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Minutes

Ordinary Council Meeting

 

Council Chambers, Gundagai

 

6:00pm, Tuesday 28th May, 2019

 

Administration Centres:  1300 459 689

 

 


Ordinary Council Meeting Minutes

28 May 2019

 

MINUTES OF Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council
Ordinary Council Meeting
HELD AT THE
Council Chambers, Gundagai
ON
Tuesday, 28 May 2019 AT 6:00pm

 

PRESENT:                 Cr Abb McAlister (Mayor), Cr Dennis Palmer (Deputy Mayor), Cr Leigh Bowden, Cr David Graham, Cr Gil Kelly, Cr Penny Nicholson, Cr Doug Phillips, Cr Craig Stewart, Cr Charlie Sheahan

IN ATTENDANCE:    Phil McMurray (Deputy General Manager), Ganesh Ganeshamoorthy (Manager Assets), Susan Gheller (Manager Business), Mark Ellis (Manager Civil Works), Miriam Crane (Manager Community and Culture), Sharon Langman (Manager Development, Building and Compliance), Andrew Brock (Manager Facilities), Tim Swan (Manager Finance and Customer Service), Glen McAtear (Manager Regulatory Services), Matt Stubbs (Manager Technical Services), Wayne Bennett (Manager Waste, Parks and Recreations)

 

1            Acknowledgement of Country

The Chairperson acknowledged the Wiradjuri people who are the Traditional Custodians of the Land at which the meeting was held and paid his respects to Elders, both past and present, of the Wiradjuri Nation and extended that respect to other Aboriginal people who were present.

CLOSE MEETING

Resolution  143/2019  

Moved:       Cr Leigh Bowden

Seconded:   Cr Gil Kelly

The Open Council meeting close for Open Forum.

Carried

2            Open Forum

List of Speakers

1.      Judith Newman – Spoke on the removal of pedestrian ‘zebra’ crossings in Sheridan Street, Gundagai.

2.      Pip McAlister – Commented that street lighting in the town is very poor and that the condition of the Cemetery grounds is disappointing and requires ground maintenance work, in particular weed removal.

3.      Nancy Lawton – Spoke on Cemeteries and provided some negative feedback on recent cemetery activity in Gundagai.  

 

OPEN MEETING

Resolution  144/2019  

Moved:       Cr Dennis Palmer

Seconded:   Cr Gil Kelly

The Open Council meeting resume.

Carried

3            Apologies

Nil

4            Disclosures of Interest

A significant non-pecuniary interest was received from Cr Leigh Bowden in relation to item 8.1.5 Cootamundra Tourism Action Group S.355 Committee Meeting Minutes for the reason that she is a member of the committee.

 

5            Confirmation of Minutes

5.1         Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Council held on Tuesday 30 April 2019

Resolution  145/2019  

Moved:       Cr Dennis Palmer

Seconded:   Cr Charlie Sheahan

The Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Council held on Tuesday, 30th April, 2019 be confirmed as a true and correct record of the meeting.

Carried

 

6            Mayoral Minutes

6.1         Mayoral Minute - Councillor Engagement

Motion  

Moved:       Cr Penny Nicholson

Seconded:   Cr David Graham

1.       The information in the Mayoral Minute be received and noted.

2.       Council offer its congratulations to Glen McAtear, Manager Regulatory Services on his election as President of the United Services Union.

 

 

6.2         Mayoral Minute - Emergency Services Levy Increase

Resolution  146/2019  

Moved:       Cr Dennis Palmer

Seconded:   Cr Gil Kelly

It is resolved that Council:

A.    Notes:

a.    That last December, the NSW Government enacted laws to provide better workers compensation coverage for firefighters who are diagnosed with one of twelve specific work-related cancers

b.    That in many areas of NSW, fire services are made up of elected and staff members of local government, and that local governments strongly support this expanded workers compensation scheme

c.     That as a result of these changes, the State Government has decided to implement the new scheme by charging local governments an increased Emergency Services Levy, without consultation

d.    That the expected increase in costs to local governments will be $19m in the first year alone, and that there is little or no time to enshrine this charge in Council’s 2019/2020 budgets

e.    That Local Government NSW has long advocated for the Emergency Services Levy to be significantly modified to ensure it is transparent, equitable and accountable.

B.    That this Council supports Local Government NSW’s calls for:

a.    the NSW Government to cover the initial additional $19m increase to local governments for the first year and

b.    the NSW Government to work with NSW local governments to redesign the funding mechanism for the scheme to ensure fairness into the future.

C.    Requests that the General Manager liaise with Local Government NSW to provide information on:

a.    The impact on council budgets and

b.    Council advocacy actions undertaken.

D.    Requests that the Lord Mayor/Mayor

a.    write to the NSW Premier and NSW Interim Opposition Leader, NSW Minister for Customer Services, NSW Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Local Government and Shadow Minister for Local Government, and local state member/s to:

i. call upon the NSW Government to fund the 12 months of this extra cost rather than requiring councils to find the funds at short notice when budgets have already been allocated

ii. explain how this sudden increase will impact council services / the local community.

iii. highlight that councils were not warned of the increased cost until May 2019, despite the new laws being passed in November 2018

iv. explain that the poor planning and implementation of the increase is

inconsistent with the Government’s commitment to work in partnership

with the sector

vi. ask the Government to work with local governments to redesign the implementation of the scheme to ensure it is fairer for councils and communities into the future.

b.    Copy the above letter to Local Government NSW.

Carried

 

 

6.3         Mayoral Minute - Councillor Engagement – Late Report

Resolution  147/2019  

Moved:       Cr Penny Nicholson

Seconded:   Cr David Graham

The information in the Mayoral Minute be received and noted.

Carried

 

7            Reports from Committees

Nil 

8            General Manager’s Report

8.1         Business

 

8.1.1      Councillor Workshop Resolution

Resolution  148/2019  

Moved:       Cr Dennis Palmer

Seconded:   Cr Gil Kelly

1.   Council endorse the resolution for the Draft Operational Plan, inclusive of the Draft Revenue Policy and Draft 2019/20 Fees and Charges, the Draft Budget and Draft Long Term Financial Plan to be placed on public exhibition for 28 days as resolved at the Councillor Workshop held Monday, 13th May, 2019.

2.   Council form an Internal Finance Committee comprising of Councillor Representatives and Council Staff to forensically investigate expenditure and revenue and prepare a report to be submitted for the consideration of Council at the Ordinary Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, 26th November, 2019.

Carried

 

 

 

 

8.1.2      Financial Assistance Grants Correspondence

Resolution  149/2019  

Moved:       Cr David Graham

Seconded:   Cr Leigh Bowden

The correspondence sent to State and Federal Ministers on the redistribution of the Financial Assistance Grants attached to the report for the information of Council be noted.

Carried

 

 

 

8.1.3      Drought Declaration for CGRC

Resolution  150/2019  

Moved:       Cr Charlie Sheahan

Seconded:   Cr Craig Stewart

Cr McAlister (Mayor) write to the Member for Riverina, the Hon. Michael McCormack MP, Deputy Prime Minister requesting consideration be given to Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council Local Government Area being drought declared.

Carried

 

 

 

8.1.4      Information Bulletin

Resolution  151/2019  

Moved:       Cr Dennis Palmer

Seconded:   Cr Craig Stewart

The information provided in the attachments of the Information Bulletin be noted.

Carried

 


 

 

8.1.5      Cootamundra Tourism Action Group s.355 Committee Meeting Minutes

Note: Having disclosed a  significant non pecuniary interest in this item, Cr Bowden left the meeting during discussion.

Resolution  152/2019  

Moved:       Cr Charlie Sheahan

Seconded:   Cr Penny Nicholson

1.   The Minutes of the Cootamundra Tourism Action Group s.355 Committee meetings held on 2 May, 2019, attached to the report, be received and noted.

2.   Council consider the Committee recommendation included in the report.

Carried

 

 

8.1.6      Muttama Hall Management s.355 Committee Meeting Minutes

Resolution  153/2019  

Moved:       Cr Charlie Sheahan

Seconded:   Cr Leigh Bowden

The Minutes of the Muttama Hall Management s.355 Committee Ordinary meeting held on 27 February and 27 March, 2019, attached to the report, be received and noted.

Carried

 

 

8.1.7      Stockinbingal Ellwood's Hall s.355 Committee Meeting Minutes, Membership and Hire Fees

Resolution  154/2019  

Moved:       Cr Craig Stewart

Seconded:   Cr Penny Nicholson

1.   The Minutes of the Stockinbingal Ellwood’s Hall s.355 Committee Ordinary Meeting and Annual General Meeting held on 2 May 2019, attached to the report, be received and noted.

2.   Membership of the Ellwood’s Hall s.355 Committee as detailed in the report, be endorsed.

3.   The schedule of hall hire charges for the Stockinbingal Ellwood Hall attached to the report, be endorsed.

Carried

 

 

 

 

8.1.8      Muttama Creek Regeneration Group s.355 Committee Meeting Minutes

Resolution  155/2019  

Moved:       Cr Charlie Sheahan

Seconded:   Cr Doug Phillips

The Minutes of the Muttama Creek Regeneration Group s.355 Committee meeting held on 1 April, 2019, attached to the report, be received and noted.

Carried

 

 

 

8.1.9      Cootamundra Development Corporation - Request for Sponsorship for Cootamundra Wattle Time Fair

Resolution  156/2019  

Moved:       Cr Doug Phillips

Seconded:   Cr Penny Nicholson

Council consider sponsorship of the annual Cootamundra Wattle Time Fair by way of the provision of traffic control in lieu of the $350 sponsorship request subsequent to approval by the Local Area Traffic Committee at its June, 2019 meeting.

Carried

 

 

 

8.1.10    Council Meeting Action Report

Resolution  157/2019  

Moved:       Cr Charlie Sheahan

Seconded:   Cr Leigh Bowden

The updated Council Meeting Action Report, attached to the report, be received and noted.

Carried

 

 

 

 

 

8.1.11    Monthly Major Projects Program Report

Resolution  158/2019  

Moved:       Cr Doug Phillips

Seconded:   Cr Dennis Palmer

1.   The progress report on project status be received and noted.

2.   The recommended changes to the project budgets as listed be adopted.

Carried

 

8.2         Finance

8.2.1      March Quarterly Budget Review Statement

Resolution  159/2019  

Moved:       Cr Doug Phillips

Seconded:   Cr Leigh Bowden

1.       The March, 2019 Quarterly Budget Review Statement be accepted.

2.       The budget variations listed in the attached report be adopted.

Carried

 

 

8.2.2      Monthly Finance Report for April 2019

Resolution  160/2019  

Moved:       Cr Doug Phillips

Seconded:   Cr Leigh Bowden

The attached Monthly Finance Report for April, 2019 be received and noted.

Carried

 

 

8.2.3      Investment Report - April 2019 – Late Report

Resolution  161/2019  

Moved:       Cr Gil Kelly

Seconded:   Cr Penny Nicholson

The attached Investment Report as at 30 April, 2019 be received and noted.

Carried

 

8.3         Community and Culture

8.3.1      Cootamundra Development Corporation Memorandum of Understanding

Resolution  162/2019  

Moved:       Cr Doug Phillips

Seconded:   Cr Leigh Bowden

Council negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding with the Cootamundra Development Corporation covering the 2019/2020 period. The Memorandum of Understanding is to include:

·    Agreed activities/outcomes,

·    A program for monitoring performance,

·    Communication requirements, and

·    Representation requirements at relevant Council committee meetings.

Carried

 

8.4         Development, Building and Compliance

8.4.1      Development Applications Approved April 2019

Resolution  163/2019  

Moved:       Cr Gil Kelly

Seconded:   Cr Craig Stewart

The information on Development Applications Approved in April, 2019 be noted.

Carried

 8.5        Regulatory Services

Nil

8.6         Assets

8.6.1      Council Water Restrictions Policy and Procedures

Resolution  164/2019  

Moved:       Cr Dennis Palmer

Seconded:   Cr David Graham

The Draft Gundagai Water Restrictions Policy and Draft Gundagai Water Restrictions Procedures attached to the report be adopted.

Carried

 8.7        Civil Works

 

8.7.1      Operations Report - May 2019

Resolution  165/2019  

Moved:       Cr Penny Nicholson

Seconded:   Cr David Graham

The Operations Update Report and the attached Works Program for the month of May, 2019 be received.

Carried

 

 

 

8.7.2      Council Mini Bus

Resolution  166/2019  

Moved:       Cr Dennis Palmer

Seconded:   Cr Doug Phillips

The Council Hiace mini bus be retained for a period of six months and a report on the bus’s usage income and costs against the bus be prepared and submitted to the November, 2019 Ordinary Meeting.

 

Carried

 

 

 

8.7.3      Cootamundra Rugby Union Club - Request financial Assistance to Complete the Union Club Facilities Project

Resolution  167/2019  

Moved:       Cr Charlie Sheahan

Seconded:   Cr David Graham

Council approve the Acting General Manager, subsequent to advice provided from Council’s Financial Auditors Crowe Howarth, to facilitate a loan of $100,000, to be repaid over a 5 year period,  to the Cootamundra Rugby Union for the Facilities Project in accordance with legislation under the Local Government Act, 1993.

Carried

 

 

8.8         Technical Services

8.8.1      Bongolong Creek Bridge

Resolution  168/2019  

Moved:       Cr David Graham

Seconded:   Cr Penny Nicholson

1.   Council approve the amount of $123,100 (ex GST) for the Bongolong Creek Bridge construction to be brought forward and funded through the 2018/19 roads budget.

2.   Council approve Murray Valley Piling Ltd to undertake the construction of the new Bongolong Creek Bridge.

Carried

 

8.9         Facilities

8.9.1      Stan Crowe Oval Canteen Update

Resolution  169/2019  

Moved:       Cr Penny Nicholson

Seconded:   Cr Craig Stewart

The updated information on the Stan Crowe Oval Canteen project be received and noted.

Carried

 

8.10       Waste, Parks and Recreation

8.10.1    Maintenance of Public Open Spaces at Stockinbingal and Wallendbeen

Resolution  170/2019  

Moved:       Cr Penny Nicholson

Seconded:   Cr Leigh Bowden

The report on the Maintenance of Public Open Spaces at of Stockinbingal and Wallendbeen be noted and methodologies contained with the report be endorsed.

Carried

 


 

 

8.10.2    Street Tree Management Policy

Resolution  171/2019  

Moved:       Cr Leigh Bowden

Seconded:   Cr Penny Nicholson

1.       The Draft Street Tree Management Policy be placed out on public exhibition for a period of 28 days seeking community comment.

2.       Council advertise and communicate through its usual media channels advising the community on how they may gain access to the Draft Street Tree Management Policy and how to contribute to the policies development.

3.       That all costs associated with the Draft Street Tree Management Policy’s development be funded from the Street Tree Audit budget.

Carried

 

9            Motion of which Notice has been Given

9.1         Notice of Motion - Extension of Cootamundra Indoor Pool Weekend Hours

Resolution  172/2019  

Moved:       Cr Abb McAlister

Seconded:   Cr Gil Kelly

Council investigate the feasibility of extending the Cootamundra indoor pool weekend operating hours. Further, Council undertake a review of the facility’s processes and expenditure and incorporate options regarding the use of staff or contractors in the management of both the pool and stadium facilities.

Carried

 

10          Questions with Notice

10.1       Questions With Notice

Resolution  173/2019  

Moved:       Cr Gil Kelly

Seconded:   Cr Dennis Palmer

The Questions with Notice from Councillors and related responses from Council officers be noted.

Carried

 

11          Confidential Items  

Nil

 

The Meeting closed at 8:38 PM.

 

The minutes of this meeting were confirmed at the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 25 June 2019.

 

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CHAIRPERSON                                                                                                      GENERAL MANAGER