SPECIAL
PARKS, RECREATION, AND COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT
A Special Parks, Recreation, and Community Enhancement Committee Meeting was held on November 29, 2005 at 12:02 p.m. with Chairman Sadusky presiding. Members present were Mr. Ruane, Mr. Long, and Mr. Truitt. Councilman Carey and Representative Stone were also present.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Ruane moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Long and unanimously carried.
Proposed Resolution - Puncheon Run Watershed Action Team
The City has been attempting to address a progressively worsening problem of property flooding in the Puncheon Run Watershed. This problem affects many residential properties in the Crossgates, Mayfair, and surrounding areas. Staff submitted a draft Resolution endorsing the formation of a Puncheon Run Watershed Action Team for the purpose of studying the hydrology of the watershed, development of a storm water model, recommending regional strategies and best practices for storm water management, and recommending physical improvements to resolve flooding.
Mrs. Rachel Harrison, 60 Lynnhaven Drive, advised members that the water from Puncheon Run has risen up to the porch of her home. Due to this flooding, there is no longer any top soil which has resulted in the inability for grass to grow, visibility of tree roots, and the loss of several trees.
Mr. Rex Bell, 72 Lynnhaven Drive, stated he has noticed a progression in the severity of the flooding over the past seven (7) years and that he has had 18 inches of water in his garage. His main concern is that the future development of west Dover will cause increased flooding along the Puncheon Run watershed.
Mr. & Mrs. Brian Turner, 170 Lynnhaven Drive, stated that when they purchased their home in 1999 water problems were not noticed in the backyard. Over the years the ground has become spongy and wet. Their main concern is the problem with mosquitos and loss of trees due to the standing water in their backyard. Mr. Turner also noted that his neighbors yard was under water during the last rain fall.
Mr. Sadusky stated that during a big flood a couple of years ago, Mrs. Pauline Jett, who resides at 158 Lynnhaven Court, had water enter her basement which ruined all of her utilities. Mrs. Jett has spent approximately $15,000 for a new water system to correct this problem. He also advised members that when he bought his home at 88 Lynnhaven Drive in 1977/78, flooding was not an issue. He has since had to waterproof and install drains in his basement and now the concrete is starting to chip due to the water.
Mr. Joe Dulany, 128 Lynnhaven Drive, stated he has a concrete storage building within forty (40) feet of the Puncheon Run which shows the progression of the flooding over the years. Mr. Dulany is worried about future flooding.
Mr. Ruane, as a resident of 122 Shadow Court, advised members that the Puncheon Run is approximately 75 feet from his home. During a recent storm, the water had risen to within eight (8) feet of his home. Mr. Ruane stated that a neighbor, Mr. Paul Baker who resides at 78 Oak Drive, has lost numerous trees due to the flooding. He also advised members of an e-mail he received from Mr. Al Lemarche, 608 Oak Drive, indicating that he has had to purchase topsoil to restore his property due to the erosion the flooding has caused. Mr. Ruane has also been advised of a Petition that is in circulation in regards to this issue.
Mrs. Janice Sibbald, 144 Blue Beach Drive, noted that Blue Beach Drive flooded regularly until a culvert was installed. Mrs. Sibbald has noticed the silting of Puncheon Run and suggested that dredging may alleviate the flooding.
Referring to the proposed Resolution, Mr. Ruane noted that staff has provided the following typographical revisions and corrections: the deletion of the second “the lack of” from paragraph four; the addition of “some of” after “Whereas” in paragraph five; substituting “Woods” in place of “Meadows” in paragraph six; and the deletion of “County” from paragraph nine.
Mr. Ruane moved to recommend adoption of the revised draft Resolution, seconded by Mr. Long.
Mr. Ruane provided members with a memorandum from the West Dover Connector Group regarding the coordination of a study and preparation of an action plan to address the Puncheon Run Flooding (Attachment #1).
Mr. Koenig attended a meeting to discuss the number of studies undertaken involving the development of the watershed that included attendees from DNREC Soil & Water Division, DNREC Storm Water program, Kent Conservation District, City of Dover, and DelDOT. No one agency is taking the lead in this matter. DelDOT understands that they are a major contributor to this issue and are willing to participate financially. DNREC also has funding but does not have the project managers available. The two (2) problems recognized are: 1) the development issue from the railroad tracks west; and 2) a development and flooding issue from the railroad tracks to the Puncheon Run box culvert on Governors Avenue. Once the hydraulic study information is received, Mr. Koenig advised members that they can determine if the current storm water designs are creating a problem. Once this has been confirmed, then the flooding from the railroad tracks to the box culvert can be addressed and then the status of the stream from the box culvert to the river can be determined.
Mr. Ruane noted that the 1992 Puncheon Run Drainage Analysis Study suggested that a strategy should be made to implement a regional storm water management facility which, after thirteen (13) years, has yet to be implemented (Attachment #2). Responding, Mr. Koenig stated that developers have been required to provide over-management for storm water in new developments; however, this has not solved some of the issues.
Mr. Friedman, Chairman of the Planning Commission, indicated that he is concerned with identifying the cause of the problem and questioned if the creation of roads or a bottleneck in the watershed is the cause of the Puncheon Run flooding.
Representative Donna Stone offered her support for this project.
Mr. Ruane moved to amend the resolution by adding another “Whereas” paragraph to read “Whereas the West Dover Connector Group supports the making of a comprehensive watershed study and an action plan to address flooding in the Puncheon Run watershed”. The motion was seconded by Truitt and unanimously carried.
The motion to recommend adoption of the draft Resolution, as revised, (Attachment #3) was unanimously carried.
Mr. Ruane moved to recess, seconded by Mr. Long and unanimously carried.
Meeting Recessed at 12:50 P.M. and Reconvened at 12:56 P.M.
Report by Mr. Zachary Carter - Status of John W. Pitts Recreation Center
Mr. Carter, Director of Parks and Recreation, advised members that a proposal from Becker Morgan Group, Inc. regarding the design, bid documents, and construction timeline for the new recreation center should be received this week. The cost estimate for this project is $2.9 million, which was based on the assumption of being a State bid. Bidding is anticipated to start this fiscal year. A meeting has been scheduled with Kent County in regards to their involvement in the program. The County has the funds designated in their budget, Dover Downs will donate funds during the current and next fiscal year, and payments will need to be worked out with the Trusts involved. Fundraising efforts are continuing as this project continues to develop. Staff is awaiting the approval from the Kent Conservation District regarding the existing design of the storm water management area for Schutte Park.
Members requested that staff provide the committee with regular periodic updates on this project.
Mr. Ruane moved to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Truitt and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 1:08 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert M. Sadusky
Chairman
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S:ClerksOfficeAgendas&MinutesCommittee-Minutes200511-29-2005-Special PR&CE.wpd
Attachments
Attachment #1 - West Dover Connector memo dated November 21, 2005 (filed with original minutes)
Attachment #2 - Puncheon Run Drainage Analysis dated June 1992 (filed with original minutes)
Attachment #3 - Puncheon Run Draft Resolution