Minutes of Council - Wednesday, 7 May 2025

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 07 May 2025, commencing at 9am.

Members

Present:

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

Apologies:

Councillor Roly Fitzgerald (Council Business)

Councillor Rachel Bowen left the meeting at 2.27pm after consideration of clause 68-25 and returned to the meeting at 2.34pm during consideration of clause 70-25. She left the meeting at 3.38pm during consideration of 71-25 and returned to the meeting at 3.45pm during consideration of clause 73-25. She was not present for clauses 69-25, 71-25 and 72-25 inclusive.

Councillors Lew Findlay and Billy Meehan left the meeting at 3.47pm after clause 74-25. They were not present for clauses 75-25 and 76-25.

Councillor Orphee Mickalad entered the meeting at 4.05pm after consideration of clause 75-24. He was not present for clause 75-24.

	Karakia Timatanga
	Councillor Debi Marshall-Lobb opened the meeting with karakia

62-25

Apologies

Moved Grant Smith, seconded Debi Marshall-Lobb.

RESOLVED

1. That Council receive the apologies.

Clause 62-25 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, Patrick Handcock, Leonie Hapeta, Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Karen Naylor, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin.

63-25	Public Comment
	Susan Baty, spoke in support of item 13 Roslyn Community Hub and the proposal to bring the capital money forward to 2025/26 to provide momentum for the project. An informal steering group has been formed consisting of the community groups: ACROSS, REACH, the House Next Door and the MASH Trust. They plan to develop a feasibility study and further consult the Roslyn community. Susan read out a comment from Karleen Edwards, Chair of MASH Trust in support of the project. Happy to see a community hub being added to the Roslyn Library. Hamish Williams, a food vendor at the Arena spoke on Item 9 Draft Health Promotion Policy – Deliberations. He spoke in opposition to the proposed ban on selling Sugary drinks at council-owned facilities. He made the following comments: · Questioned how the policy would be enforced. · Felt the proposed policy was bias towards cold beverages, as proposed policy allows someone to buy a hot drink and add sugar to it, but not a drink that already contain sugar. · Happy to consider policy that requires non-sugary drink options to be provided alongside sugary options.
	Moved Grant Smith, seconded Debi Marshall-Lobb. RESOLVED That Council receive the public comment
	Clause 63-25 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, Patrick Handcock, Leonie Hapeta, Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Karen Naylor, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin.

64-25

Confirmation of Minutes

Correction to vote: Setting Council’s Risk Management Appetite and Tolerance Levels (clause 52-25 ). The vote should be 12 for and 2 against. Councillors Barrett and Johnson voted against the motion and Councillor Marshall -Lobb was not present for the vote.

Moved Grant Smith, seconded Debi Marshall-Lobb.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the ordinary Council meeting of 2 April 2025 Part I Public be confirmed as a true and correct record (as amended).

Clause 64-25 above was carried 15 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

65-25	Consideration of options to take forward for Nature Calls Report, presented by Mike Monaghan Manager 3 Waters and Anna Lewis Project Manager.
	Moved Grant Smith, seconded Vaughan Dennison. RESOLVED 1. That Council direct the Chief Executive to discard Option I as not a practicable option because of cost for Nature Calls.
	Clause 65.1-25 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, Patrick Handcock, Leonie Hapeta, Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Karen Naylor, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin.
	Moved Grant Smith, seconded Vaughan Dennison. RESOLVED 2. That Council direct the Chief Executive to discard Option H as not a practicable option because of cost and compliance for Nature Calls.
	Clause 65.2-25 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, Patrick Handcock, Leonie Hapeta, Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Karen Naylor, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin.
	Moved Grant Smith, seconded Vaughan Dennison. RESOLVED 3. That Council direct the Chief Executive to discard Option G as not a practicable option because of cost and compliance for Nature Calls.
	Clause 65.3-25 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, Patrick Handcock, Leonie Hapeta, Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Karen Naylor, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin.
	Moved Grant Smith, seconded Vaughan Dennison. RESOLVED 4. That Council direct the Chief Executive to discard Option F as not a practicable option because of cost and likelihood of Treaty Partner objections for Nature Calls.
	Clause 65.4-25 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, Rachel Bowen, Vaughan Dennison, Lew Findlay, Leonie Hapeta, Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Karen Naylor, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin. Against: Councillor Patrick Handcock.
	Moved Grant Smith, seconded Vaughan Dennison. RESOLVED 5. That Council direct the Chief Executive to discard Option D as not a practicable option because of cost for Nature Calls.
	Clause 65.5-25 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, Patrick Handcock, Leonie Hapeta, Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Karen Naylor, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin.
	On the motion: That Council direct the Chief Executive to discard Option E as not a practicable option because of cost for Nature Calls. The motion lost 7 votes to 8, the voting being as follows: For: The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors, Mark Arnott, Vaughan Dennison, Lew Findlay, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad and Karen Naylor Against: Councillors Debi Marshall-Lobb, Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Patrick Handcock, Leonie Hapeta, Lorna Johnson, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin.

The meeting adjourned at 10.40am

The meeting returned at 11.00am

66-25

Draft Health Promotion Policy - Deliberations

Report, presented by David Murphy, General Manager Strategic Planning.

The Mayor moved alternative motions to remove all references to Sugar Sweetened Beverages from the draft Health Promotions Policy, as it was considered Council over-reach and a restriction of freedom of choice to prohibit the sale of sugar sweetened beverages at Council facilities.

Moved Grant Smith, seconded Debi Marshall-Lobb.

RESOLVED

1. Having considered the matters in s.82 of the Local Government Act 2002 [LGA], Council makes amendments to the Te Kaupapahere mō te Whakatairanga Hauora (ngā inu hauora, te auahi kore me te momirehu kore, me te haumaru hihirā) – Health Promotion Policy (Healthy beverages, Smoke-free and Vape-free, and Sun Protection) removing all references to Sugar Sweetened Beverages.

2. That Council authorise the Chief Executive to approve the final amendments to the Health Promotion Policy that remove all references to Sugar Sweetened Beverages, and proceed to allow the sale of Sugar Sweetened Beverages at its venues and events.

3. That Council adopt the Te Kaupapahere mō te Whakatairanga Hauora (ngā inu hauora, te auahi kore me te momirehu kore, me te haumaru hihirā) – Health Promotion Policy (Healthy beverages, Smoke-free and Vape-free, and Sun Protection) with amendments and determine that further consultation is not warranted.

4. That Council rescind the Sun Protection Policy 2010; Healthy Beverage Policy 2017; and Auahi Kore Smoke-free and Vape-free Policy 2020.

Clause 66-25 above was carried 14 votes to 1, the voting being as follows:

For:

Against:

Councillor Karen Naylor.

67-25

Quarterly Performance and Financial Report - period ending 31 March 2025

Memorandum, presented by Scott Mancer, Manager - Finance and John Aitken, Manager - Project Management Office.

Moved Grant Smith, seconded Vaughan Dennison.

RESOLVED

1. That Council receive the memorandum titled ‘Quarterly Performance and Financial Report – period ending 31 March 2025’, and related attachments, presented to Council on 7 May 2025.

2. That Council approves the following programme transfers for the 2024/25 Financial Year:

a. Increase Programme 1791 – Parks Depot – Building Renewals by $330,000, and

b. Decrease Programme 186 – Public Toilet Renewals by $120,000, and

c. Decrease Programme 1763 – CET Arena Property Purchase by $210,000.

Clause 67-25 above was carried 15 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

The meeting adjourned at 12.35pm

The meeting returned at 1.35pm

68-25	Te Manawa Museums Trust: Six-Month Report 1 July - 31 December 2024 and Draft Statement of Intent 2025-28 Memorandum, presented by Sarah Claridge, Governance Advisor. Geoff Jameson, interim Chair and Susanna Shadbolt Chief Executive, Te Manawa presented their six month report and draft Statement of Intent. Cr Zabelin moved an amendment to delete the performance measure recommendations (see Table 4 in the report), from the list of comments requiring Te Manawa’s consideration. The performance targets were ambitious enough and did not need to be reviewed.
	Moved Grant Smith, seconded Debi Marshall-Lobb. RESOLVED 1. That Council receive the Six-Month Performance Report 1 July - 31 December 2024 (Attachment 1) submitted by Te Manawa Museums Trust. 2. That Council receive the draft Statement of Intent 2025-28 (Attachment 2) submitted by Te Manawa Museums Trust. 3. That Council agree that the recommended comments on the draft Statement of Intent 2025–28 outlined in Table 4 be advised to Te Manawa Museums Trust, except the review of online and visitor targets.
	Clause 68-25 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, Patrick Handcock, Leonie Hapeta, Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Karen Naylor, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin.
	An amendment to recommendation 3: That Council agree that the recommended comments on the draft Statement of Intent 2025–28 outlined in Table 4 be advised to Te Manawa Museums Trust, except the review of online and visitor targets. The amendment was passed 8 votes to 7, the voting being as follows: For: Councillors Debi Marshall-Lobb, Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Patrick Handcock, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin. Against: The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Mark Arnott, Vaughan Dennison, Lew Findlay, Leonie Hapeta, Lorna Johnson and Karen Naylor.

Councillor Rachel Bowen left the meeting at 2:27pm

69-25

Treasury Report - Nine months ending 31 March 2025

Memorandum, presented by Steve Paterson, Manager - Financial Strategy.

Moved Grant Smith, seconded Vaughan Dennison.

RESOLVED

1. That Council note the performance of Council’s treasury activity for the nine months ending 31 March 2025.

Clause 69-25 above was carried 14 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, Patrick Handcock, Leonie Hapeta, Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Karen Naylor, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin.

70-25	Capital Delivery 2025/26 Memorandum, presented by John Aitken, Manager Project Management Office. Councillor Rachel Bowen returned to the meeting at 2:34pm.
	Moved Grant Smith, seconded Vaughan Dennison. RESOLVED 1. That Council a. Refer the carry forward of Capital Programmes from the 2024/25 Financial Year to the 2025/26 Financial Year, as detailed in Attachment 1, to the Annual Budget Deliberations meeting on 14 May 2025. 2. That Council b. Refer the adjusted capital programme budgets, as detailed in Attachment 2, to the Annual Budget Deliberations meeting on 14 May 2025.
	Clause 70-25 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, Patrick Handcock, Leonie Hapeta, Lorna Johnson, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Karen Naylor, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin.
	Moved Brent Barrett, seconded Vaughan Dennison. RESOLVED 2. That Council a. Approve an increase to capital budgets in the 2024/25 Financial Year to allow for early commencement of capital works, as detailed in Attachment 2.
	Clause 70-25 above was carried 10 votes to 5, the voting being as follows: For: The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Debi Marshall-Lobb, Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Vaughan Dennison, Lew Findlay, Patrick Handcock, Lorna Johnson, Orphée Mickalad and Kaydee Zabelin. Against: Councillors Mark Arnott, Leonie Hapeta, Billy Meehan, Karen Naylor and William Wood.

71-25

Roslyn Community Hub

Report, presented by Martin Brady, Community Development Advisor and Bill Carswell, Activities Manager - Property Services.

Councillor Rachel Bowen left the meeting at 3:38pm.

Moved Grant Smith, seconded Debi Marshall-Lobb.

RESOLVED

1. That Council agree to support further investigation of the feasibility and community views of a community hub in Roslyn (Option 1), and do not adjust budget in advance of future decision-making regarding property required to support possible new provision.

Clause 71-25 above was carried 9 votes to 5, the voting being as follows:

For:

The Mayor (Grant Smith) and Councillors Debi Marshall-Lobb, Mark Arnott, Vaughan Dennison, Lew Findlay, Leonie Hapeta, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad and Karen Naylor.

Against:

Councillors Brent Barrett, Patrick Handcock, Lorna Johnson, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin.

72-25

Submission on Term of Parliament (Enabling 4-year Term) Legislation Amendment Bill

Memorandum, presented by Hannah White, Manager Governance.

Moved Grant Smith, seconded Debi Marshall-Lobb.

RESOLVED

1. That Council receive the memorandum titled “Submission on Term of Parliament (Enabling 4-year Term) Legislation Amendment Bill.”

Clause 72-25 above was carried 14 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

73-25

Council Work Schedule

Councillor Rachel Bowen returned to the meeting at 3:45pm.

Moved Grant Smith, seconded Debi Marshall-Lobb.

RESOLVED

1. That Council receive its Work Schedule dated 7 May 2025

Clause 73-25 above was carried 15 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

Exclusion of Public

74-25

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 2 April 2025 Part II Confidential	For the reasons set out in Council of 2 April 2025, held in public.
19.	Purchase of two parcels of land for the purpose of a City East Bore and a City North Bore.	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 74-25 above was carried 15 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

The public part of the meeting finished at 3.47pm

The meeting adjourned at 3.47pm

The meeting resumed in Part II at 4.00pm

Confirmed 4 June 2025

Mayor