SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - City councillor David Wind asked city administration to consider levelling penalties against any potential developers of the parcel of land between 54 Avenue and Tin Can Hill by Rockridge apartments if they fail to meet development deadlines.

Wind said there was "perhaps a risk that this might fail" in view of the current recession. He added administration should consider serious penalties if developers fail to measure up to their agreements with the city, as has occurred with the stalled Bayview Estates development.

Jeffrey Humble, director of lands and planning, said the city has imposed penalties for extension requests in the past and is something it could look into when the city puts out requests for proposals on the area, which amounts to just over three acres.

"We can definitely draft up penalty clauses, but it's a bit too premature to do that," he said.

Humble also suggested council could give direction on the time line for phases of the development.

Hats off to Yk 75 organizers

During the council meeting on Tuesday night, councillors gave props to the organizers of Yk 75 events for their hard work and already noticeable success.

Impressed with the events so far, Coun. Bob Brooks said he is looking forward to the rest of the celebrations. Coun. Lydia Bardak said she spent about six hours at the Yellowknife Sings event on Monday catching up with old friends and taking in the city's talented musicians.

"The event was full of a lot of wonderful, amazing talent," she said. "It was just great."

Both Mayor Gord Van Tighem and Coun. Wind took in the wine and cheese event on Friday night and enjoyed the photo displays of Yellowknife-past. Wind also attended the beer barge event Saturday night.

"If these two events are any sign of the kinds things going on over the next few weeks, I'm looking forward to it all," Wind said.

Menu set for community barbecue

The menu has been set for Sunday's community barbecue at city hall.

Brian Kelln, program manager with the department of community services, said the city ordered enough food to accommodate between 3,000 to 4,000 people and have a range of food available from hamburgers and fish and also veggie burgers.

"We increased the number of buns this year and decided to get rid of the pita pockets," he said, adding they weren't well received.

The city will also be rolling out it's new biodegradable plates and utensils. Kelln joked and said you could probably eat them. Lydia Bardak cautioned that propane tanks should be checked before they are put into use.

"We better test the propane after last weekend's events," she said, referring to the propane fire at the Aboriginal Day fish fry at the Yellowknife Community Arena.

In line with being more environmentally-friendly at city-run events, the city will be giving out prizes to people who ride their bikes to the event.

Highway 4 encroachment

Coun. Wind wondered if the city will incur any expenses if a building occupying a parcel of land near Highway 4 needs to be moved for road realignment in the future.

Council passed first and second readings on a bylaw to acquire a lease on the parcel of land on Highway 4 where the Giant Mine Recreation Hall encroaches. Humble said he wasn't sure how long the building had been there but said the city would approach the tenant if the building needed to be moved in the future.

Movement of the building may be necessary in the future when the highway is moved to make way for lean-up efforts at Giant Mine.