SAFETY ADVISORY AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
The Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee Meeting was held on August 29, 2006, at 5:00 p.m. with Chairman Hogan presiding. Members present were Mr. Carey, Mr. McGiffin, Mr. Link (arrived at 5:10 p.m.), and Mr. Lakeman (arrived at 5:20 p.m.). Mayor Speed was also present.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Carey moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. McGiffin and unanimously carried.
Briefing on DelDOT Projects
Due to the absence of Mr. Gary Laing, no update was given.
Request for Alley Waiver - Article 5 - Supplementary Regulations, Section 17 - Emergency Access Requirements - Silver Lake Townhouses
Article 5, Section 17 of the Zoning Ordinance specifies requirements for emergency access. One of the requirements is that rear alley access be provided for townhouses of three to eight units with no fire protection. Article 5, Section 17 (2) states, "Should the Planning Commission determine, after demonstration by an applicant that alternative means of fire protection can be provided which are equivalent to or greater than the public safety protection provided by this ordinance, then the Planning Commission may recommend to [the] City Council to waive certain provisions of this ordinance that are not required under other city or state laws."
Mrs. Ann Marie Townshend, Director of Planning and Inspections, advised members that the applicant for Silver Lake Townhouses has agreed to install a fire suppression system (sprinkler system) in each of the townhouse units, which exceeds current code requirements, as an alternative means of fire protection. Mrs. Townshend also noted that emergency access to the rear of the townhouses could be provided through the adjacent Dover High School property.
During their Regular Meeting of June 20, 2006, the Planning Commission recommended approval of the alley waiver in its approval of this townhouse project.
Mr. Carey asked if the Public Services Department would have any difficulties collecting trash from the proposed area if the alley requirement were waived. Mr. Scott Koenig, Public Services Manager, stated that if the front entry garages allow residents to pull their trash container back inside, they would have no objections.
Mr. McGiffin moved to recommend approval of the request for alley waiver for Silver Lake Townhouses, as recommended by the Planning Commission. The motion was seconded by Mr. Carey and unanimously carried.
Residential Parking Stickers - Bradford Street
In accordance with Chapter 106 - Traffic and Vehicles, Section 106-135 - Residential parking of the Dover Code, certain areas in the City, upon approval of the City Manager, Chief of Police and Chairperson of the Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee, will be eligible for residential parking stickers. Each individual area will be assigned a different color-coded bumper sticker with the year of expiration. After proper registration, these stickers will allow the vehicle upon which it is affixed to be exempt from two-hour parking regulations in only the specified area. However, this sticker is not entitlement to a parking space, nor exemption from any other parking or motor vehicle regulations established in said area or other areas.
At the request of Police Chief Jeffrey Horvath, members considered designating North Bradford Street as a residential parking area. Deputy Police Chief Raymond Taraila advised members that, due to numerous resident parking issues, staff recommended providing residential parking on North Bradford Street, beginning at Wesley College and continuing north to Governors Avenue. Deputy Chief Taraila noted that residential parking has been designated on South Bradford Street and the first block of North Bradford Street.
Mr. Carey moved to recommend approval of staff’s recommendation, seconded by Mr. McGiffin and unanimously carried.
Proposal - Sex Offender Legislation Review Committee
During the Open Forum Segment of the Regular Council Meeting of June 12, 2006, several residents voiced their concerns regarding the need to establish a Sex Offender Legislation Review Committee, to be comprised of concerned citizens and members of Council. The initial scope of the committee would be to research current sex offender laws, current bills under consideration by the State Legislature that are related to sex offenders, the current enforcement of our sex offender laws, what other cities and states are doing to protect children from those who commit sexual offenses against minors, and to consider what measures the City of Dover can adopt to elicit a standard where sexual offenses will not be tolerated.
Mr. Hogan recommended amending the last section of the proposed resolution to read as follows:
“Consist of the following members:
Nine (9) members - one selected by each Council Member, with the Chair being appointed by the Council President”
Mayor Speed informed members that he sent a letter to the State Legislature in support of House Bill #404 - Additional Penalty for Serious Sex Offenders or Pedophile Offenders (Jessica’s Law). This Bill mandates the Superior Court to incarcerate a sex offender for not less than 25 years up to life imprisonment if convicted of a class A or B felony sex offense against a child less than 14 years old or if the sex offender is convicted of his or her second class A or B felony sex offense. Mayor Speed noted that the bill was signed into law on July 26, 2006.
Mr. Link moved to recommend adoption of the resolution establishing a Sex Offender Legislation Review Committee, as amended, (Attachment #1), seconded by Mr. Carey and unanimously carried.
Discussion - Motor Sports Ordinance
NASCAR racing is a large sport that effects Dover twice a year. Over the past five (5) years, activities surrounding the NASCAR races, such as camping, temporary vending/restaurants, and ticket scalping have increased. Mr. Dave Truax, Fire Marshal, advised members that several local businesses, including Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, the North Dover Shopping Center, and the Dover Mall open their parking lots to recreational vehicles; thereby creating non-traditional camp grounds. He noted that Delaware State University is also preparing land for RV parking during race-weekends. Mr. Truax provided members with a visual presentation of the areas in question using the City’s GIS mapping technology.
In the interest of public safety, staff recommended the development of a “Motor Sports” ordinance to regulate activities surrounding the NASCAR races and to assist the Police, Fire, and Inspections Departments in controlling and overseeing those activities.
It was the consensus of members that staff should move forward with the development of a proposed “Motor Sports” ordinance.
Mr. Carey moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Link and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 5:40 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Kenneth L. Hogan
Chairman
KLH/hf
S:ClerksOfficeAgendas&MinutesCommittee-Minutes20068-29-2006 SA&T.wpd
Attachments
Attachment #1 - Proposed Resolution - Sex Offender Legislation Review Committee
ATTACHMENT #1
SA&T minutes of 08/29/2006
PROPOSED RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, in the interest of protecting children of all ages against sexual predators and to inform and educate concerned residents on the topic of sex offenders, it is the opinion of the Mayor and Council that research should be conducted on current sex offender laws and bills currently being considered by the State Legislature; and
WHEREAS, current enforcement of sex offender laws, along with action being taken by other cities and states to protect children from those who commit sexual offenses against minors, should also be researched; and
WHEREAS, recognizing that recommendations for effective sex offender legislation must be objective and thoroughly considered, it is the desire of the Mayor and Council to create a Sex Offender Legislation Review Committee that will consist of concerned citizens and members of Council; and
WHEREAS, Council, in an effort to be proactive against sexual abuse crimes, establishes this committee to help all the citizens of Dover protect children of all ages against sexual predators; and
WHEREAS, the City of Dover will adopt a standard where sexual offenses of any kind will not be tolerated and fully supports the creation of a committee to research these issues.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER HEREBY ESTABLISHES A SEX OFFENDER LEGISLATION REVIEW COMMITTEE. THIS COMMITTEE SHALL:
Be an ad-hoc committee with the initial scope of:
1.Researching current sex offender laws that have been adopted.
2. Investigating current bills under consideration by the State Legislature that are related to sex offenders.
3. Looking into the current level of enforcement of the City’s sex offender laws.
4. Exploring what other cities and states are doing to protect children from those who commit sexual offenses against minors.
5. Considering what measures the City of Dover can adopt to elicit a standard where sexual offenses will not be tolerated.
Consist of the following members:
• Nine (9) members - one selected by each Council Member, with the Chair being appointed by the Council President
ADOPTED: *