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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - At a city council meeting Monday night, Coun. Kevin Kennedy asked whether the educational component of anti-idling bylaw warnings was being sufficiently promoted.

"Are they actually educational?" he asked.

Kennedy said the warnings, which look like parking citations, should contain information on greenhouse gas emissions and idling impacts, as well as the city's bylaw, rather than merely noting the bylaw offence with the appearance of being punitive.

"If we want to reduce idling ... We need to start getting solid information out there before we begin proper enforcement," he stated in an e-mail.

Council re-vamped the city's idling bylaw last May to make it illegal to idle a vehicle longer than 15 minutes in temperatures below -10 C. The $40 fines aren't due to come into effect until this spring after the one-year warning-only phase is complete.

Doug Gillard, manager of municipal enforcement, said he was not sure how many warnings had been given out.

Heritage designation confusion

Jeffrey Humble, the city's director of planning and lands, said the city will come back to council with proof that Aurel and Annette Lemay want their home designated a heritage site after two councillors raised concerns about approving it.

In committee Monday morning, Coun. David Wind said he was surprised that Negus House - the first residential building proposed for heritage designation - was back before council after family members of the Lemays said the couple were worried how the designation would affect the property value of the 55 St. home, in which they still reside.

Wind said the designation would put limitations on what the Lemays - or future owners - could do to the structure.

"It seems to me that makes the property less attractive to a potential buyer," he said.

"Our designation of properties as heritage sites should not in any way adversely affect the value of properties, particularly when people are still living in the properties."

Humble said a meeting took place between the Lemays and the heritage committee, where the committee assured the couple the designation would not adversely affect the property's value or their ability to resell the property.

Coun. Kevin Kennedy asked to see something in writing from the Lemays that showed their approval to have the designation go ahead.

Humble said administration would provide assurances that the Lemays were in support of the designation.

He added the designation could be reversed after the fact and that could be put into the agreement as a condition.

Council formalized the request at a meeting later that evening.

The Negus House was constructed in 1947 by Negus Mines and used as a staff house until 1952. The Lemays purchased the home in 1953 and have lived there ever since.

Get ready to party!

The city is planning activities in late June to commemorate the city's 75th birthday.

The mayor's office is also corresponding with the organizers of annual Edmonton and Kelowna reunions, to have them coincide with the celebration. Mayor Gord Van Tighem said the time periods of the reunions would likely fall from June 19 to July 5, to accompany events such as the Midnight Classic Golf Tournament and Canada Day celebrations.

The 75-year anniversary is based on the 1934 settlement of Burwash Mine in Yellowknife Bay.

Van Tighem said he hoped councillors would have a tentative calendar of events by Feb. 1.

He said the heritage committee has designated the anniversary as its theme for this year's Heritage Week, as well.