COUNCIL COMMITTEES
The Council Committees Meeting was held on April 23, 2001, at 6:30 p.m., with Council President Christiansen presiding. Members of Council present were Mr. McGlumphy, Mr. Pitts, Mr. Gorman, Mr. Truitt, Mr. Carey, Mrs. Malone (arrived at 6:40 p.m.), Mr. Salters, Mr. Weller, and Mayor Hutchison.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Carey moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Salters and unanimously carried.
LEGISLATIVE AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
The Legislative and Finance Committee met with Chairman Salters presiding. Members present were Councilmen Carey and Gorman, Mr. Merritt, and Mrs. Street.
Disposal of Excess Land - 200 North Kirkwood Street
Members were reminded that in 1999, City Council declared property located at 200 North Kirkwood Street dangerous and ordered its demolition. This property was recently acquired at a Sheriff’s Sale that was initiated by action of the City and consists of a vacant residential building lot of approximately 4,200 sq. ft. zoned RG-1.
Mr. DePrima, City Planner, advised members that in accordance with the Procedure for the Sale and Disposition of Real Property, other City departments were contacted to determine if there was a need or use of the property. Since the parcel is not required by the City, it is considered a surplus and should be disposed of in accordance with City policy. Mr. DePrima stated that the property would not require rezoning since it is appropriately sized and zoned for a single family home. He also advised members that the City has approximately $10,000 in demolition and other costs associated with the property.
Staff recommended that the property be listed for sale with a licensed Real Estate Agent in accordance with Section C-4 of the policy. This recommendation is based on the opinion that the property is not considered highly desirable and would not get the appropriate attention at a public auction or sealed bid. Mr. DePrima noted that only heirs of the property attended the Sheriff’s Sale and that their bid was not nearly enough to cover the City’s costs. Listing the property with an agent would allow the property to be marketed over time.
It was also noted that the Procedure for the Sale and Disposition of Real Property requires public advertisement of the availability of the land and consideration of any correspondence as a result of the advertisement prior to presenting a recommendation to City Council.
Responding to Mr. Carey, Mr. DePrima stated that although the policy encourages advertising for sealed bids for the sale of such property, it is not a requirement; however, it does require justification for not utilizing sealed bids and an explanation for recommending another alternative. He stated that since there were no bidders at the Sheriff’s Sale, staff does not feel it would be prudent to choose the advertisement for bids as an option. He also indicated that there are other alternatives for the disposal of excess property, such as donating the property to a non-profit agency. Staff felt that by placing the property with a licensed Real Estate Agent, the City would be given the opportunity to recoup some of the costs involving this property.
Mr. Carey moved to recommend approval of the disposal of excess land for property located at 200 North Kirkwood Street, seconded by Mr. Gorman and unanimously carried.
Bid - Self-Propelled Heavy Duty Wing Mounted Mower
Staff solicited bids for a self-propelled heavy duty wing mounted mower to replace the 1996 Howard Price 1280 Mower for the Grounds Division, which was specified to be traded-in. The following bids were received:
Heavy
Company Duty Mower Trade-In Net Price
Philadelphia Turf Co. - Doylestown, PA $65,075.00 $1,000 $64,075.00
Turf Equipment & Supply Co. - Jessup, MD $33,806.52 $1,625 $32,181.52
Stull Equipment Co. - Pottstown, PA $33,545.00 $2,000 $31,545.00
The Philadelphia Turf Company bid on a Toro Groundsmaster 580-D, which is a larger unit than was specified in the bid and explains the higher price. The Turf Equipment & Supply Company bid on a Toro Groundsmaster 455-D unit, which met the bid specifications. The Stull Equipment Company bid on a Jacobsen HR-5111 unit, which also met the bid specifications. Although the Stull Equipment Company bid on the Jacobsen HR-5111 was lower by $636.52, staff prefers the operation and service program offered with the Toro Groundsmaster 455-D unit. A lease analysis was prepared by the Finance Director/Treasurer on the Toro Groundsmaster 455-D, which indicated a $1,876 difference in favor of leasing to purchasing. Funding for this purchase is available in the current year’s Grounds Division budget, in the amount of $32,955.
Staff recommended awarding the bid to Turf Equipment & Supply Company for the lease price of $35,331 ($8,833 annually for 4 years), with the trade-in of the 1996 Howard Price Mower.
Mr. Gorman moved to recommend approval of staff’s recommendation, seconded by Mr. Carey and unanimously carried.
Proposed Purchase of Police Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs)
The Police Department routinely applies for and receives grant funding from various State and Federal agencies. Grant funded items are included in the City’s Capital Investments Plan as required when the information is available for their inclusion.
The Police Department submitted a request to purchase 11 Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs) from GTSI with funding consolidated from three (3) grants. For continuity of service, it was recommended that the same model and brand that was purchased in October 2000 be purchased now. This would eliminate configuration conflicts and streamline repairs when necessary. Although there is no State contract for this item, GTSI is a Federal contract vendor for MDT’s. It was noted that the order for 10 MDTs placed in October 2000 were from GTSI; however, they were ordered through CE Computers, a State contract vendor for computer equipment. Since then, CE Computers has gone out of business. Members were advised that GTSI has provided excellent technical support.
Chief Horvath stated that the total cost for the 11 MDTs is $61,251, as follows:
Description Quantity Unit Price Total
Panasonic CF-27 Laptops 11 $4,182 $46,002
CF-27 Docking Station 11 693 7,623
Nite-Eyes Lighting System for CF-27 11 50 550
Gamber Johnson Adapter Plate 9 26 234
LEDCO 3 Year Warranty on Dock 11 130 1,430
24X CD-ROM for CF-27 11 332 3,652
64MB RAM Upgrade Chip for CF-27 11 160 1,760
TOTAL $61,251
Funding has been received through the Delaware Department of Public Safety Local Law Enforcement Technology Grant Program in the amount of $194,297 in 2000 (expires 9/30/2001) and $80,777 in 2001. In addition, funding has been received from the Federal Law Enforcement Block Grant Program. Staff recommended approval of the purchase of 11 MDTs in the amount of $61,251 as specified.
Mr. Carey moved to recommend approval of staff’s recommendation, seconded by Mr. Gorman and unanimously carried. It was noted that, due to time constraints, staff requested that this matter be considered during the Council Meeting later this evening for final approval.
Mr. Salters moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Carey and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 6:40 P.M.
UTILITY COMMITTEE
The Utility Committee met with Chairman Weller presiding. Members present were Councilmen Pitts and Truitt, Mr. Lambert, and Mr. Nichols.
Evaluation of Bids - South Little Creek Road (Dover Post) Pump Station Wet Well
The Department of Public Works prepared plans and specifications for the construction and installation of a 5' diameter concrete wet well approximately 20' deep to be used in conjunction with a previously purchased package pumping station. The wet well construction is the final phase of the work necessary to place the South Little Creek Road (Dover Post) Pumping Station into service. Once the wet well has been set, the pump package and force main will be connected to the wet well infrastructure. The pumping station is to be located on the northwest corner of the Dover Post property and will provide sanitary sewer service to an area of the City which is currently served by on-site septic systems.
Staff recommended awarding the contract for the construction of the South Little Creek Road (Dover Post) Pumping Station Wet Well to the low bidder, Hopkins Construction, in the amount of $39,400. Funding for this project is available in the Wastewater Improvement & Extension Fund.
Mr. Nichols moved to recommend approval of staff’s recommendation, seconded by Mr. Lambert and unanimously carried. Due to time constraints, staff requested that this matter be considered during the Council Meeting later this evening for final approval.
Mr. Weller moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Lambert and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 6:53 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin R. Christiansen
Council President
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