Iqaluit (Nov 13/06) - Iqaluit's new city council got through the opening prayer before getting caught up in an arcane procedural battle.

Mayor Elisapee Sheutiapik wanted to delay committee appointments to give freshman councillors a chance to scan the list for committee slots that interested them, and figure out what each post would entail.

But Glenn Williams, who served as deputy mayor in the last council, objected, citing a bylaw that requires council to make the committee appointments at its first meeting after an election.

"Everyone has known since mid-October who the new councillors will be," Williams said.

City staff determined council could vote to defer the appointments, which later prompted a debate about when council should next meet.

The next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 17 at 6 p.m.

Hikoalok not welcome

Coun. Simon Nattaq weighed in on the arrival of convicted child rapist Jason Hikoalok in Iqaluit last week, wondering aloud if the city can do anything to prevent the sex offender's settlement here.

Coun. Claude Martel suggested posting Hikoalok's picture around town to warn parents.

Snow fence on the way

Homeowners along the Road To Nowhere are another step closer to having a snow fence in their neighbourhood.

Council awarded a $167,000 contract for the project to Baffin Building Systems.

That doesn't include the piles for the fence, which will cost another $162,000, to the chagrin of Coun. Jim Little.

But staff reminded councillors the project has already been approved, and all that was left was to vote on the contract.

Council passed the motion 6-2, with Little and Martel voting against.

The six snow fences to be erected in the city are expected to cost $1 million.