'It's people being lazy': Yellowknife councillors aim to curb littering in city

Despite Yellowknife's annual spring cleanup already in full force, councillors are still looking for a solution to solve the city's ongoing litter problem among a"smorgasbord" of possibilities.

"Litter is not a problem to be solved so much as it's an issue to be managed," said SheilaBassi-Kellett, the city's senior administrative officer, at a council meeting on Tuesday.

"There is not one solution and so there's a smorgasbord of solutions that we need."

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Council agreed the annual cleanup initiative which costs theCity $30,000 each year makes a difference, butthey say residents have a larger role to play in terms of litter abatement.

Councillors discussed a number of other potential solutionsTuesday, including the need for more litter enforcement, incentives for Good Samaritans, accessible cleanup kits and another community cleanup in the fall.

A number of priority areas were also identified, including the Centre Square Mall parking lot, 49thStreet and Rotary Park.

'Significantprogress' made

While Coun. Adrian Bell admits the downtown core can get messy, he believes the City has made some "significant progress" with litter, and is heading in the right direction.

"I think there are a lot of things we're doing that are good," said Bell.

Bell ishopeful a proposed Homelessness Employment pilot program for the city's homeless to develop skills could have "an excellent impact" this upcoming summer. It'sexpected that work will include cleaning litter in the downtown core.

The City recently completed a request for proposal process for the project and expects to name a successful proponent in the coming weeks.

Still room for improvement

Councillors say there are a number of other ways to clean up litter in the city.

Coun. Niels Konge says administration should considerinstalling different types of garbage bins.

"It's people being lazy," he said. "Even if we had a garbage can every half block, we'd still find garbage."

Konge saidthe city needs to come up with "smarter garbage cans."

Coun. Linda Bussey advocated for a bi-annualcommunitycleanup spring and fall.

"It's so beneficial and it serves so many people at the same time," said Bussey.

Bylaw enforcement and additional community cleanups were also proposedTuesday.

One strategy councillors weren't too fond of? Purchasing a specialized sidewalk cleaning apparatus called an "elephant" at an estimated cost of $120,000.

Mayor Mark Heyck even temporarily stepped down as chair to say the purchase wouldn't be in the city's best interest.

Administration will consider all feedback fromTuesday'smeeting before drafting a list of priorities for council's consideration.

This year's annual spring cleanup runs until Sunday.

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