SAFETY ADVISORY AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
The Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee Meeting was held on November 10, 2004, at 7:07 p.m. with Chairman Ritter presiding. Mr. Pitts, Mr. Lakeman and Mr. Simmons (arrived at 7:13 p.m.) were present. Mr. Carey was absent. Councilman Ruane and Mayor Speed were also present.
The invocation was given by Mr. Ritter, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Pitts moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Lakeman and unanimously carried.
Report by Police Chief - Safety Issues - Simon Circle, Liberty Court, Whatcoat Apartments, and Capital Green (Requested during Committee Meeting of September 29, 2004 - Report for Manchester Square and Mapleton Square)
Chief Horvath provided an update on the safety issues in Simon Circle, Liberty Court, Whatcoat Apartments, and Capital Green. In reviewing each area, the general consensus was that residents are not interested in any type of Neighborhood Watch program. He noted that the residents of Whatcoat Apartments are starting to respond to the “Ban” list, which is a list of individuals who are banned from this neighborhood. When the individuals are seen, residents can call the police department to have them apprehended. Chief Horvath noted that calls for service in Capital Green for the first three quarters of this year had decreased by thirty complaints compared with the first three quarters of last year; however, there has been an increase in disorderly conduct types of complaints.
Responding to Mr. Ritter, Chief Horvath stated that officers police these areas on a revolving schedule to improve safety. Mr. Pitts requested that New Street be added to the revolving patrol list. It was Mr. Pitts’ feeling that Council should consider the rental problem over a long period of time and make changes in the way the City handles rentals, such as screening potential tenants. Mr. Galvin stated that, should an inspector find a house that is overcrowded, they will notify the tenants that they cannot have more than five (5) unrelated adults living in their residence. He noted that if they are related, there is little that can be done. With reference to a need for new ideas or equipment, Chief Horvath stated that drug money received from the Federal Government is used to purchase new equipment. Responding to Mr. Ritter, Mayor Speed stated that he has some ideas to help change the face of neighborhoods that he would like to bring forward for the committee’s consideration.
Update on Police Department Complaints/Code Enforcement Issues - Governors Avenue and Wesley College Surrounding Neighborhoods (Police Chief and Director of Planning and Inspections)
Chief Horvath provided the committee with a six (6) month summary of activity in the Governors Avenue and Wesley College area. He noted that, since the semester began, there has been an increase in calls for noise violations; however, they have received fewer calls than in previous years. Chief Horvath stated that they have increased enforcement in this area and are making progress. With reference to a complaint received regarding slow response time to a hit and run property damage call, Chief Horvath stated that Delaware State University was having their Homecoming and fifteen officers were at the campus and the remaining officers were at Froggy’s night club breaking up a disorderly crowd. Chief Horvath noted that an officer was dispatched to the hit and run scene. Mr. Ritter requested Chief Horvath to provide a report at the next meeting on other areas surrounding Wesley College, such as Delaware Avenue and American Avenue. He requested staff to invite the President of the Neighborhood Link Association to this meeting.
Update by City Manager - Installation of Additional Red Light Photo Enforcement Cameras
Members were provided a list of intersections and approaches currently being considered for the Red Light Enforcement Program. Mr. DePrima, City Manager, stated that the second intersection on the list should be “Route 13 and Division Street” instead of “Route 8 and Division Street”. Responding to Mr. Ritter, Mr. DePrima stated that there is no set date for installation of the cameras. He also noted that the equipment is leased as a part of the contract, not purchased.
Mr. Asay stated that the area of Queen Street and Loockerman Street was at the top of the list when the first camera was installed. Mr. DePrima stated that this area was not considered; however, no locations have been finalized. Mr. Laing, DelDot Municipal Liaison, stated that there is one test camera in each county and no priority area has been assigned. He noted that volume of traffic, accident rates, average vehicle speed, and installation of equipment are considered when evaluating intersections, noting that the fatality rate is going to be much higher in areas where speed is a factor. Responding to Mr. Lakeman, Mr. DePrima stated that DelDOT bears the initial cost of installing the camera and the only impact the camera has on the City’s budget is expected revenue, which would be a Legislative, Finance, and Administrative Committee concern. Mr. Ritter stated that sixty-five (65) percent of the revenue is required to be spent on public safety. He stated that he would like the Quality of Life Task Force to be discussed at the next meeting.
Status of Traffic Signal (DelDOT Study) at Greenway Lane and Kenton Road (Juanita Wieczoreck, MPO)
Ms. Wieczoreck reported that she has not received a response from DelDOT regarding the traffic signal study. Mr. Laing stated that he would have someone get in touch with Ms. Wieczoreck.
Development of Three (3) Transportation Priority Projects for the City of Dover - Next Year’s State CIP (drafting of Resolution for consideration by City Council to be presented to the Bond Bill and Joint Finance Committee)
Mr. Ritter requested Mr. Ruane to provide the City Clerk’s Office with any information he had, to be included on the next agenda. Mr. Ruane suggested that the committee be prepared to discuss and resume responsibility for the North Dover Study. Mr. DePrima stated that he would like to meet with the Chairperson of the MPO before the next meeting to discuss the North Dover Study, since it is a high profile project which is very important to the City. Mr. Ruane suggested selecting the top three (3) transportation projects for recommendation to City Council.
Updates - DelDOT
Dover Projects and Studies - DelDOT’s FY 2005-2010 Capital Transportation Program (Juanita Wieczoreck, MPO)
Ms. Wieczoreck provided the committee with information on DelDOT’s scheduled Dover projects from FY 2005 - 2010 and reviewed the same. She noted that there are no projects scheduled for FY 2007 in the City of Dover. Ms. Wieczoreck stated that now is the time to advise the legislators on projects that the City would like included in the 2006 Capital Transportation Program. She also urged the City to request the legislators to accelerate the College Road project, which is scheduled to begin in 2009. Mr. Ritter requested Mr. Ruane to provide the City Clerk’s Office a list of areas mentioned so that they can be added to the priority list.
West Dover Connector (Gary Laing, DelDOT Municipal Liaison)
Mr. Laing reported that a workshop on the West Dover Connector was held earlier in the evening with 215 people in attendance. Ten concepts, which were the result of working group meetings, were presented; however, the participants’ reaction to the meeting is not yet known. Mr. Laing advised members that the next working group is planned for February 2005. Responding to Mr. Lakeman, Mr. Laing stated that there are several phases that would have to be completed once the working group decides which of the ten concepts should be presented to the public. Mr. Ritter requested Mr. Laing to advise the City Clerk’s Office when the general comments from the workshop would be available. He also requested Mr. Laing to forward the link to access the ten concepts to the City Clerk’s Office so that it could be made available to the committee.
Traffic Studies - SR1/Route 8 and East Dover Housing Development Projects
Mr. Laing stated that he had been advised that the traffic studies will take more time to complete. Mr. Ritter requested that this item be brought back in a month for Mr. Laing to provide an update.
Mr. Laing advised members that the westbound left-turn lane at Division Street and Route 13 has been re-striped and lengthened. He noted that this change, while only accommodating two (2) or three (3) additional vehicles, may help the traffic flow through the light cycle.
Ms. Wieczoreck reported that the MPO was selected to participate in the Walkable Community Workshop Program. She noted that a workshop would be held in the spring.
Mr. Ritter stated that the committee will not be meeting on November 24, 2004 due to the Thanksgiving Holiday. The next scheduled meeting will be held on December 15, 2004.
Mr. Lakeman moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Pitts and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:38 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert G. Ritter, Jr.
Chairman
RGR/rfm
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