My Five Minutes Of Fame

Someone suggested I relay what I said to Council in my allotted five minutes.  I was not very well prepared.  I had nothing on paper, which is unlike me.  I did make sure I took along the summary document of the LTP though.  It grots me.  Four pages for tick boxes and comments and even if someone ticks each box and makes no comments they (ICC) have to copy and circulate all four pages.  Why can’t the tick boxes all be on the one page (one area for comments in general not per topic) and the more verbose can add an extra white page.

Aside from the shiny paper that is more prone to smudging, isn’t it (a) more expensive and (b) harder to recycle?  When I first saw it I thought it was from an Early Childhood provider, pictures of children everywhere (the irony, the policy they claimed became too inclusive whereas the brochure was exclusively children and yes, I get the play on words, growing children and growing a community but no pictures referenced the latter meaning).

The basic rundown of my verbal submission was that there is too much wastage and that document was indicative of that wastage.  The majority of the first page is black and the rest have photos (of happy children with the correct gender and racial balance) and black borders (do they have shares in Xerox?).  I have on a few occasions had Charlie’s ‘payslip’ from ICC posted in an A4 brown envelope ($1.80 postage), his agenda are couriered (not posted) and his payslip can appear on the same day as items are couriered and then the very next day he might receive another couriered agenda.

I told them I would be willing to beg for web casting and that we are still not privy to the right information at the right time and are at the behest of The Southland Times and ICC media releases.   I raised the need to be seen as more transparent (and compliant).  Over a year ago we were told the Wastenet joint committee meetings, agendas and minutes were an oversight and yet still we don’t have access to finances or even meeting notices.

I highlighted that their actions and current processes do not make the community feel included and I frequently feel like a hindrance (whereas it is my right to be involved).  Can’t remember what else I raised in my five minutes but did mention that I would prefer to answer questions.

Cr Esler agreed with my comments on wastage and asked me to expand my comments regarding absentee landowners.  I hadn’t had time to add my comments on derelict houses but his question opened it up as such and I slipped it in.  I suggested they approach owners of overgrown sections and offer them a ‘contract’ for their properties to be mowed by council (and added to their rates).  It would only be for debris free empty sections.

What I didn’t have the time to add to my written submission (but Esler question allowed me to speak on it) was that they could, in the name of Urban Renewal, offer the owners of derelict properties (identify the worst) a waiver of fees for demolition for six months.  It may push them to do it sooner rather than later.  If they do it in six to twelve months a reduction of 50% and then the boat has sailed and they pay full price.  ICC also have the benefit of reminding those owners that the council may be forced to wave a big stick and force it to be done in the future.

I have kids to tend to so it will have to be a two part post and I will try to get to it later today (here’s hoping).  I will be attending Verdon College’s Oliver today so may not get the chance.

Nice To Be Kept Informed

ICC have rung (because they know I’ll ring otherwise) to say that they are working on getting the agenda for the LTP verbal submission meeting online. I’ve been told that they have the ability but will only be uploading the report and a summary of the submissions to their website.  Eirwen mentioned it is over 900 pages and about 1/2 a gig.  They could put it online but it would be too big for the average joe or would be about 100 3Mb files.

It will be available in hard copy (oh those poor trees) and on disc (they’ve made one up for me:-)  Once I’ve got it in my hot little hands I’ll upload it.  Eirwen reckoned no one would want it but I think differently.  I know quite a few that peruse other submissions.

Everyone Must Be Talking!

I just received a response to my submission and the time I will be speaking.  They must have a lot wanting to speak because I’ve been given the 11.15am on the 10th of May.  That is the second day they allowed for ‘if necessary’.

Nice to see more getting involved, I just hope they aren’t all asking for money.

Invercargill City Council By-Election

In a brief emotional personal statement at the end of today’s council meeting Deputy Mayor Jackie Kruger advised council and community that she will be resigning mid June for family reasons.  It will require a by-election.  The process will take 82 days once her resignation is received in writing by the CEO.

UPDATE: After today’s article in the Southland Times, it seems the Kruger family are an example of our population decline.  I’m sad to leave, the idea of it brings me to tears, but I’m off to Oz!

Today’s Meeting In The Bluff

Well the Long Term Plan meeting is upon us. Yet again Charlie is working so I can’t go, nor can he but he went to the meeting in North Invercargill last week and I will be missing out altogether.  I burnt my bra years ago but still I’m stuck at home looking after the kids!  Don’t worry though, I’ll get my own back.  I might go to the next Council meeting and NOT leave early to bring home tea for the kids!

Most of the issues I would raise during the LTP process are probably not suited to a public meeting (as Cr Lewis has told me).   I would still raise the following

• Why are there bugger all (if any) roads in Bluff on regular maintenance schedules?
• Not often I agree with Mitchell but when are we going to have REGULAR sump cleaning?
• Why aren’t grants publicly reviewed every year rather than ICC’s cradle to the grave funding policy?
• Do you expect small businesses to prosper (or even survive) with their rates increasing so dramatically(for the CBD fix up)?

Being a cynic though I doubt we’d get any answers of  substance.  I better get on with my LTP submission!

 

Local Government Official Information And Meetings Act

Council have, over the years, got better at putting council, committee and board agendas out on time (and somewhat complete) but given this statement from the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act

In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires,—

meeting, in relation to a local authority, means, subject to subsection (2),—

• (a) any annual, biennial, triennial, ordinary, or extraordinary meeting of a local authority; and

• (b) any meeting of—

  • (i) any committee or standing committee or special committee or subcommittee of a local authority; and

  • (ii) any meeting of any joint standing committee or joint special committee appointed by 2 or more local authorities, and any subcommittee of any such committee—

  if—

  • (iii) any function, duty, or power is conferred or imposed on that committee or subcommittee by any enactment; or

  • (iv) that committee or subcommittee is empowered to exercise or perform, on behalf of any local authority or any committee of any local authority, any function, duty, or power conferred or imposed on any local authority, or on any committee of any local authority, by or under any enactment or bylaw

When are we going to see meeting notices, agendas and minutes from all ICC’s joint committees?

Statements of intent and quarterly reports from all the CCO’s and true transparency?  One step at a time…
agendas would be a good start.

$1,112,584 From Businesses

The South City meetings usually draw a good crowd but not this time

The most enlightening part of the piece to me was the new business development rate.  From the beginning of the CBD upgrade process and the announcement that it would come from the businesses I’ve said ‘they can’t absorb that cost’.  I always remember Wayne Harpur saying he moved his business from the CBD because of rising overheads, brought on primarily by rates increases.  To now have that clarity from council that ALL businesses will pay it is interesting.

Why would businesses in South City be asked to fund an upgrade that intends to improve the CBD?  Enticing shoppers to the CBD is the last thing a suburban business wants.  So does this also mean all Bluff commercial (not industrial) businesses will be too?  Of course it does.  I can’t see how that’s helping already struggling businesses?  All this because ICC allowed the uncontrolled sprawl of businesses in Invercargill which resulted in a CBD needing an ‘upgrade’.  How do they plan to resolve it?  Penalise all businesses and hire the guy that allowed it to happen back as a consultant.

And council wonders why we have no respect for their governance decisions.

Whatever Happened To…

The 2012 meeting schedule lists a Regulatory meeting for the 12th of April but it’s not even listed on the upcoming meetings page.  I know they aren’t good at enforcing their regulatory roles but have they now just given up completely?

Decisions Made ‘On Behalf Of The Bluff Community’

I hope the chairperson doesn’t mind me using her frequent ‘media’ statement, if she does, her lawyer can contact me:-)

Here’s a rundown of last night’s community board meeting.  Apologies from P Coote, no show S Allan, leaving three ‘elected’ and one appointed.

Well, it seems the Club Hotel is up for sale and ICC will be forcing some action from the current owner.  Maybe we will see something done about the verandah.  I came across an old Bluff Beacon (can’t remember which but it was over a year ago) that had a letter to the editor about debris falling from the verandah eaves.  The wheels turn slowly. The old pool hall at the back of the Club is to be removed also.

The next District Plan will not list the Club Hotel as historic and in particular no buildings in Bluff since nothing is on NZ Historic Places Trust Register.  That surprises me.  Established 1824 but officially nothing historic?

It seems Cr Boniface will be facilitating that Urban Rejuvenation meeting, 26 April, 7pm @ St John’s.  Thinking caps on!

The Chair spoke about the Easy Rider tragedy and I’m told she managed  NOT to bring up the Kotuku.  Must have been biting her tongue really hard.  The Foveaux Strait Memorial Fund had $3249 a few days ago and Charlie and Lewis moved and seconded that the Board give $200.  Hope it gets taken out of the Xmas party budget…lol.  Jan and Tim are seemingly in charge of the monies which makes no sense.  You would think Cr Abbott and Leon Hamilton (who are leading the charge) would be more appropriate (and committed).  Where a tribute goes is going to be hotly debated I think.

The ‘Town Hall Gardens’?  Don’t know, don’t care.  Leave it to the doers not the talkers.

It seems Ravensdown are ‘waiting on compliance before removing the Shaw Savill building’.  That’s another blog post in itself.

Are We There Yet?

Yet again something simple has become very complicated.

It’s suggested, in the latest community board agenda, that Peter Kenyon form the Bank of IDEAS facilitate our meeting regarding community development.  This is a guy that helps you plan and implement your ideas.  The question for me is ‘are we there yet?’   NO

We don’t even know what we want yet, who’s involved, who do we want to attract…  If the board endorse it they are idiots.  A guy that is at this level of community development is going to scare off most Bluffies.  We need to get our shit together first and people on board before we get down to the brass tacks.  Are we there yet? NO WAY!

We only need a meeting facilitator.  The oyster festival public meeting worked.  It was run by Lynette Jack but all we need is someone to explain the basics of Urban Renewal/Community Development and see who wants to be involved.

If they can’t sort anything out tonight,I might talk to some people who may be interested in kick starting the process.  In the meantime, put your thinking caps on and think what is the problem, how can we fix it and what would make Bluff better.  Non-resident’s could help us out here…as a visitor what good and/or bad jumps out at you when you visit Bluff?