Lights, camera, action … wheres the mayor?
An extraordinary meeting of the Invercargill City Council was ready to start of Tuesday, but councillors were left wondering briefly where the mayor was.
Deputy mayor Nobby Clark suggested they just get on without Shadbolt because he was not present.
That was until a cameraman said he would get Shadbolt, and rushed to his mayoral offices to fetch him.
READ MORE:* Salvation Army report reveals housing crisis impacts on small town New Zealand* Southland doctors consider strike action * Australia offering $2000 incentive for regional workers
A film crew is currently following the mayor.
Cr Darren Ludlow said it should be a council staff member going to get Shadbolt from his office rather than the cameraman.
Cr Alex Crackett said: Why is he not here? He is the mayor, he should here at this table.
Shadbolt then walked into the council chamber followed closely by one of the camera crew who filmed his entrance into the meeting.
He took his position at the head of the table and welcomed everyone with a good morning” as he started chairing the afternoons extraordinary meeting.
There was some confusion when the minutes were being confirmed as minutes that has already been dealt with were then referred to again.
The extraordinary meeting was called to discuss the sale of council-owned properties in Esk St west.
Clark expressed his reservation about the meeting going into public excluded as he believed the properties should be discussed in public.
However, other councillors did not support Clarks viewpoint.
In November 2020, councils property manager Paul Horner prepared a report which asked that $4 million be set aside to deal with the decaying buildings.
The report recommended the demolition of 6 Esk Street West and the rear of 8 Esk Street West, and retain the heritage buildings at the front of No 8 and No 10, 12-16, and 18 Esk Street West.
However, it did not end up being voted on and that proposed demolition work has not happened.
Invercargill City Council chief executive Clare Hadley, on Tuesday, said the council was considering the future of the lower Esk St properties.
The site has previously been identified as a preferred site for a new Arts and Creativity Invercargill [ACI] complex, which is part of the councils long-term plan.
If an alternative use was found for the lower Esk St site, then an alternative location would need to be found for the ACI complex.

You may also like