COUNCIL COMMITTEES
The Council Committees Meeting was held on October 13, 1997, at 6:30 p.m., with Council President Christiansen presiding. Members of Council present were Mr. Lambert, Mr. Truitt, Mr. Leary, Mr. Pitts, Mrs. Malone (left meeting at 8:25 p.m.), Mr. Salters, Mr. Weller and Mayor Hutchison.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Pitts moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Carey and unanimously carried.
UTILITY COMMITTEE
The Utility Committee met with Chairman Lambert presiding. Members present were Councilmen Pitts and Weller and Mr. Carey. In the absence of Mr. Kramedas, Mr. Salters was appointed to serve as a temporary member.
Discussion - SR #1/Route 8 Interchange
Mr. Lambert reminded members that during their Regular Meeting of November 14, 1994, members of City Council reviewed the proposal for an interchange on Route #8 at SR #1. Members of Council indicated their concern with the possible effect an interchange on Route #8 would have on the residents of the area. During their meeting of November 14, 1994, members were advised that the preliminary plan of the Greater Dover Transportation Study, which was being performed by DelDOT, should be complete in the Spring of 1995 and that the plan would include the results of traffic patterns throughout the entire City, including Route #8 and Center City Dover. Taking this into consideration, members of Council felt that review of the Greater Dover Transportation Study should be accomplished prior to making a recommendation. Members requested the Dover MPO to review the Greater Dover Transportation Study to obtain additional information for a report back to the Safety Advisory Committee for review and recommendation to City Council. This was the last official action taken by members of City Council regarding this issue.
Mr. Lambert stated that there has recently been discussion regarding the SR #1/Route #8 Interchange. Since City Council has not taken any recent action on this issue, he was concerned that it would be interpreted that the City has a lack of interest; therefore, he requested that staff provide members an update on the current status of the SR #1/Route #8 Interchange.
Mr. O’Connor advised members that the SR #1/Route #8 Interchange Needs Assessment Study authorized by DelDOT, which warrants the interchange with controls, was reviewed by the MPO Council. The Technical and Public Advisory Committees relayed concerns with the potential impact that the interchange would have on the Edgehill community and the lack of traffic impact studies for this area. Prior to making a recommendation to the MPO Council, the committees requested that DelDOT examine the impact and assess the cost of deterring future development east of SR #1 that would support or oppose the interchange. Mr. O’Connor stated that the Study has been referred to environmental agencies for review, which is a requirement when federal funding is involved. At the last MPO meeting held on October 8, 1997, although there was discussion regarding this issue, the MPO Council did not formulate a recommendation to be presented to Council. He advised members that Secretary Canby indicated that DelDOT would not approve an SR #1/Route #8 Interchange without the assurance of absolute control of growth near the intersection as well as the traffic pattern impact on the Edgehill community. Although the County and City has addressed the growth issue with adoption of updated Comprehensive Plans and Zoning Ordinances (which indicates low density, residential building for surrounding areas), DelDOT does not feel that the Plans adequately address control of their concerns of development near the area. Mr. O’Connor informed members of some issues indicated in the study that would be opposed by City staff, as follows: 1) truncating Route #8; 2) truncating utilities at the SR #1/Route #8 Interchange; and 3) County and City purchasing development rights.
Mr. Lambert stated that since the majority of the land is zoned agricultural or residential, he feels confident that the City will control growth in the area. His concern is with the additional traffic that would be generated on Route #8 and what improvements will be made to handle this issue, and the potential of traffic using the residential streets in the Edgehill development in an attempt to circumvent the traffic light at Route #13 and Route #8.
Responding to Mr. Lambert, Mr. O’Connor stated that he is not aware of a study being performed on (or a model of) the proposed traffic pattern that would be proposed with the installation of the SR #1/Route #8 Interchange. However, there have been calculations performed on the traffic impact for the City of Dover, resulting from the proposed Puncheon Run project. Mr. Lambert also noted that the Scarborough Road project is scheduled to begin next summer and that the Puncheon Run project is scheduled to begin in the near future. He felt that these two projects will have an effect on the flow of traffic through the City of Dover and had expected this information to be available at this time.
Mr. John Stautzenbach, 721 Maple Parkway, President of the Edgehill Civic Association, relayed the views of the resident’s of the Edgehill development with regards to the impact of the proposed SR #1/Route #8 Interchange. Mr. Stautzenbach advised members that there is a petition, consisting of 270 - 300 signatures, against the proposed SR #1/Route #8 Interchange. He stated that the residents are concerned with the additional traffic that would be created, pedestrian and vehicular safety, and the inconvenience that would be placed upon residents of Edgehill. They also feel that the interchange would split the neighborhood.
Mr. Ron Hall, 636 Maple Parkway, Vice-President of the Edgehill Civic Association, advised members that there currently is a traffic problem in the Edgehill development and that the proposed interchange would only escalate these problems. Since the recent development of the shopping center located to the south of Edgehill, he stated that there has been a significant increase in traffic in their neighborhood. On behalf of the residents of Edgehill, Mr. Hall requested that Council take their concerns into consideration when acting on this matter.
Mr. Al Hedgecock, Executive Director of the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce (CDCC), stated that the CDCC SR #1 Committee has been active since 1984, monitoring all facets of this project from its inception and working with representatives of the City, County and DelDOT. The Committee has directed their efforts towards the best interest of all citizens. Many aspects of the projects involved have been extensively discussed, revised and executed to a mutual advantage. The issue of a limited interchange at SR #1 and Route #8 is considered a vital element in the plan to provide a direct access feeder to the downtown, historical, governmental, tourism and business areas.
Mr. Hedgecock noted that the following organizations have formally supported a limited interchange on Route #8: Board of Directors for the CDCC, Advisory Board of the Central Delaware Economic Council, Kent County Convention and Tourism Corporation, Main Street Dover, the Greater Dover Committee and several private organizations. One of those private organizations, Tilcon Delaware, has indicated that there are approximately ½ million tons of construction materials shipped, per year, from their plant located on Route #8, east of Dover. This is equal to approximately 20,000 truck loads that use East Division Street to gain access to Route #13. Most of this material is shipped to the north, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey. Mr. Hedgecock stated that there are several benefits of a limited interchange on SR #1 at Route #8, such as: 1) reduction of wear and tear on the existing roadways, 2) making Route #13 much safer for families using the shopping districts, 3) assist in meeting the clean air requirements by taking the trucks away from the many traffic lights and existing traffic congestion, and 4) helping the economy by saving time when the trucks are removed from traffic lights and congestion. Mr. Hedgecock stated that Route #8 is the only means of traveling east to west and is the only direct access from SR #1 to West Dover.
Mr. Horace Cook, Chairman of the CDCC SR #1 Committee, distributed a letter from Tilcon, a fact sheet from the CDCC, and a copy of an article that appeared in the October 8th issue of the Dover Post regarding the proposed Route #8 interchange. He stated that the CDCC SR #1 Committee was charged with working with officials in an attempt to create a traffic pattern that will ease the traffic burden throughout the City of Dover. The CDCC SR #1 Committee feels that a SR #1/Route #8 limited interchange will provide the much needed relief. Mr. Cook explained that the Scarborough Road project, expected to be completed in 1999, will take most westbound traffic off of Route #13 from Denneys Road to Route #8, and that the Puncheon Run project, when completed, will relieve northbound traffic on Route #13. The SR #1 and Route #8 limited interchange offers accessability to residents east of SR #1 and local residents, who work north of Dover. Upgrading the two ramps to accept heavy traffic will relieve traffic on Route #8. The CDCC SR #1 Committee requests that no action be taken at this time and that the matter remain referred to the Dover MPO as previously recommended by City Council. Mr. Cook offered to assist the residents of the Edgehill community in an attempt to resolve some of their traffic concerns.
As an alternative to the SR #1/Route #8 Interchange, Council President Christiansen felt that the Dover/Leipsic Road (Route #88) would be more conducive as an interchange to SR #1 and suggested that it be considered by the CDCC. Mr. Cook stated that Route #88 was previously considered as an interchange and was not supported since it was felt that it could be detrimental to the businesses north of Route #88. There was also consideration that an interchange at Route #88 would provide relief for traffic entering/exiting Dover Downs. Unfortunately, the federal government forbids any relief to be given to a private business; therefore, Dover Downs would be required to install private roads to the SR #1.
Mr. Ed Cox, 798 E. Loockerman Street, indicated his opposition to the proposed interchange, relaying concern with the influx of traffic coming to and from the area. He stated that the Edgehill community does not receive adequate relief at this time for their current traffic problems and that he fears that the proposed interchange will only increase an already existing traffic problem in the neighborhood.
Mr. Richard Ornauer, Chairman of the Public Advisory Committee (PAC) to the MPO, stated that neither the Public nor Technical Advisory Committees to the MPO has expressed an opinion regarding the proposed SR #1/Route #8 Interchange. As a result of a request made by several businesses, DelDOT hired consultants to study the concept of an interchange between Route #8 and SR #1. According to these studies, the time difference for a vehicle traveling from the proposed Scarborough Road to downtown Dover and the proposed SR #1/Route #8 Interchange determined that there was a very minor difference in time. There are concerns that farmlands east of Route #8 would be in danger and that development can be anticipated as far east as Little Creek. The Technical Advisory Committee has questioned how the farmland can be preserved and has been advised that the State has the necessary funds for preservation of farmland. The consultants’ report indicates, however, that it would be the responsibility of the City and County to prevent changes in zoning classifications that would accelerate the loss of farmlands.
Mr. Ornauer relayed disappointment in previous action by officials to dismiss the concept of an interchange at Dover/Leipsic Road. An interchange at that location could benefit the Dover Mall, Dover Downs and Delaware State University, as well as providing a direct connection to downtown Dover. Noting that the Scarborough Road project will begin in the next few months and that the Scarborough Road project will be complete by the year 2000, rather than considering new interchanges, Mr. Ornauer suggested that the City solicit a freeze on the SR #1/Route #8 Interchange until the effects of the new roadways can be measured.
Mr. Robert Tudor, 706 E. Division Street, relayed his concurrence with Mr. Ornauer and strongly urged Council to delay any further action regarding a Route #8 Interchange until one year after the current SR #1 connectors (Scarborough Road and Puncheon Run) are complete. It was his feeling that should the proposed interchange on Route #8 be accessible prior to the completion of the other connectors, trucks would begin using the Route #8 interchange and that once the Scarborough Road and Puncheon Run connectors were completed, it would be difficult at that time, to change a truck driver’s routine. If a decision was delayed until one year after the completion of the Scarborough Road Connector, truckers would be adapted to its use.
Mrs. Rexene Ornauer, 17 Mifflin Road, voiced her concern with the proposal for a “limited” interchange, feeling that it is an oxymoron since it will ultimately become a full interchange. Referring to the concept that truckers will utilize the Scarborough Road Connector, she stated that unfortunately the majority of truck traffic travels south through Dover. It was Mrs. Ornauer’s feeling that an interchange on Dover/Leipsic Road would be the better alternative.
Mr. Lambert stated that although it was not his intent to make a decision regarding this issue at this time, it was his desire to review the history and current status of this project. He stated that the City has relayed their feelings to the Dover MPO and will await their recommendation. No further action was taken regarding this issue.
At the request of Mr. Lambert, Council President Christiansen declared a recess of the Utility Committee at 7:40 p.m.
The Utility Committee reconvened at 8:25 p.m. by motion of Mr. Leary, seconded by Mr. Salters and unanimously carried.
Evaluation of Bids - Four Wheel Drive Rubber Tire Backhoe with Loader
In conjunction with the Department of Public Works FY 1998 operating budget and the City’s Capital Investment Plans, staff requested the opportunity to solicit bids for one (1) four wheel drive rubber tire backhoe with loader. Bids were submitted by four (4) vendors, as follows:
Alban Tractor Company, Inc. Caterpillar 416C $62,272.00
Standard Equipment Company John Deere 310SE $57,453.00
First State Ford New Holland, Inc. New Holland #575E $52,000.00
B & A Equipment & Supplies JCB 214 $50,687.00
Mr. O’Connor stated that staff visited each of the vendors to perform a field test with the models that were bid. Based on the field test and a review of the bids and specifications, staff found the New Holland #575E to be a superior piece of equipment. Mr. O’Connor stated that this purchase would also standardize the recently purchased backhoe.
Staff recommended that the bid be awarded to First State Ford New Holland, Inc. in the amount of $52,000 for a New Holland Model #575E based on adherence to the general guidelines of the specifications and superiority of the product.
Mr. Weller moved to recommend approval of staff’s recommendation, seconded by Mr. Pitts and unanimously carried.
Evaluation of Bids - City of Dover Water System - Miscellaneous Tapping Sleeves and Valves
In accordance with the Capital Investment Plan, the Department of Public Works solicited bids for various size tapping sleeves and valves for improvements to the City of Dover water system. These improvements are scheduled within the City of Dover water service district and will be used to expand and improve our existing water system. Bids were submitted by two (2) vendors, as follows:
Dover Plumbing Supply Company (Dover, DE) $69,597.00
U.S. Filter (Milford, DE) $65,802.71
Mr. O’Connor stated that he does not object to a local vendor preference; however, the $3,794.29 difference is substantial. He indicated that Dover Plumbing Supply has other contracts with the City for supplying material and that the City also uses Dover Plumbing Supply for emergency type purchases. Staff recommended that the bid be awarded to U.S. Filter in the amount of $65,802.71, for the purchase of various size tapping sleeves and valves.
Responding to Mr. Weller, Mr. O’Connor stated that the price of $65,802.71 is based on last year’s purchases. He indicated that there are a variety of tapping sleeves that range from 6" x 6" to 12" x 4" and valves that range from 4" to 10". He stated that if only one valve was needed for a particular project, the City could purchase it from a local vendor in accordance with our purchasing policy.
Mr. Pitts moved to recommend that the bid be awarded to U.S. Filter in an amount not to exceed $65,802.71 for the purchase of various size tapping sleeves and valves, as recommended by staff. The motion was seconded by Mr. Weller and unanimously carried.
Evaluation of Bids - Overhead Wire Puller
To allow in-house personnel the ability to install and re-conductor overhead power lines, staff requested the purchase of an overhead wire puller. In the past, larger jobs had to be contracted out because the Electric Department did not have the equipment to install long sections of wire. The puller has also been modified to allow the installation of fiber optic cable. Bids were submitted by four (4) vendors, as follows:
Atlantic Southern Associates, Inc. $39,740.00
Dixie Electric Supply $41,528.00
TSE International, Inc. Did not meet specifications
Vanyo Submitted bid after cut-off date
Mr. Lambert asked if it would be more cost effective to rent this type of equipment. Mr. O’Connor stated that the wire puller can be used for fiber optic cable as well as for overhead power lines. Also, City personnel recently built equipment that can be used in conjunction with the overhead wire puller. Since our uses for the wire puller will be more diverse in the future, Mr. O’Connor stated his opinion that the purchase of the equipment would be more cost effective than equipment rental.
Staff recommended that the bid be awarded to Atlantic Southern Associates, Inc. in the amount of $39,740 for a 1997 Sherman & Reilly overhead wire puller/tensioner with trailer, Model #PT-2766-B-T.
Mr. Carey moved to recommend approval of staff’s recommendation, seconded by Mr. Salters and unanimously carried.
Mr. Weller moved to adjourn, seconded Mr. Salters and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:30 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin R. Christiansen
Council President
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