UTILITY COMMITTEE
The Utility Committee Meeting was held on July 26, 2004, at 6:00 p.m. with Chairman Carey presiding. Members present were Councilmen Ruane and Sadusky, Mr. Cregar, and Mr. Snaman. Members of Council present were Mr. Pitts, Mrs. Williams, Mr. Salters, Mr. Hogan (arrived at 6:09 p.m.), Mr. Slavin (arrived at 6:39 p.m.), and Mayor Speed.
Agenda Additions/Deletions
Mr. Sadusky moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Snaman and unanimously carried.
Annexation Request - East and West Side of McKee Road, North of and Adjacent to Dennys Road (Bush Farm), owned by Shirley L. and William G. Bush, IV
Members were provided the Petition to Annex and Zone Property, the Findings and Recommendations of the Dover Planning Commission, a Cost/Revenue Analysis Summary, and a draft Plan of Services Report for property located on the east and west side of McKee Road, north of and adjacent to Dennys Road (Bush Farm) (As on File in the Office of the City Clerk). Mr. Galvin, City Planner, advised members that the actual acreage was 125.82 +/- acres, not 134.43 +/- acres, as indicated in the report. He also noted that this parcel is one of the few remaining undeveloped parcels in the area. Mr. Galvin advised members that the Planning Commission recommended approval of the annexation and that the property be zoned RM-1 (Medium Density Residence).
Responding to Mr. Ruane, Mr. Scott Koenig, Public Works Director, stated that he and the City Manager, Mr. DePrima, were currently in negotiations with Tidewater Utilities with regard to providing service to the Bush Farm, as well as Chestnut Grove Farm and the Sadusky property located on Chestnut Grove Road. He noted that the Bush Farm is currently in Tidewater’s wide area franchise that was granted in the early 1970's. Mr. Koenig stated that there is a State law with respect to municipal annexations which gives the municipality the first right to serve lands that are certificated but not yet served. He noted that Tidewater would be entitled to some type of compensation for the transfer of the franchise to the City of Dover. Mr. Koenig noted that they were also negotiating an agreement that addresses annexation completely around the border of the City of Dover, as it relates to Tidewater, and a “mutual service” agreement with Tidewater to serve water to them in the future and for them to act as a “redundant supply” for the City in emergency situations. For future presentations, Mr. Ruane suggested that staff provide information on possible costs to obtain franchise rights, as well as the possibility of passing the cost on to the developer.
Responding to Mr. Snaman, Mr. Koenig stated he expected that the Public Service Commission would transfer electric rights for this property and the surrounding area, as they did with the Brittingham Farm annexation.
Mr. Snaman noted that the Cost/Revenue Analysis indicates that the City would lose money on the water and sewer and asked if they would still proceed with the annexation if the electric and water franchises were not granted. Mr. Galvin advised members that the annexation would still produce $1.5M in revenue without the water, wastewater, and electric within the first four (4) years.
Responding to Mr. Ruane, Fire Chief Brian Bashista advised members that the Cheswold Fire District encompasses the entire Bush Farm area. If the annexation is approved, Chief Bashista stated that he would contact Cheswold’s Fire Chief to negotiate the transfer of emergency services from Cheswold to Dover. He noted that if an agreement could not be reached, the Fire Commission would be requested to determine which fire district would be responsible for providing emergency services to the property. Chief Bashista advised members that any fire loss suffered by this property would count against the City of Dover regardless of which fire district it belonged to; therefore, the Robbins Hose Company prefers to obtain responsibility for it. He noted that they would request City Solicitor Rodriguez to provide legal assistance in the negotiations.
Responding to concerns of Mr. Salters and Mr. Ruane regarding the availability of affordable housing, Mr. Robert MacLeish of CLMS Development, LLC stated that he has been working with Kent County on higher density zones to enable affordable housing. He stated that he was willing to discuss his ideas with the City Planner.
Mr. Sadusky moved to recommend approval of the Planning Commission’s recommendation for annexation of property located on the east and west side of McKee Road, north of and adjacent to Dennys Road (Bush Farm), owned by Shirley L. and William G. Bush, IV, seconded by Mr. Snaman and unanimously carried. City Clerk’s Office Note: It should be noted that consideration of an annexation request by the committee is to consider infrastructure issues and the ability of providing city services; therefore, approval of the committee’s recommendation does not annex said property. During their Regular Meeting of June 28, 2004, City Council set an Annexation Referendum for August 12, 2004. Final action will take place during the Council Meeting of August 23, 2004.
Dedication of Rights-of-Way and Public Infrastructure - The Overlook on Silver Lake
The developer of The Overlook on Silver Lake, Oldtowne Builders, L.L.C., has requested that all public infrastructure improvements related to this subdivision be dedicated to the City of Dover for permanent ownership and maintenance. Oldtowne Builders, L.L.C. has constructed all of the improvements in accordance with City standards and specifications. After construction was completed, City staff inspected the public improvements and provided the developer with a list of repairs to be made to meet the City of Dover Standards and Specifications for Public Works Construction. As of this date, all work has been completed by the developer. A one (1) year Maintenance Agreement, Maintenance Bond, and a Release of Liabilities have been submitted by the developer. In addition, as-built drawings have been submitted to the Department of Public Works for their permanent records. Staff recommended acceptance of the public infrastructure for The Overlook on Silver Lake, with dedication to include all of the referenced public improvements, as follows:
Sewer Utility Infrastructure (construction value = $ 61,000.00):
8" PVC Sanitary Sewer Main - 1,271 l.f.
6” PVC Sanitary Sewer Laterals - 1,112 l.f.
4' Diameter Sanitary Sewer Manholes - 9 ea. (62.5 v.f.)
Water Utility Infrastructure (construction value = $90,365.00):
8" Ductile Iron Water Main - 2,118 l.f.
6” Ductile Iron Water Main - 60 l.f.
1” Type “K” Copper Water Service Line - 1,115 l.f.
8” Gate Valves - 13 ea.
6” Hydrant Valves - 4 ea.
Fire Hydrants - 4 ea.
Storm Water Infrastructure (construction value = $126,825.00)
Catch Basins - 44 ea.
Storm Water Junction Boxes - 4 ea.
15” Type III Reinforced Concrete Pipe - 474 l.f.
18” Type III Reinforced Concrete Pipe - 365 l.f.
14” x 23” Elliptical Concrete Pipe - 49 l.f.
19” x 30” Elliptical Concrete Pipe - 176 l.f.
Vortechnics Model 7000 Water Quality
Treatment Chamber - 1 ea.
Street Infrastructure: (0.47 miles) (construction value = $137,390.00)
Venue Drive Station 0+20 to Station 3+88 368 l.f.
Vista Drive Station 0+20 to Station 3+27 307 l.f.
Overlook Place Station 0+00 to Station 5+80 580 l.f.
Vista Drive West Alley Station 0+00 to Station 3+47 347 l.f.
Vista Drive East Alley Station 0+00 to Station 4+47 447 l.f.
Venue Drive East Alley Station 0+00 to Station 4+19 419 l.f.
2,468 l.f.
Responding to Mr. Ritter, Mr. Koenig stated that a connection between The Overlook on Silver Lake and the adjacent commercial properties was a condition of approval for the residential subdivision because there was an existing easement. He noted that the City Manager, Mr. DePrima, is currently working with DelDOT and the legislators on alternative modifications to the entrance from the alley onto LePore Road. Mr. Koenig also noted that acceptance of the dedication would enable the City to enforce traffic regulations with regard to the alley.
Mr. Ruane moved to recommend approval of staff’s recommendation for the acceptance of dedication of public infrastructure for The Overlook on Silver Lake to include all of the referenced public improvements. The motion was seconded by Mr. Sadusky and unanimously carried.
Mr. Snaman moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Sadusky and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 7:44 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Carleton E. Carey, Sr.
Chairman
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