SPECIAL UTILITY COMMITTEE
A Special Utility Committee Meeting was held on October 20, 2003, at 4:30 a.m. with Chairman Ruane presiding. Members present were Mr. Carey, Mr. Farling, Mr. Lambert, and Mr. Ritter (arrived at 4:40 p.m.). Others members of Council present were Mr. Pitts and Mr. Salters.
Agenda Additions/Deletions
Mr. Carey moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Lambert and unanimously carried.
Replacement of the Failed St. Jones Substation 22:12KV Transformer Tapchanger
On August 17, 2003 the tapchanger on City of Dover Transformer 2212-60-1, located at St. Jones Substation, exploded causing permanent damage to the tapchanger mechanism. The function of a tapchanger is to compensate for voltage swings; without a tapchanger, the transformer does not function. It was noted that the transformer was not damaged by the explosion. The Danner Farm, Frazier, and Horsepond Substations, along with the City’s portable substation, are currently serving the loads normally handled by the St. Jones Substation; however the current arrangement will not suffice during the summer peak demand period.
Funding for this unbudgeted expense is available through the Distribution Upgrades Account #487-8300-563-90-25, and can be located on Page 140 of the 2003-2004 Draft Operating Budget, Electric Engineering Division, Distribution Upgrades.
Staff recommended awarding the bid to the low bidder, Electri-Comm, Inc., in the amount of $37,157, for suppling and installing a rebuilt tapchanger (includes a one-year warranty).
Mr. Carey moved to recommend the purchase and installation of a rebuilt tapchanger from the lowest bidder, Electri-Comm, Inc., at the price of $37,157, as recommended by staff. The motion was seconded by Mr. Lambert and unanimously carried.
Annexation of Property - 5096 Hazlettville Road, owned by Alvin L. Brittingham (Equitable Owner - Stover Homes)
Prior to discussion of the above mentioned annexation request, Mr. Ruane explained to members that new requirements for annexations have been mandated by the Office of State Planning Coordination, pursuant to §101 of Title 22, of the Delaware Code. It was necessary for the City of Dover’s Comprehensive Plan to be certified, which was accomplished on September 22, 2003. A “Plan of Services” must also be submitted to State Planning Coordination Office for review and acceptance prior to final legislative action on municipal annexations. The plan services shall be conducted in accordance to standards or criteria set by the Cabinet Committee on State Planning issues. Title 22 §101 Annexation by city or town, reads as follows:
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(b) A city or town shall prepare a plan of services indicating those services it expects to provide tot he newly annexed area, how such services will be provided, and the fiscal and operating capabilities of the municipality to provide such services. Should any services be provided by another jurisdiction or public utility regulated by the Delaware Public Service commission, the written comments of such provider on the provider’s ability to provide the necessary services for the proposed annexation shall be obtained and included in the plan of services. The study shall be conducted in accordance with standards or criteria established by the Cabinet Committee on State Planning Issues as administered by the Office of State Planning Coordination.
Mr. DePrima stated that this is a new requirement for the State Planning Office, as well as, for the City of Dover. The new legislation prevents municipalities from prematurely annexing areas that they are unable to service.
Ms. Melson informed members that, as identified in the City’s Comprehensive Plan Update, all future annexations will be reviewed as a cost benefit stand point. She stated that the annexation request for 5096 Hazlettville Road (lands of Alvin Brittingham) was the first annexation being processed with the new state regulations.
Members reviewed The “Plan of Services” form (Attachment #1) for the Brittingham Annexation, along with the “Cost /Benefit Analysis Prototype” (Attachment #2). Ms. Melson stated that the property located at 5096 Hazlettville Road is identified in the Annexation Plan, as a Category 2, which is includes lands that are desirable for annexation.
Members reviewed the annexation request for property located at 5096 Hazlettville Road, consisting of 107.8+/- acres. The property is owned by Alvin L. Brittingham. The equitable owner is Stover Homes.
The Planning Staff recommended that the property be annexed into the City of Dover and that the property be zoned RM-1 (Medium Density Residence) upon annexation. Ms. Melson advised members that the Planning Commission recommended approval of the request for annexation, as recommended by staff.
Mr. Carey moved to recommend approval of the Planning Commission’s recommendation for annexation of property located at 5096 Hazlettville Road, contingent upon the “Plan of Services” being approved by the State Planning Coordination Office. The motion was seconded by Mr. Farling and unanimously carried.
Discussion - Proposed Policy for Utility Improvements
Mr. DePrima informed members that staff wishes to introduce a “betterment” policy that would set protocols for utility improvements when (the City of Dover is) entering into agreements with developers. The policy would also address ways to share the cost of system upgrades. The policy would prove beneficial when upgrading and extending the City’s utility systems.
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Mr. Koenig stated that the betterment policy focuses on the fringe area’s of the City of Dover. As an example, in 1996, the developer of Cranberry Run planned to extend the 8" water pipe from the Heatherfield Subdivision in order to feed the proposed Cranberry Run Subdivision. Although the 8" pipe would have technically been sufficient to serve Cranberry Run, it would not have been a large enough pipe to go further to the west. At the time the City negotiated a price, in the amount of $9,000, with the contractor of Cranberry Run to upgrade the proposed 8" pipe to a 12" pipe, for future extensions. The policy would be used as a tool to negociate for improved utilities in the future.
The Utility Improvements Policy will be presented to the Utility Committee once it is in draft form. The policy will be relative to water and sewer, however, it could possibly be used for electric as well.
No further action was taken at this time.
Update - Electric Rate Study Implementation Plan
In an effort to keep members abreast of staff’s progress on the Electric Rate Study Implementation Plan, it was requested that an update be given during every Utility Committee Meeting.
Mr. DePrima informed members that the data collection process has been completed and provided members with the following information: 1) Time Line for the Electric Rate Study Implementation Plan; 2) Status of Transformer Ownership (an inventory of transformers and the status of ownership); 3) Special Account Information (an inventory of the special account classes with details); and 4) Rate Comparisons (revised rate comparisons adjusting for power cost adjustments).
No further action was taken.
Meeting Schedule
The proposed meeting day and time for the Utility Committee has been scheduled for the Tuesday following the fourth Monday of each month at 4:30 p.m. Mr. Ruane requested members to also reserve the Tuesday after Monday’s meeting to be used “as needed”.
Mr. Ritter moved to recommend approval of the above meeting schedule, seconded by Mr. Ruane and unanimously carried.
Mr. Ritter moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Ruane and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 6:25 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Eugene B. Ruane
Chairman
EBR/lcg
S:ClerksOfficeAgendas&MinutesCommittee-Minutes20038-26-2003-Special-Utility.wpd
Attachments on File at the City Clerk’s Office
Attachment #1 - Plan of Services - 5096 Hazlettville Road - Annexation
Attachment #2 - Cost/Benefit Analysis Prototype - 5096 Hazlettville Road - Annexation