PARKS, RECREATION, AND COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT
The Parks, Recreation, and Community Enhancement Committee meeting was held on December 14, 2009, at 12:00 noon with Chairwoman Russell presiding. Members present were Mr. Ruane, Mr. Hogan, Mr. Lewis, and Mrs. Horsey.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Hogan moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Lewis and unanimously carried.
Authorization to Use Parkland Reserve Funds for Pitts Center Storage Room Addition
Mr. Zachary Carter, Director of Parks and Recreation, explained that due to limited storage space, equipment needed for recreational programs offered at the John W. Pitts Recreation Center is currently being stored inside the gymnasium area, where it is taking up part of the indoor track area. Mr. Carter noted that this creates a safety concern and restricts use of the track by participants. He displayed a drawing of the Pitts Center (Attachment #1) and explained that staff is requesting permission to construct a one (1) story storage addition (18’ x 30’) to be attached to the south side of the building, which will have direct access to the gymnasium. Mr. Carter explained that the addition would be constructed by Facilities Management staff; however, a few contracts for specialized work, such as concrete foundations and sprinklers, will be required. He noted that the estimated cost would be $40,000 and proposed that this be funded from the $219,911 that remains in the Parkland Reserve Account (as of the end of October), which was the source of funding for the construction of the Pitts Center.
Responding to Mrs. Horsey, Mr. Anthony DePrima, City Manager, explained that the addition will be of block construction with a slanted, shed-type roof and will be painted similar to the existing building.
In response to Mr. Hogan, Mr. Carter explained that the addition will not interfere with future expansion of the building, since the storage area will be constructed on the south side of the building and any future expansion of the building is projected to be to the north.
Responding to Mr. Hogan, Mr. Carter explained that $3 million was budgeted from the Parkland Reserve Account for construction of the Pitts Center; however, the total cost of the building was $2,983,846, including expenditures for a security system, equipment, and supplies, which were purchased with funds remaining after building construction was completed. He stated that approximately $17,000 of the funds designated for the building remain and that the proposal is to combine this amount with additional funds in the Parkland Reserve account to finance construction of the storage area. He noted that the Parkland Reserve account is funded by contributions from neighborhood subdivisions and is earmarked to provide recreational facilities for City residents.
(City Clerk’s Office Note: The actual amount remaining of the $3M for construction is $16,154.)
Mr. DePrima noted that there have been no cash contributions made by developers to the Parkland Reserve Account since the construction of the Pitts Center and that most of the money in the account consists of interest that has accumulated. He noted that the next Capital Improvement Program (CIP) report will list uses of the fund other than the Pitts Center.
Responding to Mr. Ruane, Mr. Carter stated that the total cost of the Pitts Center will be $3,023,846, including the projected cost of the storage area. Mr. Carter stated that, after this expenditure, the Pitts Center building will be complete, with the exception of air conditioning, which had been discussed at one time. He stated that venting fans are currently used in the gym to circulate the air.
Mr. DePrima noted that he does not recommend air conditioning the facility since it is not common in this type of facility and would significantly increase operating costs.
Responding to Mr. Ruane, Mr. DePrima noted that Kent County had previously indicated they would be constructing a number of similar recreational facilities in the Greater Dover Area and it was hoped that this would offset the demands on the Pitts Center; however, this has not occurred.
Mr. Carter stated that he believed that Delaware State University has the only other public recreation facility in the Dover area.
In response to a request from Mr. Ruane, Mr. Carter agreed to obtain statistics regarding the percentage of the Pitts Center’s users who are non-Dover residents.
Mr. Hogan moved to recommend approval of staff’s recommendation to spend $40,000 from the Parkland Reserve Account for a Pitts Center Storage room addition, seconded by Mrs. Horsey and unanimously carried.
Proposed Ordinance #2009-30 - Correction to Appendix B - Zoning, Article 6 - Off-Street Parking, Driveways and Loading Facilities
Ms. Janelle Cornwell, Planner II, reminded members that several months ago the Planning Office brought forth a number of amendments to the off-street parking requirements in the Zoning Ordinance which were adopted by City Council on September 14, 2009. She stated that since then, the need to amend Appendix B to allow existing buildings within the C-2 (Central Commercial) Zoning District to fall back to the zoning in bulk standards has become apparent. She explained that if this amendment is adopted, newly constructed buildings would still be required to provide additional parking as outlined in the Zoning Ordinance; however, existing properties whose use is changed would not be required to increase parking. She noted that providing additional parking spaces is often difficult for existing buildings, especially in the Downtown Dover area, and that adhering to the existing ordinance could potentially inhibit development. She added that certain types of properties (e.g., churches, restaurants, and medical offices) have specific parking requirements according to code with which they would still have to comply. She noted that she believed the proposed ordinance amendment had been approved by the City Solicitor.
Staff recommended that the Committee forward the proposed ordinance to City Council with a favorable recommendation.
Mr. Hogan moved to recommend the adoption of Proposed Ordinance #2009-30, Correction to Appendix B - Zoning, Article 6 - Off-Street Parking, Driveways and Loading Facilities (Attachment #2), seconded by Mr. Lewis and unanimously carried.
Puncheon Run
Mr. Scott Koenig, Public Services Manager, stated that approximately three (3) weeks ago, Daisy Construction Company completed improvements around the Puncheon Run Pump Station to comply with a permit received from the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) approximately one year ago. He explained that during the week of December 7, 2009, the Kent Conservation District cleaned a portion of the stream between the new South Governors Avenue bridge and the box culvert under Route 13, hauling all of the brush to a central location where City sanitation and street crews disposed of it. Mr. Koenig explained that Senator Brian Bushweller, Representative Brad Bennett, and DNREC paid Kent County Conservation approximately $3,000-$5,000 to perform this work. Mr. Koenig mentioned that 2.9 inches of rain fell recently and it was verified that the new bridge is functioning as it was designed to. He did note, however, that there was heavy flooding in the northern part of the basin down Puncheon Run during the previous week and that pond and stream elevations continued to be higher than usual. He noted that at least two residences on Lynnhaven Drive had water up to or inside their homes during this period.
Mr. Koenig noted that he is still attempting to obtain a cost estimate for the full submission of a Letter of Map Revision (LOMAR) to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). He indicated that Senator Bushweller and Representative Bennett have agreed to fund approximately $8,900 of the cost, and an agreement to this effect will be signed as soon as the cost estimate is obtained. Mr. Koenig stated that he has received an engineering proposal from URS Corporation to do some of the baseline work for the LOMAR. He also noted that DNREC has some flooding mitigation funds available and that he believes they will approach Mr. Petrosky, who resides immediately west of the new bridge, to suggest that he submit a proposal for a flood mitigation/channel modification project.
Responding to Mr. Lewis, Mr. Koenig stated that clearing of brush similar to that recently performed along the Puncheon Run is not expected to occur annually; however, he did feel that scheduled vegetation control is needed, perhaps every two (2) to three (3) years. He noted that there has been no determination as to who is responsible for performing this service; however, both sides of the stream are in the County’s jurisdiction, so the City will not volunteer to maintain this area.
In response to Mrs. Horsey, Mr. Koenig noted that there has been discussion for many years about performing channel modifications, including grading, to allow flooding of undeveloped portions of land adjacent to the area on a more regular basis and to allow these areas to hold more water during a rain event.
In response to Mr. Ruane, Mr. Koenig stated that the feasibility of a Dover stormwater utility is being discussed at service meetings with the Kent Conservation District and with DNREC. However, he noted that most of the stormwater flowing through the City comes from areas outside of City boundaries; therefore, he indicated that this is a regional issue rather than just a City concern.
Mr. Anthony DePrima, City Manager, added that he has been discussing this issue with Mr. Kyle Sonnenberg, the new City Manager in Newark, who came from a town with a stormwater utility, and is hoping to implement a similar project in Delaware. He stated that Mr. Sonnenberg has expressed an interest in examining a model utility in North Carolina to see if this could be applied to Delaware. Mr. DePrima noted that he will be monitoring Mr. Sonnenberg’s progress with this project.
Mr. Ruane commended Mr. Koenig for his efforts on dealing with the Puncheon Run flooding problem, stating that getting the area cleaned out was a significant improvement which allowed water to pass through the area much quicker than in the past.
Planning and Funding for the New Library
Ms. Margery Cyr, Library Director, stated that the design and development phase of the building project has been completed and that Holzman Moss Architects will be meeting with City Council in January to discuss the plans and budget for the project. She stated that it is hoped that some site work, including relocating utilities at the back of the property, can begin this winter. She explained that plans are being developed for a road at the rear of the site connecting the parking lot with Innovation Way. Ms. Cyr stated that the projected cost of the building has been reduced to below $22 million without compromising services or function. She added that the capital campaign will become very active after January 1, 2010, that all contributions will go to the Dover Library Foundation, and that accounts are being set up to receive cash, checks, stocks, bonds, and annuities.
CDBG Program
Mr. Scott Koenig, Public Services Manager, reviewed the Status of FY-08-09 CDBG Projects and the Status of FY-08-09 Program Funds Spent.
Mr. Hogan requested clarification regarding the reports provided to members. He noted that the Status of Program Funds Spent Report stated that funds were rolled over to FY 2009; however, no statement of funds was provided for FY 2009. He also noted that under the Housing Rehabilitation Program, the report indicated two homes were completed and one was 80% complete; however, a large balance of $61,890 remained unencumbered. Mr. Hogan stated that some projects were shown to be “underway” yet funds appeared to be unencumbered. Referring to the Status of CDBG Projects Report, he noted that the report indicates that “All sub-recipient contracts have been signed and projects are underway”; however, information regarding recipients and amount of funds expended were not included. He found the reports confusing and requested that information be presented in a clearer and more detailed format.
Housing and Recovery Act of 2008 Funds (Neighborhood Stabilization Fund)
Mr. Scott Koenig, Public Services Manager, indicated that Mrs. Ann Marie Townshend, Director of Planning and Community Development, had sent an email to City Council stating that she and Mrs. Donna Mitchell, Controller/Treasurer, were working out some issues related to the administration of funding for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP). He indicated that Mrs. Townshend had since met with Mrs. Mitchell to discuss the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Dover and the Dover Community Partnership. He noted that Mrs. Townshend expects to have these issues resolved and will report the outcome to the Committee and to Council.
During the City Council meeting of March 23, 2009, City Council approved the submission of a non-binding letter of intent to partner with other Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) participants in an effort to leverage additional funds through the New Market Tax Credits (NMTC) Program. Mr. Ruane requested that staff determine if any participants benefitted from the NMTC program or if it was abandoned. He stated his understanding that the City was proceeding with the Neighborhood Stabilization Program and requested information as to whether the program is meeting its objectives of returning foreclosed properties to the marketplace, including specific details regarding how many properties have been impacted, the timeline for completion, and whether benchmarks have been set and are being met
Mr. Hogan moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Lewis and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 12:59 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Sophia R. Russell
Chairwoman
SRR/JS/rr/tm
Attachments
Attachment #1 - John W. Pitts Recreation Center Utilities Plan
Attachment #2 - Proposed Ordinance #2009-30 - Correction to Appendix B - Zoning, Article 6 - Off-Street Parking,
Driveways and Loading Facilities