COUNCIL COMMITTEES
The Council Committees Meeting was held on June 9, 2003, at 6:15 p.m., with Council President McGlumphy presiding. Members of Council present were Mr. Carey, Mr. Pitts, Mrs. Williams (Departed at 7:03 p.m.), Mr. Truitt, Mr. Ritter, Mr. Speed, Mr. Salters, and Mr. Ruane.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Ruane requested that item #3, Consideration for Use of Actual Sales for Assessment of Real Property, be deleted from the Financial Oversight Committee agenda due to the absence of Mr. Cooper, City Assessor.
Mr. Speed moved for approval of the agenda as amended, seconded by Mr. Ritter and unanimously carried.
FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
The Financial Oversight Committee met with Mr. Speed presiding. Members present were Mr. Ruane, Mr. Ritter, and Mr. Gorman. Mr. Shelton was absent.
Approval of Bids - Generic Subdivision Signs
To facilitate requests of area legislators who want to fund subdivision signs using Community Transportation Fund monies, the Department of Public Works has prepared a generic subdivision sign specification which includes a brick foundation and a customized sign face. Each sign face will include a colored background, gold leaf lettering, and miscellaneous attachment hardware. The City of Dover will manage the purchasing and construction of these signs.
Specification packages were sent out to local contractors and vendors. The first package included the installation of the concrete foundation and brick framing structure. The second package included the fabrication and installation of the sign face.
The City of Dover received one bid for each portion of the work as follows:
Brick Work and Sign Foundation - Falasco Masonry, Inc., Camden, DE - $5,170 per foundation
Sign Work and Installation - Rogers Sign Company, Inc., Milton, DE - $4,820 per sign
The total cost of the generic subdivision sign is $9,990. The vendors are required to hold these prices for six (6) months from the date of acceptance by the City of Dover.
The funding for these signs will be provided by area legislators on a selected basis. Currently, the Department of Public Works has received a verbal funding commitment for the Bicentennial Village Subdivision. A number of other requests and inquiries regarding additional subdivisions are being considered by area legislators.
Staff recommended approval of the unit price bids for construction of various generic subdivision signs as they are funded by area legislators. The Department of Public Works anticipates spending more than $25,000 on these signs; therefore, staff requested a favorable endorsement by City Council to continue using these unit price bids until the expiration date identified in the specification package. Each vendor may be paid more than $25,000 for work completed if the necessary funds are provided by area legislators.
Mr. Salters felt that, although the legislators would be funding these signs, the City should be involved in order to ensure that all areas of the City benefit from a uniform sign program. It was Mr. Pitts’ feeling that taxpayers’ money would be funding the project and all of the taxpayers should benefit.
Mr. Ruane moved to recommend awarding the bid for Brick Work and Sign Foundation to Falasco Masonry, Inc., Camden, Delaware in the amount of $5,170 per foundation and awarding the bid for Sign Work and Installation to Rogers Sign Company, Inc., Milton, Delaware in the amount of $4,820 per sign, as recommended by staff. The motion was seconded by Mr. Ritter and unanimously carried.
Proposed Supplement and Amendments - Procedure F306, Budget Administration - Guidelines for Operating Departments
In order to provide better information and control of unencumbered funds, Mr. Ritter submitted a proposed supplement to Procedure #F306 that would address excess salary, related department budget funds to contingency, and deletion of unfunded positions from the personnel system. As a result of the proposed supplement, the current Procedure #F306 would be amended accordingly. The committee reviewed the proposed amendment and supplement to Procedure #F306.
After a brief discussion on the allocation of excess funds, it was the consensus of members that paragraph #3 be amended by striking “account for the following fiscal year personnel increases” and inserting in lieu thereof “as determined by Council”.
Mr. Gorman moved to recommend approval of the proposed amendment to Procedure #F306, as revised (Attachment #1), and the proposed supplement to Procedure #F306 (Attachment #2), as presented. The motion was seconded by Mr. Ruane and unanimously carried.
Proposed Ordinance Amendment - Section 18-7(b) - Location of Police Auction
The City Auction is no longer held at the Police Warehouse, but rather the City Warehouse on Pear and Williams Streets. Section 18-7(b) of the Dover Code requires said auction to be held on the premises of the police force. Members considered a proposed ordinance to eliminate this requirement.
Mr. Ruane moved to recommend approval of the proposed ordinance amendment (Attachment #3), seconded by Mr. Ritter and unanimously carried.
Downtown Dover Business Improvement District - Assessment (Tax) Rate for FY 2003-2004
The Business Improvement District (BID) Ordinance adopted by City Council requires that Council must adopt a BID budget and assessment every year. Members were provided the FY 2003-04 budget showing BID tax revenue and the expenses charged against that revenue, as well as the following tax calculation worksheet with recommended rates:
|
|
ZONE 1 |
ZONE 2 |
ZONE 3 |
TOTAL |
|
Assessment Tax Rate Per $100 Assessment |
0.087 |
0.0615 |
0.021 |
--- |
|
Revenue Raised |
$18,359 |
$21,485 |
$4,882 |
$44,726 |
|
% Revenue Raised |
41% |
48% |
11% |
|
|
Number of Parcels |
123 |
120 |
50 |
293 |
|
Average Assessment |
$149 |
$179 |
$98 |
$142 |
Mr. Ruane moved to recommend approval of the Downtown Dover Business Improvement District - Assessment (Tax) Rate for FY 2003-2004 and adoption of the proposed budget ordinance (Attachment #4), as recommended by staff. The motion was seconded by Mr. Gorman and unanimously carried.
Mr. Gorman moved to adjourn the Financial Oversight Committee meeting, seconded by Mr. Ritter and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 6:50 P.M.
SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Safety Advisory Committee met with Mr. Truitt presiding. Members present were Mr. Salters, and Mr. Tolbert. Mrs. Williams and Mr. Wolfe were absent.
Basic Life Support Contract
Since August 31, 1991, the City has contracted with a private ambulance company to provide basic life support service in the Robbins Hose Company Fire District. Ambulance Service, Inc. (ASI), the City’s current provider, began providing basic life support service on March 4, 1996, when the existing ambulance company declared bankruptcy. Services are provided at no cost to the City under the terms of the contract.
ASI is incorporated in Delaware and headquartered in the City of Dover. The ambulances are dispatched from the headquarters at 1277 McD. Drive. In addition, all of its ambulances are inspected and approved by the Delaware State Fire School and licensed in Delaware.
ASI’s ambulance fleet is modern and well maintained, and the ambulance personnel are all trained to the Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician-B level. ASI has been a leader in placing automatic external defibrillators on its units and training all personnel in their proper use.
In 2002, ASI responded to 4,066 emergency calls. Of these calls, 438 were handled by a second or third ASI unit. The average time in responding to a call was well under one minute, and ASI was on the scene well within the “golden eight minute” industry standard. ASI also responded 88 times to calls outside its district under the mutual aid clause.
Due to ASI’s performance record, commitment to customer service, local ownership, services offered beyond the scope of the contract and positive working relationship with the City, staff recommended that the Basic Life Support contract with ASI be renewed for the period of September 1, 2003 through August 31, 2006.
It was further recommended that since section XVII. Term, Review, Termination and Assignment allows for the extension of this contract, the City Manager be authorized to extend the contract in the future without Council approval so long as all terms remain the same and there is no cost to the City.
Responding to Mr. Tolbert, Mr. DePrima stated that ASI has mutual aid agreements with surrounding ambulance providers if there is a need for more ambulances than are available to ASI.
Mr. Salters expressed concern with relinquishing the bidding process by authorizing the City Manager to renew the contract without Council approval.
Mr. Salters moved to recommend that the Basic Life Support Services contract with ASI be renewed for the period of September 1, 2003 through August 31, 2006, as recommended by staff. The motion was seconded by Mr. Tolbert and unanimously carried.
Concerns of Eric O’Brien - Future Use of Property Located at 33 N. New Street
Correspondence, dated May 23, 2003, was received from Mr. Eric O’Brien of 30 N. New Street. Mr. O’Brien has requested the City to try to discourage, delay, or prevent the owners of 33 N. New Street from operating a House of Pride at that location. It is his feeling that such use would increase the problems of transients, suspicious loitering and late-night noise in the area.
Mr. Truitt advised members that the Human Relations Commission has interviewed Mr. O’Brien and processed some of his concerns.
Mr. Tolbert, noting that agenda items #2-4 seemed to be public nuisance items, stated that they would need further information on how the police legally handle public nuisance issues. Mr. Salters agreed that there were ordinances in place to deal with such issues.
Mayor Hutchison stated that he met with Senator Carper and advised members that a task force would be put in place to analyze targeted areas. It was his feeling that encouraging home ownership would be a positive step in eliminating some of the problems on N. New Street.
Mr. Pitts stated that 33 N. New Street is currently under close scrutiny for possible demolition. He noted that the House of Pride presents problems for all of New Street and the entire situation should be taken into consideration.
Mr. Randy Jorgenson, Director of Planning and Inspections, stated that the house at 33 N. New Street was boarded up as a result of the actions of City Inspectors as a part of a process which must be adhered to in order to condemn and demolish a building. It was his understanding that the House of Pride intends to make reparation to the dwelling and include it as a part of their program.
It was Mr. O’Brien’s feeling that the police are not able to handle the number of problems related to the current situation. He noted that the House of Pride on S. New Street recently had 30 tables set up outside and, at approximately 11:30 p.m., there were twenty (20) people sitting around the tables. Mr. O’Brien was not clear about what the people were doing. Noting that the House of Pride is operating as a halfway house and that there is a 1/3 recidivism rate, statistically it is likely that one of three people in the house would commit a crime or violate a City ordinance.
No further action was taken by the Committee.
Request for Proposed Ordinance - Prohibition of Pan Handling - David Mercer Louie
Correspondence, dated April 23, 2003, was received from Mr. David Louie of 129 S. Governors Avenue (Harry Louie Laundry & Dry Cleaners) regarding pan handling on Loockerman Street. Mr. Louie’s letter indicated that the police have informed him that there is an ordinance prohibiting pan handling; however, the police must either witness the event or the person being pan handled must file a formal complaint. Mr. Louie expressed concern that this situation will have a negative effect on businesses located in the downtown area.
Mr. DePrima informed members that he provided the Police Chief with a model pan handling ordinance for his review and recommendation. He also stated that a number of City staff members have contacted Mr. Louie regarding the situation.
Mr. Truitt requested staff to provide a report back to the Committee on the status of the situation.
No further action was taken by the Committee.
Towne Point and White Oak Farms Civic Association - Concerns of Speeding, Drugs, Abandoned Vehicles, Disrepair of Sidewalks
Members were apprised of several concerns expressed by the Towne Point and White Oak Farms Civic Association, including speeding cars, drugs, abandoned vehicles, and cracked sidewalks. The association has requested that a representative from the Police and Inspections Departments be present at their next meeting, which will be held on Monday, June 16, 2003 at 6:30 p.m. at the Towne Point Elementary School.
Mr. Jorgenson stated that the Inspections Department has an extensive file on the actions that have been taken with regard to abandoned vehicles and property maintenance. He noted that Mr. Henry Baynum and Mr. Ron Coburn of his department have been requested to attend the meeting and to provide that information, as well as the ordinances that the association has requested.
No further action was taken by the Committee.
Mr. McGlumphy recommended that the Safety Advisory Committee meet with the appropriate staff members to prepare an action plan that they can provide to Mr. O’Brien, Mr. Louie, and the Towne Point and White Oak Farms Civic Association.
Mr. Salters moved to adjourn the Safety Advisory Committee meeting, seconded by Mr. Carey and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 7:14 P.M.
Mr. Speed moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Salters and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 7:15 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
William P. McGlumphy
Council President
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Attachments on File at the City Clerk’s Office
Attachment #1 - Proposed Amendment to Procedure #F306
Attachment #2 - Proposed Supplement to Procedure #F306
Attachment #3 - Proposed Ordinance Amendment - Section 18-7(b) - Location of Police Auction
Attachment #4 - FY 2003-04 BID Budget