Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The increased taxi rate of $4.50 plus 20 cents for each 100 metres is now in effect.

Council approved the fee hike as part of the city's fees and charges bylaw, which passed its third and final reading Monday night.

Yellowknife's previous taxi rate from 2005 was $4 plus 16 cents for each additional 100 metres.

The consolidated bylaw includes all of the city's program fee changes, including hiked fees for fire and medical response outside of city boundaries (to $1,500 from $1,000) and charges for false fire alarms.

The bylaw passed with councillors Lydia Bardak, Mark Heyck and David McCann in favour and Coun. Paul Falvo opposed.

In separate motions, council approved the allocation of up to $75,000 within the downtown enhancement committee to draw up a final streetscaping plan for a portion of 50 Street and also approved a request for proposals from contractors to design and build a fieldhouse.

Council concerned about postal review

Council unanimously approved a motion directing the mayor to send a letter to a panel performing a national public review of Canada's postal service detailing Yellowknife residents' concerns.

The Canada Post Strategic Review, commissioned by the federal government, is considering deregulation of the postal service, which Coun. Paul Falvo said could put Yellowknife residents at a disadvantage.

"While deregulation might sound benign, even positive at first blush, it's a concern because it could lead to higher postal costs and reduced service for us here in the North," he said at the council meeting.

"We benefit from the fact that Canada Post has an exclusive market and charges the same thing to mail a letter across the street in Toronto as it does Yellowknife to Cornerbrook (Nfld)."

Public submissions to the review panel are due by Sept. 2.

Kehoe leaving the city after eight years

The city's director of public works, Greg Kehoe, is leaving his position to move to Kentville, N.S., within the next couple of weeks.

Kehoe, who has worked at city hall since 1999, has accepted a director of public works job in Kentville.

He said he's grateful to his colleagues in the department for doing their jobs professionally.

"I would like to say thanks to all the people of public works for carrying out essential services for the citizens of Yellowknife," he said.

Coun. Mark Heyck bid him farewell during Monday's council meeting, thanking Kehoe for his many years of service with the city.

"I had the opportunity to work very closely with Mr. Kehoe through the community energy planning committee and he's an excellent member of staff to work with so I just wanted to wish him and his family all the best."