Decision details

Minute by the Lord Mayor

To Council:

The Covid-19 pandemic continues to present a serious risk to public safety, particularly for our most vulnerable communities. A key part of our community recovery will be to minimise any further outbreaks of the virus.

The City of Sydney continues to work with NSW Health to ensure we respond urgently and effectively, to implement physical distancing measures. We strongly support the health advice that we should wear masks, particularly where physical distancing is difficult.

However, many of our vulnerable people, such as the homeless and social housing tenants, may not have the opportunity or financial ability to purchase masks.

That is why I wrote to Councillors seeking support to purchase reusable masks for the most vulnerable in our community – rough sleepers, people in social housing or boarding houses, people receiving Meals on Wheels or disability services, as well as international students. City staff advise that there are about 20,000 people in these communities.

I now request that Council approve expenditure of up to $200,000 to purchase and distribute approximately 20,000 reusable cloth masks and health related material to support vulnerable communities.  I propose that the Chief Executive Officer work with the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, other relevant government agencies and relevant community organisations to ensure the masks are distributed to the most vulnerable and needy in our community and inform Councillors of progress through the CEO Update.

The Covid-19 pandemic is continuing to impact the City’s businesses, particularly our hospitality industry. While there has been some easing of restrictions imposed earlier this year, the cases of community transmission is discouraging many people from frequenting our cafes and restaurants.

The availability of outdoor dining options has been a significant factor in some businesses surviving, by allowing patrons more options to physically distance. The City moved quickly at the start of the pandemic to waive footpath dining and other fees and relax enforcement.

The Council’s waiver of fees is due to expire at the end of September. It is critical that we don’t impose additional financial burdens on business while the pandemic continues.  I therefore propose requesting the Chief Executive Officer to investigate continuing the waiver of footway dining fees to assist businesses who provide outdoor dining until March.

I also request the Chief Executive Officer investigate continuing the waiver of market permit and filming fees and fees for Health and Building compliance activities to assist businesses adversely affected by the pandemic until March.

Additionally, I propose requesting that the Chief Executive Officer review rents in conjunction with tenants in City premises for those tenants that may require continuing support on a case-by-case basis.

Recommendation

It is resolved that:

(A)      Council approve an exemption from tender for the purchase of reusable cloth masks for distribution in the community at an estimated cost of between $150,000 and $180,000;

(B)      Council not invite tenders because:

(i)         there is an urgent need to procure these items in order for Council to support vulnerable communities and help prevent the community spread of Covid-19 in accordance with NSW Health’s recommendation;

(ii)        the City has undertaken a review of seven suppliers and has a preferred supplier which was selected on the basis of quality, cost, availability and that the masks are Australian made; and

(iii)      the preferred supplier has already supplied the City with cloth masks for employees at a cost of $156,602;

(C)      authority be delegated to the Chief Executive Officer to negotiate, execute and administer the agreement to purchase and distribute reusable cloth masks, and work with the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, other relevant government agencies and relevant community organisations to ensure the masks are distributed to those most in need;

(D)      Council approve $200,000 from the 2020/21 General Contingency Fund for the purchase of reusable cloth masks and the distribution of masks and health related material to support vulnerable communities; and

(E)      the Chief Executive Officer be requested to:

(i)         continue the waiver of footway dining fees to support businesses providing outdoor dining until March;

(ii)        continue the waiver of market permit and filming fees and fees for Health and Building compliance activities to assist businesses adversely affected by the pandemic;

(iii)      review rents in conjunction with tenants in City premises for tenants that require continuing support on a case-by-case basis;

(iv)      review the need for further support for our cultural, creative and community tenants under our Accommodation Grants program and report back to Council;

(v)       investigate the ongoing financial support OzHarvest, Meals on Wheels and other organisations providing food relief may need for the foreseeable future in the City of Sydney; and

(vi)      report back to Council via CEO Update on the outcomes of those discussions as well as possible additional City funding measures required to continue to support the provision of fresh, nutritious food during the ongoing pandemic and economic crisis.

COUNCILLOR CLOVER MOORE

Lord Mayor

Moved by the Chair (the Lord Mayor), seconded by Councillor Scully –

That the Minute by the Lord Mayor be endorsed and adopted.

The Minute, as varied by consent, was carried unanimously.

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