Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

NNSL (May 13/98) - Nobody is sure who is calling the shots for the city in a last minute bid to negotiate an out-of-court settlement on secret meetings.

Council was surprised Monday night to hear the city's lawyer tell the Yellowknife Property Owners Association that the city, "is prepared to consider the donation of some money to a local charity in the names of both the city and the association."

In return the association would end its campaign to ensure council never holds another secret meeting.

The passage, from a May 8 letter written by city lawyer Leo Burgess to the ratepayers, was read to council by association representative James Phillip.

"I'm flabbergasted you haven't seen this," said Phillip, when council said they had yet to see the letter.

"So are we," responded Ald. Bob Brooks. "There was certainly no instruction given by council at all like that."

Mayor Dave Lovell later confirmed Brooks' statement. "Council said, 'No money.'"

"I don't think we should pay them a dime," said Ald. David Ramsay, adding the ratepayers seem to be holding the current council responsible for secret meetings, though it brought an end to them.

But ratepayers association vice-president Mike Byrne said the city has offered a cash settlement as well as a legally binding statement guaranteeing that no more secret meetings would ever be held in Yellowknife.

Almost two and a half years ago, the association launched the lawsuit challenging the legality of secret meetings.

Though criticized by the public, the weekly closed meetings were held for years. When the new council took office last year, the meetings were replaced by more open committee of the whole meetings.

The case is scheduled to be heard in Yellowknife May next week. Among those slated to testify are Mayor Dave Lovell, former city administrator Doug Lagore and Dick Peplow, a former alderman.

Association president Matthew Grogono estimated together both sides have spent between $40,000 and $50,000 on the case so far.

He said the city initiated discussion of a settlement.

"The city's lawyer surprised our lawyer April 30 by saying, 'Here's an informal offering to settle out of court,' said Grogono.

Council did not authorize that offer either, said the mayor.

"It did not come from any member of council or any member of administration," said Lovell. "If it did, they're not talking."

In his letter, copied to acting city administrator Max Hall, Burgess said his understanding of the city's position was gained through "discussions with city administration."

Burgess was unavailable for comment yesterday.