Minutes of Ordinary Meeting of Council - 25 March 2019

Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Council held on Monday 25 March 2019.

The Mayor, Councillor Greg Conkey OAM

Councillor Yvonne Braid OAM

Councillor Paul Funnell

Councillor Dan Hayes

Councillor Vanessa Keenan

Councillor Rod Kendall

Councillor Tim Koschel

Councillor Kerry Pascoe

General Manager (Mr P Thompson)

Director Finance (Mrs N Te Pohe)

Director Community (Mrs J Summerhayes)

Director Commercial Operations (Ms C Angel)

Manager Audit, Risk & Governance (Ms I Hensley)

Manager Executive Support (Mr S Gray)

Manager Project Delivery (Mr R Shah)

Manager Community Services (Mrs M Scully)

Visitor Economy & Events Coordinator (Mrs F Hamilton)

Land and Real Property Coordinator (Mrs D Wright)

Communications & Engagement Officer (Mr J Lang)

Governance Officer (Ms B King)

Governance Administration Officer (Mrs S Karpanen)

Almighty God,

Help protect our Mayor, elected Councillors and staff.

Help Councillors to govern with justice, integrity, and respect for equality, to preserve rights and liberties, to be guided by wisdom when making decisions and settling priorities, and not least of all to preserve harmony.

Amen.

Acknowledgement Of Country

I would like to acknowledge the Wiradjuri people who are the Traditional Custodians of this Land. I would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present of the Wiradjuri Nation and extend that respect to other Community members present.

No apologies were received.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE

Council note that a leave of absence was granted to Councillor D Tout for 25 March 2019 (inclusive) at the Ordinary Council Meeting 25 February 2019.

ConFirmation of Minutes

CM-1 Ordinary Council Meeting - 11 March 2019

19/078 RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors P Funnell and D Hayes

That the Minutes of the proceedings of the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 11 March 2019 be confirmed as a true and accurate record.

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE MOTION

For the Motion	Against the Motion
Y Braid OAM
G Conkey OAM
P Funnell
D Hayes
V Keenan
R Kendall
T Koschel
K Pascoe

Declarations Of Interest

Councillor Funnell declared a Non-Significant, Non-Pecuniary Interest in RP-4 Financial Performance Report as at 28 February 2019 the reason being that he is the Deputy Chairperson of the Riverina Water County Council and remained in the chamber during its consideration.

The Mayor Councillor G Conkey declared a Non-Significant, Non-Pecuniary Interest in CONF-3 Major Events, Festivals and Films Sponsorship the reason being that he is a member of an organisation referred to in the body of the report and remained in the chamber during its consideration.

Councillor K Pascoe declared a Non-Significant, Non-Pecuniary Interest in CONF 3 Major Events, Festivals and Films Sponsorship the reason being that he is a member of an organisation referred to in the body of the report and remained in the chamber during its consideration.

Councillor D Hayes declared a Non-Significant, Non-Pecuniary Interest in RP-1 RIVERINA MEDICAL SPECIALIST RECRUITMENT & RETENTION COMMITTEE the reason being that his employer is a member of this group but the funding does not go to his workplace and remained in the chamber during its consideration.

Councillor K Pascoe declared a Non-Significant, Non-Pecuniary Interest in RP-7 WAGGA WAGGA CITY COUNCIL CRIME PREVENTION WORKING GROUP as a family member is president of the Wagga Business Chamber which was raised as an amendment in the resolution, where at this time he vacated the chamber during its consideration.

PROCEDURAL MOTION - ENGLOBO

19/079 RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors R Kendall and K Pascoe

That the standing orders be varied for the meeting as set out hereunder:

Items where councillors wish to speak
Items where no councillors wish to speak
Confidential
Matter of urgency
Closure of Meeting

That RP-5, RP-6, RP-9, RP-10 and CONF-2 be adopted as recommended in the business papers.

REPORTS FROM STAFF

RP-1 RIVERINA MEDICAL SPECIALIST RECRUITMENT & RETENTION COMMITTEE

19/080 RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors P Funnell and D Hayes

That Council:

a provide $10,000 (exclusive of GST) per annum to the Riverina Medical Specialist Recruitment and Retention Committee for three years from 2019/20 to 2021/22

b authorise the General Manager or their delegate to liaise with the Riverina Medical Specialist Recruitment and Retention Committee to update the existing Heads of Agreement

c review the commitment prior to the 2022/23 financial year

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE MOTION

For the Motion	Against the Motion
Y Braid OAM
G Conkey OAM
P Funnell
D Hayes
V Keenan
R Kendall
T Koschel
K Pascoe

RP-2 Medical Scholarship Funding Request

19/081 RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors P Funnell and R Kendall

That Council does not contribute to the Bush Bursary/CWA scholarship program.

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE MOTION

For the Motion	Against the Motion
Y Braid OAM
G Conkey OAM
P Funnell
D Hayes
V Keenan
R Kendall
T Koschel
K Pascoe

RP-3 Payroll tax changes to encourage business growth and support employment of mature aged workers

19/082 RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors R Kendall and T Koschel

That Council authorise the Mayor and General Manager to:

a actively lobby the NSW government and the opposition to review existing payroll tax legislation to ensure the state, and especially the regions, are an attractive place for business to locate and thrive, and include the following key recommendations:

i to reduce payroll taxes for businesses operating in regional areas to encourage relocation from congested cities to be in line with Victorian rates

ii to remove payroll taxes for blue-collar workers above the age of 55

iii write to the NSW Treasurer, Minister for Regional NSW and local member after the State Election in relation to the aforementioned.

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE MOTION

For the Motion	Against the Motion
Y Braid OAM
G Conkey OAM
P Funnell
D Hayes
V Keenan
R Kendall
T Koschel
K Pascoe

RP-4 Financial Performance Report as at 28 February 2019

19/083 RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors P Funnell and T Koschel

That Council:

a approve the proposed 2018/19 budget variations for the month ended 28 February 2019 and note the balanced budget position as presented in this report

b provide financial assistance of the following amounts in accordance with Section 356 of the Local Government Act 1993:

1) Climate Action Wagga Group $150.00

2) 4^th Dimension Art Practice $25.00

c note the Responsible Accounting Officer’s reports, in accordance with the Local Government (General) Regulation 2005 (Part 9 Division 3: Clause 203) that the financial position of Council is satisfactory having regard to the original estimates of income and expenditure and the recommendations made above

d note details of the external investments as at 28 February 2019 in accordance with section 625 of the Local Government Act 1993

e apply for bulk water supply rates for the LMC through the Riverina Water County Council and report the outcome back to Wagga City Council

f review options such as the installation of a water sub-metering system at the LMC to measure individual water usage to charge relevant users for their respective water consumption and report the outcome back to Council

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE MOTION

For the Motion	Against the Motion
Y Braid OAM
G Conkey OAM
P Funnell
D Hayes
V Keenan
R Kendall
T Koschel
K Pascoe

RP-5 NSW Department of Planning & Environment - Low Cost Loans Initiative

19/084 RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors R Kendall and K Pascoe

That Council:

a note the update on the Low Cost Loans Initiative (LCLI) announced by NSW Environment & Planning

b note the delay in progressing with some projects proposed under the LCLI program

c adjust the timing of the projects in Council’s Long Term Financial Plan as per the suggested timing documented in this report

d approve the change in funding source to Loan Borrowings for the projects identified in the report

e note that a variation to the funding agreement may be required, subject to the timing of the loan drawdowns and the interest rates provided at the time of the loan applications

f approve the interest subsidy being returned to the appropriate funding sources upon receipt

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE MOTION

For the Motion	Against the Motion
Y Braid OAM
G Conkey OAM
P Funnell
D Hayes
V Keenan
R Kendall
T Koschel
K Pascoe

RP-6 CROWN RESERVE MANAGEMENT

19/085 RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors R Kendall and K Pascoe

That Council:

a make application to the NSW Department of Industry – Crown Lands for appointment as Crown Land Manager for the following land parcels:

i Lot 1 DP 535470, 1-9 Brunskill Road, Lake Albert

ii Lot 7307 DP 1132470, O’Reilly Street, Wagga

b make application to the Minster administering the Crown Land Management Act 2016 to categorise Crown Reserves managed or proposed to be managed by Council as recommended by this report

c delegate authority to the General Manager or their delegate to execute any necessary documents on behalf of the Council

d authorise the affixing of Council’s common seal to all relevant documents as required

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE MOTION

For the Motion	Against the Motion
Y Braid OAM
G Conkey OAM
P Funnell
D Hayes
V Keenan
R Kendall
T Koschel
K Pascoe

RP-7 WAGGA WAGGA CITY COUNCIL CRIME PREVENTION WORKING GROUP

A Motion was moved by Councillors D Hayes and V Keenan

That Council:

a establish a Wagga Wagga City Council Crime Prevention Working Group

b endorse the Wagga Wagga City Council Crime Prevention Working Group Terms of Reference as tabled with this report

c invite the identified stakeholders outlined in the Terms of Reference document with the following additions to join as members to the Wagga Wagga City Council Crime Prevention Working Group

i one additional community representative under the age of 25

ii three Councillors in addition to the Mayor

d advertise an expression of interest process to appoint three community members on to the Wagga Wagga City Council Crime Prevention Working Group

An AMENDMENT was moved by Councillor Y Braid OAM and Councillor P Funnell

That Council:

a establish a Wagga Wagga City Council Crime Prevention Working Group

b endorse the Wagga Wagga City Council Crime Prevention Working Group Terms of Reference as tabled with this report

c invite the identified stakeholders outlined in the Terms of Reference document with the following additions to join as members to the Wagga Wagga City Council Crime Prevention Working Group

i one additional community representative under the age of 25

ii three Councillors in addition to the Mayor

iii one member from Neighbourhood Watch

iv one member from Wagga Business Chamber

d advertise an expression of interest process to appoint three community members on to the Wagga Wagga City Council Crime Prevention Working Group

Councillor R Kendall signalled a foreshadowed Amendment to the Mayor.

Councillor K Pascoe vacated the chamber at this point due to the Business Chamber being included in the Motion, the time being 6.35pm

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE AMENDMENT

For the AMENDMENT	Against the AMENDMENT
Y Braid OAM	G Conkey OAM
	P Funnell
	D Hayes
	V Keenan
	R Kendall
	T Koschel

The Amendment on being put to the meeting was LOST.

Councillor K Pascoe re-entered the chamber, the time being 6.50pm.

An AMENDMENT was moved by Councillor R Kendall and Councillor P Funnell

That Council:

a establish a Wagga Wagga City Council Crime Prevention Working Group

b endorse the Wagga Wagga City Council Crime Prevention Working Group Terms of Reference as tabled with this report

c invite the identified stakeholders outlined in the Terms of Reference document with the following additions to join as members to the Wagga Wagga City Council Crime Prevention Working Group

i two additional community representatives with at least one under the age of 25 at the date of application

ii three Councillors in addition to the Mayor

d advertise an expression of interest process to appoint the community members on to the Wagga Wagga City Council Crime Prevention Working Group

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE AMENDMENT

For the AMENDMENT	Against the AMENDMENT
G Conkey OAM	Y Braid OAM
P Funnell
D Hayes
V Keenan
R Kendall
T Koschel
K Pascoe

The Amendment on being put to the meeting was CARRIED and became the Motion.

19/086 RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors D Hayes and V Keenan

That Council:

a establish a Wagga Wagga City Council Crime Prevention Working Group

b endorse the Wagga Wagga City Council Crime Prevention Working Group Terms of Reference as tabled with this report

c invite the identified stakeholders outlined in the Terms of Reference document with the following additions to join as members to the Wagga Wagga City Council Crime Prevention Working Group

i two additional community representatives with at least one under the age of 25 at the date of application

ii three Councillors in addition to the Mayor

d advertise an expression of interest process to appoint the community members on to the Wagga Wagga City Council Crime Prevention Working Group

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE MOTION

For the Motion	Against the Motion
G Conkey OAM	Y Braid OAM
P Funnell
D Hayes
V Keenan
R Kendall
T Koschel
K Pascoe

PROCEDURAL MOTION - WAGGA WAGGA CITY COUNCIL CRIME PREVENTION WORKING GROUP – COUNCILLOR NOMINATION

19/087 RESOLVED:

On the Motion of The Mayor, Councillor G Conkey OAM

That council elect three Councillors in addition to the Mayor to be on the Wagga Wagga City Council Crime Prevention Working Group.

Councillor P Funnell self-nominated.

Councillor T Koschel self-nominated.

Councillor K Pascoe self-nominated.

Councillors P Funnell, T Koschel and K Pascoe were elected as Councils representatives on the Wagga Wagga City Council Crime Prevention Working Group.

RP-8 AFM Statewide Mutual Risk Management Scholarship 2018

19/088 RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors V Keenan and D Hayes

That Council:

a endorse the attendance of Andrew Mason at the Infrastructure Resilience, Loss Prevention and Risk Management training course in Boston, USA, as part of a scholarship awarded by FM Global Insurance Group

b note that all costs of attending the training course are covered by a scholarship, with no cost to Council

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE MOTION

For the Motion	Against the Motion
Y Braid OAM
G Conkey OAM
P Funnell
D Hayes
V Keenan
R Kendall
T Koschel
K Pascoe

RP-9 RESETTING OF CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAM FOR 2018/19 AND PROPOSED CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAM FOR 2019/20

19/089 RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors R Kendall and K Pascoe

That Council:

a note the contents of the report

b approve the reset Capital Works Program for 2018/19, including the proposed budget variations

c approve the proposed Capital Works Program for 2019/20, including the proposed adjustments to the long term financial plan

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE MOTION

For the Motion	Against the Motion
Y Braid OAM
G Conkey OAM
P Funnell
D Hayes
V Keenan
R Kendall
T Koschel
K Pascoe

RP-10 Response to Questions/Business with Notice

19/090 RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors R Kendall and K Pascoe

That Council receive and note the report.

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE MOTION

For the Motion	Against the Motion
Y Braid OAM
G Conkey OAM
P Funnell
D Hayes
V Keenan
R Kendall
T Koschel
K Pascoe

QUESTIONS/BUSINESS WITH NOTICE

The following questions/business with notice will be addressed in the next available business paper:

1. Councillors P Funnell, R Kendall and The Mayor, Councillor G Conkey OAM congratulated the Local Member for Wagga Wagga Dr Joe McGirr on his recent election and look forward to working with him in the future.

2. Councillor P Funnell thanked staff for actioning his request for ramp access located at the Victory Memorial Gardens which was raised at the previous Council Meeting.

3. Councillor R Kendall requested that Council facilitate a workshop to prepare a list of Wagga Wagga electorate priorities to be presented to the Member for Wagga Wagga Dr Joe McGirr.

5. The Mayor, Councillor G Conkey OAM thanked staff for their involvement at the following events at a Council function held Friday, 22 March 2019:

· Touch NSW Carnival

· Wagga Wagga Mardi Gras Parade

· Candlelight Night Vigil for the 50 innocent lives lost in Christchurch, New Zealand which was held at the Victory Memorial Gardens. The Mayor noted that a booklet of condolences received on the night will be prepared for the community along with a message from himself and Local Member for Wagga, which will be forwarded to the Mayor of Christchurch.

closed COUNCIL

19/091 RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors D Hayes and V Keenan

That the Council now resolve itself into a Closed Council, the time being 7.07pm.

AT THIS STAGE OF THE MEETING THE PRESS AND PUBLIC GALLERY RETIRED FROM THE COUNCIL MEETING.

CONFIDENTIAL REPORTS

CONF-1 Loan Facility - Refinancing of Existing Loans

19/092 RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors P Funnell and D Hayes

That Council defer consideration of Loan Facility - Refinancing of Existing Loans pending a further investigation into facilities and funding options.

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE MOTION

For the Motion	Against the Motion
Y Braid OAM
G Conkey OAM
P Funnell
D Hayes
V Keenan
R Kendall
T Koschel
K Pascoe

CONF-2 RFT2019-27 Natural Gas Supply to Oasis Regional Aquatic Centre

19/093 RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors R Kendall and K Pascoe

That Council:

a accepts the offer of Origin Energy LGP Pty Ltd (ABN: 77 000 508 369) for the supply of natural gas to the Oasis Regional Aquatic Centre at the rate submitted with their offer for a one-year contract period with an option to extend for a further 12 months

b authorises the General Manager or their delegate to enter into a contract with Origin Energy LGP Pty Ltd (ABN: 77 000 508 369) for the supply of natural gas to the Oasis Regional Aquatic Centre at the rate submit

c authorises the affixing of Council’s Common Seal to all relevant documents as required

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE MOTION

For the Motion	Against the Motion
Y Braid OAM
G Conkey OAM
P Funnell
D Hayes
V Keenan
R Kendall
T Koschel
K Pascoe

CONF-3 Major Events, Festivals and Films Sponsorship

19/094 RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors R Kendall and D Hayes

That Council:

a authorise the General Manager or their delegate to enter into an agreement to sponsor the following events through the 2018/19 Major Events Sponsorship budget:

i Pink Salt Production’s Salty Lemon Festival to the amount of $15,000

ii Classic and Historic Automobile Club of Australia’s Wagga Swap Meet to the amount of $10,000

iii ReAqua’s Renewables in Agriculture Conference to the amount of $4,500

iv Agricultural Societies Council of NSW Next Generation’s ShowSkills Seminar and ShowAll Ball to the amount of $3,000

b advise all applicants of outcomes in writing

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE MOTION

For the Motion	Against the Motion
Y Braid OAM
G Conkey OAM
P Funnell
D Hayes
V Keenan
R Kendall
T Koschel
K Pascoe

CONF-4 BOTANIC GARDENS RESTAURANT AND CAFE - EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

19/095 RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors V Keenan and D Hayes

That Council:

a advertise the Botanic Gardens restaurant and café for leasing via an Expression of Interest process

b endorse the selection criteria identified in the body of this report ensuring that amendments are made to support applications from the broader industry groups, noting that Council may be willing to consider a co-contribution to proposed fit-outs that are then recouped over the lease term

c receive a further report at the conclusion of the Expression of Interest process

d receive a further report regarding the final financial impact on the 2018/19 financial year budget result

RECORD OF VOTING ON THE MOTION

For the Motion	Against the Motion
Y Braid OAM
G Conkey OAM
P Funnell
D Hayes
V Keenan
R Kendall
T Koschel
K Pascoe

Reversion to open COUNCIL

19/096 RESOLVED:

On the Motion of Councillors V Keenan and D Hayes

That this meeting of the Closed Council revert to an open meeting of the Council, the time being 7.31pm

THIS COMPLETED THE BUSINESS OF THE COUNCIL MEETING WHICH ROSE AT 7.34pm.

…………………………………………………..

MAYOR