REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
The Regular Council Meeting was held on March 22, 1999 at 7:30 p.m. with Council President Christiansen presiding. Council members present were Mr. Lambert, Mr. Pitts, Mr. Leary, Mr. Truitt, Mr. Carey, Mrs. Malone, Mr. Salters, and Mr. Weller.
Council staff members present were Chief Faulkner, Mr. Lucas, Mr. O'Connor, Mr. DePrima, Mrs. Green, and Mr. Rodriguez.
OPEN FORUM
The Open Forum was held at 7:15 p.m., prior to commencement of the Official Council Meeting. Council President Christiansen declared the Open Forum in session and reminded those present that Council is not in official session and cannot take formal action.
No one was present to speak during the Open Forum.
The invocation was given by Reverend Jeffrey L. Osgood, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Student Council Members of the W. B. Simpson Elementary School.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Salters moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mrs. Malone and unanimously carried.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES - REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF MARCH 8, 1999
The Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of March 8, 1999 were unanimously approved by motion of Mr. Carey, seconded by Mrs. Malone and bore the written approval of Mayor Hutchison.
PROCLAMATION - DAYS OF REMEMBRANCE OF THE VICTIMS OF THE HOLOCAUST
The City Clerk read the following Proclamation into the record:
WHEREAS, the Holocaust was the state-sponsored, systematic persecution and annihilation of European Jewry by Nazi Germany and its collaborators between 1933 and 1945; and
WHEREAS, Jews were the primary victims - six million were murdered; Gypsies, the handicapped and Poles were also targeted for destruction or decimation for racial, ethnic or national reasons; and
WHEREAS, this year’s theme, “Refuge Denied: The Voyage of the SS St. Louis,” marks the 60th anniversary of the voyage of the St. Louis - the story of the ill-fated voyage offers an opportunity to reflect on the moral responsibilities of individuals, societies, and governments; and
WHEREAS, we should always remember the terrible events of the Holocaust and should remain vigilant against bigotry and tyranny and continually rededicate ourselves to the principles of equality and justice for all; and
WHEREAS, the Days of Remembrance have been set aside for the people of the City of Dover to remember the inhumanity of those who perpetrated the Holocaust as well as to reflect upon our own humanity and the need for respect of all peoples; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to an Act of Congress, the United States Holocaust Memorial Council designates the Days of Remembrance of the victims of the Holocaust to be Sunday, April 11, 1999 through Sunday, April 18, 1999, including the international Day of Remembrance known as Yom Hashoah on April 13, 1999.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JAMES L. HUTCHISON, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF DOVER, do hereby proclaim the week of Sunday, April 11, 1999 through Sunday, April 18, 1999, as DAYS OF REMEMBRANCE OF THE VICTIMS OF THE HOLOCAUST in memory of the victims, the survivors and their liberators, and further proclaim that we, as citizens of the City of Dover should strive to overcome intolerance and indifference through learning and remembrance.
PROCLAMATION - NATIONAL FAIR HOUSING MONTH
The City Clerk read the following Proclamation into the record:
WHEREAS, the Declaration of Independence states “that all men are created equal”; yet we must face the harsh fact that in this nation, all men do not have equal housing opportunities because of race, national origin, or religion; and
WHEREAS, we must, as individuals and as a people, take our stand to make equal opportunity for all, including equal opportunity in housing, a reality in our community; and
WHEREAS, the primary responsibility for this action lies with each individual citizen of this city, and each of us can play a major role in removing the stain of discrimination and prejudice.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JAMES L. HUTCHISON, MAYOR OF DOVER, do hereby proclaim April 1999 as NATIONAL FAIR HOUSING MONTH in the City of Dover and urge all citizens to voice their support of legislation to make the dream of human dignity, equal justice and equal opportunity a reality.
Mayor Hutchison presented the Proclamation to Ms. Juana Fuentes, Director, State of Delaware Division of Human Relations. Ms. Fuentes thanked members for their recognition and support. She stated that it is the 30th anniversary of Fair Housing in the State of Delaware.
PROCLAMATION - AMERICAN LEGION CHILDREN AND YOUTH MONTH
The City Clerk read the following Proclamation into the record:
WHEREAS, the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary, ever since the founding of these two organizations, have devoted much of their talent, effort and finances to improve conditions for our nation’s children and youth; and
WHEREAS, The Children & Youth Program of The American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary has the noble purpose of providing a setting which permits adequate opportunity to the child of every veteran to realize their full potential and to assure every American child a similar opportunity to achieve their full potential; and
WHEREAS, the Legionnaires and members of the Auxiliary of Walter L. Fox Post No. 2, Dover, Delaware have labored unselfishly to achieve this goal through their untiring effort, dedicated leadership, and devotion to the principles of this benevolent program.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JAMES L. HUTCHISON, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF DOVER, do hereby proclaim the month of April as AMERICAN LEGION CHILDREN & YOUTH MONTH in the City of Dover and call to the attention of all citizens the good works of the members of The American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary in their dedication to the principles of this outstanding program.
Mayor Hutchison presented the proclamation to Mr. and Mrs. John Endres of the American Legion. Mr. and Mrs. Endres thanked members for their recognition.
LEGISLATIVE AND FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT
The Legislative and Finance Committee met on March 8, 1999 with Councilman Leary presiding in the absence of Councilman Salters.
Purchase of 12” Disc Style Brush Chipper
An amount of $25,500 was budgeted this year in the Electric Fund for the purchase of a new “Chipper”, to replace a 1978 Asplundh Chipper, for the Electric Tree Trimming Division. Bids were solicited and received for a 12” Disc Style Brush Chipper, as follows:
Company Chipper Trade-In Net Price
Chesapeake Supply & Equipment $26,615 $5,892 $20,723
Vermeer Sales & Service, Inc. $24,863 $3,873 $20,990
Staff recommended awarding the bid to Chesapeake Supply & Equipment for $20,723 with the trade-in of the 1978 Asplundh Chipper.
The committee recommended approval of staff’s recommendation.
Mr. Leary moved for approval of the committee’s recommendation, seconded by Mrs. Malone and carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
Mr. Leary moved for acceptance of the Legislative and Finance Committee Report, seconded by Mrs. Malone and unanimously carried.
UTILITY COMMITTEE REPORT
The Utility Committee met on March 8, 1999 with Chairman Lambert presiding.
Proposed Amendments to the Electric Service Handbook - Division III, Section 3-26, Meter Testing and Adjustments
The City of Dover “Electric Service Handbook” requires the Electric Metering Department to test meters based on the following schedules:
➢ Single Phase Meters every eight (8) years;
➢ Three Phase Meters every three (3) years; and
➢ Primary and Transmission accounts every year.
Due to the improvements in the accuracy of electronic metering, staff recommended that the above meter testing schedule be revised to read as follows:
3-26. Meter Testing and Adjustments
a) Testing, Required.
The City of Dover is required to test meters based on the following schedule:
➢ Single Phase and Network Meters every eight (8) years.
➢ Three Phase Self-contained Meters every five (5) years.
➢ Single Phase and Three Phase Current Transformer rated meters every three (3) years.
➢ Primary and Transmission Meters every year.
During the committee meeting, Mr. O’Connor assured members that it is technically adequate to increase the testing cycle from three (3) to five (5) years for three phase, self-contained meters. The additional man hours that will become available will be used for new meter installations and for other metering functions, which are increasing due to continuous growth. Adding the single phase and three phase current transformer rated meters to this section will place all meters on a testing procedure schedule.
The committee recommended approval of the amendments to the Electric Service Handbook, as recommended by staff.
Mr. Lambert moved for approval of the committee’s recommendation by consent agenda, seconded by Mrs. Malone and carried by a unanimous roll call vote.
Mr. Lambert moved for acceptance of the Utility Committee Report, seconded by Mrs. Malone and unanimously carried.
MONTHLY REPORTS - FEBRUARY 1999
By motion of Mrs. Malone, seconded by Mr. Carey, the following monthly reports were unanimously accepted:
Chief of Police Report
City Assessor Report
City Clerk/Alderman Report (Fines)
Mayor's Report
General Fund, Cash Receipts & Budget Report
Water/Sewer Fund, Revenue & Budget Report
Electric Revenue Fund, Revenue & Budget Report
Improvement and Extension Fund, Cash Receipts & Budget Report
Internal Service Fund, Revenue & Budget Report
Responding to Mr. Leary, Mr. DePrima explained that the Move In - Move Up Small Business Loan Program for Downtown Dover will provide low interest loans for new businesses or expanding existing businesses that locate in the Downtown Dover Target Area; the program was launched using Community Development Block Grant money. Mr. DePrima stated that $62,000 has been reserved from last year’s budget for the program.
In response to Mr. Salters, Mr. DePrima stated that participation in the First Start Home Ownership Down Payment and Settlement Assistance Program is increasing. He stated that the program consists of two tiers - a $5,000 maximum and a $10,000 maximum (for Target Areas).
Referring to the City Manager’s Report, Mr. Weller questioned the method used to inspect the sewer lines. Mr. O’Connor stated that the lines are visually inspected using a video camera.
Mr. Leary moved for acceptance of the Planning and Inspections Report and the City Manager's Report for February 1999. The motion was seconded by Mr. Weller and unanimously carried.
Mr. Weller moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Carey and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 7:55 P.M.
JANICE C. GREEN
CITY CLERK
All orders, ordinances and resolutions adopted by City Council during their meeting of March 22, 1999, are hereby approved.
JAMES L. HUTCHISON
MAYOR
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