Council meeting catchup - Special Council Meeting 20 June 2023

Council meeting agenda

• 3.1 Council Plan 2021-2031 Year Three - Municipal Health & Wellbeing Plan, Financial Plan, Revenue & Rating Plan, and Budget 2023-24: Adoption

  Purpose
  
  1.1 For Council to respond to public submissions and adopt the Council Plan 2021-2031 updated for year three, including the Budget 2023/24 and the declaration of rates and charges for 2023/24.

• PART 1

  PART 1
  
  Moved Crs Martin/Bond
  
  That Council:
  
  3.1 Notes the forecast 2022/23 financial improvement of $0.43 million since release of the draft Budget which brings the forecast cumulative cash surplus to $8.37 million for 2022/23.
  
  3.2 Notes the financial changes identified and incorporated into the proposed Budget 2023/24 in Attachment 4 of this report including timing changes for delivery of the portfolio, additional cost pressures including the significant increase to the Workcover Premium and subject to any changes by resolution of this meeting.
  
  3.3 Responds in writing to thank all those that have made formal written submissions and to advise them of the outcome of Council’s decision.
  
  A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.

• PART 2

  PART 2
  
  Moved Crs Bond/Sirakoff
  
  3.4 That Council endorses a 2.80 percent average rate increase for 2023/24 which is 0.7 percent lower than the 3.50 the rates cap set by the Victorian Government.
  
  3.5 Notes that the below rates cap rates increase is funded from the favourable 2022/23 cash surplus and in recognition of the cost-of-living pressures our community are facing.
  
  A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED.

  Cr Martin called for a DIVISION.
  
  FOR: Crs Bond, Sirakoff, Pearl, Clark and Cunsolo
  
  AGAINST: Crs Baxter, Crawford, Martin and Nyaguy
  
  A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED.

• PART 3

  PART 3
  
  Moved Crs Nyaguy/Crawford
  
  3.6 Declares rates and charges for Budget 2023/24 as required by Section 94 of the Local Government Act as follows:
  
  3.6.1 An amount of $130,950,189 to be raised by general rates and $14,811,122 waste service charges for the period 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024.
  
  3.6.2 A differential rate in the dollar based on type or class of land on the 2023 Capital Improved Value of all rateable properties within the municipality:

  Type or class of land	2023 Rate per $ Capital Improved Value
  General rate for rateable residential properties	0.001694
  General rate for rateable commercial properties	0.002021
  General rate for rateable industrial properties	0.002000

  
  3.6.3 A Default Waste Charge for all rateable properties of $198.20 and a Kerbside FOGO Collection Charge for Single Unit Dwellings of $66.00.
  
  3.6.4 An annual garbage charge of $436 per property on all non-rateable properties that receive waste management services from the City of Port Phillip. Notes additional charges may apply for multiple waste bins.
  
  3.6.5 An annual garbage bin surcharge of $248 for properties that are provided with a 240-litre bin for the collection of non-recyclable waste.
  
  3.6.6 An 80-litre waste bin annual rebate of $80 for properties that take up a small waste bin.
  
  3.6.7 A private waste collection rebate of $68 for residential properties that have private collection for waste.
  
  3.6.8 Removal of the one-occupancy waste rebate for residential and commercial carparks and or storage areas – to be replaced with:
  
  - Residential carparks and or storage areas will be exempt from the default waste charge.
  
  - Commercial carparks and or storage areas to be charged the new commercial car park waste charge of $19.80.
  
  3.6.9 The properties on Attachment 5 to be “Recreational and Cultural Lands” and that the level of general rates for these properties be set in accordance with percentages of the general rate also shown in this attachment.
  
  3.6.10 Grants a rebate equivalent to half the general rate for the elderly persons flats as outlined in Attachment 6, in accordance with the agreement between Council and the Ministry of Housing.
  
  3.6.11 Subject to the consent of the Minister for Local Government, treats any person(s) who has been excused the prescribed amount of the general rate for year ending 30 June 2023 in accordance with the State Concessions Act 2004 as being similarly eligible for 2023/24.
  
  3.6.12 A Council rebate of $210 maximum (an increase of 5 percent) to those persons who satisfy eligibility requirements noting that the total value of the combined State Government rebate of approximately $253.20 (maximum) and Council rebate will not exceed 50 percent of the general rate payable for the financial year.
  
  3.6.13 A one-off waiver of a maximum of $750 on application up to 50 percent of general rates and charges to the Chief Financial Officer in cases of extreme financial hardship.

  3.6.14 Notes the previously declared special rate schemes for 2023/24:
  
  - Port Melbourne Business Precinct for Marketing, Management and Business Development to the Maximum of $320,000.
  
  - Fitzroy Street and Environs Business Precinct for Marketing, Management and Business Development to the Maximum of $216,700.
  
  - Acland Street Village Business Precinct for Marketing, Management and Business Development to the Maximum of $195,000.
  
  3.6.15 Notes the new special rate scheme from 2023/24 onwards for Carlisle Street Business Precinct for the purpose of marketing, promotion, business development and centre management expenses up to the maximum of $200,000.
  
  A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED.
  
  Cr Bond called for a DIVISION.
  
  FOR: Crs Baxter, Clark, Crawford, Cunsolo, Martin, Nyaguy and Sirakoff
  
  AGAINST: Crs Bond and Pearl
  
  A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED.

• PART 4

  PART 4
  
  Moved Crs Crawford/Bond
  
  3.7 Adopts the following payment dates and due dates for rates and associated charges:

  Payment Type Description	Due Date	Interest From
  Full Payment	15 Feb, 2024	Same as instalments
  1st Instalment	30 Sept, 2023	1 Oct, 2023
  2nd Instalment	30 Nov, 2023	1 Dec, 2023
  3rd Instalment	29 Feb, 2024	1 Mar, 2024
  4th Instalment	31 May, 2024	1 Jun, 2024

  3.7.1 Authorises the Chief Financial Officer and the Coordinator Revenue and Valuations to collect all rates and charges and the Fire Services Property Levy.
  
  3.8 Penalty interest rate set in accordance with the Penalty Interest Rates Act 1983 at the prescribed rate (10 percent) as at 1 July 2023 fixed by the Governor in Council for general rates and charges that remain unpaid after the payment dates prescribed by the Governor in Council.
  
  A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.

  PART 4A
  
  Moved Crs Pearl/Martin
  
  3.9 Notes the community engagement and consultation that took place summarised in Section 5 of this report and detail provided in Attachment 7.
  
  3.10 Having considered all the submissions received and those heard at the Council Meeting of 7 June 2023, and having completed its budget deliberations, agrees to include the following community budget submissions in the Budget 2023/24:
  
  3.10.1 Printed copies (of the email version) of Divercity Newsletter to be made available by post to those unable to access the electronic version. This will be accommodated within existing budget as it has a minimal cost.
  
  3.10.2 Inclusive Training to be accommodated within Council’s enterprise training program (including mandatory training) for Council staff continues to evolve to ensure we reflect our commitment to LGBTIQA+ in the Diversity & Inclusion Plan.
  
  3.10.3 Fee waivers for council facilities consistent with Council’s Positive Ageing Strategy to be reduced from 65 to 60 years of age. This will be accommodated within existing budgets for community facilities (minimal cost).
  
  3.10.4 $150,000 funded from the Asset Renewal Reserve to support the Port Melbourne Yacht Club dinghy shed roof replacement works without matching funding and offers support to PMYC to assist them in applying for external funding
  
  3.10.5 Installation of accessible beach matting at Elwood Beach (using existing council own beach mattering). Funding of $11,000 for one year for the maintenance and servicing of the beach matting. With future years dependent on finding an ongoing funding source.
  
  3.10.6 $10,000 one off 50 percent funding contribution for the SouthPort Community Centre to operate the Waterfront Welcomers Program in 2023/24.
  
  A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.
  
  Councillor Martin and Mayor Cunsolo declared a conflict of interest in part 3.10.7 of the recommendation and left the chamber at 7.29pm.
  
  Deputy Mayor Bond took over as Chair of the meeting at 7.29pm.
  
  PART 4B
  
  Moved Crs Pearl/Sirakoff
  
  3.10.7 Defer re-payment of the capital contribution owed the JL Murphy Pavilion Committee to July 2023, with the loan to be fully paid by April 2027 in recognition of the challenges outlined by the JL Murphy Pavilion Committee.
  
  A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.
  
  Councillor Martin and Mayor Cunsolo returned to the meeting at 7.32pm and Mayor
  
  Cunsolo resumed as Chair of the meeting.
  
  PART 4C
  
  Moved Crs Cunsolo/Crawford
  
  3.10.8 That the Mayor calls for motions for additional changes to the Budget 2023/24 and that these motions be considered by Council in Part.
  
  A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.
  
  Moved Cr Nyaguy/Martin
  
  a) That Council approves funding of $40,450 to Theatre Works to cover 50% of the cost to install a new lighting grid as part of the organisation's redevelopment of its Acland Street, St Kilda location.
  
  A vote was taken and the motion was CARRIED.
  
  Cr Bond called for a DIVISION.
  
  FOR: Crs Baxter, Crawford, Cunsolo, Martin and Nyaguy
  
  AGAINST: Crs Bond, Clark, Pearl and Sirakoff
  
  A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED.
  
  The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 7.52pm.
  
  The meeting resumed at 8.09pm.
  
  Moved Crs Martin/Crawford
  
  b) With respect to the lease of the EcoCentre, notes submissions seeking a lease greater than 10 years and resolves to further consider the lease term as part of a separate lease development process, including community engagement, with the results to be brought back to Council for consideration.
  
  A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED.
  
  Councillor Martin called for a DIVISION
  
  FOR: Crs Baxter, Bond, Crawford, Cunsolo, Martin and Nyaguy
  
  AGAINST: Crs Clark, Pearl and Sirakoff
  
  A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED.
  
  Moved Crs Clark and Sirakoff
  
  c) Reduces the proposed 2023/24 Esplanade Market fees for Food Traders / Trucks by amending the cost of 6 monthly permits from $3,750 to $3,375 (representing a 25% increase which is lower than the 39% in the draft Budget), and amending the new 12 monthly permits from $7,400 to $6,200. This has an estimated income reduction of $6,000 which is to be offset by a matching $6,000 reduction in the marketing expenditure budget.
  
  A vote was taken and the MOTION FAILED.

• PART 5

  PART 5
  
  Moved Crs Crawford/Martin
  
  3.11 Notes the outcome from the Cost Review 2022 and the feedback from the community consultation process, and resolves to include $125,000 for the Cultural Development Fund – Projects stream (funding for individual artistic/creative projects), which is an increase of $25,000 from the draft Budget.
  
  A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED.
  
  Cr Martin called for a DIVISION.
  
  FOR: Crs Baxter, Crawford, Cunsolo, Martin, and Nyaguy
  
  AGAINST: Crs Bond, Sirakoff, Pearl and Clark
  
  A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED.

• PART 6

  PART 6
  
  Moved Crs Martin/Nyaguy
  
  3.12 Notes that the Budget 2023/24 proposed by Officers includes a cumulative cash surplus of $0.93 million providing higher than normal contingency reflective of the current economic operating environment.
  
  A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.

• PART 7

  PART 7
  
  Moved Crs Pearl/Martin
  
  3.13 Adopts Year 3 of the Council Plan 2021-31, which includes the updated (10-year) Financial Plan, the Revenue and Rating Plan, the Budget 2023/24 and the 10-year community vision as set out in Attachments 1-3, and incorporates all changes made by resolution in this meeting.
  
  3.14 Delegates authority to the CEO to reflect any changes made by Council at tonight’s meeting, which are not reflected in Attachments 1-3, to make minor typographical corrections or changes to images before final publication and to make editorial changes to the Plan that reflect any changed obligations to Council required by state government agencies.
  
  A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.