REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
The Regular Council Meeting was held on January 25, 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, Chief Carey, 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.
There was no one present wishing to speak during the Open Forum.
The invocation was given by Reverend Bernard D. Shuhayda, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by the First State Young Marines.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Weller requested that item #3 be considered as item #1A and a Presentation by Fire Chief Carey be added as item #3. Mr. Truitt moved for approval of the amended agenda, seconded by Mrs. Malone and unanimously carried.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES - REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 11, 1999
The Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of January 11, 1999 were unanimously approved by motion of Mr. Weller, seconded by Mr. Carey and bore the written approval of Mayor Hutchison.
PRESENTATION BY MAYOR HUTCHISON - FIRST STATE YOUNG MARINES
Members of the First State Young Marines were presented with Certificates of Recognition by Mayor Hutchison. The First State Young Marines provides young people the opportunities needed to develop character traits like discipline, courage, honor, and commitment. The young people of the First State Young Marines are committed to being drug and crime free, being active members of society, and volunteering time to participate in and support community activities.
On behalf of the entire City Council and the citizens of the City of Dover, Mayor Hutchison saluted members for their dedication and commitment and extended them best wishes for success in all their future endeavors.
PRESENTATION - EILEEN K. GUERKE - SERVICE ON CITY OF DOVER DOWNTOWN DOVER DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (APRIL 1996 - SEPTEMBER 1998)
Mayor Hutchison presented Mrs. Eileen Guerke with a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of service rendered on behalf of the City as a member of the Downtown Dover Development Corporation, serving from April 1996 through September 1998.
Accepting the Certificate, Mrs. Guerke stated that it was an honor to serve and thanked Mayor Hutchison and members of Council for giving her that privilege.
PRESENTATION BY FIRE CHIEF CAREY
On behalf of all members of the Robbins Hose Fire Company No. 1, Fire Chief Carey presented pictures of Fire Station #2 to Councilman Leary, Mr. O’Connor, and former Councilman Irving Levitt, in appreciation of the support provided during the construction of Fire Station #2. Fire Chief Carey stated that a presentation was conducted during the dedication ceremony of Fire Station #2 on October 4, 1998, and for those members not able to attend, another presentation was conducted during the Annual Banquet on January 23, 1999. This evening will complete all presentations for those unable to attend the previous functions.
Fire Chief Carey advised members that the Robbins Hose Company No. 1 presents fire fighters with attendance awards (top 10) for responding to alarms. Council President Christiansen was the second highest fire fighter that responded to alarms during 1998, attending 384 out of 551 alarms.
On behalf of present and past members of Council, Mayor Hutchison relayed appreciation to the fire fighters for their dedication, indicating that one of the greatest resources of the City of Dover is the volunteers of the Robbins Hose Fire Company.
PRESENTATION BY FRIENDS OF DOVER PUBLIC LIBRARY - DONATION TO DOVER RECREATIONAL FACILITIES COMMITTEE FOR DOVER REGIONAL RECREATIONAL FACILITY (IRVING LEVITT)
Mr. Irving Levitt, President of the Friends of the Dover Public Library, read the following letter into the record:
“Robert S. Wetherall, Director
Dover Public Library
45 South State Street
Dover, DE 19901
Dear Bob:
At a meeting of the Friends of the Dover Public Library held on 12/11/98, our Board discussed your request for a financial commitment to the proposed Branch Library to be constructed in West Dover.
The Friends have voted to make a five-year commitment of not less than $2,000 per year for the purchase of library equipment similar to that which we have purchased in the past.
We look forward to the eventual opening of the West Dover Branch and trust that we will be able to do even more as the project is completed.
Sincerely,
Irv Levitt
President
Friends of the Dover Public Library”
Mr. Levitt assured members that the Friends of the Dover Public Library will continue their commitment to the current library facility and will assist in the success of the proposed west Dover facility.
Mayor Hutchison relayed appreciation for the support of the Friends of the Dover Public Library and reiterated that the proposed Dover Regional Recreation Facility is the number one project for the City of Dover at this time.
On behalf of members of City Council, the Parks and Recreation Committee, and the Dover Recreational Facilities Committee, Mrs. Malone relayed appreciation for the support of the Friends of the Dover Public Library. She felt that this commitment reaffirms this project being a community effort to be shared by many.
INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATION - DELAWARE VETERAN’S MEMORIAL CEMETERY (EVE HARRISON)
Ms. Eve Harrison, representative of the Delaware Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, provided information to members regarding a final benefit from the military services. She stated that everyone probably either is or knows a veteran. With more than 79,000 veterans in the State of Delaware, adding family members increases the number to over 200,000 that are eligible for benefits. It is her goal to advise veterans and family members of the benefit of the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Ms. Harrison provided answers to “frequently asked questions” and other information regarding the Cemetery.
At the request of Mr. Truitt, Ms. Harrison stated that she would provide the City Clerk’s Office with the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery Application and General Eligibility Criteria for Interment for distribution to members.
PROCLAMATION - PERI-ANESTHESIA AWARENESS WEEK
The City Clerk read the following Proclamation into the record:
WHEREAS, the Eastern Shore District of PeriAnesthesia Nurses serve the Delaware and Maryland areas; and
WHEREAS, the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses has declared National PeriAnesthesia Nurse Awareness Week during the first week of February; and
WHEREAS, the PeriAnesthesia Nurse is a unique specialist who is committed to providing expert care to a variety of patient populations, from the infant to the centurion, from the healthy and routine patient to the patient requiring critical nursing care; and
WHEREAS, the practice setting for this specialty area is every bit as varied as its clientele – hospital-based, ambulatory surgery centers, physician offices, endoscopy suites, and pain control centers being some of the locales where you find the PeriAnesthesia Nurse; and
WHEREAS, this critical specialty is one that requires constant vigilance, continuing education and research to provide competent, caring and knowledgeable care; and
WHEREAS, when the patient needs specialized attention that no one else can provide, it is the PeriAnesthesia Nurses who are relied on to maintain a watchful, continually assessing, eye; and
WHEREAS, PeriAnesthesia Nurses are dedicated to excellence in practice, and valuable to the community as care givers and patient advocates.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JAMES L. HUTCHISON, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF DOVER, do hereby proclaim February 1st through the 7th, 1999 as NATIONAL PERIANESTHESIA NURSE AWARENESS WEEK in the City of Dover and urge all citizens of this community to be aware of the services provided by the PeriAnesthesia Nurse.
Mayor Hutchison presented the Proclamation to Ms. Yvonne Laws, RN C-Pan. Ms. Laws thanked members for giving her the opportunity to accept the Proclamation on behalf of all Peri-Anesthesia Nurses.
MONTHLY REPORTS - DECEMBER 1998
Mr. Salters moved for acceptance of the following monthly reports for December 1998, seconded by Mr. Weller and unanimously carried:
Planning and Inspections 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
In response to Mr. Weller with regard to the Planning and Training included in the Chief of Police Report, Chief Faulkner stated that he would begin to include the number of hours involved in future reports.
Mr. Weller referred to the City Manager’s Report, Electric Department Section, Item E -Environmental Affairs, and questioned why inspections are performed for non-PCB and PCB areas. Mr. O’Connor explained that the City is a PCB free utility; however, there could still be traces of PCB contaminants, which can increase over a period of time. The City continues to monitor all transformers and system fixtures that contain oil to assure it has remained below the EPA standard.
Mr. Leary moved for acceptance of the Chief of Police Report and the City Manager's Report for December 1998. The motion was seconded by Mr. Weller and unanimously carried.
APPOINTMENT (MAYOR) - DOWNTOWN DOVER DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Mayor Hutchison requested the appointment of Mrs. Leytrice B. Henson to the Downtown Dover Development Corporation, to fill the unexpired term of Mrs. Eileen K. Guerke, to expire April 1999.
Mr. Salters moved for approval of the appointment of Mrs. Leytrice B. Henson, as recommended by Mayor Hutchison. The motion was seconded by Mr. Leary and unanimously carried.
ANNEXATION/REZONING REQUEST - 196 MIFFLIN ROAD - ESTATE OF EUGENE S. SCHUYLER
A request was received for annexation and rezoning of property located at 196 Mifflin Road, owned by the Estate of Eugene S. Schuyler. The property is currently zoned RS - Residential Single Family (Kent County zoning classification) and the requested zoning is R-8 - One Family Residential (City of Dover zoning classification).
Staff recommended that the request be referred to the Utility Committee on February 8, 1999, that an annexation referendum be set for February 25, 1999, and that a public hearing be set for March 8, 1999.
Mr. Weller moved for approval of staff's recommendation. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Malone and Council unanimously acknowledged the first reading of the following Ordinance, by title only, and adopted the following Resolution:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE AND ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF DOVER BY CHANGING THE ZONING DESIGNATION OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT 196 MIFFLIN ROAD.
A RESOLUTION PROPOSING THE INCLUSION OF AN AREA WITHIN THE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF DOVER AND CALLING FOR A SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD IN THE SAID AREA.
WHEREAS, the Charter of the City of Dover authorizes Council to extend the boundaries of the said City after a special election of the qualified voters and real estate owners of the territory proposed to be annexed, and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council of the City of Dover deem it in the best interest of the City of Dover to include an area located at 196 Mifflin Road, which is contiguous to the present City limits, into the limits of the City of Dover and within a zoning classification as recommended by the City of Dover Planning Commission.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER, IN COUNCIL MET:
1. That a special election be held for an area located at 196 Mifflin Road, situated in East Dover Hundred, Kent County, State of Delaware.
2. That the election be held on the 25th day of February, 1999 commencing at the hour of 11:00 a.m. in the City Clerk’s Office, City Hall, 15 East Loockerman Street, Dover, Delaware, for the purpose of submitting the question of annexation of the above area to those persons entitled to vote thereon.
3. That the election be held and conducted pursuant to the provisions of the Charter of the City of Dover as amended.
4. That this resolution be published in accordance with the City of Dover Charter.
ADOPTED: January 25, 1999
FINAL READING - PROPOSED ORDINANCE
The First Reading of the following proposed ordinance was accomplished during the Council Meeting of January 11, 1999:
Ordinance - Repealing Ordinance of September 7, 1914
Mr. Carey moved that the final reading of the proposed ordinance be acknowledged by title only, seconded by Mr. Weller and unanimously carried.
Mr. Lambert moved to table consideration of adoption of the ordinance, seconded by Mr. Carey and unanimously carried.
Mr. Leary moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Weller and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:11 P.M.
JANICE C. GREEN
CITY CLERK
All orders, ordinances and resolutions adopted by City Council during their meeting of January 25, 1999, are hereby approved.
JAMES L. HUTCHISON
MAYOR
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