UTILITY COMMITTEE
The Utility Committee Meeting was held on January 23, 2006 at 5:30 p.m. with Chairman Carey presiding. Members present were Mr. Ruane, Mr. Sadusky, Mr. Cregar, and Mr. Snaman. Members of Council present were Mrs. Russell, Mr. Slavin, Mr. Ritter, Mr. Hogan, and Mr. Salters and Council President Williams (arrived at 5:47 p.m.). Mayor Speed was also present.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Ruane moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Sadusky and unanimously carried.
Presentation - Connectivity Study from Virchow Krause
Members reviewed a Connectivity Needs Assessment conducted by Virchow Krause & Company, which contained several recommendations. Mr. DePrima reminded members that discussion occurred about one year ago regarding the City’s fiber optics infrastructure. As a result, the City contracted with Virchow Krause & Company to conduct a Connectivity Needs Assessment for the City of Dover. Mr. Matt DeHaven, Engineer of Columbia Telecommunications Corporation, gave a PowerPoint Presentation (Attachment #1).
Mr. DePrima advised members that portions of the recommendations contained in the Study will be appearing in the City’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), Annual Budget, and Information Technology Plan, which will provide members further opportunity to review the recommendations.
Mr. Ruane moved to recommend acceptance of the Report as presented, seconded by Mr. Sadusky and unanimously carried.
Elimination of Different Procedures for Elected Officials’ Utility Billings
As a result of a recent article that appeared in the Delaware State News, City Council was made aware that there is an unwritten policy that exempts elected officials from having their electricity disconnected if not paid in a timely manner. Mr. Carey suggested that members consider eliminating this unwritten policy thereby requiring utility billings for elected officials to be handled in the same manner as any other citizen.
Mr. Ruane moved to recommend elimination of the unwritten policy for handling utility billings differently for elected officials. The motion was seconded by Mr. Snaman and unanimously carried.
Mr. Snaman moved to present this matter for action during the Council Meeting scheduled to be held later in the evening, seconded by Mr. Sadusky and unanimously carried.
Annexation Request - 1542 and 1554 South Little Creek Road (owned by Joyce Bordley and Rojan Meadows, LLC)
Members were provided the Petition to Annex and Zone Property and a Cost/Revenue Analysis Summary (as on file in the Office of the City Clerk) for property located at 1542 South Little Creek Road, owned by Joyce Bordley, and 1554 South Little Creek Road, owned by Rojan Meadows, LLC. Members were advised that the request for annexation includes a rezoning classification of RMH - Residential Manufactured Home (Kent County zoning classification) to RG-1 - General Residence (City of Dover zoning classification) upon annexation.
Mr. DePrima, City Manager, advised members that City electric and water and sewer are available to the site. According to the cost/revenue analysis, he indicated that the annexation would have a net impact in the amount of $29,332; however, this does not include the water/wastewater impact fee, which would increase the amount an additional $5,200. Mr. DePrima also advised members that annexation is in conformance with the current Comprehensive Plan.
In order to proceed with the annexation request, Mr. Carey explained that a resolution is required to set the date of the annexation referendum. Staff recommended adoption of a resolution setting the date of the Annexation Referendum to be held on March 16, 2006, for property located at 1542 and 1554 North Little Creek Road.
Responding to Mr. Ruane, Mr. DePrima explained that since these are enclave properties, the Plan of Services, which is submitted to the State, contains the same information that has already been provided to members. He stated that when there are major expansion of boundaries, then the Plan of Services would contain additional information, and assured members that the information would be forwarded to the committee for their review in consideration of future requests.
Mr. Ruane moved to recommend adoption of a resolution setting the date for an annexation referendum to be held on March 16, 2006, for property located at 1542 and 1554 North Little Creek Road (Attachment #2), seconded by Mr. Snaman and unanimously carried.
Dedication of Rights-of-Way and Public Infrastructure - Dover Crossing
The developer of Dover Crossing, Trout, Segall & Doyle Development Company, L.L.C. has requested that all public infrastructure improvements related to this subdivision be dedicated to the City of Dover for permanent ownership and maintenance. Members were provided a map depicting the general location and configuration of the subject rights-of-way.
Mr. Koenig, Director of Public Works, assured members that the developer has constructed all of the improvements in accordance with City standards and specifications. Staff recommended acceptance of the dedication of rights-of-way and public infrastructure in Dover Crossing, with the dedication to include all of the referenced public improvements, as follows:
Sewer Utility Infrastructure (construction value = $48,000.00):
12" PVC Sanitary Sewer Main - 775 l.f.
8” PVC Sanitary Sewer Main - 120 l.f.
4' Diameter Sanitary Sewer Manholes - 4 ea. (29.6 v.f.)
Water Utility Infrastructure (construction value = $224,000.00):
10" Ductile Iron Water Main - 2,624 l.f.
8” Ductile Iron Water Main - 120 l.f.
6” Ductile Iron Water Main - 240 l.f.
10” Gate Valves - 5 ea.
8” Gate Valves - 3 ea.
6” Hydrant Valves - 5 ea.
Fire Hydrants - 5 ea.
Storm Water Infrastructure (construction value = $304,575.00)
Catch Basins - 16 ea.
42” Type III Reinforced Concrete Pipe - 660 l.f.
36” Type III Reinforced Concrete Pipe - 130 l.f.
24” Type III Reinforced Concrete Pipe - 425 l.f.
18” Type III Reinforced Concrete Pipe - 395 l.f.
15” Type III Reinforced Concrete Pipe - 355 l.f.
5’ Diameter Manholes (4 ea.) - 25.5 v.f.
Street Infrastructure: (0.49 miles) (construction value = $960,000.00)
John Hunn Brown Road Station 0+00 to Station 17+87 1,786 l.f.
Babb Drive Station 0+00 to Station 08+03 803 l.f.
2,589 l.f.
Mr. Ritter stated that about a month ago, he was contacted by the Pastor of the Church located on South Little Creek Road, east of Babb Drive, relaying concerns that when the development was approved, the contractor had indicated that a privacy fence would be erected along the roadway. He stated that there is playground equipment and open space area located in the rear property of the Church. The privacy fence was intended to provide safety measures. Mr. Ritter indicated that rather than a privacy fence, a picket fence has been erected that allows children to access adjacent properties.
Mr. Koenig stated that he was not aware that the Code required a privacy fence to be erected adjacent to the church. He noted that the fence has been in place now for approximately three (3) years. Responding to Mr. Ritter, Mr. Koenig stated that he would review the plan to determine whether a privacy fence or split-rail fence was required along the Church property located east of Babb Drive and advise members before this matter is considered by City Council.
Mr. Ruane moved to recommend acceptance of dedication of rights-of-way and public infrastructure in the area known as Dover Crossing, with such dedication to include all referenced public improvements. The motion was seconded by Mr. Sadusky and unanimously carried.
Mr. Snaman moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Sadusky and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 6:22 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Carleton E. Carey, Sr.
Chairman
CEC/jg
S:ClerksOfficeAgendas&MinutesCommittee-Minutes20061-23-2006-UTILITY.wpd
Attachments
Attachment #1 - Power Point Presentation of Connectivity Needs Assessment (to original and file copy)
Attachment #2 - Proposed Resolution - Annexation Referendum