Council

MINUTES

 

Confirmed minutes of an ordinary meeting of the Dunedin City Council held in the Council Chamber, Municipal Chambers, The Octagon, Dunedin on Tuesday 15 November 2016, commencing at 1.00 pm

 

PRESENT

 

Mayor

Mayor Dave Cull

 

Deputy Mayor

Cr Chris Staynes

 

Members

Cr David Benson-Pope

Cr Rachel Elder

 

Cr Christine Garey

Cr Doug Hall

 

Cr Aaron Hawkins

Cr Marie Laufiso

 

Cr Mike Lord

Cr Damian Newell

 

Cr Jim O'Malley

Cr Conrad Stedman

 

Cr Lee Vandervis

Cr Andrew Whiley

 

Cr Kate Wilson

 

 

 

IN ATTENDANCE

Sue Bidrose (Chief Executive Officer), Sandy Graham (General Manager Strategy and Governance), John Christie (Director Enterprise Dunedin), Simon Pickford (General Manager Community Services), Kristy Rusher (Manager Civic and Legal), Nicola Pinfold (Group Manager Community and Planning), Maria Ioannou (Corporate Policy Manager), Kevin Taylor (Property Manager) and Andrea Jones (Communications Team Leader).

 

Governance Support Officer       Pam Jordan

 

 

1       Opening

The meeting opened with a prayer from Father Michael Dooley, Green Island and Mosgiel Catholic Parish.

2       Public Forum

2.1    Petroleum Block Offer 2017

 

Brooke Cox and Claudia Palmer of Oil Free Otago addressed the meeting concerning the Petroleum Block Offer 2017.  Ms Cox congratulated Councillors on their election and hoped they would support Oil Free Otago.  She commented that the public could not formally participate in the process so people were relying on local body representatives to be the voices of reason and take a strong stance against the Block Offer.  She then summarised Oil Free Otago's position.

Claudia Palmer added additional comments before both Ms Cox and Ms Palmer responded to questions from Councillors.

 

2.2    Petroleum Block Offer 2017

 

Charlie Montague of 350 Dunedin addressed the meeting concerning the Petroleum Block Offer 2017.  She was concerned about possible adverse effects of decisions that had the potential to impact on beaches and asked for a ban on deep sea drilling.  Ms Montague advocated the use of renewable energy and noted that gas was a fossil fuel and contributing to climate change.  The consequences of oil drilling would not benefit the majority, and any clean-ups and impacts on the tourist industry would be borne by the community.

 

2.3    Petroleum Block Offer 2017

 

Donna Peacock and Sister Noreen McGrath, members of the Dunedin Catholic Community, addressed the meeting concerning the 2017 Block Offer with reference to Laudato Si' – Care for our Common Home.  They tabled a submission based on Pope Francis' call for all peoples of the earth to come together to protect the gift of creation, our sister Earth, and our common home.  They also thanked the Council for its commitment to withdraw all investments from fossil fuels, armaments and other harmful commodities.

It was noted that New Zealand had ratified the Paris Climate Agreement, which meant that an action plan was needed to secure all targets by 2030 and zero emissions by 2050.  This meant no fossil fuels or oil and gas exploration.  The speakers commented on the benefits of new technology available the need for intergenerational justice, and urged the Council to oppose the 2017 Block Offer.

 

2.4    Aurora/Delta

 

Lyndon Weggery addressed the meeting concerning the Aurora/Delta notice of motion.  He tabled a submission outlining the concerns of Dunedin residents and ratepayers about the condition of the local power supply network.  In addition to the Condition Zero and Condition One power poles raised in the media in recent weeks, Mr Weggery also drew attention to other aspects of Aurora's Asset Management Plan, extracts from which were appended to the submission, including the age of substation buildings, 33V gas filled cables, natural disaster risks, lack of investment in the LV network, and assets approaching the end of their design life.

 

Cr Rachel Elder declared an interest in the following matter and withdrew from the meeting at 1.46 pm.

2.5    High Street Cohousing Project

 

Catherine Spencer and Frances Ross of Urban Cohousing Otepoti Ltd addressed the meeting concerning the High Street Cohousing Project.  The group was committed to having cohousing as a part of the neighbourhood.  They had been in discussions with the Council for over 12 months.  A Council commitment was now needed as units needed to be spoken for before the bank would advance a loan. 

Several matters mentioned in the report were addressed.  The group was also suggesting that the Council might like to consider purchasing a five-bedroom unit for the purposes of refugee resettlement as they considered that the cohousing unit would be ideal for integration to a new country and lifestyle.  It was hoped that this would be an exciting and innovative development and would address social housing needs.

Ms Spencer and Ms Ross also responded to questions from Councillors.

 

Cr Rachel Elder returned to the meeting at 2.06 pm.

 

3       Apologies

There were no apologies.

 

4       Confirmation of agenda

 

 

Moved (Mayor Dave Cull/Cr Chris Staynes):

 

That the Council:

 

Confirms the agenda without addition or alteration.

 

Motion carried (CNL/2016/156)

 

 

5       Declarations of interest

Members were reminded of the need to stand aside from decision-making when a conflict arose between their role as an elected representative and any private or other external interest they might have.

 

Cr Elder advised that she had an interest in Item 8: Potential Investment in the High Street Cohousing Project, and would withdraw from the item.

6       Confirmation of Minutes

6.1    INAUGURAL Council meeting - 25 October 2016

 

Moved (Mayor Dave Cull/Cr Chris Staynes):

 

That the Council:

 

Confirms the minutes of the Inaugural Council meeting held on 25 October 2016 as a correct record.

 

There was discussion on the Code of Conduct item.

 

 Motion carried (CNL/2016/157) Cr Vandervis recorded his vote against.

Reports

7       Block Offer 2017 Submission

 

A report from Community and Planning appended the Dunedin City Council's draft submission to New Zealand Petroleum and Mineral's Block Offer 2017.

It provided a background to the Block Offer process, details of Block Offer 2017 and a summary of the draft submission's content.  The Council decision revolved around whether to submit or not, and whether to align the submission with a resolution of the Council in November 2015 to call on the New Zealand Government to place a moratorium on offshore oil and gas exploration and extraction in New Zealand waters.

 

 

Staff responded to questions from Councillors.

 

Moved (Cr Aaron Hawkins/Cr David Benson-Pope):

 

That the Council:

 

 

a)        Approves the draft submission to New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals on Block Offer 2017 with the addition:

 

"1.2. In line with its existing policy, Council submits that all applications to Block Offer 2017 are declined."

 

During the course of debate, it was agreed by the Council that the following amendments should also be included in the submission:

 

"5.6 The Dunedin City Council suggests the Government put in place a disaster management plan to include:"

 

To be changed to:

 

"5.6 The Dunedin City Council suggests the Government put in place a marine oil spill disaster management plan to include:"

 

Cr Lee Vandervis left the meeting at 3.01 pm during the course of discussion.

 

Division

Voting was carried out by division.

 

For:          Crs David Benson-Pope, Christine Garey, Aaron Hawkins, Marie Laufiso, Damian Newell, Jim O'Malley, Chris Staynes, Kate Wilson and Mayor Dave Cull. (9).

Against:     Crs Doug Hall, Mike Lord, Conrad Stedman and Andrew Whiley (4).

Abstention: Cr Rachel Elder (1).

 

The division was declared CARRIED by 9 votes to 4.

 

Motion carried (CNL/2016/158)

 

Cr Rachel Elder declared an interest in the matter and withdrew from the meeting at 3.09 pm.

 

8       Potential investment in the High Street Cohousing project

 

A report from Property provided options on whether to invest in the High Street Cohousing Project, following an offer to participate as a social housing provider.

Each option included the potential advantages and disadvantages of the Council investing in this cohousing development, including: fit with the Council's strategic priorities; the appropriateness of the units offered to demand for social housing; the relative costs and benefits of different options; and, the potential risks of investing in this cohousing development.

 

 

Moved (Mayor Dave Cull/Cr Chris Staynes):

 

That the Council:

 

 

a)     Authorises the purchase of two two-bedroom units as part of the High Street Cohousing project for use as social housing at a total estimated cost of $690,600 plus GST.

 

During the course of debate it was agreed by the Council to change the motion to:

 

a)     Agrees to purchase at least two two-bedroom units offered to the DCC as part of the High Street Cohousing project but with scope, should the Property Manager and Chief Executive Officer perceive a demand, to upgrade one unit to a three-bedroom unit.

 

Motion carried (CNL/2016/159)

 

Cr Rachel Elder returned to the meeting at 3.26 pm.

 

9       Meeting Dates

 

A report from Civic and Legal requested confirmation of dates for Subcommittees that were required to hold meetings prior to the end of the year: the Audit and Risk Subcommittee and the Grants Subcommittee.

 

 

Moved (Cr Chris Staynes/Cr Andrew Whiley):

 

That the Council:

 

a)     Confirms a meeting of the Audit and Risk Subcommittee to be held on 14 December 2016 at 2.00 pm.

b)     Confirms a meeting of the Grants Subcommittee to be held on 22 November 2016 at 9.00 am.

c)     Notes that a meeting schedule for Council committees and subcommittees will be considered at the Council meeting of 6 December.

Motion carried (CNL/2016/160)

 

10     Appointment to the Otago Regional Transport Committee

 

A report from Civic and Legal noted that the Council must advise its appointee (and an alternate representative) to the Otago Regional Transport Committee as soon as practicable.

 

 

Moved (Cr Chris Staynes/Cr Andrew Whiley):

 

That the Council

 

a)     Appoints the Chair of the Infrastructure Services and Networks Committee (Cr Wilson) to the Otago Regional Transport Committee, with the Deputy Chair of the Infrastructure Services and Networks Committee (Cr O'Malley) to act as an alternate representative.

Motion carried (CNL/2016/161)

 

11     Subcommittee Appointments and Terms of Reference

 

A report from Civic and Legal advised that the Mayor had advised the establishment of the Grants Subcommittee and the Hearings Subcommittee at the meeting of 25 October 2016 and had appointed members to these Subcommittees.

The report proposed that the current terms of reference were retained for these subcommittees until Council had considered all committee and subcommittee delegations and terms of reference at its meeting of 6 December 2016.

 

 

Moved (Mayor Dave Cull/Cr Chris Staynes):

 

That the Council:

 

a)     Approves the terms of reference for the Grants Subcommittee and the Hearings Subcommittee as per Attachment A of the report.

b)     Notes that the Mayor has appointed the following elected members to the Grants Subcommittee Crs Hawkins (Chair), Whiley (Deputy Chair), Laufiso, Garey and Wilson (interim member).

c)     Notes that the Mayor has appointed the following elected members to the Hearings Subcommittee: Crs Wilson (Chair), Benson-Pope (Deputy Chair), Lord, Whiley, Hawkins and Vandervis.

d)     Notes that Council will consider the terms of reference and delegations for all committees and subcommittees at its meeting of 6 December 2016.

Motion carried (CNL/2016/162)

 

12     Notice of Motion - Aurora/Delta Board

 

In accordance with Standing Order 26.1, a Notice of Motion had been received from Crs Benson-Pope, Hawkins and Wilson.

 

 

Moved (Cr David Benson-Pope/Cr Aaron Hawkins):

 

That the Council:

 

 

a)     Asks DCHL to urgently advise whether or not it still has confidence in the Chair and Board of Aurora/Delta.

 

Cr Lee Vandervis returned to the meeting at 3.49 pm during the course of debate.

 

Division

Voting was carried out by division.

 

For:          Crs David Benson-Pope, Rachel Elder, Christine Garey, Aaron Hawkins, Marie Laufiso, Damian Newell, Jim O'Malley, Chris Staynes, Conrad Stedman, Lee Vandervis, Kate Wilson and Mayor Dave Cull (12).

Against:     Crs Doug Hall, Mike Lord and Andrew Whiley (3).

 

The division was declared CARRIED by 12 votes to 3.

 

Motion carried (CNL/2016/163)

 

 

 

The meeting concluded at 3.54 pm.

 

 

 

 

 

..............................................

MAYOR