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Council Briefs $15.9 million contract for Northland Danielle Sachs Northern News Services Published Friday, April 26, 2013 Underground pipes there are more than 15 years past their life expectancy and are in danger of a catastrophic collapse. The owners of 257 homes in the trailer park, where the infrastructure is communally owned by the trailer owners, agreed last year to repay the cost of water and sewer replacements to the city through a local improvement charge of up to $358 a month over 25 years.
Two bids for the water and sewer line replacements were submitted to the city by the April 12 deadline, the winning proposal from RTL Robinson Enterprises Ltd. at $15,908,554.77, and another from NWT Construction Ltd. for only $6,000 more at $15,914,527.71.
Both bids were almost $1.5 million higher than the engineer's estimate for the project. GST is expected to add another $800,000 to the final bill.
City council unanimously approved the contract after much table-thumping during Monday night's regular meeting.
What's up with the Wildcat?
City councillor Cory Vanthuyne told city administration Monday that people are asking him when the Wildcat Cafe will finally be open after two years of renovations but he is at a loss for words. All he knows is from what he has heard from media reports.
"It seems as though a number of heritage meeting minutes have gone by without seeing any subsequent Wildcat update," said Vanthuyne of the $525,000 renovation project.
"Spring is upon us and there are curious citizens wondering what the current status of the Wildcat Cafe is."
Grant White, the city's director of community services, conceded there is still work for the city-hired contractor left to be done, including finishing the floors and installing door hardware and shelves. The seasonal restaurant was supposed to reopen last spring after missing a year during renovations, but foundation problems and the discovery of asbestos in the kitchen led to delays.
"We do have our own staff looking after heating and ventilation, that should be ready in the next couple of days," said White.
White said they have been talking to the contractor and have a certain date in mind, which city administrator Dennis Kefalas said could be Victoria Day weekend.
Doggy daycare around the corner
City councillor Adrian Bell said he has been approached by some residents who want zoning rules around Yellowknife relaxed so they can apply for an animal services licence to take care of people's pets.
Currently, the Kam Lake industrial zone is the only area in the city where animal services are allowed, which under the current bylaw may include quarantine services, veterinary care, grooming and shelter.
Coun. Phil Moon Son said maybe amendments could include opening up the zoning bylaw to allow animal care to occur anywhere in the entire city but cautioned against leaving it up to neighbours to complain to enforce breaches of the bylaw.
Re-examining the animal services bylaw would be separate matter from the revamped draft dog bylaw that is undergoing review.
Coun. Niels Konge said he would support anything that promotes small businesses, including a doggy day care in an area that more people could access, such as downtown.
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