Minutes of Council - Wednesday, 25 June 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 25 June 2025, commencing at 9.00am.

Members

Present:

Deputy Mayor Debi Marshall-Lobb (in the Chair) and Councillors 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.

Members Present Online:

Councillor Lorna Johnson

Apologies:

Grant Smith (The Mayor) Councillors Lew Findlay (early departure) and Lorna Johnson (early departure)

Councillor Lorna Johnson left the meeting at 10.42am after consideration of clause 99-25. She was not present for clauses 100-25 to 108-25 inclusive.

Councillor Billy Meehan left the meeting at 10.42am after consideration of clause 99-25. He entered the meeting again at 10.44am after the consideration of clause 100-25. He was not present for clause 100-25.

Councillor Lew Findlay left the meeting at 11.50am during consideration of clause 105-25. He was not present for clauses 105-25 to 108-25.

Councillor Rachel Bowen left the meeting at 4.13pm during clause 107-25. She was not present for clauses 107-25 to 108-25.

Councillor Mark Arnott left the meeting at 4.16pm after clause 107-25. He was not present for clause108-25.

Karakia Timatanga

Councillor Roly Fitzgerald opened the meeting with karakia.

95-25

Apologies

Moved Debi Marshall-Lobb, seconded Leonie Hapeta.

RESOLVED

1. That Council receive the apologies.

Clause 95-25 above was carried 15 votes to 0, 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, Karen Naylor, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin.

96-25

Tribute - King's Birthday Honours 2025

Deputy Mayor Debi Marshall-Lobb acknowledged the success of the local recipients of the King’s Birthday Honours.

She also mentioned the success of the following recipients of King’s Birthday honours who had strong links to Palmerston North:

· Jude Dobson (Broadcaster)

· Distinguished Professor Paul Spoonley (Higher Education)

· William (Bill) Kermode (Philanthropy & Sustainability)

· Peter Nation (Former NZ Fieldays CEO)

· Murray Mexted (Rugby Player/Broadcaster/Coach)

Moved Debi Marshall-Lobb, seconded Leonie Hapeta.

RESOLVED

1. That Council congratulate the local recipients of the King’s Birthday Honours 2025.

Clause 96-25 above was carried 15 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

97-25	Public Comment
	James Irwin, Chair of Streets Ahead Palmerston North spoke in favour of the Notice of Motion to include the city centre in the stage 1 scope of the Speed Management Plan (clause 99-25). He advocated for the reduction of traffic speed in the city centre to make pedestrian safer, as he would like to see the city centre become a place that people can get easily around on foot or bike.
	Moved Debi Marshall-Lobb, seconded Patrick Handcock. RESOLVED That Council receive the Public Comment.
	Clause 97-25 above was carried 15 votes to 0, 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, Karen Naylor, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin.

98-25

Confirmation of Minutes

The following corrections were made to the minutes:

· Clause 89-25 Issue of Borrowing - Councillors Mark Arnott, Billy Meehan, Karen Naylor and William Wood voted against; they did not abstain.

· Time that Cr Wood left the meeting was 2.57pm not 3.57pm.

Moved Debi Marshall-Lobb, seconded Leonie Hapeta.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the ordinary Council meeting of 4 June 2025 Part I Public (as amended) and Part II Confidential (as amended) be confirmed as a true and correct record.

Clause 98-25 above was carried 15 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

99-25	Notice of Motion: Inclusion of the city centre in the scope of the draft Speed Management Plan Officer’s advice presented by Peter Ridge, Senior Policy Analyst. Councillor Brent Barrett introduced his notice of motion.
	Moved Debi Marshall-Lobb, seconded Karen Naylor. RESOLVED 1. That the Council receive the memo titled “Advice on Inclusion of City Centre in Stage 1 of the draft Speed Management Plan.”
	Clause 99-25 above was carried 15 votes to 0, 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, Karen Naylor, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin.
	Moved Brent Barrett, seconded Debi Marshall-Lobb. On the motion: That Council confirm that the scope of the draft Speed Management Plan 2025 (stage 1) will include the city centre. The motion was lost 7 votes to 8, the voting being as follows: For: Councillors Debi Marshall-Lobb, Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Roly Fitzgerald, Patrick Handcock, Lorna Johnson and Kaydee Zabelin. Against: Councillors Mark Arnott, Vaughan Dennison, Lew Findlay, Leonie Hapeta, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Karen Naylor and William Wood.

Councillors Lorna Johnson and Billy Meehan left the meeting at 10:42am

100-25

21 Havelock Avenue, Bill Brown Park: Proposal to grant a lease on Council land to Kia Toa Football Club Incorporated - Deliberations Report

Memorandum, presented by Glenn Bunny, Manager Property and Perene Green, Property Officer.

Moved Vaughan Dennison, seconded Leonie Hapeta.

RESOLVED

1. That Council grant a community lease to Kia Toa Football Club Incorporated at 21 Havelock Avenue, part of Bill Brown Park, Palmerston North, in accordance with the Support and Funding Policy 2022 and Section 54 of the Reserves Act 1977.

2. That Council note that the land affected by the proposed community lease to Kia Toa Football Club Incorporated is Lot 1 DP40097 and Lot 442 DP44423.

Clause 100-25 above was carried 13 votes to 0, 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, Orphée Mickalad, Karen Naylor, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin.

Councillor Billy Meehan returned to the meeting at 10:44am

101-25

Recommendation to Exclude Public

Moved Debi Marshall-Lobb, seconded Karen Naylor.

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.

Purchase of one parcel of land for City East Bore- alteration of purchase price

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

s7(2)(h)

19.

Mechanical Electrical Maintenance Contract - revision

NEGOTIATIONS:

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

s7(2)(i)

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 101-25 above was carried 14 votes to 0, 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, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Karen Naylor, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin.

The meeting adjourned at 10.45am.

The meeting resumed in Part II Confidential at 11.01am.

The public meeting resumed at 11.12am.

104-25	Support of Remits to Local Government New Zealand 2025 Annual General Meeting Memorandum, presented by Hannah White, Governance Manager.
	Moved Rachel Bowen, seconded Karen Naylor. RESOLVED 1. That Council support remit 1 on Security System Payments from Far North District Council and Central Otago District Council. 3. That Council support remit 3 on Alcohol Licensing Fees from Far North District Council. 4. That Council support remit 4 on Aligning public and school bus services from Nelson City Council.
	Clause 104-25 above was carried 14 votes to 0, 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, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Karen Naylor, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin.
	Moved Rachel Bowen, seconded Karen Naylor. RESOLVED 2. That Council support remit 2 on Improving Joint Management Agreements from Northland Regional Council.
	Clause 104-25 above was carried 12 votes to 2, the voting being as follows: For: Councillors Debi Marshall-Lobb, Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Vaughan Dennison, Lew Findlay, Roly Fitzgerald, Patrick Handcock, Leonie Hapeta, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Karen Naylor and Kaydee Zabelin. Against: Councillors Mark Arnott and William Wood.
	Moved Rachel Bowen, seconded Karen Naylor. On recommendation 5: That Council support remit 5 on Review of local government arrangements to achieve better balance from Tauranga City Council. The recommendation was lost 6 votes to 8, the voting being as follows: For: Councillors Debi Marshall-Lobb, Mark Arnott, Lew Findlay, Roly Fitzgerald, Karen Naylor and William Wood. Against: Councillors Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Vaughan Dennison, Patrick Handcock, Leonie Hapeta, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad and Kaydee Zabelin.

105-25

Kākātangiata Urban Growth Area: Update and Next Steps

Report, presented by Jono Ferguson-Pye, Manager City Planning, Stewart McKenzie, Consultant Planning Advisor.

Officers corrected the spelling of Shirriffs Road in the report.

The Chief Executive declared a conflict of interest in this item. The Deputy Chief Executive will action any work.

Councillor Lew Findlay left the meeting at 11:50am

The meeting adjourned at 12.03pm

The meeting resumed at 3.40pm

Councillor Patrick Handcock was not present when the meeting resumed at 3.40pm

Councillor Lew Findlay returned to the meeting, via online link at 3:46pm.

Moved Debi Marshall-Lobb, seconded Vaughan Dennison.

RESOLVED

1. That the Deputy Chief Executive prepare a District Plan change to zone the Kākātangiata Residential Growth Area identified in Map 9.2 of the Palmerston North City District Plan to Future Urban Zone (Option 4).

Clause 105-25 above was carried 10 votes to 2, the voting being as follows:

For:

Councillors Debi Marshall-Lobb, Mark Arnott, Rachel Bowen, Vaughan Dennison, Leonie Hapeta, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Karen Naylor, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin.

Against:

Councillors Brent Barrett and Roly Fitzgerald.

Note: Councillor Findlay did not vote.

Councillor Lew Findlay left the meeting at 3:50pm.

106-25

Public Participation and Engagement: Annual Progress Report, and proposed indicators.

Memorandum, presented by Olivia Wix - Manager Communications.

Moved Debi Marshall-Lobb, seconded William Wood.

RESOLVED

1. That Council endorse the proposed indicators for future annual reports.

Clause 106-25 above was carried 12 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

Councillors Debi Marshall-Lobb, Mark Arnott, Brent Barrett, Rachel Bowen, Vaughan Dennison, Roly Fitzgerald, Leonie Hapeta, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Karen Naylor, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin.

107-25

Palmerston North Quarterly Economic Update - June 2025

Memorandum, presented by Stacey Andrews, City Economist.

Councillor Bowen left the meeting at 4.13pm

Moved Debi Marshall-Lobb, seconded Leonie Hapeta.

RESOLVED

1. That Council receive the Palmerston North Quarterly Economic Update – June 2025, including:

a. Palmerston North Economic Growth Indicators – June 2025 (Attachment 1), and

b. Palmerston North Quarterly Economic Card Spending Report (Attachment 2)

Clause 107-25 above was carried 11 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

Councillors Debi Marshall-Lobb, Mark Arnott, Brent Barrett, Vaughan Dennison, Roly Fitzgerald, Leonie Hapeta, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Karen Naylor, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin.

Councillor Mark Arnott left the meeting at 4:16pm

108-25

Council Work Schedule

Moved Debi Marshall-Lobb, seconded Leonie Hapeta.

RESOLVED

1. That Council receive its Work Schedule dated 25 June 2025.

Clause 108-25 above was carried 10 votes to 0, the voting being as follows:

For:

Councillors Debi Marshall-Lobb, Brent Barrett, Vaughan Dennison, Roly Fitzgerald, Leonie Hapeta, Billy Meehan, Orphée Mickalad, Karen Naylor, William Wood and Kaydee Zabelin.

Councillor Mark Arnott returned to the meeting at 4:19pm

Karakia Whakamutunga

Councillor Roly Fitzgerald closed the meeting with karakia.

The meeting finished at 4.20pm

Confirmed 6 August 2025.

Deputy Mayor