SAFETY ADVISORY AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
The Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee Meeting was held on April 27, 2005, at 7:04 p.m. with Chairman Ritter presiding. Members present were Mr. Carey, Mr. Pitts, and Mr. Lakeman. Mr. Simmons was absent. Members of Council present were Mr. Sadusky and Mr. Ruane.
The invocation was given by Chairman Ritter, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Carey moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Lakeman and unanimously carried.
Poor Drainage on Whiteoak Road - Entrance to Oak Shadows (Simpson Log Homes)
Mr. Ritter advised members that there has been an ongoing drainage problem at the Oak Shadows development, located off of Whiteoak Road. He noted that the development is located within the City; however, the drainage ditch, which, due to its elevation, is causing ponding on the road and residential lots below it, is located outside of the City limits. Due to its location, there is some uncertainty as to whether the ditch is under the jurisdiction of Kent County government or Kent Conservation. Mr. Ritter also noted that the ponding is presenting a road hazzard.
Mr. Terry Sealund, 5 Meadowlark Lane, President of Oak Shadows, advised members that the poor drainage has caused his wife to have asthma problems. He noted that the water backs up from the end of Mourning Dove Lane and Whiteoak Road and it sits three (3) to four (4) inches deep for months at a time. Mr. Sealund stated that the culvert is not graded toward the large tax ditch near the bridge over Route 1. It was his feeling that re-grading would improve the situation.
Mr. Ritter stated that Mr. Vasuki Hirasaeve, Central District Engineer, had been to the site and indicated that the tax ditch needed to be cleaned out or a culvert needed to be installed past the high point on the ditch and then fill in the ditch. This would also provide a shoulder for the road.
Mr. Craig Burkett, 104 Mourning Dove Lane, stated that he has spoken with several people regarding the problem, including Kenneth Conway, an environment scientist with the Army Corp of Engineers. He noted that Mr. Conway visited his property and indicated that his property is draining onto 102 Mourning Dove Lane. Mr. Burkett stated that the culvert on the City side of Whiteoak Road are sometimes six (6) to eight (8) inches above the grade of the ditch with no drainage. He stated that he currently has a foot of standing water in his yard. Mr. Burkett indicated that there were some environmental concerns with disturbing the ditch, since it runs through the salvage yard. Mr. DePrima, City Manager, recalled that the blockage was closer to the road than the salvage yard.
Mr. Lakeman moved to recommend that the Mayor and Council President send a letter to the State of Delaware, Kent County, and Kent Conservation, requesting them to evaluate the drainage situation (Attachment #1). The motion was seconded by Mr. Carey and unanimously carried.
Traffic Signal Timing and DelTrac System - Report by Traffic Management Center
Mr. Gary Laing, DelDOT Municipal Liaison, advised members that a recent report grading states on their traffic management indicated that Delaware is addressing its traffic needs with the DelTrac system. He noted that DelTrac is operated from the Traffic Management Center, which is adjacent to the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA). Mr. Laing noted that the traffic engineers are able to monitor traffic conditions throughout the state via computers and cameras. He stated that adjustments are made to the signals as traffic conditions warrant or demand.
Mr. Laing stated that parallel, one-way streets could be timed in such a way that motorists have all green lights; however, multi-lane, two-way streets with varying speeds cannot be timed in that manner. He noted that the signals are timed to provide good traffic flow, eliminate extreme traffic backups, and reduce emissions by limiting idling time.
Mr. DePrima advised members that $4M had been committed to upgrading the 18 lights located within the City of Dover in order for them to become a part of the DelTrac system. He noted that conversion would begin on Division Street this year.
Mr. Ritter suggested that it may be beneficial for the committee to tour the DelTrac facility. Mr. Laing stated that he would make arrangements for a tour once a date was selected.
Responding to Mr. Ritter, Mr. Laing stated that the timing of the left-hand turn signal at Division Street and Route 13 had been adjusted to allow more vehicles through. He noted that this is a difficult area to improve due to limited space.
DART Bus Stop - Wild Meadows
Mr. Ritter recently attended a Wild Meadows civic association meeting where members expressed a desire to have a DART bus stop. He also informed members that the president of the Persimmon Park Place Civic Association advised him that the DART bus stop at Persimmon Park Place had been eliminated and the residents would like to see it reinstated. Mr. Ritter suggested that the route include both Persimmon Park Place and Wild Meadows. Mr. Laing stated that decisions to vary the bus routes were based on ridership numbers. He noted that residents can call DART 24 hours in advance to arrange for the bus to pick them up and take them to a central stop. Mr. Laing stated that he could provide literature to Wild Meadows regarding the bus services available.
Updates - DelDOT Projects
College Road Corridor Upgrade
Mr. DePrima advised members that this project has been delayed and is now included in either the FY2008 or FY2009 CIP.
Crawford Carroll Drive
Mr. Laing advised members that this project was delayed for several reasons; however, construction has resumed. Mr. DePrima indicated that it was scheduled for completion by the end of the year.
West Dover Connector
Mr. Laing advised members that there was a working group meeting three (3) weeks ago, at which time members eliminated some of the proposed conceptual plans from further study. Mr. Laing stated that, during the March working group meeting, the Rodney Village Civic Association and the engineering firm presented concepts for consideration. The information gathered from the meeting will be presented at the next working group meeting scheduled for May 25, 2005 at 5:30 p.m. at the Modern Maturity Center.
Walker Road Project Construction
Mr. Laing stated that this project appears to be nearing completion.
Discussion - Requirement for Fencing - Stormwater Retention Ponds (Mr. Simmons and Mr. Carey)
Mr. Carey advised members that concerns had been brought to his attention regarding the stormwater management ponds throughout the City. It has been suggested that the City consider requiring that the ponds be fenced.
Mr. James Galvin, Director of Planning and Inspections, stated that Appendix B, Article 5, Section 11.2 of the Dover Code references abiding by the Engineering Field Manual for the USDA and applying those calculations and regulations to retention ponds, which is what the Kent Conservation District does. No pond should be greater than three (3) feet deep and each pond has a reverse bench built into it so that the slope steps down gradually. He noted that the Kent Conservation District also participates with the City in evaluating any proposals with a disturbance area greater than 5,000 square feet. Mr. Galvin stated that the Delaware Code does not require fencing around stormwater facilities.
Mr. Galvin cautioned members that fences tend to collect garbage and it is easier for children to get over fences than adults, making it more difficult for a casual rescuer to reach a child in the pond.
Responding to Mr. Lakeman, Mr. DePrima stated that the Planning Commission evaluates the stormwater ponds and makes recommendations based on their location. He noted that they have recommended planting thorn bushes around ponds and, in some instances, the developer chooses to have their pond fenced. Mr. DePrima suggested contacting the building community for their insight in this matter. Mr. Galvin noted that underground storage tanks could be used as an alternative to ponds.
Responding to Mrs. Bettylou Bargo, 1125 Yearsley Drive, Mr. Galvin explained that retention ponds have a gentler slope and are not as deep as swimming pools and; therefore, are not required to be fenced. Mr. DePrima also noted that some swimming pools, depending on their depth, do not require fences. Mr. Ruane stated that the retention pond on Eden Hill Farm appears to be deeper than three (3) feet. Mr. DePrima stated that the depth was dependent on the grade of the slope and was not necessarily an indication of what the depth of the water would be. He noted that many of the ponds would not fill to capacity. Mrs. Bargo reminded members that many children are not yet three (3) feet tall. She stated that she would like to see thorn bushes planted as a deterrent for the children.
Mr. Carey moved to recommended referring the matter back to staff in order to research options and to confer with members of the community and other agencies to obtain their input and report back to the committee. The motion was seconded by Mr. Pitts and unanimously carried.
Mr. DePrima noted that he and Mr. Galvin were currently finishing goals projected for completion this year and would schedule this project for sometime in July 2005.
Proposed Ordinance Amendment - Chapter 13, Motor Vehicles and Traffic - Section 13-30.2, Vehicle Parking Limited Where Carrying Capacity is in Excess of One Ton, and Trailer and Motor Home Parking
Members reviewed a proposed ordinance amendment to Chapter 13, Motor Vehicles and Traffic, which would impose a time limit of twenty-four (24) consecutive hours for parking a boat trailer on residential streets. Currently, parking of boat trailers on residential streets is limited to two (2) hours.
Mr. Carey advised members that he had been contacted by a constituent regarding concerns with the time limit for parking boat trailers on the street. They advised him that the limit prohibits them from parking their boat at home the night before a fishing trip in order to leave early in the morning. Mrs. Bargo stated that the time limit is also too short when it is necessary to make repairs to a motor home.
Mr. Galvin noted that nonresidents are exempt from the mobile home restrictions for a period of seven (7) days. He suggested implementing an exemption for residents as well. Mr. DePrima cautioned that a resident could park a motor home for seven (7) days, move it for a few hours, then bring it back for another seven (7) days. Members suggested including language that would limit the 24-hour parking limit to only 24 hours per week. Mr. Lakeman suggested including language that would address repair and loading issues.
Responding to Mr. Lakeman, Mr. Carey stated that he had only received a complaint from one (1) citizen; however, they have been expressing this concern for some time. He stated that the citizen was willing to come to the next meeting to present his case for the committee.
Mr. Carey moved to defer the matter until the next meeting in order to have the citizen present to provide members additional information, seconded by Mr. Lakeman and unanimously carried.
Mr. Carey moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Lakeman and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:45 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert G. Ritter, Jr.
Chairman
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Attachment
Attachment #1 - Whiteoak Road Drainage Ditch Correspondence