SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
A suggestion by Coun. Niels Konge that some city staff fear retribution for blowing the whistle on wrong-doing by fellow employees was quickly interrupted by Mayor Mark Heyck on Monday.

Mayor Mark Heyck, left, listens as Coun. Adrian Bell questions the message given in city budget advertising during a municipal services committee meeting Monday. - Shane Magee/NNSL photo

"There are certainly people who work in the City of Yellowknife who don't feel like they can bring their complaints forward without basically putting a target on their back," Konge said at Monday's municipal services committee meeting. "I've heard that from a couple of people. That is worrisome. As a council we're supposed to make the city better for everybody and nobody knows how to do that better than the people who work at the city, so - "

"Councillor Konge, I would be very careful," Heyck cut in. "You're alleging things that are unsubstantiated and it puts our staff in a very, very difficult position, so if there's anything specific you want to discuss, we can go in camera to do that, but - "

"No, just a policy so that people can feel comfortable coming forward with their concerns and I think we need to make this a priority," Konge said, cutting off the mayor.

The conversation about whistle-blowing arose as Coun. Adrian Bell sought to find out what protections city staff have if they want to raise issues because there is a sense from people he's talked to it isn't adequate. He said the issue has come up over the past year and also during the campaign.

The city's human resources manager, Marie Couturier, said two city policies lay out that staff members can bring issues to the attention of their managers. Information about who brought the issue forward would remain confidential, the policy dictates. As well, there is a ban on retaliation against someone who brings forward an issue. Those policies are provided and explained to new employees.

Bell suggested the city adopt a model similar to that of the City of Mississauga in Ontario.

That city has a whistle-blower policy and has an independent company that handles concerns.

That means staff don't have to report issues directly to other staff members.

After the initial report, the whistle-blower can continue to use the reporting system to anonymously communicate with city staff investigating the issue.

Bell said he intents to bring forward a motion related to developing a whistle blower policy at a future meeting.

Ads to be more 'benign,' says senior administrative officer

Senior administrative officer Dennis Kafalas vowed future city advertising about the proposed 2016 budget will be more "benign" than one published earlier this month that came under criticism from councillors Monday.

That ad that ran in Yellowknifer last week showed Statistics Canada and NWT Statistics data from 2012 about spending patterns of the average household.

The smallest of the 11 spending categories was municipal taxes and fees for water and sewer service, at two per cent and one per cent respectively.

It suggests that despite claims of municipal spending driving up the cost of living, city spending represents a very small fraction of household spending.

Coun. Adrian Bell said the ad could be viewed as "spin" and sought to have administration instead put out information on what's in the proposed 2016 budget.

"I'm not comfortable with what I see being the message that city taxes should be taken in the perspective of total household spending," Bell said. "I don't see that as being information, I see that as being more marketing."

"We can make the ads more benign in the future," Kafalas said.

"Benign?" Bell asked.

"Less controversial, stick to the facts, encourage people to show up to our open houses," Kafalas said.

Mayor Mark Heyck said there was no motive for the ads other than to put household spending in context.

Coun. Rebecca Alty said she'd rather see ads showing what the city plans to do in 2016 and asking whether they support projects such as a $570,000 splash pad adjacent to Somba K'e Civic Plaza.

Coun. Julian Morse said it was good for staff to have so many ways for residents to give budget input, but was also critical of the city's online budget survey.

"The questions were leading questions, they were leading people to believe that spending is inevitable," Morse said. He said they should have instead asked if people are OK with spending more on various things, which could result in tax increases.

Coun. Niels Konge suggested future ads for the 2016 budget be put on hold and that city council approve them before publication, an idea immediately rejected by the mayor.

Buyer sought for land near Bristol Monument

The city is seeking a person or business to buy a two acre lot along Old Airport Road beside Bristol Freighter Monument.

The lot, which doesn't include the monument itself, is located at the intersection of Old Airport Road and Highway 3.

A proposal in 2012 to build a gas station and restaurant at the location died when an environmental review revealed the site was contaminated with oil and other fluids commonly associated with motor vehicles.

It has since been cleaned up, however the terms of reference with a city-issued request for proposals states the buyer will accept the property "as-is."

"It is the intent of the city to take this opportunity to capitalize on the natural features of the capital vicinity in creating a unique mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented area that reflects the people, history and natural wealth of the City of Yellowknife," the terms of reference state.

The minimum price for the land is $790,000, according to the terms of reference.

The successful entry will have to include a development proposal that includes a traffic study.

Once a proposal is selected, the idea is expected to go through public consultation.

The airplane monument, which is not on the property that will be sold, was the first to land on skis at the North Pole in 1967.

Proposals are due Dec. 8 with the proponent expected to be awarded Dec. 15.

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