Nathan VanderKlippe
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (May 17/02) - A last-second bid by Coun. Ben McDonald to take away on-street parking from several Otto Drive residents failed at Monday's city council meeting.

Months ago, councillors had voted to allow several residents to park on the street by an intersection and a crosswalk, despite bylaws and recommendations by city administration to the contrary.

McDonald had suggested council reverse course. He is worried that it is bad public policy to contravene expert opinion. He said this decision could open up the city to additional legal liability.

"We have had both in-house and independent professional advice that says that this proposal specifically would decrease the safety at that intersection (of Otto Drive and Harriet Lane)," he said. McDonald's suggestion drew the ire of other councillors.

"I think the city's wasted a great deal of time, money and the residents' time and effort," said Coun. Dave Ramsay.

Ramsay's side won. Council voted 5-3 to allow residents to continue parking on the street.