MINUTES OF THE Special Meeting of Parramatta City Council HELD IN THE Council Chambers, CIVIC PLACE, PARRAMATTA ON Monday, 20 December 2010 AT 6:52 pm

 

PRESENT

 

The Lord Mayor, Councillor J Chedid in the Chair and Councillors P B Barber, A Bide, G J Elmore, P Esber, J D Finn, P J Garrard, A Issa OAM, M A Lack, C X Lim, S D Lloyd, P K Maitra, M D McDermott (Deputy Lord Mayor), L E Wearne and A A Wilson.

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO TRADITIONAL LAND OWNERS

 

The Lord Mayor, Councillor J Chedid acknowledged the Burramatugal Clan of The Darug, the traditional land owners of Parramatta and paid respect to the elders both past and present.

 

FOUNDATION ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

 

The Lord Mayor also acknowledged the colonial heritage of Parramatta and recognised the contribution of the early settlers in laying the foundations of this great and historic city.

 

 

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

 

 

            There were no declarations of interest at this Special Council Meeting.

 

 

MINUTES OF THE LORD MAYOR

 

 

1

SUBJECT          118 Church Street, Parramatta

REFERENCE   DA/565/2004/B

FROM                 The Lord Mayor, Councillor John Chedid

12069

RESOLVED      (Chedid/Esber)

 

 

(a)       That the Chief Executive Officer be authorised to negotiate with the land owner of 118 Church and Integral Energy for the creation of an easement to the benefit of Integral Energy on land at the rear of 118 Church Street, Parramatta which will facilitate relocation of public infrastructure (electricity cable) from private land.

(b)       Further, that the terms of this negotiation with the land owner include appropriate compensation to Council as well as the payment of all costs incurred by Council in the creation of this easement.

 

 

Rescission Motions

 

6.1

SUBJECT          53 Phillip Street, Parramatta

REFERENCE   F2010/01731 - D01784668

REPORT OF     N/A

12070

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12071

RESOLVED      (Wearne/Wilson)

That the resolution of the Council Meeting held on 13 December 2010, regarding, 53 Phillip Street Parramatta namely:-

“(a)     That Council resolve to close permanently the pedestrian laneway at 53 Phillip Street Parramatta (Lot 2 DP 601592) and an application be made to the Department of Lands for road closure.

(b)      That Council resolve to classify the land for the subject pedestrian laneway to operational upon formal road closure.

(c)       That Council agree in principle selling the subject pedestrian laneway to the owner of 51 Phillip Street Parramatta subject to further report to the Council for approval on sale terms and price when sale negotiation is finalised.

(d)      Further, that the Lord Mayor and Chief Executive Officer be authorised to execute under seal the linen plan, Section 88B instrument, transfer granting easement and deed of agreement if required for road closure.”

 

be and is hereby rescinded.

 

NOTE:       Councillor P J Garrard left the meeting at 6.53 pm during consideration of this matter.

 

RESOLVED      (Wearne/Esber)

(a)      That  Council resolve to close permanently the pedestrian laneway at 53 Phillip Street Parramatta (Lot 2 DP 601592) and an application be made to the Department of Lands for road closure.

(b)      That Council resolve to classify the land for the subject pedestrian laneway to operational upon formal road closure.

(c)       That a further report including 2 valuation reports from a local registered valuer on the market value of the subject land be submitted to the Council for approval prior to sale.

(d)      Further, that the Lord Mayor and Chief Executive Officer be authorised to execute under seal the linen plan, Section 88B instrument, transfer granting easement and deed of agreement if required for road closure.

 

NOTE:       Councillor P J Garrard returned to the meeting at 6.54pm during consideration of this matter.

 

 

 

6.2

SUBJECT          Trial Closure of Church Street for 3 Saturday nights in December

REFERENCE   F2008/05099 - D01784674

REPORT OF     N/A

12072

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12073

 

RESOLVED      (Wearne/Lim)

That the resolution of the Council Meeting held on 13 December 2010, regarding, the trail closure of Church Street on 3 Saturday nights in December namely:-

“(a)     That Council note that it cannot proceed with the trial part-time closure unless it also has the approval of the RTA.

(b)      That due to the RTA and Police opposition Council not proceed with the trial part-time closure of Church Street at this point in time, however discussions are to continue with both the NSW Police, RTA and Council in December 2010 and January 2011 to resolve the outstanding issues. In the event that the RTA and NSW Police advise that their issues are satisfactorily resolved, authority be given to the Lord Mayor and CEO to proceed with making arrangements for a trial closure to be held on 3 Saturday nights in February 2011 and March 2011.

(c)       That Council work with Parramatta Police to facilitate measures to reduce anti-social driving behaviour in the CBD such as Vehicle Defect Operations.

(d)      That Council implement a traffic survey to obtain information on the number of motorists undertaking anti-social behaviour in Church Street and report back on the results of these surveys.

(e)      That Council work with Parramatta Police regarding a survey to determine the extent and perceptions of crime and safety issues as part of the Safer City Program.

(f)        Further, that Council offer to fund two ‘User Pays Supplementary Police’ for 4 hours on each night of the closure and obtain Police comments regarding this suggestion.”

 

be and is hereby rescinded. 

 

MOTION              (Wearne/Wilson)

(a)      That Council note that it cannot proceed with the trial part-time closure unless it also has the approval of the RTA.

(b)      That due to the RTA’s and Police opposition, Council not proceed with the trial part-time closure of Church Street at this point in time.

(c)       That Council work with Parramatta Police regarding a survey to determine the extent and perceptions of crime and safety issues as part of the Safer City Program.

(d)      Further, that a report be brought forward to Council identifying the cost of user pays police in comparison to other security staff, such report to also include advice on comparative costs for hiring traffic controllers.

 

The motion was put and lost.

 

FURTHER

MOTION             (Esber/Elmore )

 

(a)      That Council note that it can proceed with the trial part-time closure with the approval of the RTA.

(b)      That Council proceed with the trial part-time closure of Church Street at this point in time subject to RTA approval, however discussions are to continue with both the NSW Police, RTA and Council in January 2011 to resolve outstanding issues. In the event that the RTA and NSW Police advise that their issues are satisfactorily resolved, authority be given to the Lord Mayor and CEO to proceed with making arrangements for a trial closure to be held on 3 Saturday nights in  January 2011, February 2011 and March 2011.

 (c)      That Council work with Parramatta Police to facilitate measures to reduce anti-social driving behaviour in the CBD such as Vehicle Defect Operations.

(d)      That Council implement a traffic survey to obtain information on the number of motorists undertaking anti-social behaviour in Church Street and report back on the results of these surveys.

(e)      That Council work with Parramatta Police regarding a survey to determine the extent and perceptions of crime and safety issues as part of the Safer City Program.

(f)       Further, that Council offer to fund two ‘User Pays Supplementary Police’ for 4 hours on each night of the closure and obtain Police comments regarding this suggestion

 

The further motion was put and carried.

 

NOTE:       The Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor M McDermott assumed the Chair during debate, but not voting, on this issue to enable the Lord Mayor, Councillor J Chedid, to participate in debate.

 

SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS

 

 

                     MOTION           (Esber)

 

That Standing Orders be suspended to enable consideration to be given to an urgent motion regarding the lifting of restrictions placed on Mr Bruce Berry in relation to his contact with Council.

 

Note

The Chief Executive Officer advised that a report on this matter would be placed before the Council Meeting to be held on 14 February 2011.

 

12074          The Lord Mayor ruled, in view of the advice received in relation to the upcoming report, the motion was not of an urgent nature.

 

 

 

RESUMPTION OF STANDING ORDERS

 

12075        RESOLVED      (Esber/Elmore)

 

 

That Standing Orders be resumed.

 

 

 

 

 

CLOSED SESSION

 

12076

RESOLVED      (Esber/Lack)

 

Members of the press and public be excluded from the meeting of the Closed Session and access to the correspondence and reports relating to the items considered during the course of the Closed Session be withheld. This action is taken in accordance with Section 10A(2) of the Local Government Act, 1993 as the items listed come within the following provisions:-

 

 

1       Rescission Motion - Report Required under section 339 of the Local Government Act 1993 in respect of contractual conditions of senior staff. (D01784677) - This report is confidential in accordance with section 10A (2) (a) of the Local Government Act 1993 as the report contains personnel matters concerning particular individuals.

2       Rescission Motion - Service Review . (D01802060) - This report is confidential in accordance with section 10A (2) (a) of the Local Government Act 1993 as the report contains personnel matters concerning particular individuals.

 

 

RESUMPTION OF MEETING

 

 

That the decisions of Closed Session be noted as follows:-

 

 

 

 

 

7.1

SUBJECT          Report Required under section 339 of the Local Government Act 1993 in respect of contractual conditions of senior staff

REFERENCE   F2005/02722 - D01784677

REPORT OF     N/A

12077

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12078

RESOLVED      (Garrard/Issa OAM)

That the resolution of the Council Meeting held on 13 December 2010, regarding the report required under section 339 of the Local Government Act 1993 in respect of contractual conditions of senior staff namely:-

 

“That the contents of this report be received and noted.”

 

be and is hereby rescinded.

 

RESOLVED      (Wearne/Garrard)

 

That the content of the report be received and noted and it be further noted that only the positions of Chief Executive Officer, Group Manager City Services, Group Manager Outcomes and Development and Group Manager Corporate have as yet been adopted formally as the Council’s structure.

 

 

 

 

7.2

SUBJECT          Service Review

REFERENCE   F2010/00455 - D01802060

REPORT OF     N/A

12079

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12080

 

RESOLVED      (McDermott/Garrard)

That the resolution of the Council Meeting held on 13 December 2010, regarding, the Service Review namely:-

 

“(a)        That all restructures, reviews of position be suspended until after the Council’s Restructure Review Committee next meets in early 2011.

(b)         That this is to ensure that all departments are considered in the restructure review and that the organisation’s business case for current plans in IT and HR are also considered by the Council so as to be able to approve necessary budgets going forward.

(c)          That this applies to all parts of the organisation inclusive of the IT department and its staff.

(d)         That the current IT business plan be presented to the Service Review Committee before the end of the year for consideration.

(e)         Further, that the Restructure Committee report back to Council as to any restructure recommendations and any possible effects those recommendations may have on the IT Department.”

 

be and is hereby rescinded.

 

RESOLVED      (Lim/Wilson)

(a)          That the Council’s Restructure Review Committee continue as planned.

(b)          That the current IT business plan be presented to the Service Review Committee before the end of the year for consideration.

(c)          That progress reports be produced by the CEO no less than every fortnight for all Councillors’ consideration in Closed Committee for normal Council Meetings and also in confidential during the Christmas, New Year and Australia Day period until Council meetings resume.

(d)          That the progress reports include the following elements for discussion:-

1       Reforms in terms of structure, staff including numbers and budgets;

2       Service output changes; and

3       Projected financial and/or performance improvements.

(e)      Further that any urgent matters relating to the Service Review and/or department structures be brought to the Lord Mayor’s attention immediately and formally.

 

 

 

The meeting terminated at 7.41 pm.

 

THIS PAGE AND THE PRECEDING 6 PAGES ARE THE MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, 20 DECEMBER 2010 AND CONFIRMED ON 14 FEBRUARY 2011.

 

 

 

 

 

Lord Mayor