Minutes of the June Meeting of Kilkee Town Council held on Monday 9th June 2008 at the Sweeney Memorial Library, Kilkee

• Cathaoirleach sa Cathair: Cllr. P.J Lardner
• I Láthair: Cllr. Claire Haugh, Cllr. Lily Marrinan Sullivan, Cllr. Carmel Deloughery, Cllr. Michael McGrath, Cllr. P.J Linnane
• Apologies: Cllr. Brian Keane, Cllr. Tom Nolan
• I Láthair: David Timlin, Director of Service & Town Manager, Derek Troy, Executive Engineer, Siobhán O'Keeffe, A/Town Clerk 

1. Minutes of the May monthly meeting of Kilkee Town Council held on Tuesday 6th May 2008 at the Sweeney Memorial Library, Kilkee.

The minutes of the May monthly meeting of Kilkee Town Council held on Tuesday 6th May 2008 were adopted having been proposed by Cllr. Linnane and seconded by Cllr. Haugh.

2. Set date for Annual Meeting of Kilkee Town Council

It was agreed that the Annual Meeting of Kilkee Town Council will take place on Monday 23rd June 2008 at 8:00 p.m.

3. Discussion on Kilkee Traffic Management Plan

Derek Troy, Executive Engineer referred to the one-way system operating on Circular road as a trial. He stressed that this option had come forward as part of the consultation/review process and that it had been agreed to introduce it on a trail basis. He said that the feedback he had received to date was that it had resulted in tailbacks and delays on O'Curry Street, especially over the bank holiday weekend. He said that Clare County Council will be meeting with the Gardaí this week on this matter and will be discussing the two remaining options for Circular road a) reversing the direction of the one way system however he flagged that the council had serious concerns regarding the health and safety of pedestrians on Strand Line with this option and b) reverting back to a two way system with stricter controls on parking. Cllr. Linnane said that the present one-way system was a disaster and Cllr. Lardner said that it would only get worse with heavy farm machinery with the silage season starting. Cllr. Marrinan Sullivan suggested reverting back to the two-way system, providing parking on the residents' side and provide 2 loading bays for the businesses operating on Circular Road. Derek Troy confirmed that it was still proposed to introduce a parking limit to facilitate business activity. Derek Troy said that the public lights at each ramp on the Strand Line still had to be upgraded to improve visibility. He said that this didn't require any civil works. Cllr. Marrinan Sullivan queried when the controlled zebra crossing would be put in place at Pantry Lane. Derek Troy, Executive Engineer confirmed that this controlled zebra crossing was unlikely to be in place for this summer. It was agreed to list the Traffic Management Plan as an agenda item at the Annual meeting on the 23rd June so that the members can be updated on this matter.

4. Report on Storm Water

David Timlin, Town Manager advised that no formal response has been received to date from the consultants. A commitment was again given that no connection will be made until final agreement / solution has been reached.

5. Discussion on Green Paper on Stronger Local Democracy

David Timlin, Town Manager advised the members that the closing date for receipt of a submission was 31st July 2008. It was agreed to defer discussion on this matter to July meeting.

6. Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr. Claire Haugh

That (a) the Footpaths in O'Curry Street are made wheelchair accessible and that (b) provision be made for disabled spaces in O'Curry Street

Response submitted by Derek Troy, Executive Engineer

As part of the Kilkee Traffic Management plan, three fully accessible pedestrian crossings have been proposed on O'Curry Street. The construction of the build-outs and dropped kerbs to incorporate the crossings will begin later this year.
It is recommended that a minimum of one disabled space of appropriate dimensions in the first 25 standard spaces, minimum three in 25–50 standard spaces, minimum five in 50–100 standard spaces, and additional three per every 100 standard spaces in excess thereof. Therefore 5 spaces are recommended on O'Curry Street. Locations of disabled spaces should be kept as close as possible to dropped kerbs for ease of access to footpaths.

Response Ends

Cllr. Haugh said that she was very disappointed that they would have to wait to have O'Curry street wheelchair accessible with designated disabled parking spaces. This was supported by Cllr. Lily Marrinan Sullivan. She expressed her frustration that the council had to go back over previous work where footpaths were not dropped. Derek Troy, Executive Engineer said that he had to pick his time carefully to carry out this work and estimated that this work on O'Curry street could be completed by the end of the month / start of July. Cllr. Marrinan Sullivan enquired as to whether footpaths works being carried out at present around the town would be dropped down for accessibility. Derek confirmed that this was happening with all present works.

7. Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr. Claire Haugh

" That double yellow lines be provided at the left hand corner of Jimmy's Hill".

Response submitted by Derek Troy, Executive Engineer

As part of the review of the Kilkee Traffic Management plan, it has been suggested that a re-design is required to the proposed layout at Jimmy's Hill. No modifications will be made to the current layout until the re-design has been completed and agreed, unless on specific request of the Gardaí.
Response Ends
Cllr. Haugh clarified that she was referring to the Strand Line end.

8. Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr. Claire Haugh

"That Clare County Council provide one public light on Miltown Road in the vicinity of the Convent of Mercy".

Response submitted by Derek Troy, Executive Engineer

An upgrade of the current public lighting arrangement at this location will be considered in 2008 assuming availability of funding.

Response Ends

Cllr. Haugh stressed that the pole is in place and that all is required is the light  fitting.

9. Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr. Lily Marrinan Sullivan

"As discussed in the public meeting regarding the development of Allenders's Field and Hodges Green (2004) that Kilkee now be allocated a town gardener for the upkeep of both of these fine amenities".

Response submitted by Betty Devanny, Administrative Officer, Environment & Emergency Services Directorate, Clare County Council.

Clare County Council's Gardening Section consists of a Head Gardener who is supported by four General Operatives.  Their work brief is county wide and they are presently operating at full capacity.  It is not proposed, at this time, with budgetary constraints and the staffing embargo, to increase the Gardening Section to provide a Town Gardener for Kilkee town. 
I would suggest that the ongoing maintenance of Allenders Field & Hodges Green will have to be a joint effort utilising existing resources such as Clare County Council's grass cutting contract for Kilkee, the seasonal workers employed by Kilkee Town Council, the local FAS scheme and the local Tidy Towns Committee.

Response Ends.

The motion was supported by Cllr. McGrath who further advised that they was still problems with the lights in Hodges Green despite being reported on several occasions. Siobhan O'Keeffe, A/Town Clerk advised that she had spoken to the Forward Planning section in Clare County Council who had overseen the UVR schemes and they had advised that if planting had died or failed to take off in Allenders Field that they could take that up with the company who were awarded the landscaping works but that they would need specific details of problem locations within the amenity area. Out side of this she said that this issue would have to be dealt with by pooling available resources within the town. The members called for signage on the beach regarding the Intoxicating Substance byelaws saying that glass on the beach was becoming a problem. Derek Troy, Executive Engineer advised that to date he had not been able to secure a template sign for this purpose and so will have to look at doing up text to form a sign specifically for Kilkee.

10. Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr. Lily Marrinan Sullivan

"That the stream on the Well Road is cleared of all debris and growth in order to avoid any mishaps (flooding) and that this is done each year as was always the case"

Response submitted by Derek Troy, Executive Engineer

An inspection will be carried out as soon as possible to establish the current condition of the stream. Any essential works required will be undertaken in due course. A programme of regular inspections of all major storm water systems and remedial works as required, is being put in place.

Response Ends

Cllr. Marrinan Sullivan said that the stream was totally overgrown and this was housekeeping work that needed to be done every year.

11. Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr. Lily Marrinan Sullivan

"That Kilkee Town Council in conjunction with Clare Co. Co. look to find a solution to the illegal parking taking place on a weekly basis in the East End of Kilkee".

Cllr. Marrinan Sullivan confirmed that she was referring specifically to Georges Head and suggested that a ditch could be put in place and that the circular area at the end could be lined for some parking. She said that wild flowers could then grow on the ditch and this would be more in keeping then placing large boulders. Derek Troy, Executive Engineer referred to a statement that could be pre-prepared and left with the traffic / litter warden to complete and pass to the Gardaí requesting them to move the vans etc on. Derek said that the same problem existed in most places particularly where there is a public right of access. David Timlin, Town Manager said that we needed to find a low cost solution and that perhaps there was a site open locally that could be used to draw earth from to create a ditch.

12. Correspondence

All Correspondence is taken as read.

• Contribution to Irish Water Safety - It was agreed to forward a contribution of €250 to the Irish Water Safety.
• Illuminated Address - It was agreed to accept the Illuminated Address from the Crumplin family and then make contact with Fr. O'Meara to see whether it can be housed in the Church. The library was agreed as another option for storage.

13. A.O.B

Litter Bins

Cllr. Linnane raised the need for a litter bin along the west end on the way to the diamond rocks. A/Town Clerk, Siobhan O'Keeffe confirmed that the priority at present was the replacement of bins that were in poor condition and that she understood a number of replacement bins had been ordered. She also raised the problem being experienced whereby the provision of a litter bin was attracting illegal dumping.

Transfer of A/Town Clerk

A/Town Clerk, Siobhán O'Keeffe advised the members that she was being transferred to the HR section of Clare County Council in Ennis in the coming weeks. She said she was not in a position today to advise the members who was taking over the A/Town Clerk position but hoped to be able to do so at the AGM on the 23rd June. She confirmed that she would be attending the July meeting.

Blue Flag Beach

Cllr. Linnane congratulated all involved in Kilkee retaining its blue flag beach.

Sign for Lisdeen Recycling Station

Cllr. Marrinan Sullivan requested that a polish translation be provided for the sign for Lisdeen Transfer Station. It was agreed that a pictorial sign with a symbol could be sourced and placed on a second pole, not on the same pole as the sign for Lisdeen Cemetery.

Litter / Traffic Warden

Cllr. Marrinan Sullivan asked for clarification that the traffic warden appointed for the summer months in Kilkee had powers under the Litter Pollution Act also. A/Town Clerk to get clarification on this matter.

Vote of Sympathy

Cllr. Haugh proposed that a vote of sympathy be passed on the recent death of the late Robaird O'Ceallaigh. She said that he had been a great friend to Kilkee over his many years in the local authority. She requested that a note of sympathy be sent to his wife Carmel and his family. This was seconded by Cllr. McGrath.

As there was no further business the meeting concluded.