LEGISLATIVE, FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
The Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee meeting was held on June 13, 2005, at 5:30 p.m. with Chairman Salters presiding. Members present were Mr. Hogan, Mr. Slavin, Mr. Shevock, and Mr. Shelton. Members of Council present were Mr. Pitts, Mr. Sadusky, Mr. Ritter, Mr. Ruane, and Council President Williams. Mayor Speed was also present.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Slavin moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Shevock and unanimously carried.
Voluntary Donation Program
Members were provided detailed information regarding Voluntary Donation Programs. Mrs. Tieman, Director of Administrative Services, explained that staff conducted research on these programs as a part of their strategic goals. She noted that a Voluntary Donation Program can give the Dover community the opportunity to help make a positive impact on the City’s Quality of Life Task Force initiative. The program is designed to provide emergency assistance funds to groups in crisis situations or for other community projects. The most effective way to offer and encourage participation is through the monthly utility bill, whereby customers may find this to be a convenient, pressure-free method of contributing at will. Customers, upon remittance of the monthly utility payment, would check off a donation box appropriate to the additional contribution they wish to enclose. These programs are successful and widely implemented with municipalities and businesses across the country.
Based on their research, staff suggested that the City develop such a program to be known as “Dover Cares Contribution Program” and that the method for its development include changes to the utility bill form to include donation box information by changing the order with the printer, which appears to be the easiest and least costly way to proceed with this program. Mrs. Tieman stated that the steps necessary to accomplish this are minimal. She explained that customers would be sent information regarding donation programs once per year. New customers would receive this information when they initiate service. Customers would have the option of simply checking the desired donation box(es) and add the amount to utility payments throughout the year. Mrs. Tieman advised members that staff would like the contributions to be distributed among the following funds and agencies: Utility Assistance - Administrative Services; Parks Improvement and Programs - Parks and Recreation; Library Programs - Library and Arts Program - Arts Council.
Staff recommended that the Administrative Services Department be permitted to implement the program as recommended in the report provided.
Responding to Mr. Ruane, Mrs. Tieman stated that it is anticipated that there would be minimal administrative costs associated with this program. Mr. Ritter questioned how the City would provide contributors proof of the donation for tax purposes.
Mr. DePrima indicated that until staff is able to work out details of the program, it is difficult to determine exactly how the process would be conducted and the administrative costs that would be involved. Once the program is implemented, he stated that staff could report back to members more specific details as to the costs associated with this program.
Mr. Slavin moved to recommend acceptance of the concept of the Voluntary Donation Program as outlined by staff and that staff report back to members more details regarding the program, seconded by Mr. Sheldon and unanimously carried.
APPROVAL OF CDBG 5-YEAR CONSOLIDATED PLAN AND PROPOSED RESOLUTION
Members reviewed the 2005-2010 Consolidated Plan, which serves as the primary planning document for identifying and meeting the housing and community development needs for the low and moderate-income residents of Dover. Mrs. Harvey, Community Development Director, explained that the 2005 Action Plan is a supplementary document to the 5-Year Consolidated Plan. The goals and objectives focus on developing and sustaining viable communities and improving low and moderate income persons are addressed in the Consolidated Plan as part of the strategy for addressing the needs of low and moderate income people. Each year, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, upon congressional approval, allocates to the City of Dover Community Development Block Grant Program. The City of Dover is in receipt of FY2005 CDBG fund assignment totaling $308,000 and anticipated program income totaling $50,363; therefore, the total CDBG Federal resources available for use is $358,363. Mrs. Harvey advised members that the Community Block Grant Advisory Committee reviewed proposals for funding and recommended the following activities for fiscal year 2005:
Dover Police Department Community Policing Program - $15,000
Homeowner Rehabilitation Assistance Program - $30,000
CDBG Program Administration - $61,600
City Building Accessibility - $35,000
Public Micro Enterprise Assistance - $15,000
Dover Community Partnership, Inc. - $46,000
First State Resources Conservation and Development Council - $25,000
Infrastructure Multi Year Program - $130,763
TOTAL - $358,363
Mr. Ruane requested that staff provide information regarding currently funded CDBG programs, monies that remain available, etc. before this matter is considered by Council. He relayed concern with supporting the micro enterprise assistance program when there are more urgent priorities for use of CDBG funds.
Mr. Salters noted that due to time constraints, staff has requested that this matter be considered by Council for final approval during the latter part of the evening.
Mr. Slavin moved to recommend acceptance of the 2005 CDBG Action Plan and adoption of the proposed Resolution (Attachment #1) as presented, stipulating that staff provide details regarding the CDBG Action Plan that was approved last year within the next two (2) weeks. The motion was seconded by Mr. Hogan and unanimously carried.
Downtown Dover Business Improvement District - Assessment (Tax) Rate for Fiscal Year 2005-2006
In accordance with Appendix D, Article III, Section 9(f) of the Dover Code, City Council must adopted a Business Improvement District (BID) budget and assessment every year. Members were provided the FY 2005-2006 budget showing BID tax revenue and the expenses charged against that revenue, as well as the following tax calculation worksheet with recommended rates:
JULY 1, 2005 TO JUNE 30, 2006
|
|
ZONE 1 |
ZONE 2 |
ZONE 3 |
TOTAL |
|
Aggregate Assessments |
$29,476,600 |
$55,927,600 |
$33,291,700 |
$118,695,000 |
|
Assessment Tax Rate Per $100 Assessment |
0.0849 |
0.0362 |
0.0150 |
--- |
|
Revenue Raised |
$25,025 |
$20,246 |
$4,994 |
$50,265 |
|
% Revenue Raised |
50% |
40% |
10% |
100% |
|
Number of Parcels |
121 |
113 |
49 |
283 |
|
Average Assessment |
$207 |
$179 |
$102 |
$178 |
Mrs. Mitchell explained that the revenue percentages by zone have been calculated in accordance with Section 9(e) of Appendix D, Article III of the Dover Code and that there had been a discrepancy in this calculation in previous years.
Mayor Speed suggested that members of Council should review this as an opportunity to provide an incentive for bringing businesses to the downtown Dover area by providing tax abatement for occupied property within the downtown Dover business improvement district by referring this concept to the Parks, Recreation, and Community Enhancement.
Staff recommended approval of the Downtown Dover Business Improvement District (BID) - Assessment (Tax) Rate for FY 2005-2006 and adoption of the proposed budget ordinance.
Mr. Slavin moved to recommend approval of staff’s recommendation (Attachment #2), seconded by Mr. Hogan and unanimously carried. Mr. Salters noted that due to time constraints, this matter will be referred to Council for consideration during the latter part of the evening.
Adoption of Recodification Ordinance
During their Regular Meeting of January 12, 2005, members of Council authorized the City Clerk to enter a Professional Services Contract with Municipal Code Corporation (MCC) for conducting a comprehensive legal review, republication, and electronic services of the City of Dover Charter and Code or Ordinances. Mrs. Green, City Clerk, explained that review of the Dover Code involved staff, as well as the City Solicitor and Deputy City Solicitor and identified obsolete provisions, conflicts and inconsistencies with current state statutes, as well as conflicts within the Code itself. State law citations were checked and necessary changes and additions have been noted for future implementation. Ordinances adopted after March 14, 2005, have not been included in the new Dover Code and will be made a part of the first supplement.
Mrs. Green reminded members that the new Dover Code of Ordinances was distributed to members of Council on May 23, 2005 along with a memorandum requesting that the Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee conduct a Code Review. She explained that there is not enough time to “review” the new Dover Code of Ordinances; however, in order for it to become effective, members of Council must adopt the “Adopting Ordinance”, prepared by Mr. Lefkoff, MCC Attorney, and reviewed and approved by City Solicitor Rodriguez. Therefore, staff requested that a Code Review take place immediately following the adoption of the new Dover Code.
Staff recommended adoption of the proposed ordinance adopting and enacting a New Code for the City of Dover, Delaware.
Mr. Frank Tenusak, 880 Schoolhouse Lane, questioned what specific changes resulted in the review and how/when will the new Code Book become effective. Responding, Mrs. Green stated that the proposed changes submitted by Municipal Code Corporation and reviewed by the City are available in the Office of the City Clerk. Should the proposed ordinance be forwarded to Council for First Reading during the latter part of the evening and the Final Reading/Adoption by Council on June 27, 2005, Mrs. Green stated that the new Dover Code of Ordinances would become effective June 28, 2005 at 12:01 a.m.
Mr. Hogan moved to recommend adoption of the proposed ordinance adopting and enacting a New Code for the City of Dover, Delaware (Attachment #3). The motion was seconded by Mr. Shevock and unanimously carried. Mr. Salters noted that at the request of staff, this matter will be referred to Council for consideration during the latter part of the evening.
Mr. Hogan moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Slavin and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 6:35 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Reuben Salters
Chairman
RS/jg
S:ClerksOfficeAgendas&MinutesCommittee-Minutes20056-13-2005 LF&A.wpd
Attachments to Original Minutes and File Copy
Attachment #1 - Resolution for 2005 CDBG Action Plan
Attachment #2 - Proposed Budget Ordinance - Downtown Dover Business Improvement District (BID) - FY 2005-2006
Attachment #3 - Proposed Ordinance Adopting and Enacting a New Code for the City of Dover, Delaware