Minutes (Open Portion)

Council Meeting

Page 1

16/9/2024

Minutes (Open Portion)

Council Meeting

Page 1

16/09/2024

The Chairperson reports that she has perused the minutes of the meeting of the Open Portion of the Council meeting held on Monday, 19 August 2024, finds them to be a true record and recommends that they be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

SHERLOCK

HARVEY                                                  That the recommendation be adopted.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

The minutes were signed.

The Lord Mayor advised the Chamber that a bell would now be sounded by the Chief Executive Officer as a 30 second notification to Elected Members of their time remaining to speak to an item.

Mr Andrew Edwards put the following questions to the Council. The Lord Mayor took the first question on notice and the Manager City Mobility provided answers to questions two and three.

Question 1

Can you confirm Lord Mayor that you have stated that no loading zones would be removed and that facilitation was made to maintain the current loading zones and that you have conveyed this in a public document?

Question 2

Given that your statement in relation to protecting loading zones in the strip of Collins Street and given Officers statements that the WLS report that the design of the cycleway has eliminated all those current loading zones there is a conflict between your statement, the Council Officers statement and the plans that are to be endorsed and voted on tonight?

Answer

The Manager City Mobility advised that there has been some moving of loading zones but loading zones have been retained, yes there are some that have been moved and not in the same location but they have been retained as a priority.

Question 3

To clarify the number of loading zones retained if you look down Collins Street the plans indicate the elimination of eight loading zones and a reinstatement of one in Murray Street on the RACV side which is completely away from the intense use of loading zones that are now needed to support businesses?

Answer

The Manager City Mobility advised that the loading zone noted, which is in the block between Victoria and Murray Streets, has been moved and we have extended and enlarged the loading zone on the other side of the road which will provide for access for those businesses in addition to on Victoria Street where we have changed the time and hours of operation of that loading zone to help mitigate the lose of the other loading zone.

Mr Chris Merridew put the following questions which the Lord Mayor took on notice.

Question 1

Why is the plan B proposal recently reported in the Mercury not being applied to the Collins Street proposal which is before the Council this evening?

Question 2

It is well known that the motor industry has spent millions of dollars to try and clean up emissions at idle. If more traffic is bottle necked in Collins Street you will increase the pollution, why is there no recognition of environmental pollution issues which shall be magnified by this Collins Street development?

Question 3

Collins Street under a plan B interpretation would be an excellent feeder to the three Council car parks and for traffic that wishes to go off Macquarie Street and use Harrington and Argyle Streets to the north and stay clear of Macquarie Street?

10.      2040 Climate Ready Hobart Strategy

POSSELT

SHERLOCK

That the recommendation contained within the officer report, marked as item 10 of the Open Council Agenda of 16 September 2024, be adopted.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

COUNCIL RESOLUTION:

That:

1.      Council endorse the 2040 Climate Ready Hobart Strategy, marked as Attachment A to item 10 of the Open Council Agenda of 16 September 2024.

2.      Council notes the reports that form the evidence-base to the 2040 Climate Ready Hobart Strategy marked as Attachments B to F to item 10 of the Open Council Agenda of 16 September 2024.

11.      Collins Street Tactical Bicycle Infrastructure Trial - to Inform a Collins Street Vision

POSSELT

KITSOS

That the recommendation contained within the officer report, marked as item 11 of the Open Council Agenda of 16 September 2024, be adopted.

ZUCCO

DUTTA

That Councillor Posselt be granted an additional two minutes to address the item.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

AMENDMENT

ELLIOT

ZUCCO

That the recommendation be amended to include an additional clause 6 to read as follows:

“6.   The CEO bring back to Council in October, a definitive framework that clarifies what measures must be met for the Collins Street trial to be deemed a success.”

AMENDMENT LOST

VOTING RECORD

ZUCCO

DUTTA

That Alderman Bloomfield be granted an additional two minutes to address the item.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

BLOOMFIELD

ELLIOT

That Alderman Zucco be granted an additional two minutes to address the item.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

BLOOMFIELD

ZUCCO

That Councillor Kelly be granted an additional two minutes to address the item.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

POSSELT

ZUCCO

That Councillor Dutta be granted an additional three minutes to address the item.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

The Lord Mayor put the motion.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

COUNCIL RESOLUTION:

That:

1.      The Council endorse the tactical bicycle infrastructure and streetscape improvements trial for Collins Street from Molle Street to Murray Street for implementation in general accordance with the final design provided at Attachment A to item 11 of the Open Council Agenda of 16 September 2024.

2.      An application be made to the Transport Commission requesting a change to the speed limit on Collins Street between Molle Street and Murray Street and Victoria Street between Collins Street and Harrington Street to 30km/h.

3.      The Council note the Engagement Summary Report provided at Attachment D to item 11 of the Open Council Agenda of 16 September 2024.

4.      Ongoing monitoring and evaluation be undertaken at 1 month, 3 months and 12 months intervals post-installation, and updates provided to Elected Members via the Elected Member Bulletin.

5.      A report be provided to the Council on the outcomes of the trial after 24 months of the installation of the bicycle infrastructure.

12.      Business Events Tasmania Annual Funding Submission 2024-25

SHERLOCK

LOHBERGER

That the recommendation contained within the officer report, marked as item 12 of the Open Council Agenda of 16 September 2024, be adopted.

AMENDMENT

POSSELT

SHERLOCK

That the recommendation be amended to include an additional clause 5 to read as follows:

“5.   The Council advise Business Events Tasmania that it intends to conduct a review of the funding that is provided to the organisation in 2024/25 to determine whether future Council funding will be provided. This review will examine things like the appropriateness of Business Tasmania events being funded entirely by the State Government, the contribution being made by the private sector as well as the contribution being made by the Local Government sector.”

AMENDMENT CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

SUBSTANTIVE MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

COUNCIL RESOLUTION:

That:

1.      The Council note the achievements of Business Events Tasmania’s performance against the 2023-24 Grant Agreement with the City of Hobart as outlined in the report marked as item 12 of the Open Council Agenda of 16 September 2024.

2.      The Council approve the provision of funding of $80,000 (excluding GST) to Business Events Tasmania for the 2024-25 financial year.

3.      The Council delegate the authority to the Chief Executive Officer to negotiate and enter into the grant agreement on the Council’s behalf.

4.      The total funding provision be recorded in the ‘Grants, Assistance and Benefits provided’ section of the City of Hobart’s Annual Report.

5.      The Council advise Business Events Tasmania that it intends to conduct a review of the funding that is provided to the organisation in 2024/25 to determine whether future Council funding will be provided. This review will examine things like the appropriateness of Business Tasmania events being funded entirely by the State Government, the contribution being made by the private sector as well as the contribution being made by the Local Government sector.

13.      Taste of Summer - Sponsorship Proposal 2024

LOHBERGER

KITSOS

That the recommendation contained within the officer report, marked as item 13 of the Open Council Agenda of 16 September 2024, be adopted.

AMENDMENT

POSSELT

SHERLOCK

That the recommendation be amended to include an additional clause 4 to read as follows:

“4.   The Council advise Pinpoint Group that it intends to conduct a review of the level of funding that it provides for the Tasmania’s Taste of Summer Festival event in 2024/25 to determine if the family day model is appropriate moving forward and/or whether it is delivering sufficient community benefit  and value to City of Hobart ratepayers.”

AMENDMENT CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

SUBSTANTIVE MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

COUNCIL RESOLUTION:

That:

1.      The Council endorse a one-year sponsorship agreement with Pinpoint Group for the Tasmania’s Taste of Summer 2024-25 festival, with sponsorship obligations of:

(i)      $65,000 cash (excluding GST), comprising sponsorship and support for, access to and exclusive naming rights of the City of Hobart Community Day on 31 December 2024, with the expanded program as per the 2023-24 event, and any other ancillary benefits as negotiated for inclusion in the Sponsorship Agreement, to be paid in accordance with the City of Hobart Inbound Requests for Sponsorship Policy.

(ii)     In-kind support through full and partial fee waivers for equipment hire, venue hire, civic banners, road closures and associated parking spaces, and provision of plants and associated watering, to an upper limit of $390,000 (excluding GST).

2.      The Council delegate the authority to the Chief Executive Officer to finalise a sponsorship agreement and any licence requirements with Pinpoint Group for Tasmania’s Taste of Summer 2024-25 event, including the details of the sponsorship benefits and incidental additional requests for in-kind support sought by Pinpoint Group.

3.      The total value of the sponsorship be recorded in the ‘Grants, Assistance and Benefits Provided’ section of the City of Hobart’s Annual Report 2024-25.

4.      The Council advise Pinpoint Group that it intends to conduct a review of the level of funding that it provides for the Tasmania’s Taste of Summer Festival event in 2024/25 to determine if the family day model is appropriate moving forward and/or whether it is delivering sufficient community benefit and value to City of Hobart ratepayers.

14.      Council Governance Review

Sherlock

Posselt         

That the recommendation contained within the officer report, marked as item 14 of the Open Council Agenda of 14 September 2024, be adopted.

amendment

Kitsos

Dutta                                                                                                                           

That references to the Future Hobart Council Committee be removed from the recommendation and that those matters be further considered at a Council Workshop.

AMENDMENT CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

The Lord Mayor put Decision 1 of the recommendation.

MOTION CARRIED

DECISION 1

VOTING RECORD

The Lord Mayor called for nominations for the Planning Authority Committee.

The following nominations were received:

·         Lord Mayor Reynolds

·         Deputy Lord Mayor Sherlock

·         Councillor Dutta

·         Councillor Harvey

·         Councillor Posselt

·         Councillor Lohberger

·         Councillor Kitsos

Councillor Harvey nominated Councillor Dutta as Chairperson of the Planning Authority Committee.

In the absence of another nomination the Lord Mayor declared Councillor Dutta as Chairperson.

The Lord Mayor put Decision 2 of the recommendation.

MOTION CARRIED

DECISION 2

VOTING RECORD

COUNCIL RESOLUTION:

DECISION 1

That:

1.      Council meetings be maintained on a monthly frequency and commence at 4.00pm on Mondays.

2.      A Planning Authority item be included on the Council Agenda to accommodate any development applications that are deferred to a Council meeting for determination.

3.      Council abolish the current ‘Planning Committee’ and establish a new ‘Planning Authority Committee’, pursuant to section 23 of the Local Government Act 1993 and endorse the Terms of Reference marked as Attachment A to item 14 of the Open Council Agenda of 16 September 2024.

4.      Council delegates all of its functions and powers as the planning authority under the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993 (Tas) to the Planning Authority Committee, other than its power of delegation.

5.      Council delegates to the Planning Authority Committee its functions and powers under section 23(2) of the Local Government Act 1993 (Tas) to appoint members of the Planning Authority Committee in accordance with clause 4.3 of the Terms of Reference.

6.      Council delegates to the Chief Executive Officer its functions and powers under section 23(2) of the Local Government Act 1993 (Tas) to appoint members of the Planning Authority Committee in accordance with clauses 4.6 and 5.3 of the Terms of Reference.

7.      The Chief Executive Officer be authorised to delegate the functions and powers delegated in accordance with clause 6 to an employee of the Council.

8.      The Chief Executive Officer record these delegations in writing and signed by the Chief Executive Officer in accordance with section 23AA(2)(b) of the Acts Interpretation Act 1931 (Tas).

9.      Council resolves that Planning Authority Committee meetings be maintained on a fortnightly frequency and commence at 4.00pm on Wednesdays.

10.    Council abolish the following Portfolio Committees:

(i)      Creative City

(ii)     Housing and Homelessness

(iii)    Welcoming and Inclusive

(iv)    Future Hobart

(v)     Healthy Hobart

(vi)    City Water

(vii)   Climate Futures

(viii)  Sustainability in Infrastructure

11.    Pursuant to section 24 of the Local Government Act 1993, the Council establish a Place and Wellbeing Committee with the Chief Executive Officer to develop a draft Committee Charter for consideration at a future Council meeting.

12.    Pursuant to section 24 of the Local Government Act 1993, the Council establish a Climate, Sustainability and Biodiversity Committee with the Chief Executive Officer to develop a draft Committee Charter for consideration at a future Council meeting.

13.    Council resolves to maintain the City Heritage, City Mobility, and City Economy Committees established pursuant to section 24 of the Local Government Act 1993 in November 2022.

(i)      The Chief Executive Officer be authorised to make the necessary changes to the Terms of Reference of the respective Committees.

14.    Councillors Coats and Kitsos be appointed as members of the Place and Wellbeing Committee and that a rotating chairperson arrangement be put in place.

15.    Councillors Reynolds, Harvey and Lohberger be appointed as members of the Climate, Sustainability and Biodiversity Committee and that a rotating chairperson arrangements be put in place.

16.    An Expression of Interest process be undertaken among the current Portfolio Committee members to select the community representatives for the Place and Wellbeing Committee and the Climate, Sustainability and Biodiversity Committee.

17.    Opportunities be provided for committee meetings minutes and recommendations to be considered by the Council at a Council meeting or Council committee meeting and where there is a need, provide an opportunity for a committee to directly brief the Council at a Council committee meeting.

DECISION 2 (subject to Decision 1)

That:

18.    The following seven Elected Members be Appointed Members of the Planning Authority Committee:

(i)    Lord Mayor Reynolds

(ii)   Deputy Lord Mayor Sherlock

(iii)  Councillor Harvey

(iv)  Councillor Dutta

(v)   Councillor Posselt

(vi)  Councillor Lohberger

(vii) Councillor Kitsos

19.    Council confirms that an Appointed Member will temporarily cease to be an Appointed Member of the Planning Authority Committee in the circumstances provided for by clause 4.5 of the Terms of Reference.

20.    Council appoints Councillor Dutta to be the Chairperson of the Planning Authority Committee.

21.    Any membership appointments resulting from this decision be for the remainder of the current term of the Council.

22.    The Chief Executive Officer be empowered to develop an implementation plan for Decisions 1 and 2 which balances the Governance requirements of the organisation with the timing of the introduction of the various changes which have been agreed by the Council, as well as further workshopping of the proposed Future Hobart Council Committee.

23.    The ‘Meetings: Procedures and Guidelines’ policy and the ‘City of Hobart Governance Framework’ be updated as required to reflect this decision.

24.    The Chief Executive Officer be delegated to develop an appropriate meeting schedule calendar for the remainder of 2024 and 2025, in accordance with this decision, adjusting as required to account for any conflicting public holidays. 

15.      2023-24 Capital Works Program Report as at 30 June 2024

LOHBERGER

KITSOS

That the recommendation contained within the officer report, marked as item 15 of the Open Council Agenda of 16 September 2024, be adopted.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

COUNCIL RESOLUTION:

That the report titled ‘2023-24 Capital Works Program Report as at 30 June 2024’, marked as item 15 of the Open Council agenda of 16 September 2024 be received and noted.

16.      RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

The Council is reminded that in accordance with Regulation 29(3) of the Local Government (Meeting Procedures) Regulations 2015, the Chairperson is not to allow discussion or debate on either the question or the response.

LOHBERGER

POSSELT

That the recommendation contained within the officer report, marked as item 16 of the Open Council Agenda of 16 September 2024, be adopted.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

COUNCIL RESOLUTION:

That the following response to questions without notice be received and noted:

Memorandum of the Acting Director Connected City 26 August 2024.

17.      QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Regulation 29 of the Local Government (Meeting Procedures) Regulations 2015.

File Ref: 13-1-10

17.1    Councillor Elliot - Advocacy Priorities 2023

Question:    The 2023 advocacy priorities were approved by the Council but why did the 2024 advocacy priorities not come to the Council before the trip was made to Canberra?

Answer:       The Chief Executive Officer advised that there is an advocacy framework that is approved by the Council so the direction given to staff is to ensure that our advocacy priorities accord to the document and those projects that were presented to Canberra do accord with that framework.

Question:    Is it an ongoing situation that the advocacy priorities won’t come to Council for approval?

Answer:       With respect to concerns that have been raised by some Elected Members we will be bringing the advocacy priorities to the next Council meeting. To be clear staff have been operating with the understanding that the advocacy framework is guiding the priorities that the Council had sought to prioritise with Local, State and Federal members, so if there is a change to this direction then we will ensure it is referred back to the Council to vote on.

17.2    Councillor Elliot - Enterprise Agreement Negotiations

Question:    Does the administration think it is fair for an employee who has been diagnosed with breast cancer to have access to 13 days paid personal leave but a male employee who wants breast implants can get 20 days paid gender affirmation leave plus the 13 days personal leave which is more than double that paid leave entitlement for the breast cancer employee, is that fair?

Answer:       The Chief Executive Officer took the question on notice.

17.3    Councillor Elliot - Gaza War

Question:    Late last year the Council wrote to the Prime Minister about the war in Gaza but the war is still continuing. Have we received a reply from the Prime Minister?

Answer:       The Lord Mayor advised that a reply was received and circulated via the Elected Member bulletin but it can be recirculated.

17.4    Lord Mayor Reynolds - Advocacy Priorities

Question:    Were the advocacy priorities the subject of workshops with Elected Members and if so was it one or two workshops. Was there a collective effort into the priorities document?

Answer:       The Acting Head of Intergovernmental Relations and Partnerships advised that an Elected Member workshop was conducted in June and a planning day was conducted with Elected Members in July where the advocacy priorities were discussed.

17.5    Councillor Coats - Transport Strategy 2024

Question:    Has an internal steering group been established for oversight of the strategy, what ongoing reporting has been put in place in regards to the management of the plan. The plan outlined a series of actions to be undertaken immediately. I would seek an update on those immediate actions on what has been undertaken and started?

Answer:       The Chief Executive Officer took the question on notice.

18.      Questions Taken on Notice During Debate

POSSELT

HARVEY

That the recommendation contained within the officer report, marked as item 18 of the Open Council Agenda of 16 September 2024, be adopted.

MOTION CARRIED

VOTING RECORD

COUNCIL RESOLUTION:

That the register of questions arising during debate, marked as Attachment A, to item 18 of the Open Council Agenda of 16 September 2024 be received and noted.