Jess McDiarmid
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, January 30, 2008

YELLOWKNIFE - Coun. David Wind asked at Monday's policies, priorities and budget committee meeting that a number of edits be made to a building bylaw set to go to council that evening.

Some definitions weren't consistent throughout the bylaw, he said, and there were some grammatical errors, such as a line that reads "a individual" instead of "an individual."

Coun. Kevin Kennedy replied during the list of edits that he thought "the grammar in that is just fine."

Wind said if committee felt he was off-base in identifying inconsistencies, he could bring it up at council that evening.

Kennedy then suggested Wind submit his list of edits to administration for consideration, which city administrator Max Hall said they'd be happy to do.

Mayor makes money for AWG

A night at the movies with Mayor Gord Van Tighem on Jan. 23 raised close to $3,000 for the Arctic Winter Games, with tickets going for $25 a pop at the Capitol Theatre.

"The movies were good, the popcorn was good," said Van Tighem. The screenings included Across the Universe, August Rush and Into the Wild.

The games kick off March 9 in Yellowknife. While fundraising is close to complete, the host society is still looking for hundreds of volunteers by Feb 1.

To register, go to www.awg2008.ca.

Council seeks $7.5 million in borrowing

Bylaws authorizing the city to borrow a total of $7.5 million to pay for infrastructure development in the Niven Lake subdivision and Engles Business District passed first and second readings at city council Monday night.

The bylaws also authorize the city to ask the minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Michael McLeod, to exempt the bylaws from voter approval.

Under the terms of the bylaws, the city could borrow a maximum of $3 million for Niven Lake developments and $4.5 million for the Engles Business District. Debts will be paid from land sales and won't affect taxes.

While some councillors raised concerns about borrowing money without public approval, city administration said money would only be borrowed as needed and it was standard procedure for developments.

City documents note that getting voter approval was expensive and time-consuming and should the public not vote in favour of borrowing to finance the development of infrastructure, it wouldn't be in the best interest of the city.

The developments are considered low-risk, as studies show there is a high demand for industrial space in Engles Business District and housing at Niven Lake, meaning money to pay back any debt should be readily available.

"There is this risk that's being taken here," said Coun. Kevin Kennedy. "(But) there is a demand and we have a lineup."

The bylaw will go to third reading if the minister approves waiving the requirement to get voter approval as stipulated in territorial law.

Only Coun. David Wind voted against the bylaws.