Council Meeting
15 April 2020
Steve Christou (Mayor) |
Councillor |
Eddy Sarkis (Deputy Mayor) |
Councillor |
Ned Attie |
Councillor |
George Campbell |
Councillor (via web conferencing) |
Greg Cummings |
Councillor |
Glenn Elmore |
Councillor (via web conferencing) |
Paul Garrard |
Councillor |
Ola Hamed |
Councillor (via web conferencing) |
Kun Huang |
Councillor (via web conferencing) |
Lisa Lake |
Councillor (via web conferencing) |
Joseph Rahme |
Councillor |
Suman Saha |
Councillor (via web conferencing) |
Michael Zaiter |
Councillor |
Tom Zreika |
Councillor (via web conferencing) |
Hamish McNulty |
General Manager |
Melissa Attia |
Director People & Performance |
Peter Fitzgerald |
Director Works & Infrastructure |
Richard Sheridan |
Director Finance & Governance |
Monica Cologna |
Acting Director Environment & Planning |
Also Present:
Charlie Ayoub |
Executive Manager Corporate Services |
Colin McFadzean |
General Counsel (via web conferencing) |
Carol Karaki |
Governance Coordinator |
Laith Jammal |
Governance Officer |
Opening Prayer
The opening prayer was read by the Mayor, Councillor Christou.
The Mayor, Councillor Christou opened the Meeting with the following Acknowledgement of Country:
“I would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of this land – the Darug People, and pay my respects to their elders past, present and emerging.”
National Anthem
At this point in the meeting the Mayor, Councillor Christou asked all of those in attendance to stand for the playing of the Australian National Anthem.
Notice of Live Streaming of Council Meeting
Apologies/Leave of Absence
Nil
Declarations of Pecuniary & Non Pecuniary Conflicts of Interest
The Director of People and Performance, Melissa Attia, declared a pecuniary interest in Item C04/20-415 as she will be an applicant for the role created by the adoption of the structure. As such, the Director People and Performance exited the Chamber during the consideration of this item.
Confirmation of Minutes
C04/20-414 Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Council - 01 April 2020 |
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That Council confirm the minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Council held on 1 April 2020. |
Min.657 |
MM04/20-28 Mayoral Minute – Cumberland City Council’s Response to Childcare Services |
Resolved (Christou) That Council recognise the efforts of the parents and staff within Cumberland in reaching a positive outcome for the sustainability of Council’s childcare operations.
A division was called, the result of the division required in accordance with Council’s Code of Meeting Practice is as follows:
Councillor(s) For the Motion: Attie, Christou, Cummings, Garrard, Rahme, Sarkis, Zaiter and Zreika.
Councillor(s) Against the Motion: Campbell, Elmore, Hamed, Huang, Lake and Saha. |
Public Forum
The Mayor, Councillor Christou advised the Chamber that one written submission was received tonight for Public Forum being a letter of support from David Waghorn of Planning Ingenuity in relation to Item C04/20-417 Planning Proposal – 45 Barcom Street, Merrylands West which has been circulated to the Councillors. The Mayor, Councillor Christou proceeded to read out the letter as follows:
“Dear Sir,
We act as town planning consultants to the owner of the above property.
First and foremost, we would like to thank Council staff for their efficiency and diligence in the assessment of this Planning Proposal. We appreciate the attention to detail and guidance they have offered throughout this process.
On behalf of our clients, we agree with the recommendations of C04/20-417 and seek Council’s support in progressing the matter to Gateway Determination.
We look forward to continuing to work with Council on this matter.”
Min.658 |
Matter of Urgency – Councillor Lake |
Councillor Lake raised the following matter of urgency:
That Council urgently amend its proposed long day care service fees as exhibited for the 2020-21 year.
From: The current exhibited sums which range from a $15 to a $23 fee increase per day from the fees charged 1 July – 31 December 2019.
To: an increase of up to $5 per day from the fee charged 1 January 2020.
The Mayor advised Councillor Lake that he did not believe the matter of urgency raised was of great urgency and required a decision of the current meeting in accordance with the Code of Meeting Practice. |
Min.659 |
Matter of Urgency – Councillor Saha |
Councillor Saha raised the following matter of urgency:
Noting that NSW Health has identified Cumberland Council as a hotspot for community transmission of COVID19 and also that increased testing kits are now available, that Cumberland City Council immediately applies all of its communication channels to encourage residents to take the test if experiencing (any symptoms of COVID) fever, cough, sore throat or shortness of breath. & such a message to be given in Council's top five languages”.
The Mayor advised Councillor Saha that he did not believe the matter of urgency raised was of great urgency and required a decision of the current meeting in accordance with the Code of Meeting Practice. The motion was put to the vote.
The Motion to have the Matter of Urgency be considered on being put was declared LOST on the casting vote of the Mayor.
A division was called, the result of the division required in accordance with Council’s Code of Meeting Practice is as follows:
Councillor(s) For the Motion: Campbell, Cummings, Elmore, Hamed, Huang, Lake and Saha.
Councillor(s) Against the Motion: Attie, Christou, Garrard, Rahme, Sarkis, Zaiter and Zreika. |
Min.660 |
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That Council adopt items C04/20-416, C04/20-423, C04/20-424 and C04/20-425 on the Council Agenda in bulk as per the recommendations in the reports. |
Min.661 |
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That the report be received. |
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C04/20-416 Investment Report - March 2020 |
This item was dealt with earlier in the meeting. |
Min.667 |
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That Council adopt the Wentworthville Centre Public Domain Plan with the following amendments: a) More detail be included in the plan for cyclists’ zones and consideration be given to a lock-up facility for cyclists, b) Paving and street furniture material be chosen that reduces UV radiation reflection, c) The Dunmore Street plaza design incorporate “playable spaces” for children. A division was called, the result of the division required in accordance with Council’s Code of Meeting Practice is as follows: Councillor(s) For the Motion: Attie, Campbell, Christou, Cummings, Elmore Garrard, Hamed, Huang, Lake, Rahme, Saha, Sarkis, Zaiter and Zreika. Councillor(s) Against the Motion: Nil |
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C04/20-423 Request from Fire & Rescue NSW for a Fire Safety Audit on Identified Building |
This item was dealt with earlier in the meeting. |
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C04/20-424 Request from Fire & Rescue NSW for a Fire Safety Audit on Identified Building |
This item was dealt with earlier in the meeting. |
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C04/20-425 Request from Fire & Rescue NSW for a Fire Safety Audit on Identified Building |
This item was dealt with earlier in the meeting. |
The Mayor, Councillor Christou closed the meeting at 8:39pm.