Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (June 24/05) - City Hall is backing away from plans to charge gate fees to residents entering the dump to scavenge other people's junk.

Instead, the city is proposing that only vehicles hauling in trash pay a $5 fee. If city council approves, the toll will come into effect Jan. 1, next year.

"It makes more sense, doesn't it?" asked Mayor Gord Van Tighem.

"That way you catch you're out-of-towners, and you don't penalize the people who are helping to reduce the overall build-up."

City council will begin formal debate on the recommendation, starting with next Monday's regular public meeting.

Another change likely to come next year is restrictions on the number of bags residents can leave on the curb for garbage day.

The city is proposing a limit of three 70 litre bags or pails of garbage per household, starting Jan. 1, followed by a further restriction in 2007 to two bags. Additional bags or pails left on the curb will cost another $1 each.

Apartment buildings and business offices, meanwhile, will pay $65 per tonne.

City councillor Kevin O'Reilly called changes to the city's dumps a reasonable compromise.

He said the city will allow vehicles into the dump on an "honour system," adding that officials at the dump have the right to search vehicles if there is reason to believe that people are trying to sneak in trash without paying the $5 fee.

"The city does have the ability to search vehicles before they go in," said O'Reilly.

"Not that we want to do that on a regular basis. It's just a reminder that the city has the ability to do that if we felt that we needed to use that authority."

Tales from the Dump columnist Walt Humphries said he ran into some confusion over the weekend when he went to the dump, and was told the $5 fee was coming into effect July 1.

After contacting public works director Greg Kehoe on Monday, he was assured it was not, but tipping fee increases were.

Regardless, he said the city must do a better job communicating with the public.

"They're wondering why people are getting so pissed off, and part of the reason is you can't seem to get a straight definite answer from them," said Humphries. "You get an answer, and then they turn around in two or three months and say, 'you misunderstood what we were saying.'"

Kehoe said his department will be speaking with dump employees to make sure the right information is going out to the public.

"If we inadvertently did it, we'll try to correct it," he said.

Tipping fee increases coming next week include a $35 charge to residents for dropping off an old fridge and $10 each for all other appliances. Right now, dropping them is free. Residents will also be charged $4 per car battery and tires under 20 inches.

The commercial sector will see demolition waste go up to $40 per tonne from $22, and contaminated soil goes up to $60 per tonne from $20.