Municipal District of – September 2019

Minutes of the Meeting of the Municipal District of Dundalk held in the St Peter’s National School, Dromiskin on Tuesday 3rd September, 2019 at 5.15 p.m.

In attendance:

Cathaoirleach: Councillor John McGahon

Members: Councillors: M. Butler, E. Coffey, E. Corrigan, M. Doyle, C Keelan, S. Kelly, E. McGreehan, R. Ó Murchu, L. Reilly, T. Sharkey, A. Watters, M. Yore

Officials: Alan Sherry, Meetings Administrator John O’Hagan, Senior Engineer Adrian Kerley, Acting Executive Engineer Pat O’Rourke, Executive Technician Frank Pentony, Director of Services Aoife Lawler, Senior Executive Officer Willie Walsh, Senior Executive Officer Mark Johnston, Senior Engineer

Minute No. 67/19

The minutes of the monthly meeting held on Tuesday, 2nd July 2019 were confirmed on the proposal of Cllr. M. Yore and seconded by Cllr. R. Ó Murchu.

Minute No. 68/19 Matters Arising

It was agreed to revert back to the members with an update in relation to Japanese Knotweed.

Minute No. 69/19 Housing Progress Report

Members discussed the report as circulated at the meeting and the following points were addressed:

 A breakdown in relation to the length of time houses were vacant was requested.  It was requested that figures for grant applications be included in the monthly report

Minute No. 70/19

Operations and Marine Progress Report

Members discussed the report as circulated at the meeting and the following points were addressed:

 It was agreed to revert back to the members in relation to the issue of algae and seaweed removal from the beach at Blackrock  It was pointed out that the Castletown bridge road surface needs repairs  Members expressed dissatisfaction at the level of weed control carried out during the Summer in Dundalk and requested that it be addressed.  Some members disagreed with the use of anti dog fouling stencils on the pathways and felt that voluntary groups involved in collecting litter should have been consulted  It was requested that a letter be written to the Minister requesting that the coastal erosion guidelines be progressed as a matter of priority.  The Council was encouraged to be proactive in relation to dangerous trees/bushes on private land  A report on parks and open space maintenance was requested  It was pointed out that road safety measures were needed in Kilcurry  The issue of the trees on Tom Bellew Avenue was raised again  The need to address the issue of insurance for voluntary groups that carry out works on public land was raised  The need to clear the surface water drains in the Cooley area was highlighted  Members strongly expressed the view that a representative from Infrastructure should be at every meeting and the Cathaoirleach undertook to address the issue on behalf of the members.

Minute No. 71/19

Road Safety Working Together Group Nominee

Cllr. M. Yore was proposed by Cllr. M. Yore and seconded by Cllr. R. Ó Murchu.

It was agreed by the Members that Cllr. M. Yore be elected to the Road Safety Working Together Group.

Minute No. 72/19

PEACE IV Partnership Nominee

Cllr. E. McGreehan was proposed by Cllr. S. Kelly and seconded by Cllr. L. Reilly.

It was agreed by the Members that Cllr. E. McGreehan be elected to the PEACE IV Partnership.

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Minute No. 73/19

Creative Spark Nominee

Cllr. M. Butler was proposed by Cllr. J. McGahon and seconded by Cllr. M. Doyle.

It was agreed by the Members that Cllr M. Butler be elected to the Creative Spark Board.

Minute No. 74/19

Dundalk Draft On-Street Bye Laws

Adoption of the bye laws was proposed by Cllr. M. Yore, seconded by Cllr. L. Reilly and agreed by the members.

Minute No. 75/19

Dundalk Allocation of Community Grants

Proposed by Cllr. M. Doyle Seconded by Cllr. M. Butler And resolved

To approve the members Allocation of Community Grants (No. 4) as circulated with the agenda.

Minute No. 76/19

Carlingford, Lough Greenway, Part 8 Submission

The members were given a presentation and had their queries and questions answered.

Minute No. 77/19

Notice of Motion:

Proposed by: Cllr. A. Watters Seconded by: Cllr. M. Yore

“That LCC install solar powered bins at Templetown, Shelling Hill and Gyles Quay Beaches.”

Reply:

The installation of Solar powered bins located in Blackrock and are being compared to traditional bins. This will include value for money and the service provided. The maintenance and telemetry costs of these bins are high but savings can be made due to the reduced number of times the bins are required to be emptied. Vandalism to bins are not covered and repairs due to vandalism are an additional costs.

3 With regard to the three locations proposed for installation of bins, the locations will be reviewed as part of the value for money exercise being carried out. However current budgets would not fund additional expenditure in this service at this time.

Members agreed the motion.

Minute No. 78/19

Notice of Motion:

Proposed by: Cllr. R. O Murchu Seconded by: Cllr. A. Watters

“That Dundalk Municipal supports the delivery of a Primary Care Centre in Dundalk by the HSE and calls on the Minister for Health to expedite this project which was approved in 2008.

This Primary Care Centre must contain all community based healthcare provisions such as GP, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, home help, nursing, social work, mental health and disability services.”

Reply:

This is a matter for the members.

Members agreed the motion.

Minute No. 79/19

Notice of Motion:

Proposed by: Cllr. C. Keelan Seconded by: Cllr. M. Yore

"In light of the retrograde abolition of local burial boards that this Council support the creation of a Graveyard Sub-Committee made up of Municipal District members, Council Officials, representatives of the Clergy, and local Undertakers to discuss and contribute to the operations of St. Patrick's Cemetery, Dowdallshill with a particular focus on the annual Blessings of the Graves Ceremony."

Reply:

Whilst acknowledging that the Council can establish a committee, the operational management of the graveyard would be an executive function.

A roll call vote was called.

For (13): Cllrs. M. Butler, E. Coffey, E. Corrigan, M. Doyle, C. Keelan, S. Kelly, J. McGahon, E.McGreehan, R. Ó Murchu, L.Reilly, T. Sharkey, A. Watters, M. Yore 4

The motion was agreed unanimously

Members expressed the view that the committee may be able to ensure that recent events at the blessing of the graves are not repeated.

Minute No. 80/19

Notice of Motion:

Proposed by: Cllr. C. Keelan Seconded by: Cllr. A. Watters

"Given the speed in the vicinity of the Gyles Quay junction that LCC explore the possibility of either a filter lane or a junction box in this area so as to both improve alignment and road safety in the area."

Reply:

A speed survey, accident analysis and junction count will be carried out to determine what actions are recommended.

Members agreed the motion.

Minute No. 81/19

Notice of Motion:

Proposed by: Cllr. M. Doyle Seconded by: Cllr. M. Butler

"That Louth erect appropriate safety barriers at the pedestrian entrances at Lios Mead, Blackrock Road."

Reply:

The area engineer will carry out an inspection and will make a recommendation.

Members noted the reply.

5 Minute No. 82/19

Notice of Motion:

Proposed by: Cllr. M. Butler Seconded by: Cllr. M. Doyle

“That Dundalk Municipal District relaunches, expands and promotes the Go Dundalk Smarter Travel Park and Stride Scheme.”

Reply:

The Dundalk Park and Stride Scheme to promote safer routes to schools will be launched on 30th August to highlight the options at the start of the new school year. The road safety officer is working with local schools to promote the use of car parks taking part in the scheme to encourage students to walk to school as a safe and healthy alternative to parking at the school gate.

Members noted the reply.

Minute No. 83/19

Notice of Motion:

Proposed by: Cllr. M. Butler Seconded by: Cllr. M. Doyle

“In order to ensure consistency with all municipal districts in , Dundalk Municipal District requests municipal chains of office for the Cathaoirleach in line with the same chains that were recently provided to Municipal District.”

Reply:

This is a matter for the members.

A roll call vote was called.

For (7): Cllrs. M. Butler, E. Coffey, M. Doyle, S. Kelly, J. McGahon, E.McGreehan, L.Reilly,

Against (4): Cllrs. E. Corrigan, R. Ó Murchu, A. Watters, M. Yore

Abstain (1): Cllr. C. Keelan

Absent (1): Cllr. T. Sharkey

The motion was passed.

6 Minute No. 84/19

It was proposed by Cllr. J. McGahon, seconded by Cllr. C. Keelan and agreed by the members to suspend standing orders to allow the meeting to continue until 7.30pm.

Minute No. 85/19

Notice of Motion:

Proposed by: Cllr. J. McGahon Seconded by: Cllr. C.Keelan

“Dundalk Municipal District call on Louth County Council to reverse their decision and re- name Riverside Walk to Michael Mc Neela Walk in order to honour the memory of Michael McNeela who died serving his country.”

Reply:

The Council advised the ONE(ex Servicemen) who were promoting this proposal that the Riverside Walk is already established as a local name and suggested that consideration should be given to instead naming a new development, in memory of Pte. McNeela, RIP.

Members agreed the motion.

Minute No. 86/19

Notice of Motion:

Proposed by: Cllr. J McGahon

Seconded by: Cllr. E. Corrigan

Motion: Cllr. Antóin Watters, Conor Keelan, Edel Corrigan, Erin McGreehan, John McGahon and Seán Kelly

"Calling on Louth County Council to establish an estate management and improvement action plan for Fatima in consultation with the local resident association to address their concerns regarding

- Community Development and improvements - Footpaths

- Flooding and maintenance of bridge - Public lighting

- Traffic management - Illegal dumping”

7 Reply:

Louth County Council are happy to work with the residents at all times and will support Residents Associations in making improvements to all of estates in Louth.

Members agreed the motion.

Minute No. 87/19

The members wished Patsy McCabe a speedy recovery.

Minute No. 88/19

The members wished Caolann Rafferty luck in the Walker Cup competition

There being no other business, the meeting concluded.

The Minutes were confirmed at a meeting of the Council held on:

Date: ______

Cathaoirleach: ______

Meeting Administrator: ______

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