UTILITY COMMITTEE
The Utility Committee Meeting was held on June 26, 2006, at 5:00 p.m. with Chairman Carey presiding. Members present were Mr. Ruane, Mr. Slavin, Mr. Cregar, and Mr. Snaman. Members of Council present were Council President Williams (arrived at 5:12 PM) and Mr. Hogan.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Slavin moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Snaman and unanimously carried.
Dedication of Rights-of-Way and Public Infrastructure - Bay Tree Phase III
The developer of Baytree (Phase III), Frank Robino Companies, LLC, has requested that all public infrastructure improvements related to this phase of the subdivision be dedicated to the City of Dover for permanent ownership and maintenance. Frank Robino Companies, LLC has constructed all of the improvements in accordance with City standards and specifications. After construction was completed, City staff inspected the public improvements and provided the developer with a list of repairs to be made to meet the City of Dover Standards and Specifications for Public Works Construction. As of this date, all work has been completed by the developer. A one (1) year Maintenance Agreement, Maintenance Bond, and a Release of Liabilities have been submitted by the developer. In addition, as-built drawings have been submitted to the Department of Public Services for its permanent records.
Staff recommended acceptance of the dedication of rights-of-way and public infrastructure in Phase III of the Baytree subdivision, with dedication to include all of the referenced public improvements, as follows:
Sewer Utility Infrastructure (construction value = $ 45,334.00):
8" PVC Sanitary Sewer Main - 2,241 l.f.
4” PVC Sanitary Sewer Laterals - 1,860 l.f. (60 laterals)
4' Diameter Sanitary Sewer Manholes - 13 ea. (196 v.f.)
Water Utility Infrastructure (construction value = $79,510.00):
4" Ductile Iron Water Main - 142 l.f.
8” Ductile Iron Water Main - 2,915 l.f.
6” Ductile Iron Water Main - 140 l.f.
1” Type “K” Copper Water Service Line - 1,885 l.f. (60 services)
4” Gate Valves - 11 ea.
8” Gate Valves - 7 ea
6” Hydrant Valves - 4 ea.
Fire Hydrants - 4 ea.
Storm Water Infrastructure (construction value = $176,763.00)
Catch Basins - 19 ea.
4’ Storm Water Manholes - 1 ea.
15” Type III Reinforced Concrete Pipe - 4,053 l.f.
18” Type III Reinforced Concrete Pipe - 308 l.f.
21” Type III Reinforced Concrete Pipe - 495 l.f.
30” Type III Reinforced Concrete Pipe - 87 l.f.
Street Infrastructure: (0.56 miles) (construction value = $310,745.00)
Westwind Drive Station 2+50 to Station 21+00 1,850 l.f.
Anchor Lane Station 0+00 to Station 9+55 955 l.f.
Mariner Court Station 0+00 to Station 1+35 135 l.f.
2,940 l.f.
Mr. Scott Koenig, Public Services Director, advised members that 1.7 acres of public open space that is to be deeded and dedicated to the City of Dover was omitted from the information provided to members and should be included in the approval.
Responding to Mr. Snaman, Mr. Koenig stated that this is the final segment of the subdivision to be dedicated.
Mr. Slavin questioned the ownership of the tax ditch that runs through the Baytree development and behind the park. Mr. Koenig advised members that the White Oak tax ditch is part of a tax ditch association, of which the City is a major landowner. Much of the responsibility to keep the grass surrounding the ditch cut is placed on the owners. Heavy cutting equipment is needed to keep the ditch properly maintained.
Mr. Koenig advised members that there is currently no easement connecting the development with the Towne Point park. In order for a walkway to be installed, the cooperation of the current land owners would be necessary.
Staff recommended acceptance of dedication of rights-of-way and public infrastructure in Phase III of the Baytree subdivision, including the additional 1.7 acres of public open space. Dedication is to include all of the referenced public improvements.
Mr. Slavin moved to recommend approval of staff’s recommendation for the acceptance of the dedication of rights-of-way and public infrastructure in Phase III of the Baytree subdivision, including all of the referenced public improvements and 1.7+/- acres of public open space, as noted in the original plat. The motion was seconded by Mr. Snaman and unanimously carried.
Division Street Water Main Construction Cost Update
During their Special Meeting of April 10, 2006 members were advised that, due to the construction obstacles and the additional pipe for Bayard Avenue, this project is $483,350.77 over budget. Some of the cost overage has been addressed by transferring monies from other project accounts, resulting in the need for an additional $260,000. Staff recommended approval of a transfer of up to $260,000 from the Water/Wastewater Capital Assets (Brown Water) Reserve to the Division Street Water Main and Bayard Avenue Water Main Projects. During their Annual Meeting on May 8, 2006, Council approved the Committee’s recommendation to transfer funds from the Water/Wastewater Capital Assets.
Mr. DePrima advised members that the final bills for April and May from George and Lynch were received and paid in accordance with the recent City Council action. He noted that the cost was underestimated by $61,017.59, necessitating an additional transfer from the Water/Wastewater Capital Asset Reserve Fund to the Water/Wastewater Improvement and Extension Fund. After further discussion with the Finance Director, it was decided to simply amend the Final Budget to be presented at the June 26, 2006 City Council meeting to reflect the additional transfer. The additional transfer will increase the Water/Wastewater Improvement and Extension Fund from $260,000 to approximately $321,000.
Mr. Koenig advised members that the additional expenses included night work, road restoration, and paving. Mrs. Sharon Duca, Assistant City Engineer, noted that notification letters would be sent to residents to keep them informed of the construction progress.
Mr. Slavin moved to recommend approval of staff’s recommendation to amend the Final Budget to be presented at the June 26, 2006, Council meeting to reflect the additional transfer of $61,017.59 from the Water/Wastewater Capital Asset Reserve Fund to the Water/Waste- water Improvement and Extension Fund; thereby increasing the Water/Wastewater Improvement and Extension Fund from $260,000 to approximately $321,000. The motion was seconded by Mr. Cregar and unanimously carried.
Discussion - Request for State to consider reduction of State Utility Tax to Commercial and Industrial Customers.
At the request of Mr. Carey, Mrs. Terry Tieman, Senior City Administrator, provided a presentation on the estimated additional utility tax local businesses may experience due to the rise in electric rates. The utility tax is state-wide and mandated by the General Assembly.
Mr. Slavin moved to recommend that Council send a letter to Governor Minner and the local legislators (attachment #1) requesting that consideration be given to adjusting the State Utility Tax rate so that there is a net increase of zero to the tax revenue from the rate increases throughout the State. The motion was seconded by Mr. Ruane.
Mr. Ruane moved to amend the motion to include in the letter that consideration be given to this issue during the State’s budget review process for next year, seconded by Mr. Slavin and unanimously carried.
The motion to recommend that Council send a letter to Governor Minner and the local legislators requesting that consideration be given during the State’s budget review process for next year to adjusting the State Utility Tax rate so that there is a net increase of zero to the tax revenue from the rate increases throughout the State was unanimously carried.
Mr. Ruane moved to recommend that the City Manager and the Public Utilities Director explore appropriate avenues of communicating with other municipalities to form a united effort with regards to cutting the utility tax rate, seconded by Mr. Snaman and unanimously carried.
Mr. Slavin moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Snaman and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 5:29 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Carleton E. Carey, Sr.
Chairman
CEC/hf
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Attachments to Minutes
Attachment #1 - Draft letter to Governor Minner