ITEM NO. 1 LIMERICK CITY COUNCIL A Monthly Meeting of Limerick City Council was held in the Council Chamber, City Hall, on Monday, 28th March, 2011 at 4.00 p.m. The following were in attendance : IN THE CHAIR : Cllr. M. Byrne, Mayor COUNCILLORS : G. Fahy, J. Gilligan, M. Hourigan, C. Hurley, K. Kiely, J. Leddin, K. Leddin, J. Long, D. McCarthy, G. McLoughlin, O. McLoughlin, K. O'Hanlon, M. Quinlivan, D. Scully and T. Shortt STAFF : Mr. T. Mackey, City Manager Mr. K. Lehane, Director of Service Ms. C. Curley, Director of Service Mr. P. Dowling, Director of Service Mr. O. O'Loughlin, Director of Service Mr. P. Murnane, Acting Head of Finance Mr. R. Tobin, Senior Planner Mr. G. Dillon, Senior Executive Officer Mr. P. Foley, Senior Executive Officer Ms. M. Hayes, Administrative Officer Ms. E. Creamer, Staff Officer Ms. J. Chambers, Assistant Staff Officer -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prior to the business proper of the Meeting, Cllr. Kiely proposed that a vote of sympathy be extended to the wife and family of the late Joe Moore, Kileely. Cllr. Gilligan proposed that a vote of sympathy be extended to the family of the late James Boyce, St. Munchin's Street. Cllr. Quinlivan proposed that a vote of sympathy be extended to the family of the late Francis Allen. Her Worship the Mayor, Cllr. Byrne expressed her sympathy to the people of Japan for the tragic loss of life and to all those affected following the terrible earthquake and tsunami. All Members wished to be associated with the above votes of sympathy. The City Manager, on his own behalf and on behalf of the staff of Limerick City Council, also joined with the Members in expressing votes of sympathy to the above. Her Worship the Mayor, Cllr. Byrne welcomed the students from University of Limerick who are doing a Masters in Journalism and who are here to observe a meeting of Limerick City Council. 1. MINUTES On the proposition of Cllr. Hourigan, seconded by Cllr. Fahy, it was unanimously agreed : “That the Minutes of Monthly Meeting of Limerick City Council held on 28th February, 2011, copies of which were circulated, be and the same are hereby confirmed”. Cllr. Kiely stated that it was himself and not Cllr. Quinlivan, as referred to in the Minutes, who complimented all staff involved in the rounding up of approximately eighty unlicensed horses in the city and he asked that the Minutes be amended accordingly. In reply to Cllr. Kiely, Her Worship the Mayor, Cllr. Byrne confirmed that a letter was forwarded to the local Representatives in the Dail asking them to note with the highest priority they can accord to delivering the long awaited boundary extension for the city and reject the merger as suggested in the Brosnan Report. Cllr. O'Hanlon warmly thanked Mr. J. P. McManus who made it possible for Limerick Soccer to purchase the Markets Field. He stressed the importance of incorporating a Community Centre also in the area and asked the City Manager to appoint a Senior Official to speak to the people of the area about this matter and progress this as there is a great need for this facility in the area. Cllr. Kiely pointed out that during his mayoralty he worked very closely with Mr. Pat O'Sullivan of Limerick Soccer and also Mr. J. P. McManus about securing a home ground and a Trust has been set up where all interested parties will be facilitated. The City Manager agreed with the Members that the securing of the Markets Field as a home ground for Limerick Soccer is very welcome and he agreed to work with the community in the area to improve facilities there. 2. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS, ECONOMIC POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND FUTURE PLANNING STRATEGIC POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 21ST MARCH, 2011 The Chairman's Report, Economic Policy Development and Future Planning Strategic Policy Committee Meeting held on 21st March, 2011, was noted. Submitted the following Recommendation from the Economic Policy Development and Future Planning Strategic Policy Committee Meeting held on 21st March, 2011, which was adopted unanimously on the proposition of Cllr. Scully, seconded by Cllr. J. Leddin : “That Limerick City Council compiles a list of all unfinished housing estates within the City and the details of each bond held per estate as security by the City Council and confirm the details of these bonds including the individual value of each bond and whether the bonds are sufficient to enable the City Council to complete outstanding works such as roads, lighting, water/sewerage, etc. in estates”. Cllr. J. Leddin pointed out that unfinished housing estates is a national problem and he welcomed the fact that Limerick City Council is going to categorise estates and this matter should remain on the SPC Agenda so that progress can be monitored. He enquired if the local authority can enter into a site and carry out emergency works, if necessary. Cllr. Shortt congratulated Cllr. J. Leddin for bringing this issue to prominence and agreed that some people are living in very bad conditions and he referred specifically to the development at Wallers Well. Cllr. O'Hanlon referred to the development at Drominbeg where a house was burnt and is now in a dangerous condition. Cllr. Gilligan also welcomed the Report on unfinished housing estates and said the City Council needs to be pro-active in this matter. He urged caution, however, as the local authority did not create the problem of unfinished housing estates and is restricted in what they can do due to lack of finance. Cllr. Fahy welcomed the Report also and pointed out that Waller Close was originally named Waller Walk and then Marian Avenue and pointed out that there is only a small amount of work needed to be carried out in this small estate of ten houses. Cllr. O. McLoughlin referred to the difference in the amounts of Bonds and enquired why this is so. In reply, the Director of Service (Environment and Planning) pointed out that the 'celtic tiger' has been the catalyst for a lot of unfinished housing estates , however, the City Council has commenced work on categorising unfinished estates and agreed to revert back to City Council on the matter. Cllr. Quinlivan expressed hope that progress will be made shortly in relation to the 'Medieval Fireplace' site at junction of Nicholas Street and St. Peter Street in order to allow development to proceed. He also welcomed the Retail Incentive Scheme which hopefully will help Rutland Street progress. Cllr. Shortt stated that the Thomond Archaeological Society has stated that the most appropriate place for the 'Medieval Fireplace' is in it's present location in Nicholas Street. Cllr. Gilligan pointed out that the 'Medieval Fireplace' is only a section of a fireplace. In reply, the Director of Service (Environment and Planning) stated that all sides of the argument regarding the 'Medieval Fireplace' have been taken into consideration but so far there has been very little progress. Cllr. Kiely informed Members that he was on a short visit to Boston recently during which he secured the visit to Limerick of a delegation from 8th - 12th April, 2011. One of the delegation is Mr. Bill Linehan who is Chief of Planning in Boston and he would like to meet the Directors of Service for Planning and Sport in Limerick. He asked that the Mayor meet this group and facilitate the above meeting. He also stated that he is trying to organise a visit by a professional soccer team from Boston to Limerick in September. In reply, Her Worship the Mayor, Cllr. Byrne stated that she will meet this delegation and will facilitate a meeting for them with the Directors of Service for Planning and Sport. 3. CORRESPONDENCE Submitted letter from Senator David Norris asking Limerick City Council Members to facilitate him in presenting his case for a nomination to run for the Office of President of Ireland. Cllr. Kiely formally proposed to meet with Senator Norris and this was seconded by Cllr. Gilligan. Cllr. Scully pointed out that University of Limerick Graduates do not have a vote in relation to the Election of the President of Ireland and added that Senator Norris has not addressed this issue so, therefore, he would not be in favour of endorsing Senator Norris's nomination but proposed that Senator Norris be invited to come to Limerick City Council and the Elected Members can arrange to meet him individually by appointment. Cllr. Shortt seconded Cllr. Scully's proposal. Cllr. O'Hanlon agreed with Cllrs. Kiely and Gilligan adding that people of a national profile should be allowed to run for the Office of President of Ireland and there should be no restrictions. Her Worship the Mayor, Cllr. Byrne said that the Mayor's Office can be used by Senator Norris to meet the Elected Members individually by appointment. As all Members were not in agreement a Roll Call Vote was held which resulted as follows : The Amendment was taken which was proposed by Cllr. Scully, seconded by Cllr. Shortt : 'To invite Senator Norris to come to Limerick City Council and the Elected Members can arrange to meet him individually by appointment' FOR Her Worship the Mayor, Cllr. Byrne, Cllr. Fahy, Cllr. Hourigan, Cllr. Hurley, Cllr. Long, Cllr. McCarthy, Cllr. Scully and Cllr. Shortt (8) AGAINST Cllr. Gilligan, Cllr. Kiely, Cllr. J. Leddin, Cllr. K. Leddin, Cllr. G. McLoughlin, Cllr. O. McLoughlin, Cllr. O'Hanlon and Cllr. Quinlivan (8) As the vote was a tie breaker Her Worship the Mayor, Cllr. Byrne had the casting vote and she voted for the Amendment.