Council briefs
Ban needed on running dogs along vehicles, says councillor
Kirsten Fenn
Northern News Services
Wednesday, July 12, 2017
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Some city councillors want to ban people from walking or running dogs alongside their vehicles in non-highway areas of the city.
Dennis Kefalas, director of public works, speaks to council about cycling routes in the city during Monday's municipal services committee meeting. - Kirsten Fenn/NNSL photo |
The practice primarily takes place at the Sand Pits near Deh Cho Boulevard and Highway 3, and along the winter ice road, according to senior administrative officer Sheila Bassi-Kellett.
Council discussed the issue at Monday's municipal services committee meeting.
Last year, resident Trudy Hause came to council with concerns after her dog Elwood was injured by a driver running a dog alongside their truck at the Sand Pits. Residents walk their dogs at the off-leash area, which is also frequented by vehicles.
The city's administration is proposing a public education campaign to deter residents from running dogs beside vehicles, but not everyone agrees that's the right fix.
"It really should be discouraged probably by bylaw," said Coun. Julian Morse, who said he is in favour of prohibition.
"We've had residents, unfortunately, lose dogs and I think people have expressed to us that it's a pretty serious issue."
According to a memo presented to council, current bylaws prohibit people from running dogs on highways or roadways.
But Coun. Niels Konge questioned whether the city would actually enforce a new bylaw.
"We have some other bylaws on the books that certainly, in terms of public safety ... are pretty important but they're not enforced and haven't been enforced since they've been introduced," he said. "Having more bylaws that we're never going to enforce is just a complete waste of time."
Dennis Marchiori, director of public safety, said it would be difficult to enforce the bylaw because of the "geographical size of the city."
No decision was finalized Monday.
Mayor Mark Heyck said councillors can make a notice of motion at another meeting if they want to introduce a bylaw change.
City maps plans for cycling network
The city is exploring how it can improve cycling routes for Yellowknife residents.
Dennis Kefalas, director of public works, presented options for the city's biking network during a presentation to city council Monday.
Councillors weighed in on different routing options - from multi-use pathways to bike lanes on city roads to concrete barriers that could separate cycling lanes from vehicle traffic on roads.
They also talked about improving signage and briefly discussed the possibility of adding speed limits for cyclists before determining it may not be practical.
"With speed limits, it's a lot harder," said Dennis Marchiori, the director of public safety. "It would also mean that you would be asking cyclists to be getting cycle computers on their bikes and other things."
He added it's generally accepted that people should be courteous to others on trails.
Senior administrative officer Sheila Bassi-Kellett said administration's intent was to summarize their research and show what might be planned for next steps.
Coun. Niels Konge suggested multi-use pathways would be more useful than bike lanes on roads in a winter city like Yellowknife.
According to Kefalas' presentation, multi-use pathways are: at least three metres wide, separate from city streets and shared with pedestrians.
"If there are multi-use pathways, perhaps my dream of having ski lanes might happen," added Konge.
2018 capital budget previewed
The city is proposing $26 million in capital expenditures in 2018, according to a presentation from the city's senior administrative officer.
"The purpose in presenting today is to propose some preliminary budget items," said Sheila Bassi-Kellett.
Projects outlined in the presentation included a 'submarine pipeline inspection' of the city's water intake pipeline from Yellowknife River, as well as water and sewer upgrades around Williams Avenue and Dagenais Drive.
Road work is needed around Northland, as well as paving around Hall Crescent and Grace Lake North, she added.
She said a new traffic light is also expected to be installed at 44 Street and Franklin Avenue at a cost of about $500,000.
"As we bring the draft forward for council to take a look at in September, you'll have the opportunity then to tell us yes or no of what you'd like to see included and what you don't," she told councillors. A draft budget presentation is scheduled for Sept. 11, with a chance for the public to weigh in on Sept. 25.
