REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
The Regular Council Meeting was held on September 22, 1997 at 7:30 p.m. with Council President Christiansen presiding. Council members present were Mr. Lambert, Mr. Pitts, Mr. Leary, Mr. Truitt, Mrs. Malone, Mr. Salters and Mr. Weller. Mr. Fenimore was absent.
Council staff members present were Chief Faulkner, Mr. Lucas, Mr. O'Connor, Mr. DePrima, Chief Carey, Mrs. Boaman 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.
Mr. Mark Littman of 863 Schoolhouse Lane asked if the City’s zoning ordinances regulate lighting near residential neighborhoods. He explained that he has complained to Dover High School representatives of excessive lighting, but they have not taken action to alleviate the problem. Mr. DePrima stated that the zoning ordinances have provisions that regulate lighting in parking lots as well as glare provisions. Mr. DePrima will meet with Mr. Littman to discuss this matter further.
The invocation was given by Pastor Jonathan Seda, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Weller moved for the addition of an executive session to discuss personnel matters, seconded by Mr. Salters and unanimously carried. Mr. Leary moved for approval of the agenda as amended, seconded by Mrs. Malone and unanimously carried.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES - REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 8, 1997
The Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of September 8, 1997 were unanimously approved by motion of Mr. Salters, seconded by Mrs. Malone and bore the written approval of Mayor Hutchison.
PRESENTATION OF DOVER CUP FOR SERVICE TO CITY - MICHAEL J. PETIT DE MANGE
In recognition of his service to the City of Dover, a Dover Cup was presented to Michael J. Petit de Mange. The Cup was presented by Mayor Hutchison, Mr. Anthony DePrima (City Planner), Mrs. Ornauer (Vice-Chairwoman - Planning Commission) and Mr. Robert Sadusky (Planning Commissioner), with all voicing their praise for the services of Mr. Petit de Mange and their good wishes for his future.
Mr. Petit de Mange stated that it was a difficult decision for him to make when he was offered a position with a private firm, stating that it has been a privilege to work for the City of Dover for the past 8½ years. He stated that the City of Dover is an excellent employer and that the City staff are dedicated and professional employees. Mr. Petit de Mange stated that the City of Dover has an excellent reputation throughout the State, and that he was proud to be a City of Dover employee. Mr. Petit de Mange thanked Mayor and Council and all employees for the assistance they have given him during his employment and for the recognition and presentation of the Dover Cup.
INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATION - NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR PROGRAM (JERRIE LEE - BAYHEALTH MEDICAL CENTER/KENT GENERAL HOSPITAL)
Ms. Jerrie Lee from the Bayhealth Medical Center/Kent General Hospital, offered information on their Neighbor to Neighbor Program. She explained that it is a community service exchange program which provides non-medical services for those in need. Services provided can include transportation (to doctors appointments, etc.), telephone reassurance, friendly visiting, light meal preparation, light grocery shopping, errands, light housekeeping, and light yard work. Those that are helped with the program are asked to help someone else in return. This concept keeps the program moving. They attempt to provide assistance to those that have no one else to help them and in turn use these persons to help someone else in whatever manner they can offer. Ms. Lee explained that some of their elderly recipients crotchet burial clothing for infants that die prematurely, which is a part of their Cherub Program. The Neighbor to Neighbor Program is funded by a private grant and by private donations, as well as the in-kind support given by Bayhealth Medical Center/Kent General Hospital.
Council President Christiansen thanked Ms. Lee for taking the time to share information about this very worthwhile program.
PROCLAMATION - DOVER CENTURY CLUB DAY
The City Clerk read into the record the following Proclamation:
WHEREAS, this year marks the Centennial Anniversary of the Dover Century Club which will be celebrated during an Open House on October 1, 1997 between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at the Dover Century Club, located on The Green; and
WHEREAS, observance of this special occasion provides the opportunity to extend the appreciation of our community to the Dover Century Club for their dedication to community service and commitment to good citizenship and for the many valuable contributions made by their membership; and
WHEREAS, the object of the Club, which is “intellectual culture, moral development, literary purposes and philanthropy” has been fulfilled and is evidenced by the contribution of its members to the City of Dover and surrounding areas through such programs as Arts, Conservation, Education, Home Life, International, Public Affairs and Community Improvement; and
WHEREAS, we are deeply appreciative of the contributions of the Dover Century Club members who have volunteered their time and effort on behalf of our citizens and for the good of our community.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JAMES L. HUTCHISON, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF DOVER, do hereby Proclaim October 1, 1997 as DOVER CENTURY CLUB DAY in the City of Dover, and extend my personal congratulations and those of the City Council to the membership of the Dover Century Club for 100 years of community commitment, with our best wishes for many years of continued success in the future.
The Proclamation will be presented by Council President Christiansen during the scheduled Open House.
PROCLAMATION - FIRE PREVENTION WEEK
The City Clerk read into the record the following Proclamation:
WHEREAS, approximately 80 percent of all fires occur in the home; and
WHEREAS, smoke detectors provide early warning of fire and reduce the risk of dying in a home fire by 50 percent; and
WHEREAS, smoke detectors should be tested regularly and batteries should be replaced at lease once a year; and
WHEREAS, the Robbins Hose Company No. 1, Inc., serving as Dover’s volunteer fire department, is dedicated to the protection of life and property from the devastating effects of fire.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JAMES L. HUTCHISON, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF DOVER, DELAWARE, do hereby Proclaim October 5 - 11, 1997 as “FIRE PREVENTION WEEK” in the City of Dover, and urge all citizens to participate in fire prevention activities at home, work, and school, to test their smoke detectors and to install fresh batteries in those smoke detectors.
The Proclamation was presented to Carleton Carey, Jr., Fire Chief, by Mayor Hutchison and Mr. Truitt, Chairman of the Safety Advisory Committee.
PROCLAMATION - D.A.R.E. FESTIVAL DAY
The City Clerk read into the record the following Proclamation:
WHEREAS, the use and abuse of drugs and alcohol have become a major concern in the City of Dover, having an impact upon its crime rate, the health and welfare of its people, both young and old, and threatening the well-being of our community; and
WHEREAS, the future of our nation, our State, and the City of Dover depends upon the investment we make in our young people today by teaching them to resist the negative influences around them and to focus instead on their strengths and their potential to handle the affairs of tomorrow; and
WHEREAS, the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Program was created in 1983 as a joint venture of the Los Angeles Police Department and Unified School District and as a result of its extraordinary success, many law enforcement agencies and school districts now have D.A.R.E. in their communities, including the City of Dover; and
WHEREAS, the D.A.R.E. Program teaches our children how to refuse drugs and alcohol and provides them with the tools they need to build a better, fuller, more satisfying life - focusing on topics such as personal safety, drug use and misuse, consequences of behavior, resisting peer pressure, building self-esteem, assertiveness training, managing stress without drugs, media images of drug use, role models, and support systems; and
WHEREAS, a D.A.R.E. Festival will be held on Saturday, September 27, 1997 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the William Henry Middle School to honor the children who have participated in the program and to commend the families, organizations and volunteers who have contributed to the growth of the program.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JAMES L. HUTCHISON, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF DOVER, do hereby proclaim Saturday, September 27, 1997 as D.A.R.E. FESTIVAL DAY in the City of Dover, urging all citizens to join in this celebration in recognition and support of the efforts of the D.A.R.E. Program for its positive impact upon the lives of our children and families for drug and alcohol prevention.
The Proclamation was presented to Officer Sandy Smetana and Bill and Denise Chirillo by Mayor Hutchison, Chief Faulkner and Mr. Truitt, Chairman of the Safety Advisory Committee. Mayor Hutchison relayed appreciation to all those that have worked very hard towards the DARE Festival and encouraged our citizens to participate in the festivities.
UTILITY COMMITTEE REPORT
The Utility Committee met on September 8, 1997 with Chairman Lambert presiding.
Street Waiver Request - Bryan Industrial Park
The property located on the southeast corner of Horsepond Road and South Little Creek Road was recently annexed into the corporate limits of the City of Dover. The owner intends to construct a six lot industrial park and has requested various waivers from the subdivision street standards (Subdivision Regulations Appendix A of the City Code, Article VI, Section A) as follows:
1) Waiver from the 38' paved width for public streets, to permit a paved width of 32'. “No Parking” is proposed for the street.
2) Waiver from the 400' length limit on cul-de-sac or dead-end streets, to permit an overall cul-de-sac street length of 475'.
The City Planner relayed that the applicant states that the two street waivers are being requested since it is a small industrial subdivision that would have a low motor vehicle use and all necessary parking will be provided on the industrial lots as the project develops. The conceptual subdivision plan was reviewed by the Planning Commission who recommends approval of the requested waivers. It was noted by the Planning Commission that the requested waivers are similar to the Simpson Industrial Park which is similar in size and scope to this proposed subdivision.
The committee recommended approval of the request as outlined in (1) and (2) above and as recommended by the Planning Commission.
Mr. Lambert moved for approval of the committee’s recommendation, seconded by Mr. Weller and carried by a unanimous roll call vote (Mr. Fenimore absent).
Mr. Lambert moved for acceptance of the Utility Committee Report, seconded by Mrs. Malone and unanimously carried.
MONTHLY REPORTS - AUGUST 1997
By motion of Mrs. Malone, seconded by Mr. Leary, the following monthly reports were accepted:
Chief of Police Report
Planning and Inspections Report
City Assessor Report
City Clerk/Alderman Report (Fines)
City Manager's Report
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
FINAL READING - PROPOSED ORDINANCE
The First Reading of the following proposed ordinance was accomplished during the Council Meeting of September 8, 1997.
Mr. Leary moved that the final reading of the proposed ordinance be acknowledged by title only, seconded by Mr. Salters and unanimously carried.
Mr. Lambert moved for adoption of the following ordinance, seconded by Mrs. Malone and carried by a unanimous roll call vote (Mr. Fenimore absent):
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOVER, IN COUNCIL MET:
Chapter 22 of the Dover Code entitled “Utilities” is hereby amended by adding a new Article to be designated as Article VI to be entitled “Properties/Utilities Policy and Regulations”.
Sec. 22-260. Authority of City Manager and Treasurer.
(a) The City Manager and the Treasurer shall have authority to enter into Properties/Utilities agreements for the rental of space, easements, rights-of-way and other properties owned and operated by the City.
(b) The City Manager and the Treasurer shall also have authority to charge equivalent or higher payment for the use of space, easements, rights-of-way and other properties in lieu of franchise fees.
ADOPTED: September 22, 1997
Mrs. Malone moved to adjourn into executive session to discuss personnel matters, seconded by Mr. Weller and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:05 P.M.
DEBRAH J. BOAMAN
CITY CLERK
All orders, ordinances and resolutions adopted by City Council during their meeting of September 22, 1997, are hereby approved.
JAMES L. HUTCHISON
MAYOR
/DJB