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EXTRAORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING

MINUTES OF MEETING
Monday, 12th September 2011


The Meeting commenced at 7:02pm.

PRESENT

Council Members

Councillor P Sansom (Mayor and Chairperson at commencement)
Councillor S McMahon (Mayor and Chairperson after the Mayoral Election)
Deputy Mayor, Councillor C Hindi
Councillor V Badalati
Councillor A Istephan
Councillor J Jacovou
Councillor N Liu
Councillor D Perry
Councillor A Wagstaff
Councillor C Wong

Council Staff

General Manager, Mr. V Lampe
Director Administration, Mr J Tripp
Director Service Delivery, Mr L O'Connor
Director Planning & Development, Mr M Watt
Chief Finance Officer, Mrs K Foldi
Internal Ombudsman, Mr W Park
Manager Public Relations & Events, Ms T Abraham
Manager Corporate Governance & Records, Mrs K Garske
Governance Officer, Mr H Cavill


APOLOGIES

Apologies for the inability to be present were tendered on behalf of Councillor B Giegerl, OAM and Councillor W Pickering, OAM.

RECOMMENDED THAT apologies be accepted and leave of absence granted.
(Moved Deputy Mayor, Councillor C Hindi / Seconded Councillor S McMahon)

MAYORAL MINUTECouncillors, tonight’s Mayoral Minute relates to two issues.
  1. Council has received a letter from the NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure (DoPI) advising that it is working towards endorsing the draft Hurstville Local Environment Plan (Hurstville City Centre) 2010 as a priority matter. Once approved, this will enable Council to exhibit the plan at the same time as the draft Hurstville Comprehensive Local Environment Plan 2011. These important planning instruments, along with the recently approved amendment to the Local Environmental Plan 1994 which introduces a consolidated commercial core around the Hurstville railway station and bus interchange and prohibits residential development, will help shape Hurstville over the next 20 years. Our long-term vision is to build the city, allowing high-rise only in restricted areas throughout the CBD, in order to protect the suburbs. Council is committed to balancing the needs of both commercial and residential uses across the local government area.
  2. In light of the election tonight, I would like to outline Council’s most significant achievements over the past two years during my tenure as Mayor. These achievements include the completion of the new Hurstville Transport Interchange as well as the pedestrian access link to Hurstville railway station.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to announce that I will not be standing for the mayoralty in tonight’s election. It has been a great honour and privilege to serve the Hurstville community over the past two years, and I wish the incoming Mayor every success in the role. I am proud to say that Council is in great shape both financially and organisationally, and am confident this will continue in the future.

I have enjoyed my tenure as Mayor and sincerely thank my fellow councillors, and in particular, Deputy Mayor, Councillor Con Hindi, for their continued support and cooperation. I would also like to personally thank, on behalf of all Councillors, the General Manager and staff for all of their ongoing hard work and commitment to our community.

I move reception of the minute.

Minute No. 171
RESOLVED THAT the Mayoral Minute be received and noted.
(Moved Councillor S McMahon / Seconded Deputy Mayor, Councillor C Hindi)

DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST

There were no disclosures of interest made.

ITEMS

ECM013-11 COUNCILLOR AND MAYORAL FEES 2011/2012 (09/1188)
THAT the information be received and noted.
(Moved Councillor S McMahon / Seconded Deputy Mayor, Councillor C Hindi)

ECM014-11 ELECTION OF MAYOR (10/1774)
The incumbent Mayor, Councillor P Sansom stood down from the Chair at 7:10pm for the election, which was conducted by the General Manager, Mr V G D Lampe in his capacity as Returning Officer.

Nominations
The General Manager advised that only one (1) nomination, duly validated, had been received for the Office of Mayor:

COUNCILLOR STEVE McMAHON

The General Manager then asked if there were any other nominations for the position of Mayor. No further nominations were received.

Minute No. 172
RESOLVED THAT the General Manager in his capacity as Returning Officer declared Councillor S McMahon duly elected as Mayor of the City of Hurstville for the ensuing Mayoral term to September 2012.

FURTHER THAT, letters be forwarded to the CEO Division of Local Government and the Secretary of the Local Government and Shires Associations advising the appointment of the Mayor.

ECM015-11 ELECTION OF DEPUTY MAYOR (10/1774)
Nominations
The General Manager, Mr V G D Lampe in his capacity as Returning Officer, advised that only one (1) nomination, duly validated, had been received for the Office of Deputy Mayor:

COUNCILLOR CON HINDI

The General Manager then asked if there were any other nominations for the position of Deputy Mayor. No further nominations were received.

Minute No. 173
RESOLVED THAT the General Manager in his capacity as Returning Officer declared Councillor C Hindi as Deputy Mayor of the City of Hurstville for the ensuing Mayoral term to September 2012.

FURTHER THAT letters be forwarded to the CEO Division of Local Government and the Secretary of the Local Government and Shires Associations advising the appointment of the Deputy Mayor.

Minute No. 174
ECM016-11 ELECTION OF COMMITTEES (10/1774)
THAT membership of Committees for 2011/12 be as follows:



Committee
Quorum

Elected Membership

1

Finance, Property and Projects Committee
3

Clr McMahon (Chair),
Clr Badalati,
Clr Jacovou,
Clr Istephan

2

Service Delivery, Child Care Policy and Senior Citizens Policy Committee
3

Clr Sansom (Chair),
Clr Giegerl,
Clr Liu,
Clr Wagstaff

3

Policy, Planning, Environment and Master Plan Implementation Committee
3

Clr Hindi (Chair),
Clr Perry,
Clr Pickering,
Clr Wong

4

Development Assessment Committee
7

Full Council

5

Senior Staff Performance Review Committee

For General Manager Position:




To assist the General Manager for Director positions: (Note: One additional Member may be appointed by the General Manager to the Committee to assist his review.)
4




4

Clr McMahon,
Clr Hindi,
Clr Jacovou,
Clr Sansom

Clr McMahon,
Clr Hindi,
Clr Jacovou,
Clr Sansom
(Moved Councillor P Sansom / Seconded Deputy Mayor, Councillor C Hindi)
It was noted that Councillor Wagstaff nominated Councillor D Perry to the Senior Staff Performance Review Committee (General Manager's Position), however Councillor Perry declined the nomination.

Councillor Wagstaff wished to have it recorded she voted against the motion relating to the Senior Staff Performance Review Committee (General Manager's Position).

Minute No. 175
ECM017-11 ELECTION OF DELEGATES (10/1774)
THAT participation in Committees and Organisations for 2011/12 be as follows:

Committee
Number of Existing Delegates
Elected Membership
1Aboriginal Advisory Committee
1
Clr Wagstaff (non-voting)
2Access Committee
2
Clr Liu

It was noted that Councillor B Giegerl was nominated to the Access Committee, however Councillor Badalati advised that Councillor Giegerl declined the nomination. Councillor Wagstaff confirmed Councillor Giegerl's declining of the nomination.

It was noted Councillor Wagstaff nominated Councillor D Perry to the Access Committee, however Councillor Perry declined the nomination.

3Audit Committee
1
Deputy Mayor of the day

Councillor Wagstaff wished to have it recorded that she voted against the motion relating to the delegate to the Audit Committee.

4Australia Day Botany Bay Regatta Committee
1
Clr Sansom,
Alt: Clr Jacovou
5Business Enterprise Centre
1
Clr Hindi
6Citizens Recognition Committee
1
Clr Jacovou (Chair), Clr Hindi,
Clr Sansom
Clr Wong
7Community Safety Committee
3
Clr Wong (Chair),
Clr Hindi,
Clr Liu
Clr Perry
Alt: Clr Wagstaff
8Georges River Combined Councils Committee Inc. (includes ‘Riverkeeper’)
3
Clr Sansom,
Clr Liu
Clr Wagstaff.
Alt. Clr McMahon
9Kingsgrove Community Aid Centre
1
Clr Istephan,
Alt: Clr Liu
10Major Events Committee
6
Clr Sansom (Chair), Clr Hindi,
Clr Jacovou,
Clr Istephan,
Clr Liu
Clr Wong
11Mortdale Community Services Committee
3
Clr Hindi,
Clr McMahon
Clr Perry
12Multicultural Advisory Committee
4
Clr Wong (Chair),
Clr Hindi,
Clr Liu
13Pole Depot Neighbourhood Centre Management Committee
3
Clr Hindi,
Clr McMahon
Clr Perry
14St George Local Emergency Management Committee
1
Mayor, Clr McMahon
15Sister City Committee
4
Clr Sansom (Chair), Clr Hindi,
Clr Liu,
Clr Wong
16Southern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (SSROC)




a) Committee No 1
b) Committee No 2
2





1
1
Clr Hindi,
Clr Sansom
Alt: Clr Jacovou, Clr Istephan,
Clr Perry

Clr Hindi
Clr Sansom
17Special Projects Committee
4
Clr Sansom (Chair), Clr Hindi,
Clr Jacovou,
Clr Wong
18Sports Advisory Committee
12
Full Council,
Quorum of 3*

*GM to investigate whether quorum is appropriate

It was noted that Councillor Wagstaff proposed a quorum of 5 for the Sports Advisory Committee.

19Traffic Authority of NSW – Local Committee (any Member of Council may attend)
(Chair to be elected by Council)
Clr Jacovou (Chair),
Director Service Delivery
(Moved Councillor P Sansom / Seconded Deputy Mayor, Councillor C Hindi)
Further to the Election of Delegates, Councillor P Sansom moved the following motion:

Minute No. 176
THAT an Asset Committee be established with a membership of five (5) Councillors.

FURTHER THAT the initial committee membership be:
20Asset Committee
5
Clr Hindi (Chair),
Mayor, Clr McMahon,
Clr Jacovou,
Clr Sansom,
Clr Wong,
(Moved Councillor P Sansom / Seconded Deputy Mayor, Councillor C Hindi)

His Worship the Mayor, Councillor S McMahon, then addressed the Council:

Minute No. 177
Thank you.

Thank you to my fellow Councillors for bestowing this honour upon me. Thank you for the trust you have shown, particularly those who took risks in supporting me. The position on Mayor is one I take seriously as it is representing 70,000 of my peers, the ratepayers, families, residents of Hurstville. Particularly I thank former Mayor Philip Sansom and his wife Sheila. As Mayor I think you achieved more in the last 2 years then we have in the last 5, and you did all of that in a difficult environment on many levels and for that you are to be commended for your service, achievement, time and dedication you put in. Thank you.

A few quick thank you’s first of all. To my wife Lee, 2 year old daughter Elouise and 3 week old son Declan who are all here tonight. Without your support I wouldn’t be up here, so thank you and sorry in advance for the demands of the next 12 months. I love you all very much and you will always be my first priority and my favourite and most cared for residents of all the land.

To my parents also in the gallery, obviously I wouldn’t be here without you either. Thank you both for instilling in me a sense of community, responsibility, service and honesty. Thank you Mum for taking me to 86,000 local soccer and cricket games over the years showing me first hand how important our community volunteers are and high importance our community puts on quality open space, parks to place sport and parkland in general. Thank you Dad for waking up at 5am for 7 years of Sunday mornings walking from Penshurst Newsagency up Forest Rd to the streets of Hurstville on the local paper run. The lessons I learnt from you and all the people we met over those years are invaluable. That and more, I love you guys too.

To the dedicated residents that consistently bring themselves to Council meetings every week. I know some of us will never agree and to quote Clr Jacovou it won’t always be win win result, but I hope I make you proud to be a Hurstville ratepayer over the next 12 months and I pledge to try my best. Maybe you’ll even right the odd nice letter to the Leader. To my friends who have come tonight, thank you and it’s my shout, shortly.

Now down to business……….

My aim is to be a common sense Mayor!

A Mayor that focuses on the basics and delivers what ratepayers actually want. A Mayor that concentrates on the issues which directly impact on local residents.

I will always be honest, open and blunt with you, partly because it’s my way and my nature and also because liars get caught out anyway and people have had enough of elected officials that are full of it.

A Mayor that takes things back to their most basic level and removes some of the, in my view, unnecessary trappings of office

My philosophy on the role of a Councillor and Mayor is simple. We are elected from amongst our lot, our neighbours, the community, to look after a big pot of money that we all chip in to. Our job is to make sure that money is spent on helping our neighbours and fixing the problems of the community. Pretty simple but more on that shortly.

I was elected (with Clr Perry) on a simple platform which I aim to adhere to as Mayor:
But my first action as Mayor relates to the trappings of office:

First of all ratepayers will not be forking over some $50,000 for a V8 luxury Mayoral Car or any new car for that matter. I would prefer to see those funds diverted to charitable or community use instead and I’d like to make a suggestion in the coming months.

The Mayoral car will now be known as my blue Holden Commodore inclusive of baby and toddler seat or our Nissan Tiida.

It’s just my personal view, not policy and I mean no offence to any previous Mayor. It’s also a practical decision as I don’t know how a luxury caprice would go with 2 baby seats in it. It’s my personal view that rate payers money could be spent better elsewhere.

As Mayor ratepayers will NEVER spend a cent on me going overseas on Sister City trips to China or Japan. Once again, my personal view, not policy, I don’t believe it’s right and won’t be doing it. Full stop.

As Mayor I will not be wearing the Mayoral robes or the Mayoral Chains.

My view is they are archaic and not a true representation of what the first citizen of our community should represent.

I am pleased the chains and robes are here tonight along with the head of the St George Museum (and other things) Ms Rebecca Schultz, as, while I’m sitting here, the Mayoral Chains and robes, for this year at least, will be on display wherever you consider appropriate in our museum.

Please don’t get me wrong, I mean no disrespect to any former Mayor who has worn these robes and chains. I certainly mean no disrespect to the position of Mayor and don’t mean to offend anyone. It is simply my personal view and a reflection of my philosophy on our position here.

We were elected to serve the normal everyday people of Hurstville as one of them! We weren’t here to serve as Kings and Queens wearing robes and chains to reign over our subjects, we are here to, amongst other things, fix the roads, footpaths, parks, keep the library stocked, pick up the rubbish, protect ratepayers from overdevelopment.

I acknowledge that there may be occasions, such as during citizenship ceremonies where the Mayoral chains may be requested. I’ll take each request as it comes, but once again I’m of the belief that if you wish to become a citizen of Australia and a citizen of Hurstville, that you understand what we are all about – and that is egalitarianism and a fair go – we are not about reigning power from a throne – we are normal locals and anyone out there can become Mayor if they want to and I think that’s an important message to send.

As for the basics I believe we need more of an emphasis on street cleaning, drain clearing, pothole filling, footpath fixing, road smoothing and more. I’ve been out on the road myself with a few of the crews and I will be expecting Senior Management to hit the coalface themselves, but more on that later.

My views on overdevelopment are clear and were formed with my good friend and colleague almost Emeritus Mayor Joanne Morris who I acknowledge in the gallery tonight, we need to build the city to protect the suburbs and if God’s bulldozer could knock down Hurstville CBD and start again I’d do it. Hurstville locals, we’ve done our share of NSWs housing development so far compared to other suburbs. When Ku-ring-gai and other suburbs on the north shore start building 16 storey monstrosities to house a growing population…..then come and talk to me about increased development in our suburbs until then – we’ve done our fair share and we’re not about to budge any further.

The new Liberal State Government promised to return planning powers to locals – well do it! So far you’ve got away in the press by removing the part 3A legislation. Well good on you, it never affected Hurstville anyway but 100 days in and you approve 16 storey concept plan in Tracey St Hurstville where the limit was 6 storeys. Actions speak louder than words or cheap gloss on a campaign brochure. I call on the NSW government to support Hurstville Council’s LEP and our plan to protect our suburbs from the scourge of greed overdevelopment.

This Council has done a fair bit a work creating new open public spaces, memorial square, the site opposite the bus rail interchange, the new pole depot park, the new park on the old Narwee high school site and plans for more. But we do need to deliver more! In today congested environment dominated more and more by Apps and Ipads than bushwalks and backyard cricket we need to create more backyards, parkland and improve our recreational spaces! I’m determined to deliver on that in the next 12 months and I hope you’ll support me.

The local environment is important to me and I intend to deliver on the Peakhurst Industrial estate water harvesting project. This project will lower our water bill, make the Georges River cleaner and make life more interesting for those who use Hurstville Golf Course. It is also my intention to see through to completion the management plan for Myles Dunphy reserve Oatley which will see its native flora and fauna protected

Our Suburbs are the best. We are blessed with beautiful parklands, houses, streetscapes, recreation and plenty of nice little shopping strips. The people are lovely. I’m proud of our suburbs and aim to make them even better.

Hurstville CBD and Forest Rd is important to me.

Forest Rd Hurstville in 2011 is not the same as it was when I caught the bus there back in the 1990s. It’s busier, it’s diverse, it’s different and it can get better. It can get cleaner, the traffic could flow better but it can become something that everyone is proud of. This Council is committed to improving our CBD and I’m sure with the introduction of the new Bus rail interchange, the new park and future traffic changes, together with other future improvements, locals from Narwee to Lugarno will realise that shopping in Hurstville, eating in CBD restaurants provides a unique positive cultural experience, that is to be savoured. It’s right on your doorstep and something to be proud of. Trust me and try it, it’s worth it.

I’m declaring an interest and I’m biased, but my Mayoralty will be family friendly. I’ll provide more detail in the coming months but we need to do more for families and all residential property owners actually. From common sense planning changes and rates to simple things like replacing mulch on kids playgrounds with softfall rubber that doesn’t get into kids clothes to shelters from the sun and rain over play equipment. Simple changes like these can make the life of parents and their kids so much better on so many levels.

We’ve got a busy 12 months ahead and I’ll share more details with you all in due course but there are many common sense changes we can make on this council.

Parking and infringement notices…… there’s a better, common sense way to deal with these issues and the community deserves a better approach. I won’t allow a council I lead to be seen a purely revenue raising machine, which we are not, at the expense of innocent or well intentioned locals who get caught in the web.

Australia Day is special to me. We need to do it better and we will!

Hurstville City Council is in a sound financial position and I intend to keep it that way. However we still face ongoing challenges. To ratepayers I say that as Mayor I have an Economics degree and have chosen to Chair the finance committee to keep a careful eye on your money firsthand. We cannot spend beyond our means, yet we also need to realise that it’s your money and it needs to spent on you responsibly.

Our local and the St George area. We deserve more from all levels of Government. More on this later, but if we don’t get the support we deserve from all levels of Government, then watch out, you’ll be hearing from all the little people, not just me.

So that’s it. It’s pretty basic. Locals comes first. I’m taking a common sense approach. No ratepayer funded overseas trips. Families and hard working locals to get a leg up. More of a focus on what we’re here for road, rates, rubbish and protecting our lifestyle.

I was born in St George Hospital, raised in Peakhurst, went to school in Penshurst and Mortdale, got married to a local girl at St Declan’s Penshurst, had 2 kids delivered at Hurstville community Hospital where 20 years ago I was delivering newspapers. And now I’m Mayor of Hurstville. I hope to do you proud and I hope you enjoy the journey.

Thank you.
(Moved His Worship the Mayor Councillor S McMahon / Seconded Councillor P Sansom)

It was noted that this item was carried unanimously.

Further to the Mayor's address, Deputy Mayor Councillor C Hindi responded that it was an honour to be led by His Worship the Mayor, Councillor McMahon, and thanked Councillor P Sansom for his leadership over the past 2 years. Councillor Hindi noted that a leader needs to lead with respect to achieve anything and that the achievements in the last 2 years were a testament to Councillor Sansom's leadership. Councillor Sansom also tended his congratulations and stated he was proud to hand over to Councillor McMahon, wished him all the best and would be happy to assist the Mayor in his new role but was confident that it would not be needed. Councillor Hindi further noted that the Mayoralty was a great recognition for Councillor McMahon and expressed the hope that it would be longer than a 12 month term.


Minute No. 178
ECM018-11 FUNCTIONS OF COMMITTEES (10/1774)
THAT the functions of Committees are confirmed.
(Moved Councillor P Sansom / Seconded Deputy Mayor, Councillor C Hindi)

Minute No. 179
ECM019-11 CODE OF MEETING PRACTICE (10/246)
THAT the information be received and noted.
(Moved Councillor P Sansom / Seconded Deputy Mayor, Councillor C Hindi)

Minute No. 180
ECM020-11 PROCEDURES - MEETINGS OF COUNCIL AND STANDING COMMITTEES (10/1774)THAT the procedures and policies for Council and Standing Committee Meetings as outlined in the report are confirmed.
(Moved Councillor P Sansom / Seconded Deputy Mayor, Councillor C Hindi)

Minute No. 181
ECM021-11 COUNCIL AND COMMITTEE MEETING DATES - OCTOBER 2011 - DECEMBER 2012 (10/1774)
THAT the dates for the meetings from October 2011 to December 2012 as outlined in the report be adopted.
(Moved Councillor P Sansom / Seconded Deputy Mayor, Councillor C Hindi)




The meeting finished at 7:40pm.



____________________________________
Chairperson