Iqaluit Briefs

Mark Boudreau, an Iqaluit city councillor elected last fall, died Sunday, Feb. 11 after a lengthy stay in hospital.

City council has not made a decision on how Boudreau’s seat on council will be filled, John Hussey, the acting chief administrative officer, said on Tuesday, Feb. 27.

He said councillors are weighing their options, although the matter has not been brought up publicly at council meetings this month, on Feb. 13 and Feb. 27.

Council may appoint a replacement or hold a by-election.

Unauthorized dwellings given month notice

Iqaluit city council has given the owners of buildings with illegal dwellings one month to comply with the city’s zoning bylaws, before imposing hefty fines.

The council decision, on Feb. 13, intended to curb the number of illegal dwellings within Iqaluit’s industrial zones, gives a month of grace to any building owners who have made efforts to come into compliance with proper renovations.

Those who haven’t already vacated their tenants will be fined $500, with an additional $100 added to the penalty each following day until the building is brought into compliance.
Reckless drivers prompt more signs

Iqaluit city councillors voted in favour of spending about $500 on Feb. 13 to install a “no passing” sign along the Ring Road, between the Arctic College and hospital.

That’s despite the fact that, under the Motor Vehicles Act, passing on such a two-lane road is already prohibited.

But Rod Mugford, the city’s bylaw chief, told council that an accident occurred along the stretch of road in question over the last few months, and that he believed such a sign is “imperative” to prevent future accidents.

Mugford said in the last week his bylaw officers stopped three drivers who were passing vehicles by driving along the shoulder of the road, “on a blind turn.”

Jim Little, who abstained from voting, objected that “passing on the right is illegal all across the country, so I don’t think we need to state that.”

But other councillors voted in favour, and the motion passed.

Steeper water, garbage bills to come

Iqaluit city council pushed ahead with plans to increase municipal water rates for residents and businesses, and to increase garbage rates for businesses and government, during a council meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 27.

Councillors gave unanimous approval to first and second reading of bylaws that would enact these increases:

* The residential water subsidy would decrease by 3.18 per cent, resulting in a net rate increase of five per cent;
* Commercial water rates will increase five per cent;

These water rate changes are proposed because the city receives about $975,000 for water subsidies from the Government of Nunavut, but spends about $1.2 million in water subsidies, said Mark Hall, the city’s director of public works.

Garbage rates for business and government will also increase:

* Bi-weekly garbage collection rates, per month, will increase to $100 from $60;
* Six-day service will double, to $200 from $100;

These increases are also proposed because the cost of disposing of garbage from businesses “way exceeded” money collected through garbage rates, Hall said, creating a $180,000 deficit in the city’s solid waste fund.
Iqaluit square to be complete

Stonemasons will complete Iqaluit square this summer, after city council approved plans to finish the project at a meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 27.

The cost of this year’s work, awarded to Touch Stone Masonry, is $178,000, plus GST.

Work on Iqaluit square began during the summer of 2005, when stonemasons built a semi-circle of large rocks at the site, in front of the elder’s centre.

The following summer a centre stage was built. This summer, a second half of an eclipse will be built, to complete an oval-shaped gathering place for city events.

During the summer two Inuit are to apprentice with the stonemasons as they work. The city is looking for one candidate, because one apprentice who worked on the project two summers ago has left town.

Four small stone gardens will also be built during the summer, in front of Tuniit Plaza, Iqaluit square, Tittaq Office Products and the Pentecostal church.

Coun. Glenn Williams pointed out at the meeting that Iqaluit Square, and other beautification schemes such as stone benches and wooden posts that line the streets, are not paid for with ratepayers’ money.

Instead, these projects are funded by the city’s land development fund, which is a pot of money filled when residents pay for development permits.