COUNCIL COMMITTEES

The Council Committees Meeting was held on July 14, 1997 at 6:45 p.m., with Council President Christiansen presiding. Members of Council present were Mr. Lambert, Mr. Pitts, Mr. Leary, Mr. Truitt, Mrs. Malone, Mr. Salters, Mr. Weller and Mayor Hutchison. Mr. Fenimore was absent.

AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS

Mr. Lambert moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mrs. Malone and unanimously carried.

UTILITY COMMITTEE

The Utility Committee met with Chairman Lambert presiding. Members present were Councilmen Pitts and Weller (filling in for Councilman Fenimore) and Mr. Carey and Mr. Kramedas.

Revised Street Waiver Request - John Hunn Brown Property

During the committee meeting of June 9, 1997, the Committee recommended approval of a request for street waivers for the John Hunn Brown property. City Council denied the request during their meeting of June 23, 1997.

The City Planner relayed that the developer of the property, Mr. Bob Burns, has proposed a modification to the request that is significant enough to warrant reconsideration of the project. He now proposes changing 2,500' of roadway from an “access street” to a “collector street”. In effect, this 2,500' section, located on the northwest side of the development, would be widened an additional 6'. The revised plan calls for approximately 46% of the streets to be collector streets, which call for 60' right-of-way, 30' street pavement when no parking is permitted on the street, and 38' when parking is permitted on one side of the street. This adds 2,500' to this category of street which is a change from the last proposal. The remaining 54% will be access streets that call for 50' right-of-way, 24' street pavement when no parking is permitted on the street and 32' when parking is permitted on one side of the street.

Mr. DePrima noted that the requested waivers would also permit a tighter centerline radius than permitted at the following locations:

1)  The proposed traffic circle calls for a 115+/- feet centerline radius on the collector street. (The Code calls for a minimum 300' radius on collector streets.)

2)  One proposed expanded cul-de-sac street calls for a 90' centerline radius. (The Code calls for a 150' radius.)

With respect to on-street parking, the developer now proposes that there be one (1) on-street parking space per dwelling unit, in addition to the two off-street spaces required by City Code.

Mr. DePrima submitted information relative to design standards for collector streets in accordance with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, the Institute of Transportation Engineers, and the American Society of Civil Engineers/National Association of Home Builders. This information depicts that it is now generally accepted by most traffic engineering associations that narrower streets are safer than wider streets which give drivers a comfort level which encourages speeding.

The revised plan still achieves the goals of the developer to reduce pavement and increase greenways. The proposed reduction in street widths will save approximately four acres of land that would have been paved.

Mr. Bob Burns, developer of the John Hunn Brown property, addressed the members of the committee. He stated that he has worked with their architects and engineers in an attempt to redesign the development and he requested that the committee approve their latest request.

Mr. Weller stated that he met with the developer and rode through many developments to better understand the request and the possible consequences of approving the requested street waivers. As long as the requested waivers meet the requirements of emergency and maintenance equipment, he no longer objects.

Referring to the proposal of the City Planner to review the City’s current street standards, Mr. Weller suggested that this be accomplished as soon as possible so that developers will be aware of the City’s requirements and so that it may deter the need for waivers from the current standards. Mr. DePrima stated his feeling that the City’s street standards are excessive and stated that he plans to work with the MPO and DelDOT on revising street standards state-wide. This project should be started by early fall.

Mr. Carey moved to recommend approval of the revised street waiver request, as outlined in the City Planner’s Report (and as on file with the Office of the City Clerk), for the proposed development on the John Hunn Brown property. The motion was seconded by Mr. Kramedas and unanimously carried.

Evaluation of Bids - White Oak Road Pumping Station

In conjunction with the City’s Capital Investment Plan and design documents prepared by Davis, Bowen & Friedel, Inc., the City of Dover Department of Public Works solicited bids for the construction of the White Oak Road Pumping Station upgrades. Bids were submitted by five (5) firms, with the low bid received from Howard Robson, Inc. in the amount of $418,700 and staff recommended that the bid be awarded to the low bidder.

Mr. O’Connor stated that he has been contacted by Councilman Truitt relative to the City’s policy for local vendor preference. The question is directed at a difference of $609 between the two lowest bidders, noting that James Julian, Inc., with a bid of $419,309 is from Wilmington, Delaware, and that Howard Robson, Inc., with a bid of $418,700 is from Landisville, Pennsylvania. He stated that the selection between the two lowest bidders is left to the discretion of City Council. Asked by Mr. Carey if the references were checked on both firms, Mr. O’Connor stated that City staff checked the references of both companies and responses were relatively equal. The firm of Howard Robson, Inc. has had more current sewer projects, but the project experience of both firms was fairly equal.

Mr. Leary stated that he does not object to a local vendor preference, providing that the quotes are relatively close, but he questioned if a company operating out of Wilmington should be considered for the local vendor preference.

Mr. Kramedas moved to recommend that the bid be awarded to the lowest bidder, Howard Robson, Inc., in the amount of $418,700, seconded by Mr. Weller. The motion failed by a vote of two (2) yes, three (3) no (Mr. Lambert, Mr. Pitts and Mr. Carey).

Mr. Pitts moved to recommend that the bid for the White Oak Road Pumping Station upgrades be awarded to James Julian, Inc., in the amount of $419,309, seconded by Mr. Carey and carried with Mr. Weller voting no.

Evaluation of Bids - Backhoe - Electric Department

In accordance with the City’s equipment replacement program, trencher #722 (1985 Ditch Witch Model 4010), is scheduled for replacement due to its age and maintenance costs. Bids were received from three vendors which included an option for trading in the old trencher. Attempts to sell the old trencher directly were unsuccessful. The low bid was received from First State Ford/New Holland with a cost for the new unit of $44,334.69, less the trade-in value for the old trencher of $7,000, for a total net cost of $37,334.69. Staff recommended approval of the low bid.

Mr. Carey moved to recommend that a purchase order be issued to First State Ford/New Holland in the amount of $37,334.69 for the purchase of a new trencher. The motion was seconded by Mr. Pitts and unanimously carried.

Mr. Salters moved to adjourn, seconded by Mrs. Malone and unanimously carried.

Meeting Adjourned at 7:15 P.M.

                                                                        Respectfully submitted,

                                                                        Robin R. Christiansen

                                                                        Council President

RRC/DJB