PARKS, RECREATION, AND COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT
The Parks, Recreation, and Community Enhancement Committee met on September 9, 2008, at 12:00 noon with Councilman Ruane presiding in the absence of Chairwoman Russell. Members present were Mr. McGlumphy, Mrs. Horsey, and Mr. Lewis.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. McGlumphy moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Lewis and unanimously carried.
CDBG Program - Status of Contracts
As requested during their meeting of August 25, 2008, staff provided members with details regarding the status of FY2007 and FY2008 CDBG Projects.
Mrs. Townshend, Director of Planning and Inspections, advised members that since the preparation of the report, the 2008 funding available has been released; therefore, she assured members that the information regarding the 2008 funding available would be forwarded to members.
Responding to Mr. Ruane, Mrs. Harvey, CDBG Director, stated that all grant recipients are prepared to sign contracts and to begin expending funds immediately, with the exception of Dover Interfaith Ministry since they are in the process of finding a location for the shelter. Mrs. Townshend stated that she is scheduled to meet with representatives to discuss possible sites for the shelter; however, the Dover Interfaith Ministry will most likely not be in a position to expend funds upon signing their contract.
Mrs. Townshend reminded members that RC&D Emergency Home Repairs tend to expend their funds during the winter months due to the nature of the projects.
With regards to the Housing and Recovery Act of 2008, Mrs. Harvey advised members that the State of Delaware will receive $19.6M for the purchase and redevelopment of abandoned and vacant homes. She advised members that an informal meeting was held with the Dover Housing Authority to obtain information regarding the distribution of these funds. She stated that it has not been determined how much of these funds will be allocated to the City of Dover. There is additional planning necessary, as well as an Action Plan submitted. Once the money is received, she stated that the City of Dover will have 18 months to expend the funds. Mrs. Harvey stated that these funds are anticipated to be received by the City in November 2008.
Mr. Ruane requested that staff provide members (in an e-mail format) information submitted by HUD on how the funds are to be expended. To assure members are kept abreast of this issue, Mr. Ruane requested that there be a standing agenda item titled “Housing and Recovery Act of 2008 Funds”.
Mr. McGlumphy moved to recommend acceptance of the CDBG/Housing and Recovery Act of 2008 Programs, seconded by Mrs. Horsey and unanimously carried.
Updates
Members were provided the following updates:
Puncheon Run Watershed Action Team Update
Mr. Koenig, Public Services Director, advised members that the Puncheon Run Watershed Action Team has not met since the last update was provided; therefore, there were no changes to report.
Responding to Mr. Ruane, Mr. Koenig reminded members that there is a draft proposal from URS that is currently unfunded and that he will be meeting with DNREC to determine their funding ability. The map revision is on hold until there is an “as-built” drawing of the Puncheon Run bridge.
Mr. McGlumphy moved to recommend acceptance of the Puncheon Run Watershed Action Team Update, seconded by Mr. Lewis and unanimously carried.
Planning and Funding for New Library
Members were provided update information regarding the planning and funding for the new Library.
Mr. Carter, Parks and Recreation Director, stated that he would be going before the State Council on Libraries tomorrow in hopes of obtaining funds in the amount of $3.7M to $3.8M for next year. He also indicated that Holzman Moss Architecture is scheduled to be in town on September17th.
At the request of Mr. Ruane, Mr. Carter stated that he expects to receive a calendar of the public meetings next week and assured members that he would forward it to members upon receipt. He also stated that there will be an Open House at the Library on September 17, 2008 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. to provide everyone the opportunity to meet the new Library Director, Ms. Margery Cyr.
Mr. McGlumphy moved to recommend acceptance of the Planning and Funding for New Library Update, seconded by Mrs. Horsey and unanimously carried.
2008 Comprehensive Plan Update
Mrs. Townshend, Director of Planning and Inspections, indicated that the State Planning Office conducted the Plus Review for the City’s Draft 2008 Comprehensive Plan last week and that there were no major issues that were not already anticipated. Staff expects to receive the State’s comments by the end of September or first of October. She advised members that staff continues to work on the public comments and intends have the Final Draft completed by mid-October to be forwarded for public hearings.
In response to Mr. Ruane, Mrs. Townshend stated that there were two (2) issues anticipated by staff, as follows:
1)Annexation of Lands East of State Route 1, most of which are lands of the Dover International Speedway - campgrounds associated with the race operations. Dover International Speedway had requested that these lands be included in the annexation area. However, staff put a land use designation of agricultural with the anticipation of amending the agricultural zoning district to allow that as a use, which would allow Dover International Speedway to request annexation. Mrs. Townshend stated that the Department of Agriculture is very opposed to this concept. She reminded members that the Annexation Chapter of the Plan was reviewed by the Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee. It was decided not to make any changes to this Chapter pending the State’s comments in writing and then to respond appropriately.
2)Areas of Common Interest with the Town of Wyoming (Papen Farm, located south of Hidden Creek - west of the Kesselring Farm and east of Wyoming Mill Road; and the Kesselring Farm, located south of Webbs Lane and east of New Burton Road). Mrs. Townshend stated that the City has listed these two (2) areas as priority annexation areas that the Town of Wyoming included as well. There are also some of the longer range annexation areas that the Town of Wyoming has included which staff feels comfortable removing.
Responding to Mr. Ruane, Mrs. Townshend stated that staff is reviewing the map to assure the land development plan map is reflected and noted that staff is finding corrections in this regard. Once the data is properly coded in the GIS system, staff will be able to query the rezonings and will have the ability to create a listing by geographic location of any proposed rezoning.
Mr. McGlumphy moved for acceptance of the 2008 Comprehensive Plan Update, seconded by Mrs. Horsey and unanimously carried.
Schutte Park Space - Boys and Girls Club/CDSA
Mr. MacLeish of the Dover Greater Committee and Mr. Tingle, Executive Director, of the Greater Dover Boys and Girls Club provided members an update on the Schutte Park Space for the Boys and Girls Club/CDSA. As reported during their meeting of May 27, 2008, Mr. Tingle reminded members that the Task Force met with the Corporate Board Management Committee for the Boys and Girls Club of Delaware, which has granted the Greater Dover Boys and Girls Club approval to move forward with plans. Once the plans are completed, they will develop the project costs. He stated that the Greater Dover Boys and Girls Club has been working with Mr. MacLeish and Mr. Moore (Becker Morgan Group) to begin the process of designing the facility.
Mr. MacLeish reminded members that during the Regular Council Meeting of January 14, 2008, members approved Schutte Park to be used as the location for the magnet site for the Boys & Girls Club, without being specific to its location at Schutte Park, and with the stipulation that its use will not cause any loss in existing field space for the CDSA. Mr. MacLeish stated that he continues to work with Mr. Moore on the design and location of the building for the Boys and Girls Club. Prior to the completion of the design and location, he stated that additional information is required regarding the realignment of Wyoming Mill Road. He indicated that the goal is to have a schematic plan by the end of the year and assured members that they would be kept abreast of this matter.
City Clerk’s Office Note: Due to an electrical outage (storm), there is no recording of the meeting from 12:30 p.m. to 12:53 p.m.
Mr. McGlumphy moved to recommend acceptance of the Schutte Park Space - Boys and Girls Club Update, seconded by Mr. Lewis and unanimously carried.
Skate Park Committee
On behalf of the Skate Park Committee, Mr. Chris Asay and Mr. Joel Marousek (student at Polytech High School) provided an update on the Skate Park for the City. It was noted that Mr. Marousek is assisting the committee in getting the youth involved.
Mr. Ruane advised members of correspondence received from a family on Elm Terrace suggesting that the area be considered for a Skate Park.
Mr. Asay indicated that the committee is aware of two (2) possible sites for a skate park: 1) Wastewater Treatment Plant; and 2) Saulsbury Road (across from Food Lion). He advised members that there are two (2) large concrete circles at the Wastewater Treatment Plant location that may serve a use for a skate park. He stated that each location has residential neighborhoods nearby and noted that the committee has not contacted the neighborhoods at this point.
Mr. Asay assured members that the goal is to create a finished, sculpted, concrete skate park.
Due to its close proximity to the downtown area, Mrs. Horsey relayed her concern with the consideration of the Wastewater Treatment Plant site. She reminded members of the damage being caused by skate boarders on private and public property, particularly historical structures, in the downtown area.
Mr. McGlumphy moved to recommend acceptance of the Skate Park Committee Update, seconded by Mr. Lewis and unanimously carried.
Mr. Lewis moved for adjournment, seconded by Mrs. Horsey and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 1:01 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Eugene B. Ruane
Acting Chairman
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