Agenda of Napier People and Places Committee

Napier People and Places Committee - 28 April 2022 - Open Agenda Item 1

Agenda Items

1. Visitor Information Centre S17A Review

Type of Report:	Operational
Legal Reference:	Local Government Act 2002
Document ID:	1423323
Reporting Officer/s & Unit:	Steve Gregory, Manager Business & Tourism

1.1 Purpose of Report

The purpose of this report is to receive the recommendations of the S17A service delivery review of the Napier Visitor Information Centre and Par2 Mini Golf, and to approve to proceed with the development of a business case investigating development options for a Tier 1 Visitor Information Centre and Tourism Hub for consideration in the 2024/25 Long Term Plan.

Officer’s Recommendation

The Napier People and Places Committee:

a. Approve the S17A i-SITE service delivery review and recommendations

b. Approve the development of a business case for a Tier 1 Visitor Information Centre for consideration in the 2024/25 Long Term Plan

c. Approve investigation of building options to accommodate a Tier 1 Visitor Information Centre (remediate, redevelop or new build) for consideration in the 2024/25 Long Term Plan.

1.2 Background Summary

Morrison Low was commissioned by Napier City Council (NCC) to review the delivery of the Napier i-SITE Visitor Information Centre (Visitor Centre) and Par2 Mini Golf (Par2) in accordance with the requirements of Section 17A of the Local Government Act 2002.

The review looked at the performance of the current service delivery model and evaluated a range of other potential service delivery arrangements. The review undertook an assessment of the current arrangements and, through review of documentation and discussion with key staff, were able to understand the current issues and potential opportunities and the options available for future delivery.

Both the Visitor Centre and Par2 are owned and operated by NCC under the Community Services Directorate. The Visitor Centre has been heavily impacted by COVID-19, in particular with the loss of cruise ship visitors. With the opening up of borders it is anticipated Napier will again see the commencement of cruises coming into the Port of Napier for the 2022/23 summer season.

1.2.1 Napier Visitor Information Centre

The Napier Visitor Information Centre has been located on the Marine Parade for about forty years and provides visitor information for the people of Napier, Hawke’s Bay and for visitors, both domestic and international.

The Visitor Information Centre includes space to meet and talk to specialist consultants, an area dedicated to information and brochures about local businesses and tourism operators, and a gift shop. Functions of the Visitor Centre include:

· i-SITE visitor information – provides expert advice and booking services for both locals and visitors on accommodation, events, travel and tour bookings

· Cruise passenger support (no business currently due to COVID-19)

· Department of Conservation (DOC) enquiries including hut and Great Walk bookings and permits

· Public toilets and showers (not operated by the Visitor Centre but within the footprint of the building).

The Visitor Information Centre business has contributed in the order of $16 million (2017) to the regional economy. The pre-COVID business model generated 6% growth annually and with innovative revenue generation the business was considered sustainable.

1.2.2 Par2 Mini Golf

The Par2 Mini Golf is located immediately adjacent to the Visitor Information Centre and has two 18-hole courses, providing an anchor attraction to Marine Parade for visitors.

Complementing the Visitor Information Centre, the Par2 Mini Golf generates consistent annual net profit back to the community and has 6% growth annually with no downturn in revenue as a result of COVID-19.

A condition assessment of the Par2 Mini Golf building was completed in 2020. Provision has been made for renewal of the artificial green in 2026 (2021-31 LTP).

Although the Mini Golf is a popular activity, the existing courses are considered to be out of date. They have not changed since construction. Player numbers are good and have trended up slightly year on year, but the potential of the site is greater and development is essential to ensure locals continue to return. The profitability of the facility supports investment.

1.2.3 i-SITE National Network Review

In 2019, the i-SITE New Zealand Board initiated the Future Network Strategy, to identify measures that would make the network more relevant to visitors, owners and other stakeholders, including the communities that the centres operate in. The outcomes of that programme of work were considered in a national i-SITE business case completed in July 2021.

The business case found that standards and levels of service are inconsistent and there is a lack of long term planning for sustainability, capital investment for improvements, standardisation and digital strategy. The recommended preferred way forward is a Tiered Network Model.

· Tier 1 locations would be concept stores in key locations. These would choose to meet higher membership requirements under an amended Visitor Information Network (VIN) Incorporated constitution and co-invest with the government in an internal upgrade to provide an enhanced visitor experience. They would continue to be members of VIN Incorporated.

· Tier 2 locations would operate under a secondary brand, with lower membership commitments to reflect their ongoing investment. They would not be members of VIN Incorporated but would operate under a license agreement.

The two Tiers would work in partnership and be closely aligned. Tier 1 concept stores would work closely with the Tier 2 locations, with each promoting each other to customers. In principle, NCC has indicated that operation as a Tier 1 facility would be the preferred way forward for the Napier Visitor Centre.

1.2.4 Location

Following the Challenge Workshop held 25 November 2021 with officers and Councillor representatives, the options for location were further assessed by NCC. Whilst the option for the development of a Tourism Hub was agreed as the future direction of the Visitor Centre, the workshop identified the need to further explore alternative options to the current site.

NCC considered a number of alternative sites, scoring each option against:

· Accessible spaces

· Ease of development

· Appropriate city activation

· Connectivity

· Displacement effects.

From the assessment, the two preferred locations were:

1. The Napier Visitor Centre (current site)

2. Conservation House, Department of Conservation building, Marine Parade (Property owner: Mana Ahuriri)

The assessment is included in an appendix to the S17A review and scores the current site slightly higher than Conservation House, primarily based on the ability to provide suitable space and flexibility for the proposed activity/ies and the ease of development. This more detailed assessment supports the findings of the S17A assessment.

1.3 Issues

1.3.1 COVID19 Impact

Border closures as a result of COVID-19 has meant virtually zero international tourism to Napier since March 2020.

Prior to the pandemic, Hawke’s Bay typically welcomed approximately 72 cruise ships and 100,000+ visitors over the summer. Cruise ships to the Port of Napier in the past (years ending June 2018, 2019 and 2020) have led to local expenditure in excess of $25 million.

Both facilities were closed for eight weeks from the day COVID-19 alert level 4 came in to effect and re-opened at alert level 2 with increased health and safety measures and a robust contact tracing process.

Since the return to business after the March-May 2020 lockdown the Visitor Information Centre has performed well against a newly set post Covid-19/lockdown budget but compared to 2019 turnover and visitor numbers are well down. Par2 has performed far better than the post COVID-19/lockdown budget and when compared to 2019 in both turnover and player numbers.

Figures actually show an increase in visitor numbers for the Par2 for 2020/21. Whilst the pandemic has had a significant negative impact on the tourism industry, the international borders re-opening mean the industry has growing confidence that some cruise operators will commence in New Zealand for the 2022/23 summer season.

1.3.2 Building Condition Assessment

A condition assessment of the Visitor Centre building was completed in 2020. The roof was identified as being in need of replacement and has been provided for in the 2021-31 LTP. Other works required over the next 10 years include weather tightness improvements, replacement of ventilation fans and painting of interior walls. With renewals work having been deferred in recent years, a more recent condition assessment of the buildings has identified the need to address some of the remedial work urgently. Preliminary estimates for the urgent remedial work is approximately $100,000 and can be covered through reprioritisation of current capital expenditure budget.

The current building needs upgrading to meet future demand and changes in level of service expectations. Current building challenges include inadequate space and a lack of modern digital technology. The facility could also better make use of its views over the sea and proximity to the CBD and the sea. It is considered that the development of a ‘Tourism Hub’ may address the changing needs and should be investigated by way of a business case confirming any case for change.

1.4 Significance and Engagement

N/A

1.5 Implications

Financial

Visitor Information Centre

The Visitor Centre operates at a loss and is funded through rates and user fees.

· Revenue: For 2021 $190K against expenses of $696K

· Economics: Rating policy target is 30% Rates and 70% Fees & Charges.

o At April 2021: 73% rates and 27% fees & charges

o 2020: 50% rates and 50% fees & charges

o 2019: 45% rates and 55% fees & charges.

Efficiencies in merging the Visitor Information Centre and Par 2 Mini Golf cost centres will be realised through labour efficiencies and operating overheads, but this will only be recognised if the two operated out of the same building with just a single entrance. This point supports the development of a new tourism hub building.

Par2 Mini Golf

The Par2 Mini Golf operates at a profit, some of which arguably offsets the losses of the i-SITE given the sharing of resources between the activities.

· Revenue: For 2021 $421K against expenses of $261K

· Economics: Operating costs self-funded – profitable.

Tier 1 Visitor Centre

Tourism NZ has proposed they will match 50/50 for any investment for Tier 1 sites for rebranding and fit out. It is estimated the Napier Visitor Centre will require $250,000.

Upgraded facility – Tourism Hub

The S17A recommendations for the upgraded facility (re-build) to support a tourism hub will enable additional revenue streams potentially including a café, ancillary tenants etc. Investigations into the development of a Tourism Hub will need to be confirmed through the development of a business case.

Remedial Work – Building Condition Assessment

Preliminary costs of remedial work has been estimated at $100,000 but it is noted that this may increase as further issues are identified while remedial work is carried out. The current remedial programme has been estimated to prolong the assets life for a further ten year period.

Social & Policy

Risk

The Napier Visitor Centre is seen as the gateway information centre to the Hawke’s Bay region which supports the importance of having Napier as a Tier 1 Visitor Centre. If Napier Visitor Centre is not a Tier 1 site, the city and region will lose a presence and active footprint within the national network and marketing influence from Tourism New Zealand promoting our region to domestic and international visitors.

With the international borders opening up to the world it is anticipated from the industry that cruise ships will come back to the Napier Port for the 2022/23 summer season and once again start contributing to the Napier and Hawke’s Bay economy. The current location has supported a positive platform for the economic benefit to be felt across the region. If the i-SITE was moved to an alternative location there is the possibility of a detrimental effect to cruise day operations. This could negatively impact the economic benefit the Visitor Centre generated in pre-COVID years ($16 million in 2017 economic assessment), and the wider $25 million benefit felt in the last 2019/20 cruise season.

Building a tourism hub in the current location will enhance and grow the Visitor Information Centre revenue ability and economic benefit to Napier and Hawke’s Bay. Further a new build would support the Tier 1 model but also eliminate what appears to be a growing remedial programme for the current visitor information centre. The current remedial programme is estimated to only prolong the current asset for a further estimated ten year period, resulting in further capital investment in future years.

1.6 Options

The options available to Council are as follows:

a. Approve the S17A service delivery review recommendations:

i. To retain the Visitor Information Centre but to upgrade the facility as a ‘Tourism Hub’ to provide for additional revenue streams, attracting visitors to the Visitor Centre and Par2 through a quality and efficient service and subsequently supporting visitor spend across Napier and the Hawke’s Bay region.

ii. To combine the Par2 Mini Golf with the Visitor Information Centre as one activity with one cost-centre for increased operational efficiencies.

iii. Dependant on the outcome of the final National i-SITE Business Case, operate the Visitor Information Centre as a ‘Tier 1’ facility.

iv. The current location is preferred, being accessible, highly visible, and central to the Napier tourism and waterfront area and has easy wayfinding for visitors, and

b. Develop a business case using the 5-case Better Business Case methodology to support investment for consideration in the 2024/25 LTP

i. Develop indicative concept designs and cost estimates

ii. Identify potential for revenue generation with an upgraded facility

iii. Further assessment of the two potential locations (current site and Conservation House to determine the preferred site)

iv. Investigate building options to accommodate a Tier 1 Visitor information Centre – remediate, redevelop or new build

v. Identify and engage with key stakeholders / partners, or

c. Maintain the status quo and become an independent Visitor Information Centre.

1.7 Development of Preferred Option

This S17A review has confirmed that NCC should continue to provide a Visitor Information Centre but there is a need to invest in a new/upgraded facility. The current facility requires significant repairs and needs to be better set up for modern tourism and visitor requirements.

The preferred option is to approve the S17A recommendations and the subsequent development of a business case to support investment for consideration in the 2024/25 LTP. As part of that, the following should be considered:

· Develop indicative concept design and cost estimates

· Identify potential for revenue generation with an upgraded facility

· Further assessment of the two potential locations (current site and Conservation House to determine the preferred site)

· Investigate building options to accommodate a Tier 1 Visitor information Centre – remediate, redevelop or new build

· Identify and engage with key stakeholders/partners.

1.8 Attachments

1 S17A Report - NCC Visitor Information Centre (DOC ID: 1456699)

Napier People and Places Committee - 28 April 2022 - Open Agenda Item 2

2. Welcoming Communities Accreditation Application

Type of Report:	Procedural
Legal Reference:	N/A
Document ID:	1448861
Reporting Officer/s & Unit:	Rebecca Peterson, Senior Advisor Policy

2.1 Purpose of Report

To seek Council agreement to proceed with the Welcoming Communities - Te Waharoa ki ngā Hapori accreditation application.

Officer’s Recommendation

The Napier People and Places Committee:

a. MAKE A DECISION OF COUNCIL under delegated authority to meet the Welcoming Communities application deadline.

b. Approve that an application is made to the Welcoming Communities - Te Waharoa ki ngā Hapori accreditation programme.

2.2 Background Summary

The Welcoming Communities accreditation programme has been running since 2017 led by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) in partnership with the Office of Ethnic Communities. Immigration NZ provides funding, accreditation, information, networking and programme evaluation and guidance to support councils as they work through each phase and set of standards. Welcoming Communities is part of a global welcoming network including Welcoming Cities and Welcoming International. It brings together local government and communities to create a place that is welcoming for everyone.

Napier City Council were members of the advisory committee involved in the development of the Welcoming Communities Standard for New Zealand. We also participated in stakeholder engagement as part of the pilot that has informed the programme that functions today. Since its inception, Welcoming Communities has approved the accreditation of 18 councils across New Zealand. Further information about the programme can be found at https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/what-we-do/welcoming-communities .

The standards

At the heart of the Welcoming Communities are the outcomes based standards which provide councils and communities with a benchmark of what a successful and welcoming community looks like. The standards comprise inclusive leadership, welcoming communications, equitable access, connected and inclusive communities, economic development, business and employment, civic engagement and participation, welcoming public spaces, culture and identity.

Benefits of accreditation

Welcoming Communities accreditation shows that a council values and welcomes newcomers. It provides a way to assess and improve welcoming practices as well as providing Council with access to support, resources knowledge and networking with other councils who are accredited and part of the Welcoming Communities programme. The funding provided through the accreditation will provide an additional resource to ensure the development of the Multi-cultural Strategy for Ahuriri is focussed and initiatives are implemented without delay.

Napier Social Monitor Survey 2021 Results - Diversity

In preparation for the development of a Multi-cultural Strategy, we included new questions in the 2021 Social Monitor Report (Appendix 1) to identify local Napier residents’ attitudes towards diversity and inclusion. Below is a summary of these results:

· 77% of people feel accepted by their community in their neighbourhood and 60% feel their community is tolerant of others.

· 71% of residents feel it is somewhat or very easy to be themselves in Napier (compared to 84% nationally, recorded in 2018)

· Under half (48%) of residents believe an increasing number of people with different lifestyles and cultures from different countries makes Napier a better place to live. One third (33%) believe it makes no difference.

· Almost half of residents (49%) say they have experienced or seen someone else experience prejudice or intolerance in the previous three months (most often associated with ethnicity). Seventeen percent have experienced this personally (the same as the national level, recorded in 2018). Māori and residents under 65 were more likely to report these experiences.

· Ethnicity was the most cited reason for perceived prejudice.

These results can be used as a benchmark to identify the impact of delivering a Welcoming Communities programme, should we be successful. They also indicate areas that need focus within the Multicultural Strategy that would be a key focus of the Welcoming Communities programme.

2.3 Issues

The Social Monitor results and Napier’s diverse population, indicate that Napier would benefit from increased dialogue with residents, iwi, mana whenua, migrant communities and newcomers about these issues, in particular to work on increasing the number who see diversity as making Napier a better place to live (currently sitting at under half the residents).

2.4 Significance and Engagement

The initial application is an Expression of interest. We will explore partnerships with local iwi and mana whenua representatives to initiate and deliver the model.

Napier City Council provided the Hawke’s Bay Settlement Support Service until it was disestablished by Immigration NZ. We provide administrative support and are part of the Hawke’s Bay Settlement Forum who have organised the cultural DiverCity event for a number of years. As such, we have well established networks and forums that will assist in the development of the programme. The Multi-Cultural Association of Hawke’s Bay encourage Napier to join Welcoming Communities and will support in an advisory capacity throughout the application process.

2.5 Implications

Financial

Should Council be accepted onto the programme, seed funding of $50,000 per annum for three years is provided as a contribution to the salary of a coordinator. Once established as a committed Welcoming Community (stage 1), a contribution of $9,500 is then paid for council activities (stage 2) as they become an established Welcoming Community. Funding contributions for professional development sits at $2000 as council becomes an advanced Welcoming Community (stage 3) and a following $2500 as an excelling Welcoming Community (stage 4). There will be additional contributions sought from Council and other entities to implement welcoming activities.

Stage	Funding	Application Fee
Stage 1: Committed	$50,000 per annum for three years for coordinator	No fee
Stage 2: Established	$9,500 one off payment for implementation	$1,000
Stage 3: Advanced	$2,000 one off payment for workforce development	$1,500
Stage 4: Excelling	$2,500 one off payment for workforce development	$1,500

It is envisaged the funding will be used to employ a part-time coordinator, with the implementation payment used for strategy development and projects. Council already provides funding, through Community Development Project Grants, for events and projects that support and celebrate diversity. This funding can be targeted towards initiatives identified through the Multi-cultural Strategy when it is completed.

Social & Policy

Becoming a Welcoming Community will help drive the development and implementation of a Napier Multi-cultural Strategy. The Social Monitor survey results will enable tracking of diversity and social inclusion trends over time.

Risk

N/A

2.6 Options

The options available to Council are as follows:

a. Approve that an application is made to the Welcoming Communities - Te Waharoa ki ngā Hapori accreditation programme. (Preferred)

b. Do not approve that an application is made to the Welcoming Communities - Te Waharoa ki ngā Hapori accreditation programme.

2.7 Development of Preferred Option

Should Council approve that an application is progressed, an Expression of Interest will be submitted by the end of April 2022, (deadline 13 May 2022) with the outcome advised by Immigration NZ around June 2022 with commencement in July.

2.8 Attachments

1 NCC Social Monitor Report 2021 (Doc Id 1452450)

Napier People and Places Committee - 28 April 2022 - Open Agenda Item 3

3. Napier War Memorial Restoration Project Update

Type of Report:	Information
Legal Reference:	N/A
Document ID:	1453973
Reporting Officer/s & Unit:	Drew Brown, Senior Project Manager

3.1 Purpose of Report

This report is to provide an update on progress made, and next steps for the Napier War Memorial restoration project.

Officer’s Recommendation

The Napier People and Places Committee:

a. Receive the update provided on the Napier War Memorial restoration project

3.2 Background Summary

Following an expansion and refurbishment of the Napier War Memorial Centre carried out in 2016 remembrance elements were removed from the building. These elements included the Perpetual Flame and Roll of Honour.

This removal led to complaints from some members of the public, including the local Returned Services Associations (RSA), and Heritage New Zealand.

In response to these complaints Napier City Council (NCC) has resolved to reinstate and incorporate the remembrance elements at the War Memorial Centre.

Napier City Council also entered into a period of consultation with the local community and affected parties. This included calling for design submissions, the establishment of a working group to assist with decision making, and consultation and design input from the architect of the original building Mr Guy Natusch.

This period of consultation led to the engagement of a team of architects and consultants with expertise in construction of heritage sensitive structures.

This team was tasked with the creation of a design that enables the reinstatement of the remembrance elements in a way that meets requirements identified through public consultation and the Heritage requirements of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) New Zealand Charter 2010.

Simultaneously with this design activity, inspection and analysis has taken place of the Roll of Honour plaques that were recovered following their removal during the expansion and refurbishment works that took place in 2016. An expert in the field of historic monument plaque restoration was engaged and has completed a report outlining the works required to restore and incorporate the plaques into the design created by the team of architects and consultants.

NCC formally adopted a Concept Design for the reinstatement of the remembrance elements including the Perpetual Flame, Roll of Honour and remembrance/reflection space at the Napier War Memorial Centre, during the Future Napier Committee meeting of 6 May 2021.

Project Update

Since the adoption of the Concept Design, NCC have progressed the design to a full Detailed Design stage, released a tender to a panel of invited suppliers for the plaque restoration works and continued research and consultation with members of families and affected parties regarding names on the Roll of Honour. Blessings on the site have taken place and a construction site has been established. The Floral Clock has been removed and is currently undergoing restoration.

Design Group Stapleton Elliott (DGSE) lead a team that are providing architectural and design services to progress the Concept Design to Detailed Design and then through the build process. DGSE were engaged following a competitive selection process and were instrumental in the development of the approved Concept Design.

The Detailed Design is the last stage of the design process before going to tender. The level of detail is such that they are considered within the construction drawings.

A brief summary of progress follows:

· The preliminary and developed design phases have been completed and reviewed. A feedback process has taken place and amendments have been captured and included in the evolved design. Each stage of the design has had a Quantity Surveyor (QS) estimate completed.

· The detailed design phase has been completed and is currently being reviewed and costed by a QS. This is due for completion by 20 April 2022.

· A formal project start ceremony has been carried out at the War Memorial Centre hosted by the Mayor.

· Meetings have been held with the depot and gardens, building asset, conferences and events teams to review the preliminary and developed design and gain input. This input/feedback has been incorporated into the detailed design.

· A specialist clockmaker has removed the clock and is currently restoring it.

· The construction site is fully fenced and signage is in place

· The scope of works and tender documentation for the plaque restoration has been completed. The tender has been released to an invited panel of five suppliers, made up of local and nationally located specialist stonemasons and heritage conservators. Tender submissions are due on 15 April 2022.

· Designs for the floral clock are under review.

· Ongoing consultation is taking place with Napier RSA regarding the inclusion of some artworks and design features.

· A resource consent application has been lodged for the project.

· Meetings held with families of persons regarding inclusion of names to physical Roll of Honour.

PLANNED TASKS

Short term – next four weeks

· Completion of the detailed design phase review. Once amendments are included, formally accept the design.

· Cost estimate of the detailed design to be completed.

· Cost estimate of the plaque and names work to be finalised.

· Complete tender documents for the build component of the project and release to market. This includes the preparation of the Construction Contract documents.

· Receive and evaluate plaque restoration tender responses. Award contract and commence works, funding permitting. The tender is due to close on 15 April 2022.

· Update communications strategy, including media updates.

· Complete boundary adjustment application.

Longer term - 4 to 12 weeks

· Procure build contractor

· Secure consents

· Commence build

· Carry out plaque restoration

· Continue review of names for Roll of Honour

· Complete the boundary adjustment.

Key schedule milestones

· Detailed Design sign-off 14/04/22

· Build tender released to market – late April 2022

· Build contract award – early June 2022

· Clock return and install – January 2023

· Physical completion – early March 2023

3.3 Issues

Delays to the schedule as a result of COVID-19 have occurred and may have further impacts. COVID-19 delayed the completion of the Detailed Design phase by over four weeks.

3.4 Significance and Engagement

Extensive consultation was carried out during the early stages of the project in order to identify a suitable design. This resulted in a Concept Design that was presented to the public and formally adopted by Napier City Council in May 2021.

Engagement with the local RSA continues and will continue throughout the design and construction phase to ensure that various design and operational features are incorporated.

Engagement through the NCC Te Waka Rangapū and the Māori advisers from the architect team has ensured that appropriate cultural features have been included in the design.

Engagement with the Heritage Architects tasked with ensuring heritage criteria is adhered to throughout the design and construction continues and will continue throughout the project.

3.5 Implications

Financial

Following QS review of the project at the Concept and Preliminary design stages it was identified that the original budget was insufficient. A further budget allocation of $500k was made available to ensure that the quality and outcome of the project would not be undermined due to budget constraints.

1.6 Social & Policy

N/A

1.7 Risk

Delays due to COVID-19. Further delays may impact the construction completion date and push it beyond early March 2023.

3.8 Options

N/A

3.9 Development of Preferred Option

N/A

3.6 Attachments

Nil

Napier People and Places Committee - 28 April 2022 - Open Agenda Item 4

4. Update on Civic Building Demolition

Type of Report:	Information
Legal Reference:	N/A
Document ID:	1442072
Reporting Officer/s & Unit:	Darran Gillies, Community Services Programme Manager

4.1 Purpose of Report

To inform the Council of the progress on the Civic building demolition ahead of the development of the new library and community spaces in accordance with the Library and Civic Area Plan.

Officer’s Recommendation

The Napier People and Places Committee:

a. Receive the report titled “Update on Civic Building Demolition”.

4.2 Background Summary

In June 2017, Strata Group, conducted an assessment of the earthquake strength of the Council’s main Civic Administration building (civic building) and the adjacent Library tower block building (library building). The report indicated both buildings were earthquake prone as they only complied with 10% and 15% respectively of the legal requirements for earthquake strength (NBS). The cost of strengthening the buildings to an acceptable level was prohibitive for the civic building but more tolerable for the library building.

At the Council Meeting of 19 December 2019, it was resolved to approve the demolition of the Civic Administration Building.

At its Extraordinary Meeting of 9 April 2020, Council resolved that the time capsule and mural affixed to the civic building be housed in temporary storage prior to demolition of the civic building.

The Council officially adopted the Library and Civic Area Plan (LCAP) on 9 December 2021. This followed community consultation in October in which submitters strongly supported the library (86%) being included in the stage one development of the site. Inclusion of Council customer services and the cultural/community hub also received support from 43% and 45% of submitters respectively.

The demolition of the civic building is a key part of the implementation of stage one of the Library and Civic Area Plan.

4.3 Issues

The demolition of a large tower building is a complex process that requires multiple consents and multi-disciplinary expertise.

To de-risk the project and to ensure the right specifications go out to market while expediting the project in a cost-effective manner, Athfield Architects, the lead architects on the Library and Civic Area Plan (LCAP) master planning process, were engaged. Athfield Architects have worked alongside a quantity surveyor, structural engineers, and with Council officers to work through detailed scenarios. This work has included asbestos assessments of the existing buildings, pre-demolition salvage, methodology, landscaping and consenting requirements.

The team worked through a number of demolition scenarios on the Station Street site to understand the best ways to enable the implementation of stage one of the LCAP as well as creating the ideal environment to progress with stage two when appropriate. They also looked at the level of landscaping and earthworks needed to progress the project while being cognisant of the site edges to allow for ongoing activation and community engagement while the project progresses. The options also considered the need to maintain a high standard of practicable sustainability and cost efficiency.

The team have directed the project to progress with the demolition of the Civic Building, the Council Chambers and the Link Bridge (connecting to the Library Building), and the associated podium and periphery landscaping that supports the surrounding business activities to enable a programme of city activation.

The diagrams below illustrates the scope of demolition and the landscape work.

Timeline for Demolition

The diagram below gives an overview of the project timeline. Greater detail of this timeline is provide in the Gantt chart attached.

The Council, the advisory group, and key stakeholders will be kept up to date with progress, with a particular focus on key demolition project landmarks. There will be visible progress on site as the building salvage and pre-demolition works are progressed in May – June.

The demolition cost will continue to be managed as part of the overall project budget approved in current the LTP.

Demo Scope

Process

Programme

Demolish Civic, Chambers and Link Bridge, and associated podium and periphery landscaping – to a high level of sustainability

Items of value and importance to be salvaged prior to demolition.

Asbestos contaminant removed.

· Building demolished to high level of sustainability

Overall timeframe estimated at 34 weeks. This timeframe includes removing salvage items (3 weeks), asbestos (3 weeks), services disconnections (1 week) and demolition (20 weeks), plus 1 week contingency

Temporary Landscape

Gravel site and small scale activated edges

· Minimal work required. To re-use turf and play equipment where practical

Estimate 4 weeks for landscaping works

The current site with overlay of proposed building footprint from the Library & Civic Area Plan

Landscaping Option

4.4 Significance and Engagement

This matter has been assessed in accordance with Council’s Significance and Engagement Policy and does not trigger any criteria or thresholds at this time. In 2017 Council carried out a rigorous and transparent process to divest the site through a Statement of Proposal (approved 22 November 2017).

The Civic Administration Site Optimisation Statement of Proposal highlighted the process and enabled public engagement with the Napier community

4.5 Implications

Financial

The costs of demolishing the civic building had initially been estimated at 1.1 million +/-30% in 2019.

With a more detailed examination of the complexity of the demolition, including asbestos removal, substantial ground works to bring the site back to grade and for the minimal amount of landscaping, a new rough order of costs was under taken by RLB, at cost estimate of around $1.5 million. There is the funding required for demolition, which can be accommodated within the overall Civic and Library project budgets in the first instance.

There are no further financial implications at this stage, however any implications identified will be reported to Council as decisions are made and detailed design is finalised.

Council is conducting a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the demolition which will be assessed according to Council criteria and procedures.

Social & Policy

N/A

Risk

Health and Safety risks associated with the demolition of the building itself will be the responsibility of the demolition company. Council’s health and safety requirements will be set out in its demolition proposal.

4.6 Options

The options available to Council are as follows:

a. Receive the report titled Update on Civic Building Demolition for information.

4.7 Development of Preferred Option

N/A

4.8 Attachments

1 Demolition and Design Brief Progrmme (Doc Id 1452515)

Napier People and Places Committee - 28 April 2022 - Open Agenda Item 5

5. Napier Libraries Winter and Summer Reading Programmes 2022-23

Type of Report:	Operational
Legal Reference:	N/A
Document ID:	1444047
Reporting Officer/s & Unit:	Belinda McLeod, Community Funding Advisor

5.1 Purpose of Report

To seek approval to apply for external funding from Eastern & Central Community Trust (ECCT), to support the Napier Libraries 2022/23 Winter and Summer Reading Programme.

Officer’s Recommendation

The Napier People and Places Committee:

a. Make a DECISION OF COUNCIL under delegated authority to enable the funding application to Eastern & Central Community Trust be submitted and processed this financial year.

b. Approve the external funding application of $19,000 to Eastern & Central Community Trust for the Napier Libraries 2022/23 Winter and Summer Reading Programmes

5.2 Background Summary

The 2021 Napier Libraries Winter Reading Programme and 2021/2022 Summer Reading Programme saw the implementation of new programmes. Both programmes were completely re-branded, including a name change to the Summer Reading Programme Ngā Kaipānui Pounamu – Treasured Readers and Ngā Kaipānui Taiohi – Chiefs of Reading.

We have built a positive relationship with Maraenui Bilingual School and fostered the love of reading, and through this some tamariki from Maraenui Bilingual School were seen to enjoy a visit to the Taradale Library. Choosing a book to take back to school to read was a highlight of their visit. Keeping in communication with the school, they are all very eager to carry out more visits, and keep the positive connection with the library. The tamariki had the option of engaging with us in Te Reo or English.

The Winter programme will run from 4 July 2022 to 28 August 2022. The Summer reading programme; Ngā Kaipānui Pounamu - Treasured Readers and Ngā Kaipānui Taiohi - Chiefs of Reading will run from 8 December 2022 to 27 January 2023, and includes our events in the library and community events that support our programmes (for more information see Attachment 1).

The Summer Reading Programmes will run from 5 December 2022 to 27 January 2023, and includes our events in the library and work out in the community that support our programmes

5.3 Issues

Eastern & Central Trust are the only external funder that will consider funding applications for the Library programmes.

5.4 Significance and Engagement

N/A

5.5 Implications

Financial

As ECRead Trust no longer provide funding, we are seeking funding to support the Winter and Summer Reading Programme for 2022-2023. Our intent is to carry on delivering this programme to as many children as possible in our community, as it enriches the lives of children and teens, and encourages a lifelong skill of reading.

Eastern & Central Community Trust provides grants and support to community organisations. To be eligible for ECCT funding, we require a resolution of Council. The Trust operates a variable window (two – three months) for approving funding. To enable us to plan with any level of certainty we need to know if we have secured the funding or not as soon as practicable. Hence, we are seeking approval to apply for the funding now, as the programmes take many months pf planning.

We are seeking $19,000 from Eastern & Central Community Trust, which is the total cost to deliver the 2022/23 programme (see budget in Attachment 2).

Social & Policy

These programmes support the Napier Libraries Strategy of knowledge advocates, with a focus on early literacy as well as community collaborators, building partnerships with underrepresented demographics and supporting their needs. Maraenui has been identified as one of the areas to deliver the programme, due to the Ministry of Education’s low decile ranking, and its low ranking in recent Pulse statistics.

The programmes support early literacy, encourage the love of reading, as well as support parents/caregivers in the community to enrich their children’s lives through reading. It also aides in the continuation and fulfilment of reading for those participants who are older, and is well attended by children ranging from 4 to 17 years old with up to 300 participants last year.

We did notice a slight decline for the 2021/2022 programmes, but understand that the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns and Red Light Setting may have contributed to this drop in numbers. Due to the impact of COVID-19, we were unable to hold events within our Libraries; however, we were able to bring the StoryWalk® Project to Napier for the first time. StoryWalks® are an innovative way for tamariki, whānau and friends to read, get active and take in the beauty of Napier all at the same time, in a COVID-smart way.

This project also keeps a positive connection between Napier Libraries and the Napier community during these uncertain times. We were also able to utilise two Napier City Council locations for award-winning children’s author Donovan Bixley’s visit.

Risk

The main risk is not securing funding for the Winter and Summer Reading programmes, which means many children in our community would not have the opportunity to build on their literacy and social skills.

Feedback received from parents/caregivers has highlighted the positive impact and value the programme has had on families. This illustrates that Napier City Council would lose a valuable, long-standing programme that has been widely supported by the community. The loss of the opportunity to go out into the community and make connections in lower socio-economic areas would impact tamariki and their whānau, who might not otherwise have the means or opportunity to foster literacy.

5.6 Options

The options available to Council are as follows:

a. Running a minimal programme reaching less children with fewer incentives to engage for both children/teens and parent/caregivers with the possibility of being able to connect with the community.

b. Preferred Option - Funding from Eastern and Central Community Trust would enable us to continue providing a successful and valuable reading programme, both to lower decile schools in the community, and in the libraries.

5.7 Development of Preferred Option

N/A

5.8 Attachments

1 2022/23 Winter and Summer Reading Programme Information (Doc Id 1452455)

2 2022/23 Winter and Summer Reading Programme Budget (Doc Id 1452454)

Napier People and Places Committee - 28 April 2022 - Open Agenda

Napier People and Places Committee

Open Minutes

Meeting Date:	Thursday 17 March 2022
Time:	9.00am
Venue	Via Zoom (Audio Visual Link) and livestreamed via Council’s Facebook page

Present	Councillor Boag (In the Chair), Mayor Wise, Deputy Mayor Brosnan, Councillors Browne, Chrystal, Crown, Mawson, McGrath, Price, Simpson, Tapine, and Taylor
In Attendance	Director Community Services (Antoinette Campbell) Director Corporate Services (Adele Henderson) Director Programme Delivery (Jon Kingsford) Director City Services (Lance Titter) Director City Strategy (Richard Munneke) Acting Director Infrastructure Services (Debra Stewart) Manager Communications and Marketing (Julia Atkinson) Pou Whakarae (Mōrehu Te Tomo) Chief Financial Officer (Caroline Thomson) Community Funding Advisor (Belinda McLeod) Manager Community Strategies (Natasha Mackie) Senior Advisor Policy (Michele Grigg) Manager Property (Bryan Faulknor) Māori Partnership Manager - Te Kaiwhakahaere Hononga Māori (Beverley Kemp-Harmer) Māori Partnership Manager - Te Kaiwhakahaere Hononga Māori (Hilary Prentice)
Also in Attendance	Dr Virgil Troy, SIL Research Nataliya Rik, SIL Research
Administration	Governance Team (Anna Eady and Carolyn Hunt)

Karakia

The Chair opened the meeting with a karakia

Apologies

Councillors Mawson / Chrystal

That the apology from Councillor Wright and the apology for lateness from Councillor Tapine be accepted.

Carried

Conflicts of interest

Nil

Public forum

Lily Foulds and Jae Sutherland – Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence & Emergency Management (HBCDEM)

This presentation is in response to an item on the previous Napier People and Places Committee agenda about deactivating the Napier Civil Defence Siren Network and replacing it with the Emergency Mobile Alert (EMA) system.

The community tsunami education plan for Napier includes:

· Tsunami Information Boards – These will have QR codes which will take residents to a website with more detail on tsunamis. The signs will be bilingual. They will include a tsunami evacuation route from the sign’s location to a tsunami safe zone. HBCDEM will work with Waka Kotahi to install signs on national roads.

· Blue lines will be painted at key points around the city to show the end of an induction zone. Education will teach people need to go beyond these lines to be safe in the case of a tsunami.

· Shake Out Event – National earthquake drill and tsunami hīkoi held yearly in October. This event has had good buy in by the community and key groups. HBCDEM are partnering with Volunteering Hawke’s Bay to recruit volunteers who will promote engagement, planning and practising for emergency situations.

· HBCDEM will hold public workshops. These will especially be targeted at groups like older persons groups, disability groups, business groups, and tourism operators, and in August there is going to be a business continuity planning event. Workshops can also be given at the request of community members.

· For groups who do not use a mobile phone, or for whom the EMA would not work, ongoing education programs will be held giving alternative ways these groups can be alerted in an emergency situation.

· HBCDEM have an ongoing online communication program via Facebook and their website. There is also a know your zone campaign aimed at the 20,000+ homes within the tsunami evacuation zones.

· Te Hīkoi a Rūaumoko is a bilingual children’s book given to every child at their before school check. It was designed to help children understand what to do during and after an earthquake. This book is being translated into Samoan, Tongan, Chinese, Hindi and Cook Island Māori.

· HBCDEM support National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) campaigns.

· They have a good relationship with Safer Napier and have a presence at their events, as well as at other community events.

· Community resilience plans. Updating the Tangitū (Bayview and surrounding areas) community resilience plan which will then be distributed to residents. Once done this will occur in other Napier areas.

· East Coast Life At The Boundary (LAB) – This brings together scientists, emergency managers, experts and stakeholders to enable learning about the natural hazards that can affect us. HBCDEM is a member and Chair of the Steering Group.

· HBCDEM has been able to use Ministry of Education information to put closely located schools into clusters. Education sessions were held in August 2021 and cluster group workshops will be held in May 2022. These are to create understanding about safe cluster areas and to encourage schools to collaborate together to create emergency management plans for an event.

· The Tsunami Pou Project – Pou are being installed around the city to show the location of safe zones and to build awareness.

Attachments

1 HBCDEM Tsunami Education Plan.pdf

Announcements by the Mayor

15 March marked the anniversary of the Christchurch mosque shootings. We will always remember the 51 who died. We will honour their memory by aiming to make New Zealand a country which is a safe home for all.

Announcements by the Chairperson

Nil

Announcements by the management

Nil

Confirmation of minutes

Councillors Mawson / Simpson

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 3 February 2022 were taken as a true and accurate record of the meeting.

Carried

Agenda Items

Councillor Tapine joined the meeting at 9:22am

1. The Meke Meter Initiative - funding support

Type of Report:	Operational
Legal Reference:	N/A
Document ID:	1431458
Reporting Officer/s & Unit:	Belinda McLeod, Community Funding Advisor

1.1 Purpose of Report

To seek approval for Council to apply for funding from the Eastern and Central Community Trust (ECCT) on behalf of L W Confederation Ltd who operate the mobile fitness POD under the Meke Initiative project.

At the Meeting

The Officer spoke to the report and in support of the funding application by L W Confederation Ltd. The application has been submitted provisionally to the ECCT but confirmation is pending sign off by Council today.

In response to questions from the Committee it was clarified:

· L W Confederation Ltd are seeking Charitable Trust status to enable it to apply for community based funding directly in the future.

· As the fund holder there is an element of risk to Council, but it has been assessed as a low risk. The Council Community Funding Advisor will be monitoring the company’s progress, and its ability to meet the target outcomes in its funding application.

· Council has been a fund holder for a number of organisations previously as those organisations have worked towards having registered Charitable Trust status.

ACTION: Council to invite Levi Armstrong and his team to present to Council on the Meke Initiative midway through the project when reporting to ECCT would be required.

Committee's recommendation

Councillors Crown / Mawson

The Napier People and Places Committee:

a) Make a DECISION OF COUNCIL under delegated authority to enable the funding application to Eastern & Central Community Trust to be submitted and processed this financial year.

b) Approve an external funding application of $25,000, to Eastern & Central Community Trust on behalf of L W Confederation Ltd to assist with the lease of the mobile fitness container and trainer costs.

Carried

2. Napier Social Monitor Report 2021

Type of Report:	Information
Legal Reference:	N/A
Document ID:	1385225
Reporting Officer/s & Unit:	Michele Grigg, Senior Advisor Policy

2.1 Purpose of Report

To provide an overview of the findings from the 2021 Napier Social Monitor report.

At the Meeting

The Officer spoke to the report with the support of Dr Virgil Troy and Nataliya Rik from SIL Research.

In response to questions from the Committee it was clarified:

· In the health, wellbeing and accessibility section, all responses which referred to speeding traffic, burnouts, traffic noise and unsafe driving were combined into traffic management. In the appendix of the Social Monitor report there is more detail on this broken down by suburb.

· The public will be able to access the Social Monitor report (attached to the agenda of this meeting) on the Napier City Council (NCC) website and a copy will be distributed to key stakeholders. Some of the key measures in the report, such as wellbeing, will be included on the Pulse data dashboard, which is also available via the NCC website.

· The Social Monitor Questionnaire asks for residents perceptions, rather than actual usage numbers of things like public transport. These statistics can be gathered through other means. Hawke’s Bay Regional Council willingly share the public transport usage data, for example.

Committee's recommendation

Councillors Tapine / Mawson

The Napier People and Places Committee:

a. Receive the Napier Social Monitor report 2021.

Carried

The meeting closed at 10:04am

Approved and adopted as a true and accurate record of the meeting.

Chairperson .........................................................................................................................

Date of approval ..................................................................................................................

Meeting Date:	Thursday 28 April 2022
Time:	9.00am
Venue:	Ocean Suite East Pier 50 Nelson Quay Napier
	Livestreamed via Council’s Facebook site

Committee Members	Councillor Boag (In the Chair), Mayor Wise, Deputy Mayor Brosnan, Councillors Browne, Chrystal, Crown, Mawson, McGrath, Price, Simpson, Tapine, Taylor and Wright
Officer Responsible	Director Community Services
Administration	Governance Team
	Next Napier People and Places Committee Meeting Thursday 9 June 2022