Iqaluit council commits $140,000 for land survey work

An Ottawa-based firm will do land surveying for a number of projects in Iqaluit after being selected by city council in a vote Tuesday night.

Monument-Urso was the only bidder for the tender on the work that was issued this summer.

The project’s cost is approximately $140,000, which falls within what the city expected to pay.

Mathew Dodds, Iqaluit’s city planner, presented the proposal to council. He said land surveying is often the first step in the city’s effort to efficiently manage and distribute its land.

The city’s tender bundled several land surveys into one proposal. Putting all the surveys into one proposal saves the city money and time, Dodds said.

Included in the bundle are surveys for five different projects in Iqaluit:

• The Akilliq Drive subdivision in the West 40 area;
• The easement for the Ulu Lane sewer line;
• The Qaqqamiut subdivision for the municipal vehicle impound lot in the North 40 area;
• The 1560 Sivumugiaq St. subdivision lot and road parcel;
• The Ungalliqpaat Crescent subdivision for the lot and drainage.

The city’s proposal notes that Monument-Urso showed an acceptable work plan and an understanding of the land surveying project.

However, Dodds noted Monument-Urso’s experience in the North is limited and it did not provide a risk-mitigation strategy.

“For example, they did not provide a plan for unexpected events such as snowfall … freezing and faster winds,” Dodds said.

While giving the contract to a southern company means the projects go forward more quickly, the proposal states, there is a risk that awarding a contract to a company with limited experience in the North could mean the survey plans are not usable if they are done insufficiently.

There are two conditions for the company’s approval: Monument-Urso will need to provide proof of insurance for the work, as well as provide a risk assessment of its work plan and timeline for surveying.

Asked for additional comment, Dodds told Nunatsiaq News, “There is a need for more surveyors in Nunavut.”

Costs for the survey will be recovered through future land leasing.