Áras an Chontae
Roscommon
County Roscommon
F42 VR98
Tel: 090 6637100
Fax: 090 6625599
Email: info@roscommoncoco.ie
Agenda and minutes
Venue: MS Teams
Contact: Neal Geraghty Email: nealg@roscommoncoco.ie
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Adoption of the Minutes Roscommon Municipal District Meeting – 17th February, 2021 Minutes: On the PROPOSAL of Cllr Shanagher SECONDED by Cllr Dineen It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of the Roscommon Municipal District meeting held on 17th February, 2021. |
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Matters arising from the minutes Minutes: The following points were raised –
Martin Lydon stated that he was waiting on a response from the Director of Roads, Shane Tiernan and then he will revert back to the members. · Cllr. McDermott requested an update on extending the existing foul sewer network at Gallowstown and On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. McDermott SECONDED by Cllr. Fitzmaurice It was AGREED to forward a letter to Irish Water requesting them to carry out an inspection Neal Geraghty agreed to correspond with Irish Water on the matter.
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Proposed Development - Section 179 of the Planning & Development Act 2000 (as amended) and Article 81 of the Planning & Development Regulations 2001 (as amended) Provision of Vertical Walkway Viewing Structure at Mote Park, Mote Demesne and Lissanisky Minutes: Brian Farragher gave an outline of the project comprising of the provision of a vertical walkway viewing structure at Mote Park. The proposed development involves the construction of a 13.5m high timber and steel viewing tower and all associated works. The consultation process took place and one submission was received regarding car parking and anti-social behaviour. The project corresponds with the National Planning Framework, Regional Strategy, Roscommon County Development Plan and Roscommon Town Plan. Nollaig Whyte confirmed that concerns regarding adequate car parking will be taken into consideration. Nollaig also assured the members that Roscommon County Council, propose to engage the services of a qualified ecologist to oversee and monitor all the works. We will also work in partnership with Coillte, however we expect that very few trees will need to be felled. This project is well placed to position Roscommon Town and area as a visitor attraction and will address the need to have a resource of this nature in County Roscommon.
The members welcomed the project and a discussion took place with the following matters raised
On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Leyden SECONDED by Cllr. Shanagher It was AGREED that significant regeneration projects are placed as an agenda item for the Municipal District meeting so that members can contribute to the development of a project at an earlier stage in the process. Cllr. Leyden clarified if there was something to report, placing it as an agenda item will create the space to inform members earlier allowing everybody to work in collaboration and discuss projects as they come on board in addition to keeping everyone updated on any new or potential funding streams.
Nollaig Whyte responded to the items raised
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Update on Roscommon Town Public Realm Enhancement Project Minutes: Nollaig Whyte gave an update on the project explaining how the initial works started on Goff street with the project making good progress and the contractor now moving up to the area adjacent to the AIB Bank with the work in that area expected to have a timeframe of six-nine weeks to complete. The Senior Resident Engineer Ciaran McAlary will liaise with the Chamber of Commerce and the Chairperson of Roscommon Town Team and sort out any issues that arise. A point of contact will be arranged for all residents and businesses over the next few weeks.
The members raised the following items –
Ann McHugh still holds her position but was on leave. Ciaran McAlary is employed solely to be on site and will meet with the Chamber of Commerce President and the Chairperson of Roscommon Town Team on a weekly or fortnightly basis.
The issue of workers in the town centre using street parking for the duration of the day was highlighted again as ideally no long term parking should be allowed for the duration of the works. It was suggested to drop letters to the businesses asking the business owners and their staff to use the public car parks. Nollaig Whyte stated that a small allocation for signage had been approved under Covid-19 Accelerated TVR and could be used to direct people to the car parks.
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Information Session - Roscommon County Council Pollinator Plan & Actions Minutes: Nollaig Feeney, Heritage Officer presented the Council’s Actions for Pollinators’ under the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan. It has been agreed at SPC level that Roscommon County Council will sign up as a partner to the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan. Hopefully this will be approved at the April Plenary meeting of Roscommon County Council. Nollaig explained that Roscommon County Council will have to consider the Plan in their policies, plans, and management decisions where possible. They should carry out one pollinator-friendly action in the first year of signing up to the plan and at least three more within the following five years. The focus for this first year will be on altering mowing regimes.
Neal Geraghty indicated that the Roscommon Municipal District is considering two potential pollinator sites where we can reduce the amount of grass cuttings. One site is on the outskirts of Castlerea town coming in from Loughglynn and the other strip is along the Lough road towards Loughnaneane park. We will also look at another area on the Boyle road. Site inspections with Nollaig had been delayed due to Covid-19 restrictions.
The members commented as follows
Cllr. Fitzmaurice asked if this proposal could be put on hold to allow us time to look at alternative ways of treating Himalayan and Japanese knotweed as pesticides are currently required. Cllr. Leyden accepted the AMENDMENT to the PROPOSAL that we should eliminate the use of pesticides except for the control of invasive species such as Japanese and Himalayan knotweed. A further discussion took place on the use of pesticides and it was decided to survey what other Local Authorities are using as an alternative to pesticides.
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Declaration of a public road at Cnoc na Guise, Castlerea Minutes: On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Dineen SECONDED by Councillor Fitzmaurice It was AGREED that the road located at Cnoc na Guise, Castlerea be declared a public road.
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Draft Schedule of Municipal District Works including Roads Programme for Roscommon Municipal District for 2021 Minutes: John Mockler introduced the Draft Schedule of Municipal District Works for 2021 including the Roads Programme 2021 and presented the programme for the national and regional roads. Overall there is an increase in funding of €720,000 in 2021. John explained that it will be very challenging to deliver this programme with the current Covid-19 restrictions. Neal Geraghty presented the programme for the local roads.
The following points were raised by the members-
On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Fitzmaurice SECONDED by Councillor Leyden It was AGREED that €10,000 from the discretionary grant be transferred to winter maintenance for gritting local roads.
On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Leyden SECONDED by Councillor Shanagher It was agreed that Goff street and Church street will be included in the Roads Programme for 2022.
John Mockler and Neal Geraghty responded to the issues raised
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Correspondence E-mail dated 16th March, 2021 from TII regarding reference 05.21 (February 2021) Minutes: · E-mail dated 16th March, 2021 from TII regarding reference 05.21 (February 2021)
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Votes of Congratulations/Sympathy Minutes: There were no votes of congratulations or sympathies.
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A.O.B. Minutes: The following items were raised- · Cllr. Shanagher requested signage for the outdoor gym in Loughnaneane park and Cllr. Fitzmaurice requested that the outdoor gym at Somers park in Castlerea be added to the Schedule of Municipal District Works. Neal Geraghty agreed to look at signage for the outdoor gym. · Cllr. Leyden suggested that the development of a skate board park in Loughnaneane park would benefit teens and it deserves the support of Roscommon Municipal District and Roscommon Town Team. On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Leyden SECONDED by Cllr Fitzmaurice It was AGREED that Roscommon Municipal District will support the development of a skate park in Loughnaneane park. Neal Geraghty agreed to talk to Community & Enterprise and look into this idea along with possible funding opportunities. · Cllr McDermott praised the great work carried out at Abbey Street regarding the instatement of yellow boxes allowing access for people and businesses on the street. Neal Geraghty agreed to look at other areas around the town where yellow boxes could be instated. · Cllr. Dineen requested progress on works at the N60, Williamstown road junction in Castlerea. Colm Kennelly agreed to contact the contractors Maddens immediately and come back with an update. · Cllr. Fitzmaurice raised an issue concerning a blind junction at Cloonkeen and requested signage to signify the concealed entrance and instruct traffic to slow down. Neal Geraghty agreed to inspect the junction with Colm Kennelly and will consider additional signage. He will also inform the roads department and discuss with them if the speed limit could be extended further.
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Date of next Roscommon MD Meeting The provisional date set for the next Roscommon MD meeting and A.G.M. is 18th May at 2 p.m. Minutes: It was agreed that thenext Roscommon MD Meeting and A.G.M. will be held on Monday, 17th May, 2021 at 2 p.m. It was also agreed that future meetings would be held on either a Monday or a Thursday.
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