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 March 2025, commencing at 9.01am

Members

Present:

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

Members Present Online:

Councillors Rachel Bowen and Karen Naylor

Apologies:

Councillors Lorna Johnson, (lateness) and Kaydee Zabelin (early departure)

Councillor Lorna Johnson entered the meeting at 9.18am during consideration of clause 31-25.  She was not present for clauses 28-25 to 30-25 inclusive.

 

Councillor Rachel Bowen left the meeting at 11.55am during consideration of clause 31-25. She entered the meeting again at 1.27pm.  She was not present for clauses 31.2-25 to 35-25 inclusive.

 

Councillor Kaydee Zabelin left the meeting at 2.32pm during consideration of clause 40-25.  She was not present for clauses 40-25 to 43-25  inclusive.

 

Karakia Timatanga

 

Councillor Marshall-Lobb opened the meeting with karakia.

 

28-25

Apologies

 

Moved Grant Smith, seconded Debi Marshall-Lobb.

RESOLVED

1.   That Council receive the apologies.

 

Clause 28-25 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.

 

 

 

 

Declaration of Interest

 

Councillor Grant Smith declared a conflict of interest in Item 10 Approval for the Mayor to travel to China for the 3rd New Zealand - China Mayoral Forum in May 2025 (clause 31-25), he  vacated the chair and took no part in debate.

 

 

29-25

Confirmation of Minutes

 

Moved Grant Smith, seconded Debi Marshall-Lobb.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the ordinary Council meeting of 12 February 2025 Part I Public be confirmed as a true and correct record.

 

 

Clause 29-25 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.

 

30-25

Review of the Delegations Manual 2025

Memorandum, presented by Sarah Claridge, Governance Advisor.

 

Moved Grant Smith, seconded Debi Marshall-Lobb.

RESOLVED

1.   That Council adopt Part 1: Introduction (Attachment 1) to replace the current Part 1 in the Delegations Manual 2023.

2.   That Council adopt the revisions to the Delegation Manual as outlined in section 4 of this report, noting any changes.

3.   That Council delegate authority to the Chief Executive to amend the Fees and Charges 2024-25 to add any roles (as relevant) following the organisational realignment.

 

 

Clause 30-25 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.

 

The Mayor vacated the chair.

The Deputy Mayor took the chair.

 

31-25

Approval for the Mayor to travel to China for the 3rd New Zealand - China Mayoral Forum in May 2025

Memorandum, presented by Gabrielle Loga, Manager International Relations, and the Mayor Grant Smith.

The invitation letter was tabled.

Councillor Lorna Johnson entered the meeting at 9:18am

 

Moved Debi Marshall-Lobb, seconded Leonie Hapeta.

RESOLVED

1.   That Council approve the Mayor to travel to China to attend the third China - New Zealand Mayoral Forum from 18 May to 23 May 2025.

2.   That Council approve up to $2,500 total for international flight tickets and incidental costs associated with the Mayor’s travel to China.

 

 

Clause 31-25 above was carried 14 votes to 1, the voting being as follows:

For:

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, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin.

Against:

Councillor Karen Naylor.

 

The Deputy Mayor vacated the chair.

The Mayor took the chair.

 

32-25

Public Comment

 

Wiremu Te Awe Awe and Ruma Karaitiana  from Rangitāne o Manawatū spoke in support of the proposed Te Motu o Poutoa Council-Controlled Organisation.

 

Moved Grant Smith, seconded Patrick Handcock.

RESOLVED

1. That Council receive the public comment.

 

Clause 32-25 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.

 

33-25

Te Motu o Poutoa Civic Marae and Cultural Centre- Governance Options

Report, presented by Kathy Dever-Tod - Manager Parks and Reserves
Cameron McKay - GM Corporate Services and Malcolm Thomas, Thomas Consulting.

Officers confirmed that the budget in the Statement of Proposal would be amended to reflect proposed Annual Budget 2025/26 figures.

 

Moved Grant Smith, seconded Debi Marshall-Lobb.

RESOLVED

1.   That the preferred option for consultation for the governance and management of the proposed Te Motu o Poutoa Marae and Cultural Centre is a Council-Controlled Organisation charitable entity with governance represented by Council and Rangitāne o Manawatū.

2.   That Council approve the Statement of Proposal (Attachment 1) (as amended) for consultation on the four identified options to be carried out as part of the 2025/26 Annual Plan consultation process.

3.   That Council support in principle the granting of a future lease over the land to be used by the proposed Te Motu o Poutoa Marae and Cultural Centre of 33 years (including several rights of renewal), which is the longest lease period possible under the Reserves Act 1977.

4.   That Council note that the reserve land to be leased for the proposed Te Motu o Poutoa Marae and Cultural Centre will remain in Council ownership and be managed in partnership with Rangitāne o Manawatū.

 

Clause 33-25 above was carried 14 votes to 1, with 1 abstention, the voting being as follows:

For:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Debi Marshall-Lobb, 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.

Against:

Councillor Mark Arnott.

Abstained:

Councillor Leonie Hapeta.

 

The meeting adjourned at 10.18am

The meeting resumed at 10.45am

 

34-25

Annual Budget (Plan) 2025/26 - Adoption of Consultation Document and Supporting Information

Memorandum, presented by Cameron McKay, General Manager – Corporate Services and Scott Mancer, Manager - Finance.

Elected Members agreed to reinstate Programme 2549 – Street Lighting Infill Survey in the understanding that it is a necessary first step to provide an adequate level of service, and instructed further savings in Council’s operations to maintain the proposed rates increase in the Consultation Document.

 

Moved Lorna Johnson, seconded Brent Barrett.

RESOLVED

1A. That funding of $120,000 for Programme 2549 – Street Lighting Infill Survey be reinstated for year 2025/26, and savings of $120,000 be found elsewhere in City Operations.

 

Clause 34-25 above was carried 13 votes to 1, with 2 abstentions, the voting being as follows:

For:

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

Against:

Councillor Mark Arnott.

Abstained:

Councillors Karen Naylor and William Wood.

 

Councillor Rachel Bowen left the meeting at 11.55am.

 

 

Moved Grant Smith, seconded Debi Marshall-Lobb.

RESOLVED

1.   That Council adopt the Supporting Information (Attachment 2) as the material relied upon to prepare the Consultation Document for the 2025/26 Annual Budget (Plan) as amended; noting the reduction in the Professional Services Budget (Attachment 1).

2.   That Council adopt the Consultation Document (Attachment 3) for the 2025/26 Annual Budget (Plan).

 

Clause 34-25 above was carried 14 votes to 1, 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, Orphée Mickalad, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin.

 

Against:

Councillor Karen Naylor.

 

The meeting adjourned at 12.10pm

The meeting resumed at 1.10pm

 

35-25

Submission on NZTA Waka Kotahi Speed Limit Consultation

Memorandum, presented by James Miguel, Senior Transport Planner.

 

Moved Grant Smith, seconded Debi Marshall-Lobb.

RESOLVED

1.   That Council approve the Submission on NZTA Waka Kotahi Speed Limit Consultation included in Attachment 1.

2.   That the Mayor and Deputy Mayor be authorised to approve minor amendments to the Submission on the NZTA Waka Kotahi Speed Limit Consultation, prior to lodgement with NZTA Waka Kotahi.

 

 

Clause 35-25 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, Vaughan Dennison, Lew Findlay, Roly Fitzgerald, Patrick Handcock, Leonie Hapeta, Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Karen Naylor, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin.

 

Councillor Rachel Bowen returned to the meeting at 1:27pm, in person.

 

36-25

Classification of Roads for Setting Speed Limits

Memorandum, presented by Peter Ridge - Senior Policy Analyst and James Miguel - Senior Transport Planner.

 

Moved Grant Smith, seconded Karen Naylor.

RESOLVED

2.   That the Council classify Tennent Drive, Bypass Road, Tennent On-Lane West Drive, Tennent Off-Lane East Drive, and the lower part of Summerhill Drive (as shown in Attachment 2 in the report titled Speed Limit Reversals presented to the Strategy and Finance Committee on 26 February 2025) as:

Peri-urban, and note that this would mean that the speed limits for these roads would remain unchanged and not be required to be reversed.

 

 

 

Clause 36-25 above was carried 15 votes to 1, 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 and Kaydee Zabelin.

Against:

Councillor William Wood.

 

Moved Grant Smith, seconded Karen Naylor.

RESOLVED

1.   That the Council note the further clarification provided about road classifications.

3.   That the Council classify Railway Road (as shown in attachment 3 in the report titled Speed Limit Reversals presented to the Strategy and Finance Committee on 26 February 2025) as:

Urban street (for the section from just past the intersection with The Cutting Way until just past the intersection with El Prado Drive) and rural road (for the section from just past the intersection with El Prado Drive until just past the intersection with Roberts Line), and note that this would mean that the speed limits for these roads would remain unchanged and not be required to be reversed.

 

 

Clause 36-25 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.

 

37-25

Submission on Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Bill

Memorandum, presented by Jono Ferguson-Pye, Manager City Planning and Greg Vossler, Consultant Planner.

 

Moved Grant Smith, seconded Debi Marshall-Lobb.

RESOLVED

1.   That Council receive the memorandum titled “Submission on Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Bill.”

 

 

Clause 37-25 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.

 

38-25

Council Work Schedule

 

 

Moved William Wood, seconded Mark Arnott.

That the Chief Executive report back on the progress of Kakatangiata be added to the work schedule.

 

 

Moved Grant Smith, seconded Debi Marshall-Lobb.

RESOLVED

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

 

 

Clause 38-25 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.

 

Recommendations from Committee Meetings

39-25

Sustainability Committee Part I Public - 19 February 2025

Councillor Barrett, Chair of Sustainability Committee presented the recommendation below:

 

Moved Brent Barrett, seconded Karen Naylor.

RESOLVED

1.   That Council adopt the recommendation from the Sustainability Committee of 19 February 2025:

Deliberations report on Te kaupapahere mō te tūwhita me te manawaroa o te kai Food security and resilience policy (clause 3-25)

Report, presented by Julie Macdonald, Strategy and Policy Manager.

The COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS

1.   That the Committee recommend Council adopt Te kaupapahere mō te tūwhita me te manawaroa o te kai Food security and resilience Policy, Attachment 2 of this memorandum.

 

Clause 39-25 above was carried 14 votes to 0, with 2 abstentions, the voting being as follows:

For:

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

Abstained:

Councillors Mark Arnott and William Wood.

 

40-25

Strategy & Finance Committee Part I Public - 26 February 2025

Councillor Naylor, Deputy Chair of the Strategy and Finance Committee presented the recommendations below:

Councillor Kaydee Zabelin left the meeting at 2:32pm.

 

 

Moved Karen Naylor, seconded William Wood.

RESOLVED

1.   That Council adopt the recommendations from the Strategy & Finance Committee of 26 February 2025:

Classification of Council Reserves (clause 11-25)

Report, presented by Aaron Philips, Activities Manager - Parks.

The COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS

1.   That Council declare all land parcels identified in Attachment 1 column 5 and column 6 to be reserves and classify them (as shown in column 3), pursuant with either Section 14 or 16 of the Reserves Act 1977.

2.   That Council apply to the Minister of Conservation to re-classify the three land parcels of Pari Reserve (Lot 3 DP 33102, Sec 5 SO 37111 and Sec 6 SO 37111) from Recreation Reserve to Local Purpose: Stormwater Reserve; as identified in Attachment 1 column 7 and pursuant to Section 24 of the Reserves Act 1977,

3.   That Council note that Council has fulfilled all legal obligations required by Sections 14, 16, 24 and engagement sections 119 and 120 of the Reserves Act 1977, acting under delegation of the Minister of Conservation.

4.   That Council note all four Atawhai Park land parcels (Lot 1 DP 41653; Lot 2 DP 41653; Lot 11 DP 1880; Lot 1 DP 48076) have been removed from the current classifications process, as discussed in section 3 of this report.

 

 

 

 

Resolved

2.   That Council not adopt the recommendation from the Strategy & Finance Committee of 26 February 2025:

Speed Limit Reversals (clause 12-25)

Memorandum, presented by Peter Ridge, Senior Policy Analyst and James Miguel, Senior Transport Planner.

The COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS

1.   That the Council confirm the following speed limit reversals:

Change the speed limit for Tennent Drive, Bypass Road, Tennent On-Lane West Drive, Tennent Off-Lane East Drive, and the lower part of Summerhill Drive from 60km/h to 70km/h as shown in Attachment 2.

 

 

 

Clause 40-25 above was carried 14 votes to 0, with 1 abstention, the voting being as follows:

For:

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

Abstained:

Councillor Brent Barrett.

 

 

Exclusion of Public

41-25

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.

Renewal of Streetlight and street sweeping component of road maintenance contract

NEGOTIATIONS:

This information needs to be kept confidential to ensure that Council can negotiate effectively, especially in business dealings

s7(2)(i)

19.

Reappointment of Trustees/Directors on Council Controlled Organisations

PRIVACY

This information needs to be kept private to protect personal information that is confidential or sensitive.  This includes people who are no longer alive.

s7(2)(a)

 

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.

Also that the persons Vic Maggs, Angela Howell, Taine Leader from Fulton Hogan be permitted to remain after the public has been excluded for Item 18: Renewal of Streetlight and street sweeping component of road maintenance contract.

They are to remain due to their knowledge and ability to assist the meeting in speaking to item 18 and answering questions, noting that such person/s will be present at the meeting only for the specified item.

 

 

Clause 41-25 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, Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Karen Naylor and William Wood.

 

The public part of the meeting finished at 2.26pm

 

Confirmed 2 April 2025

 

 

 

Mayor