COUNCIL COMMITTEES
The Council Committees Meeting was held on February 26, 2001, at 5:30 p.m., with Council President Christiansen presiding. Members of Council present were Mr. McGlumphy (arrived at 6:00 p.m.), Mr. Pitts, Mr. Gorman, Mr. Truitt, Mr. Carey, Mr. Salters, Mr. Weller, and Mayor Hutchison (arrived at 6:00 p.m.). Mrs. Malone was absent.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Weller moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Carey and unanimously carried.
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE
The Parks and Recreation Committee met with Councilman Pitts presiding in the absence of Chairwoman Malone. Committee member Mr. Davis was present. Mrs. Moerschel and Mr. McGlumphy were absent. (Note of City Clerk’s Office: Since this meeting was held to tour the Capital Theater and no official action was necessary, a quorum was not required).
Pre-Exhibit of Capital Theater
At the invitation of Mr. Jeff Fulghum, Executive Director, and Mr. Frank Fantini, Chairman, of the Friends of the Capital Theater, members of Council and City Staff toured the Capital Theater to view the infrastructure of the facility. Mr. Fantini indicated that the anticipated completion date for the center is August 2001.
Tour concluded at 6:00 p.m.
The Council Committees Meeting recessed at 6:00 p.m. to allow members ample time to walk from the Capital Theater to City Hall. The Council Committees Meeting reconvened at 6:20 p.m.
LEGISLATIVE AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
The Legislative and Finance Committee met with Chairman Salters presiding. Members present were Councilmen Carey and Gorman, and Mr. Merritt. Councilman McGlumphy was deputized to serve in the absence of Mrs. Street.
One-Year Review - Web Browsing Policy
During their Regular Meeting of February 28, 2000, City Council approved the Web Browsing Policy, stipulating that it to be reviewed in one (1) year. As directed, the Information Services Department reviewed the policy and contacted department heads to solicit their feelings regarding the policy.
Mr. O’Connor reported that the employee’s use of the Internet has increased significantly during the past year, with 50 employees that have signed the policy in order to use this valuable resource.
The Web Browsing Policy focuses on employee use of this technology for City business. Usage of the Web to gather information from other government agencies and vendors can save employees considerable time in researching data and thereby provides more time for making quality decisions. Having a formal policy which requires signatures has become more the rule than the exception in government as well as industry. Based on the productive usage of the Internet under this policy and the feedback received, staff recommended that the Web Browsing Policy continue to remain in effect in its current form.
Mr. Carey moved to recommend approval of the Web Browsing Policy, as recommended by staff. The motion was seconded by Mr. McGlumphy and unanimously carried.
Fiscal Year 2000 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report
In accordance with Section 46 of the City Charter, the City's financial books are audited by independent auditors each year. The Finance Director/Treasurer, Mrs. Mitchell, submitted the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for fiscal year ended June 30, 2000. It was noted that all financial transactions were audited by the selected C.P.A. firm of Faw Casson & Company for fiscal year ended June 30, 2000 and that the auditors have given the City of Dover a clean (unqualified) opinion. The City has received the Award of Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Governmental Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for the last 15 years.
Mr. Gorman moved to recommend acceptance of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2000, seconded by Mr. McGlumphy and unanimously carried.
Mr. Salters moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Carey and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 6:23 P.M.
UTILITY COMMITTEE
The Utility Committee met with Chairman Weller presiding. Members present were Councilmen Pitts and Truitt, and Mr. Nichols. Councilman Carey was deputized to serve in the absence of Mr. Lambert.
Request for Two Alley Abandonments Located Between Bedford Drive and Lincoln Street (Parallel to Bertrand Drive and parallel to Lincoln Street) - Wallace R. Dixon and William H. Hill
A request was received from Wallace R. Dixon and William H. Hill to abandon two (2) alleys located between Bedford Drive and Lincoln Street: 1) parallel to Bertrand Drive; and 2) parallel to Lincoln Street.
Mr. O’Connor advised members that the alleys are unimproved and that there were no concerns from any City department regarding the abandonment of the alleys. Since these are paper alleys, review and approval by the D.A.C. and Planning Commission were not required. Staff recommended that a public hearing be set to abandon the alleys, and that if abandoned, it be stipulated that a permanent easement equivalent to the length and width of the alleys be retained for future utility installation if necessary.
Responding to Mr. Salters, the City Clerk, Mrs. Green, explained that all adjacent property owners will be notified of the proposed abandonment and will have the opportunity to address members of Council during the public hearing. Considering that such abandonment is accomplished by equally abandoning the land to adjacent property owners, if there are adjacent property owners that are not interested in their portion of the alley, Mrs. Green indicated that it would be Council’s decision as to the division of the land.
Mr. Truitt moved to recommend approval of staff’s recommendation (Resolution - Attachment #1), seconded by Mr. Nichols and unanimously carried.
Evaluation of Bids - Fulton Street Parking Lot
In an effort to address the current parking problems around Wesley College, the City has received funding from area legislators through a Suburban Street Aid Agreement to construct a 48 space parking lot at the corner of Fulton Street and North Governors Avenue. Although the proposed lot will be open to the public, it will be maintained by Wesley College. Staff solicited bids for the construction of the Fulton Street Parking Lot and recommended awarding the contract to the low bidder, Melvin L. Joseph Construction Co., Inc. (Georgetown, Delaware), in the amount of $110,759.00.
Mr. O’Connor assured members that a Suburban Street Aid Agreement between the City of Dover and the Delaware Department of Transportation will provide the necessary funds to complete this project.
Mr. Carey moved to recommend awarding the contract for the construction of the Fulton Street Parking Lot to the low bidder, Melvin L. Joseph Construction Co., Inc., in the amount of $110,759.00, as recommended by staff. The motion was seconded by Mr. Nichols and unanimously carried.
Mr. Weller moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Truitt and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 6:40 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin R. Christiansen
Council President
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