Ordinary Council MINUTES DATE OF MEETING: 22 March 2016 LOCATION: Council Chambers TIME: 7.00pm This business paper has been reproduced electronically to reduce costs, improve efficiency and reduce the use of paper. Internal control systems ensure it is an accurate reproduction of Council’s official copy of the business paper. Ordinary Council Minutes Meeting Date: 22 March 2016 Page 2 MEETING 1460 Administration Centre, WAKELEY MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAIRFIELD HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT THE ADMINISTRATION CENTRE, AVOCA ROAD WAKELEY ON 22 MARCH 2016 AT 7.00PM. PRESENT: His Worship Mayor Carbone. Councillors Barcha, Bennett, Karajcic, Khoshaba, Le, Ly, Molluso, Saliba, Tran, White and Yeung. In attendance were the City Manager, Director Community Outcomes, Group Manager Special Projects, Group Manager Corporate Services, Group Manager Place & Infrastructure Operations, Acting Group Manager City & Community Development, Chief Financial Officer/Group Manager Integrated Planning & Reporting, Manager Governance and Legal, Manager Communications and Marketing, IT Technician – Application Support (G Joseph), Civic Attendant and Committee Clerk (L Kalatzis). Also in attendance was Mr Chris Hayes MP, Federal Member for Fowler. National Anthem All present, stood for the National Anthem. Acknowledgement of Traditional Custodians The Mayor acknowledged the Cabrogal of the Darug nation, the traditional custodians of the land upon which the meeting was held. He acknowledged their elders, past and present, and other Aboriginal people present. Prayer The Prayer was read by Councillor Barcha. Mayor Carbone welcomed members of the public to the Council Meeting. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES MOTION: (Khoshaba/Karajcic) That the Minutes of the meeting held on 23 February 2016 be confirmed. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Ordinary Council Page 2 Ordinary Council Minutes Meeting Date: 22 March 2016 Page 3 APOLOGIES AND LEAVE OF ABSENCE No apologies were tendered or Leave of Absence was sought for this meeting. MAYORAL MINUTES Passing of George Petersen I was saddened to hear of the passing of an important member of our community, George Petersen on Saturday 27 February 2016. George was a founding member of the Fairfield City Museum and Gallery. He was the neighbour of Maisie Morris, the last owner of the Old Council Building and was entrusted by her to carry out his last wish to realise Fairfield’s first museum. Their legacy lives on in the amazing facility we so proudly manage with over 3,500 visitors enjoying these facilities each month. George and his late wife June, along with the Stein family have made immeasurable contributions to the community and to the Fairfield City Museum and Gallery. I pass on my condolences to Georges’ family and friends. Councillors, please join me in one minute’s silence as we pay our respects to George Petersen. MOTION: (White/Tran) That a minute’s silence be held in memory of Mr George Petersen. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY MINUTE OF SILENCE Upon request from the Mayor, all present stood and observed one minute of silence to respect the memory of Mr George Petersen. Mayoral Scholarship Fund - Angelina Subotic Dordevic At the Ordinary Council Meeting of 23 February 2016, Council endorsed a donation from the Mayoral Scholarship Fund to a local young sports achiever. Tonight, I am pleased to present this $1,000.00 cheque to Angelina Subotic Dordevic to go towards her participation at the Junior State Tennis Clay Court Championship in Victoria from 28 March to 10 April 2016. This donation will provide financial assistance towards uniform, travel and accommodation costs associated with Angelina’s participation at the Championship. Ordinary Council Page 3 Ordinary Council Minutes Meeting Date: 22 March 2016 Page 4 Angelina is part of the Tennis Australia’s Talent Development Program. She has won a number of junior tournaments and is now competing in the women’s tournaments. This scholarship will assist Angelina in her aspirations in competitive tennis and assist her in achieving her full potential. Councillors, please join me in congratulating Angelina this evening and wishing her the very best in their tennis aspirations. MOTION: (White/Karajcic) That the Mayoral Minute be received and noted. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Easter Egg Hunt Easter is an important time for many families in our community as it’s an opportunity to spend time with family and friends and take a break from our busy lives. Every year, Council hosts a number of family-friendly activities with the Easter bunny visiting both of the Town Centres. Tonight, I would like to propose an addition to these activities with an Easter egg hunt at the Fairfield Adventure Park, this Saturday 26 March between 1.00-4.00pm. The Easter Bunny will be there handing out eggs as well as a number of activities for the children to enjoy. The cost for the Easter egg hunt is minimal and it will be covered under current service delivery budgets. Councillors, I invite you all to attend one of the many Easter activities taking place in our City. MOTION: (White/Khoshaba) That a Easter Egg Hunt be held at the Fairfield Adventure Park on Saturday 26 March 2016 between 1.00pm - 4.00pm. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Fairfield’s Fabulous Residents Council established the Fabulous Fairfield Program as a way of thanking residents who take the time and effort to make our City beautiful. Tonight we congratulate residents from Bossley Park, Cabramatta West, Edensor Park, Fairfield, Fairfield Heights and Prairiewood. Ordinary Council Page 4 Ordinary Council Minutes Meeting Date: 22 March 2016 Page 5 Selecting the gardens this month was not difficult, even after Sydney's longest spell of days over 26 degrees with no rain (a total of 39 days). Gardeners have been very busy and all gardens are looking neat and attractive and well maintained. Our Edensor Park resident maintains a vegetable garden and fruit trees from which he makes his own wine. Many residents are now planting fruit trees to make their gardens more sustainable. Many more gardeners are building vegetable gardens and have water tanks to make their homes more self-reliant and they are definitely being “green” in their efficiencies. I would like to congratulate the recipients of the March Fabulous Fairfield Awards as the standard this month has been very high. Tonight, our Fabulous Fairfield residents will receive a native plant grown by the Fairfield Community Native Plant Nursery volunteers. More than 190 different native plants are grown by this group of volunteers, who are based at our Nalawala Urban Sustainability Hub. Councillors, would you please join me in congratulating tonight’s winners of the Fabulous Fairfield program. MOTION: (White/Tran) That the Mayoral Minute be received and noted. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Community Donations To Local Hospitals The Mayor advised he would present his Mayoral Minute on ‘Community Donations to Local Hospitals’ later in the meeting, when Chris Hayes MP, Federal Member for Fowler is present. The Mayoral Minute ‘Community Donations To Local Hospitals’ was dealt with later in the meeting (refer to page 7 of the Minutes). NOTICES OF MOTION 1: Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Molluso File Number: 09/00227 Ordinary Council Page 5 Ordinary Council Minutes Meeting Date: 22 March 2016 Page 6 PROCEDURAL MOTION: (White/Karajcic) That due to the content contained in Item 1 - Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Molluso, which includes the names of residents, Council staff and Councillors, this item be dealt with at the end of the meeting in Closed Session. The Procedural Motion was PUT and CARRIED A division was called by Councillors Barcha and Tran. The division was taken with the following results: Aye Nay Mayor Carbone Councillor Barcha Councillor Karajcic Councillor Bennett Councillor Khoshaba Councillor Ly Councillor Le Councillor Molluso Councillor Saliba Councillor Tran Councillor White Councillor Yeung Total=(7) Total=(5) The Mayor declared the Procedural Motion CARRIED During debate, Mayor Carbone ruled that Councillor Molluso was out of order in not addressing the motion before the Council and he asked Councillor Molluso on 2 occasions to resume his seat. During debate, Councillor Molluso made remarks that the Mayor considered were inappropriate as they could have amounted to allegations against the staff. Mayor Carbone sought clarification from Councillor Molluso if he was making an allegation against staff. Councillor Molluso responded that he was not making an allegation. Mayor Carbone advised that in accordance with Section 10A(2)(a) of the Local Government Act 1993, a meeting may be closed to the public on the grounds that the business relates to personnel matters concerning particular individuals. Mayor Carbone sought clarification from the City Manager of what matters are dealt with in Closed Session. The City Manager provided further clarification referencing Section 10A and 10B of the Local Government Act 1993 and that moving items into Closed Session is a matter for the Council to determine based on being satisfied on the provisions of Sections 10A and 10B. The Mayor sought clarification from the Council whether their intention was to discuss staff matters. A number of Councillors indicated that it was their intention to discuss staff matters. Item 1 was dealt with during Closed Session of the meeting. Ordinary Council Page 6 Ordinary Council Minutes Meeting Date: 22 March 2016 Page 7 2: Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Molluso File Number: 09/00227 PROCEDURAL MOTION: (White/Karajcic) That Item 2 - Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Molluso be dealt with at the end of the meeting in Closed Session. The Procedural Motion was PUT and CARRIED A division was called by Councillors Molluso and Tran. The Division was taken with the following results: Aye Nay Mayor Carbone Councillor Barcha Councillor Karajcic Councillor Bennett Councillor Khoshaba Councillor Ly Councillor Le Councillor Molluso Councillor Saliba Councillor Tran Councillor White Councillor Yeung Total=(7) Total=(5) The Mayor declared the Procedural Motion CARRIED Item 2 was dealt with during Closed Session of the meeting.