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. There were none.

RESOLVED

THAT the minutes of the meeting of the Waihi Ward Committee held on Monday 4 February 2002 be taken as read and confirmed.

WWC02/22 Lockwood/Hayden CARRIED

His Worship advised that the Police had met with members of the Paeroa Ward Committee earlier in the day and as a result of this the Community Services Manager would present a report on the suggestions made by them regarding the policing of the skateboarding bylaw.

It was noted that the representative on the Mining Liaison Forum was Cr Lockwood not Cr Baker.

There was concern regarding a comment made by a member of the public in a letter to the editor that all the sculptures in the main road of Waihi were to do with the Mining Industry.

It was noted that this was not the case the sculptures were to depict a heritage theme in the town.

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

RESOLVED

THAT the report be received.

WWC02/23 Hayden/Carmine CARRIED

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

RESOLVED

THAT the report be received.

WWC02/24 Carmine/Hayden CARRIED

The Utilities Manager advised that at the last meeting it was requested to investigate extending the sewage reticulation along Wenlock Street. To service Wenlock Street a new pump station needed to be constructed at the end of Wenlock Street with a rising and gravity main discharging to Cuba Street. The capital cost to install a sewer along Wenlock Street including a new pump station and discharge to Cuba Street was estimated at $110,000. This project had been included in the 2002-03 estimates for consideration.

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

RESOLVED

THAT the report be received.

WWC02/25 Hayden/Morrison CARRIED

The District Engineer’s monthly report to the Works Committee was attached.

RESOLVED

THAT the report be received.

WWC02/26 Hayden/Wightman CARRIED

Attached was a letter from the Waihi Netball Centre thanking Council for their help toward the building of their new pavilion and advising that an official opening would be held at some stage.

Attached for member’s consideration was a copy of the points raised at the Whiritoa Public meeting held on 28 January 2002.

The topics raised cover a number of issues and each would require a response from the Ward Committee.

A letter from the Whiritoa Emergency Management Centre submitting some issues for consideration in the annual estimates for 2002, was tabled at the meeting.

Items from the Whiritoa Management Emergency Management Centre could be discussed during the 2002-2003 estimates later in the meeting.

The Chairman commented that there were some items on the list of requests that should be considered as they came up repeatedly.

Members agreed that items 1,2, and 3 were issues that should be given consideration.

The Community Services Manager recommended:

1. Signs welcoming people to Whiritoa – propose Whiritoa Development Account, through a planning process taking into account Transit NZ, have as isolated project through out the year.

2. More rubbish bins along the beach front particularly around the Surf Club and also in summer, small bins with plastic bags for disposal of dog excreta – come out of ongoing programme

3. Gardens established at the southern end of Kontiki Road – come out of ongoing programme

4. Croquet Club – major project

5. Overnight Camping Area – major project

6. Bounty on Rabbits and Possums – Environment Waikato

RESOLVED

THAT the three issues along with the Community Services Manager’s recommendations be agreed to.

WWC02/27 Morrison/Carmine CARRIED

The Sculptures made at the recent stone carving exhibition organised by Go Waihi at Wallnutt Park have been gifted to Council with the suggestion that they be installed at Gilmour Reserve. Due to the timing of the proposal, staff did not have any recommendations to assist members as to how and where the sculptures might be installed, nor the likely cost. Nevertheless, should members wish to entertain the proposal staff can obtain the necessary information and make that available to the next Ward Committee meeting.

The Community Services Manager advised that any cost to mount the sculptures could come out of the Community Facilities Recreational Development Fund. The statues needed to be mounted on a concrete slab to protect the stone that the statues were made out of.

It was suggested that a small plaque with the sculptures name on it be attached to the statue.

RESOLVED

THAT a small plaque be erected on each statue with the sculptures and sculpture name on it to be funded from the Community Facilities Recreational Development Fund.

WWC02/28 Carmine/Hayden CARRIED

Following the appearance of the December 5 sinkhole at Barry Road, the Waihi Information Centre was relocated to a central Seddon Street building because it had become isolated. The cost of accommodation for an interim period was undertaken to be met by the Council members more actively involved in the recovery phase of the sinkhole incident. Monthly rent of the alternative premises is $762.58 and the casual tenancy started December 10, 2001.

The Information Centre had written seeking assistance towards meeting their accommodation costs. Additional to the rent, outgoings related to the building such as rates, water, insurance would need to be covered.

Ward members were being asked to consider how the cost of the rent and other costs were to be covered. Members might consider the discretionary budget as a means of covering the costs for the balance of this financial year.

His Worship suggested that the Information Centre be funded to the end of the financial year and the long term issue be part of the Annual Plan process.

Agreed to have in one location until an alternative could be found.

His Worship suggested that in view of the circumstances it be deficit funded.

RESOLVED

THAT the Waihi Ward Committee fund the Waihi Information Centre be funded to the end of the financial year.

WWC02/29 Morrison/Lockwood CARRIED

Attached was a letter from Owen Morgan inviting elected members to attend a small celebration and re-enactment of the first "Local Government" meeting in Waihi.

The financial report for the 7 months ended 31 January 2002 was attached for the Committee’s consideration.

RESOLVED

THAT the financial report on the operations of the Waihi Ward Committee for the 7 months ended 31 January 2002 be received.

WWC02/30 Hayden/Carmine CARRIED

There was discussion regarding the large magnolia tree at the Bowling Club. Part of the tree was dying. The Community Services Manager advised that a decision on the tree could not be made until an arborist had looked at it.

The meeting adjourned at 5.00 pm until 5.10 pm.

GENERAL BUSINESS

A report from the Planning & Environmental Services Manager and a copy of the 2002/2003 estimates were included separately with the agenda.

RESOLVED

THAT the report be received.

WWC02/31 Morrison/Carmine CARRIED

Members discussed the estimates on an activity-by-activity basis. Changes agreed during the discussion were:

The Banks Street Reserve Rent Grant has been reduced by $500 from $1,450 to $950.

Much discussion was held in regard to allocating a separate grant to the Citizens Advice Bureau.

RESOLVED

THAT a grant of $2,500 be included in Community Assistance for the Waihi Citizens Advice Bureau.

WWC02/32 Morrison/Carmine CARRIED

Staff advised that the interest figure had been revised.

RESOLVED

THAT it be recommended to Council that the Waihi Ward 2002/2003 estimates be approved as amended and included in the 2002/2003 Draft Annual Plan.

WWC02/33 Morrison/Carmine CARRIED

There were no late items.

The meeting closed at 6.30 pm.

CONFIRMED

S Baker

April 2002