Parking, library, glasshouse in annual plan debate

Hamilton City councillors were still debating well into Friday night whether the rates increase for the 2020/21 year would be 2.8 per cent or 3.8 per cent.

The actual rates rise, which came at the end of a lengthy meeting yesterday – that began at 1.30pm and ran until well past 8.30pm — was made after the Times went to press. Councillors spent hours grappling with and bickering over what to leave in and take out of the budget.

One of the major decisions was the spending of $237,000 for the continuation of patrols by the City Safe team in the city’s suburbs, which was opposed by Cr Rob Pascoe.

‘‘I don’t think it’s the role of council to provide a quasi police force,’’ he said. ‘‘I think we can stop thinking about the police being under resourced ... If we support the drug reform referendum later in the year, there will be police available to do other things.’’

Among the other proposals that came up for debate for savings in the draft annual plan was a proposal bringing an early end to the twohour free parking trial in the city from the start of 2021, which would have brought an estimated annual saving of $610,000.

Instead, the council will set its sights on about 250 ‘‘under utilised’’ car parks in the north and southern parts of the central city that could soon become specialised day-long paid parks for commuters – which would generate an estimated $400,000 in revenue.

This scenario will be discussed and refined at a meeting of the central city and river plan advisory group on June 15 before being put to ratepayers to consider as part of the annual plan.

Council staff are also investigating what new technology could be introduced that could replace the city’s ageing and obsolete parking meters – however what form this could take is not yet known.

Another proposal to reduce the opening hours of the central library – closing it at 5pm instead of 9pm – most nights of the week would bring a saving of about $80,000. Only about 60 people on average visit the library each night between 5pm and 6pm.

However, the councillors rejected this proposal by three votes for to 10 against.

‘‘These are exceptional times,’’ mayor Paula Southgate said, who argued in favour of reducing the hours. ‘‘We are not losing any staff [by closing early] and we are not losing any patronage.

This plan did not find favour with Cr Mark Bunting.

‘‘Are we trying to encourage businesses to stay open in the evenings? After 5pm we will close the only thing in the town ... This is not our smartest move.’’

Cr Ewan Wilson agreed.

‘‘If you want to generate a reaction in the community, mess with their libraries,’’ he declared.

A further $80,000 saving that did make the draft plan could be made by closing the ageing Victorian Glass House at the Hamilton Gardens to the public – an idea that alarmed Cr Margaret Forsyth.

‘‘I’m really uncomfortable with this. It’s not that well promoted. It’s a forgotten part of the gardens.’’

Added Cr Dave Macpherson: ‘‘It could be one of the jewels in the crown.’’

A proposal to drop a subsidy for a cat-desexing programme in the city – a potential saving to the council of $100,000 – was abandoned.

The council’s draft annual plan will now go out for community consultation from June 22 until July 10. The council will next meet to deliberate on the plan on July 23, before the plan is finally adopted and the rates set on August 10.

Among the other decisions made yesterday were: ■ Deferring the demolition of the Municipal Pools in Victoria St, which would save $600,000.

■ Deferring for a year the digitisation of the Hamilton Public Library’s heritage collection, a saving of $70,000.

■ Spending of $100,000 for a natural areas fund to assist volunteer community group work.

■ Spending $75,000 extra for existing partnerships with Maori and the development of a Maori strategy.

■ $35,000 for development of Enderley Park.

■ $40,000 extra for events such as citizenship ceremonies and civic honours and Anzac Day events.

■ $50,000 so the Waikato Community Land Trust can appoint a trust manager.

‘‘I don’t think it’s the role of council to provide a quasi police force’’

Rob Pascoe