LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
During a Jan. 11 committee of the whole meeting, council members in Fort Simpson reviewed a request for proposals to be issued by the village in pursuit of a dog pound.

During the regular council meeting of Jan. 4, senior administrative officer Beth Jumbo walked councillors through the village's budgets as well as an incident relating to a vicious dog. - April Hudson/NNSL photo

Currently, the village contracts kennel services at a cost of $1,750 per month plus $25 per dog, per day.

Committee members heard the purpose of the search for a pound is to consolidate everything the kennel currently does under one set price.

The village has between three and five dogs impounded per month. Most dogs are housed for a maximum of three days.

They will be seeking a contractor with both indoor and outdoor facilities to accommodate up to three dogs at one time. The contract, which would run up to two years, is expected to begin June 1.

Bids are supposed to be all-inclusive but committee members suggested adding a caveat that the village will not accept additional fees for impounded dogs.

Licensing bylaw begins

On Jan. 4, at a regular council meeting, village councillors reviewed a public notice regarding dogs at large to be sent out to all residents.

The notice follows on the heels of decisions to crack down on those who violate the dog bylaw, given the amount of strays that wander through the village.

According to the bylaw, dogs are not allowed to roam free. Fines between $100 and $250 apply to the various offences outlined in the bylaw, which include unsatisfactory living spaces for the dog and leaving muzzled dogs unattended.

Additionally, the village is asking dog owners to renew their dog licences.

During the meeting, senior administrative officer Beth Jumbo said the village had a case of a dog attack in early January when a contractor was in the process of providing water to a resident's house.

No names were given and the dog was tied up at the time, she said.

"We are talking with the owner to get the dog moved and also to register it as vicious," she said.

New office up for discussion

On Jan. 11, committee members tabled discussion on a proposal to move the village administration into a new space.

Discussions with Nogha Enterprises for a space in its new office complex have been ongoing for a year.

Since only three committee members were present, excluding Mayor Darlene Sibbeston, Sibbeston felt the discussion would be best left until more members could show up.

"I'm not comfortable discussing this without a full council," she said during the meeting.

Despite the item being tabled, committee members reviewed a confidential letter in regard to the complex. The letter was not provided to media but after reviewing the letter, Sibbeston had some harsh words for the previous council.

"I hate to point fingers, but the previous council went ahead without all the information," she said.

The item will come back to the committee at a later date.