CITY OF MELBOURNE Melbourne City Council MINUTES Meeting Number 30 Tuesday 30 November 2010 5pm PRESENT Lord Mayor, Robert Doyle (Chair) Deputy Lord Mayor, Susan Riley Councillor Peter Clarke Councillor Carl Jetter Councillor Jennifer Kanis Councillor Kevin Louey (arrived at 5.02pm) Councillor Ken Ong Councillor Brian Shanahan APOLOGIES Councillor Cathy Oke Confirmed at the meeting of Council on 21 December 2010. COMMENCEMENT OF MEETING AND APOLOGIES The meeting commenced at 5pm. The Chair, Lord Mayor, Robert Doyle, read the following acknowledgment statement: I welcome Councillors, Management and members of the public in attendance to the City of Melbourne. We respecully acknowledge that we are meeting on the traditional land of the Kulin Nation. This special place is now known by its European name of Melbourne. Today, Melbourne is one of the great multicultural cities of the world, a significant meeting place. For the great Kulin Nation, Melbourne has always been an important meeting place and location for events of social, educational, sporting and cultural significance. The Chair, Lord Mayor, Robert Doyle, advised the agenda comprised of: • seven Reports from Committee, three of which were confidential; and • eight Reports from Management, three of which were confidential. An apology was received from Councillor Oke. The Chair, Lord Mayor, Robert Doyle, acknowledged the change of leadership of the state government, stating that he wished to: • thank former Premier John Brumby and his cabinet for their contribution to public life and the city; • congratulate John Brumby for service to the state as opposition leader, treasurer and premier; • thank the Brumby family as well as members who retired, were defeated at election or lost office and that their contribution should be honoured; and • congratulate new Premier Ted Baillieu and the Coalition for their win in the election and that Council is looking forward to working with him and the new team. Councillor Louey arrived at 5.02pm. 1. DISCLOSURES OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST The Chair, Lord Mayor, Robert Doyle, advised that conflicts of interest would be disclosed as they arose. 2. CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING Moved: Cr Ong That the minutes of Council meeting number 29 held on Tuesday 26 October 2010 be confirmed. Seconded: Cr Kanis Carried unanimously. 3. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETINGS There were no matters arising from the minutes of the previous open meeting. 4. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEE ITEMS OF CORRESPONDENCE The Chair, Lord Mayor, Robert Doyle, advised that as at 3pm the following submissions had been received in accordance with the Council's Conduct of Meetings Local Law 2010. Council Meeting — 30 November 2010 2 In relation to Agenda Item 5.1, Swanston Street Road Closure': Items of Correspondence: • Yolande Leonardi, President, Residents 3000 In relation to Agenda Item 5.2, 'Proposed Establishment of a Police Pod in Southbank': Items of Correspondence: • Kristina Hopkins, on behalf of The Knight Alliance; • John Ahern, President, Yarra River Business Association Inc; and • Yolande Leonardi, President, Residents 3000 STATUS OF CONFIDENTIAL ITEMS There were no confidential items brought forward for consideration in the open session of the meeting. FUTURE MELBOURNE COMMITTEE (Connected City Portfolio) 5.1. Swanston Street Road Closure The purpose of this report was to recommend that Council approve the closure of Swanston Street between Franklin Street and A'Beckett Street, Little Bourke Street and Bourke Street, and Collins Street and Flinders Lane to all vehicles excluding trams, bicycles and authorised vehicles as part of Stage Two of the Swanston Street redevelopment. Moved: Cr Louey That Council defer this report to allow for consultation to take place with the new Victorian Government. Seconded: Cr Clarke Carried unanimously. FUTURE MELBOURNE COMMITTEE (People and Creative City Portfolio) 5.2. Proposed Establishment of a Police Pod in Southbank The purpose of this report was to respond to the resolution of agenda item 6.2 from the Council meeting of 28 September 2010: '1.2 management provide further information for the November Future Melbourne Committee on alternative safety infrastructure for the City of Melbourne including seeking a private briefing from Victoria Police on the issues contained in the report'. Following consideration at the Future Melbourne Committee on 9 November 2010, the Committee made recommendation to Council. Moved: Cr Ong 1. That Council: 1.1. construct the proposed Police Pod at Southbank within the estimated costs of $250,000, plus service connection costs of $100,000 subject to confirmation that it be resourced and maintained by the police; 1.2. request that the construction of the Police Pod be completed and installed at Southbank within six months after the approval of the relevant Minister; Council Meeting — 30 November 2010 3 1.3. request that Council Officers consult with Victoria Police and the Yarra River Business Precinct Association on the final design of the proposed design and fit-out of the Police Pod; and 1.4. that a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Melbourne and Victoria Police be executed regarding the ongoing maintenance of the Police Pod. Seconded: Cr Clarke Cr Ong advised that a lot of consultation had taken place with residents groups and more time was required to allow for further discussions with all parties involved. Cr Clarke acknowledged that the police pod would be manned during peak periods only. He also suggested, that the police pod: • would be a good resource providing police with an active base, promoting a presence in the area; • would cost $350,000 for construction with extra anticipated for maintenance and even though the state govermnent should fund it, we cannot wait any longer; and • may not be there forever and if or when the police set up a more permanent location, the building could be relocated for another purpose. Cr Jetter supported the motion stating that Council is concerned about safety, however he had reservations because it is a state government issue and was concerned it may set a precedent. The Deputy Lord Mayor, Susan Riley, stated that the suggested location for the police pod is not ideal, however Council has taken into consideration the comments received from the community groups regarding community safety. Cr Kanis acknowledged the work of Cr Ong however stated that she did not believe that the police pod would serve the community's interest as police would be taken off the beat to staff it. Cr Kanis also stated that she would prefer to see more mobile vans and safe city cameras going into the area as the police pod would not guarantee an increase of police there and considering it was only to be manned during peak times it would send a message the area was not being policed. The Chair, Lord Mayor, Robert Doyle, supported the motion, acknowledging that: • permission is still required to construct the police pod on two crown reserves; • the police pod would not be a relocatable building; • residents need to be made aware that it will only be manned during peak periods; and • policing is the state government's responsibility, however it is also Council's responsibility to keep the community safe. The Chair, Lord Mayor, Robert Doyle, also stated that he had met with resident and business associations who believe that the police pod is an important initiative, as well as senior police who have assured him that they will use, resource and make proper use of the police pod. Cr Ong thanked the Lord Mayor and Councillors for their support and discussion of the matter. He also acknowledged that the matter should be the responsibility of the state government, however that Council is responsible to ensure that residents and businesses are safe and that Council needs to show leadership. When the pod is no longer required it could be used for other purposes. The motion was put and carried with the Lord Mayor, Robert Doyle, Deputy Lord Mayor, Susan Riley and Councillors Clarke, Jetter, Louey, Ong, and Shanahan voting in favour of the motion and Cr Kanis voting against the motion. FUTURE MELBOURNE COMMITTEE (Finance and Governance Portfolio) 5.3. 2010-11 First Quarter September 2010 Year to Date Financial Performance Report The purpose of this report was to inform the Council of the financial performance of the Council for the first quarter ended September 2010, in accordance with the Local Government Act 1989. Council Meeting — 30 November 2010 4 Moved: Cr Shanahan That Council accept the quarterly financial performance report as at 30 September 2010. Seconded: Cr Ong Councillors Shanahan and Ong congratulated the Chief Executive Officer, management and staff on their commitment to providing high quality service in an efficient manner, which has resulted in a surplus of $4 million to the budget. Carried unanimously. 5.4. 2010-11 First Quarter Council Works Program Report The puTose of this report was to inform the Council of the first quarter financial performance of the 2010-11 Council Works Program. Moved: Cr Shanahan That Council accept the 2010-11 first quarter Council Works Program performance report. Seconded: Cr Ong Cr Shanahan commented that the first quarter indicated that the Council was behind in its progress however looked forward to results of the second quarter. Cr Kanis acknowledged the completion of works at 'The Venny' at Holland Park, Kensington as a great community resource, with a useful and fun playground incorporating a building with sustainability initiatives. Cr Clarke also acknowledged the short term and remedial works at 'The Venny' as well as the contribution and support of previous Councillor David Wilson and staff for their innovation of sustainability. The Chair, Lord Mayor, Robert Doyle, commented that it was stunning to see the breadth of projects underway and that capital works are currently on track and within budget.