Minutes of the January Meeting of Athlone Town Council, which was held in the Civic Centre, Church Street, Athlone at 6.30 p.m. on Monday 6th January 2014
Attendance:
Mayor: Cllr. G. McFadden
Members: Cllrs. S. Buckley Byrne, M. Cooney, J. Henson, P. Hogan, K. Molloy, K. Moran, A. O'Rourke and A. Shaw.
Officers: Mr. Hugh O'Reilly, A/Director of Services
Mr. Pat Keating, Town Clerk
Mr. Pat Nally, Town Engineer
Ms. Anne McNamara, A.S.O.
Postponement of Meeting:
The Meeting was convened with Cllr. Molloy as Chairperson but as some Members and the Director were delayed at the County Council Statutory Budget Meeting, the Members present agreed to postpone the meeting. It was proposed by Cllr. Shaw, seconded by Cllr. Henson and resolved,
"We hereby agree to suspend Standing Orders not proceed with the quorum present, as the absent Members are on Council duty. The Meeting to reconvene at 6.30pm"
The Meeting reconvened at 6.30pm and the Mayor apologised for the delay.
Suspension of Standing Orders:
It was proposed by Cllr. Cooney,
Seconded by Cllr. Molloy and resolved,
"We hereby agree to suspend S.O. in order to discuss the rising water levels of the Shannon, which is not on the Agenda"
The Director said he understood peoples concern over the water levels. The Council have implemented its Flood Response Plan which involves the distribution of sand bags to areas at risk, the provision of pumps in other areas, the liaising with other agencies, the monitoring of the River and ongoing public information updates. He said the levels are still rising marginally and the forecasting system indicated that flood levels will stabilise over the coming days.
The Members thanked the Executive and Staff for their assistance to people over the holidays. Concerns were expressed over areas like the Docks, the Strand, Clonbonny, Carrickobrien and other rural areas. They asked that the special sandbags be put in place now rather than waiting for the risk to get worse, for marker posts to be put along the Carrickobrien Road and portaloos to be provided in that area too because of the difficulties with sewerage, when flooding occurs. The Director confirmed that these things will be done if the need arises. At the moment he added, the river is 200mm below the level of the lowest lying house.
Vote of Sympathy:
All the Members wished to be associated with Cllr. Moran's expression of sympathy to the husband and family of Elaine Devery who died recently.
Minutes:
It was proposed by Cllr. Hogan,
Seconded by Cllr. Moran and resolved,
"That we hereby adopt and confirm the Minutes of the December Monthly Meeting which was held on December 2nd 2013"
Matters Arising:
Cllr. Hogan was informed that quotations have been sought for the plaque to commemorate Henry Broderick and the Memorandum and Articles of Association for Athlone Arts & Tourism Ltd will be brought before the Members at the next Meeting.
The Town Engineer advised Cllr. Shaw that the lighting of the bollards on the Ballymahon Rd will be dealt with by the contractor as soon as possible. He said he had spoken to the ESB regarding the lights at Bloomfield Drive and they assured him, they will be replaced in the next few days.
The Director advised Cllr. Cooney that the public consultation period for the proposed route for the Dublin to Galway Cycleway was over and there will be a report on it at the next meeting.
In response to his query on the car-parking survey, the Town Clerk advised him that it is proposed to have this undertaken by those employed under the Gateway employment initiative Programme when it commences.
Cllr. Shaw asked what the situation is with the brown bins and Greg Duggan, S.E. stated that it is the law since January 1st to dispose of food waste in brown bins. The contractors would normally provide the bins to their customers and a charge would be built into the annual charge but the difficulty in Westmeath is the "tag" method of collection, which means that contractors do not actually know their customers. Environment propose to meet with the contractors to discuss how to roll out the brown bins and how the Council will enforce the Regulations.
It was agreed to have a presentation at the next meeting to clarify issues surrounding the brown bins.
The Athlone Mains Rehabilitation Work Programme:
Greg Duggan introduced Grahame Niven, S.E. who will be RE on the project and Michael McNamara and Colm Corbett from Shareridge Ltd., the Contractors. He said the Contract has now been signed. It is a 40 week contract to replace approx. 25 km of mains, ⅔ in housing areas and the remainder in main streets and commercial areas. This Contractor is currently doing the same work in Mullingar and he has found them to be extremely satisfactory and pro-active in their public consultation process, which he outlined. Water disruptions will be kept as short as possible and traffic disruptions will also be kept to a minimum. Usually, streets will only be partially closed, however some streets will require full closure but the duration will be kept to the minimum and there will be appropriate diversions in place.
They have a liaison person to deal with complaints which will be dealt with quickly. The work is starting in outlying areas now and it will reach town by April or May. Re-instatement will be temporary first, giving some weeks for settlement and then the permanent re-instatement will follow. He said he is confident that this scheme will be done on time and on price.
Cllr. O'Rourke suggested putting up signs in estates to make sure that people would be aware of the possible disruptions and to have signage in plenty of time for traffic diversions, as communication with people is essential. Greg Duggan welcomed the suggestion and said there will be lots of advance signage in place together with leaflet drops, updates and information on the website etc.
The Members thanked him for his presentation and expressed their delight that the scheme is actually starting now.
Managers Orders:
The Members noted the summary of Managers Orders as circulated.
Questions:
1. Cllr. A. Shaw:
Have the Council received any response from the NRA regarding proposed improved signage for traffic on the approach to the Cornamaddy roundabout to "get into your lane", given the high usage and potential for incidents at peak times?
Reply: No response has been received as yet and the Transportation Section of Westmeath County Council is pursuing this.
It was agreed that this will be followed up with Transportation Section.
2. Cllr. A. Shaw:
Have the Council plans to clean the external walls of the Civic Building, given its worsening appearance?
Reply: Tenders have being procured for power washing of the external walls of Athlone Civic Centre. Subject to available budgets, it is hoped to undertake this work in late spring or early summer of 2014, which is the most appropriate timing for such work.
3. Cllr. A. O'Rourke:
The pedestrian crossing traffic lights from Belhavel to Golden Island have been out of order for some time, have these technical issues been finally resolved?
Reply: These issues were resolved before Christmas.
4. Cllr. A. O'Rourke:
The finalised detailed plan for the new Roscommon Road junction in Baylough was promised in early 2014, when will this be presented to the Council?
Reply: This will be available for the March Monthly Meeting after which funding will have to be identified.
It will be a matter for the Area Committee of WCC to identify finding for the project.
5. Cllr. J. Henson:
When will the houses at Lissywollen have the road outside their houses repaired?
Reply: This road will be resurfaced as part of the permanent reinstatement once the new watermain has been layed through it, which is scheduled to take place in February. In the meantime minor essential repairs will be carried out.
6. Cllr. P.Hogan:
When will the wall at Bramble Close be reconstructed?
Reply: These works will be carried out by direct labour when resources allow and weather permits.
7. Cllr. P. Hogan:
Will this Council instruct the owners of land adjacent and to the west of Arcadia Retail Park to resolve unsightly boundary fence?
Reply: This site is on the Derelict Sites Register and the owner met with Legal and Enforcement section last October. Some improvement works have been carried out and progress will be monitored.
Cllr. Hogan asked if the wall was part of this and was advised that it was and it is hoped the matter can be resolved without further legal action.
Correspondence:
The Town Clerk informed the Members that the following correspondence had been received:
Department of Social & Family Affairs regarding the abolition of the Telephone Allowance and Bereavement Grant in Budget 2014.
Athlone Little Theatre Ltd thanking Council for financial support with the extension/refurbishment.
IBAL results for Athlone.
It was agreed to circulate the correspondence.
Motions:
(a) Cllr. A. Shaw:
"That this Council clarifies the position regarding the construction of a link road at the Garrycastle Business Park and connected into the new Garrycastle Bridge realignment project, given the growing number of employees within the business park needing a second entry and exit route due to traffic delays on the Dublin Rd"
Response: The new road layout currently being constructed as part of the Garrycastle Bridge project includes a new roundabout at the proposed entrance to the IDA owned lands at Garrycastle. This roundabout includes a short spur up to the boundary with the IDA owned lands. This layout is in accordance with agreements between the Council and the IDA as part of the land acquisition for the Bridge project. The Council has no role in respect of the construction of internal road layout within the IDA Business Park.
(b) Cllr. A. Shaw:
"That this Council affirms its support for the Taoiseach's proposal for an all-Ireland soccer team to play England on an annual basis, alternately in Croke Park and Wembley, for the benefit of the new children's hospitals in Dublin and Belfast and that we write to the FAI President, Paddy McCaul to encourage this new idea"
Response: The Council will write this letter if the Members so wish.
The majority of the Members supported the Motion, agreeing that anything to raise funds for children's hospitals is welcome, but Cllrs. O'Rourke and Henson disagreed with sport being used in this fashion. A vote was taken, resulting in seven votes to two (O'Rourke & Henson) in favour of the Motion and so it was agreed to write to the FAI President.
(c) Cllr. A. Shaw:
"That this Council undertakes further very essential repair work on footpaths in Mayfield Grove as part of the 2014 Block Grant.
Response: The Town Engineer will consider these footpaths within the context of the 2014 Block Grant Allocations.
(d) Cllr. A. O'Rourke:
"For the Council to install improved lighting at zebra crossing points in and around the town in order to improve visibility for both drivers and pedestrians"
Response: The lighting at the zebra crossings in the town meets the current standards. Newer pedestrian crossings have additional lighting but there is currently no funding available in either the Town or the County Councils budget to undertake a scheme to retrofit existing crossings.
All the Members supported the Motion and Cllr. O'Rourke asked that consideration be given to providing more lighting at the Luan Gallery and Prince of Wales crossings. The Town Engineer said that it would be necessary to omit footpath repairs in order to use that funding for improved lighting as each light costs in the region of €5,000. Cllr. Moran added that adults and children should be educated on the proper use of pedestrian crossings.
(e) Cllr. A. O'Rourke:
"For this Council to seek a meeting with senior Iarnród Éireann Officials at which we should insist that the Company takes action this year to maintain and repair the White Bridge and the Old Railway Station"
Response: The Council will write to Iarnród Éireann asking that they maintain these important structures.
It was agreed to write a letter requesting a meeting with officials from Iarnród Éireann.
(f) Cllr. J. Henson:
"That this Council request keys for the residents of St. Francis Terrace, from the Developer of the Town Centre, for access to the gates obstructing their right of way, which is in violation of the Planning Laws"
Response: The developer is in discussion with residents in relation to this and we will await the outcome.
(g) Cllr. J. Henson:
"That this Council applies appropriate measures to prevent flash flooding in Cornamaddy, from the Ballymahon Road"
Response: The Town Engineer will investigate this issue and arrange for works to be carried out if appropriate.
(h) Cllr. P. Hogan:
"That this Council takes measures to prevent ongoing flooding of McQuaid's Bridge"
Response: The prevention of flooding at this location will have to be dealt with as part of any relief schemes identified in the Shannon CFRAM Study which is due in 2015.
Cllr. Hogan asked if any works at all could be carried out here, even the extending of the walls but the Town Engineer said that any changes to the bridge would need to be to new standards which would be very expensive. It was agreed that the Town Engineer do a costing for improvement works to the Bridge.
(i) Cllr. P. Hogan:
"That this Council provides additional public lighting at Arcadia, Old Coosan Point Road"
Response: This location can be considered in the context of 2014 proposals for public lighting improvements.
(j) Cllr. P.Hogan:
"That Athlone Town Council provides money for the repair of footpaths at The Elms"
Response: The Town Engineer will consider these footpaths within the context of the 2014 Block Grant Allocations.
A.O.B.:
The Director informed the Members that it is intended to hold a Joint County and Town Council Meeting on January 21st 2014 at 4pm in the County Buildings, Mullingar, to make the Athlone Town Development Plan 2014-2020, the Mullingar Local Area Plan 2014-2020 and the Westmeath County Development Plan 2014-2020.
This concluded the business of the Meeting.