Palmerston North City Council

 

Minutes of the Council Meeting Part I Public, held in the Council Chamber, First Floor, Civic Administration Building, 32 The Square, Palmerston North on 05 February 2025, commencing at 9.00am

Members

Present:

Grant Smith (The Mayor) (in the Chair) and Councillors Debi Marshall-Lobb, Mark Arnott, Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Vaughan Dennison, Lew Findlay, Roly Fitzgerald, Patrick Handcock, Leonie Hapeta, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Karen Naylor, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin.

Apologies:

 Councillor Lorna Johnson (lateness)

Councillor Lorna Johnson entered the meeting at 9.23am during consideration of clause 3-25.  She was not present for clauses 1-25 and  2-25.

Councillor Leonie Hapeta  left the meeting at 12.25pm after consideration of clause 7-25.  She was not present for clauses 8-25 to 14-25.

 

 

Karakia Timatanga

 

Councillor Debi Marshall-Lobb opened the meeting with karakia.

 

1-25

Apologies

 

Moved Grant Smith, seconded Debi Marshall-Lobb.

RESOLVED

1.   That Council receive the apologies.

 

Clause 1-25 above was carried 15 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Debi Marshall-Lobb, Mark Arnott, Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Vaughan Dennison, Lew Findlay, Roly Fitzgerald, Patrick Handcock, Leonie Hapeta, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Karen Naylor, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin.

 

 

2-25

Public Comment

 

Shaun Kay spoke on the work of the  Education is a right not a privilege Stationery bank.

 

 

 

Moved Grant Smith, seconded Debi Marshall-Lobb.

RESOLVED

That the Public Comment be received.

 

Clause 2-25 above was carried 15 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Debi Marshall-Lobb, Mark Arnott, Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Vaughan Dennison, Lew Findlay, Roly Fitzgerald, Patrick Handcock, Leonie Hapeta, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Karen Naylor, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin.

 

3-25

Presentation - The Plaza, Kiwi Property

Presentation from Andrew Heaphy, Senior Centre Manager, The Plaza and Linda Trainer, General Manager – Assets, Kiwi Property.

The presenters discussed the detrimental effect of the change in the rating system on the Plaza. Whilst they agreed with the rationale to move towards capital value; they were concerned with the speed at which the change was happening. 

They requested Council consider the following:

·         Slow the transition (to Capital value)  from the proposed 3 years to 5 years,

·         Lower the differential factor for non-residential ratepayers

·         Increase the uniform annual general charge

Councillor Lorna Johnson entered the meeting at 9.23am.

 

 

Moved Grant Smith, seconded Debi Marshall-Lobb.

RESOLVED

1.   That the Council receive the presentation for information.

 

 

Clause 3-25 above was carried 16 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Debi Marshall-Lobb, Mark Arnott, Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Vaughan Dennison, Lew Findlay, Roly Fitzgerald, Patrick Handcock, Leonie Hapeta, Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Karen Naylor, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin.

 

4-25

Confirmation of Minutes

 

Moved Grant Smith, seconded Brent Barrett.

RESOLVED

1. That the minutes of the extraordinary Council meeting of 5 December 2024 Part I Public be confirmed as a true and correct record.

2. That the minutes of the ordinary Council meeting of 11 December 2024 Part I Public be confirmed as a true and correct record.

 

Clause 4-25 above was carried 15 votes with 1 abstention, the voting being as follows:

For:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Mark Arnott, Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Vaughan Dennison, Lew Findlay, Roly Fitzgerald, Patrick Handcock, Leonie Hapeta, Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Karen Naylor, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin.

Abstained:

Councillor Debi Marshall-Lobb.

 

5-25

Tribute - New Year's Honours 2025

The Mayor read out the achievements of the New Year’s Honours recipients from Palmerston North. He also acknowledged the achievements of the following former Palmerstonians:

  • Sam Whitelock. (Now Hawkes Bay) Former resident and ex All Black Rugby captain. Awarded ONZM for services to Rugby and Community/Mental Health. 
  • Noel Harris. (now Mt Maunganui) Former resident and premier Horse Racing jockey. Awarded MNZM for services to Horse Racing. 

 

Moved Grant Smith, seconded Debi Marshall-Lobb.

RESOLVED

1.   That Council congratulate the local recipients of the New Year’s Honours 2025.

 

 

Clause 5-25 above was carried 16 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Debi Marshall-Lobb, Mark Arnott, Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Vaughan Dennison, Lew Findlay, Roly Fitzgerald, Patrick Handcock, Leonie Hapeta, Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Karen Naylor, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin.

 

6-25

Local Water Done Well- Approval for Consultation

Memorandum, presented by Julie Keane - Transition Manager Three Waters, Mike Monaghan - Group Manager Three Waters, Olivia Wix - Communications Manager.

Council requested several amendments be made to the consultation document to further clarify some of the issues and ensure continuity of how costs are presented throughout the document.

 

Moved Grant Smith, seconded Lorna Johnson.

RESOLVED

1. That the consultation document be edited and come back to Council on 12 February, with the following edits:

·         show  option of numbers plus inflation

·         Option 2 – show which councils are possible for option 2 and effect of smaller group on costs; range of options – best vs worst matrix.

·         explain changes to national standards and likely changes to costs due to them.

·         whether Nature Calls costs are included or not - show consistently across all figures.

 

 

Clause 6-25 above was carried 16 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Debi Marshall-Lobb, Mark Arnott, Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Vaughan Dennison, Lew Findlay, Roly Fitzgerald, Patrick Handcock, Leonie Hapeta, Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Karen Naylor, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin.

 

The meeting adjourned at 11.05am.

The meeting resumed at 11.20am.

 

 

7-25

Exemption of Council Controlled Organisations

Memorandum, presented by Sarah Claridge, Governance Advisor.

An amendment to recommendation 4 was moved, which requested that the Globe and Regent Theatres continue to present an annual Statement of Intent. An additional recommendation was also moved ensuring that Council produce a Statement of Expectation for the two theatre CCOs. Both resolutions were put to ensure some continuity of current practice whilst allowing for an annual audit and six-month report to no longer be required.  

 

Moved Grant Smith, seconded Debi Marshall-Lobb.

RESOLVED

3.   That Council decline the request from Te Manawa Museums Trust to become an exempted organisation.

 

 

 

Clause 7-25 above was carried 12 votes to 4, the voting being as follows:

For:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Debi Marshall-Lobb, Mark Arnott, Brent Barrett, Vaughan Dennison, Lew Findlay, Roly Fitzgerald, Patrick Handcock, Leonie Hapeta, Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan and Orphée Mickalad.

Against:

Councillors Rachel Bowen, Karen Naylor, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin.

 

 

Moved Grant Smith, seconded Debi Marshall-Lobb.

RESOLVED

1.   That Council approve the request to treat the Globe Theatre Trust as an exempted organisation for the purpose of compliance and external financial audit; for three years from 5 February 2025 to 5 February 2028, pursuant to Section 7 of the Local Government Act 2002.

2.   That Council approve the request to treat the Regent Theatre Trust as an exempted organisation for the purpose of compliance and external financial audit; for three years from 5 February 2025 to 5 February 2028, pursuant to Section 7 of the Local Government Act 2002.

4.   That Council request the Globe Theatre Trust and Regent Theatre Trust present an annual Statement of Intent and Annual Report to the relevant committee.

 

 

Clause 7-25 above was carried 16 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Debi Marshall-Lobb, Mark Arnott, Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Vaughan Dennison, Lew Findlay, Roly Fitzgerald, Patrick Handcock, Leonie Hapeta, Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Karen Naylor, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin.

 

 

Moved Rachel Bowen, seconded Brent Barrett.

RESOLVED

5. That Council continue to provide a three -yearly Statement of Expectation to The Globe Theatre Trust and Regent Theatre Trust.

 

Clause 7-25 above was carried 16 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Debi Marshall-Lobb, Mark Arnott, Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Vaughan Dennison, Lew Findlay, Roly Fitzgerald, Patrick Handcock, Leonie Hapeta, Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Karen Naylor, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin.

 

 

Moved Rachel Bowen, seconded Brent Barrett.

On an amendment to recommendation 4: That Council request the Globe Theatre Trust and Regent Theatre Trust present an annual Statement of Intent and their Annual Report to the relevant committee. RB/BB

The amendment was carried 11 votes to 5, the voting being as followed

For:

Councillors Debi Marshall-Lobb, Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Vaughan Dennison, Lew Findlay, Roly Fitzgerald, Patrick Handcock, Orphée Mickalad, Karen Naylor, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin.

Against:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Mark Arnott, Leonie Hapeta, Lorna Johnson and Billy Meehan.

 

 

The meeting adjourned at 12.25pm.

The meeting resumed at 1.30pm.

Councillor Leonie Hapeta was not present when the meeting resumed at 1:30pm.

 

8-25

Review of CEDA Appointment of Director Policy - Creation of Working Group and Terms of Reference

Memorandum, presented by Sarah Claridge, Governance Advisor.

 

Moved Lew Findlay, seconded Debi Marshall-Lobb.

 

RESOLVED

1.   That Council establish a joint working group with Manawatū District Council to review the CEDA Appointment of Directors Policy. 

2.   That Council approve the Terms of Reference of the CEDA Appointment of Directors Policy Working Group (Attachment 1).

 

 

Clause 8-25 above was carried 15 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Debi Marshall-Lobb, Mark Arnott, Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Vaughan Dennison, Lew Findlay, Roly Fitzgerald, Patrick Handcock, Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Karen Naylor, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin.

 

 

Moved Lew Findlay, seconded Debi Marshall-Lobb.

RESOLVED

3.   That Council agree the Mayors’ recommendation to appoint Mayor Grant Smith, Councillor Vaughan Dennison and Councillor Leonie Hapeta (as members of the Electoral College) to the Working Group.

 

 

Clause 8-25 above was carried 12 votes to 1, with 2 abstentions, the voting being as follows:

 

For:

Councillors Debi Marshall-Lobb, Mark Arnott, Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Lew Findlay, Roly Fitzgerald, Patrick Handcock, Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin.

Against:

Councillor Karen Naylor.

Abstained:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillor Vaughan Dennison.

 

9-25

Civic Fund Establishment - Te Awa Community Foundation

Memorandum, presented by Richard Carr, Commercial Partnerships and Funding Manager.

 

Moved Grant Smith, seconded Debi Marshall-Lobb.

RESOLVED

1.   That Council note progress towards establishing a civic fund in conjunction with the Te Awa Community Foundation.

 

 

Clause 9-25 above was carried 15 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Debi Marshall-Lobb, Mark Arnott, Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Vaughan Dennison, Lew Findlay, Roly Fitzgerald, Patrick Handcock, Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Karen Naylor, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin.

 

10-25

Civic and Cultural Precinct: 6 Month Update

Memorandum, presented by David Murphy, General Manager Strategic Planning and Richard Carr, Commercial Partnerships and Funding Manager.

 

Moved Grant Smith, seconded Debi Marshall-Lobb.

RESOLVED

1.   That Council receive the report titled Civic and Cultural Precinct: 6 Month Update, presented on 5 February 2025.

 

 

Clause 10-25 above was carried 15 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Debi Marshall-Lobb, Mark Arnott, Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Vaughan Dennison, Lew Findlay, Roly Fitzgerald, Patrick Handcock, Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Karen Naylor, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin.

 

11-25

Council Work Schedule

 

Moved Grant Smith, seconded Debi Marshall-Lobb.

RESOLVED

1.   That Council receive its Work Schedule dated 5 February 2025

 

 

Clause 11-25 above was carried 15 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Debi Marshall-Lobb, Mark Arnott, Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Vaughan Dennison, Lew Findlay, Roly Fitzgerald, Patrick Handcock, Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Karen Naylor, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin.

 

Exclusion of Public

12-25

Recommendation to Exclude Public

 

Moved Grant Smith, seconded Debi Marshall-Lobb.

RESOLVED

That the public be excluded from the following parts of the proceedings of this meeting listed in the table below.

The general subject of each matter to be considered while the public is excluded, the reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter, and the specific grounds under Section 48(1) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 for the passing of this resolution are as follows:

General subject of each matter to be considered

Reason for passing this resolution in relation to each matter

Ground(s) under Section 48(1) for passing this resolution

18.

Confirmation of the minutes of the ordinary Council meeting of 11 December 2024 Part II Confidential

For the reasons set out in the Council of 11 December 2024, held in public present.

 

19.

Sale and Purchase of Property on Ruahine Street

COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES:

This information needs to be kept confidential to allow Council to engage in commercial activities without prejudice or disadvantage

s7(2)(h)

 

This resolution is made in reliance on Section 48(1)(a) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 and the particular interest or interests protected by Section 6 or Section 7 of that Act which would be prejudiced by the holding of the whole or the relevant part of the proceedings of the meeting in public as stated in the above table.

 

 

Clause 12-25 above was carried 15 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Debi Marshall-Lobb, Mark Arnott, Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Vaughan Dennison, Lew Findlay, Roly Fitzgerald, Patrick Handcock, Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Karen Naylor, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin.

 

Councillor Vaughan Dennison left the meeting at 2:06pm

 

The public part of the meeting finished at 2.06pm.

 

Confirmed 12 February 2025

 

 

 

Mayor