SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Some city councillors are concerned about a lack of opportunity for meaningful discussion before the budget is passed.

City councillor Paul Falvo brought up these concerns first, proposing that council move the dates for the review of the draft budget to Nov. 23 and 24, from Dec. 7 and 8.

The motion was seconded by city Coun. David Wind.

"Often we find ourselves in a situation where we're under the gun when we review that budget," said Wind.

"If we got into some serious changes we wanted to make, (discussing the budget earlier) would give administration serious time to make those changes," said Wind.

City Coun. Bob Brooks, however, disagreed with the motion. Brooks said the dates proposed by Falvo would be before the council meeting to hear public presentations on the budget, which is set to be on Nov. 29.

"While I appreciate the intent, I think by doing that you miss out on the public input," said Brooks.

Falvo's motion was ultimately defeated, with only Wind, Vanthuyne and Falvo voting in its favour.

Coun. Mark Heyck then put forward a motion that city administration give council an update on the budget in September - between June 15, when council gives administration input on the budget, and Nov. 15 when the draft budget is released to the public. This motion was carried.

Encroachment bylaw passes

City administrator Max Hall told city council that the purpose of changes proposed to the encroachment bylaw was to streamline the agreement process and not tie council up with numerous trivialities such as building insulation hanging an inch onto city land.

The amendment to the bylaw would give city administration the power to approve or deny encroachment agreements - when a property extends onto or hangs over city land - without council's blessing.

Though Hall told council any special circumstances would be brought before them, at the municipal services meeting on Feb. 1, Coun. David Wind said he was uncomfortable with the potential power given, even if administration swore it wouldn't be abused.

"What's there now, administration does one of two things. Approves, or forwards them to council and you get to deny them," said Hall on Feb. 8 at the Priorities, Policies, and Budget committee meeting.

This seems to have satisfied Wind's concerns, as the amendment passed all three readings with unanimous consent later that night at the city council meeting.

Heritage week

City-sponsored heritage activities have been going on around town since Monday and continue this weekend.

A heritage plaque will be unveiled at the Post Office today from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m.

Coffee and cookies will be served at the Prospector Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m., in honour of Lorne Schollar, a prominent Yellowknifer and member of the NWT Mining Heritage Society, who died recently.

There will also be a family-oriented heritage event at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre on Sunday from 2 to 3 p.m.

"We are contributing to Amazing Family Sundays. There will be poems, dance, song and stories," said Coun. Mark Heyck at the council meeting on Feb. 8.