The Parks, Recreation, and Community Enhancement Committee meeting was held on October 12, 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. Ruane and unanimously carried.
Presentation of Programs - YMCA (Rick Gould)
Mr. Rick Gould, Executive Director of the Central Delaware YMCA and Aquatic Center, advised members that the YMCA offers many outreach and community development programs that are meant to serve all individuals. Among those programs are monthly courses teaching Red Cross First Aid and Red Cross CPR.
Mr. Gould explained that NYPUM (National Youth Project Using Minibikes) is a youth development program for students identified as "at risk" by schools or law enforcement. Students involved in this program must improve and maintain school grades and successfully complete minibike safety classes to earn the privilege of riding each week. Each student is assigned a minibike and is responsible for cleaning and maintaining it. Mr. Gould advised that the program is funded through State Grant-in-Aid.
Responding to Mrs. Horsey, Mr. Gould stated that the minibikes are stored and remain at the YMCA. Members of NYPUM do not take the minibikes home.
In response to Mr. Lewis, Mr. Gould stated that the age range is 12 through 16 years of age for participants in NYPUM.
Mr. Gould noted that Club 58 is a safe social and recreational program offered to any youth from the community in grades 5 through 8. Club 58 meets twice a month, on a Saturday evening from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. using the YMCA Youth Wellness Center. Mr. Gould further noted that the program fee to participate covers the cost to provide front desk staff and a lifeguard. The program is offered in partnership with Calvary Assembly of God, who provides volunteers to supervise each event, and is also supported through State Grant-in-Aid.
Youth in Government is a program that allows teens to learn about our state government. Youth learn to debate, research social issues, and write their own bills, which are presented at the annual Youth in Government weekend. Mr. Gould explained that during this weekend, youth from around the state come to Legislative Hall to debate bills written by the youths themselves. Each year, the bills that have been passed by the youth and signed by the youth governor are presented to our state government representatives. Mr. Gould mentioned that a number of the these bills have become actual law in the State of Delaware.
Mr. Gould explained that Driver's Education and Behind the Wheel Instruction is another program offered through the YMCA. This program is State certified and offered to youth who are unable to complete the program offered through their high school. The cost for this program is set by the State Department of Education and no profit is made.
Along with programs that have fees associated with them, Mr. Gould explained that the YMCA also offers free community events throughout the year. These events provide opportunities for families to have fun, play together, and gain information on living a healthy lifestyle. Mr. Gould further explained that these programs offer a service component, such as writing letters to overseas soldiers or donating food to local food charities. The programs include the Easter Bunny Hop, the Great Pumpkin Event, Santa Social, Healthy Kids Day, and America on the Move Week.
Mr. Gould explained that through a statewide partnership between the YMCA of Delaware and foster family agencies, the YMCA is able to offer low cost memberships to foster families on a sliding fee scale, as determined by family support agencies. Mr. Gould further explained that when a foster child reaches the age of 18, the YMCA offers a free membership in order to provide a source of stability and connection with the community for that individual.
Responding to Mr. Lewis, Mr. Gould explained that the free membership is good for one year and the individual's situation is reevaluated at the end of that year.
Mr. Gould noted that the YMCA partners with many organizations, including the Boy and Cub Scouts, Caesar Rodney High School Swim Team, Calvary Assembly of God, Central Middle School Century 21 Program, Delaware Army National Guard, Dover Air Force Base, Dover Caring Community Coalition Winter Festival Dinner, Dover High School Swim Team, Dover Interfaith Housing, Girl Scouts, JC Penney Afterschool Fund, Kent County Tourism Amish Bike Tour, and the Senior Olympics of Delaware. He stated that it is his goal to expand this list.
Mr. Gould advised members that the YMCA mission is to serve everyone in the community regardless of their ability to pay. He further explained that the YMCA offers scholarship assistance and will award over $280,000 in aid in 2009, which represents a little over 10% of their annual revenue. Mr. Gould noted that, to subsidize the scholarships, fund-raising is very important and the YMCA raises approximately $30,000 in direct contributions and receives about $80,000 in grants each year.
Responding to Mr. Lewis, Mr. Gould stated that the YMCA offers after school care for children ranging in age from 6 to 12 years at North Dover Elementary, South Dover Elementary, Fairview Elementary, and William Henry Middle School, all of which are located in the Capital School District. He further explained that children from Caesar Rodney School Districts are bused to the sites for after school care.
In response to Mr. Ruane, Mr. Gould stated that, although the YMCA and City of Dover Parks and Recreation Department have not partnered to do any programs, he has worked in a team capacity with Mr. Zach Carter, Parks and Recreation Director, on a number of events, including the Skate Park, the Greater Dover Youth Summit, and the Amish Bike Tour.
Schedule for Consolidated Plan
Mrs. Tracy Harvey, Community Development Manager, advised members that the five (5) year 2010 consolidated plan will be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
(HUD) on May 15, 2010. Members of the committee were provided the steps involved in the Consolidated Development Plan process as follows:
1. Identification of stakeholders; this will include members of the community, elected and appointed officials, private citizens, community groups, housing authorities, and various County and State agencies within the City of Dover.
2. Conduct a workshop to develop the needs of the community. The date and location are to be scheduled in November 2009.
3. Conduct a workshop with stakeholders to rank priorities. The date and location to be scheduled in January 2010.
4. The city will advertise for CDBG grant applications for the 2010 fiscal year based on the needs that have been determined by stakeholders for the community in January 2010.
5. The Parks, Recreation, and Community Enhancement Committee will meet in March 2010 to review and make recommendations for the 2010 Action Plan.
6. Unveil the Draft Consolidated Plan for 30-day review period.
7. Conduct a Public Hearing for Consolidated Plan.
8. Prepare the final City of Dover 2010 Consolidated Plan.
9. Submit the final plan to City Council for approval.
10. Submit the City of Dover 2010 Consolidated Plan to HUD.
Responding to Mr. Ruane, Mrs. Harvey stated that the basic eligibility requirements are the same as last year; however, the outline for completion has changed. She further explained that the Consolidated Plan will be based on the needs of the community, as determined by the stakeholders.
In response to Mr. Ruane, Mrs. Harvey stated that HUD has updated the Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) data. Mrs. Harvey further explained that the target area will still be in the downtown area; however, some of the programs will be city-wide.
Updates
Members were provided the following updates:
Puncheon Run Watershed Action Team Update
Mrs. Ann Marie Townshend, Director of Planning and Community Development, advised members that a meeting between Mr. Scott Koenig, Public Services Manager, Mr. Jared Atkins, S&S Program Manager for Kent Conservation District, and Councilman Eugene Ruane, Second District, took place near the bridge over Route 13 regarding the Puncheon Run. Mrs. Townshend explained that, although the new bridge eliminated the bottleneck caused by the old bridge on South Governors Avenue, a new bottleneck was found causing water to back up further downstream. Mr. Koenig is awaiting information from Mr. Atkins regarding obtaining permission from property owners to access the stream to clear debris without a permit.
Mr. Ruane advised members that he took pictures of the tremendous overgrowth at the bridge and the significant flooding that takes place during a rain event. He encouraged members to view this area for themselves.
Responding to Mr. Ruane, Mrs. Townshend stated that prior to submitting any paperwork regarding changing the delineation of the flood plain, "as-built" drawings are needed for the bridge. Mrs. Townshend further explained that Mr. Koenig is waiting to hear back from DelDOT regarding the status of those drawings.
Mr. Ruane commended the Emergency Management Office and Fire Department for seeing the need for sandbags in the area near Lynnhaven Drive during recent large rain events.
Responding to Mrs. Horsey, Mr. DePrima stated that the bridge is owned by the state; however, during the City/County Meeting, discussion took place regarding the property maintenance section of Kent County clearing out the ditches that belong to the County. Mrs. Townshend explained that some of the debris is caused by the phone and cable companies pruning the trees and not clearing the resulting debris.
Planning and Funding for New Library
Ms. Margery Cyr, Library Director, advised members that the Green Summit recently held with the architects was very successful. She noted that the design/development phase is almost complete and drawings should be ready in about one (1) month. Ms. Cyr stated that the architects are currently working on infrastructure, options for sustainability, and alternative energy uses for the building.
Ms. Cyr noted that the Kent County Levy Court would be voting on October 13, 2009 to purchase or lease a property to construct a library in an area that is only 2.6 miles from the Dover Public Library. Should they decide to move forward with this purchase, she noted that the location will overlap the Dover Public Library service area by more than 50%, which is a serious concern as it could cause funding issues with the State.
Responding to Mr. Lewis, Ms. Cyr advised members that State legislation (Title 29, Chapter 66) states that libraries should not be placed within six (6) miles of each other.
In response to Mr. Lewis, Mr. Hogan stated that the property Kent County is interested in purchasing is located near Brecknock Park, approximately 350 yards from the City of Dover limits.
Responding to Mr. Ruane, Mr. Hogan confirmed that the County plans to spend $1 million to purchase/lease the property for their new library, which is the same amount that the City was seeking from Kent County to support the proposed City of Dover anchor library.
In response to Mrs. Horsey, Ms. Cyr stated that the State Librarian is not in support of the location at Brecknock Park; however, she is supportive of a location in the heart of the Kent County service area. She advised members that the State of Delaware will be issuing a statement regarding this matter.
Mr. Hogan noted that it will take a lot of people attending the meeting and speaking out about this issue in a calm manner for Kent County to take notice of the opposition to their plan.
Mr. DePrima stated that the city/town managers of Smyrna, Harrington, and Dover sent a letter to Kent County Levy Court asking them to postpone their vote on the new library location until a meeting could take place to discuss the status of plans for future libraries in those city/towns. He stated that he believes the city/towns can work together as independent municipal libraries to serve the county and noted that, with County assistance, State leverage, and municipal funding, this would be a much more affordable option than building a branch library location.
CDBG Program
Mrs. Tracy Harvey, Community Development Manager, advised members that the only remaining project for Fiscal Year 2008 was the Dover Interfaith Ministry to the Homeless, who is working on bids for renovations to the shelter.
In response to Mr. DePrima, Mrs. Harvey stated she would make an inquiry as to the intent of the Ministry to purchase the Frear Building for use as a homeless shelter and how that would affect the City's investment in the building they currently occupy. Mrs. Russell stated that she is on the Board of the Ministry and has heard no mention of the purchase of the Frear Building.
Referring to Fiscal Year 2009 projects, Mrs. Harvey advised members that projects are underway and sub-recipient contracts were signed on September 1, 2009.
In response to Mr. Lewis, Mrs. Harvey confirmed that the closing on the property located at 137 Periwinkle Drive took place, as scheduled, on October 9, 2009.
Mr. DePrima advised members that there is $6,000 remaining in funding for Americans with Disabilities (ADA) improvements and those funds will be spent in this fiscal year.
Housing and Recovery Act of 2008 Funds (Neighborhood Stabilization Fund)
Mrs. Tracy Harvey, Community Development Manager, advised members that the Dover Community Partnership purchased 907 Woodcrest Drive and 343 Mimosa Avenue. Mrs. Harvey further advised that a family is ready to purchase the Mimosa Avenue property; however, substantial renovations need to take place at the Woodcrest location before it is ready for sale. Mrs. Harvey stated that, on behalf of the Diamond Community Land Trust, she will be placing an offer for the move-in ready property located at 337 S. Governors Avenue and, on behalf of Connections Community Support Program, she will be placing an offer for the property located at 1430 Hancock Street. She noted that the purchase of these properties will not exhaust the funding available since only approximately $500,000 has been spent to date.
Schutte Park Space - Boys and Girls Club/CDSA
Due to the absence of Mr. Darryl Tingle, no update was provided on the Schutte Park Space - Boys and Girls Club/CDSA.
Skate Park Committee
Due to the absence of Mr. Chris Asay, no update was provided by the Skate Park Committee.
Youth Advisory Committee
Mrs. Russell advised members that the last Youth Advisory Committee Meeting was well attended and that the Youth would be participating in the Home for the Holidays Celebration, the Halloween Parade, the Christmas Parade, volunteering at the Salvation Army, and will be putting together a talent show to showcase local youth. She also noted that one of the Committee members vacated his position to attend college and the committee would like to replace that member with a youth from the Dover area.
American Planning Association (APA) - Designation of The Dover Green
Mrs. Ann Marie Townshend, Director of Planning and Community Development, advised members that the Green was chosen by the American Planning Association (APA) as one of America's Great Places. The APA chooses ten (10) places in three (3) different categories and The Green was selected in the public places category. Mrs. Townshend noted that the presentation for this award would take place later in the evening during the City Council meeting.
Mr. Hogan moved for adjournment, seconded by Mrs. Horsey and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 1:01 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Sophia R. Russell
Chairwoman
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