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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Grant White, director of community services, reported on Monday that city staff removed "three barrels of matter" - frozen animal urine and feces, to be exact - from Range Lake last week.

"This is not an everyday kind of occurrence," said city councillor David Wind, who lauded the city for taking action on what the city maintains is "a grey area" in jurisdiction and not the city's responsibility to clean up.

The excrement had been spread over a limited area off the Rivett Crescent entrance to the lake. City regulations specify animal waste is to be dumped in a designated location at Fiddler's Lagoon. Those caught illegally dumping such matter would normally be charged a fine for littering, city officials said.

"We've been watching closely," Mayor Gord Van Tighem said. "Don't tell anyone about the cameras mounted around the lake," he joked to Yellowknifer.

More recycling depots

Yellowknife may soon have a new recycling depot at Extra Foods on Old Airport Road to help relieve the overloaded depot at the Yellowknife Co-op.

"The depot at the Co-op is the one that needs the most attention, and this new location will help balance the load," said Coun. Kevin Kennedy at Monday's Priorities, Policies and Budget committee meeting.

The city has four recycling drop-off points in the city. According to Public Works, 42 per cent of all recyclables dropped off are left at the popular Co-op location.

Initial plans for the 2009 budget called for an additional recycling bin for mixed plastics to be added at each of the current four locations. The city's proposal calls for the new depot to be established this year, with four bins, and to delay the mixed plastics bins until 2010.

Across town, J.H. Sissons school is looking to improve its collection of recyclables with a little help from the city, whom it has asked to take part in a pilot project by placing a bin for recyclables at the school. Data on amounts recycled at the school will be used to determine whether such a program should be extended to other schools.

For democratic mergers

City councillors expressed thanks and relief on Monday that the NWT government shelved its board merger plans, and agreed to compose a statement for the government in the form of a letter encouraging them to consult citizens.

"I think there's probably room for some reform in the boards and in the NWT as a whole," said Coun. Shelagh Montgomery.

"But I think laying out a meaningful consultation process, giving options, is better. Perhaps highlighting in the letter the benefits of a more democratic process."

Coun. David Wind agreed, suggesting the city should focus on encouraging the government to ensure democratic representation be kept among school boards in Yellowknife.

"We should be calling for an elected board, rather than an appointed one," he said.

"Our school boards in Yellowknife derive revenue from taxpayers of the city, so it's quite appropriate that we operate with an elected board."