COUNCIL COMMITTEES
The Council Committees Meeting was held on October 23, 2000, at 6:00 p.m., with Council President Christiansen presiding. Members of Council present were Mr. McGlumphy, Mr. Pitts, Mr. Gorman, Mr. Truitt, Mr. Carey, Mrs. Malone, Mr. Salters, Mr. Weller, and Mayor Hutchison.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Gorman requested an addition to the Legislative and Finance Committee agenda, item #4 - Letter from Mr. Ron Harmon regarding Parking Space Requirements for Mini- Storage/Warehouses.
Mr. Carey moved for approval of the agenda as amended, seconded by Mrs. Malone 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.
Purchase of Police Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs)
The Police Department received a State Grant for the purchase of ten (10) additional Mobile Data Terminals. These terminals are acquired through a State Grant for installation in patrol cars to provide access to the Department’s Computer Aided Dispatch System, the Records Maintenance System, and the statewide DELJIS System.
The previous MDTs were purchased from American Reliance of Arcadia, California (AMREL). Due to recent difficulties with the AMREL brand of MDTs, staff recommended the purchase of ten (10) Panasonic MDTs from CE Computers of Georgetown, Delaware, at a cost of $69,760 (10 @ $6,976 each). Although this particular item is not listed on the State Contract, CE Computers is one of the State’s Contract Vendors for computer equipment. Delivery of the equipment is expected 30 days after placing the order and the equipment operable within 30 days of receipt.
Chief Faulkner advised members that the Police Department received funding, in the amount of $194,297, through the Delaware Department of Public Safety’s Local Law Enforcement Technology Grant Program which approves funding for this purchase.
Mr. Salters moved to recommend approval of the purchase of ten (10) Panasonic Mobile Data Terminals from CE Computers, at a price of $69,760, as recommended by staff. The motion was seconded by Mr. Carey and unanimously carried.
Replacement of Vehicle #750 - Material Handling Aerial Truck
Staff solicited bids for a Material Handling Aerial Truck, a Posi-Plus 500-55-AE-E68 with a Telelect ST7070 aerial device, to replace the current 1991 tandem chassis (Vehicle #750). The following bids were received:
Vendor Cost
Baker Equipment (Richmond, VA) $174,732 with trade
Altec Industries (Plains, PA) $160,353 with trade
Although Altec Industries was the apparent low bidder, staff explained that there were several differences between the bids: The Altec boom has an outside diameter of 12” x 12” with a 150” clear insulated break while Baker’s boom is 13½” x 11½” with a 202” clear insulated break. This is a critical difference in the boom design that makes Baker’s stronger, providing better protection for employees. Also, since Baker’s lower boom is the same design as the top boom, with a thickness of 1¾”, and Altec’s lower boom is 1½” thick, Baker’s lower boom is much stronger. There are other capabilities of the Baker’s equipment that supercedes that of Altec, including boom rotation and elevation.
Staff recommended approval of the purchase of the Material Handling Aerial Truck from Baker Equipment in the amount of $174,732, with trade.
Mr. Carey moved to recommend approval of staff’s recommendation, seconded by Mr. Merritt and unanimously carried.
Responding to committee members, Council President Christiansen stated that the new Finance Director/Treasurer has an interest in comparing leasing to purchasing and will be reviewing this with members in the near future.
Proposed Ordinance Amendment - Suspension of Public Occupancy Permits
The City Planner, Mr. DePrima, presented ordinance amendments that would give the City’s licensing officer authority to suspend permits of public occupancies when it “is so inimical to the public health, safety, and welfare as to constitute a nuisance and thus give rise to an emergency.” He explained that this is the same language that is found in the business license code. The current public occupancy regulations only allow suspension by the Fire Marshal when there is a violation of a fire related code. Therefore, a permit cannot be revoked when a public nuisance is occurring on the premises of a public occupancy. The types of uses that require a Public Occupancy Permit include: churches, civic auditoriums, clubhouses, hospitals, schools, theaters, public office buildings, and outdoor public events.
Staff recommended adoption of the ordinance amending Sections 7-70 - Suspension and 7-71 - Appeals, of Chapter 7, Article IV - Fire Prevention: Public Occupancies, of the Dover Code.
Mr. Gorman moved for approval of the committee’s recommendation (Attachment #1), seconded by Mr. Merritt and unanimously carried.
Discussion - Letter from Mr. Ron Harmon Regarding Parking Space Requirements for Mini-Storage/Warehouses
Mr. Ron Harmon, Owner/Manager of New Burton Mini-Storage, Inc. located, at 1429 New Burton Road, submitted a letter requesting relief from the parking requirements for the zoning classification (C-3) as they relate to mini-storage businesses. He felt that mini-storage businesses are different from most businesses designated for the C-3 zoning classification in regards to parking. Customers who rent storage space at this type of business do not require traditional parking spaces since they park only for a short period of time and not on a regular basis.
Concurring with the idea, Mr. DePrima stated that staff developed a proposed zoning text amendment that would change the parking requirement for mini-warehouses and presented it to the Planning Commission for their review and recommendation. The Planning Commission would not support the proposed amendment without considering all the design requirements for mini-warehouses, including buffering, screening, setbacks, etc. He explained that this would create a substantial amount of work for staff and, considering staff’s current projects that have priority, this matter may not be completed for consideration until next year.
After being advised of this action, Mr. Harmon contacted several members of Council for their assistance. Mr. DePrima felt that at the direction of Council, the Planning Commission would review the matter and make a recommendation to the Legislative and Finance Committee who would then review it and make a recommendation to Council rather than having the matter referred back to staff, as requested by the Planning Commission.
Responding to Mr. Carey, Mr. DePrima explained that any change to the ordinance would affect all mini-warehouse facilities. It was his feeling that the Planning Commission desired to have all mini-warehouse facilities in the City and some in the County reviewed to formulate a more comprehensive evaluation and recommendation. He explained that members of the Planning Commission felt uncomfortable changing parking only without consideration of other aspects.
In response to Mr. Truitt, Mr. Salters indicated that he had an opportunity to visit Mr. Harmon’s facility and, although it is managed and operated with high standards, an ordinance amendment would affect all mini-warehouse facilities that are located in the City, including those that may not maintain such top-notch facilities.
Mr. Gorman moved to recommend that the Planning Commission review the parking requirements for the C-3 zoning classification as they relate to mini-storage businesses and formulate a recommendation for consideration. The motion failed due to the lack of a second.
There was no further action taken by the committee regarding this matter.
Mr. Salters moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Carey and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 6:38 P.M.
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE
The Parks and Recreation Committee met with Chairwoman Malone presiding. Members present were Councilmen Pitts and McGlumphy, Mr. Davis, and Ms. Moerschel.
Land Dedication Request - Intersection of Loockerman and Forest Streets (William Lee Holden, Sr.)
Members considered the request of Mr. William Holden, III, for the City to dedicate the “Y” area at the intersection of Loockerman and Forest Streets to his grandfather, Mr. William Lee Holden, Sr. Mr. Holden was the developer of Westwood Place and the dedication would be to honor his achievements as a businessman and his lifelong dedication to the City of Dover. Although the property is owned by the State, it is maintained by the City. Mr. O’Connor stated that he has not contacted the State regarding this matter but would anticipate no problem with the installation of a small sign around the flower beds.
Responding to Mrs. Malone, Mr. O’Connor stated that the City would be responsible for the costs of the sign and its installation.
Council President Christiansen suggested that the signage include a listing of Mr. Holden’s accomplishments. It was also suggested that consideration be given to having the accomplishments listed on a stone marker rather than being included on the sign.
Mrs. Moerschel noted that the land area is not easily accessible to pedestrians and felt that a stone marker would not suffice in this area.
Responding, Mr. Salters felt that staff could work out the specifics regarding this matter.
Mr. O’Connor explained that upon approval of the land dedication by Council, staff will meet with Mr. Holden’s family members to determine the specifics regarding the dedication, including signage, etc.
Mr. McGlumphy moved to recommend approval of the dedication of land located at the intersection of Loockerman and Forest Streets to William Lee Holden, Sr., as requested, and that the City Manager be authorized to work with the family in bringing the dedication to fruition. The motion was seconded by Ms. Moerschel and unanimously carried.
Update - Dover Regional Recreation and Sports Facility at Schutte Park
General Fred Vetter addressed members to provide an update on the Dover Regional Recreation and Sports Facility at Schutte Park. He stated that the Dover Recreational Facilities Committee (DRFC) recently established several sub-committees to assist in handling the many tasks necessary to prepare for the construction of the facility and to hold the upcoming referendum. A committee was recently established for marketing purposes; informing and educating the public regarding the project.
General Vetter advised members that a marketing manager has been hired and a plan has been developed to provide information to the community regarding the Schutte Center, which is the name to be used as a common means of referring to this project. In addition, a grant writer has been hired who has prepared a list of foundations and fund granting organizations to contact for assistance. The grant writer has begun working on another list consisting of federal and private agencies that would be likely to assist with the Schutte Center.
Several members complimented the new signage erected in the City regarding the progress of this project. Mrs. Malone stated that updates regarding the Schutte Center will be made to members on a monthly basis and made the following statement, requesting that it be made a part of the record:
“September the 14th, 2000, we received a response from Sandra Downs (Business Manager for Capital School District) responding to the City’s request for two (2) rental locations for the Summer Playground Program during the calendar year 2001. She is sorry to inform us that the facilities at North Elementary and William Henry Middle Schools will be unavailable due to the district-wide construction project.”
Considering this, Mrs. Malone suggested that staff be directed to look into the possibility of utilizing the Modern Maturity Center for the Super Summer Playground Program.
No further action was taken by the committee.
Mrs. Malone moved to adjourn into executive session for personnel matters, seconded by Mr. Pitts and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 7:05 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin R. Christiansen
Council President
RRC/lcg
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