. The
second petition
can be submitted by anyone online. Finally, a letter writing campaign can be accessed online. Please copy [email protected] with any of your submissions.
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Federal Budget and Municipalities
While SUMA has been focused on providing member information on the 2017-18 provincial budget, our federal sister association, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), has been focused on the federal budget that was delivered the same day. The FCM offered their analysis in a
document released earlier this month. Highlights included investments in transit, housing and local climate action.
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The Town of Rosthern is hosting the 29th Annual SUMA Golf Tournament at Valley Regional Park, Thursday
and Friday, July 13-14. For only $110, you will receive supper and entertainment on Thursday night, and on Friday, breakfast, 18 holes of golf, a cart, and lunch.
If you are not a golfer, you can still take part in the other activities for $55. For more information and to
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Join the Bid Evaluation Committee for Water Treatment Chemicals
SUMA will soon post a request for proposal (RFP) for a water treatment chemicals program. Our procurement agent is looking for members who are interested in participating on the Bid Evaluation Committee.
Committee members would need to
commit approximately five hours of work between
April 17 and June 30 but all meetings. Discussions will take place by email and conference call, so no travel will be required. Duties include helping
develop evaluation criteria to assess the proposals received
.
The initial program meeting should take about one hour via conference call. Please inform
Beverly Bradshaw
by
4:00 p.m. on April 13, if you are interested in participating.
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The UMAAS Convention "Responding to the Challenge" is taking place June 6-9 at the Saskatoon Travelodge Hotel. Registration, agenda and bus tour information are now available.
Get the details on the UMAAS Convention and more in the March edition of the UMAAS Update.
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Upcoming Building Standards and Licensing Branch Workshops
The
2015 Code Adoption Workshop, April 18 in Regina and April 20 in Saskatoon,
will highlight
significant changes in the National Building Code 2015 and National Fire Code 2015. Both codes are proposed for adoption and in force on July 1. The workshops will be of interest to building owners, industry, municipal officials, building officials, fire inspectors, designers, and other interested code users.
The
Legislative Framework Workshop, May 8-9 in Saskatoon,
is a requirement
for all new building officials and for current building officials who wish to renew their Building Official Licence after July 1, 2019, but available to all interested parties.
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Send Us Your Green Stories
During Convention 2017, delegates passed a resolution on the carbon tax that "resolved that urban municipalities assume a leadership role in adopting carbon reduction strategies" and SUMA is always happy to share the success stories of our members. The Northern Village of Green Lake is a great example, as they are moving to solar energy, with panels owned and operated by the village to be installed later this month. While this move is largely a response to unreliable power in the north, we also applaud their leadership in green energy by including the story on the resolution page.
Do you have a success story about how your municipality is leading the way on green initiatives? We want to hear from you, so we can share your success! Please pass along your municipality's story by emailing it to us at [email protected]
.
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Urban Update Advertisement
Initial Price vs. Total Cost of Ownership
New municipal buildings are often awarded based on lowest bid. Although this may seem right, in many cases, it ends up costing governments more than expected.
The initial price is only a percentage of the total cost of ownership and should be considered as such. Calculating aspects such as maintenance, thermal performance, operational costs, insurance and other fiscal commitments over the service life of a building will help determined the actual investment for the proposed asset. With readily available lifecycle assessment reports and building science consultants, municipalities have significant resources to study and compare the various envelope types to make well-informed decisions on which building or building design will best fit within the municipal budget for today and tomorrow.
For more information regarding TCO and how precast concrete will play a vital role in our sustainable future, contact Jesse at
[email protected]
or 1-403-885-5525.
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Meet Our New Saskatoon Hotel Partner
The Holiday Inn Saskatoon Downtown is Saskatoon's latest, state-of-the-art hotel ideally located in the Central Business District. In the heart of the vibrant downtown core, it's across the street from TCU Place, Midtown Shopping Centre, and the YMCA.
This hotel conveniently offers free high-speed Internet, heated indoor pool, fitness center and indoor heated parking. Whether you're travelling to Saskatoon on business or leisure, make
this hotel
your first stop.
SUMA member rates start at $135.99.
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Funding for Climate Actions and Asset Management
FCM
Climate and Asset Manangement Network is accepting applicants. Apply by
June 15. The network provides
"peer-learning opportunities, grant funding and training to help Canadian municipalities better integrate climate and sustainability goals into asset management approaches."
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The Association of Consulting Engineering Companies - Saskatchewan (ACEC-SK) is hosting an Informed Infrastructure Investment Conference on May 11 at the Executive Royal Hotel in Regina.
To register, submit a completed
registration form
and email it to
[email protected]
. Early bird prices in effect until
April 13
.
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Classifieds
POSITIONS AVAILABLE
FOR SALE
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.
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Grants
Upcoming Deadlines
Ongoing
For a full listing of grants, check the
Grants
section of our website under the Resources tab.
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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 |
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