Wagga City Council 13 July 2020 Ordinary Meeting summary
Published: 13 Jul 2020 9:10pm
Support for more food vendor permits
An increase in the number of permits available in the Mobile Food Vendor program has been endorsed by Councillors.
This provides an additional five permits to the current program, bringing the total number to 15.
Council will also receive a further report by the end of 2020 reviewing existing tenure, range of offerings provided and opportunities to leverage from the success of the program.
RP-3 MOBILE FOOD VENDOR PERMITS
Management of information
A report will come back to Council reviewing the management of confidential information held by Councillors and staff.
A Notice of Motion put to the meeting by Cr Tim Koschel called for a review of current policy on confidential information and the introduction of an independent investigation.
The General Manager will also write to the Minister of Local Government expressing disappointment in the procedures and action taken by the Office of Local Government in regards to code of conduct issues.
NOM-1 NOTICE OF MOTION - COUNCIL INFORMATION
Development Application conditions
Conditions around a Development Application (DA) and the sealing of Tooyal Road at Euberta will be the focus of a report to come back to Council on 27 July.
A Notice of Motion put to the meeting by Cr Paul Funnell outlined concerns with the non-enforcement of a DA condition to upgrade the road.
Council will also consider a plan of action to resolve the issues, and the costs incurred for the maintenance of the road.
NOM-2 NOTICE OF MOTION - ENFORCEMENT ACTION FOR DA09/0872
Processes for popularly elected Mayor
Details of the processes involved in Council shifting to a popularly elected Mayor will be outlined in a report back to Council on 10 August 2020.
A Notice of Motion put to the meeting by Cr Paul Funnell has requested a report to explain the options and processes available and required if Council potentially chose this option to elect the Mayor.
NOM-3 NOTICE OF MOTION - POPULARLY ELECTED MAYOR
Councillor and Mayoral Remuneration
Council has resolved to decline the maximum allowance for Councillors and the Mayor, as determined by the NSW Local Government Remuneration Tribunal, for 2020/21.
The Tribunal has created a new category of “Regional Centre” for Non-Metropolitan councils and reclassified Wagga Wagga City Council from a Regional Rural Council to a Regional Centre.
As a result, the maximum allowance for Councillors in a Regional Centre increases from $20,280 to $24,320 and the maximum Mayoral allowance increases from $44,250 to $60,080.
A successful amendment to keep the status quo on allowances and decline the increase for the next year, resulting in a saving of $52,190, was unanimously endorsed as the motion.
RP-1 COUNCILLOR AND MAYORAL REMUNERATION
Relief package to support local economy
Council has endorsed a number of initiatives developed and proposed in a COVID-19 Relief Package to help mitigate pandemic impacts on the local economy.
The initiatives will complement the Live local. Be local. Activation Plan developed by the Business Support Group, support the development industry local businesses, community organisations and the broader community.
The package supports Wagga Wagga through the following five elements:
1. Small Business support
2. Seasonal user fees for sporting groups
3. Commercial lease agreements - National Cabinet Mandatory Code of Conduct
4. COVID-19 Infrastructure Contributions Relief Package
5. Hardship policy for commercial tenants
RP-2 COVID-19 RELIEF PACKAGE
Land acquisition – The Gap
Council will compulsorily acquire a section of Crown land from the NSW Government to resolve the encroachment of a Council road on that land.
The estimated costs associated to acquire the 4,209sqm of land along The Gap Road is $14,022.
RP-4 PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF LAND AT THE GAP FOR ROAD PURPOSES
Transfer of Oura streets
A report to consider an application for the transfer of two Crown roads in Oura has been deferred to the 10 August 2020 Council meeting.
Councillors will hold a workshop and conduct a site visit, including a separate presentation by the Oura Progress Association executive.
RP-5 PROPOSED APPLICATION FOR CONTROL OF CROWN ROADS – OURA VILLAGE
Land acquisition – Farrer Road
Council will compulsorily acquire a section of land to facilitate the widening of Farrer Road.
Estimated costs associated to acquire the 10- metre strip of land along the northern boundary of the existing road reserve. is $20,025.
RP-6 PROPOSED COMPULSORY ACQUISITION OF LAND FOR ROAD WIDENING AT FARRER ROAD
Commercial rent waivers
The pandemic has affected a large number of businesses and industry in the community and Council has been reviewing various initiatives to provide support and assistance.
Council has agreed to grant rent waivers to Council commercial tenants in accordance with the National Mandatory Code of Conduct –SME Commercial Leasing Principles during COVID-19 and the Retail and Other Commercial Leases (COVID-19) Regulation 2020.
CONF-1 PROPOSED RENT WAIVERS UNDER THE MANDATORY CODE OF CONDUCT FOR COMMERCIAL LEASES AFFECTED BY COVID