Council Meeting 11 August 2020

Minutes of Ordinary Council Meeting remotely and livestreamed on Council’s website on 11 August 2020

Meeting commenced at 6.30 pm

Present:
Vittoria Raciti Marghanita Da Cruz Mark Drury Lucille McKenna OAM Colin Hesse Sam Iskandar Tom Kiat Pauline Lockie Victor Macri Julie Passas John Stamolis Louise Steer Anna York Michael Deegan Elizabeth Richardson	Deputy Mayor (7.02pm) Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor (Chairperson) Councillor Councillor Councillor Councillor Chief Executive Officer Chief Operating Officer, Director Development and Recreation
Cathy Edwards-Davis	Director Infrastructure
Ian Naylor	Manager Governance
Katherine Paixao	Governance Coordinator

Chairperson of Meeting

Motion: (Macri/Hesse)

In the absence of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, that Councillor Macri chair the meeting.

Motion Carried

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

Against Motion:          Nil

APOLOGIES:    

Motion: (Marci/Passas)

THAT apologies from Councillor Byrne, apologies for lateness from Councillor Raciti, and leave of absence for Councillor Porteous be accepted.

Motion Carried

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

Against Motion:          Nil

DISCLOSURES OF INTERESTS:        Nil

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

Motion: Mari/Passas

THAT the Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Tuesday, 28 July 2020 be confirmed as a correct record.

Motion Carried

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

Against Motion:          Nil

PUBLIC FORUM

The registered speakers were asked to address the meeting. The list of speakers is available on the last page of these minutes.

Councillor Raciti entered the Meeting at 7:02 pm.

C0820(1) Item 1            Mayoral Minute: Ashfield Aquatic Centre EOI

Motion: (McKenna OAM/Drury)

THAT:

1.   Council notes the importance of recognising the heritage of Ashfield Pool and the Ashfield community through the new Ashfield Aquatic Centre;

2.   Council initiates an expression of interest process to consider proposals for naming sections of the new facility in recognition of local citizens and sports people with an association to the Pool and the community. This should include consideration of commemorating Warwick Webster whom a grandstand at the Pool has previously been named after;

3.   The Ashfield Swimming Club, Wests Water Polo Club and Ashfield Historical Society and Council's Aboriginal Consultative Committee each be invited to nominate a representative to adjudicate on a panel assessing the expressions of interest and make recommendations about the naming of sections of the facility to Council;

4.   The recommendations of the panel be tabled for consideration at an ordinary Council meeting; and

5.   Note the petition from 508 ex-students of Warwick Webster’s Ashfield pool swim squads and include a representative of the petitioners on the naming committee.

Motion Carried

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

Against Motion:          Cr Passas

Amendment (Da Cruz/Passas)

THAT Council note the petition from 508 ex-students of Warwick Webster’s Ashfield pool swim squads and include a representative of the petitioners on the naming committee.

Motion Carried

For Motion:                 Crs Da Cruz, Iskandar, Lockie, Macri, Passas, Raciti, Stamolis, Steer and York

Against Motion:          Crs Drury, Hesse, Kiat and McKenna OAM

As the Amendment was carried, it was incorporated in to the Primary Motion.

Foreshadowed Motion (Stamolis/Passas)

THAT Council open up consultation on the potential naming of the centre to “Warwick Webster - Ashfield Aquatic Centre” prior to the end of 2020.

This Foreshadowed Motion lapsed.

C0820(1) Item 2            Mayoral Minute: Inquiry into the Stronger Communities Fund

Motion: (Hesse/Lockie)

THAT:

1.   Notes that the NSW Parliament’s Public Accountability Committee has launched an inquiry titled Integrity, efficacy and value for money for NSW Government grant programs. As per the terms of reference (Attachment 1) this includes an investigation into the Stronger Communities Fund;

2.   Makes a submission to the inquiry articulating the following:

a)   Inner West Council received no funds under the second round of Stronger Communities Grant funding;

b)   The failure of the Office of Local Government or the Local Government Minister to even inform amalgamated Councils such as the Inner West that the grant scheme existed;

c)   The overtly biased and improper allocation of funds from the Fund in which $241 million of the $252 million of monies were awarded to projects in Liberal and National Party electorates; and

d)   The fact that approximately half of all funds were allocated to Councils that were not in fact amalgamated including $90 million awarded to Hornsby Council.

3.   Recommits to fighting for Inner West Council to receive this fair share of the funds our community missed out on which, if granted to amalgamated councils on a simple per capita basis, would have amounted to $24 million.

Motion Carried

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

Against Motion:           Crs Passas and Raciti

C0820(1) Item 17         Mayoral Minute: ICARE Petition

Motion: (Macri/Kiat)

THAT Council:

1.   Writes the NSW Government expressing concern about the recent revelations regarding the systemic failures of iCare, including the widespread underpayment of injured workers and large-scale increases in executive remuneration;

2.   Endorses the United Services Union (USU) petition calling for a total overhaul of the iCare worker's compensation scheme; and

3.   Promotes the USU petition through its communication channels.

Motion Carried

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

Against Motion:           Cr Passas

C0820(1) Item 18         Mayoral Minute: Pratten Park Cricket Nets And Lighting

Motion: (Macri/Drury)

THAT Council:

1.   Notes the Western Suburbs District Cricket Club (WSDCC) has obtained two grants - from Cricket NSW and Cricket Australia, worth $140,000 - to build and upgrade the Pratten Park cricket nets at no cost to Council;

2.   Allows WSDCC to install the Council approved cricket net upgrade, including the net lighting strip, at Pratten Park; and

3.   Allocates funds from Council’s tree maintenance budget to the project to cover the costs resulting from recommendations by Council’s Arboricultural Impact Assessment.

Motion Carried

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

Against Motion:          Crs Da Cruz, Hesse and Kiat

Foreshadowed Motion (Kiat/Da Cruz)

THAT Council:

1.   Notes the Western Suburbs District Cricket Club (WSDCC) has obtained two grants - from Cricket NSW and Cricket Australia, worth $140,000 - to build and upgrade the Pratten Park cricket nets at no cost to Council;

2.   Allows WSDCC to install the Council approved cricket net upgrade, including the net lighting strip, at Pratten Park; and

3.   Receive advice from Council officers on the whether Council should bear the costs associated with the recommendations arising from Council's Arboricultural Impact Assessment, and if so, the recommended source of funding.

This Foreshadowed Motion lapsed.

 Councillor Macri left the Meeting at 8:18 pm.

The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Raciti assumed the chair.

C0820(1) Item 3            Community Gardens Policy

Motion: (Macri/Stamolis)

THAT:

1.      The draft Community Gardens Policy be placed on public exhibition; and

2.      The results of the public exhibition are presented to Council along with a final Community Gardens Policy for adoption.

Motion Carried

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

Against Motion:          Cr Passas

Absent:                        Cr Macri

Councillor Macri returned to the Meeting at 8:25 pm.

Councillor Passas left the Meeting at 8:26 pm.

C0820(1) Item 4            Eurobodalla Community Relationship Development

Motion: (McKenna OAM/Hesse)

THAT:

1. Discussions on a formal Community to Community Relationship between the Inner West and Eurobodalla Councils be initiated; and

2. The building of broader social, economic, sporting and cultural and civic society links between the people of Eurobodalla Shire and the Inner West be incorporated into the agreement as a priority. This should include specific plans to facilitate visitation to Eurobodalla Shire by residents, businesses and community, cultural and sporting organisations in the Inner West and vice versa.

Motion Carried

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

Against Motion:          Nil

Absent:                        Cr Passas

Councillor Macri returned to the meeting and assumed the chair.

Councillor Passas returned to the Meeting at 8:30 pm.

C0820(1) Item 5            776 Parramatta Road Lewisham - Voluntary Planning Agreement

Motion: (Macri/Raciti)

THAT Council:

1. Enter into the Voluntary Planning Agreement shown as Attachment 1 for 776 Parramatta Road Lewisham with Moweno Pty Ltd (the proponent) where the proponent will provide Council with a monetary contribution of $10,000; and

2. Notes that the administrative processes followed to reach this VPA were unique and that Council will generally follow its VPA policy in the negotiation of future VPAs.

Motion Carried

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

Against Motion:          Nil

C0820(1) Item 6            Request for Sponsorship of Inner West Peninsula Partnership

Motion: (York/Raciti)

THAT:

1. Consideration of the peninsula partnership proposal be deferred pending a response from the NSW Government to Council’s proposed economic development fund and the proposal be referred to the Inner West Economic Recovery Taskforce for consultation; and

2. Council consult with the Business Chambers on this matter.

Motion Carried

For Motion:                 Crs Drury, Iskandar, Lockie, Macri, McKenna OAM, Passas, Raciti, Stamolis and York

Against Motion:          Crs Da Cruz, Hesse, Kiat and Steer

Amendment (Lockie)

THAT Council develop guidelines for the allocation of funding from the Economic development fund.

The chairperson ruled this out of order as it did not relate to the subject matter of the report.

Foreshadowed Motion (Hesse/Kiat)

THAT Council refuse the request from Inner West Peninsula partnership for sponsorship.

This Foreshadowed Motion lapsed.

Councillor York retired from the Meeting at 9:05 pm.

Councillor Stamolis left the Meeting at 9:20 pm.

C0820(1) Item 7            Draft Lobbying Policy

Motion: (Drury/Macri)

THAT the amended Draft Lobbying Policy shown as Attachment 1 be adopted and published on Council’s Website along with a Lobbying Register and Lobbyist Registration Form with the following amendment:

- Section 2 c, reads as follows ‘Community organisations and individuals making representations to inform Council on their views on public interest’.

Motion Carried

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

Against Motion:          Cr Passas

Absent:                        Crs Stamolis and York

  Councillor Stamolis returned to the Meeting at 9:24 pm.

C0820(1) Item 8            Notice of Motion to Rescind: C0419(1) Item 5 Local Traffic    Committee Meeting: Ltc0419 Item 6 - Gannon Lane, Tempe - 30      April 2019

Motion: (Hesse/Raciti)

THAT this item be deferred to the next Ordinary Council meeting.

Motion Carried

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

Against Motion:          Nil

Absent:                        Cr York

Councillor Passas left the Meeting at 9:40 pm.

C0820(1) Item 9            Notice of Motion: Council’s Commitment to the Elimination of       Domestic and Family Violence

Motion: (Lockie/Steer)

THAT Council:

1. Notes its long-standing and ongoing commitment to working in partnership with local community groups, organisations, networks and key national associations to reduce domestic and family violence across the Inner West;

2. Develops a gender equity strategy in collaboration with peak bodies, the Inner West Council domestic and family violence strategic reference group, and the domestic and family violence liaison committee to ensure that Council works to address gender inequality, a key driver of domestic and family violence. The draft of this strategy to be reported to Council no later than July 2021;

3. Continues its coordination of initiatives that enable a whole of community response to domestic and family violence.

4. Receive a report back on the activities of the Family and Domestic Violence SRG and the Liaison Committee.

Motion Carried

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

Against Motion:          Nil

Absent:                        Cr Passas and York

Councillor Passas returned to the Meeting at 9:44 pm.

C0820(1) Item 10         Notice of Motion: The Bower and Reverse Garbage

Motion: (Da Cruz/Passas)

THAT Council:

1.    Notes the Sustainability Advisory Committee feedback March 2020:

◦   Stronger targets to get to zero waste

◦   Support for organics services

◦   Preference for scheduled clean-up for scavenging

◦   Greater focus on reuse and repair

◦   More local drop-offs for problem wastes

2.    Recognises the niche the Bower and Reverse Garbage make in the local reuse and repair eco-system;

3.    Notes that Inner West Council is looking into establishing a partnership with the two Not for Profit Organisation;

4.    Notes officer’s advice that COVID-19 Grants of $25,000 to each organisation from the Domestic Waste Management Reserves is not possible at this time; and

5.    Encourages the two organisations to apply for the next round of environmental grants to the amount of $10,000 in October 2020.

Motion Carried

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

Against Motion:          Cr Passas

Absent:                        Cr York

Amendment (Passas)

THAT Council give a grant of $12,500 each now to the Bower and Reverse Garbage and encourage them to apply for the next round of Grants. The funding for this to come out of the Tree Maintenance Budget.

The Amendment lapsed for a want of Seconder.

C0820(1) Item 11         Notice of Motion: Anti-Discrimination Amendment (Religious        Freedoms And Equality) Bill 2020

Motion: (Lockie/ Steer)

THAT Council:

1.   Note its support for fair and equal discrimination laws that unite, rather than divide, the community, and its recent endorsement of Equality Australia’s Freedom from Discrimination Statement;

2.   Makes a submission to the Parliament of NSW Joint Select Committee on the Anti-Discrimination Amendment (Religious Freedoms and Equality) Bill 2020 that:

a)   Reflects the position noted in point (1); and

b)   Requests that unbalanced provisions in the Bill that threaten safe and inclusive workplaces, schools, universities, and services be removed.

3.   Circulates the draft submission to Councillors, Council’s LGBTIQ Working Group, and other local democracy groups as appropriate for feedback before it is finalised.

Motion Carried

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

Against Motion:          Cr Passas

Absent:                        Cr Raciti and York

C0820(1) Item 16         Notice of Motion: Support for elected local government officials   in Turkey

Motion: (Hesse/Macri)

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

Motion Carried

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

Against Motion:          Cr Passas

Absent:                        Cr Raciti and York

Report with Confidential Information

C0820(1) Item 15         Update - Rent Relief for Tenants - Covid 19 Coronavirus

Motion: (Lockie/Stamolis)

THAT Council defer this matter until the next Ordinary Council meeting.

Motion Carried

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

Against Motion:          Nil

Absent:                        Cr York

Urgency Motion: Explosion in Beirut

Councillor Macri requested that an Urgency Motion be considered regarding the Explosion in Beirut.

Motion: (Macri/Passas)

THAT the matter be considered urgently.

Motion Carried

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

Against Motion:          Nil

Absent:                        Cr York

The Chair, Councillor Macri ruled this matter urgent.

Urgency Motion (Macri/Passas)

THAT Council:

1. Notes the terrible loss of innocent life in the explosion in Beirut and the suffering of the survivors many of which are now homeless due to this disaster and express our condolences to the Lebanese Community;

2. Donate $10,000 dollars to a relief organisation that is working on the ground to assist the residents of Beirut with the funds to come from funds allocated to the events budget for events which have been cancelled; and

3. Assist other Inner West community members that want to donate by having the relevant relief organisations link on our website.

Motion Carried

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

Against Motion:          Nil

Absent:                        Cr York

Meeting closed at 10.36pm.

Public Speakers:

Item #	Speaker	Suburb
Item 1:	Bennett Prestwidge Mark Sabolch David Collins-White Nathan Kippax Zoi Flannery	Narwee Summer Hill Croydon Ermington Leichhardt
Item 9:	Katie Young Melissa Holmes Talie Star	Redfern Leichhardt Suburb withheld due to privacy issues
Item 11:	Jody Toomey Ghassan Kassisieh	Lewisham Dulwich Hill
Item 18:	Rick Wayde	Croydon

The Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Council held on the 11^th day of August, 2020 were confirmed as a correct record on this 25^th day of August, 2020.

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

CHAIRPERSON