IQALUIT - City council is considering hiring a full-time lawyer to be the city's permanent legal advisor for two years.

Right now the city uses four or five different law firms for different kinds of legal situations.

"We ran into problems this year in that our legal counsel was hard to get in touch with and had other priorities," said Coun. Al Hayward.

Councillors Hayward and Glenn Williams asked for a detailed report on how much money the city would save with a permanent lawyer. Lawyers' salaries aren't cheap, said Coun. Jim Little. The council put off voting on the issue until July 13.

Compost program endorsed

Tuesday night, Shirley Allder from the Bill Mackenzie Humanitarian Society asked council to help to society establish a composting program.

Using food waste as compost would reduce the amount of trash going into the municipal landfill, she said.

"We all know that our landfill is busting at the seams," Allder said.

So far the society has been growing flowers to give to churches, elders and group homes. If they can get more funding they would like to start growing vegetables, which requires more specialized work to make sure the compost is clean.

The city voted unanimously to partner with the society, which will help as it applies for federal funding. Coun. Jim Little excused himself from the vote, citing a conflict of interest because he is involved in the group.

Councillor criticizes bridge

Deputy mayor Simon Nattaq criticized the Department of Environment's plans for a pedestrian bridge over the Sylvia Grinnell River in the territorial park.

Nattaq said he had heard from Iqalummiut who said they preferred the idea of a bridge that would be accessible to four-wheelers and snowmobiles.

City unveils new health and safety rules

The City of Iqaluit rolled out its new occupational health and safety policy last Tuesday, as presented by Occupational Health and Safety officer Chris Callahan.

The policy establishes the responsibilities of employers to ensure that a workplace is safe, as well as the responsibilities of employees to work in a safe manner. Each city employee has already been trained on the new procedures and received a manual in either English or Inuktitut.

Coun. Glenn Williams voiced concerns about the policy, as he said the section on working in stormy weather was more appropriate for the conditions in the south than for Nunavut.

Also, deputy mayor Simon Nattaq said that according to the policy, city hall's location violated the policy because the front entrance demands a walk up a flight of stairs, which can be difficult or dangerous to the disabled.

Nattaq, who uses a cane, said people who come to city hall have to go up those stairs to pay their bills.

Legends on fire

The mural on the side of the Iqaluit firehouse might be getting bigger.

City council voted June 16 to partner with the youth painting the mural as they apply for funding from Brighter Futures.

Addressing the council, Iqaluit visual artist John Cruz said work on the mural was popular with the kids who frequent the skate park at the Curling Club and kids on the street had expressed interest as well. Cruz said the mural focuses on traditional Inuit legends.

He also is asking the public to donate old painting supplies.