REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
The Regular Council Meeting was held on February 25, 2002 at 7:30 p.m. with Council President McGlumphy presiding. Council members present were Mr. Ritter, Mr. Pitts, Mr. Gorman, Mr. Truitt, Mr. Carey, Mr. Speed, Mr. Salters, and Mr. Ruane.
Council staff members present were Chief Horvath, Mr. Cooper, Mr. DePrima, Mrs. Mitchell, Mr. Petit de Mange, Mrs. Green, and Deputy City Solicitor Pepper.
OPEN FORUM
The Open Forum was held at 7:15 p.m., prior to commencement of the Official Council Meeting. Council President McGlumphy declared the Open Forum in session and reminded those present that Council is not in official session and cannot take formal action.
There was no one present wishing to speak during the Open Forum.
The invocation was given by Chaplain Dixon, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Carey moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Truitt and unanimously carried.
PRESENTATION - CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION - D.P.N. DOVER’S CROSS COUNTRY AND TRACK CLUB
Mayor Hutchison, with the assistance of Sherwanda Rachal (Community Prevention Coordinator), presented Certificates of Recognition to Jacob Carter, Jill Hajec, Nicholas Stubbolo, Daytwain Vereen, Allyson Wilson, and Holly Wilson for their outstanding achievements as members of the D.P.N. (Delaware Prevention Network) Dover’s Cross Country and Track Club.
Ms. Rachal advised members that D.P.N. has served over 500 students since 1996 and, due to the success of Dover’s program, the State of Delaware recently chose Dover to serve as the model for the 13 other D.P.N. sites in Delaware. Ms. Rachal provided a summary of the accomplishments of each student as they received their award.
STATE OF THE BUDGET REPORT
Mr. DePrima, City Manager, and Mrs. Mitchell, Finance Director/Treasurer, presented members with the mid-year review of the 2001/2002 City of Dover Budgets. The purpose of the report is to provide Council with a depiction of the City’s operating expenses and revenues. Mr. DePrima explained that the report does not include an evaluation of capital projects, which are reviewed through the Capital Investments Plan process. The report is to provide Council the opportunity to take action that may be necessary to adjust the budget. This is a first State of the Budget Report, which takes the place of the mid-year budget amendments done in previous years. He stated that no actual amendments are presented; the report is advisory only. However, certain limited mid-year budget amendments are being recommended, including budget balances, Weyandt Hall, and right-of-way fees, which are provided at the end of the report.
Mr. Carey moved for acceptance of the State of the Budget Report as presented by staff (Exhibit #1) and for the recommended budget amendments to be presented to the Legislative and Finance Committee for their review and recommendation. The motion was seconded by Mr. Ritter and carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
LEGISLATIVE AND FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT
The Legislative and Finance Committee met on February 11, 2002 with Chairman Gorman presiding.
Report of Salary Review Committee - Management Employees and Organizational and Salary Review Consultant
During the committee meeting, Mr. Gorman reported that the Salary Review Committee recommended that a three percent (3%) salary increase, with no step increases or adjustments, be used for management employees for budgetary purposes. They also recommended that the City Manager be authorized to proceed with an RFQ for a salary and job classification study, as well as an organizational review.
Mr. DePrima, City Manager, stated that a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) was advertised and mailed to approximately 15 consultants for consulting services for two (2) types of studies. The first being a City-wide compensation and job classification study and the second being a City-wide organizational study. Proposals are due back by the end of February with an April 30th completion date for the studies. He advised members that, to date, correspondence has been received from two (2) of the consultants who indicated that the April 30th deadline date was too aggressive and that an eight (8) to twelve (12) week minimum was needed to accurately complete the studies. Therefore, Mr. DePrima requested an additional 30 days be provided for the completion deadline.
In response to the timing concerns, members suggested that the consultants include separate bids for a completion date of April 30th and May 30th.
Mr. DePrima explained that, with the exception of management employees, July 1st salary increases will be provided in accordance with the respective employee contracts, and that for budgetary purposes, it has been recommended that the City use a three percent (3%) salary increase for management employees with no step increases or adjustments. Once the studies are received, Council would consider the recommendations of the study and may or may not adopt changes for the next fiscal year.
Considering that Council may wish to include the results of the study in next year’s budget, staff suggested that a Special Legislative and Finance Committee Meeting be scheduled for Tuesday, March 5, 2002 to review the results of the RFQ to allow the selected consultant to begin working on the study as soon as possible.
The committee recommended approval of the Salary Review Committee’s recommendation to provide a 3% July 1st salary increase for management employees with no step increases or adjustments for budgetary purposes and that staff be authorized to issue an RFQ for two (2) separate bids: 1) compensation and job classification study, and 2) organizational study. It was noted that the RFQ will include an additional completion date of May 30th and request separate costs for both an April 30th and May 30th completion date.
Mr. Gorman moved for approval of the committee’s recommendation, seconded by Mr. Salters and unanimously carried.
Update - City Investment Policy
The Finance Director/Treasurer, Mrs. Mitchell, provided members with the City of Dover’s revised Investment Policy. With the exception of eliminating foreign investments and expanding Section 8 - Collateralization, the policy was modeled after the State of Delaware’s Investment Policy.
The committee recommended acceptance of the City Investment Policy as presented by staff.
Mr. Gorman moved for acceptance of the City Investment Policy (Exhibit #2), seconded by Mr. Speed and carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
Request to Purchase Police Vehicles
The Police Department budgets funds for replacement vehicles as identified in the City of Dover Capital Investment Plan. The plan for FY02 approved procurement of replacement passenger sedans (all of which are replacements for administrative vehicles). Staff requested to deviate from the vehicle model approved (Ford Taurus) in order to purchase two (2) Ford Tauruses and one (1) Dodge Ram 1500 4X4 pickup truck. It is their desire to enhance the operational capability of their fleet to handle extreme weather conditions and towing capacity for trailer equipment. Currently the Police Department has only one (1) 4X4 drive vehicle which is exclusively used by the Animal Control Warden. Staff recommended approval of the purchase of the vehicles from the vendors identified in the State Contract, at a total cost of $47,836, to be financed using the City’s Master Lease Agreement.
The committee recommended approval of staff’s recommendation to purchase two (2) Ford Tauruses from Hertrich Fleet Services in the amount of $15,204 each ($30,408) and one (1) Dodge Ram 1500 4X4 from Gifford Motor Corporation in the amount of $17,428, for a total cost of $47,836 using the City’s Master Lease Agreement, with the understanding that any unexpended funds as a result of the savings realized from this purchase will be credited to the General Fund. (It is noted that, according to the Finance Director/Treasurer, the City’s Master Lease Agreement is for purchases of over $25,000; therefore, the Dodge Ram 4X4 will be purchased utilizing funds available in the Police Department’s budget).
Mr. Gorman moved for approval of the committee’s recommendation, seconded by Mr. Carey and carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
Mr. Gorman moved for acceptance of the Legislative and Finance Committee Report, seconded by Mr. Salters and unanimously carried.
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Parks and Recreation Committee met on February 11, 2002 with Chairman Pitts presiding.
Capital School District - Proposed Joint Venture for Indoor Swimming Pool
Dr. John Leone, Acting Superintendent of Schools, and Ms. Sandra Downs, Director of Business and Finance, of the Capital School District gave a presentation on a joint venture for an indoor community swimming pool for consideration by members. It was felt that this joint project would improve the economic, cultural, and recreational health of the community.
Ms. Downs advised members that the Capital School District is building an orthopedic pool at William Henry Middle School and the opportunity has presented itself to enhance the design to include a six-lane pool for use by the school and community. With an estimated cost of $650,000 to support this initiative, she explained that the Capital School District is requesting that the City and County each fund approximately $325,000 over a two (2) year period. Ms. Downs felt that this project would provide the City an opportunity to enhance their Summer Recreational Programs and enable the operation of programs at a minimal charge. She assured members that the intent is to make the pool available for all residents and to provide alternative recreational opportunities for our children.
Dr. Leone stated that although the pool will provide a facility for the Dover High School Swim Team, there will be many opportunities available for its use by the City and County, explaining that the Swim Team meets November through February only and would meet immediately after school for a few hours.
Should members wish to pursue this matter further, Mr. DePrima suggested that staff be directed to use the CIP and budget process to evaluate this project within the context of other City projects.
The committee recommended that staff be directed to include the proposed project, as presented by the Capital School District, in the CIP process for further evaluation. Taking into consideration that the proposal would include the cooperation of Kent County Levy Court, Mr. DePrima noted that their position should be known prior to Council’s review of the CIP.
Mr. Salters moved for approval of the committee’s recommendation, seconded by Mr. Carey and carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
Mr. Speed moved for acceptance of the Parks and Recreation Committee Report, seconded by Mr. Carey and unanimously carried.
MONTHLY REPORTS - JANUARY 2002
By motion of Mr. Salters, seconded by Mr. Truitt, the following monthly reports were accepted by consent agenda:
Budget Report
City Assessor Report
City Clerk/Alderman Report (Fines)
City Manager's Report
Mayor's Report
Planning and Inspections Report
Referring to the Chief of Police Report, Mr. Speed noted that the Dover Police Department held its Awards Ceremony and that Cpl. William Kent and Mrs. Amy Adkins received the honors of Officer and Civilian of the Year. He also noted that many other officers and civilians were given service awards for outstanding performance during the year and commended Chief Horvath and his staff on an excellent job.
Mr. Salters moved for acceptance of the Chief of Police Report, seconded by Mr. Gorman and unanimously carried.
ANNUAL REPORTS - INSPECTIONS AND PLANNING, POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND FIRE DEPARTMENT
Members were provided with the 2001 Annual Reports of the City of Dover Inspections and Planning Department, Police Department, and Fire Department for their review.
Mr. Salters moved for acceptance of the 2001 Annual Reports as presented, seconded by Mr. Truitt and unanimously carried.
REZONING REQUEST/FIRST READING - 885 SOUTH GOVERNORS AVENUE - HALPERN FAMILY PARTNERSHIP
A request was received to rezone property located at 885 South Governors Avenue, owned by Halpern Family Partnership. The property is currently zoned CPO (Commercial/Professional Office) and R-8 (One Family Residence) and the requested zoning is CPO (Commercial/Professional Office).
Prior to amending the zoning ordinances and zoning map of the City of Dover, a public hearing is required.
By motion of Mr. Speed, seconded by Mr. Salters, Council unanimously referred the request to the Planning Commission and set a public hearing for April 8, 2002 at 7:30 p.m. The first reading of the following proposed ordinance was accomplished by title only:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE AND ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF DOVER BY CHANGING THE ZONING DESIGNATION OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT 885 SOUTH GOVERNORS AVENUE.
For public information, Mr. Ruane noted that although the property address is on South Governors Avenue, the rear of the property is located on Bradford Street.
FINAL READING - PROPOSED ORDINANCE
The First Reading of the following proposed ordinance was accomplished during the Council Meeting of February 11, 2002.
Mr. Speed moved that the final reading of the proposed ordinance be acknowledged by title only, seconded by Mr. Salters and unanimously carried (Mr. Ritter abstained).
Mr. Speed moved for adoption of the following ordinance, seconded by Mr. Salters and unanimously carried (Mr. Ritter abstained):
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL IN COUNCIL MET:
That Chapter 2, Administration, of the Dover City Code be amended by creating a new Article XI, Section 2-216, Bond Financing Approval, to read as follows:
ARTICLE XI. BOND FINANCING APPROVAL
Sec. 2-216 Bond Financing Approval
Whenever approval of the jurisdiction where real property is situated is required as a condition of bond financing for the acquisition, operation, or renovation of real property in the City of Dover by any State or Federal law prior to the approval and issuance of such bonds, no such approval shall be complete until approval is sought and granted by the City of Dover, agreed upon and acted upon at the discretion of Council, even though approval may have been granted by the County.
ADOPTED: FEBRUARY 25, 2002
At the request of Mr. Ruane, Mr. Ritter explained that his abstention was due to the fact that he is employed by Kent County and wishes to remain neutral on the subject matter.
Mr. Ruane clarified that there is a distinction between certain bond issues. He noted that the ordinance would be effective only if there is language in federal or state statute that requires approval of the jurisdiction for a particular type of bond issue; otherwise, bonds may be issued without the City’s approval.
Mr. Speed moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Carey and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:27 P.M.
JANICE C. GREEN
CITY CLERK
All orders, ordinances and resolutions adopted by City Council during their meeting of February 25, 2002, are hereby approved.
JAMES L. HUTCHISON
MAYOR
Exhibits Attached to Original Minutes and File Copy
Exhibit #1 - State of the Budget Report
Exhibit #2 - City Investment Policy
/JG
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