If Coun. Ranj Pillai has his way, the city's portion of federal gas tax revenue would be used to subsidize the cost of recirculation pumps residents of Black Street may be forced to purchase.

The pumps would be installed as part of the city's plan to rebuild the street and replace water and sewer mains.

Pillai made the suggestion during a lengthy discussion at Monday evening's city council meeting, the first of the new year. Pillai spoke after a public hearing report on the local improvement charge (LIC) was brought forward.

The circulation pumps are designed to keep pipes from freezing and would take many of the homes off the bleeders that protect against frost now.

Many residents of Black Street west have spoken out against portions of the project since the vote on the LIC was taken last year.

LICs see property owners pay for a portion of work that their land directly benefits from. If more than 50 per cent of voters submit ballots against the work, the project does not go ahead.

During a December public hearing on the proposed LIC, officials said the estimated cost to each property owner would be an average of $7,000 if paid outright or $11,000 with interest over 15 years.

A number of residents spoke out against the unknown costs of the recirculation pumps and their installation to be borne by the home owner. Any work to private property is paid for by the homeowner.

However, both Pillai and Coun. Doug Graham argued last night in the case of Takhini North, the same work was subsidized by the city.

Brian Crist, the city's director of operations, explained the cost was included in the LIC for Takhini North after the contract came in under budget. Both councillors, however, continued to argue that was essentially subsidizing the work.

"I don't know how you figure it's not,” Graham insisted, after Pillai argued Black Street residents are in a unique situation.

"Let's allocate some money to it,” Pillai stated, pointing to the gas tax funding as a source to help fund.

Graham and Pillai pointed to the uncertainty residents face in not knowing how much they'll pay for the pump or to have it installed.

"I agree with the project, but I don't agree with the uncertainty,” he said.

Mayor Bev Buckway argued against having the city be responsible for work on private property.

Pillai responded by noting that the assistance would only be in the form of a subsidy, with homeowners still required to have a contractor do the work.

In an interview following the meeting, Pillai continued to state that providing such assistance would be consistent with what happened in Takhini North, and with gas tax funding available, a subsidy of sorts should be provided.

Just what form that would take would depend on discussions with the Yukon government, which administers gas tax funding to municipalities in the territory, he said.

Asked if it would be a one-time offer in the case of Black Street or something to all residents as services are upgraded, Pillai replied: "We'd have to look at it.”

He suggested the city should at least "go through the process.”

After the work has been done, he said, the city can look at both the benefits and negative impacts and decide whether to continue with the subsidy in the cases of future projects.

He said council will likely spend some time this week discussing the possibility before next week's vote on the matter.

Both Graham and Pillai stressed the unknown costs of the pumps is not his only issue with the project.

Another major concern is the consultation that would happen with residents after the LIC goes ahead.

A number of residents have also brought forward concerns over just how the new street – built to updated standards which include sidewalks, street lighting and paving – would be designed.

Last night's seven-page public hearing report presented by Crist states: "Residents have been advised that the design issues such as sidewalk location, boulevards, landscaping improvements, water and service locations, and traffic calming issues will be discussed and reviewed with residents, consultants and the city.”

Graham argued the approach is "bass-akward”.

"There's no certainly up front,” he said of what residents can expect.

He suggested the city defer the work to 2012 to resolve many of the issues, stating that if it's not deferred, he'll likely vote against it even though he's in favour of the project.

Coun. Betty Irwin concurred.

”I just think that's being done in the wrong order,” she said.

Buckway countered that it would be premature to move forward on the consultation for the full design of the street without first knowing that the LIC, and thus the work, was going ahead.

Echoing many of the same concerns Graham expressed, Pillai indicated he may vote against second and third readings of the LIC if the issues aren't addressed, even though he too agrees with the project.

"Overall, people feel they're not listened to,” he said.

If he supported the LIC, said Pillai, it would go against why he ran for office in 2009 – to see improved communication between the city and residents.

In this case, the city had to host three public hearings on the proposed LIC after twice failing to send out the required notices to affected residents.

Others have also argued against the voting system on the LIC which counts ballots not turned in as votes in favour of the project.

Thirty-eight per cent of property owners objected to the work, which means it can go ahead, provided council passes second and third readings of the LIC.

Other than Pillai and Graham, council members appeared ready to get going on the improvements to the road and water/sewer systems.

"I can't see holding this up any longer,” Coun. Florence Roberts said.

The city "screwed up” in notifying people of the public hearing, she said, but it ended up meaning twice the consultation officials would normally have.

Roberts also pointed out, and Coun. Dave Austin agreed, that if the project is held up much longer, property owners will find themselves paying even more for the work.

Outside council chambers following the discussion, Phillip McLean, a Black Street resident who's been vocal on a number of issues around the LIC, said he was glad to hear Graham and Pillai express some of the points he and others have been trying to make all along.

He pointed out though that most property owners on the street are so fed up with the situation and not being heard that they've given up trying to convince council of their point of view.

Ultimately, when council votes on the matter next week, said McLean, he would like to see it deferred until there's more information for residents on a number of issues, from the circulation pumps to the design of the street.