RESOLVED

THAT the apology of His Worship the Mayor BJ Morrison and Cr Lockwood be received and sustained.

WWC02/34 Carmine/Hayden CARRIED

Pursuant to Section 46A(7) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987, the Chairman called for late items to be accepted. There were none.

RESOLVED

THAT the minutes of the meeting of the Waihi Ward Committee held on Monday 2 March 2002 be taken as read and confirmed.

WWC02/35 Carmine/Wightman CARRIED

It was noted that resolution no. WWC02/28 had been changed at the March meeting of Council to read:

"THAT a small plaque be erected on each statue with the title of the sculpture and the name of the sculptor, to be funded from the Community Facilities Recreational Development Fund."

It was noted that the rabbit problem being experienced at Whiritoa was also a national problem. Members felt that Environment Waikato should be made aware of the concerns of the community. There was also a concern that the problem may have an effect on the Beach Care programme.

RESOLVED

THAT a letter be written to Environment Waikato conveying the concerns of the Waihi Ward Committee regarding the explosion of the rabbit population at Whiritoa and that there was concern that this may have an effect on the Beach Care programme.

WWC02/36 Wightman/Hayden CARRIED

The Community Services monthly report on activities was attached for the Committee’s consideration.

RESOLVED

THAT the Community Services report be received.

WWC02/37 Hayden/Carmine CARRIED

A letter had been received from the Waihi Community Resource Centre Inc requesting funding assistance from Council towards their proposal.

The covering letter acknowledged that some Ward members had met with Resource Centre officers as decided by the Ward in December 2001.

Members agreed that the Resource Centre was a useful organisation and their project to develop a Youth Centre in Waihi was a worthy cause. The Community Services Manager advised that there was $1200 left in the Waihi Ward Discretionary Fund for this year and members agreed to make a grant of $1200 this year and another grant of $1300 to come from next years discretionary fund.

Members also requested that a letter be sent to the organisation commending them on the work done in the Waihi community.

RESOLVED

THAT the Waihi Ward Committee grants $1200 to the Waihi Community Resource Centre Inc towards the development of a Youth Centre in Waihi to be funded from the Waihi Ward Discretionary Fund, with a further grant of $1300 to be made in the 2002/2003 financial year.

WWC02/38 Carmine/Wightman CARRIED

The Community Services Manager advised that requests had been received from two property owners for the removal of trees outside their properties situated at 8 Princes Street and 8 Canon Street.

As there was had been no funds budgeted for the removal of these trees it was agreed to leave the matter in abeyance until it was known what the operating budget was at the end of the year.

The Community Services Manager advised that an arborists report had been received regarding the plane trees standing at the entrance to the Price Chopper Supermarket.

Members agreed with the recommendation in the arborist’s report, which was to canopy lift the trees 4m above the road, footpath and carpark and to canopy thin the trees to remove dead and diseased wood.

RESOLVED

THAT the actions recommended in the arborists report be undertaken as soon as possible.

WWC02/39 Carmine/Baker CARRIED

A copy of the arborists report on the magnolia tree in Morgan Park was presented. The report advised that the tree was showing signs of stress with some dieback on the top branches and sparse growth in other areas. The dieback was at this stage minimal. The report recommended that a layer of mulch 3-4 inches thick be placed around the drip line of the tree.

It was noted that this tree was on Council’s protected tree list.

Members agreed that the issue needed to be addressed with the Bowling Club as they had indicated that they no longer wanted the tree. Following advice received from the arborist and the fact that the tree was protected, as it was on Council’s schedule of significant trees the tree would remain.

RESOLVED

THAT a letter be sent to the Waihi Bowling Club advising that the tree would stay as a result of a report from an arborist and that the tree was protected as it is on Council’s schedule of significant trees

AND THAT there was no danger of the tree falling down.

WWC02/40 Wightman/Carmine CARRIED

A letter had been received from the Waihi Scout Group requesting that Council cleared the balance of the leased land not adjacent to their building. The group stated that the task was beyond their capabilities. They also asked that an advisory street sign indicating the Scout Hall be erected on Kenny Street.

Members were concerned that the Scout Group had entered into a lease for the whole of the section and that they should meet their responsibilities.

RESOLVED

THAT a reply be sent to the Waihi Scout Group advising that their request was declined because the Ward Committee felt that as lessee the Scout Group should meet their own responsibilities.

WWC02/41 Hayden/Wightman CARRIED

Members agreed that the request for a sign be deferred until the next financial year.

RESOLVED

THAT the Waihi Ward Committee approves the funding for a sign to be erected on Kenny Street indicating the Scout Hall for the 2002/2003 financial year.

WWC02/42 Hayden/Carmine CARRIED

A letter had been received from the ATC Squadron Leader formally advising that the Waihi Squadron had gone into recess for lack of membership. The Squadron had been a long term occupant of the former Drill Hall and more recently the Events Centre. However the Squadron due to lack of membership had stopped functioning back in June 2001. Since that time Council staff had been waiting to formally receive notice that the Events Centre was no longer required. The Squadron had joined with a similar organisation in Paeroa.

The letter asked if the Council (Ward Committee) would grant the continued use of the offices to store their remaining equipment in the likelihood that the Squadron reformed.

The Community Services Manager advised that since receiving the letter there had been several enquiries from other Centre users asking if they could have the vacated offices for their use.

Members agreed that the space was too valuable to be used for storage and the ATC should relocate their equipment elsewhere. The function of the Events Centre was not to provide storage for organisations that were in recess. The Committee agreed that the storage of equipment was more of a commercial venture.

RESOLVED

THAT the request for storage by the ATC at the Waihi Events Centre be declined and that they be asked to move their gear by the end of April 2002.

WWC02/43 Baker/Hayden CARRIED

Members now needed to consider whether the offices occupied by the ATC would be re-let on a temporary or permanent basis.

There was concern that there was no lift available in the Events Centre for wheelchairs to access the top floor of the building. At the time of building the Events Centre consultation had been undertaken regarding the need to have a lift in the building and it was thought that it was not warranted nor required by the Building Act.

If there were other users within the hall that wanted to use of offices it needed to be decided how this would be done and what charges would be made.

As the ATC would not be vacating the offices until the end of the month members decided to revisit the matter again at the next meeting in May.

A request had been received from the Waihi Community Resource Centre seeking a reduction in the hire charge of the Events Centre.

Members felt that the Resource Centre had hired the facility without realising how much the hireage was. Members agreed that this was unfortunate but regretfully there was no funding available in the Ward Committee’s budget.

RESOLVED

THAT the request from the Waihi Community Resource Centre for a reduction in the hire charge of the Events Centre be regretfully declined due to lack of funding available from the Waihi Ward Committee.

WWC02/44 Carmine/Hayden CARRIED

The Community Services Manager advised that the relocation of the former martial arts shed had incurred a reasonable sum of consent fees which were unexpected by the Club. After having met the cost of actually relocating the shed the Club had insufficient finances to cover the consent costs, which were $412.50 for the Building Consent and $353.70 for the Resource Consent (inclusive of GST).

RESOLVED

THAT the consent fees be paid for by the Ward from the Waihi Community Recreational Development Fund, on the basis that the relocation project is a development work in Morgan Park.

WWC02/45 Baker/Wightman CARRIED

The Community Services Manager advised that the carpark development had commenced. The estimated cost for the development of the 1st stage was $83,000. The grass extension park (2^nd stage) just beyond the formal parking area would be levelled but not sealed. A concrete approach path the pavilion was included in the work. It was anticipated that the work would be completed within the next fortnight. The Community Services Manager advised that as there was to be metal on the grassed area a resource consent would be required. This would mean that the total cost for the project would be more than originally anticipated.

A request had been received from the Thames Valley Car Club Inc for consent to close top end of Taieri Road (from Pukewera Road junction) for the purpose of an event organised by them on Sunday 12^th May 2002.

RESOLVED

THAT it be recommended to Council as follows:

THAT pursuant to Section 11(e) of the Tenth Schedule of the Local Government Act 1974 Council consent to the temporary road closure of top end of Taieri Road (from Pukewera Road junction) on Sunday 12^th May 2002, between the hours of 10am and 5pm, for the purpose of an event organised by the Thames Valley Car Club Inc. be given subject to the following conditions:

1. That no objections to the closure are received, which are upheld by Council

2. That the organisers shall be responsible for all costs associated with the events, including advertising.

3. That the organisers shall notify all affected residents and property owners within the closure area and obtain their written consent to the closure.

4. That ordinary traffic shall be permitted to use the road between events subject to the proviso that no traffic is held up for a period exceeding thirty (30) minutes.

5. That the event shall be under the control of appropriate marshals and that radio communications shall be maintained at all times.

6. That the organisers shall arrange adequate public liability insurance in respect of any claim arising from the event, a copy to be supplied to the Council by 30 April 2002.

7. The organisers shall indemnify the Council from all or any claims arising from the road closure.

8. That signage to the satisfaction of the District Engineer, Hauraki District Council shall be erected at each end of the closed road indicating the period of closure and that ordinary traffic may use the road as set out in condition 4 above.

9. That only road tyres shall be used.

10. The road will be inspected before and after the event and any damage will be made good at the cost of the applicant.

11. That in the event of heavy rain the District Engineer, Hauraki District Council, shall cancel the approval.

The proposed closure was advertised in the Hauraki Herald on 26 March 2002 (with objections closing 12 April 2002).

WWC02/46 Hayden/Carmine CARRIED

The financial report for the 8 months ended 28 February 2002 was attached for the Committee’s consideration.

RESOLVED

THAT the financial report on the operations of the Waihi Ward Committee for the 8 months ended 28 February 2002 be received.

WWC02/47 Hayden/Carmine CARRIED

The Roading Manager’s monthly report to the Works Committee was attached.

RESOLVED

THAT the report be received.

WWC02/48 Hayden/Carmine CARRIED

The Utilities Manager’s monthly report to the Works Committee was attached.

RESOLVED

THAT the report be received.

WWC02/49 Carmine/Hayden CARRIED

The District Engineer presented the report.

The Drainage Manager’s monthly report to the Works Committee was attached.

RESOLVED

THAT the report be received.

WWC02/50 Hayden/Wightman CARRIED

The District Engineer presented the report.

Works on the installation of the stormwater line were expected to start in the Easter school holiday break and were expected to take approximately two weeks.

The District Engineer’s monthly report to the Works Committee was tabled at the meeting.

RESOLVED

THAT the report be received.

WWC02/51 Baker/Carmine CARRIED

The District Engineer gave an explanation outlining the design cost of the pedestrian crossing in Waihi.

There was no general business.

There were no late items.

The meeting closed at 5.40 pm.

CONFIRMED

S Baker

May 2002