Karen Mackenzie
Northern News Services
Friday, May 25, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - City Council raised the possibility of free transit for Yellowknife seniors at a meeting on Tuesday.

"It seems to me that if we're going to give free services to seniors it should be free across the board," said council member Paul Falvo, who added that council should begin to "equate parking with transit."

Currently, residents aged 60 and over are entitled to receive a parking meter exemption sticker by visiting the municipal enforcement division at City Hall.

Seniors are also entitled to a reduced rate on transit, of $1.50 per ride versus $2.50.

Council will revisit the issue at a later date.

Historic land application nearly complete

Yellowknife is one step closer to obtaining more land.

Parcels of land in areas including Tin Can Hill North, the Kam Lake Industrial expansion and Negus Point South were approved for transfer to the city as part of its Greater Land Application in August 2005.

Council recommended Tuesday it adopt an amended bylaw allowing it to acquire the lands, and will vote next Monday to approve it.

The city will then send the formal request to Municipal and Community Affairs.

"This is probably one of the biggest land applications in the history of Yellowknife," said Jeffrey Humble, director of planning and lands. "We should have title within the next two months."

Council debates incentives for home businesses

Council members were divided Tuesday over whether to provide local entrepreneurs with new incentives for home businesses.

"We keep talking about diversifying our economy," said council member Kevin Kennedy, who suggested the city grant home business owners an amnesty from the $100 fee during their first year.

However, council member David Wind cautioned that too many home businesses could take away from the vibrancy of the city's commercial life, and that "people in the various neighbourhoods could be concerned."

Council also discussed the possibility of reducing the fee. It will discuss the matter again at a later date.

Mill rates for parking could rise

City Council may raise the mill rate for high-density parking.

At 6.70, the rate is currently the lowest of any city category, including agricultural or residential properties.

"I don't understand why we would be giving this bonus for parking space," said council member Kevin Kennedy, who raised the issue at a council meeting on Tuesday.

City Council sets annual municipal mill rates to generate property tax revenue.

These rates are determined by dividing the total property tax revenues required by the city by the municipality's overall property assessment.

This year property taxes are set to rise 3.24 per cent, which will result in an additional $17,388,000 in revenue for the city.

Yellowknife's parking category was historically set low to encourage downtown parking and the parkade construction, according to city administrator Max Hall.

Council will revisit the matter before setting its 2008 rates.