Minutes of Extraordinary Council Meeting

Extraordinary Council Meeting

24 May 2021

Minutes of Extraordinary Council Meeting held on 24 May 2021 and livestreamed on Council’s website.

Meeting commenced at 6.30PM

Present:
Darcy Byrne Victor Macri Marghanita Da Cruz Mark Drury Lucille McKenna OAM Colin Hesse Sam Iskandar Tom Kiat Pauline Lockie Julie Passas Rochelle Porteous Vittoria Raciti John Stamolis Louise Steer Anna York Peter Gainsford Elizabeth Richardson	Mayor Deputy Mayor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor (Attended remotely) Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor General Manager Chief Operating Officer, Director Development and Recreation
Cathy Edwards-Davis	Director Infrastructure
Caroline McLeod	Acting Director City Living
Katherine Paixao	Acting Manager Governance
Carmelina Giannini	Acting Governance Coordinator

ADJOURNMENT

6.30pm - The Mayor, Clr Byrne adjourned the meeting until the conclusion of the 6.00pm
Extraordinary meeting.

8.13pm– The Mayor, Clr Byrne resumed the meeting.

APOLOGIES: Nil

Councillor Drury left the Meeting at 8:14 pm.

DISCLOSURES OF INTERESTS:

Councillor Raciti declared a significant, non-pecuniary interest in Item 40 Lambert Park Lease Negotiation Update as her husband is an honorary president and will leave the meeting during discussion and voting.

Councillor Byrne declared a significant, pecuniary interest in Item 16 Notice of Motion: Mayor to Stand Down due to its material impact on him, declared a significant, non-pecuniary interest in Item 28 Notice of Motion: Office of the Mayor as the matter relates to staffing in his office, declared a significant, non-pecuniary interest in Item 30 Notice of Motion: Staffing in the Mayor’s as the matter relates to staffing in his office and declared a significant, non-pecuniary interest in Item 40 Lambert Park Lease Negotiation Update due to his close relationship with individuals involved in lease negations and he will leave the meeting during discussion and voting for all items.

Councillor Macri declared a non-significant, non-pecuniary interest in Item 16 Notice of Motion: Mayor Stand Down and will leave the meeting during discussion and voting.

Motion: (McKenna OAM/Da Cruz)

THAT Council note the disclosures of interest.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Hesse, Iskandar, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Passas, Porteous, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

Absent: Cr Drury

Councillor Drury returned to the Meeting at 8:16 pm.

Procedural motion (Passas/Raciti)

THAT Council Suspend Standing Orders to bring forward Item 6 Notice of Motion to Rescind: C0421(1) Item 8 Council page in new local newspaper - 13 April 2021.

Motion Lost

For Motion: Crs Passas and Raciti

Against Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Iskandar, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Porteous, Stamolis, Steer and York

C0521(2) Item 1 Investment Policy Update

Motion: (McKenna OAM/Stamolis)

THAT the revised Inner West Council Investment Policy be adopted.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Iskandar, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Passas, Porteous, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

C0521(2) Item 2 Local Traffic Committee Meeting - April 2021

Motion: (Lockie/Macri)

THAT the Minutes of the Local Traffic Committee Meeting held in April 2021 be received and the recommendations be adopted.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Iskandar, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Passas, Porteous, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

Councillor Iskandar left the Meeting at 8:20 pm.

C0521(2) Item 3 Review of Council Meeting Schedule

Motion: (McKenna OAM/Drury)

THAT Council:

1. Receive and note the report; and

2. Receives a report on the operation of the meeting cycle at its July 2021 meeting.

Motion Lost

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Drury, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM and York

Against Motion: Crs Da Cruz, Hesse, Kiat, Passas, Porteous, Raciti, Stamolis and Steer

Absent: Cr Iskandar

Foreshadowed Motion (Stamolis/Passas)

THAT Council move back to two Ordinary meetings a month.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Da Cruz, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, Passas, Porteous, Raciti, Stamolis and Steer

Against Motion: Crs Byrne, Drury, McKenna OAM and York

Absent: Cr Iskandar

Councillor Iskandar returned to the Meeting at 8:24 pm.

Councillor Macri left the Meeting at 8:25 pm.

Councillor Macri returned to the Meeting at 8:26 pm.

Councillor Raciti left the Meeting at 8:29 pm.

Councillor Kiat left the Meeting at 8:29 pm.

Councillor Macri left the Meeting at 8:29 pm.

Councillor Da Cruz left the Meeting at 8:32 pm.

Councillor Da Cruz returned to the Meeting at 8:34 pm.

Councillor Macri returned to the Meeting at 8:34 pm.

Councillor Kiat returned to the Meeting at 8:36 pm.

C0521(2) Item 4 Greenway Project Delivery and Engagement

Motion: (Drury/Kiat)

THAT:

1. The General Manager convene a meeting of the existing steering committee to redraft the original terms of reference with a view to maintaining significant community and community group participation in providing support and advice, with active participation from Council in return, for the broad vision of the GreenWay as an ecological, biodiversity, cultural; recreational and active transport corridor; and

2. Council receive a report to the next Ordinary Council meeting addressing the reasons for the delay in hiring the Greenway Engagement Officer and recommendations for resolving any barriers to hiring a suitable candidate, including any budgetary changes necessary.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Iskandar, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Porteous, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Cr Passas

Absent: Cr Raciti

C0521(2) Item 5 Investment Report as at 31 March 2021

Motion: (Stamolis/Da Cruz)

THAT the report be received and noted.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Iskandar, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Passas, Porteous, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

Absent: Cr Raciti

The Mayor, Councillor Byrne left the Meeting and vacated the chair at 8:37 pm and the Deputy Mayor, Clr Macri assumed the chair.

The Mayor, Councillor Byrne returned to the Meeting at 8:39 pm. The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Macri vacated the Chair and the Mayor, Councillor Byrne assumed the Chair.

Councillor Raciti returned to the Meeting at 8:40 pm.

C0521(2) Item 6 Notice of Motion to Rescind: C0421(1) Item 8 Council page in new local newspaper - 13 April 2021

Motion: (Passas/Macri)

THAT Council rescind C0421(1) Item 8 Council page in new local newspaper.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Da Cruz, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, Passas, Porteous, Raciti, Stamolis and Steer

Against Motion: Crs Byrne, Drury, Iskandar, McKenna OAM and York

Motion: (Stamolis/Passas)

THAT:

1. A Councillor briefing to be held to discuss how Council can best communicate with the Inner West community; and

2. Any commitment to newspaper advertising require an expression of interest process to be undertaken.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Da Cruz, Hesse, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, Passas, Porteous, Raciti, Stamolis and Steer

Against Motion: Crs Byrne, Drury, Iskandar, McKenna OAM and York

Councillor York left the Meeting at 8:47 pm.

C0521(2) Item 7 Notice of Motion: Inner West Economic Recovery Taskforce

Motion: (Byrne/McKenna OAM)

THAT Council:

1. Thank the members of the Inner West Economic Recovery Taskforce, Percy Allan, Erica Berchtold, Greg Khoury, Chrissy Flanagan, Mark Chapman, Monica Vardabasso, Morris Hanna and Kerrie Glasscock, for volunteering their time and expertise;

2. Notes the recommendations of the Inner West Economic Recovery Taskforce;

3. Refers the taskforce report to Council Officers to seek their advice on each recommendation, which is to be tabled at the June Ordinary meeting;

4. Officers meet with taskforce members to discuss the recommendations; and

5. Endorses the following recommendations for immediate implementation with an update to be provided in the report to the June Ordinary meeting:

a) Undertakes an external review of its borrowing capabilities to identify its capacity to invest additional capital in reducing/eliminating the infrastructure backlog;

b) Seeks advice and cooperation from rating agencies and the NSW Government’s TCorp in assessing Council’s borrowing capacity and review whether there are other mechanisms Council can use to raise capital to invest in infrastructure renewal;

c) Identifies the proportion of Council’s procurement currently undertaken through suppliers within the Inner West Local Government Area (LGA) and makes it a priority to increase local procurement in future budgets;

d) Proposes to the NSW and Federal Governments that they establish a one-stop shop application process for all three tiers of government for approvals to open all businesses, and that the Inner West would host a pilot of the scheme; and

e) Develops an Inner West public space activation strategy to be rolled out in line with the lifting of public health restrictions with the specific goal of attracting and encouraging high levels of pedestrian traffic, economic activity and social interaction in the public domain.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Iskandar, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Passas, Porteous, Raciti, Stamolis and Steer

Against Motion: Nil

Absent: Cr York

C0521(2) Item 8 Notice of Motion: Parliamentary Report into Stronger Communities Tied Grants Round

Motion: (Byrne/McKenna OAM)

THAT Council:

1. Notes the findings of the First Report from the Inquiry by the NSW Parliament’s Public Accountability Committee into Integrity, efficacy and value for money of NSW Government grant programs;

2. Endorses the comments of Mr David Shoebridge MLC, contained in the Chair’s foreword to the report regarding the Stronger Communities Fund tied grants round:

“The Stronger Communities Fund tied grants round was an alarming example of the lack of transparency and accountability in NSW Government grant programs. The fund was originally established to assist councils created from the NSW Government's failed council amalgamations, but morphed into a brazen pork-barrel scheme. Ultimately the Coalition designed a scheme with so few checks and balances that $252 million of public money was handed out on a purely political basis to sort out the Coalition’s political problems, to gain an advantage in the 2019 state election and to punish any council that had objected to being forcibly merged.”

3. Notes the full list of recommendations in the committee’s report;

4. Write to all NSW Members of Parliament calling on them to implement the Inquiry’s recommendations including:

a) Recommendation 5 - That the NSW Government ensure all grant programs have, as an absolute minimum, the following legally binding and mandatory elements:

· a designated decision-maker

· eligibility criteria

· a process for identifying and assessing proposed projects against those criteria

· program guidelines that are clear, detailed and publicly available.

b) Recommendation 7 - That the Legislative Council refer its concerns regarding the inappropriate design and maladministration of the Stronger Communities Fund tied grants round to the Audit Office of NSW, along with this report and committee transcripts of evidence for investigation;

c) Recommendation 8 - That the Legislative Council refer its concerns regarding the inappropriate design and maladministration of the Stronger Communities Fund tied grants round to the Independent Commission Against Corruption, along with this report and committee transcripts of evidence for investigation; and

d) Recommendation 9 - That the Legislative Council send a message to the Legislative Assembly to establish a Joint Select Committee to inquire into and report on the NSW budget process and parliamentary oversight.

5. Writes to the NSW Premier, Treasurer and Local Government Minister demanding that that an additional round of grant funding for community infrastructure funding be opened by the government for Councils such as the Inner West that were improperly prevented from accessing the Stronger Communities Fund – Tied Grants program;

6. Commit to ongoing advocacy through all of Council’s communications channels to inform our community about the findings and recommendations of the Parliamentary Inquiry;

7. Thank the members of the Committee for their diligence in uncovering the full scope of the pork barrelling that occurred throughout the Stronger Communities Fund tied grants round; and

8. Prepare a list of priority infrastructure projects, across all five wards of Inner West Council, which could be funded were the NSW Government to make an additional round of funding available to councils that were prevented from applying for the tied grants round, noting that the Inner West would have received $24 million if the funds had been distributed fairly on a per capita basis to amalgamated Councils.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Iskandar, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Porteous, Stamolis and Steer

Against Motion: Crs Passas and Raciti

Absent: Cr York

Councillor Steer left the Meeting at 8:50 pm.

Councillor York returned to the Meeting at 8:52 pm.

Councillor Steer returned to the Meeting at 8:52 pm.

Act of disorder

The Mayor, Clr Byrne issued a warning at 8.53pm to Clr Passas for her comments and asked the councillor to apologise and withdraw her comments.

Clr Passas apologised and withdrew her comments.

The Mayor, Clr Byrne issued a second warning at 8.54pm to Clr Passas for her comments and asked the councillor to apologise and withdraw her comments.

Clr Passas apologised and withdrew her comments.

Councillor Kiat left the Meeting at 8:57 pm.

Councillor Stamolis left the Meeting at 9:01 pm.

C0521(2) Item 9 Notice of Motion: Footpaths are a key local government asset that improve our lives

Motion: (Drury/Lockie)

THAT Council commit to the installation of green verges, where the footpath is wide enough, as part of the footpath renewal program identified through the footpath condition audit currently underway. This will improve our footpaths, help address our infrastructure backlog and enable more green verges to installed where the condition of the footpath dictates we need to replace it and the residents want green verges.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Iskandar, Lockie, McKenna OAM, Porteous, Steer and York

Against Motion: Crs Macri, Passas and Raciti

Absent: Crs Kiat and Stamolis

Amendment (Stamolis/Passas)

THAT Council commit to the installation of the grass verges and a report to come back to Council for consideration.

Motion Lost

For Motion: Crs Macri, Passas, Raciti and Stamolis

Against Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Iskandar, Lockie, McKenna OAM, Porteous, Steer and York

Absent: Cr Kiat

Foreshadowed Motion (Macri/Stamolis)

THAT Council receive officer comment regarding the streetscape costing.

This foreshadowed motion lapsed.

Councillor Passas left the Meeting at 9:04 pm.

Councillor Stamolis returned to the Meeting at 9:04 pm.

C0521(2) Item 10 Notice of Motion: Improved safety measures for access to Petersham Public School

Motion: (Steer/Byrne)

THAT Council write to Transport for NSW and the Minister for Transport:

1. Noting the risk to students at Petersham Public School at the intersection of West Street and Railway Terrace;

2. Requesting traffic calming measures to ensure safety of students at Petersham Public School including:

a) Installation of a new pedestrian crossing on the eastern leg of Railway Terrace (at West Street) to allow pedestrians to make only one movement across this intersection;

b) Introduction of a red-light speed camera at the intersection, to discourage drivers from queuing across the intersection and ensure free movement across the pedestrian crossings; and

c) Additional safety improvements at the intersection, including adequate waiting space for pedestrians and safety devices such as guardrail, bollards and the like to provide added protection for pedestrians.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Iskandar, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Porteous, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

Absent: Crs Kiat and Passas

Councillor Porteous left the Meeting at 9:07 pm.

Councillor McKenna OAM left the Meeting at 9:08 pm.

C0521(2) Item 11 Notice of Motion: Improved Drainage at Lewisham Station

Motion: (Steer/Lockie)

THAT Council write to Transport for NSW and the Minister for Transport requesting that:

1. Transport for NSW take all necessary measures to ensure that the access tunnel to Lewisham Station is protected from flooding during heavy rain; and

2. A lift be installed at Lewisham Station to facilitate access to Lewisham Station.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Iskandar, Lockie, Macri, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

Absent: Crs Kiat, McKenna OAM, Passas and Porteous

C0521(2) Item 12 Notice of Motion: Increasing Solar Uptake in residential Strata Building

Motion: (Byrne/Macri)

THAT Council support round 2 of communication identified in the officer’s comments.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Iskandar, Lockie, Macri, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

Absent: Crs Kiat, McKenna OAM, Passas and Porteous

C0521(2) Item 13 Notice of Motion: De-amalgamation

Clr Macri withdrew his motion.

Councillor McKenna OAM returned to the Meeting at 9:10 pm.

C0521(2) Item 14 Notice of Motion: Transparency in Council Expenditure

Motion: (Macri/Steer)

THAT Council publish on their website a breakdown of how rates are spent throughout the local government area. As per the example shown below from Canterbury-Bankstown Council that provides the distribution of rates expenditure for every $100 collected.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Iskandar, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

Absent: Crs Kiat, Passas and Porteous

C0521(2) Item 15 Notice of Motion: ‘Do The Right Thing’ Campaign

Motion: (Macri/Steer)

THAT Council:

1. Write to the State members requesting that they re-establish the ‘do the right thing’ advertising campaign regarding littering and illegal dumping; and

2. Notes that the great work undertaken by Clean Up Australia and our community volunteer groups in cleaning the Cooks River.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Iskandar, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

Absent: Crs Kiat, Passas and Porteous

Councillor Byrne left the Meeting and vacated the chair at 9:11 pm as he declared a significant, pecuniary interest in Item 16 Mayor to Stand Down due to its material impact on him.

Councillor Macri left the Meeting at 9:11 pm as he declared a non-significant, non-pecuniary interest in Item 16 Mayor Stand Down.

Councillor Kiat returned to the Meeting at 9:11 pm.

Councillor Passas returned to the Meeting at 9:12 pm.

As both the Mayor and Deputy Mayor declared an interest in Item 16 Notice of Motion: Mayor to Stand Down, the General Manager asked Councillors for nominations for chair for Item 16 Notice of Motion: Mayor to Stand Down. As only one nomination was received for Councillor McKenna OAM, the General Manager declared Councillor McKenna OAM chair for Item 16 Notice of Motion: Mayor to Stand Down.

C0521(2) Item 16 Notice of Motion: Mayor to Stand Down

Clr Passas withdrew her motion.

Councillor Byrne returned to the Meeting at 9:15 pm. Councillor McKenna OAM vacated the Chair and the Mayor, Councillor Byrne assumed the Chair.

Councillor Macri returned to the Meeting at 9:16 pm.

C0521(2) Item 17 Notice of Motion: Emptying Bins in Parks

Motion: (Stamolis/Da Cruz)

THAT Council:

1. Inform Councillors of the schedule for emptying bins in parks (weekdays, weekends, and public holidays) and how to report overflowing bins;

2. Review service levels and make adjustments where needed; and

3. Report back to Council on the above.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Iskandar, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Passas, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

Absent: Cr Porteous

C0521(2) Item 18 Notice of Motion: Dawn Fraser Baths Refurbishment

Clr Hesse withdrew his motion.

C0521(2) Item 19 Notice of Motion: Recruitment

Motion: (Macri/Passas)

THAT Council receive a report on the last 2 General Manager recruitment processes with a mind to improving the process with the introduction of a Blind recruitment conducted by an independent external provider.

Motion Lost

For Motion: Crs Lockie, Macri, Passas, Raciti and Stamolis

Against Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Iskandar, Kiat, McKenna OAM, Steer and York

Absent: Cr Porteous

C0521(2) Item 20 Notice of Motion: Camperdown Memorial Rest Park

Motion: (Steer/Lockie)

THAT Council report to Councillors at Council meeting of 8 June 2021 on the following:

1. Progress of installation of Camperdown Memorial Rest Park toilets;

2. Whether the amount of $500,000 allocated in the Council budget for installation of toilets at Camperdown Memorial Rest Park remains allocated for this purpose;

3. Setting out the reasons why Council has not installed the toilets in Camperdown Memorial Rest Park, noting that Council resolved in 2018 to install them in 2019; and

4. All matters in items 1 – 10 inclusive in the motion Item 12 of 11 December 2018.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Iskandar, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Passas, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

Absent: Cr Porteous

Councillor Lockie left the Meeting at 9:26 pm.

C0521(2) Item 21 Notice of Motion: Callan Park Off-Leash Areas

Motion: (Byrne/McKenna OAM)

THAT Council writes to the NSW Government requesting that:

1. The existing on-leash provisions for sporting fields, while in use, be formalised;

2. The Bay Run, Waterfront Gardens, Broughton Hall Gardens, the NGO Precinct, the UTAS Precinct, NSW Ambulance, the Kirkbride Precinct, and the Nurses Quarter to continue as on-leash; and

3. The remaining areas of the park managed by the Greater Sydney Parklands be designated off-leash, including Callan Point beach (the ‘dog beach’). Provision to be made to protect vulnerable vegetation and Aboriginal middens and carvings at Callan Point.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Drury, Hesse, Iskandar, Kiat, Macri, McKenna OAM, Passas, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Cr Da Cruz

Absent: Crs Lockie and Porteous

Councillor Lockie returned to the Meeting at 9:29 pm.

C0521(2) Item 22 Notice of Motion: 50th Anniversary of Camp NSW

Motion: (Byrne/Lockie)

THAT Council:

1. Notes that this year marks the 50th anniversary the founding of Campaign Against Moral Persecution (CAMP Inc), one of the first gay and lesbian rights organisations in Australia;

2. Notes that the first formal meeting of CAMP Inc was held in St John’s church hall in Balmain; and

3. Receives a report on how it can best commemorate the founding of CAMP Inc. This report should look at whether Council can install a commemorative plaque at or close to St John’s Church in Balmain or at or close to 393 Darling Street, Balmain.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Iskandar, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Passas, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

Absent: Cr Porteous

C0521(2) Item 23 Notice of Motion: Making the Inner West the Live Music and Performance Capital of Australia Again

Motion: (Byrne/York)

THAT Council:

1. Designates in principle Enmore Road including the Enmore Theatre as the first Special Entertainment Precinct in NSW, once the Special Entertainment Precinct legislated amendments to the Local Government Act 1993 have been gazetted by the NSW Government;

2. Consults with live music and performance venues in the Inner West LGA about other appropriate locations and venues to designate as Special Entertainment Precincts;

3. Pending gazettal of the legislation, Council officers are to prepare a plan for regulating noise from amplified music from the proposed Enmore Theatre Special Entertainment Precinct. This is to be reported back to Council the next Council meeting following the gazettal of the legislation. And Council officers liaise with the Live Music Office in regard to the implementation of the Enmore Theatre Special Entertainment Precinct;

4. Commends the Live Music Office’s John Wardell and Sydney Fringe Festival’s Kerri Glasscock for their work on the Inner West Live Music and Performance Census 2019 project; and

5. Writes to the Premier of NSW and the Deputy Secretary, Community Engagement in the Department of Premier and Cabinet calling on Create NSW to expand the Play the City grant program into the Inner West Council’s LGA.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Iskandar, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Passas, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

Absent: Cr Porteous

Councillor Porteous returned to the Meeting at 9:43 pm.

Councillor Passas left the Meeting at 9:45 pm.

Councillor Passas returned to the Meeting at 9:47 pm.

C0521(2) Item 24 Notice of Motion: Seating, Water, Shelter and Toilets Throughout the LGA

Motion: (Da Cruz/Passas)

THAT Council receive a report including costings for an audit, community consultation and provision of Seating, Water, Shelter and Toilets throughout the Local Government Area.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Da Cruz, Hesse, Kiat, Macri, Passas, Porteous, Raciti and Steer

Against Motion: Crs Byrne, Drury, Iskandar, Lockie, McKenna OAM, Stamolis and York

C0521(2) Item 25 Notice of Motion: Best Practice 6star Energy Rated Development

Motion: (Macri/Hesse)

THAT Council receive a report on the ability to amend the Voluntary Planning Agreement policy to incorporate ‘Incentives to improve climate change action by striving for 6star energy rating in commercial and industrial buildings. Bettering the basics bar for residential buildings. Contributions for acquiring open space.’

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Iskandar, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Passas, Porteous, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Cr Kiat

C0521(2) Item 26 Notice of Motion: Change Street Name

Motion: (Hesse/Steer)

THAT Council:

1. Consult with the Inner West Council Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee regarding appropriate locations in the Local Government Area where culturally appropriate indigenous words may be applied to geographic features; and

2. Respectfully suggests that Gumbramorra be among the names considered.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Iskandar, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Passas, Porteous, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

Amendment (Stamolis)

THAT Council develops a list of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander names relevant to use to the Local Government Area.

The Mayor ruled this out of order as it is essentially the same as the motion except the motion involves consultation with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee.

Councillor Byrne left the Meeting and vacated the chair at 10:03 pm and the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Macri assumed the chair.

C0521(2) Item 27 Notice of Motion: Review of Inner West Council Complaints Handling

Motion: (Da Cruz/Passas)

THAT Council:

1. Review the Management of Complaints including accessibility of information on
website, reporting, performance, the Internal Ombudsman Shared Service and alignment with the NSW Ombudsman's best practice guidelines and the Procedures for Handling Code of Conduct Complaints;

2. Report the outcome of the review to Councillors at the July Ordinary Council meeting.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Da Cruz, Hesse, Iskandar, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, Passas, Porteous, Raciti, Stamolis and Steer

Against Motion: Crs Drury, McKenna OAM and York

Absent: Cr Byrne

As the Mayor declared a significant, non-pecuniary interest in Item 28 Notice of Motion: Office of the Mayor and Item 30 Notice of Motion: Staffing of Mayors Office as the matter relates to staffing in his office, he remained out of the chamber during discussion and voting.

Procedural Motion (Stamolis/Kiat)

THAT Council deal with Item 28 Notice of Motion: Office of the Mayor and Item 30 Staffing in the Mayor’s office and Item 30 Notice of Motion: Staffing of Mayors Office together as they relate.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Iskandar, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Passas, Porteous, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

Absent: Cr Byrne

Councillor Lockie left the Meeting at 10:28 pm.

C0521(2) Item 28 Notice of Motion: Office of the Mayor and Item 30 Staffing in the Mayor’s office

C0521(2) Item 30 Notice of Motion: Staffing of Mayors Office

Motion: (Kiat/Steer)

THAT in relation to the budget for the Office of the Mayor, that Council:

1. Receive and note the memo of the then Acting General Manager dated 8 April 2021, 'Organisation Structure in the Office of the Mayor';

2. Note the advice that the current staffing level of the Office of the Mayor at $538,000 per annum is significantly higher than comparable councils, and that this funding allocation was not determined or approved by a resolution of Council;

3. Receive advice before adoption of the budget from the General Manager addressing how Council can, as part of the FY21/22 Annual Budget, respond to the organisational issues and risks identified in the memo from the Acting General Manager dated 8 April 2021. This shall include advice on a structure for the Office of the Mayor that is consistent with other comparable councils, and noting Council’s preference for a reallocation of any staff within the organisation where appropriate; and

4. Receive a report before adoption of the budget regarding how Council can address the organisational issues and risks identified in the abovementioned memo.

5. Receive a report on the full resources, staff and expenditures relating to the Mayor’s Office and a Councillor briefing be arranged to assess and review this report. The report should detail the staff positions and the key tasks of these positions.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Da Cruz, Hesse, Kiat, Macri, Passas, Porteous, Raciti, Stamolis and Steer

Against Motion: Crs Drury, Iskandar, McKenna OAM and York

Absent: Crs Byrne and Lockie

Councillor Byrne returned to the Meeting at 10:31 pm. The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Macri vacated the Chair and the Mayor, Councillor Byrne assumed the Chair.

Councillor Lockie returned to the Meeting at 10:33 pm.

C0521(2) Item 29 Notice of Motion: Internal Ombudsman Shared Service (IOSS)

Motion: (Passas/Stamolis)

THAT:

1. Council convene a meeting of the 3 councils that share the Internal Ombudsman service to gauge their enthusiasm for the continuation of the service; and

2. A report comes back to Council which is authorised by all 3 Councils.

Motion Lost

For Motion: Crs Da Cruz, Macri, Passas, Porteous, Raciti, Stamolis and Steer

Against Motion: Crs Byrne, Drury, Hesse, Iskandar, Kiat, Lockie, McKenna OAM and York

Procedural Motion (Byrne/Drury)

THAT Council defer items 36, 37 and 38 to the Ordinary Council meeting in June 2021.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Iskandar, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Passas, Porteous, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

Councillor Kiat left the Meeting at 10:57 pm.

Councillor Hesse left the Meeting at 10:59 pm.

Councillor Lockie left the Meeting at 10:59 pm.

C0521(2) Item 31 Notice of Motion: Service to the Elderly

Motion: (Passas/Byrne)

THAT Council receive a report on the interactions with our ratepayer/residents who are computer illiterate and if there is a policy relating to this matter when was it adopted.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Iskandar, Macri, McKenna OAM, Passas, Porteous, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

Absent: Crs Hesse, Kiat and Lockie

Procedural Motion (Drury/Da Cruz)

THAT Council extend the meeting until 11.15pm

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Iskandar, Macri, McKenna OAM, Passas, Porteous, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

Absent: Crs Hesse, Kiat and Lockie

Councillor Hesse returned to the Meeting at 11:02 pm.

C0521(2) Item 32 Notice of Motion: Arlington Oval

Motion: (Passas/Drury)

THAT Council receive a report on what steps Council has taken in regard to complaints received on Arlington Oval and to assure residents they are not being ignored by our Council.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Iskandar, Macri, McKenna OAM, Passas, Porteous, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

Absent: Crs Kiat and Lockie

Councillor Lockie returned to the Meeting at 11:04 pm.

Councillor Passas retired from the Meeting at 11:04 pm.

C0521(2) Item 33 Notice of Motion: Council Website Weekly Update on Street Maintenance

Motion: (Macri/Iskandar)

THAT Council defer this matter to the next Ordinary Council Meeting.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Iskandar, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Passas, Porteous, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

Absent: Cr Kiat

C0521(2) Item 34 Notice of Motion: Safety at Roundabouts

Motion: (Macri/Hesse)

THAT Council conduct a safety audit at these roundabouts Gannon Street Tempe and Ewart Street Marrickville with a mind to provide some barrier protection.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Iskandar, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Passas, Porteous, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

Absent: Crs Kiat and Passas

Councillor Kiat returned to the Meeting at 11:05 pm.

The Mayor, Councillor Byrne vacated the chair at 11.06pm. The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Macri assumed the chair.

The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Macri vacated the chair at 11.07pm. The Mayor, Councillor Byrne assumed the chair.

C0521(2) Item 35 Notice of Motion: Tree DCP

Motion: (Hesse/Kiat)

THAT Council:

1. Note the recent briefing provided to Councillors with the advice that the Tree Policy adopted by Council in 2019 has led to a doubling of private tree removals, a significant loss in overall tree canopy (despite public tree plantings), and contains a number of unlawful provisions; and

2. Staff bring to the August 2021 Council meeting recommendations on how Inner West Council’s Tree Policy may be amended to turn around the massive loss of trees on private property in the Inner West, and to ensure that the Inner West Council area meets the target of 40% tree coverage by 2035.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Iskandar, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Porteous, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

Absent: Cr Passas

Confidential Session

Motion: (Drury/Steer)

THAT Council enter into Confidential session.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Iskandar, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Porteous, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

Absent: Cr Passas

Councillor Raciti retired from the Meeting at 11:09 pm.

Councillor Stamolis left the Meeting at 11:12 pm.

That in accordance with Section 10A(1) of the Local Government Act 1993, the following matters be considered in Closed Session of Council for the reasons provided:

C0521(2) Item 39 Outcome of Expression of Interest to Operate a Pride Centre at Newtown Town Hall (Section 10A(2)(c) of the Local Government Act 1993) that would, if disclosed, confer a commercial advantage on a person with whom the council is conducting (or proposes to conduct) business.

C0521(2) Item 40 Lambert Park Lease Negotiation Update (Section 10A(2)(c) of the Local Government Act 1993) that would, if disclosed, confer a commercial advantage on a person with whom the council is conducting (or proposes to conduct) business.

Reports with Confidential Information

C0521(2) Item 39 Outcome of Expression of Interest to Operate a Pride Centre at Newtown Town Hall

Motion: (York/Hesse)

THAT Council:

1. Restate its commitment to opening a Pride Centre at Newtown Town Hall in 2022;

2. Receive and note the report on the outcome of the initial EOI;

3. Seek further advice in the form of a briefing or report to Council that considers options and makes recommendations on:

a) Opportunities to progress potential partnerships with LGBTIQ organisation/s who have stated interest in operating a Pride Centre at Newtown Town Hall but have not yet engaged in formal processes;

b) Opportunities to address issues identified that may be prohibitive to organisations progressing to partnership for the operation of the Pride Centre, including advice on heritage requirements of the planned Town Hall renewal work;

c) Opportunities for Council to actively facilitate partnership between interested community organisations and/or community sector organisations with a track record of delivering LGBTIQ services for the purpose of operating the Pride Centre; and

d) Opportunities for Council to identify potential resourcing support for the operation of the Pride Centre – including, for example, a Centre Manager to support programming and coordination, as is the case at other IWC community centres.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Byrne, Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Iskandar, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Porteous, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

Absent: Crs Passas, Raciti and Stamolis

Councillor Byrne retired from the Meeting and vacated the chair at 11:13 pm as he declared a significant, non-pecuniary interest in Item 40 Lambert Park Lease Negotiation Update and The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Macri assumed the chair.

Procedural Motion (Drury/Steer)

THAT the meeting be extended until 11.20pm.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Iskandar, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Porteous, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

Absent: Crs Byrne, Passas, Raciti and Stamolis

C0521(2) Item 40 Lambert Park Lease Negotiation Update

Motion: (Drury/Kiat)

THAT Council:

1. Receives and notes this report; and

2. Officers continue to negotiate with APIA Leichhardt Football Club for a new lease
of Lambert Park.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Iskandar, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Porteous, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

Absent: Crs Byrne, Passas, Raciti and Stamolis

Motion: (Macri/Kiat)

THAT Council move back into the Open Session of the Council Meeting.

Motion Carried

For Motion: Crs Da Cruz, Drury, Hesse, Iskandar, Kiat, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Porteous, Steer and York

Against Motion: Nil

Absent: Crs Byrne, Passas, Raciti and Stamolis

Meeting closed at 11.16pm.

The Minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting of Council held on the 24^th day of May, 2021 were confirmed as a correct record on this 8^th day of June, 2021.

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

CHAIRPERSON