There were no apologies.

Pursuant to Section 46A(7) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987, the Chairman called for late items to be accepted.

RESOLVED

THAT pursuant to Section 46A(7) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987, the following late items be accepted for discussion.

- Correspondence CD Reid/Environment Waikato

ODD01/1 Johansen/Munro CARRIED

RESOLVED

THAT the minutes of the meeting of the Opukeko Drainage District Committee held on 29 October 1999 be taken as read and confirmed.

ODD01/2 Millar/Munro CARRIED

There were no matters arising.

RESOLVED

THAT the minutes of the special meeting of the Opukeko Drainage District Committee held on 13 March 2000 be taken as read and confirmed.

ODD01/3 Johansen/White CARRIED

It was noted that Cr Munro had sent her apology for not being able to attend the meeting.

DRAINAGE REPORT

The report from the Drainage Manager was attached for the Committee’s consideration.

RESOLVED

THAT the report be received.

ODD01/4 King/Reid CARRIED

The Drainage Manager advised that no drains had been sprayed for this financial year.

Mr H Reid attended the meeting at 10.45 am.

The Drainage Manager advised that Stocks Drain had been flushed over a high tide and a machine was used to remove excess weed from the vicinity of the floodgate.

A summary of pump hours operation for the current year was presented.

Environment Waikato wee proceeding with the telemetry of all the 8V pumps, and the installation of diesel generators for Mill Road and Stocks pump stations. The revised date for Stocks completion was July 2001.

Members of the Drainage Rate Review Working Party had toured all the drainage districts in November. A further meeting was planned for March.

The Chairman commented that the Opukeko District was a smaller district compared to the other drainage districts but the rating was considerably higher.

The Drainage Manager outlined some of the issues that the Committee would be looking into.

There was concern at the amount of water that the Opukeko Drainage District area was getting from areas outside the Opukeko rating area, and having to pump.

After discussion the Committee were in favour of a re-rating of the current Opukeko area and a possible review of the boundaries. The boundaries needed to be defined and rated accordingly.

RESOLVED

THAT the boundaries of the Opukeko Drainage District be reviewed

AND THAT the rating of the present district be reviewed.

ODD01/5 Reid/White CARRIED

RESOLVED

THAT the Paeroa Ward Committee be made aware of the Opukeko Drainage District Committee’s concerns.

ODD01/6 Reid/White CARRIED

The Drainage Manager advised that in conjunction with the works involved in the construction of the Paeroa Sewerage Treatment Plant on Council’s property at Irwin Road, it had been suggested that a rationalisation of the Council drains on the north side of Hubbard Road be undertaken. Three plans were presented.

A discussion was held on which was the most direct route. The shortest route would be straight into the floodgate.

It was agreed that staff should investigate the most direct route and reassess the situation.

RESOLVED

THAT the realignment of the Irwin drain be investigated further

AND THAT the landowners and the Chairman be consulted before work commenced.

ODD01/7 White/Reid CARRIED

There was concern that clarification was needed from Environment Waikato as to exactly what energy charges would be levied on the drainage districts for the power supplied from the diesel generation. It had been stated at the WVS PRS Liaison Committee meeting in December 2000 that they would be "comparable to the existing [power company energy charges]".

FINANCIAL REPORT

The financial reports for the 12 months ended 30 June 2000 and for the 6 months to 31 December 2000 were attached for members’ information.

RESOLVED

THAT the financial report on the operations of the Opukeko Drainage District Committee for the 12 months ended 30 June 2000 and for the 6 months to 31 December 2000 be received.

ODD01/8 Johansen/King CARRIED

The Committee was to consider the 2001/2002 estimates. A draft set of estimates was attached.

RESOLVED

THAT the 2001/2002 estimates for the Opukeko Drainage District be accepted.

ODD01/9 Millar/Reid CARRIED

Mr C Reid reported on meetings and correspondence held between Environment Waikato and himself regarding flooding on his property and other properties in this area.

Ms Snewin left the meeting at 12.20 pm.

The support of the Opukeko Drainage District was sought.

Mr Millar left the meeting at 12.30 pm.

Mrs Munro left the meeting at 12.35 pm.

After discussion it was agreed that the area should be classified as a ponding area. The Committee agreed with the situation presented and gave their support for a remittance of the rate paid to the Waihou Valley Scheme for the area in question.

Mr King left the meeting at 12.45 pm.

The meeting closed at 12.55 pm.

CONFIRMED

I D Wood