(Hutt Valley Services Committee 01.03.19)

UPPER HUTT CITY COUNCIL

 

HUTT VALLEY SERVICES COMMITTEE

 

Report of a meeting held in the Upper Hutt City Council Chambers,

Level 2, Civic Administration Building, 838-842 Fergusson Drive, Upper Hutt on
Friday 1 March 2019 commencing at 9.30am

 

 

PRESENT:                             Cr D Wheeler, UHCC (Chair)

Cr G McDonald, HCC (Deputy Chair)

Deputy Mayor D Bassett, HCC (from 9.34am)

Cr C Carson, UHCC

Cr L Sutton, HCC

                                                Cr P Lambert, UHCC

Cr H Swales, UHCC

 

                                               

APOLOGIES:                         Deputy Mayor Bassett (from 9.34am)

Mayor W N Guppy, UHCC

Mayor W R Wallace, HCC

 

 

IN ATTENDANCE:                 Mr P Kelly, Chief Executive, UHCC

Mr B Hodgins, Strategic Advisor, City and Community Services, HCC

                                               Mr B Sherlock, Contracts Manager, Solid Waste, HCC (part meeting)

                                               Mr B Latimer, Parks and Reserves Manager, UHCC (part meeting)

Mr D Bentley, Team Leader, Environmental Health, HCC

Ms J McKelvey, Administration Support Officer, UHCC

Ms D Male, Committee Advisor, HCC

Mrs H Clegg, Minute Taker, UHCC

 

 

                                           

REPORT TO COUNCIL

 

PUBLIC BUSINESS

 

 

 

1.

APOLOGIES

 

 

RESOLVED:

That the apologies received from Deputy Mayor Bassett (for lateness), and from Mayor Guppy and Mayor Wallace be accepted and leave of absence be granted.

Moved                   Cr Wheeler/Cr Swales

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CARRIED

 

2.

PUBLIC FORUM

 

There was no public forum.

 

3.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATIONS

 

There were no conflict of interest declarations.

 

 

4.

MINUTES

 

With regard to item 13: Dog Control Update, Cr Wheeler requested an update on the neutering programme and the Doggone Pilot Project.  The Team Leader, Environmental Health HCC agreed to arrange for the appropriate officer to report back on these issues.

Deputy Mayor Bassett entered the meeting at 9.34am.

With regard to item 8: Silverstream Landfill Update, Cr Wheeler requested an update on the proposed workshop concerning possible changes to the landfill levy.   The Contracts Manager, Solid Waste agreed to report back with suitable dates.

Cr Swales requested that in future, action points that arose from minutes be included in reports for the following meeting’s agenda. 

 

 

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the Hutt Valley Services Committee meeting held on 23 November 2019 be confirmed as a true and correct record.

Moved                   Cr Wheeler/Cr Swales

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CARRIED

 

5.

PROGRESS REPORT: PROPOSED APPEARANCE BYLAW

 

Report by the Principal Policy Advisor, Hutt City Council.

 

 

In response to questions from members, the Team Leader, Environmental Health, Hutt City Council confirmed a draft Bylaw would be presented to Upper Hutt City Council. He agreed to ensure the appropriate officer reported back to this committee on the composition of the joint hearings subcommittee.

 

Cr Lambert requested clarity in the title of the Bylaw and suggested a preamble introduction to explain the nature of the Bylaw.  He expressed concern that members of the public would be unaware of the nature of this Bylaw.  The Team Leader, Environmental Health, Hutt City Council advised the title would probably be changed to ‘Appearance Industries Bylaw’, and that it covered all industries where piercing occurred, and where beauty processes could lead to infection.

 

In response to a query as to whether the proposed timeframe was realistic and achievable, the Team Leader, Environmental Health, Hutt City Council confirmed this was the case, providing resources were available to progress the bylaw.

 

In response to a question from a member, the Team Leader, Environmental Health, Hutt City Council advised that this was a multi-cultural issue and the appropriate consultation had occurred.

 

 

 

RESOLVED: 

 

THAT the Committee recommends that Hutt City Council and Upper Hutt City Council agree to the amended timeframe for the development of the proposed Appearance Bylaw as follows:

 

(i)         1 March 2019 Hutt Valley Services Committee (HVSC) receives the new timeframe.

(ii)       18 March to 31 May 2019 Pre-consultation undertaken.

(iii)      30 August 2019 Results of pre-consultation presented to the Hutt Valley Services Committee.

(iv)      8 October – 8 November 2019 Special consultative procedure concerning the proposed bylaw.

(v)       19 October 2019 Local body elections.

(vi)      Late 2019/early 2020 establish a (joint) hearings subcommittee.

(vii)    Early 2020 hear submissions to proposed bylaw and resulting recommendations considered by a hearings subcommittee.

 

Moved                   Deputy Mayor Bassett/Cr Swales

 

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CARRIED

 

6.

PROJECT PENCARROW PROGRESS REPORT: 9 NOVEMBER 2018 – 28 JANUARY 2019

 

 Report by the Environmental Engineer, Hutt City Council.

 

The Strategic Advisor, City and Community Services, Hutt City Council advised a preferred tenderer had been selected for the DBO Contract, Veolia, with a contract expected to be finalised in four to six weeks’ time.

The Strategic Advisor, City and Community Services, Hutt City Council advised the resource consent application was on hold, pending the outcome of the proposed Natural Resources Plan, expected by the end of July 2019. 

In response to a question from a member, the Contracts Manager, Solid Waste, Hutt City Council advised that the Limited Notification Process would take a few weeks, and that he understood the existing consent would end within the next two months.  He added that as an application by Wellington Water Ltd (WWL) to Greater Wellington Regional Council for a renewal had already been lodged, the terms of the existing consent would roll over until the new consent became operative.

In response to a question from a member, the Contracts Manager, Solid Waste, Hutt City Council explained the Whaitua Implementation Process in Porirua had taken several years to complete, and that the Wellington Harbour/Hutt Valley Whaitua process had just commenced. He agreed any recommendations would need to be taken into account.

Deputy Mayor Bassett, Hutt City Council advised that for water quality, central government had already announced a regulator would be appointed, and that water standards would be revisited.  He commended officers for the work completed to date on this project.

 

 

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the Committee notes the progress on Project Pencarrow as outlined in the report.

Moved                   Cr Wheeler/Cr Sutton

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CARRIED

 

7.

SILVERSTREAM LANDFILL UPDATE

 

Report by the Landfill Consultant, Tonkin and Taylor.

 

The Contracts Manager, Solid Waste, Hutt City Council explained paragraph 3 was incorrect; noting the contract with Waste Management Ltd had been rolled over, as per the contract requirements.  With regard to paragraph 14, he advised the date should read end of March 2019.

 

In response to questions from Cr Wheeler, the Contracts Manager, Solid Waste explained that the Gas Power Plant on the landfill site operated 98.4% of the time, and that the few times the Plant was not in operation was due to scheduled maintenance or a power outage.  He said such times were usually very short and that odour was emitted during these times, with complaints regularly received.  He further explained that even though the cost of a flare had reduced from $2M to approximately $500,000, it was a big cost to manage odour for 1.6% of the time.  He was awaiting the results of extensive expert investigation and would report back once this had been received.  In response to a question from Cr Swales, he explained that having a flare in operation may help improve plant efficiency, but that the expected report would provide further details.

 

In response to a further question from Cr Wheeler, the Contracts Manager, Solid Waste, Hutt City Council confirmed residents were advised when a scheduled Plant maintenance event was due to occur.

 

In response to a question from Cr Carson, the Contracts Manager, Solid Waste, Hutt City Council confirmed a flare would not impact on the environment any more than the current Plant engines.  He added the Plant operated on two engines, with a third engine used for backup.

 

Cr Lambert requested clarification of the disposal of asbestos.  The Contracts Manager, Solid Waste, Hutt City Council explained hazardous waste had to be pre-arranged prior to disposal and had strict guidelines for handling. He added that the asbestos was housed in a separate, dedicated area of the Landfill and that the process was regularly audited.

 

 

RESOLVED:

That the Committee notes the progress on Silverstream Landfill.

Moved                   Cr Wheeler/Deputy Mayor Bassett

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CARRIED

 

8.

AKATARAWA CEMETERY UPDATE

 

Report by the Parks and Reserves Manager, Upper Hutt City Council.

 

In response to a question from a member, the Parks and Reserves Manager, Upper Hutt City Council advised that additional public toilets were not required, and that the potential cost for additional facilities could be $120,000.

 

 

 

 

RESOLVED:

THAT the Committee notes the Akatarawa Cemetery update.

Moved                   Cr Wheeler/Cr Carson

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CARRIED

 

9.

HUTT VALLEY TRUNK WASTEWATER SERVICES FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDed 31 DECEMBER 2018

 

Report by the Financial Accounting Manager, Hutt City Council.

 

The Strategic Advisor, City and Community Services, Hutt City Council advised the deficit forecasted could be attributed to depreciation, and that with the two main capital works projects running behind schedule, some of the capital budget would be required to be carried over into the next financial year.

 

In response to a query from a member, the Strategic Advisor, City and Community Services, Hutt City Council advised the Seaview Treatment Plant seismic upgrade was running about three months behind schedule, and that the Gibbons Street Trunk upgrade had more than doubled in cost due to realignment issues.

 

In response to a question from a member, the Strategic Advisor, City and Community Services, Hutt City Council advised the cost overrun could be managed within existing budgets.

 

 

RESOLVED: 

 

THAT the Committee:

 

(i)       notes the financial statements for the Hutt Valley Trunk Wastewater Services for the six month period ended 31 December 2018 attached as Appendix 1 to the report;

 

(ii)      notes a year-to-date net operating deficit of $5.9 million which is slightly higher compared to budget;

 

(iii)    notes a forecast year-end net operating deficit of $11.7 million which is $0.1 million unfavourable to budget;

 

(iv)    notes the current share of operational funding from Upper Hutt City Council of 36% and Hutt City Council of 64%;

 

(v)      notes a capital spend year-to date of $0.8 million which is $2.1 million behind budget;

 

(vi)    notes a full year capital spend forecast of $5.7 million which is $1.2 million below budget; and

 

(vii)   notes the current share of capital funding from Upper Hutt City Council of 30% and Hutt City Council of 70 %.

Moved                   Cr Wheeler/Cr McDonald

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CARRIED

 

10.

dog control update

 

Report by the Manager Compliance Services, Upper Hutt City Council.

 

The Team Leader, Environmental Health, Hutt City Council agreed to ensure the appropriate officer responded to the enquiry about the normal level of microchipping in Upper Hutt and an update on the Doggone Pilot Project in Stokes Valley, if the project would be rolled out to further areas to include Upper Hutt.

In response to a question from a member, the Chief Executive, Upper Hutt City Council explained the first Dog Control Update report on the order papers included only Upper Hutt data, whilst the second report was a combination of both Upper Hutt and Lower Hutt data.

 

 

RESOLVED: 

 

That the Committee notes and receives the Dog Control update.

Moved                   Cr Wheeler/Deputy Mayor Bassett

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CARRIED

 

11.

dog control update

 

Report by the Divisional Manager, Regulatory Services and Emergency Management, Hutt City Council.

 

 

RESOLVED: 

 

That the Committee notes and receives the Dog Control update.

Moved                   Cr Wheeler/Deputy Mayor Bassett)

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CARRIED

 

12.

health office activities update

 

Report by the Team Leader, Environmental Health, Hutt City Council.

 

The Team Leader Environmental Health, Hutt City Council provided an update to the recent ‘drift’ motorsport event held at Te Marua Speedway.  He explained officers had attempted to conduct a noise survey, but that it was compromised by the noise that emanated from State Highway 2.  He advised there had been no noise complaints received from the event, which was largely attributed to improved communications from the organisers to local residents.  He further advised the ‘drift’ event had occurred over two days, including during the day, whereas the normal stock car events were held on a single evening. He explained that Stock Car events would take place on a dirt track, whilst ‘drift’ events were held on a concreted figure “8” track at the same venue.

 

The Team Leader Environmental Health, Hutt City Council highlighted that the recent rainfall had reduced the toxic algae present in the Hutt River (Te Awakairangi), to remove the high risk warnings for most of the river, however caution was still advised for dog owners. 

In response to a question from a member, the Team Leader Environmental Health, Hutt City Council advised the areas of the river with the highest risk of toxic algae were Silverstream Bridge and Taita Rock, which were both areas of low water level with heavily rocked river beds.

 

 

In response to Cr Swales’ query from a member, the Team Leader Environmental Health explained that any item that contributed to excessive noise could be confiscated and could include personal phones.

 

In response to further questions from members, the Team Leader Environmental Health, Hutt City Council advised the noise control service operated 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  He said that once served, a noise abatement notice lasted for 72 hours, and that if officers were called again within the 72 hour period, and further non-compliance was measured, police would then be called to assist with seizure of the equipment.  He explained there were instances where officers felt unsafe or were threatened, and that there were risk assessments and strict health and safety measures in place.  He added that Hutt City Council were currently investigating dual staff attendance on noise related compliance inspections, which would increase service costs considerably, and may not be required as it was believed that having one officer attend an incident fell within the current Health and Safety requirements.  He noted that Wellington City Council was the only local authority in New Zealand that had implemented dual attendance on inspections.

 

In response to questions from members, the Team Leader Environmental Health, Hutt City Council advised that a number of food outlets in Lower Hutt had not yet registered, and that he would contact the Compliance Services Manager, Upper Hutt City Council to ascertain exact numbers in Upper Hutt.

 

In response to a question from a member, the Team Leader Environmental Health, Hutt City Council confirmed that a noise survey could be undertaken during the event by prior arrangement.

 

 

RESOLVED:

THAT the Committee notes and receives the Health Office Activities update.

Moved                   Cr Wheeler/Cr Lambert

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CARRIED

 

13.

JOINT SERVICES OPPORTUNITIES

 

The Chair informed the members of an Upper Hutt City Council Waste Bylaw workshop scheduled for 6 March 2019, and it was suggested that it was an opportunity for the two local authorities to work together. Deputy Mayor Bassett agreed, adding there could be more opportunities to work together on Bylaws in the future.  He commended the Chair for including the Joint Services Opportunites item on the agenda for each meeting.

 

 

There being no further business the Chair declared the meeting closed at 10.27am.

 

 

 

 

Cr D Wheeler

CHAIR