City goes five days without development officers on staff
Sudden resignations leave municipality without power to administer permits
Jessica Davey-Quantick
Northern News Services
Friday, September 8, 2017
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
For five days at the end of August, there were no development officers employed by the city of Yellowknife.
Nalini Naidoo, director of planning and development for the city, said the gap was caused by changes in staffing, with new employees coming on board Sept. 5.
"It is unfortunate, however we can't plan when people decide to move on or resign," she said.
"It's not typical of the city to not have that service, so thank goodness we have new employees."
She added that because of some "resignations that weren't anticipated" the city wasn't able to cover those five business days.
The development officers are appointed by council to administer and enforce the NWT Community Planning and Development Act.
Under the city's planning and development department, the officers administer permits as well as make sure plans meet local regulations.
According to department statistics 38 permits have been issued during this year's second quarter, with $55,510 collected in permit fees. For all of 2016, 103 permits were issued, with $1,095,748 collected in permit fees.
Typically, the city issues a weekly list of development approvals, but for the week of Aug. 25, the list was blank.
"We have inquiries almost daily on development permits and how fast we can get things done because it is summer construction season and that's why it is a concern when we don't have employees," said Naidoo.
She said that nothing was delayed by the lack of staff, as under the act, the development officers have 40 days to address applications.
"We were within our timeframe there, but still we always try to do better than the 40 days," she said, adding that within the department, there are typically four employees plus a manager who have development officer authority.
Janelle Derksen was hired as a development officer and Amanda-Brea Watson was hired as manager for planning and lands by the city, appointed by council as development officers at the Aug. 28 council meeting.
The city also announced two other staff changes on Aug. 29. Sharolynn Woodward was promoted to the position of director of corporate services and Kerry Penny took over the role of director of policy, communications and economic development, effective Tuesday.
The department of communications and economic development also absorbed policy and legal services.
Additionally, the city announced recruitment will begin for new management in information technology and legal services.
"We're ready to get down to work and we're happy to have new Yellowknifers in town," said Naidoo.
