SAFETY ADVISORY AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
The Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee Meeting was held on August 26, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. with Chairman Leary presiding. Members present were Mrs. Russell, Mr. Slavin, Mr. Link, and Mr. Davis. Councilman Ruane and Mayor Carey were also present.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Noting the absence of Ms. Wieczoreck, Executive Director of the MPO, Mr. Link moved to delete item #6, Briefing on MPO Projects, from the agenda. The motion was seconded by Mr. Slavin and unanimously carried.
Due to the unavailability of the City Manager, Mr. DePrima, Mrs. Russell moved to consider item #1, Design of Spruance Road to Provide Speed Reduction, at the end of the agenda. The motion was seconded by Mr. Slavin and unanimously carried.
Mr. Link moved for approval of the agenda, as amended, seconded by Mrs. Russell and unanimously carried.
Central Middle School Traffic Flow
When the Capital School District applied to the City for reconstruction of the gymnasium and renovation to the auditorium at Central Middle School, the initial site plan submitted showed all ingress and egress to the site of off Smith Street, north of the gymnasium building. At a public hearing before the Planning Commission on December 17, 2007, neighbors of the school expressed concerns about the proposed site plan, particularly as it related to providing accessible off-street parking and the proposed traffic flow showing all access to the new parking from Smith Street.
The Planning Commission tabled the application and the School District held meetings with residential neighbors of the school property to discuss options for parking layout and access. The School District proposed options for building/parking layout and site access to the Planning Staff and Public Services Manager. The option preferred by staff was rejected by the neighbors, and the School District brought to the Planning Commission in January the option that was ultimately approved and is being constructed. Representatives of the Murphy School expressed concern about the location of egress adjacent to their property.
The circulation pattern that was approved is represented in the site plan sheets (Attachment #1). The plan allows for one-way ingress off of Smith Street with a drive way continuing east behind the school building, then turning south to allow for right turns onto Delaware Avenue. As approved, the entrance off of Smith Street includes a 24-foot wide drive aisle (which doubles as a fire lane), which narrows to 18 feet after it turns south behind the school building.
Mr. Slavin expressed concern that the proposed radius could not accommodate turning buses. Responding, Mr. Scott Koenig, Public Services Director, advised members that the design now has a long right-handed radius which has been tested in the turning templates. He also noted that there is a double stop: one as the bus leaves the school property and one at the end of the alley exiting onto Delaware or Kent Avenues to facilitate safe travel.
Mrs. Ann Marie Townshend noted that, although the Murphy School believed that they owned the property, the City’s property records indicate that the right-of-way belongs to the City.
Mr. Slavin thanked Dr. Michael Thomas, Superintendent of the Capital School District, and Mr. Raymond Paylor, Capital School Board Member, for attending the meeting to address any questions or concerns. He noted that the job site has been well maintained and a number of the neighbors are pleased with how the project is being handled.
Dr. Thomas stated that they would continue to be sensitive to the needs of the neighbors during construction.
Presentation by Mayor Carey - Mayor's Meeting with Norfolk Southern Railroad
Mayor Carey advised members that he attended the Dover/Kent Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) - Norfolk Southern/Mayors Meeting held on July 15, 2008 at the Dover Police Department - Public Assembly Room.
Mayor Carey reviewed the minutes of the meeting (Attachment #2) and advised members that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss concerns of the railroad and the potential problems associated with the railroads close proximity to manufacturing facilities, the possibility of a leak, and the action that would be taken in the event of a leak. Mayor Carey stated that Norfolk Southern assured them that they meet all of the standards, they are doing everything that they should be doing, and that they would like to inventory the cars more often to determine which cars are empty and which are full. He stated that he addressed the issue of identification of the contents of the tank cars with a placard, which would provide the capability of immediately identifying the contents of a tank car and whether or not it is empty.
Members were advised that there was discussion of purchasing vacant land north of Dover in a less inhabited area for the storage of the cars in a fenced, secure area; however, the land they were considering is no longer available and they are not currently looking for another vacant storage area. He noted that they are trying to control the number of cars in the area and the length of time they are in the area.
Mayor Carey advised members that if there is a chemical or vapor leak, you can call ChemTrack and provide them with the number on the car and they will advise you of health hazzards and evacuation plans based on the contents of the car.
Responding to Chairman Leary, Mayor Carey stated that it was his understanding that the questions raised during the meeting would be answered and there would be follow-up. He indicated that he has requested the information from both Norfolk Southern and Dover/Kent MPO. Mayor Carey also noted that he would be calling DEMA to obtain the results of their meeting. Mr. Ruane expressed his appreciation to Mayor Carey’s for his interest and attempts to follow through. He also noted his disappointment that the July meeting still has not produced the results expected by the attendees. Mr. Ruane suggested that the Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee send a letter to the Dover/Kent MPO joining the Mayor in his request for the answers to the questions posed during the meeting. He also requested information on Norfolk Southern’s status of meeting the new Federal regulations obligating all the railroads to begin preparing an assessment of vulnerability and a strategic plan on how they would be working with the local community to address the vulnerability. It was Mr. Ruane’s understanding that the local communities would be given the opportunity to participate in the process.
Mr. Gene Donaldson, Transportation Management Center (TMC) Operations Manager, advised members that they met with the railroad, State Police, Delaware Emergency Management (DEMA), TSA, and a variety of other agencies to ascertain answers to the questions. He noted that they have agreed as a group that TMC will be the lead agency in continuing the meetings and he invited the City of Dover to remain involved.
Update on Sex Offender Unit
Councilman Slavin advised members that, during their Regular Meeting of October 10, 2007, City Council approved the recommendations of the Sex Offender Legislation Review Committee, which was comprised of a group of concerned citizens.
City of Dover Police Chief Jeffrey Horvath provided the following updates:
► State law requires once-yearly checks on registered sex offenders. This was previously done by mailing a form to the registered address and having the offender confirm his address by mailing the form back. Door-to-door checks were implemented and it was discovered that many of the offenders did not live at their registered address.
► Due to the increased workload associated with the door-to-door checks conducted by the Community Policing Unit, the police department was increased by two officers who will be dedicated to a Sex Offender Unit, which will be established on September 7, 2008. The unit will maintain computer records of current sex offenders registered in Dover; respond to sex offender notification letters from the State Bureau of Identification (SBI); verify registered addresses of new sex offenders moving into Dover; complete crime reports on all sex offender notifications; conduct quarterly address verification for all Tier 3 sex offenders, bi-annual verification for all Tier 2 sex offenders, and annual verification for all Tier 1 sex offenders; complete CAD entries for all quarterly, bi-annual, and annual verifications; create sex offender notification posters; notify all Dover daycares and schools for all Tier 2 and Tier 3 sex offenders; keep current and maintain the daycare notice list for the City; make door-to-door notifications for all Tier 3 sex offenders; obtain warrants for non-compliant sex offenders; complete news releases for all wanted sex offenders; locate and arrest wanted and non-compliant sex offenders; conduct a quarterly audit of their files and compare them with the SBI files to ensure that no offenders have been missed; disseminate information on and monitor the use of www.crimeweb.net; educate the public of sex offender registry laws and their terms; conduct felony investigations on sex offenders who fail to respond to the SBI for their appointed verification date; investigate all complaints from the public related to sex offender registry violations; maintain statistics related to sex offenders; and hold neighborhood meetings to address concerns when a Tier 3 sex offender moves in.
► The number of sex offenders in Dover has increased as follows:
March 2007 August 2008
15 Tier 1 sex offenders 25 Tier 1 sex offenders
99 Tier 2 sex offenders 134 Tier 2 sex offenders
18 Tier 3 sex offenders 23 Tier 3 sex offenders
14 Undetermined
► Have obtained 62 (sixty-two) warrants for sex offenders since January 2006, including failure to register, failure to change address, failure to report, or other crimes. There are currently nine (9) outstanding warrants.
Mr. Slavin noted that a Tier 1 offense could have been something minor that happened many years ago and cautioned that a Tier 2 sex offender could be someone who committed a very serious crime and pled guilty to a reduced Tier 2 charge.
Responding to Mr. Slavin, Chief Horvath stated that the State was considering weekly reporting for homeless sex offenders; however, he did not feel that would necessarily close the homeless loophole. Chief Horvath stated that he would request an update from the State on this issue.
Mr. Slavin requested Chief Horvath to extend the notifications to a natural boundary or to use a common sense distance in order to ensure that someone living just outside of the notification area also receives notice.
Briefing on DelDOT Projects - Gary Laing
Mr. Gary Laing, Community Relations Officer for DelDOT and Public Relations Liaison, and Mr. Gene Donaldson, Transportation Management Center Operations Manager, provided briefings on DelDOT Projects, as follows:
Signalization Project
Mr. Donaldson stated that the Transportation Management team meets with Kent County, the City Police, and the Fire Department on a monthly basis. He advised members that the Transportation Management Center operates 24-hours a day, seven days a week and their program includes Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). Their goal is to have every State maintained traffic control system under the computerized signal system, which would allow monitoring and timing adjustments on a real-time basis. Mr. Donaldson noted that the system is being designed to be automated in order operate in a traffic response mode rather than a fixed time and day mode. He also noted that the signals used to progress north/south and, based on studies indicating that the majority of traffic flows east/west, the lights were changed accordingly. Mr. Donaldson stated that more than half of the signals are on the computerized system and that they will continue to work on green to green signal coordination.
Mr. Davis, noting a recent lightning strike that knocked the power and traffic signals out for a long period of time, suggested that the traffic signals should be on a power source that has a backup generator.
Responding to Mr. Davis, Mr. Donaldson stated that he recommends putting left-hand turn signals on fixed time until the timing is set appropriately and then switching to actuated mode. He also noted that they have started utilizing fixed-camera or machine vision to detect a vehicle, causing the signal to change.
Mr. Ruane questioned what a person’s expectation should be with regard to the length of time they should be waiting at a traffic signal. Mr. Donaldson advised members that they have count data for the signals and a critical movement summation is prepared and the appropriate cycle is determined based on the demand and capacity data. He noted that eventually they would be able to achieve a green/green situation in which you could go from one green light to another green light. Mr. Donaldson emphasized that it is easier to achieve on one-way streets.
Mr. Slavin stated that he has noticed that the project has greatly improved signal visibility and provided safer streets, particularly for pedestrians.
West Dover Connector
Mr. Laing advised members that there has been no change since the last update.
South Governors Avenue Improvements
Mr. Laing reported that progress is being made on the South Governors Avenue Improvements. They are working on improved signage on South Governors Avenue, Webbs Lane, and Wyoming Avenue as a result of the working group.
25 I'm hurt - at 35 I'm dead - Speed Limit 25 mph Campaign
Mr. Laing advised members that they have had a good deal of participation in the campaign and it has raised awareness of the speed limit.
Wyoming Mill Road Project
Mr. Laing indicated that although DelDOT is providing advice and expertise regarding the Wyoming Mill Road Project, it is a City of Dover project; therefore, he deferred this matter to City staff for providing members an update. Mr. DePrima advised members that they had some necessary documents signed and the project is in design.
Water Street Railroad Crossover
Mr. Laing reported that he has spoken with Mr. Ralph Reeb, Director of Planning for DelDOT, and he indicated that if they would like to have a crossing in that location, it would require legislative approval because it is “at grade”. Additionally, the railroad would require the closing of at least one other crossing, not necessarily in the City of Dover. Mr. DePrima stated that it was his understanding that Mr. Reeb was currently working on this request. Mr. Ruane advised members that the plan for Eden Hill requires a crossing at this location. Mr. Laing stated the railroad has final authority on the crossings and if they don’t want it, it won’t happen.
Mr. DePrima advised members that he just learned that Federal Street, in front of the former Kent County Administration building, will be closed for two years due to construction. Since the left turn from Water Street to Federal Street will be closed during this time period, Christ Church has requested that Water Street be striped for on-street parking. Mr. Laing stated that it was his understanding that the Federal Street closing was only going to be for a short period of time. He indicated that he would find out what the expected closing time is and report back. Mayor Carey reminded Mr. Laing that the Amish Country Bike Tour (1,200-1,500 bikers) was scheduled for the weekend after Labor Day and Federal Street is usually included in their route. He requested that they be notified if any changes are necessary.
Design of Spruance Road to Provide Speed Reduction
Mr. DePrima, City Manager, advised members that he, Chairman Leary, and Councilman Slavin toured Spruance Road at the request of its residents to address speeding issues. He noted that Spruance Road is 38 feet wide with very little on-street parking. Mr. DePrima stated that one idea was to alter the perception of the wide road with striping down the center of the road and boxing out some of the existing on-street parking. He noted that the road is scheduled for repaving in the fall and this would be an ideal time to test the striping theory. Other suggestions were to provide bump-outs where mailboxes exist to create a narrowing of the road and install small traffic circles in the middle of the road. Mr. DePrima advised members that Mr. Koenig, Public Services Director, suggested temporary measures to mimic the improvements to see if they would be effective traffic calming measures.
Chairman Leary suggested notifying the residents prior to moving forward. Mr. Slavin stated that traffic and speeding have been big issues for this area. He concurred with Chairman Leary that residents should be advised in advance and that they should be made aware that they are temporary test measures.
Mr. Link moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Slavin and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 7:31 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Thomas J. Leary
Chairman
TJL/RMR/tam
S:ClerksOfficeAgendas&MinutesCommittee-Minutes20088-26-2008 SA&T.wpd
Attachments to Original Minutes and File Copy:
Attachment #1 - Site Plan Sheets - Circulation Pattern
Attachment #2 - Minutes of Dover/Kent MPO-Norfolk Southern/Mayors Meeting of 07-15-2008