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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - This year's tentative special grant recipients - and the dollar amounts to be handed out - were announced during a council committee meeting on Monday.

"There was $219,000 worth of applications and we had $89,500 to give away," said Coun. Bob Brooks, who sits on the grants review committee.

Out of the 18 groups who are set to receive grants, none were allotted amounts more than $8,000. Top recipients included the Somba K'e Paddling Society ($8,000), Classics on Stage ($7,500), Western Arctic Moving Pictures ($7,000) and Foster Family Coalition of the NWT ($7,000).

Other groups included the Calvary Community Church, which will use funds to start a Food Rescue Program, Side Door Ministries for a summer skateboarding program and the NorthWords Writers Festival, which will host a 2009 Writers' Festival.

At least one councillor, Paul Falvo, acknowledged the amount of funding available - and how that funding is being allotted - has brought about some controversy in recent months.

Some councillors wanted to exceed the funding amount designated by law under the territorial government's Municipal and Community Affairs department, while others wanted groups to become self-sufficient.

All funding amounts and recipients must be approved at the next regular council meeting.

Second wind

The Yellowknife Policing Advisory Committee is successfully redoubling efforts to combat flagging interest in the group, said Coun. David Wind.

Some of the committee's new members "are quite active," and have contributed more enthusiasm, Mayor Gord Van Tighem said.

"I'm hopeful we've injected some new vigour into the workings of the community," added Wind.

The committee's next meeting on March 11 is open to the public.

Right on schedule

Councillors received a slew of dates to pencil into their agendas at Monday's committee meeting.

City administration recently created a schedule for council, citizens and departments alike following important dates for planning the 2010-2012 budget.

"It's very good to have a schedule before us. I think it shows a very pro-active approach," said Coun. Paul Falvo.

While Falvo commended the schedule, he also suggested various items could be moved up. He suggested that the council meeting to hear public presentations on the draft budget should be earlier than the end of November.

Discussing issues and seeing presentations earlier in the year may help out later, he added.