SAFETY ADVISORY AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
The Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee Meeting was held on November 29, 2005, at 5:01 p.m. with Chairman Hogan presiding. Members present were Mr. Carey, Mr. Ritter, and Mr. Lakeman. Mr. Link was absent. Members of Council present were Mr. Ruane (arrived at 5:02 p.m.) and Mr. Sadusky. Mayor Speed (arrived at 5:03 p.m. and departed at 5:44 p.m.) was also present.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Ritter requested that item #1 - Briefing on DelDOT Projects - Gary Laing, be considered last due to the absence of Mr. Laing.
Mr. Carey moved for approval of the agenda, as amended, seconded by Mr. Ritter and unanimously carried.
Proposed Resolution - Endorsement of West Side Connector Option 5C
The City of Dover Comprehensive Plan and the Dover/Kent MPO Long Range Transportation Plan recommended studying the extension of Saulsbury Road due to persistent and fast-paced growth that contributes to existing and future traffic congestion on existing roadways and through local neighborhoods. The West Dover Connector project will study the feasibility of extending Saulsbury Road across what is currently the Eden Hill Farm and adjacent agricultural parcels making connections to New Burton Road and possibly to US 13. Because much of the land needed for such a roadway is undeveloped, the opportunity still exists to make improvements that best accommodate the area's multi-modal transportation needs. Alternative routes and concepts are being developed with the input and guidance of the West Dover Connector Working Group and a series of public workshops. The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) and its project team is working with neighborhood and community officials, schools, local government leaders, concerned citizens, federal and state environmental and cultural resource agencies, and others to develop options that meet the diverse needs of the community. A preferred alternative will be selected for which conceptual plans will be developed.
The purpose of the West Dover Connector Working Group is to provide advice to DelDOT regarding the West Dover Connector. The role of the Group is to assist DelDOT by providing input, making suggestions, reviewing alternatives, narrowing the range of alternatives, recommending alternatives that will receive detailed study, and recommending preferred alternatives. The Group will help in developing a consensus and gaining public comment and acceptance.
Members were provided a draft resolution endorsing West Side Connector Alternative Concept Option 5C. Mr. Ruane noted that five (5) options are moving forward for further study by DelDOT. He noted that this issue has been under consideration for some time and, for planning purposes and to move forward with other projects in the City, it is time to let potential developers and other concerned parties know what the City’s position is with regard to the West Dover Connector. Mr. Ruane advised members that the City representatives appointed to serve on the Working Group (Councilmen Ruane, Sadusky, Salters, Mayor Speed, Mr. DePrima, and Mr. Carter) support Option 5C, which is also favored by the neighborhood associations in the area.
Mayor Speed suggested amending the last sentence in paragraph four (4) by changing “. . . would require the acquisition of only a moderate number of homes” to “. . . would impact the fewest number of existing homes” and in paragraph seven (7) changing “. . . in allowing additional land” to “. . . , making additional land available for”.
Mrs. Patricia Gauani, 77 Charles Polk Road, questioned if another agency had requested members to offer support for one option at this time. Responding, Mr. Hogan stated that the committee felt it was time to make a recommendation of support and noted that it was not requested by any other group or agency.
Mr. Lakeman moved to recommend adoption of the Resolution, as amended (Attachment #1), seconded by Mr. Ritter and carried with Mr. Carey voting no (Mr. Link absent).
Review of Dover Human Relations Commission Recommendations
Members were provided a letter dated October 7, 2005 from Dr. Samuel Hoff, Chairman of the Dover Human Relations Commission, containing recommendations to address the grievances of a New Street residence as follows:
Continue increased patrolling (by foot, bicycle and vehicle) by the Dover Police Department
Captain Lester Boney, City of Dover Police Operations Division Commander, stated that Weed and Seed Grant money funds a two-man foot patrol that works the downtown Weed and Seed area several times a week. Members were provided statistics related to the enforcement action taken by the two-man foot patrol between January 2005 and November 2005 (Attachment #2). He also noted that the Quality of Life Task Force will be implemented on January 15, 2006, which should allocate additional resources to certain problem areas throughout the City.
Regarding the complaint that the Police Department is not responding to complaints, Captain Boney advised members that in the areas of North New Street, Division Street, Fulton Street and North Governors Avenue between May 1 through November 25, 2005 there were 55 arrests which included 29 wanted subjects, 18 drug arrests, one (1) arrest for burglary, one (1) arrest for assault, one (1) arrest for resisting arrest and five (5) arrests for prostitution. There have been 247 complaints called in for this area by one (1) individual this year. Captain Boney advised members that he has met with the complainant on numerous occasions. Mr. Ritter stated that one of this individual’s constant complaints is regarding loud noise. Captain Boney noted that 42 loud noise summonses have been issued in the Weed and Seed area and most were during the summer months when the Quality of Life Task Force was set up. This task force will be implemented again January 15, 2006 and should address this area more effectively. Captain Boney also noted that he was contacted by Mr. David Anderson regarding this issue and both thought it would be a good idea to start a neighborhood watch program.
Establish a policy where tenants who are chronic offenders of City codes are reported to their landlords for punitive actions
Captain Boney stated that the Police Department currently has a Tenant Noise Policy in place. The officers currently issue Dover City Ordinances to individuals who have residences where a complaint is called in or an officer hears loud noise while driving by. The citations for noise violations are forwarded to the Inspections Department and, once two (2) violations are received, the process for eviction begins.
Establish a policy where City agencies that are requested to appear before the Commission in response to a citizen concern be directed to do so in order to provide their insight into the matter and demonstrate that the City is wholeheartedly in support of maintaining a high quality of life for all of its residents.
Mr. Hogan advised members that during their November 28, 2005 meeting, Council considered a proposed ordinance amendment to Chapter 58 - Human Relations Commission, Section 58-36 - Powers and Duties (Authority to Require Representatives from City Agencies to Appear at Hearings) which was proposed to address this recommendation. It was the consensus of members that, rather than adopting an ordinance to require City agencies to appear before the Commission, Council reiterated its support for the Dover Human Relations Commission and made it clear that Council expects representatives of City agencies to give their full cooperation. It was also suggested that Council reaffirm the Commission's mission and process.
Establish a registry of nuisance properties and develop procedures for revocation of rental licenses for repeat offenders of felonious activities.
Chief Horvath stated that currently, a drug violation with a conviction or two (2) noise violations with convictions within a year results in eviction. He interpreted the recommendation as involving a more extensive list of crimes deeming the property a nuisance property. Chief Horvath suggested that an ordinance could be developed to define what a “nuisance property” would be in the City of Dover and a registry could be maintained by the Department of Planning and Inspections.
Mayor Speed advised members that the Weed and Seed Federal Grant, which began in June 2002, will expire in February 2006 and no funds have been budgeted after that date.
Mr. Carey moved to recommend acceptance of the report provided by the Police Department, seconded by Mr. Lakeman and unanimously carried.
Briefing on DelDOT Projects - Gary Laing
Due to the absence of Mr. Laing, the Briefing on DelDOT Projects was not presented.
Mr. Ritter moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Carey and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 5:46 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Kenneth L. Hogan
Chairman
RGR/jcr
S:ClerksOfficeAgendas&MinutesCommittee-Minutes200511-29-2005 SA&T.wpd
Attachments
Attachment #1 - Resolution - West Side Connector Option 5C Endorsement
Attachment #2 - Weed & Seed Report Handout (filed with original minutes)